Operator control apparatus in a motor vehicle

• US 9,261,988 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2010
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG), Audi Electronics Venture GmbH (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Tovar, Johannes, Bouaziz, Tahar, Sacher, Heike
• Primary Examiner(s): EURICE, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US13/512,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20130113726A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,908 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/184, 701/1, 701/36
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1442 Emulation of input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1446 Touch switches
• 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: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0288 Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle has a touch-sensitive input panel. The touch-sensitive input panel includes a transparent material.

Claims

1. An operator control apparatus for operator control of at least one function of a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a touch-sensitive input panel, mounted on a frame, comprising a transparent material;

a rotatable ring surrounding the touch-sensitive input panel;

a switching element arranged next to the touch-sensitive input panel; and

a base support comprising a material, and a surface selected from the group consisting of a wood surface, a metal surface, and a leather surface,

wherein

the touch-sensitive input panel is arranged above and substantially parallel to the base support in a cantilever manner such that, in at least one displacement position on the at least one rail, the touch-sensitive input panel appears to be floating above the base support, and the material and the surface of the base support can selectively be perceived through the touch-sensitive input panel,

the touch-sensitive input panel is mounted linearly displaceably on at least one rail,

the rotatable ring controls a first additional function of the motor vehicle, and

the switching element controls a second additional function of the motor vehicle.

2. The operator control apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the touch-sensitive input panel is fitted on a center console of the motor vehicle.

3. The operator control apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the touch-sensitive input panel is fitted on an armrest of the motor vehicle.

4. The operator control apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the at least one rail forms a curved path.

5. The operator control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the touch-sensitive input panel is provided in a round shape.

6. The operator control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operator control apparatus controls at least one of a navigation appliance, an air conditioning system, and a cruise control system.

7. The operator control apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the touch-sensitive input panel is arranged at a distance from the base support.

8. The operator control apparatus as claimed in claim 7,

wherein the distance between the touch-sensitive input panel and the base support is at least 3 millimeters.

9. An operator control apparatus for operator control of at least one function of a motor vehicle having a surface selected from the group consisting of a wood surface, a metal surface, and a leather surface, the apparatus comprising:

a touch-sensitive input panel, mounted on a frame, comprising a transparent material;

a rotatable ring surrounding the touch-sensitive input panel; and

a plurality of switching elements arranged on the frame encompassing the touch-sensitive input panel,

wherein

the touch-sensitive input panel is mounted linearly displaceably on at least one rail,

the touch-sensitive input panel and switching elements are arranged above and substantially parallel to the surface of the motor vehicle such that, in at least one displacement position on the at least one rail, the touch-sensitive input panel appears to be floating above the material forming the surface of the motor vehicle, which can be perceived through the touch-sensitive input panel,

the frame is mounted to the surface of the motor vehicle in a cantilever manner,

the rotatable ring controls a first additional function of the motor vehicle, and

the switching element controls a second additional function of the motor vehicle.

10. An operator control apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a touch-sensitive input panel, comprising a transparent material and mounted linearly displaceably on at least one rail, for operator control of at least one function of a motor vehicle;

a rotatable ring, surrounding the touch-sensitive input panel, that controls a first additional function of the motor vehicle to extend a functionality of the touch-sensitive input panel;

a switching element, arranged next to the touch-sensitive input panel and the rotatable ring, that controls a second additional function of the motor vehicle; and

a motor vehicle interior trim part of a center console of the motor vehicle and comprising at least one of wood, metal, and leather,

wherein the touch-sensitive input panel is arranged above and substantially parallel to the motor vehicle interior trim part in a cantilever manner such that, in at least one displacement position on the at least one rail, the touch-sensitive input panel appears to be floating above the motor vehicle interior trim part, which can selectively be seen through the touch-sensitive input panel.