System for computer user interface

• US 6,703,999 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2000
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Xue, Feng, Lin, Han, Iwanami, Hiroyuki, Chang, Hsin-Wang Wayne, Xia, Liba
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Jennifer T.
• Application Number:
  US09/709,721
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 345/175, 345/7, 345/8, 345/9, 345/173, 345/157, 345/158, 345/156, 345/168
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• 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: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen

Abstract

A computer user interface for use in a transport vehicle (10), which defines a virtual control panel in the upper open area of the vehicle steering wheel (12). The user enters inputs by action in appropriate sections of the virtual control panel area. A computer controlled display (20) illustrates a map to the user of locations of sections in the virtual control panel area, and information that can be input by user action with particular sections. A sensor (22) monitors the virtual control panel area, and produces electronic information corresponding to user action in the virtual control panel area. Software logic in a computer (46) analyzes the electronic information to determine if there has been user action and the location thereof, for designating an action as a particular user input. Based upon the designation, the computer produces an appropriate output, such as operating or adjusting vehicle systems.

Claims

1. A system for computer user interface, comprising:

(a) an energy source disposed for producing a sensing field within a closed area in a first plane when the energy source is operated;

(b) a sensor disposed in a second plane that is different from the first plane for monitoring the closed area and producing electronic information corresponding to user action within the closed area in the first plane that causes at least a portion of the sensing field within the closed area to be redirected towards the sensor when the sensor is operated; and

(c) a computer electronically connected to the sensor, the computer receiving electronic information produced by the sensor when the computer is operated, the computer including logic which analyzes electronic information received from the sensor and produces output signals corresponding to user action within the closed area, wherein the energy source is located on a steering wheel of a vehicle and the sensor is located on an instrumental panel of the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vibrator electronically connected to the computer, and operable by a computer output signal for providing feedback to the user.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy source comprises a light source oriented for irradiating a screen of infrared light upwardly when the light source is operated, with the screen of infrared light comprising the sensing field.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a display electronically connected to the computer, wherein the computer includes logic, which when executed by the computer, causes a map to be shown on the display, indicating locations of predefined sections within the closed area, and information corresponding to a function that will be performed if there is user action in that predefined section of the closed area.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy source comprises a series of light emitting diodes extending in a linear arrangement relative to one another.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is for use in a motor vehicle having a steering wheel with a steering wheel upper half having an open region, said closed area substantially corresponding to region in the steering wheel upper half.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a digital camera type sensor.

8. A system for computer user interface, comprising:

(a) an energy source disposed for irradiating energy within a closed area in a first plane, the energy including light in the infrared region when the energy source is operated;

(b) a sensor disposed in a second plane that is different from the first plane, the sensor for monitoring the closed area and producing electronic information corresponding to user action within the closed area in the first plane that causes at least a portion of the light within the closed area to be redirected towards the sensor when the sensor is operated; and

(c) a computer electronically connected to the sensor, the computer receiving electronic information produced by the sensor when the computer is operated, the computer including logic which analyzes electronic information received from the sensor and produces output as appropriate in response to user action within the closed area, wherein the energy source is located on a steering wheel of a vehicle and the sensor is located on an instrumental panel of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a vibrator electronically connected to the computer, and operated by the computer in response to at least some user action for feedback to the user.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the energy source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned for irradiating the light upwardly.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the system is for use in a motor vehicle having a steering wheel with a region in a steering wheel upper half, said closed area substantially corresponding to the region in the steering wheel upper half.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises a digital camera type sensor.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the energy source includes a lens for collimating the light, the lens having opposing surfaces, with at least one surface being substantially semi-cylindrical.

14. A method of providing a computer user interface in a vehicle having a steering wheel, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) defining a closed area in a first plane that is proximate the steering wheel as a virtual control panel for a user to enter inputs by user action within the closed area;

(b) using an energy source to produce a sensing field extending substantially along the closed area for aiding the sensor in detecting user action within the closed area;

(c) monitoring the closed area with a sensor in a second plane that is different from the first plane, which produces electronic information corresponding to user action within the closed area in the first plane that causes at least a portion of a sensing field within the closed area to be redirected towards the sensor; and

(d) computer processing the electronic information using logic which analyzes the electronic information and produces output as appropriate to user action within the closed area, wherein the energy source is located on the steering wheel of the vehicle and the sensor is located on an instrumental panel of the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of monitoring the predefined area with a sensor, includes using a digital camera type sensor.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

(a) mounting a vibrator in the vehicle at a location proximate the user when the user is positioned for driving the vehicle; and

(b) selectively operating the vibrator via the computer for providing haptic feedback to the user.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of using an energy source includes operating a series of light emitting diodes oriented for radiating electromagnetic radiation across the area for forming the sensing field.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of using an energy source, includes using an energy source which produces a sensing field substantially consisting of electromagnetic radiation in a bandwidth invisible to human eyesight.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of using an energy source, includes orienting the energy source to produce the sensing field with the electromagnetic radiation thereof, radiating upwardly relative to the vehicle.