Switch control device and switch control method

• US 20080177440A1
• Filed: 01/17/2008
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aisin AW Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin AW Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Ogawa, Fumiharu, Miyajima, Takayuki, Shibata, Yumi
• Granted Patent: US 8,032,280 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/705 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/044 Light
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/032 Feedback about selected symbol, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/04 Mimics of controlled apparatus or symbol
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/008 Application power seats

Abstract

A control system controls a hardware switch which receives a usage command for utilizing an auxiliary function of a vehicle and a software switch displayed with an information portion indicating the auxiliary function and a command portion for input of the usage command through a screen. When either of the hardware switch or the software switch is operated, information is provided for identifying the other switch that corresponds to the auxiliary function commanded by the operated switch.

Claims

1. A switch control system for controlling operation of an auxiliary function of auxiliary equipment in a vehicle, comprising:

a hardware switch including a switch operator which can be manually operated to generate a usage command for utilizing the auxiliary function;

a software switch, displayed on a screen, including an information portion indicating the auxiliary function and a command portion for manual input of a usage command through the screen; and

switch-identifying information provision means for, when the hardware switch or the software switch is operated to generate a usage command, providing information identifying the other of the hardware switch and software switch that corresponds to the auxiliary function to be operated responsive to the generated usage command.

2. The switch control system according to claim 1, wherein

the hardware switch includes a light associated with the switch operator, and

the switch-identifying information provision means turns on the light when the other switch is the hardware switch.

3. The switch control system according to claim 2, wherein

the switch-identifying information provision means highlights at least one of information portion and the command portion when the other switch is the software switch.

4. The switch control system according to claim 1, wherein

the switch-identifying information provision means highlights at least one of information portion and the command portion when the other switch is the software switch.

5. The switch control system according to claim 1, wherein

the switch-identifying information provision means, responsive to operation of the hardware switch, displays on the screen at least one of the information portion and the command portion of the software switch for providing the same auxiliary function commanded by operation of the hardware switch.

6. A switch control method for controlling a hardware switch and a software switch, both of which are operable to generate usage commands for operation of the same auxiliary function of auxiliary equipment in a vehicle, the switch control method comprising:

displaying, on a screen, the software switch including an information portion indicating the auxiliary function and a command portion for manual input of a usage command through the screen;

outputting a usage command for operation of the auxiliary function responsive to operation of the hardware switch or the software switch; and

responsive to operation of either the hardware switch or the software switch, providing information identifying the other of the hardware switch and the software switch for operation of the same auxiliary function.

7. The switch control method according to claim 6 further comprising:

responsive to operation of the software switch, turning on a light associated with a switch operator of the hardware switch, thereby providing information identifying a location of the hardware switch.

8. The switch control method according to claim 7 further comprising:

responsive to operation of the hardware switch, highlighting at least one of the information portion and the command portion of the software switch.

9. The switch control method according to claim 6 further comprising:

responsive to operation of the hardware switch, highlighting at least one of the information portion and the command portion of the software switch.

10. The switch control method according to claim 6 wherein the displaying of the software switch is responsive to operation of the hardware switch.

11. A computer-readable medium having, encoded thereon, a switch control program for controlling a hardware switch and a software switch, both of which are operable to generate usage commands for operation of the same auxiliary function of auxiliary equipment in a vehicle, the switch control program comprising:

displaying, on a screen, the software switch including an information portion indicating the auxiliary function and a command portion for manual input of a usage command through the screen;

outputting a usage command for operation of the auxiliary function responsive to operation of the hardware switch or the software switch; and

responsive to operation of either the hardware switch or the software switch, providing information identifying a location of the other of the hardware switch and the software switch for operation of the same auxiliary function.

12. A computer-readable medium according to claim 11, wherein the encoded switch control program further comprises:

responsive to operation of the software switch, activating a light associated with a switch operator of the hardware switch, thereby providing information identifying the location of the hardware switch.

13. A computer-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein the encoded switch control program further comprises:

responsive to operation of the hardware switch, highlighting at least one of the information portion and the command portion of the software switch.

14. A computer-readable medium according to claim 11, wherein the encoded switch control program further comprises:

responsive to operation of the hardware switch, highlighting at least one of the information portion and the command portion of the software switch.

15. A computer-readable medium according to claim 11, wherein the encoded switch control program displays the software switch responsive to operation of the hardware switch.