Reconfigurable vehicle accessory control panel
First Claim
1. A vehicle accessory control panel for controlling at least two vehicle accessory systems, said control panel comprising:
- a plurality of switches that is reconfigurable to provide at least two sets of switch functions;
a plurality of graphics for identifying switch functions;
a plurality of illumination elements for illuminating said plurality of graphics;
a first mode selector switch for selecting said first mode; and
a second mode selector switch for selecting said second mode;
wherein said switches are reconfigurable in first and second non-simultaneous modes to enable a respective set of accessory switch functions for controlling a respective vehicle accessory system, wherein a respective set of illumination elements is activated for illuminating a respective set of graphics identifiable with a selected set of accessory switch functions, wherein a first set of graphics identifies a first set of accessory switch functions in response to enabling said first set of accessory switch functions, wherein a second set of graphics identifies a second set of accessory switch functions in response to enabling said second set of accessory switch functions, wherein a wakeup protocol includes a sequential illumination learning mode scheme for visually identifying each said respective set of accessory switch functions, and wherein said learning mode scheme sequentially illuminates a respective mode selector switch and respective graphics for identifying said respective set of accessory switch functions associated with said respective mode switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle accessory control panel is provided for controlling at least two vehicle accessory systems. A plurality of switches is reconfigurable for providing at least two sets of switch functions. A plurality of graphics is provided for identifying the switch functions. A plurality of illumination elements is provided for illuminating the plurality of graphics. The respective set of illumination elements is activated for illuminating a respective set of graphics identifiable with a selected set of accessory switch functions. A first set of graphics identifies a first set of accessory switch functions in response to enabling the first set of accessory switch functions. A second set of graphics identifies a second set of accessory switch functions in response to enabling the second set of accessory switch functions. A wakeup protocol includes a sequential illumination learning mode scheme for visually identifying each respective set of accessory switch functions.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A vehicle accessory control panel for controlling at least two vehicle accessory systems, said control panel comprising:
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a plurality of switches that is reconfigurable to provide at least two sets of switch functions; a plurality of graphics for identifying switch functions; a plurality of illumination elements for illuminating said plurality of graphics; a first mode selector switch for selecting said first mode; and a second mode selector switch for selecting said second mode; wherein said switches are reconfigurable in first and second non-simultaneous modes to enable a respective set of accessory switch functions for controlling a respective vehicle accessory system, wherein a respective set of illumination elements is activated for illuminating a respective set of graphics identifiable with a selected set of accessory switch functions, wherein a first set of graphics identifies a first set of accessory switch functions in response to enabling said first set of accessory switch functions, wherein a second set of graphics identifies a second set of accessory switch functions in response to enabling said second set of accessory switch functions, wherein a wakeup protocol includes a sequential illumination learning mode scheme for visually identifying each said respective set of accessory switch functions, and wherein said learning mode scheme sequentially illuminates a respective mode selector switch and respective graphics for identifying said respective set of accessory switch functions associated with said respective mode switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A vehicle accessory control system for controlling a plurality of vehicle accessories in a vehicle, said control system comprising:
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a plurality of switches that is reconfigurable to provide at least two sets of accessory switch functions; a plurality of graphics disposed on said plurality of switches; a plurality of illumination elements for illuminating said plurality graphics; at least one controller for controlling the selection and activation of said at least two sets of switch functions; a first mode selector switch for selecting a first set of accessory switch functions; and a second mode selector switch for selecting a second set of accessory switch functions; wherein said controller receives a control input from said mode selector switches to select a respective set of accessory switch functions, said controller reconfigures said switches to operate in first and second non-simultaneous modes and enables said selected respective set of accessory switch functions in response to said control input and illuminates a respective set of graphics for identifying said respective set of accessory switch functions, and wherein said controller implements a wakeup protocol, wherein said wakeup protocol includes a sequential illumination learning mode scheme for visually identifying of each said respective set of accessory switch functions, said learning mode scheme sequentially illuminates a respective mode selector switch and respective graphics for identifying said respective set of accessory switch functions associated with said respective mode switch. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for activating vehicle accessory controls from a vehicle instrument panel using a reconfigurable switch panel, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an accessory control unit disposed in said instrument panel; providing a plurality of reconfigurable switches disposed in said accessory control unit including switches operable in first and second non-simultaneous modes; providing a plurality of illumination elements for illuminating a plurality of graphics, each respective graphic is identifiable with a respective switch function; initiating a wakeup protocol, wherein said wakeup protocol includes a sequential illumination learning mode scheme for visually identifying each said respective set of accessory switch functions according to each respective mode comprising; a. energizing said accessory control unit; b. illuminating a first mode selector switch and a second mode selector switch; c. dimming a first mode selector switch and illuminating a second mode selector switch and said respective set of graphics associated with said second mode selector switch; d. dimming a second mode selector switch and said respective set of graphics and illuminating said first mode selector switch and said respective set of graphics associated with said first selector switch; e. dimming said first mode selector switch and said respective set of graphics associated with said first mode selector switch; and reconfiguring said reconfigurable set of switches of said accessory control unit for a respective set of accessory switch functions in response to a control input, wherein a respective set of illumination elements illuminate according to a respective mode for identifying enabled switch functions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification