Reconfigurable tactile controls and displays

• US 7,671,851 B1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy R. Pryor
• Original Assignee: Timothy R. Pryor
• Inventors: Pryor, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): OSORIO, RICARDO
• Application Number:
  US11/319,807
• Time in Patent Office: 1,524 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/175, 345/179, 345/184, 345/104, 341/35
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/122 Instrument input devices with reconfigurable control functions, e.g. reconfigurable menus
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• 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

Abstract

New methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently and safely providing controls and displays therefore, particularly, but necessarily to be used within the center stack region of a vehicle instrument panel. The apparatus utilizes, in most embodiments, a rear projection display and machine vision sensing of control position and, optionally, finger touch. A very stylistic and easy to use instrument panel results which can be programmed or otherwise provided in many different forms to suit different users or option package designs.

Claims

1. A knob for controlling a computer based function, comprising:

a first portion affixed to a control surface;

a second portion rotating with respect to said first portion under the action of a user; and

a screen portion mounted to one of said first and second portions on which images are displayed wherein said control surface comprises a control panel, and a TV camera is located on the opposite side of the control panel for obtaining image information concerning the rotational position of said second portion, said screen portion located in the center of said knob on which information is displayed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein information concerning said knob is projected on said screen.

3. A knob according to claim 1 further including a switch to allow an action to be designated by a user.

4. A knob for controlling a computer based function, comprising:

a first portion affixed to a control surface;

a second portion rotatable with respect to said first position; and

a TV camera for obtaining image information concerning the rotational position of said second portion wherein said control surface comprises a control panel and said TV camera is located on the opposite side of the control panel from a user of the control knob, said knob further including a screen in the center of said knob on which information is displayed.

5. The knob according to claim 4 wherein control surface comprises a control panel and said rotational position is with respect to said control panel.

6. The knob according to claim 4 wherein said control surface comprises a control panel and said rotational position is with respect to information displayed on said control panel.

7. The knob according to claim 4 wherein knob rotational position is sensed using the image of at least one datum located on said second portion.

8. The knob according to claim 4 wherein said displayed information is projected onto said screen.