Reconfigurable tactile controls and displays

• US 8,665,245 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2010
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• 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:
  US12/715,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20100201893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 345/158, 345/172, 345/173, 345/184, 382/103, 353/14, 348/734, 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 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: 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 member;

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

a camera for obtaining image information concerning the rotational position of said second portion including at least one target thereon, said camera located on the opposite side of said member from a user of the control knob.

2. The knob according to claim 1 further including a light source to illuminate said at least one target.

3. The knob according to claim 2 wherein said light source comprises at least one LED.

4. The knob according to claim 1 further including a computer to analyze the output of said camera to determine a user control input.

5. The knob according to claim 1 wherein said second portion is further movable in at least one Cartesian axis with respect to said member.

6. The knob according to claim 1 wherein image information concerning a plurality of targets is obtained.

7. The knob according to claim 1 wherein said image information further concerns the position or state of at least one additional physical control.

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

a first portion affixed to a member;

a second portion rotatable with respect to said first portion and movable in at least one Cartesian axis with respect to said member; and

a camera for obtaining image information concerning the rotational position and at least one Cartesian position of said second portion, said camera located on the opposite side of said member from a user of the control knob.

9. The knob according to claim 8 further including a computer to determine from the output of said camera a desired user control input.

10. The knob according to claim 8 further including a light source.

11. The knob according to claim 10 wherein said light source comprises at least one LED.

12. The knob according to claim 8 wherein said second portion is movable in two Cartesian axes with respect to said member.

13. The knob according to claim 8 wherein said image information further concerns the position or state of at least one additional physical control.

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

a first portion affixed to a member;

a second portion rotatable with respect to said first portion;

a light source; and

a camera for obtaining image information concerning the rotational position of said second portion, said camera and said light source located on the opposite side of said member from a user of the control knob.

15. The knob according to claim 14 further including a light source.

16. The knob according to claim 15 wherein said light source comprises at least one LED.

17. The knob according to claim 14 further including a computer to determine from the output of said camera a desired user control input.

18. The knob according to claim 14 wherein said second portion is movable in at least one Cartesian axis.

19. The knob according to claim 14 wherein said image information further concerns the position or state of at least one additional physical control.

20. The knob according to claim 14 wherein said image further concerns information relating to a selection by a user.