WO2017202575A1

WO2017202575A1 - User input system

Info

Publication number: WO2017202575A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/060391
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Powell
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
Priority date: 2016-05-23
Filing date: 2017-05-02
Publication date: 2017-11-30
Also published as: GB2550845B; GB2550845A; GB201609008D0

Abstract

A user input system (11), vehicle (1), method, and computer program (27) wherein the user input system (11) comprises means (21) for providing an electric field signal (13) wherein the means (21) for providing an electric field signal (13) are positioned to enable the electric field signal (13) to be transmitted through a user (5, 7); means (23) for receiving the electric field signal (13) which has been transmitted through the user (5, 7) wherein the means (23) for receiving the electric field signal (13) comprises plurality of antennas (15); and means (25) for detecting a user input comprising means for comparing the received signal strength from the plurality of antennas (15) to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas (15).

Description

USER INPUT SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a user input system. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a user input system for a vehicle which may enable one or more users to control a plurality of functions of the vehicle.

Aspects of the invention relate to a user input system, means for providing an electric field signal, means for receiving an electric field signal, means for detecting a user input, a vehicle, a method, and a computer program.

BACKGROUND

User input systems enable users to control functions of apparatus. For instance, user input systems within vehicles enable drivers and other users of the vehicle to interact with control systems within the vehicle. For instance they may enable a user to access menu systems and/or control applications. The applications may be accessed via the menu systems. The input systems may enable the driver or other user to control navigation applications, entertainment applications, climate control applications or any other suitable applications.

It is an aim of the present invention to improve user input systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a user input system, means for providing an electric field signal, means for receiving an electric field signal, means for detecting a user input, a vehicle, a method, and a computer program as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a user input system, the system comprising: means for providing an electric field signal wherein the means for providing an electric field signal are positioned to enable the electric field signal to be transmitted through a user; means for receiving the electric field signal which has been transmitted through the user wherein the means for receiving the electric field signal comprises a plurality of antennas; and means for detecting a user input comprising means for comparing the received signal strength from the plurality of antennas to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas.

The means for providing an electric field signal may comprise a transmitter. The means for detecting a user by comparing the received signal strength from the plurality of antennas to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas may comprise a controller. Optionally, the controller may comprise a processor.

To enable the electric field signal to be transmitted through a user, the means for providing the electric field signal may be arranged in juxtaposition with the user. For example, the means for providing the electric field signal maybe disposed in the vicinity of the user.

Embodiments of the invention provide a versatile user input system that is easy for users to use. The plurality of antennas may be provided in any suitable position. For instance, they could be provided anywhere in a vehicle which may enable the system to be used to control any suitable functions of the vehicle. This may also enable the user input system to be used to register user inputs from the driver as well as other passengers in the vehicle. The user input system is versatile enough to enable different types of user inputs to be detected which may enable any number of functions to be controlled through the same user input system.

The means for providing an electric field signal may be provided in a seat adapted to accommodate a user. Where the user input system is comprised within a vehicle, the means for providing an electric field signal may be provided in a seat of the vehicle. Having the means for providing an electric field signal in the seat of a vehicle may ensure that the electric field signal is transmitted through the body of the user. Having the means for providing an electric field signal positioned within a seat is advantageous because it does not require any additional space inside the vehicle to be taken up by the means for providing an electric field signal.

The user input system may comprise a plurality of means for providing an electric field signal where each of the plurality of means enables an electric field signal to be transmitted through a different user. This may enable different users to use the user input system. For instance it may enable both a driver and one or more passengers of a vehicle to use the same user input system.

Each of the plurality of means for providing an electric field signal transmits a different signal to enable the means for receiving the signal to distinguish between the different signals and identify which user is making an input. The different signals may have at least one of; different frequencies, different waveforms, different amplitudes, different encoding and different time phasing. Where the different signals are time phased, the different signals corresponding with the different users of the system may be transmitted and received successively or sequentially, for example using time-division-multiplexing.

This provides the advantage that it enables the means for detecting user inputs to differentiate between the different users. Different users may have access to different functions.

This may enable different functions to be controlled by the different users. For instance, where the system is provided in a vehicle, only the driver may be able to access functions which relate to the driving of the vehicle while any person in the vehicle may be able to access functions which relate to temperature control or entertainment systems.

The user input system may comprise means for enabling a function to be performed in response to the detection of the user input. This may enable any suitable function to be controlled by the user input system.

