WO2012001349A1 - Dispositif de contrôle - Google Patents

Dispositif de contrôle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012001349A1
WO2012001349A1 PCT/GB2011/000971 GB2011000971W WO2012001349A1 WO 2012001349 A1 WO2012001349 A1 WO 2012001349A1 GB 2011000971 W GB2011000971 W GB 2011000971W WO 2012001349 A1 WO2012001349 A1 WO 2012001349A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
control
buttons
computer system
programmable
button
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2011/000971
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Anthony Parfitt
Original Assignee
Futronics Group Limited
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 Futronics Group Limited filed Critical Futronics Group Limited
Publication of WO2012001349A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012001349A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B60K35/21—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays
    • B60K35/215—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
    • 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
    • B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B60K35/21—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays
    • B60K35/22—Display screens
    • 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
    • B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B60K35/28—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
    • 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
    • B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B60K35/29—Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
    • 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
    • B60K35/65—Instruments specially adapted for specific vehicle types or users, e.g. for left- or right-hand drive
    • 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
    • B60K35/80—Arrangements for controlling instruments
    • 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
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
    • G06F3/0238—Programmable keyboards
    • 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
    • B60K2360/122—Instrument input devices with reconfigurable control functions, e.g. reconfigurable menus
    • 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
    • B60K2360/1438—Touch screens
    • B60K2360/1442—Emulation of input devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a control device, particularly, though not exclusively for use in an emergency vehicle such as a police, ambulance or fire vehicle.
  • Modern emergency vehicles for example police cars, comprise in-situ computer systems providing a plurality of applications commonly employed by operators in the course of their duties.
  • Applications running on the computer system may include a GPS navigation program, a digital radio, a license plate recognition program and video playback facilities utilising external cameras. This list is non-exhaustive. Operation and display of said applications can be performed using a touch screen device mounted in the vehicle and which is connected to the computer system, usually stowed securely in the vehicle boot or trunk.
  • the sirens, beacons, strobe lighting and matrix displays provided on such vehicles are usually controlled by a physically separate unit, usually having mechanical buttons associated with each function.
  • the unit controlling the lights, sirens, beacons and so on is generally hard-wired to perform a predetermined function, i.e. with one button being assigned to front strobe lights, another button to the roof lights, another button to the sirens and so on.
  • a predetermined function i.e. with one button being assigned to front strobe lights, another button to the roof lights, another button to the sirens and so on.
  • one or more button(s) is/are selected to activate a system, it can be difficult for a user inside the vehicle to recognise which of the systems is currently active, possibly resulting in confusion and potentially dangerous situations on the road.
  • the invention provides a control device, particularly a control device enabling user control of systems associated with a vehicle, which includes a plurality of buttons each of which is programmable so as to control a program running on a computer system and which can be reprogrammed to enable control of a system independent of the computer system.
  • a programmable control device enabling user control of a plurality of systems associated with a vehicle, the device comprising a touch screen display enabling control of a computer system and the display of information therefrom, and a plurality of buttons separate from the touch screen, wherein the module is arranged such that each of said buttons can be assigned to control a program running on the computer system, and in which each button is re-programmable to control a system independent from the computer system.
  • buttons which integrates the control of a computer system provided in a vehicle, for example an emergency vehicle's computer system, as well as other independent systems such as those controlling the display of external lights, strobes, sirens and matrix displays.
  • the function of the separate buttons is interchangeable to cater for new programs or independent systems, or simply to allow more critical programs or systems to be controlled using button in a more prominent position, e.g. at the top of a column of buttons.
  • Programs running on the computer system can be operated using the touch screen or the separate buttons, if the latter are programmed accordingly. Conversely, systems independent of the computer system can be controlled by the touch screen or the separate buttons.
  • the module provides versatility in terms of adding new programs or independent systems.
  • more time critical control functions such as turning on strobe lights and/or roof lights and/or sirens can be initiated whilst the computer system is booting up when the car is started.
  • Booting of a computer system can take an appreciable amount of time, i.e. a matter of minutes, during which valuable response time can be lost. If these functions are controlled independently of the computer system, they can be initiated immediately as the computer is booting in the background.
  • the device is preferably provided as a single unit.
