On-board device having apparatus for specifying operator

• US 20080053233A1
• Filed: 07/03/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Sugiura, Makiko
• Granted Patent: US 7,756,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/628
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/141 Activation of instrument input devices by approaching fingers or pens
• 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 35/654 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/656 the user being a passenger
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3664 Details of the user input interface, e.g. buttons, knobs or sliders, including those provided on a touch screen; remote controllers; input using gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/08 Systems for measuring distance only indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/521 Constructional features

Abstract

An operator-specifying apparatus is combined with an on-board device such as a navigation device mounted on an automotive vehicle. An ultrasonic sensor device is mounted on a frame of a display panel of the navigation device. A hand of a person who is manipulating the navigation device, a driver or an assistant, is detected by the ultrasonic sensor device. If it is determined that the driver is manipulating (or about to manipulate) the navigation device when the vehicle is being driven, manipulation of the navigation device is prohibited to secure safety in driving. On the other hand, if it is found out the assistant is operating the navigation device, such prohibition is canceled to effectively use the navigation device.

Claims

1. An on-board apparatus for determining a person operating an on-board device, either a driver or an assistant, comprising:

an ultrasonic sensor device for detecting a position of an operator'"'"'s hand and for outputting signals indicating the position of the operator'"'"'s hand; and

a device for determining that the operator is either the driver or the assistant based on the signals from the ultrasonic sensor device.

2. The on-board apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device includes at least one ultrasonic sensor for detecting a position of the driver'"'"'s hand and at least one ultrasonic sensor for detecting a position of the assistant'"'"'s hand.

3. The on-board apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device has a narrow directivity.

4. The on-board apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device is composed of a plurality of ultrasonic sensor elements arranged in array, phases of ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of ultrasonic sensor elements being controlled.

5. The on-board apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

the on-board device is a navigation device.

6. The on-board apparatus as in claim 5, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device is mounted on a rear surface of a display panel of the navigation device.

7. The on-board apparatus as in claim 6, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device is displayed on the display panel and functions as touch buttons.

8. The on-board apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device includes means for moving the ultrasonic sensor device to positions where ultrasonic waves are directed toward the driver or the assistant.

9. An on-board device comprising:

an operating device for manipulating the on-board device by an operator, either a driver or an assistant;

a controller for controlling the on-board device based on inputs from the operating device;

an ultrasonic sensor device for detecting positions of a driver'"'"'s hand and an assistant'"'"'s hand and for outputting signals indicating the positions of the driver'"'"'s hand and the assistant'"'"'s hand;

a determining device for determining that the operator is either the driver or the assistant based on the signals from the ultrasonic sensor device; and

means for prohibiting a predetermined operation of the operating device and for canceling the prohibition when it is determined that only the assistant is operating the operating device.

10. The on-board device as in claim 9, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device includes at least one ultrasonic sensor for detecting a position of the driver'"'"'s hand and at least one ultrasonic sensor for detecting a position of the assistant'"'"'s hand.

11. The on-board device as in claim 9, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device has a narrow directivity.

12. The on-board device as in claim 9, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device is composed of a plurality of ultrasonic sensor elements arranged in array, phases of ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of ultrasonic sensor elements being controlled.

13. The on-board device as in claim 9, wherein:

the on-board device is a navigation device.

14. The on-board device as in claim 13, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device is mounted on a rear surface of a display panel of the navigation device.

15. The on-board device as in claim 14, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device is displayed on the display panel and functions as touch buttons.

16. The on-board device as in claim 9, wherein:

the ultrasonic sensor device includes means for moving the ultrasonic sensor device to positions where ultrasonic waves are directed toward the driver or the assistant.