GB2355055A - A control system for a vehicle - Google Patents

A control system for a vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2355055A
GB2355055A GB9923805A GB9923805A GB2355055A GB 2355055 A GB2355055 A GB 2355055A GB 9923805 A GB9923805 A GB 9923805A GB 9923805 A GB9923805 A GB 9923805A GB 2355055 A GB2355055 A GB 2355055A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
handwriting recognition
vehicle
recognition means
control system
input means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9923805A
Other versions
GB9923805D0 (en
Inventor
Kevin Trevor Talbot
David Smith
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
MG Rover Group Ltd
Original Assignee
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, MG Rover Group Ltd filed Critical Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Priority to GB9923805A priority Critical patent/GB2355055A/en
Publication of GB9923805D0 publication Critical patent/GB9923805D0/en
Publication of GB2355055A publication Critical patent/GB2355055A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/0414—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using force sensing means to determine a position
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/10—Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/60—Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K2360/00—Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
    • B60K2360/143—Touch sensitive instrument input devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K2360/00—Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
    • B60K2360/77—Instrument locations other than the dashboard
    • B60K2360/782—Instrument locations other than the dashboard on the steering wheel

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)

Abstract

A control system for a vehicle is disclosed, the control system having a driver operated input means in the form of a handwriting recognition apparatus 10 which includes a matrix of pressure sensitive devices 14 and is arranged in use to translate hand-written instructions inputted by a user into control commands for one or more vehicle features e.g.lighting, air conditioning, tuning a radio, playing a tape, direction indication, lamp operation. Apparatus 10 may be a flexible pad located on the steering wheel, may be located in front and behind the steering wheel, may be on the facia, and may be disabled if the steering wheel is turned more than a predetermined angle from the straight ahead position.

Description

2355055 A Control System This invention relates to control systems and in
particular to a control system for a vehicle, the system including a driver operated input means for controlling one or more vehicle features.
The electrical and electronic complexity of cars is increasing. A driver may wish to operate any number of sub-systems which could be managing anything from vehicle lighting and air conditioning to navigation and communications networks. This has resulted in a proliferation of controls appearing on and around the steering wheel which may prove confusing or distracting to a driver whilst driving the car, which may in turn reduce overall safety.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved control system.
Accordingly, the invention provides a control system for a vehicle, the system including a driver operated input means for controlling one or more vehicle features, wherein the input means comprises a handwriting recognition means arranged in use to translate hand-written instructions inputted by a user into control commands for said one or more features.
The handwriting recognition means may be positioned within easy reach of a driving position, which may be in the region of a fascia panel of the vehicle or in the region of a steering control means of the vehicle.
The handwriting recognition means may be substantially disabled when the steering control means is moved by a predetermined amount beyond a straight ahead position.
2- The handwriting recognition means may be, with respect to a further driver operated input means, a supplementary or parallel input means.
The handwriting recognition means may comprise a matrix of pressure sensitive devices.
The handwriting recognition means may be arranged to recognise one or more characters at least in part from a time-based relationship between the formation of, and/or the start and finish points of, different portions of the one or more characters.
The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of part of a control system according to the invention; Figure 2 shows part of the control system of Figure I in greater detail; and Figure 3 shows examples of data input using the control system of Figures 1 and 2.
Referring to the figures, a vehicle includes a driver operated input means for controlling one or more vehicle features, the input means being in the form of a handwriting recognition apparatus 10. The handwriting recognition apparatus 10 is positioned on a steering control means, which is in the form of a steering wheel 12, and is in such a position that it 10 lends itself easily to a stylus fashion of character entry using a user's thumb.
3- The handwriting recognition apparatus 10 includes a matrix of pressure sensitive pads 14 which are connected by a series of control lines 16 to a vehicle control module (not shown) which implements commands inputted by a user through the handwriting recognition apparatus 10.
Referring now in particular to Figure 3, six examples are given of the sort of alpha-numeric characters which can be entered using an X-Y co-ordinate system to process signals from the matrix 14. Depending on user preference and system complexity, it may prove desirable or necessary to use letters from different languages or other forms of characters such as shapes or symbols.
Different actions across the matrix 14 or different letters, numbers, shapes or symbols are used to represent tuning a radio, playing a tape, direction indication, lamp operation and other such functions which in some known vehicles each require a substantially independent input.
In a modification to the invention, the handwriting recognition apparatus may be in the form of a flexible pad and could be wrapped around sections of the steering wheel 12 or placed in different sections, such as in front or behind the steering wheel 12, which may prove desirable for thumb and forefinger control.
In a further modification to the invention, it would be possible to mount the handwriting recognition apparatus 10 somewhere else in the vehicle which may, for example, also be within easy reach of a driving position. Such a position might be found on a fascia of the vehicle.
In the event that the handwriting recognition apparatus 10 is mounted on the steering wheel 12, it may prove desirable to disable the apparatus 10 if the steering wheel is at certain predetermined positions such as, for example, if it were to be turned beyond a predetermined steering angle away from a straight ahead position. This may prove desirable in cases where it is considered unsafe for a driver to be entering such data whilst steering around a corner.
The handwriting recognition apparatus 10 may be used as a supplementary input means. In this event, a vehicle would retain at least the manual inputs most essential for safe driving such that control of their features is still available if, for example, the handwriting recognition apparatus 10 is disabled through steering angle.
In a further modification to the invention, the handwriting recognition means is arranged in use to recognise one or more characters at least in part from a timebased relationship between the formation of, and/or the start and finish points of, different portions of the one or more characters. By way of example, the formation of the upper case letter "T" will often include a substantially horizontal stroke from left to right across an upper region of the matrix 14, followed by a substantially vertical stroke in a central portion of the matrix 14. This vertical stroke may or may not contact the horizontal stroke, but it would be possible to programme the system to recognise the two movements as forming the letter "T' on condition, for example, that the two strokes occur in that order and within a predetermined period of time of each other. Similar techniques could be used for the recognition of other characters, e.g. "IC', "W', "F", 49Y) and t(Q).
This invention may also prove convenient to vehicle users who suffer from certain disabilities. If, for example, a user is speech impaired this invention may prove more convenient than voice control. The manual dexterity required for the operation of many conventional switches may hinder some physically handicapped users, who may instead find entering commands, symbols or data through the matrix 14 to be a more convenient system. It would also be possible to programme the vehicle control module to recognise characters customised to suit any user's preference, language or disability.