The means for detecting a user input may be arranged to register a user input if the portion of the user's body is detected in a predetermined position relative to one or more of the antennas.

This may enable the user to make a user input by bringing their hand or other portion of their body close to one or more of the plurality of antennas. In some examples it may enable a user to make a user input by touching an object such as a display or other user input device which comprises an antenna. In some examples, the means for detecting a user input may be arranged to register a user input if the portion of the user's body remains in a predetermined position relative to one or more of the antennas for a predetermined time period.

In some examples the means for detecting a user input may be arranged to register a user input if a gesture comprising a predetermined movement of the portion of the user's body is detected. This may enable gesture user inputs to be used to control functions. The gesture user inputs may be inputs that are simple and/or intuitive for a user to make. In some examples the gesture inputs could imitate the movement made to operate a mechanical user input device. For instance a twisting gesture could be detected which may replicate the movement of turning a knob or dial.

The means for detecting a user input may be arranged to use a look up table to identify a user input.

The look up table may provide a simple and accurate process for identifying user input. This may enable the signals detected by a plurality of antennas to be used which may provide an accurate method of identifying user inputs.

The plurality of antennas may comprise at least two antennas. This may enable triangulation or other suitable positioning techniques to be used. The use of two or more antennas may ensure that means for detecting a user input can disambiguate between the different signals that are received by the different antennas.

The plurality of antennas may comprise at least one reference antenna.

The reference antenna may provide a reference signal which can be used to enable an accurate comparison between the different signals detected by the other antennas. This may improve the accuracy of the user input system. At least some of the plurality of antennas may be provided juxtaposed to a display.

This may enable a touch sensitive display to be provided. As the display is using antennas to detect the user input this enables the touch sensitive display to detect user inputs even if the user is wearing gloves. The user input system may also enable the user to detect user inputs which comprise the user bringing a portion of their body close to the display. This means that the user does not actually need to touch the display to make a user input.

The display may be arranged to display at least one user selectable control item.

This enables information indicative of the functions that can be controlled using the user input system to be displayed to the user. The user control items displayed on the display may be changed depending on the mode of operation of the vehicle or other device. This improves the versatility of the user input system as it enables a plurality of functions to be accessed via the same system.

The means for detecting a user input may be arranged to register a user input if the portion of the user's body is positioned within a predetermined distance of a user selectable control item.

This may enable a user to make user inputs by touching or gesturing towards a user selectable control item. This may be similar to methods of actuating resistive or capacitive touch screens and so may be an intuitive input for a user to make. This may make the user input system easier for a user to use.

The display may be arranged to display an indication of the identified position of the portion of the user's body.

This may make it easier for a user to control the user input systems. For instance a cursor or other indicator could be displayed which may enable a user to select the correct user selectable control item. The use of a cursor or other indicator may be intuitive for a user to use. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided means for providing an electric field signal for use in a system as described above.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided means for receiving an electric field signal for use in a system as described above.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided means for detecting a user input for use in a system as described above. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a user input system as described above.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of detecting a user input comprising: receiving an electric field signal by at least a first antenna and at least a second antenna where the received electric field signal is transmitted through a user; comparing a strength of a signal received by the first antenna and a strength of the signal received by at least the second antenna to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas; and detecting a user input corresponding to the identified position of the portion of the user's body.

The method may comprise enabling a function to be performed in response to the detected user input

The method may comprise identifying a parameter of the received electric field signal and using the identified parameter to identify the user making the input.

The parameter may comprise at least one of: frequency, waveform, amplitude, encoding, and time of transmission. The method may comprise detecting a user input if the portion of the user's body is detected in a predetermined position relative to one or more of the antennas. Optionally, the method may comprise detecting a user input if the portion of the user's body is detected in a predetermined position relative to one or more of the antennas for a predetermined period of time. The method may comprise detecting a user input if a gesture comprising a predetermined movement of the portion of the user's body is detected. The method may comprise using a look up table to identify a user input corresponding to the identified position of the portion of the user's body.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program for enabling control of a user input system, the computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a user input system to perform, at least: receiving an electric field signal by at least a first antenna and at least a second antenna where the received electric field signal is transmitted through a user; comparing a strength of a signal received by the first antenna and a strength of the signal received by at least the second antenna to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas; and detecting a user input corresponding to the identified position of the portion of the user's body.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program as described above.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided vehicle user input system, the system comprising: means for receiving an electric field signal wherein the means for receiving the electric field signal comprises a plurality of antennas; and means for detecting a user input comprising means for comparing the received signal strength from the plurality of antennas to identify a user input.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a user input system, the system comprising: a transmitter arranged to provide an electric field signal and positioned to enable the electric field signal to be transmitted through a user; a receiver arranged to receive the electric field signal which has been transmitted through the user wherein receiver comprises a plurality of antennas; and a controller arranged to detect a user input by comparing the received signal strength from the plurality of antennas to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a system for detecting a user input for controlling a device, the system comprising: means for receiving one or more signals by a plurality of antennas each indicative of a value of an electric field signal transmitted through a user; means to detect a user input for controlling the device based on the value(s) of the received electric field signals; and means to enable a control of at least one function of the device by comparing a strength of a signal received by a first antenna and a strength of a signal received by a second antenna to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas; and detecting a user input corresponding to the position of the portion of the user's body.