  • the separate buttons may be physical buttons, that is buttons requiring user force to initiate a control signal to the computer or independent system.
  • the separate buttons may include an electronic display portion for visually indicating the control function assigned to that button, and in which the module enables said indication to be modified in accordance with a re- programming operation to assign a different function to that button.
  • Submenus can be assigned to particular functions so that, in response to selecting a given button, the button assignments change to provide sub-menu options.
  • the device may be arranged such that operation of a function associated with one of the buttons causes a change in the visual indication displayed by said button to indicate said operation. Thus, an operator is presented with a clear visual reminder of what systems are in operation even as other systems are being operated or monitored.
  • the buttons may comprise a LED panel provided as part of the button, for example an organic LED (OLED) panel.
  • the device may be arranged such that a particular control function can be assigned to the condition in which a plurality of buttons are operated simultaneously.
  • the number of functions assigned to the buttons is not limited by the actual number of buttons. Operating of two keys simultaneously can be assigned to a further function, for example.
  • the device may be arranged such that a particular control function can be assigned to the condition in which a plurality of buttons are operated in a predetermined sequence.
  • the device preferably comprises a processor operating under the control of a program arranged to provide the programming / re-programming functionality.
  • the processor operates independently of the external computer. Where a control function relates to a program on the external computer, the device's processor passes control signals to the external computer, whereas where a function relates to the control of an external system independent from the computer system, the processor passes control signals to the external system independently, i.e. without any interaction with the computer.
  • a programmable control device enabling user control of systems associated with a vehicle, the device comprising a touch screen display enabling control of an external computer system running one or more programs and the display of information therefrom, and a plurality of buttons separate from the touch screen, wherein the device is arranged such that each of said buttons can be assigned to control a program running on the computer system and subsequently re- programmed to control an external system independent from the computer system.
  • a programmable control device as defined above adapted for specific use in an emergency vehicle.
  • an on-board computer system for an emergency vehicle comprising a main computer running one or more programs, a control system independent of the main computer for controlling the operation of any one of lights, sirens or a display system associated with the vehicle, and a programmable control device comprising (i) a touch screen display enabling control of programs on the main computer and the display of information therefrom and (ii) a plurality of buttons separate from the touch screen, in which the programmable control device is arranged such that each of said buttons can be assigned to control a program running on the computer system and subsequently re-programmed to control the operation of the lights, sirens or display system via the independent control system.
  • Each button may comprise a display panel for displaying an indication of the function currently assigned to it. Said displayed indication can be changed in accordance with a re-programming operation. Said displayed indication can change during operation of its associated function to indicate said operation.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of an in-vehicle computer system comprising a plurality of system devices including a main computer and a programmable display system enabling control of programs and other functions;
  • Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are plan views of the front of the programmable display system in Figure 1 , the latter showing an exemplary assignment of functions displayed thereon;
  • Figure 3 is a system diagram showing functional components within the programmable display system in Figures 1 and 2. Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a system diagram indicating functional components of an in-vehicle computer system, in this case a computer system designed for use in a police vehicle.
  • An in-car personal computer (PC) 1 provides the core processing capability for running a plurality of computer programs or applications for assisting police officers in the course of their duties.
  • Such programs may include, for example, a digital radio, a GPS navigation system, an automatic number plate reader (ANPR) program, and a digital video recorder (DVR) program.
  • ANPR automatic number plate reader
  • DVR digital video recorder
  • the PC 1 may be of the type provided by the applicant under the brand eMC1 or one of its derivatives, this computer using anything ranging from a 2GHz Celeron processor to a Core 2 Quad 2.53 GHz Extreme processor in the current range. Memory and input/output capabilities are comparable with the more powerful PCs available on the market.
  • the PC 1 is, in practice, securely fitted into the vehicle, for example in the boot or trunk.
  • a programmable display system Connected to the PC1 is a programmable display system (PDS) 3, which is mounted in the interior of the vehicle, in or adjacent to the dashboard thereby enabling easy access by a police driver or front passenger.
  • PDS programmable display system
  • a communications module (CM) 5 is also connected to the PC 1.
