Method for attributing equipment operation to a specific operator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for controlling vehicle equipment, comprising:
- a signal generator;
a conductive surface operatively connected to the signal generator; and
a touch screen apparatus, wherein the touch screen apparatus includesa touch screen;
a control state evaluator operatively connected to the touch screen;
a signal detector operatively connected to the touch screen; and
a process controller configured to detect an output from the signal detector and an output of the control state evaluator, wherein the controller is configured to activate a first equipment control function based upon a detected signal from the signal generator, and is configured to activate a second equipment control function if the signal detector does not detect any signal.
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Abstract
A system, apparatus, and method are provided for controlling equipment operable by a plurality of operators. A control state evaluation device is configured to evaluate a control state of an equipment control. A signal detection device is configured to detect if a signal associated with an operator of the equipment control is present. A process controller is configured to activate a first equipment function if the signal from the equipment control is present, and is configured to activate a second equipment function if the signal is not present.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A system for controlling vehicle equipment, comprising:
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a signal generator; a conductive surface operatively connected to the signal generator; and a touch screen apparatus, wherein the touch screen apparatus includes a touch screen; a control state evaluator operatively connected to the touch screen; a signal detector operatively connected to the touch screen; and a process controller configured to detect an output from the signal detector and an output of the control state evaluator, wherein the controller is configured to activate a first equipment control function based upon a detected signal from the signal generator, and is configured to activate a second equipment control function if the signal detector does not detect any signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 37)
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15. A method for controlling equipment, the method comprising:
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evaluating a control state of an equipment control; detecting, using a signal detector, if a signal associated with an operator of the equipment control is present; and based upon the evaluated control state; activating a first equipment control function if the signal from the equipment control is present; and activating a second equipment control function if the signal detector does not detect any signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An apparatus for controlling equipment operable by a plurality of operators, comprising:
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a control state evaluation device configured to evaluate a control state of an equipment control; a signal detection device configured to detect if a signal associated with an operator of the equipment control is present; and a process controller configured to activate a first equipment control function if the signal from the equipment control is present, and configured to activate a second equipment control function if the signal detection device does not detect any signal. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A system for controlling vehicle equipment via a touch screen apparatus, comprising:
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a first conductive surface operatively connected to a first signal generator; a second conductive surface operatively connected to the first signal generator or a second signal generator; and the touch screen apparatus, the touch screen apparatus comprising; a dual view touch screen; a control state evaluator operatively connected to the touch screen; a single signal detector operatively connected to the touch screen; and a process controller configured to detect an output from the signal detector and an output of the control state evaluator, wherein the process controller is configured to activate a first equipment control function based upon a detected signal from the first conductive surface, and to activate a second equipment control function based upon a detected signal from the second conductive surface, and wherein vehicle equipment controls are grouped into common controls, controls operable only by a driver of the vehicle and controls operable only by a passenger of the vehicle.
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33. A touch screen apparatus comprising:
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a dual view touch screen, the dual view touch screen enabling control of vehicle equipment though a first operator and at least a second operator upon touching a screen of the dual view touch screen; a single signal detector operatively connected to the dual view touch screen; and a process controller for activating a first function based upon a first signal associated with the first operator and for activating a second function based upon a second signal associated with the second operator, the first signal being provided to the process controller when the first operator touches the screen and the second signal being provided to the process controller when the second operator touches the screen, wherein the first signal and the second signal are generated by at least one signal generator and the single signal detector is configured to detect the first signal and the second signal, and wherein the first function and the second function each control functions of the vehicle equipment and are each associated with the first operator and the second operator, respectively, and wherein vehicle equipment controls are grouped into common controls, controls operable only by a driver of the vehicle and controls operable only by a passenger of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. A system for controlling vehicle equipment, comprising:
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only one signal generator; a conductive surface operatively connected to the single signal generator; and a touch screen apparatus, wherein the touch screen apparatus includes a touch screen; a control state evaluator operatively connected to the touch screen; a signal detector operatively connected to the touch screen and configured to detect a signal generated by the single signal generator through an operator; and a process controller configured to detect an output from the signal detector and an output of the control state evaluator, wherein the process controller is configured to distinguish between a driver of the vehicle and a passenger of the vehicle to determine which is the operator and enable or disable control of equipment functions based on the operator.
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Specification