A system as described above, wherein: said means for receiving one or more signals each indicative of a value of a value of an electric field signal transmitted through a user comprises an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving said one or more signals each indicative of a value of a value of an electric field signal transmitted through a user; and an electronic memory device electrically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein, said means to detect a user input for controlling the device based on the value(s) of an electric field signal transmitted through a user of the device, and said and means to enable a control of at least one function of the device by comparing a strength of a signal received by a first antenna and a strength of a signal received by a second antenna to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas; and detecting a user input corresponding to the position of the portion of the user's body comprises the processor being configured to access the memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to detect a user input for controlling the device based on the value(s) of an electric field signal transmitted through a user; and command comparing a strength of a signal received by a first antenna and a strength of a signal received by a second antenna to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas; and detecting a user input corresponding to the position of the portion of the user's body. The system may be for controlling one or more functions of a device such as a vehicle.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig 1 illustrates a vehicle;

Fig 2 illustrates a system;

Figs. 3A to 3C illustrate example antenna arrays;

Fig 4 illustrates an example method; and

Fig 5 illustrates a controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures illustrate a user input system 1 1 , the system 1 1 comprising: means for providing an electric field signal wherein the means for providing an electric field signal are positioned to enable the electric field signal to be transmitted through a user; means for receiving the electric field signal which has been transmitted through the user wherein the means for receiving the electric field signal comprises a plurality of antennas; and means for detecting a user input comprising means for comparing the received signal strength from the plurality of antennas to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas.

Fig 1 illustrates an example vehicle 1 which may comprise a user input system 1 1 according to examples of the present disclosure. The user input system 1 1 may enable control of one or more systems or functions of the vehicle 1 . The systems or functions that are controlled may be systems or functions such as entertainment systems, climate control systems, navigation systems, communication systems or any other suitable systems. In the example of Fig 1 two users 5, 7 are seated within the vehicle 1 . The first user 5 is seated behind the steering wheel 3. The first user 5 may be the driver of the vehicle 1 . The other user 7 is a passenger seated in the passenger seat. The user input system 1 1 may be arranged to enable both the driver 5 and the passenger 7 to control functions of the vehicle 1 . It is to be appreciated that more than two users 5, 7 could be seated within the vehicle 1 . For instance, the vehicle 1 may comprise one or more rear seats. In such examples the user input system 1 1 could also enable passengers seated in the rear seats to control functions of the vehicle 1 . It is to be appreciated that the vehicle 1 of Fig 1 is illustrated as an example and that embodiments of the invention may be provided in any suitable vehicle 1 or other type of device.

Fig 2 systematically illustrates an example user input system 1 1 that may be provided within the vehicle 1 . It is to be appreciated that the system could be used to control other types of devices in other embodiments of the invention.

The user input system 1 1 comprises means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13, means 23 for receiving an electric field signal 13 and means 25 for detecting a user input. It is to be appreciated that the user input system 1 1 may comprise other components in other embodiments of the invention.

The means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13 may comprise a transmitter 22. The transmitter 22 may be arranged to transmit a signal in the frequency range 44 kHz to 1 15 kHz. The frequency range may be selected so that the signal is not attenuated as it is passes through the user 5, 7.

The transmitter 22 may be provided within the vehicle 1 so that the electric field signal 13 can be detected inside the vehicle 1 . In the example user input system 1 1 of Fig 2 the transmitter 22 is provided within a seat 24 of the vehicle 1 . The transmitter 22 may be provided within the seat 24 so that, when a user 5, 7 is sitting on the seat 24 the electric field signal 13 is transmitted through the user 5, 7. In the embodiment of Fig 2 the transmitter 22 is provided in the base of the seat 24. In other examples the transmitter 22 could be provided in other positions within the seat 24, for example it could be provided within the back rest of the seat 24 or any other suitable position.