Claims (9)

-6CLAIMS
1. A control system for a vehicle, the system including a driver operated input means for controlling one or more vehicle features, wherein the input means comprises a handwriting recognition means arranged in use to translate hand-written instructions inputted by a user into control commands for said one or more features.
2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the handwriting recognition means is positioned within easy reach of a driving position.
3. A system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the handwriting recognition means is positioned in the region of a fascia panel of the vehicle.
4. A system according to Claim 2, wherein the handwriting recognition means is positioned in the region of a steering control means of the vehicle.
5. A system according to Claim 4, wherein the handwriting recognition means is substantially disabled when the steering control means is moved by a predetermined amount beyond a straight ahead position.
6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the handwriting recognition means is, with respect to a further driver operated input means, a supplementary or parallel input means.
7. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the handwriting recognition means comprises a matrix of pressure sensitive devices.
8. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the handwriting recognition means is arranged to recognise one or more characters at least in part from a time-based relationship between the formation of, and/or the start and finish points of, different portions of the one or more characters.
9. A control system for a vehicle substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9923805A 1999-10-09 1999-10-09 A control system for a vehicle Withdrawn GB2355055A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9923805A GB2355055A (en) 1999-10-09 1999-10-09 A control system for a vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9923805A GB2355055A (en) 1999-10-09 1999-10-09 A control system for a vehicle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9923805D0 GB9923805D0 (en) 1999-12-08
GB2355055A true GB2355055A (en) 2001-04-11

Family

ID=10862346

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9923805A Withdrawn GB2355055A (en) 1999-10-09 1999-10-09 A control system for a vehicle

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2355055A (en)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2373837A (en) * 2001-03-21 2002-10-02 Agilent Technologies Inc Character input, menu selection or value setting with an optical fingertip tracker
WO2003081411A2 (en) * 2002-03-12 2003-10-02 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Touch panel
DE10236224A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-02-26 Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh & Co. Kg Service unit for a motor vehicle speed regulator has touch screen input of ideal speed value to the regulator
WO2006025891A2 (en) * 2004-08-31 2006-03-09 International Business Machines Corporation Touch gesture based interface for motor vehicle
GB2423808A (en) * 2005-03-04 2006-09-06 Ford Global Tech Llc Gesture controlled system for controlling vehicle accessories
GB2470264A (en) * 2009-05-14 2010-11-17 Gm Global Tech Operations Inc Motor vehicle with touchpad connected with steering wheel
WO2012061256A1 (en) * 2010-11-01 2012-05-10 Robert Bosch Gmbh Robust video-based handwriting and gesture recognition for in-car applications
WO2014002113A1 (en) * 2012-06-30 2014-01-03 Tvs Motor Company Limited Touch-gesture recognition-based operation in vehicles
DE102012021220A1 (en) 2012-10-27 2014-04-30 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Operating arrangement for detection of gestures in motor vehicle, has gesture detection sensor for detecting gestures and for passing on gesture signals, and processing unit for processing gesture signals and for outputting result signals
JP2015038747A (en) * 2009-08-28 2015-02-26 ロベルト ボッシュ ゲーエムベーハー Inputting of information and command based on gesture for motor vehicle use
DE102014014340A1 (en) 2014-09-27 2016-03-31 Audi Ag Operating device for a motor vehicle
US9524032B2 (en) 2012-09-12 2016-12-20 Continental Automotive Gmbh Method and device for operating a motor vehicle component by means of gestures
US10956016B1 (en) 2019-11-14 2021-03-23 Rockwell Collins, Inc. No look touchscreen panel / CDU

