Vehicle user interface apparatus and vehicle

• US 10,452,257 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2016
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Jonghoon, Lee, Yeonji, Oh, Heonsuk
• Primary Examiner(s): Weng, Pei Yong
• Application Number:
  US15/388,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20170228126A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/119 Icons
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1446 Touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/146 Instrument input by gesture
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/148 Instrument input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/16 Type of output information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/186 Displaying information according to relevancy
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1868 according to driving situations
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/332 Light emitting diodes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/333 Lasers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/336 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/339 Translucent dashboard skins
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/34 Backlit symbols
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/345 Illumination of controls
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/349 Adjustment of brightness
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/693 Cover plate features
• 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: B60K 35/22 : Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 : characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• 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: B60K 35/60 : Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/20 : Dashboard panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/14 : lighting through the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/16 : Circuits; Control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/18 : for varying the light intensity
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 : for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/02 : electric constitutive elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/207 : using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 : combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8006 : for monitoring and displaying scenes of vehicle interior, e.g. for monitoring passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 : for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 : for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 : Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 : Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/408 : Radar; Laser, e.g. lidar
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/08 : Interaction between the driver and the control system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 : Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/10 : Interpretation of driver requests or demands
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/16 : Tactile feedback to the driver, e.g. vibration or force feedback to the driver on the steering wheel or the accelerator pedal
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 : Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 : provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/005 : provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed on the light output side of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0055 : Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0076 : Stacked arrangements of multiple light guides of the same or different cross-sectional area
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 : characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0248 : in combination with a laser lasers per se H01S
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 : Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96042 : with illumination
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960755 : Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches

Abstract

A vehicle user interface apparatus for a vehicle including a light emitting unit configured to emit light; a touch sensor configured to sense a touch; a processor configured to control the light emitting unit to emit the light in response to an event, activate the touch sensor when the light is emitted, and provide a signal to control a vehicle device corresponding to a touch input received through the activated touch sensor; and a cover covering the light emitting unit, the touch sensor, and the processor, the cover configured to transmit the light into a passenger compartment with a specific shape when the light is emitted.

Claims

1. A vehicle user interface apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

a light emitting unit configured to emit light;

a touch sensor configured to sense a touch;

a processor configured to;

control the light emitting unit to emit the light in response to an event,

activate the touch sensor when the light is emitted, and

provide a signal to control a vehicle device corresponding to a touch input received through the activated touch sensor; and

a cover covering the light emitting unit, the touch sensor, and the processor, the cover configured to transmit the light into a passenger compartment with a specific shape when the light is emitted,

wherein the cover includes;

a pattern member having a pattern corresponding to the specific shape, the pattern member configured to transmit the light through the pattern;

a film member having a prescribed light transmissivity to output the light, transmitted through the pattern, to an outside, wherein the touch sensor is positioned to correspond to a location of the pattern; and

a surface formed of the same material as a material forming a vehicle interior part and provided on the film member, wherein a region of the surface corresponding to the location of the pattern is thinner than a region of the surface not corresponding to the location of the pattern,

wherein, when a predetermined time passes after light is generated, the processor is configured to control the light emitting unit not to output the light and deactivate the touch sensor,

wherein the light emitting unit is located near a driver seat in the passenger compartment,

wherein the shape is an ignition button shape,

wherein the processor is further configured to provide a signal to control any one function among a plurality of control functions of an ignition device in response to the touch input,

wherein the processor is further configured to control the light emitting unit based on vehicle information, and

wherein the processor is further configured to;

receive vehicle speed information included in the vehicle information,

control the light emitting unit not to emit light when a vehicle speed value is not zero, and

control the light emitting unit to emit light when an emergency situation occurs when the vehicle speed value is not zero.

2. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface includes a synthetic resin material, a fabric material, a leather material, a wood material, or a metal material.

3. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a transparent flexible printed circuit board on which the touch sensor and the processor are disposed.

4. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light guide film configured to transmit the light emitted by the light emitting unit to the cover,

wherein the light guide film includes;

a first light guide film;

a second light guide film interposed between the first light guide film and the cover;

a third light guide film provided on the first light guide film, and

wherein an etching portion is provided on the first light guide film or the second light guide film and the etching portion is formed to correspond to the shape.

5. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the etching portion is provided on a surface of the first light guide film, which comes into contact with the third light guide film, or the etching portion is provided on a surface of the second light guide film, which comes into contact with the first light guide film,

wherein light is introduced into the first light guide film and the second light guide film along different paths, and

wherein the light guide film uniformly transmits the light emitted by the light emitting unit to the cover.

6. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising at least one of:

an optical clear film to guide the light emitted by the light emitting unit to the light guide film;

a color film to change a wavelength of the light emitted by the light emitting unit; and

a plastic member to support reflection of the light emitted by the light emitting unit.

7. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plastic member comprises an injection molded plastic member including the light emitting unit, the touch sensor, and the processor disposed on the cover.

8. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

control the light emitting unit to emit light in response to a first touch when the first touch is sensed by the touch sensor, and

provide the signal to control the vehicle device in response to a second touch when the second touch is sensed by the touch sensor.

9. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a circuit board on which the light emitting unit is mounted using an optical soldering technique.

10. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of control functions includes:

a first function of starting the vehicle;

a second function of turning on an electronic device provided in the vehicle; and

a third function of turning off the vehicle.

11. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a haptic output unit configured to output a vibration pattern corresponding to one of the plurality of control functions based on control of the processor.

12. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the vehicle information includes at least one of vehicle location information, the vehicle speed information, gear lever position information, door opening/closing information, safety belt status information, brake pedal position information, Idle Stop and Go function on/off information, passenger information, driver'"'"'s biometric information, seat position information, and audio volume control information.

13. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive the door opening/closing information, and

control the light emitting unit to emit light upon receiving information related to opening of a driver'"'"'s seat door.

14. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive the safety belt status information, and

control the light emitting unit to emit light upon receiving information related to a fastened status of a safety belt of a driver seat or emit light upon receiving information related to a fastened status of safety belts of all seats on which passengers are located.

15. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive the brake pedal position information,

control the light emitting unit to emit light upon receiving the brake pedal position information based on a pressed brake pedal,

receive the gear lever position information,

control the light emitting unit to emit light upon receiving gear lever position information indicative of a parking position P or a neutral position N,

receive the gear lever position information, and

control the light emitting unit not to emit light upon receiving the gear lever position information indicative of a drive position D or a reverse position R.

16. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to provide a signal to output a warning upon receiving the gear lever position information indicative of the drive position D or the reverse position R when the vehicle is parked.

17. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive the Idle Stop and Go function on/off information, and

control the light emitting unit not to emit light upon receiving information indicating an engine of the vehicle is not being operated based on an Idle Stop and Go function.

18. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:

a biometric sensing unit to acquire a driver'"'"'s biometric information,

wherein the processor is further configured to control the light emitting unit to emit light when the driver'"'"'s biometric information matches pre-stored information.

19. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to:

receive the vehicle location information, and

control the light emitting unit to emit light when a location of the vehicle corresponds to a pre-registered area, and

wherein the vehicle location information is based on global positioning system (GPS) information or vehicle surrounding image information.

20. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:

an internal camera to acquire passenger information,

wherein the processor is further configured not to provide a signal to control any one function among the plurality of control functions of the ignition device upon receiving a touch input from a passenger other than a user who is located in the driver seat.

21. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive the seat position information,

control the light emitting unit to emit light based on the seat position information, and

provide a signal to a seat adjustment device in response to a touch sensed by the touch sensor,

wherein the light emitting unit comprises a plurality of light sources,

wherein the cover comprises a plurality of patterns which are formed respectively corresponding to the plurality of light sources and through which lights emitted by the plurality of light sources are transmitted, and

wherein the processor is further configured to control at least one of the plurality of light sources to emit light indicative of a particular seat position.

22. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive the audio volume control information,

control the light emitting unit to emit light based on the audio volume control information, and

provide a signal to an audio volume control device in response to the touch sensed by the touch sensor,

wherein the light emitting unit comprises a plurality of light sources,

wherein the cover comprises a plurality of patterns which are formed respectively corresponding to the plurality of light sources and through which lights emitted by the plurality of light sources are transmitted, and

wherein the processor is configured to control at least one of the plurality of light sources to emit light indicative of a particular audio volume level.

23. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to at least one of change a position of light output from the light emitting unit based on the event and adjust a color of the light output from the light emitting unit based on the event.

24. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle device is any one of a vehicle multimedia device, a vehicle air conditioner, a vehicle window device, a vehicle lamp, a trunk opening/closing device, a hood opening/closing device, a sunroof opening/closing device, a gas tank door opening/closing device, a sun visor folding control device, a door lock device, and a seat adjustment device, and

wherein the processor is further configured to provide a signal to control any one of the vehicle multimedia device, the vehicle air conditioner, the vehicle window device, the vehicle lamp, the trunk opening/closing device, the hood opening/closing device, the sunroof opening/closing device, the gas tank door opening/closing device, the sun visor folding control device, the door lock device, and the seat adjustment device.

25. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit is disposed on any one of a vehicle dashboard, an inner surface of a door, a console, an inner surface of a roof, a seat, a sun visor, an A-pillar, a B-pillar, and a C-pillar.

26. The vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an interface,

wherein the processor is configured to;

control the light emitting unit to emit light upon receiving vehicle door opening information or vehicle starting-on information via the interface, and

control dimming of light generated by the light emitting unit when a predetermined time passes after the vehicle door opening information or the vehicle starting-on information is received.

27. A vehicle comprising the vehicle user interface apparatus according to claim 1.