Human-Machine Interface Apparatus

• US 20100262363A1
• Filed: 07/10/2009
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: National Taiwan University (Government of The Republic of China)
• Original Assignee: National Taiwan University (Government of The Republic of China)
• Inventors: CHI, Cheng-Jan, Luo, Ren-Chyuan, Lai, Chun-Chi
• Application Number:
  US12/500,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20100262363A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence

Abstract

A human-machine interface apparatus configured for providing navigation information to users according to data from a positioning system, is provided. The human-machine interface apparatus comprises a pointing module and a microcontroller unit. The pointing module has a pointer. The microcontroller unit is electrically connected with the pointing module, and is configured for receiving information of a destination generated from the positioning system and controlling the pointing module according to the information of the destination, to keep the pointer pointing to an actual position of the destination after navigation is ended.

Claims

1. A human-machine interface apparatus configured for providing navigation information to users according to data from a positioning system, the human-machine interface apparatus comprising:

a pointing module having a pointer; and

a microcontroller unit configured for receiving information of a destination generated from the positioning system, the microcontroller unit being electrically connected with the pointing module and being configured for controlling the pointing module according to the information of the destination, to keep the pointer pointing to an actual position of the destination after a navigation is ended.

2. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a power supply configured for providing a power to the human-machine interface apparatus, wherein the power supply is selected from a group consisting of a dry battery, a rechargeable battery, a solar battery, a fuel battery and a biomass battery.

3. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an indicator-lamp module, wherein the indicator-lamp module is electrically connected with the microcontroller unit and comprises a plurality of directional indicators and a light-penetrating plate, and the light-penetrating plate covers the directional indicators.

4. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the directional indicators are light-emitting diodes.

5. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the light-penetrating plate has arrowheads printed thereon.

6. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the indicator-lamp module further comprises a fixed portion to fix the indicator-lamp module.

7. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display device electrically connected with the microcontroller unit.

8. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointing module further comprises a motor, and the motor is controlled by the microcontroller unit to drive the pointer.

9. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pointing module further comprises a fixed portion to fix the pointing module.

10. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller unit further controls the pointer to point to a target which should be noted, the target comprises at least one of navigation relay stations before reaching the actual position of the destination, road signs, places where traffic conditions happen, and positions of predetermined objects which should be noted by the users.

11. A human-machine interface apparatus configured for providing navigation information to users according to data from a positioning system, the human-machine interface apparatus comprising:

a pointing module having a pointer; and

a microcontroller unit electrically connected with the pointing module, the microcontroller unit being configured for receiving information of a destination, and controlling the pointing module according to the information of the destination, to only employ the pointer of the pointing module to perform a navigation operation without displaying a corresponding map.

12. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a power supply configured for providing a power to the human-machine interface apparatus, wherein the power supply is selected from a group consisting of a dry battery, a rechargeable battery, a solar battery, a fuel battery and a biomass battery.

13. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising an indicator-lamp module, wherein the indicator-lamp module is electrically connected with the microcontroller unit and comprises a plurality of directional indicators and a light-penetrating plate, and the light-penetrating plate covers the directional indicators.

14. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the directional indicators are light-emitting diodes.

15. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the light-penetrating plate has arrowheads printed thereon.

16. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the indicator-lamp module further comprises a fixed portion to fix the indicator-lamp module.

17. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pointing module further comprises a motor, and the motor is controlled by the microcontroller unit to drive the pointer.

18. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pointing module further comprises a fixed portion to fix the pointing module.

19. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the microcontroller unit further controls the pointer to point to a target which should be noted, the target comprises at least one of navigation relay stations before reaching an actual position of the destination, road signs, places where traffic conditions happen, and positions of predetermined objects which should be noted by the users.

20. A human-machine interface apparatus configured for providing navigation information to users according to data from a positioning system, the human-machine interface apparatus comprising:

a pointing module having a pointer; and

a microcontroller unit configured for receiving information generated from the positioning system, the microcontroller unit being electrically connected with the pointer module and being configured for controlling the pointing module according to the information to guide a direction of visual lines of a driver.

21. The human-machine interface apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the microcontroller unit controls the pointer to point to a target which should be noted according to the information, and the target comprises at least one of navigation relay stations before reaching an actual position of the destination, road signs, places where traffic conditions happen, and positions of predetermined objects which should be noted by the users.