Device with a human-machine interface

• US 7,482,943 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2005
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• 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
• Assistant Examiner(s): Syed; Nabil H
• Application Number:
  US11/210,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20060001548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.6, 340/825.31, 340/825.26, 340/825.56, 341/22
• US Class Current: 340/11.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• 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 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

A device with a human-machine interface for use as a user control interface, particularly in an automotive environment, which temporarily makes an 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 warns about dangerous control organs. Moreover, ways of 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 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 help information to the user upon such recognizing.