Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Vehicle mounted systems – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2001-01-30
Paladini, Albert W. (Department: 2836)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Vehicle mounted systems
Automobile
C340S407200, C345S168000, C345S173000, C379S434000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181022
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a keyboard means in stationary vehicle control units, and particularly such which comprise a transponder for radio communication by means of microwaves.
STATE OF THE ART
A vehicle may comprise control units with keys which are to be pressed by the driver when he wishes certain commands to be executed. Since the driver at the same time must control the vehicle, the keys have to be located within reach from the driver's seat and should be easy to operate. This requirement may be well satisfied in keyboards with a fixed, stable location in the vehicle close to the driver's seat.
However, control units may occur which do not have this design. As an example may be mentioned units for extra equipment, which cannot be provided with a fixed, stably placed keyboard and, in that case, especially such extra equipment which has to be located in a place which is not quite favourable for the operation of the driver. An example of such extra equipment which has become increasingly more frequent is a transponder for communication by means of microwaves with roadside stations, at which payment of a toll fee during passage of the vehicle is to be carried out through radio communication. In this context, communication by means of radio waves has the advantage that a selective communication with individual vehicles passing may be maintained from the toll station, because of the slight spatial propagation of the waves. Such communication is therefore suited for registration of traffic fees in case of a free traffic flow through toll stations, see e.g. EP A2 0 425 961 (Pierluigi). In order that the communication equipment of the vehicle should be possible to reach by means of the microwaves, it is largely required that the receiving part thereof is positioned such that it is visible from the transmitter. As receiving and also retransmitting unit, a transponder is mostly used in the vehicle equipment, this transponder being capable of receiving an information-carrying signal from the roadside transmitter and retransmitting it in such modulated form that response information may be conveyed.
A location of the transponder, which is advantageous from many points of view, has proved to be inside the windshield of the vehicle. When approaching the roadside transmitter, it will then be facing the transmitter and is capable of receiving and returning the radio signal, which penetrates the windshield, while the vehicle unit is in a protected position inside the vehicle. In addition to providing protection against the effect of the weather and against theft, the location inside the vehicle implies also that the unit becomes accessible to the vehicle driver, which is necessary if some operating means have to be acted on or display means need to be observed.
Since the main function of the transponder is to provide for communication with the roadside equipment, the location of the transponder must primarily be adapted to this function. As mentioned, one advantageous location is inside the windshield of the vehicle and at a certain height, in private cars preferably at the upper edge of the windshield. In this way, the location with respect to the possibilities of the driver to operate the transponder, by means of keys applied directly thereon, may become less favourable. The size must also be limited in order not to block the driver's view too much. Arranging, with this location, a regular keyboard is therefore not possible. If it is not desired to refrain from the possibility of keyboard operation, there is therefore only the possibility of dividing the communication unit of the vehicle into a communication part, the actual transponder, and a control part, and connecting these two parts by an internal communication link. However, this would entail a considerable additional cost in relation to arranging the control means directly on the transponder and, in addition, it will be necessary to arrange wiring between the two parts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to achieve a vehicle unit, which may be located in such a way in the vehicle that it is useful for its functions. As already mentioned, the main functions are communication with the roadside equipment via radio waves and the possibility of manual operation of the communication unit by means of keys. The first-mentioned function is fulfilled in the best way if the transponder unit is given the described elevated location on the windshield of the vehicle whereas the second function requires a special design of the control means in order that they may be operated by the driver while travelling in spite of the mentioned location, which is required for reasons of communication.
According to the invention, a comfortable and safe control is made possible by a keyboard arrangement, wherein the operation takes place by a pinching movement with the thumb and index finger of the hand instead of the depression of a key supported by a fixed base which is required in conventional keyboards.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4169218 (1979-09-01), Tyler
patent: 4818048 (1989-04-01), Moss
patent: 4852146 (1989-07-01), Hathcock et al.
patent: 5100178 (1992-03-01), MacKelvie
patent: 5113974 (1992-05-01), Vayda
patent: 5128672 (1992-07-01), Kaehler
patent: 2 028 459 (1991-04-01), None
patent: 0254015 (1988-01-01), None
patent: 2642201 (1990-07-01), None
patent: 2299302 (1996-10-01), None
Johansson Alf
Lejonberg Gunnar
Combitech Traffic Systems AB
Paladini Albert W.
Pollock Vande Sande & Amernick
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