Multi-dimensional controls integration

• US 8,099,209 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Tschirhart, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): VERLEY, NICOLE T
• Application Number:
  US12/138,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20090312900A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00985 Control systems or circuits characterised by display or indicating devices, e.g. voice simulators characterised by the input of sound using a voice synthesizer B60H1/00757; B60H1/00978 takes precedence
• 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 2370/122 with reconfigurable control functions, e.g. reconfigurable menus
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 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: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments

Abstract

A multi-dimensional control system for simultaneously controlling multiple device functions in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a control panel having a control surface and an input device that is selectable at a plurality of positions about the control surface. Each of the positions is associated with one of a plurality of first function settings and one of a plurality of second function settings. Additional devices, systems, and methods for controlling multiple functions in a motor vehicle are disclosed.

Claims

1. A multi-dimensional control system for simultaneously controlling multiple device functions in a motor vehicle, the system comprising:

a control panel having a control surface; and

an input device selectable at a plurality of positions about the control surface, wherein each position is simultaneously associated with at least one of a plurality of first function settings and at least one of a plurality of second function settings;

wherein the control panel outputs the first and second function settings simultaneously with a selection of one of the plurality of positions.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the associated first function settings vary in a first dimension of the control surface and the associated second function settings vary in a second dimension of the control surface.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one output device that performs the first and second functions, wherein the control panel is in electronic communication with the at least one output device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first function has an m number of settings, the second function has an n number of settings, and the input device is selectable at an m×

n number of positions.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises a plurality of proximity sensors.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one selectable position on the control surface is associated with two or more proximity sensors.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second functions are climate control system functions.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein one of the first and second functions is fan speed.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the other of the second and first functions is vent configuration.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising any two or more of the following:

at least one output device that performs the first and second functions, wherein the control panel is in electronic communication with the at least one output device;

the associated first function settings vary in a first dimension of the control surface and the associated second function settings vary in a second dimension of the control surface;

the first function has an m number of settings, the second function has an n number of settings, and the input device is selectable at an m×

n number of positions;

the input device comprises a plurality of proximity sensors;

at least one selectable position on the control surface is associated with two or more proximity sensors;

the first and second functions are climate control system functions;

one of the first and second functions is fan speed; and

the other of the second and first functions is vent configuration.

11. A multi-dimensional control system for simultaneously controlling multiple device functions in a motor vehicle, the system comprising:

a control panel having a control surface; and

an input device having a plurality of selectable control inputs arranged about the control surface, wherein each of the control inputs is simultaneously associated with at least one of a plurality of first function settings and at least one of a plurality of second function settings;

wherein the control panel outputs the first and second function settings simultaneously with a selection of one of the plurality of positions.

12. The control panel of claim 11, wherein the associated first function settings vary in a first dimension of the control surface and the associated second function settings vary in a second dimension of the control surface.

13. The control panel of claim 11, further comprising at least one output device that performs the first and second functions, wherein the control panel is in electronic communication with the at least one output device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the first function has an m number of settings, the second function has an n number of settings, and the control panel comprises an m×

n number of control inputs.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the control inputs are arranged in an m×

n array about the control surface.

16. The control panel of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of proximity sensors that define the control inputs.

17. The control panel of claim 16, wherein at least one control input is defined by two or more proximity sensors.

18. The control panel of claim 11, further comprising any two or more of the following:

the associated first function settings vary in a first dimension of the control surface and the associated second function settings vary in a second dimension of the control surface;

at least one output device that performs the first and second functions, wherein the control panel is in electronic communication with the at least one output device;

the first function has an m number of settings, the second function has an n number of settings, and the control panel comprises an m×

n number of control inputs;

the control inputs are arranged in an m×

n array about the control surface;

a plurality of proximity sensors that define the control inputs; and

at least one control input is defined by two or more proximity sensors.