Device with a human-machine interface

• US 5,923,267 A
• Filed: 06/02/1998
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Kip, Albart J., Beuk, Leonardus G. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/090,002
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.56, 340/825.31, 341/22, 341/23, 341/31, 341/34, 341/20, 341/21, 341/27, 379/52, 379/368, 395/118, 395/120
• US Class Current: 340/5.54
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/141 Activation of instrument input devices by approaching fingers or pens
• 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: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes

Abstract

A device with a human-machine interface for use as a user control interface, particularly in an automotive environment, which temporarily makes an indication of the function of a control organ perceptible, when the user begins to actuate it, but has not yet definitively actuated it. The device with a human-machine interface helps the user to find the right control organ, or warns about dangerous control organs. Moreover, ways of finding groups of control organs and verifying the setting of groups of control organs are made possible.

Claims

1. A method for processing user inputs comprising:

a;

sensing a pre-selection action by a user with respect to a function invoking element of a user interface device;

b;

awaiting sensing of a subsequent selection action by the user with respect to the function invoking element;

c;

recognizing passage of a predetermined period of time during which said awaiting has occurred; and

d;

providing an identification of the function of the element upon such recognizing.