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0330767A1 (en) * 1987-01-10 1989-09-06 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Touch panel control device with touch time and finger direction discrimination
EP0813989A1 (en) * 1996-06-18 1997-12-29 Renault Tactile control system of electronic vehicle equipment
JPH11105646A (en) * 1997-10-06 1999-04-20 Fuji Heavy Ind Ltd Concentrated control unit for on-vehicle equipment
WO1999057648A1 (en) * 1998-05-07 1999-11-11 Art - Advanced Recognition Technologies Ltd. Handwritten and voice control of vehicle components

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0330767A1 (en) * 1987-01-10 1989-09-06 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Touch panel control device with touch time and finger direction discrimination
EP0813989A1 (en) * 1996-06-18 1997-12-29 Renault Tactile control system of electronic vehicle equipment
JPH11105646A (en) * 1997-10-06 1999-04-20 Fuji Heavy Ind Ltd Concentrated control unit for on-vehicle equipment
WO1999057648A1 (en) * 1998-05-07 1999-11-11 Art - Advanced Recognition Technologies Ltd. Handwritten and voice control of vehicle components

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6677929B2 (en) 2001-03-21 2004-01-13 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Optical pseudo trackball controls the operation of an appliance or machine
GB2373837A (en) * 2001-03-21 2002-10-02 Agilent Technologies Inc Character input, menu selection or value setting with an optical fingertip tracker
WO2003081411A2 (en) * 2002-03-12 2003-10-02 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Touch panel
WO2003081411A3 (en) * 2002-03-12 2004-08-26 Bsh Balay Sa Touch panel
DE10236224B4 (en) * 2002-08-07 2008-01-17 Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh & Co. Kg Control device for speed control in vehicles
DE10236224A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-02-26 Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh & Co. Kg Service unit for a motor vehicle speed regulator has touch screen input of ideal speed value to the regulator
EP1396373A2 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-03-10 TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG Operating means for a cruise control in vehicles
EP1396373A3 (en) * 2002-08-07 2006-05-31 TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG Operating means for a cruise control in vehicles
WO2006025891A2 (en) * 2004-08-31 2006-03-09 International Business Machines Corporation Touch gesture based interface for motor vehicle
WO2006025891A3 (en) * 2004-08-31 2006-06-15 Ibm Touch gesture based interface for motor vehicle
US7295904B2 (en) 2004-08-31 2007-11-13 International Business Machines Corporation Touch gesture based interface for motor vehicle
GB2423808B (en) * 2005-03-04 2010-02-17 Ford Global Tech Llc Motor vehicle control system for controlling one or more vehicle devices
GB2423808A (en) * 2005-03-04 2006-09-06 Ford Global Tech Llc Gesture controlled system for controlling vehicle accessories
GB2470264A (en) * 2009-05-14 2010-11-17 Gm Global Tech Operations Inc Motor vehicle with touchpad connected with steering wheel
US20100288567A1 (en) * 2009-05-14 2010-11-18 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Motor vehicle with a touchpad in the steering wheel and method for actuating the touchpad
JP2015038747A (en) * 2009-08-28 2015-02-26 ロベルト ボッシュ ゲーエムベーハー Inputting of information and command based on gesture for motor vehicle use
US8817087B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2014-08-26 Robert Bosch Gmbh Robust video-based handwriting and gesture recognition for in-car applications
WO2012061256A1 (en) * 2010-11-01 2012-05-10 Robert Bosch Gmbh Robust video-based handwriting and gesture recognition for in-car applications
WO2014002113A1 (en) * 2012-06-30 2014-01-03 Tvs Motor Company Limited Touch-gesture recognition-based operation in vehicles
US9524032B2 (en) 2012-09-12 2016-12-20 Continental Automotive Gmbh Method and device for operating a motor vehicle component by means of gestures
DE102012216193B4 (en) * 2012-09-12 2020-07-30 Continental Automotive Gmbh Method and device for operating a motor vehicle component using gestures
DE102012021220A1 (en) 2012-10-27 2014-04-30 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Operating arrangement for detection of gestures in motor vehicle, has gesture detection sensor for detecting gestures and for passing on gesture signals, and processing unit for processing gesture signals and for outputting result signals
DE102014014340A1 (en) 2014-09-27 2016-03-31 Audi Ag Operating device for a motor vehicle
DE102014014340B4 (en) * 2014-09-27 2016-12-15 Audi Ag Operating device, motor vehicle and method for operating an operating device for a motor vehicle
US10956016B1 (en) 2019-11-14 2021-03-23 Rockwell Collins, Inc. No look touchscreen panel / CDU

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Publication number Publication date
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Legal Events

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COOA Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)