Communication control system

• US 9,524,034 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2015
• Issued: 12/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ACT-IP LLC
• Original Assignee: ACT-IP LLC
• Inventors: Naboulsi, Mouhamad Ahmad
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMBY, RICHARD M
• Application Number:
  US14/661,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20150277579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/195 Blocking or enabling display functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/023 for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/105 Longitudinal acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6083 by interfacing with the vehicle audio system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad

Abstract

A communication control system for a vehicle having a steering member, having a controller and at least one switch carried on the steering member.

Claims

1. A communication control system for a vehicle having a steering member, the system comprising:

a controller responsive to activation by a driver to select one of a plurality of applications, communication devices and equipment, at least one of the application, communication device and equipment having at least one function selectively made available for selection; and

at least one multifunction switch carried on the steering member, in communication with the controller;

wherein the controller includes control logic for determining whether a first driver multifunction switch manipulation by the driver has occurred, the first driver multifunction switch manipulation commands the controller to select at least one of the plurality of applications, communication device and equipment; and

wherein the controller includes another control logic for determining whether a second driver multifunction switch manipulation by the driver has occurred, the second driver switch manipulation commands the controller to select at least one function of the selected at least one of the plurality of applications, communication device and equipment.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the switch is designed and configured to facilitate gesture commands.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller provides one of auditory, visual or tactile feedback to prompt the driver.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second activations of the switch are gesture controlled.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is responsive to changing the interpretation of the switch activation based on safe driving conditions, driver preferences, communication factor or the length of time the switch is depressed.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the switch includes at least one of a thumb wheel, rotating wheel, jog wheel, rocking mechanism, or push button switch.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a camera having an output to detect facial appearance and wherein the controller is responsive to change the interpretation of the switch activation based on the output of the camera.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the switch is a sensor operable by detecting a gripping motion, a sliding motion, a twisting motion, touching, pressure, light changes, or temperature changes.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the sensor designed and configured to be electrically or electronically effected by touch.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the sensor is one of an optical sensor, semiconductor, resistive sensor, a galvanic sensor or a mechanical sensor.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising a camera having an output to detect facial appearance and wherein the controller is responsive to change the interpretation of the switch activation based on the output of the camera.

11. A communication control system for a vehicle having a steering member, the system comprising:

a controller responsive to a thumb gesture by a driver to select one of a plurality of applications, communication devices and equipment, at least one of the applications, communication device or equipment having at least one option available for selection; and

at least one switch carried on the steering member, in communication with the controller;

wherein the controller includes control logic for determining whether a first thumb gesture defined by a first driver switch manipulation by the driver has occurred, the first driver switch manipulation commands the controller to select which application, communication device or equipment is selected; and

wherein the controller includes another control logic for determining whether a second thumb gesture defined by a second driver switch manipulation by the driver has occurred, the second driver switch manipulation commands the controller to select an option of the selected application, communication device or equipment.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the controller provides one of auditory, visual or tactile feedback to prompt the driver.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the controller is responsive to changing the interpretation of the switch activation based on safe driving conditions, driver preferences, communication factor or the length of time the switch is depressed.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the switch includes at least one of a thumb wheel, rotating wheel, jog wheel, rocking mechanism, or push button switch.