Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Multi-function vehicle input apparatuses with operational buttons for vehicle systems control and methods incorporating the same
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Application No.: US16264054Application Date: 2019-01-31
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Publication No.: US11110798B2Publication Date: 2021-09-07
- Inventor: John Charles Rafferty , Lou M. Pope , Clinton J. Williams
- Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Applicant Address: US TX Plano
- Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US TX Plano
- Agency: Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
- Main IPC: B60K37/06
- IPC: B60K37/06 ; B62D1/04 ; G06F3/02 ; G02B27/01 ; G06F3/0484

Abstract:
A multi-function input apparatus of a steering wheel that includes a plurality of outer buttons that correspond to a plurality of vehicle systems, such that actuation of at least one of the plurality of outer buttons selects a corresponding vehicle system from the plurality of vehicle systems. The apparatus includes a touch pad having a capacitive touch surface that is positioned adjacent the plurality of outer buttons. In response to actuation of the capacitive surface the touch pad is configured to navigate through and select a setting of a plurality of settings of the selected vehicle system. The apparatus further includes a confirmation button positioned adjacent to the touch pad that corresponds to a confirmation input such that actuation of the confirmation button actuates the selected setting of the selected vehicle system.
Public/Granted literature
Information query