In some examples the means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13 may comprise a shield. The shield may be coupled to the transmitter 22 and may be arranged to prevent the electric field signal 13 being transmitted through a route other than through the user 5, 7. In some examples the shield may comprise a plate positioned underneath the transmitter 22 and arranged to shield the propagation of the electric field signal. The example user input system 1 1 of Fig 2 comprises a plurality of means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13. Each of the plurality of means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13 is arranged to enable an electric field signal 13 to be transmitted through a different user 5, 7 of the vehicle 1 . The different means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13 are arranged to enable different users to make user inputs using the user input system 1 1 .

In the example of Fig 2 two means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13 are provided. The first means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13 is arranged to transmit a signal through the driver 5 and comprises a transmitter 22 located in the driver seat 24. The second means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13 is arranged to transmit a signal through the passenger 7 and comprises a transmitter 22 located in the passenger seat 24. This enables both the driver 5 and the passenger 7 to use the user input system 1 1 .

It is to be appreciated that other numbers of means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13 may be provided in other examples of the disclosure. For instance in some examples one or more transmitters 22 may be provided in the rear seats of a vehicle 1 to enable passengers 7 in the rear seats to use the user input system 1 1 . In some examples a second user input system 1 1 could be provided in the rear of the vehicle 1 for the passengers 7 in the rear of the vehicle 1 . The different means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13 may be arranged to provide different electric field signals 13. The different electric field signals 13 may have different parameters. The different parameters may enable the means 23 for receiving the electric field signal 13 to differentiate between the different signals 13. This may enable the user input system 1 1 to distinguish between different users 5, 7 of the system. In the example of Fig 2 the different electric field signals 13 both have a square waveform but have different frequencies. The electric field signal 13 that is transmitted through the driver 5 has a higher frequency than the electric field signal 13 that is transmitted through the passenger 7. In other examples the different electric field signals 13 may have different waveforms and/or amplitudes and/or encoding and/or any other parameters.

Alternative, or in addition to having different parameters, the plurality of electric field signals 13 are optionally provided or transmitted at different times in order to differentiate between the different signals 13 and hence distinguish between different users 5, 7 of the system. By way of further explanation, the different signals 13 corresponding with the different users 5, 7 of the system may be transmitted and received successively or sequentially, for example using time-division-multiplexing.

The means 23 for receiving the electric field signals 13 may comprise a plurality of antennas 15. The plurality of antennas 15 may be arranged in an array so that the relative signal strength of an electric field signal 13 received by two or more of the antennas 15 may be used to enable the position of a portion of the user's body to be identified. The portion of the user's body could be their hand, one or more of their fingers or any other part of their body.

In the example user input system 1 1 of Fig 2 the means 23 for receiving the electric field signals 13 comprises five antennas 15. Four of the antennas 15 are arranged in a rectangular configuration such that an antenna 15 is positioned along each side of the rectangle. This may enable triangulation to be used to identify the position of a portion of the user's body.

In the example user input system 1 1 of Fig 2 the means 23 for receiving the electric field signals 13 the plurality of antennas 15 also comprises a reference antenna 15. In the example of Fig 2 the reference antenna 15 comprises a plate antenna which is positioned between the antennas 15 which make up the edges of the rectangle. The reference antenna 15 is positioned and shaped so that when a user brings a portion of their body such as their hand close to the means 23 for receiving the electric field signals 13 a control signal is received by the reference antenna 15. The control signal may enable the strength of an electric field signal 13 received by the antennas 15 to be compared. The control signal may improve the accuracy with which such comparisons can be made. The control signal may provide a benchmark signal strength which may enable the signals received by the other antennas 15 to be identified as high or low signal strengths.

It is to be appreciated that other arrangements of antennas 15 may be used in other embodiments of the invention. Further examples of arrays of antennas 15 are illustrated in Figs 3A to 3C.

In the example user input system 1 1 of Fig 2 the antennas 15 are provided juxtaposed to a display 27. In some examples the antennas 15 could be provide within the display 27. The display 27 may comprise any means which may be arranged to display information to a user 5, 7. The display 27 may comprise a liquid crystal display or any other suitable type of display 27.

The display 27 may be arranged to display one or more user control items 17. A user control item 17 maybe an icon or other interactive icon which as user 5, 7 can select on the display. A user may select the control item 17 by actuating the area of the display 27 in which the control item 17 is displayed.

