Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of producing a multifunctional functional unit with a rigid support structure, in which control elements and/or display elements are arranged behind a transparent surface layer which is continuous over substantially the entire functional unit. The method includes punching a positioning hole in a transparent plastic film with a thickness in the range of 0.1-0.4 mm; positioning the film into an injection mold using the positioning hole, with a corresponding positioning means for engaging in the positioning hole; back-injecting film to form a plastics support on the first side, the injection mold being designed such that, of the plastic film is not back-injected at the control elements and/or display elements, on the second side the plastics film is flooded with a transparent curing casting compound to form a continuous transparent surface layer.
Abstract:
An apparatus for the operator control of a plurality of different functions in a motor vehicle has a touch-sensitive display panel that can be used to display at least some of the controllable functions by respective symbols associated with the respective function. The symbols can be moved on the display panel by a combined touch and displacement movement in order to bring the respective function to be controlled to a fixed operator control position on the display panel at which operator control of the respective function is possible. The apparatus furthermore has an operator control device that is separate from the display panel and that has at least one operator control element arranged adjacent to the operator control position, for controlling the selected function.
Abstract:
A steering wheel that identifies gestures performed on its surface, including a circular gripping element including a thumb-receiving notch disposed along its circumference, an array of light-based proximity sensors, mounted in the gripping element, that projects light beams through the notch radially outward from the gripping element, and detects light beams reflected back into the gripping element by a moving object at or near the notch, and a processor, coupled with the proximity sensor array, for determining polar angles along the circumference of the gripping element occupied by the object, responsive to light beams projected by the proximity sensor array and reflected back by the object being detected by the proximity sensor array.
Abstract:
A display control apparatus for a vehicle includes a steering angle detector, an operation detector, a display section, and a setting section. The steering angle detector detects a steering angle of the vehicle. The operation detector detects an operation to an operation unit mounted on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The display section displays an operation image on a display unit located behind the steering wheel in such a manner that the operation image changes according to the operation detected by the operation detector. The setting section sets a display position of the operation image on the display unit according to the steering angle detected by the steering angle detector so that a driver of the vehicle views the operation image at a position adjacent to the operation unit.
Abstract:
A communication system of a motor vehicle is provided. The communication system includes a vehicle operating unit, a vehicle output unit, and an interface computer. The interface computer is connected to the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit. The interface computer is implemented for the purpose of connecting a mobile terminal to the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit such that information from the mobile terminal is displayable on the vehicle output unit and the mobile terminal is operable via the vehicle operating unit.
Abstract:
A system for use in a vehicle, including a steering element situated opposite a driver seat in a vehicle, the steering element including a plurality of proximity sensors encased in the periphery of the steering element operable to detect hand gestures along the outer periphery of the steering element, an interactive deck housed in the vehicle, for providing at least one of radio broadcast, video broadcast, audio entertainment, video entertainment and navigational assistance in the vehicle, and a processor housed in the vehicle, coupled with the proximity sensors and the deck, operable to identify the hand gestures detected by the proximity sensors, and to control the deck in response to thus-identified hand gestures.
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle has a touch-sensitive input panel. The touch-sensitive input panel includes a transparent material.
Abstract:
A control device is provided for integration in a vehicle that includes, but is not limited to a steering arrangement, that includes, but is not limited to a steering device and a steering column. The control device is configured to control an information display arrangement that includes, but is not limited to a display device. The control device is formed by at least one touch-sensitive surface, which is aligned radially to an imaginary straight line G through a center of the steering device, and/or which is directed toward a driver's and/or passenger's door of the vehicle.
Abstract:
A method of receiving input from a user includes providing a surface within reach of a hand of the user. A plurality of locations on the surface that are touched by the user are sensed. An alphanumeric character having a shape most similar to the plurality of touched locations on the surface is determined. The user is audibly or visually informed of the alphanumeric character and/or a word in which the alphanumeric character is included. Feedback is received from the user regarding whether the alphanumeric character and/or word is an alphanumeric character and/or word that the user intended to be determined in the determining step.
Abstract:
A system for operating an output device in a vehicle. The system includes a trim component and operative and initial sensors positioned at the back side of the trim component. An operative sensor provides a signal to at least one output device when an object is detected within a second sensing region adjacent the front side of the trim component. An initial sensor provides a signal to a display device for selectively displaying the location of the second sensing region, when an object is sensed within a first sensing region adjacent the front side of the trim component. Additional aspects of the invention include various systems and methods for operating the output device in a vehicle.