Device with a human-machine interface

• US 7,057,521 B1
• Filed: 04/08/1999
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Kip, Albart J., Beuk, Leonardus G. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/288,410
• Time in Patent Office: 2,616 Days
• Field of Search: 341/34, 341/22, 341/23, 341/31, 340/825.26, 340/825.56, 379/52, 345/7
• US Class Current: 340/11.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen

Abstract

A device with a human-machine interface for use as a user control interface, particularly in a an automotive environment, which temporarily 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 warms about dangerous control organs. Moreover, ways to 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:

sensing a provisional user manifestation with respect to a function invoking elements of a user interface device;

awaiting sensing of a subsequent confirmatory user manifestation with respect to the function invoking element;

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

providing an identification of the element upon such recognizing.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said identification is an identification of the function of the element.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the confirmatory user manifestation is a manual actuation.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the confirmatory user manifestation is pushing a button.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the information relevant is an audible message.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the confirmatory user manifestation is an analog actuation.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising disclosing information relevant to the use of the element when sensing of the subsequent confirmatory user manifestation is not detected within a further predetermined period of time after sensing the provisional user manifestation.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification of the element is provided for a limited time after sensing the provisional user manifestation.

9. A method for processing user inputs comprising the acts of:

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

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

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

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

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising disclosing a further indication of the function when detecting of the selection action is not detected within a further predetermined period of time after detecting the pre-selection action.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the identification of the function is provided for a limited time after detecting the pre-selection action.