The control items 17 may represent menu options which enable access to functions of the vehicle 1 , user commands such as accept or cancel, parameters that can be varied such as volume or temperature or any other suitable control items 17.

In the example of Fig 2 four control items 17 are displayed on the display 27. A first control item 17A is represented by a circle A displayed on the left hand side of the display 27, a second control item 17B is represented by a circle B in the middle of the display 27, a third control item 17C is represented by a square C on the upper right hand side of the display 27 and a fourth control item 17D is represented by a square D on the lower right hand side of the display 27. It is to be appreciated that any number and arrangement of control items 17 could be provided in other embodiments of the invention. In the example of Fig 2 the display 27 may be located in a control panel between the driver seat 24 and the passenger seat 24. This may enable both the passenger 7 and the driver 5 to make user inputs using the user input system 1 1 and may enable both the passenger 7 and the driver 5 to view information that is displayed on the display 27. The plurality of antennas 15 may be positioned behind the display 27 or around the edges of the display 27. It is to be appreciated that the plurality of antennas 15 and/or a display 27 may be provided in other locations within the vehicle 1 in other embodiments of the invention.

The means 25 for detecting user input may comprise any means which may be arranged to compare the received signal strengths from the plurality of antennas 15 to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas 15. Once the position of the portion of the user's body has been identified this may be used to identify a user input. In the example user input system 1 1 of Fig 2 the means 25 for detecting user input comprises a controller 51 . An example of a controller 51 is illustrated in more detail in Fig 5.

The controller 51 may be arranged to control the means 21 for providing an electric field signal 13. The controller 51 may be arranged to provide a control signal 19 to each of the transmitters 22. The control signal 19 may control the parameters of the electric field signal 13 which is to be provided by each of the transmitters 22. This may enable the controller 51 to identify the transmitter 22 from which a received signal was transmitted.

The controller 51 may also be arranged to receive an input signal 20 from the plurality of antennas 15. The input signal 20 may comprise information indicative of the electric field signal 13 received by each of the plurality of antennas 15. The input signal 20 may comprise information indicative of the strength of the electric field signal 13 received by each of the antennas 15. In some examples the input signal 20 may comprise information indicative of parameters of the received electric field signal 13. The parameters could be the frequency, waveform, amplitude, encoding or any other suitable parameter which enables the controller 51 to distinguish between electric field signals 13 originating from different transmitters 22.

To enable user inputs to be detected the controller 51 controls the transmitters 22 to provide electric field signals 13. The users 5, 7 provide a signal path for the electric field signals 13. If a user brings their hand or other part of their body close to the plurality of antennas 15 then the antennas 15 detect the electric field signal 13 that has been transmitted through the users 5, 7. The controller 51 obtains information indicative of the received signal and uses that information to identify the position of the portion of the user's body and register a user input. Once a user input has been registered the controller 51 may enable a function to be performed. The function that is performed could be control of any suitable system or function of the vehicle 1 . In some examples the controller 51 may perform the function. For instance the controller 51 may control the information displayed on the display 27 or may control the output provided by an entertainment system. In other examples the controller 51 may send a control signal to another apparatus to enable the apparatus to perform the function. For instance the controller 51 may be arranged to send a control signal to a climate control apparatus to enable the temperature within the vehicle 1 to be adjusted.

A user 5, 7 may make a user input by bringing their hand or other part of their body close to the array of antennas 15. In some examples the user may touch the display 27 or bring their hand or other part of their body close to the display 27 to make the user input. As the user input system 1 1 works by detecting the received electric field signals the user inputs can be registered even if the user 5, 7 is wearing gloves. A user input may be registered if the portion of the user's body is determined within a predetermined distance of the plurality of antennas 15. In some examples a user input may be registered if the portion of the user's body is determined to be within a predetermined distance of a user selectable control item 17 displayed on the display 27. Any suitable method or process may be used to determine the position of the portions of the user's body from the signals received from the plurality of antennas 15. In some examples triangulation or any other suitable process may be used to identify the position of the portion of the user's body. In some examples the controller 51 may comprise a look up table which may be used to identify the position of the portion of the user's body and correlate that position to actuation of an area of the display 27. For instance, in the embodiment of Fig 2 where four control items 17 are displayed on the display the following look up table could be used to compare the signal strengths received by the antennas 15 and identify a user input.

