System for providing a handling interface

• US 8,621,347 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Kang, Sung Hyun
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, CONG LAC T
• Application Number:
  US13/233,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20120131505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 715/273
• US Class Current: 715/273
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1442 Emulation of input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/11 Graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1442 Emulation of 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: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs

Abstract

This invention pertains to a system for providing a handling interface. More specifically, a display module for displaying the contents as images, and a control module for displaying a handling interface having a shape corresponding to a handling device is shown on the display module when an access signal is received from the handling device. The control module is also configured to perform a function displayed on the handling interface according to a signal from the handling device. In particular, the access signal represents the access of user'"'"'s hand or a handling tool to the handling device, thereby allowing to user to more conveniently handle contents provided from a multimedia device in an automobile.

Claims

1. A system for displaying a virtual representation of a handling device on a screen, wherein the system comprises:

a display module for displaying contents as images on the screen, and

a control module for displaying on the screen a handling interface having a shape corresponding to the handling device in response to receiving an access signal from the handling device, the control module further configured to perform a function displayed on the handling interface according to a signal from the handling device, wherein the access signal represents control of the handling device by the user'"'"'s touch,

wherein the handling device is a hardware device.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, when a first pressing signal on a first button is received from the handling device, the control module configured to produce an execution command signal to display menu lists which include a pre-set contents or sub-menus for the contents, and transmits the execution command to a multimedia device.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein, when the first pressing signal is received, the control module displays an icon superimposed on the first button shown in the handling interface, the icon representing that the button is pressed.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the control module selects a particular sub-menu among the menu lists through a second pressing signal on a second button from the handling device, and wherein the control module produces an execution command signal to execute contents associated with the selected sub-menu, and transmits the execution command signal to the multimedia device.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein, when the second pressing signal is received, the control module displays superimposes an icon on the position of the second button in the handling interface, the icon representing that the button is pressed.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein, when any one of moving signals to a front, back, left or right side is received from the handling device, the control module transmitting an execution command signal to multimedia device to move the screen of the contents to the front, back, left or right side according to the moving signal.

7. A network for displaying a virtual representation of a handling device on a screen, wherein the network comprises:

the handling device for producing and outputting an access signal initiated when a user operates the handling device, a pressing signal and a scrolling signal which are transmitted in response to a user'"'"'s handling of the handling device, wherein the handling device is a hardware device;

a multimedia device for storing contents and execution data, and executing contents according to an execution command signal and outputting the executed result; and

a system for displaying on the screen a handling interface having a shape corresponding to the handling device in response to receiving the access signal from the handling device, producing the execution command signal according to the pressing signal and scrolling signal and transmitting the execution command to the multimedia device, and receiving the executed result from the multimedia device and displaying the result on the screen.

8. The network according to claim 7, wherein the handling device comprises:

a first button configured to output a first pressing signal to call out menu lists for contents when the first button is pressed;

a second button configured to output a second pressing signal to select sub-menus associated with the particular menu selected from the menu lists when the second button is pressed;

a third button configured to output a third pressing signal to move the current menu lists or sub-menus to menu lists or sub-menus in a previous step;

a wheel button configured to output a scrolling signal according to a rotating direction and amount when it is rotated;

an access sensor configured to sense a user'"'"'s hand or a handling tool touching the handling device; and

a vibration module configured to impart vibration to a handled button when any one of the first, the second, the third buttons and the wheel button is handled and a menu is selected.

9. The network according to claim 8, wherein, when the access signal is received, the system for providing a handling interface displays, on a screen as the handling interface, images having a same shape as a body of the handling device and the first, the second, the third buttons and the wheel button formed on the body.

10. The network according to claim 8, wherein the system for providing a handling interface displays, on the screen as the handling interface, an image having the shape of computer mouse comprising an elliptical body;

the first button formed on a right front part of the body;

the second button formed on the left front part of the body, symmetrical to the first button;

the wheel button formed between the first button and the second button; and

the third button formed on a side part of the body.

11. The network according to claim 7, wherein the system for providing a handling interface displays the handling interface on a center part of the screen divided into three areas, and displays function modes for executing contents and sub-menus associated with a particular function mode on left and right parts of the handling interface, respectively.