Selective control of devices in a motor vehicle

• US 5,471,389 A
• Filed: 01/28/1993
• Issued: 11/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Inventors: Hahlganss, Gunter
• Primary Examiner(s): Teska, Kevin J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREJD, RUSSELL WARREN
• Application Number:
  US08/010,601
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 180/167, 180/169, 341/176, 307/10.1, 307/10.4, 307/10 R, 364/424.05, 364/424, 455/88, 455/90, 455/158.4, 369/6
• US Class Current: 455/456.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors

Abstract

In an arrangement for the control of a device in a motor vehicle, in which control information is transmitted to the device by a control unit, the control unit is portable and may be passed about among passengers and a driver of the vehicle. When the vehicle is underway, the device is rendered non-responsive to the control information. This is accomplished at least partially blocking transmission of the control information to the device when the control unit is within reach of the driver.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a device in a motor vehicle, wherein control information is transmitted to the device by a control unit, the system comprising

a control unit located in the vehicle for control of the device by transmission of control information to the device;

a signal transmission path extending to said device for transmission of the control information;

means disposed in said signal transmission path for blocking said transmission of control information;

wherein said control unit is movable and, during a travelling of the vehicle, action of the control information is at least partially blocked by said blocking means upon a positioning of said control unit adjacent the driver.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said signal transmission path comprises

a cable transmission path and a wireless transmission path, said cable transmission path extending at least partway between said control unit and said device;

wherein a transmission of signals which represent the control information are transmitted between the control unit and the device by said cable; and

said wireless transmission path extends between the control unit and one or more fixed points within the motor vehicle, said blocking means being responsive to signals transmitted via the wireless transmission path to block or to release action of the control information based upon present position of said control unit within said vehicle.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said wireless transmission path operates with infrared rays.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said blocking means transmits intended control information from the place of the driver dependent on vehicular speed during a movement of the vehicle.

5. A system according to claim 4, further comprising

control elements for the intended control information, the control elements being fixed in position, in the vicinity of the driver.

6. A system for controlling a device in a motor vehicle, wherein control information is transmitted to the device by a control unit, the system comprising

a control unit located in the vehicle for control of the device by transmission of control information to the device;

means for blocking said transmission of control information;

wherein said control unit is movable and, during a travelling of the vehicle, action of the control information is at least partially blocked by said blocking means upon a positioning of said control unit adjacent the driver;

the system further comprises at least one receiver; and

wherein the transmission of the control information between said control unit and said device takes place in wireless manner, said at least one receiver being directed away from a location of the driver to prevent reception of the control information from the direction of the driver.

7. A system according to claim 6, further comprising

a second receiver directed toward the location of the driver to receive information from the direction of the driver.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein

said at least one receiver is positioned in the region of the upper edge of the windshield.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said at least one receiver is integrated in an assembly which also bears a rear-view mirror.

10. A system for controlling a device in a motor vehicle, wherein control information is transmitted to the device by a control unit, the system comprising

a control unit located in the vehicle for control of the device by transmission of control information to the device;

means for blocking said transmission of control information;

wherein said control unit is movable and, during a travelling of the vehicle, action of the control information is at least partially blocked by said blocking means upon a positioning of said control unit adjacent the driver;

the system further comprises a first and a second receiver;

wherein the transmission of control information between said control unit and said device takes place in wireless manner, said first receiver being directed to a passenger location of said vehicle to enable reception of the control information from all parts of the passenger space of the vehicle;

said second receiver is directed to a region of the driver; and

said blocking means is operative, upon reception of control information by said second receiver, to block action of the control information.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the control information is transmitted by means of infrared rays.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein further information, in addition to the control information, can be transmitted from said device to said control unit via at least one of said transmission paths.