Using this table if the first antenna RX A receives a high signal strength, the second and fourth antennas RX B and RX D received medium signal strengths and the third antenna RX C receives a low signal strength then this may be identified as a user input selecting control item 17 represented by the circle A. The control signal received from the control antenna RX E may be used to determine whether the other received signals are high, medium or low.

It is to be appreciated that other arrangements of antennas 15 and/or control items 17 may be used in other embodiments of the invention and so other look up tables could be used in these examples.

In some examples the controller 51 may be arranged to detect a user input comprising movement of the portion of the user's body. The user input could be a gesture which comprises a predetermined movement of the portion of the user's body. The movement could be a swiping gesture which involves the user 5, 7 moving their hand or other part of their body up or down or from right to left or a rotating gesture which may comprise a user 5, 7 making circular motions with their hands or other part of their body or any other suitable gestures.

In some examples the gestures may comprise movements which mimic the use of dedicated user input devices such as knobs or slider controls. For example a user 5, 7 may be used to rotating a knob to control volume of an entertainment system. It may therefore be intuitive to enable a user 5, 7 to make a similar rotating gesture with their hand or other part of their body to control the volume using the example user input system 1 1 . Information may be displayed on the display 27 to indicate to the user the type of gesture user inputs that could be made.

In some examples the user input system 1 1 may be arranged to detect the position of the portion of the user's body in three dimensions. That is, the user input system 1 1 may detect the position of the portion of the user's body in the x, y and z directions. This may enable a wider range of user input gestures to be detected by the user input system 1 1 .

In some examples the controller 51 may be arranged to identify which user 5, 7 has made a user input. The controller 51 may identify the user from the parameters of the received electric field signal 13. In some examples the plurality of antennas 15 may be arranged to receive a plurality of electric field signals 13 at the same time. This may enable the user input system 1 1 to be used simultaneously by a plurality of different users. In some embodiments different users 5, 7 may have access to different functions or systems of the vehicle 1 . For instance the driver 5 may be the only user 5, 7 who is authorised to access functions relating to driving such as a navigation application. In such cases if the controller 51 detects that the driver has selected an item 17 relating to a navigation application the controller 51 may enable the associated function. Similarly if the controller 51 detects that the passenger 7 has selected an item 17 relating to a navigation application the controller 51 does not enable the associated function. In some embodiments of the invention one of the users 5, 7 may be able to control the user input system 1 1 so that they can program which functions the different users have access to. For instance, some drivers 5 may program the user input system 1 1 so that only the driver can control the volume of the entertainment system and/or only the driver has access to a communications system. It is to be appreciated that other functions could be selected in other embodiments of the invention.

In some examples the display 27 may be arranged so that the same information is displayed to both the passenger 7 and the driver 5. In other examples different information could be displayed to the passenger 7 and the driver 5. For instance the display 27 could be a dual display 27 where the information that is visible depends on the position of the user 5, 7 relative to the display 27. As the driver 5 and passenger 7 are seated on different sides of the display 27 this enables different information to be viewed. This may enable different control items 17 to be displayed to each of the different users of the user input system 1 1 . In some examples the different control items 17 could be displayed in the same physical area of the display as the controller 51 may use the received signals to disambiguate between the different users 5, 7 and identify which control items 17 have been actuated. In some examples the display 27 may be arranged to display information indicative of the position of the portion of the user's body. This information may make it easier for a user to select a control item 17. For instance a cursor or other indicator could be displayed to denote the position of the portion of the user's body relative to the control items. This provides an indication to the user 5, 7 of whether or not they are selecting the correct control item 17.

In the example of Fig 2 the plurality of antennas 15 are provided juxtaposed to a display 27 between the driver and the passenger 7. It is to be appreciated that the plurality of antennas 15 could be located in any suitable position within the vehicle 1 and do not need to be provided juxtaposed to a display 27. For instance in some examples the plurality of antennas 15 could be provided within the door of a vehicle 1 . This may be useful for enabling a user 5, 7 to control functions relating to the door such as locking or opening windows.

Figs 3A to 3C illustrate example arrays 31 of antennas 15 which may be used in some embodiments of the invention.

The example array of Fig 3A corresponds to the example array 31 used in Fig 2. Four antennas 15A, B, C, D are arranged in a rectangle with a reference antenna 15E provided in the centre. In the example of Fig 3A each of the antennas 15A, B, C, D which form the side of the rectangle are straight lines.

The example array of Fig 3A may be used in a rectangular display 27 such as the display 27 of Fig 2 or in any other suitable arrangement.

