Onboard unit controlling apparatus
First Claim
1. An onboard unit controlling apparatus including:
- a plurality of onboard units operable by an occupant;
a sight line detector configured to detect a sight line of the occupant;
a controller configured such that, when the sight line of the occupant detected by the sight line detector is directed to any one of the plurality of onboard units, the controller turns the onboard unit, to which the sight line is directed, into an operable state;
a notifying device configured such that, when the controller judges that the onboard unit, to which the sight line is directed, is operable, the notifying device notifies the occupant of the onboard unit; and
a run judging device that is configured to judge whether a vehicle is running, whereinwhen any one of the onboard units is continuously operable for a predetermined time or longer and if the run judging device judges that the vehicle is running, the controller releases the one of the onboard units from the operable state, and concurrently operates the notifying device in a mode different from a mode in the operable state.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
When an occupant'"'"'s sight line detected by sight line detector is directed to any one of multiple onboard units (a side mirror, a rear view mirror, a navigation system, an in-vehicle phone, an air blowout port, and a meter panel), a controller allows the onboard unit, to which the sight line is directed, to be operable. Thus, the occupant can select the onboard unit, which the occupant wishes to operate, by the sight line without using the hand and further can operate the onboard unit by use of a common steering switch, thereby enhancing the convenience of operation. In addition, a corresponding one of pilot lamps notifies the occupant that the corresponding one of the onboard units, to which the sight line is directed, is operable. Accordingly, the occupant can avoid operating a wrong onboard unit while reliably recognizing the operable onboard unit even if the multiple onboard units are arranged close to one another.
13 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An onboard unit controlling apparatus including:
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a plurality of onboard units operable by an occupant; a sight line detector configured to detect a sight line of the occupant; a controller configured such that, when the sight line of the occupant detected by the sight line detector is directed to any one of the plurality of onboard units, the controller turns the onboard unit, to which the sight line is directed, into an operable state; a notifying device configured such that, when the controller judges that the onboard unit, to which the sight line is directed, is operable, the notifying device notifies the occupant of the onboard unit; and a run judging device that is configured to judge whether a vehicle is running, wherein when any one of the onboard units is continuously operable for a predetermined time or longer and if the run judging device judges that the vehicle is running, the controller releases the one of the onboard units from the operable state, and concurrently operates the notifying device in a mode different from a mode in the operable state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification