Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-12
2001-04-24
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
C701S028000, C340S438000, C345S090000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223103
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to displays for drivers of vehicles that provide a visual indication of the status or condition of the vehicle and subsystems associated with the vehicle.
Contemporary vehicles include a wide range of features to make the driving experience more enjoyable and luxurious. Each of these features typically requires a separate control switch that is actuated by a driver or passenger to achieve a desired result. Examples include the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and the car stereo system. One problem introduced by including more and more features in a vehicle is the distraction of the driver's attention from the task of driving while the driver is adjusting the various controls. A variety of attempts at alleviating this situation have been proposed or implemented. For example, it has been suggested to include one or more of the control switches on the steering wheel of the vehicle. This is not without drawbacks, however, because there is limited space available on the steering wheel and the wiring for such an arrangement can be complicated and overly expensive. Further, placing a large number of switches within a confined area requires relatively small switches. Smaller switches tend to require more driver attention to ensure that the desired switch is being adjusted.
It would be desirable to provide a system that allows a driver to adjust a variety of switches within a vehicle while minimizing the distraction of the driver's attention from the road. This invention provides such a system through a visual display that indicates which switch is being adjusted while minimizing the diversion of the driver's attention from watching the road.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general terms, this invention is a driver display that highlights an image of a control switch that is being adjusted by a driver. Several basic elements are required for this invention including the display upon which the images of the various control switches are shown. A controller controls the images to be displayed. The control switches that are used to adjust the various subsystems within the vehicle are connected with a sensor arrangement that determines which of the switches is being manipulated by the driver. The sensor arrangement communicates with the display controller and the display controller highlights the image of the switch that is being manipulated so that the driver can confirm whether the desired switch has been accessed by simply glancing at the display without having to look directly at the switch itself.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawing that accompanies the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.
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Arthur Gertrude
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Lear Automotive Dearborn Inc.
Niro Scavone Haller & Niro
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