In the example of Fig 3A the rectangular array has an aspect ratio of around 2:1 . Other aspect ratios could be used in other embodiments of the invention.

Fig 3B illustrates an example array 31 where the antennas 15 are arranged to fit around other components of the vehicle 1 . The example array 31 of Fig 3B also comprises four antennas 15A, B, C, D which are arranged in a substantially rectangular shape with a reference antenna 15E provided in the centre. However in the example of Fig 3B the antennas 15A, B, C, D which form the sides of the rectangle are not straight lines. The antennas 15A, B, C, D which form the sides of the rectangle have an irregular shape. This may enable the antennas 15A, B, C, and D to be fitted around other components of the vehicle 1 but still allows for accurate information about the position of a portion of the user's body to be obtained.

Fig 3C illustrates another example array 31 where the antennas 15 may be arranged to fit around other components of the vehicle 1 . The example array 31 of Fig 3C also comprises four antennas 15A, B, C, and D however in the example of Fig 3C the antennas 15A, B, C, and D are arranged in a trapezium shape rather than a rectangle. The reference antenna 15E is provided in the centre of the trapezium.

It is to be appreciated that other shapes and arrangements of the antennas 15 may be used in other embodiments of the invention.

The example arrays 31 of antennas 15 may be any suitable size. In some examples the size of the arrays 31 may be limited by the power requirements of the user input system 1 1 . In such examples the antenna arrays may have lengths of around 30cm. Other sizes may be used depending on the power of the transmitted electric field signal 13 and the sensitivity of the antennas 15 and the resolution needed to identify a user input.

Fig 4 illustrates an example method which may be performed by the user inputs system 1 1 in some embodiments of the invention. In some examples the method, or at least part of the method, may be performed by the controller 51 .

The method comprises, at block 41 receiving an electric field signal 13 by at least a first antenna 15 and at least a second antenna 15. The antennas 15 may be part of a plurality of antennas 15 as described above. The received electric field signal 13 may be transmitted through a user 5, 7 of the vehicle 1 as described above.

At block 43 the method comprises comparing a strength of an electric field signal 13 received by the first antenna 15 and a strength of the electric field signal 13 received by the second antenna 15 to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas 15. In some examples the controller 51 may use triangulation, look up tables and/or any other suitable method to identify the position of the portion of the user's body. At block 45 the method comprises detecting a user input corresponding to the identified position of the portion of the user's body. Different positions of a portion of the user's body may correspond to different user inputs. Different user inputs may enable different functions of the vehicle 1 to be enabled. Fig 5 illustrates an example controller 51 which may be used to control a user input system 1 1 within the vehicle 1 . The controller 51 may be arranged to identify user inputs from the signals received by the plurality of antennas. The controller 51 may also enable a function corresponding to the detected user input to be performed. In some examples the function may be performed by the controller 51 . In other examples the controller 51 may be arranged to send a control signal to another apparatus or device to enable the function to be performed.

The controller 51 may be a chip or a chip set. The controller 51 may be arranged to control the user inputs system 1 1 . In some examples the controller 51 may be arranged to control any suitable functions of applications within the vehicle 1 .

The controller 51 comprises at least one processor 53, at least one memory 55 and at least one computer program 57. Implementation of a controller 51 may be as controller circuitry. The controller 51 may be implemented in hardware alone, may have certain aspects in software including firmware alone or may be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

As illustrated in Fig 4 the controller 51 may be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable instructions of a computer program 57 in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor 53 that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium (disk, memory etc.) to be executed by such a processor 53. The processor 53 may be arranged to read from and write to the memory 55. The processor 53 may also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processor 53 and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor 53.

The memory 55 may be arranged to store a computer program 57 comprising computer program instructions 59 (computer program code) that controls the operation of the controller 51 when loaded into the processor 53. The computer program instructions 59, of the computer program 57, provide the logic and routines that enables the controller 51 to detect gesture user inputs made by a user actuating one or more means for detecting gesture user inputs. The controller 51 may also enable information to be provided to the user. The controller 51 may also enable functions to be reformed by systems and/or applications within the vehicle 1 . The processor 53 by reading the memory 55 is able to load and execute the computer program 57.

