Vehicular function controller having alterable function designators
First Claim
1. A control system for use by an operator of a vehicle for actuating a plurality of vehicular functions located remotely from the operator, said system comprising:
- (A) a plurality of discrete switches disposed upon the steering control of said vehicle, each switch adapted to selectably control a plurality of remotely located functions and each switch providing tactile feedback to the user;
(B) discrete display means associated with, and in close proximity to each of said plurality of switches, each display means adapted to selectably provide a plurality of alterable function designators that specify the particular function being controlled by the associated switch;
(C) control means including a microprocessor and adapted to;
(1) receive signals indicative of the activation of each of said switches, (2) determine which alterable function designator is to be appropriately displayed in conjunction with each of said switches, (3) activate the display means of said appropriate designator, and (4) provide control signals in response to the activation of each of said switches; and
,(D) means adapted to receive the control signals and distribute said signals to the appropriate function which is to be controlled, whereby each switch is adapted to operate in cooperation with the control means so as to control a plurality of said vehicular functions, and the display means associated with each switch is adapted to display which of said functions is being controlled at a given time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multifunction control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of switches, each switch adapted to control a plurality of vehicular functions. Each switch has associated therewith a display element for indicating which of the functions that switch is controlling. The system further includes a microprocessor based controller which mediates which designator each display element will exhibit as well as which vehicular function a given switch will control. The system is readily adapted to a menu-driven mode of operation, and the switches may be mounted upon the steering wheel of a vehicle.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A control system for use by an operator of a vehicle for actuating a plurality of vehicular functions located remotely from the operator, said system comprising:
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(A) a plurality of discrete switches disposed upon the steering control of said vehicle, each switch adapted to selectably control a plurality of remotely located functions and each switch providing tactile feedback to the user; (B) discrete display means associated with, and in close proximity to each of said plurality of switches, each display means adapted to selectably provide a plurality of alterable function designators that specify the particular function being controlled by the associated switch; (C) control means including a microprocessor and adapted to;
(1) receive signals indicative of the activation of each of said switches, (2) determine which alterable function designator is to be appropriately displayed in conjunction with each of said switches, (3) activate the display means of said appropriate designator, and (4) provide control signals in response to the activation of each of said switches; and
,(D) means adapted to receive the control signals and distribute said signals to the appropriate function which is to be controlled, whereby each switch is adapted to operate in cooperation with the control means so as to control a plurality of said vehicular functions, and the display means associated with each switch is adapted to display which of said functions is being controlled at a given time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification