Multi-functional control and entertainment systems

• US 7,466,843 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2005
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gesture Technology Partners, LLC
• Original Assignee: Timothy R. Pryor
• Inventors: Pryor, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu; Tom Y
• Application Number:
  US11/184,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20050276448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• Field of Search: 382/103, 353/14, 348/734, 345/158, 345/172, 345/173
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/122 Instrument input devices with reconfigurable control functions, e.g. reconfigurable menus
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/145 Instrument input by combination of touch screen and hardware input devices
• 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: G06F 3/0312 for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels tracking relative movement in co-operation with a regularly or irregularly patterned surface, e.g. as in optical mice G06F3/0317; constructional details of scroll or thumb-wheels G06F3/0362; optical rotary encoders G01D5/3473
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386

Abstract

For use in vehicles, it is desirable to have multi-functional (also known as reconfigurable) controls in the center stack portion of the instrument panel in order to best provide electronic and telematic functions to the driver. Disclosed are methods and apparatus to allow reconfiguration of classical controls such as knobs, sliders, and switches most familiar to the vast majority of the motoring public which may, if desired, utilize conventional flat panel displays (e.g., LCD based) and conventional readout electronics and switching. Also disclosed are projection based controls and new forms of rear seat entertainment controls and related apparatus for minivans and other vehicles.

Claims

1. An instrument panel for vehicles or other applications comprising:

a rear projection screen and controls surface having a plurality of physical controls affixed thereto

a fixed image projector for projecting fixed image data onto a rear projection screen and control surface, said fixed image data relating to a control function of at least one of said physical controls,

means to sense a user input command on said control surface, and computer means for determining a control function from said input command.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including an additional fixed image projector.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including a programmable optical image writing device to write information over said projected fixed image.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including a variable display for displaying variable image information.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said input command is a finger touch location.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said input command is a control detail position.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said control detail position comprises the position of one of a central knot and a slider.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said input command comprises a physical touching of the screen by a user.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said input command comprises physical touching of a central detail by a user.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said control detail comprises one of a control knob and slider.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fixed image projection comprises a slide projector.

12. An instrument panel for vehicles or other applications comprising:

a plurality of fixed image projectors each projecting fixed and unchangeable image data onto a rear projection screen and control surface of said instrument panel, only one of said projectors being substantially operable at any one time,

means to sense a user input command on said control surface,

computer means for determining a control function from said input command.