As illustrated in Fig 5, the computer program 57 may arrive at the controller 51 via any suitable delivery mechanism 61 . The delivery mechanism 61 may be, for example, a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or digital versatile disc (DVD), an article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program 57. The delivery mechanism may be a signal arranged to reliably transfer the computer program 57. The controller 51 may propagate or transmit the computer program 57 as a computer data signal. Although the memory 55 is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/ dynamic/cached storage. Although the processor 53 is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which may be integrated/removable. The processor 53 may be a single core or multi-core processor. The blocks illustrated in the Fig 4 may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 57. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some steps to be omitted.

In the embodiments described above the user input system 1 1 is used to control systems such as entertainment or climate control systems. It is to be appreciated that the similar user input system 1 1 could be used to control any suitable functions of the vehicle. For instance in some embodiments the user input system 1 1 could be used to replace mechanical actuators such as the catch on a glove compartment or any other suitable mechanical actuators.

In some examples the electric field signals 13 may be encoded so that they are specific to the user rather than just the position the user 5, 7 is seated in the vehicle. This may enable the user input system 1 1 to enable different users to access personal information such as contact information or have their own specific entertainment or climate control settings or for any other suitable purpose. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For instance, in some examples an electromagnetic signal may be used. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1 . A user input system, the system comprising:

means for providing an electric field signal wherein the means for providing an electric field signal are positioned to enable the electric field signal to be transmitted through a user;

means for receiving the electric field signal which has been transmitted through the user wherein the means for receiving the electric field signal comprises a plurality of antennas and

means for detecting a user input comprising means for comparing the received signal strength from the plurality of antennas to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas.

2. A user input system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for providing an electric field signal is provided in a seat adapted to accommodate a user.

3. A user input system as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plurality of means for providing an electric field signal where each of the plurality of means enables an electric field signal to be transmitted through a different user.

4. A user input system as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of means for providing an electric field signal is arranged to transmit a different signal to enable the means for receiving the signal to distinguish between the different signals and identify which user is making an input.

5. A user input system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the different signals have at least one of: different frequencies, different waveforms, different amplitudes, different encoding.

6. A user input system as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5 where different users have access to different functions.

7. A user input system as claimed in any preceding claim comprising means for enabling a function to be performed in response to the detection of the user input.

8. A user input system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for detecting a user input is arranged to register a user input if the portion of the user's body is detected in a predetermined position relative to one or more of the antennas.

9. A user input system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for detecting a user input is arranged to register a user input if a gesture comprising a predetermined movement of the portion of the user's body is detected.

10. A user input system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for detecting a user input is arranged to use a look up table to identify a user input.

1 1 . A user input system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the plurality of antennas comprises at least two antennas.

12. A user input system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the plurality of antennas comprises at least one reference antenna.

13. A user input system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least some of the plurality of antennas are provided juxtaposed to a display.

14. A user input system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the display is arranged to display at least one user selectable control item.

15. A user input system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the means for detecting a user input is arranged to register a user input if the portion of the user's body is positioned within a predetermined distance of a user selectable control item.

16. A user input system as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15 wherein the display is arranged to display an indication of the identified position of the portion of the user's body.

17. Means for providing an electric field signal for use in a system as claimed in any preceding claim.

18. Means for receiving an electric field signal for use in a system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16.

19. Means for detecting a user input for use in a system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16.

20. A vehicle comprising a user input system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16.

21 . A method of detecting a user input comprising:

receiving an electric field signal by at least a first antenna and at least a second antenna where the received electric field signal is transmitted through a user;

comparing a strength of a signal received by the first antenna and a strength of the signal received by at least the second antenna to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas and

detecting a user input corresponding to the identified position of the portion of the user's body.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21 comprising enabling a function to be performed in response to the detected user input

23. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 22 comprising identifying a parameter of the received electric field signal and using the identified parameter to identify the user making the input.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the parameter comprises at least one of: frequency, waveform, amplitude, encoding.

25. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 24 comprising detecting a user input if the portion of the user's body is detected in a predetermined position relative to one or more of the antennas.

26. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 25 comprising detecting a user input if a gesture comprising a predetermined movement of the portion of the user's body is detected.

27. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 26 comprising using a look up table to identify a user input corresponding to the identified position of the portion of the user's body.

28. A computer program for enabling control of a user input system, the computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a user input system to perform, at least:

comparing a strength of a signal received by the first antenna and a strength of the signal received by at least the second antenna to identify the position of a portion of the user's body relative to the plurality of antennas; and

29. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program as claimed in claim 28.

30. A system and/or means for providing an electric field signal and/or means for receiving an electric field signal and/or means for detecting a user input and/or method, computer program and/or vehicle and/or method and/or computer program substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.