Input device and automobile vehicle using the same

• US 7,038,147 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2004
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Sasanouchi, Kiyotaka, Shoji, Rihito
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US10/820,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20050077157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5.R, 200/17.R, 200/18, 200/61.54, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 345161-163, 345/167, 345/184, 701/1, 701/36, 701/49
• US Class Current: 200/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor

Abstract

Input device has a plurality of dials, a driving portion for moving the plurality of dials, a dial selecting portion and a controller. The dial selecting portion receives an input to make a selection from the plurality of dials. The controller controls the driving portion such that the dial selected by the input supplied to the dial selecting portion is moved to a predetermined position. By virtue of the described construction, a specific dial is moved to the position where it is easy to control. The input device is preferably mounted on a vehicle. A driver is enabled to select a dial desired to be controlled without the need for searching for it through the sense of sight and to control the dial easily.

Claims

1. Input device comprising:

a plurality of dials;

a driving portion for moving the plurality of dials;

a dial selecting portion for receiving an input to make a selection from the plurality of dials; and

a controller for controlling the driving portion such that the dial selected by the input supplied to the dial selector is moved to a predetermined position.

2. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a rotary plate having the plurality of dials disposed thereon, wherein

the driving portion rotates the rotary plate.

3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein

the rotary plate rotates in such a direction that the selected dial takes the shortest distance to reach the predetermined position.

4. The input device according to claim 2, further comprising a rotation mechanism for rotating the plurality of dials such that orientations of the plurality of dials are kept fixed regardless of rotational angles of the rotary plate.

5. The input device according to claim 4, wherein

the rotation mechanism is made up of a combination of a plurality of gears operated by a power from the driving portion.

6. The input device according to claim 1, wherein

at least one of the dials has an angle indicating portion showing an angle of the dial.

7. The input device according to claim 6, wherein

the angle indicating portion allows the angle of the dial to be known through a sense of touch.

8. The input device according to claim 6, wherein

the angle indicating portion is one of a protrusion and a recess provided in a diametrical direction of the dial.

9. The input device according to claim 6, wherein

the angle indicating portion is a light emitting portion.

10. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a press switch disposed on one of:

(1) at least one of undersides of the plurality of dials, and

(2) at least one of upper sides of the plurality of dials.

11. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising an informing portion for informing of results of operation of the selected dial.

12. The input device according to claim 11, further comprising a press switch disposed on one of:

(1) at least one of undersides of the plurality of dials, and

(2) at least one of upper sides of the plurality of dials, wherein

the informing portion informs of results of operation of the press switch.

13. The input device according to claim 1, wherein

the dial selecting portion selects one of the plurality of dials through a voice recognition input.

14. A vehicle comprising:

a car body;

a driving wheel for supporting the car body thereon; and

an input device installed inside the car body comprising;

a plurality of dials;

a driving portion for moving the plurality of dials;

a dial selecting portion for receiving an input to make a selection from the plurality of dials; and

a controller for controlling the driving portion such that the dial selected by the input supplied to the dial selector is moved to a predetermined position.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising a steering wheel provided in the car body, wherein

the predetermined position is a position closest to the steering wheel.

16. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein

the input device further comprises:

an informing portion for informing results of operation of the selected dial; and

a display portion for displaying information from the informing portion, wherein

the display portion is at least one of

(1) a display disposed on one of a meter panel provided within the car body and a dashboard provided within the car body, and

(2) a headup display arranged to have information from the informing portion displayed on a windshield fixed to the car body.

17. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein

the input device further comprises:

an informing portion for informing of results of operation of the selected dial; and

a voice output portion for informing of information from the informing portion by voice.

18. The vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising a steering wheel including a steering switch, wherein

the dial selecting portion selects one of the plurality of dials upon receipt of an input from the steering switch.