  • the CM 5 comprises one or more antenna or antenna feeds and one or more modems (e.g. GPRS, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth) enabling bidirectional wireless data transmission between the PC 1 and other modules, for example to upload status data to a police station or to download information for the radio application, the ANPR program or other information from a National police Database (NPD).
  • the CM 5 also comprises a GPS antenna and engine to provide data required by the GPS navigation program running on the PC 1.
  • An electronic vehicle controller (EVC) 7 is connected to the CM 5 and the PDS 3, as well as the vehicles external indicator and siren systems comprising lights 9 (front and rear strobes and a roof light bar), sirens 11 and a display matrix 13.
  • the EVC 7 is a stand-alone module that controls mission-critical vehicle operations independent of, or in conjunction with, the processor of PC 1.
  • the EVC 7 provides power management and control of the lights 9, sirens 11 , and the display matrix 13, audio and also takes in vehicle inputs from the vehicle handbrake and door inputs.
  • the unit includes fully programmable outputs; volt free changeover contacts, high sided fused and monitored outputs, a programmable intelligent interface to light bars and matrix signs, programmable voice storage and announcements and an onboard PC audio speaker driver.
  • the EVC 7 includes dedicated handbrake, footbrake, ignition, door, 999 and arrive scene inputs.
  • the latter two inputs enable different predetermined combinations of lights to be displayed in accordance with a selected one of the inputs being enabled.
  • the EVC 7 causes all strobe (front and rear) and the roof light bar to be switched on.
  • the siren may also be initiated.
  • the EVC 7 causes the front strobes to be switched off whilst keeping the rear strobes and light bar operating to warn vehicles approaching the scene. The siren is switched off in this mode.
  • the EVC 7 not only allows individual lights, sirens and other external indicating systems to be individually controlled, but also has programmable functionality to allow different combinations of said indicators to be initiated in response to a dedicated control signal.
  • control signals for the individual indicating systems and the programmable combinations are received from the PDS 3.
  • a number of further electronic systems 15 are connected to the PC 1 , for example a printer, fingerprint reader and one or more cameras. These 'peripherals' are used by programs running on the PC 1.
  • a first camera may be used to record video from the front of the vehicle, the video being stored on a hard drive of the PC1 with the PVR application providing an interface enabling playback of the video to offending motorists or as evidence in subsequent proceedings.
  • the video may also be fed to the ANPR program which uses image processing technology to identify license plates and access external databases through the CM 5 to identify the registered user and/or stolen vehicle reports.
  • the PDS 3 is a single-unit module comprising a casing 21 housing a touch-screen 23 and, separate therefrom, a column of buttons or keys 25.
  • a button 25 is a physical button, similar to those provided on a conventional computer keyboard, requiring applied force to mechanically depress the button onto an underlying contact.
  • Each button 25 includes, as part of its upper exposed surface, an OLED panel 26 for displaying the function assigned to that button.
  • Each OLED panel 26 is connected to a processor which outputs the particular image or icon to be displayed in accordance with a programming operation.
  • the functionality of the buttons 25 is reprogrammable in use and hence the image or icon displayed by the buttons in use is also re-programmable, e.g. to display a different image or icon.
  • buttons 25 User programming of the functionality of the buttons 25 is handled by means of accessing a processor internal to the PDS 3 and which operates independently of the PC 1.
  • This processor enables the buttons 25 to be assigned to a function associated with the PC 1, for example to initiate an application running on the PC, or, alternatively, to a function independent of the PC, for example to initiate a function operated by the EVC 7.
  • the processor is infinitely re-programmable so that a button 25 currently assigned to control a PC 1 application can be subsequently re-programmed so that it is assigned to control an EVC 7 function, and vice-versa.
  • Control signals are output from the processor via different buses or channels 27, 29, corresponding to, respectively, an EVC data bus and a PC data bus.
  • Figure 2(b) shows an example configuration of the PDS 3.
  • the touch screen 23 shows a first level menu indicative of programs or applications running on PC 1.
  • Each program has a corresponding icon displayed on the touch screen 23 and the corresponding program is initiated by means of a user touching the capacitive screen; said selection results in a corresponding control signal being sent via the PC data bus 29 to the PC 1.
  • Output data resulting from the initiation of the selected program is received back over the PC data bus 29 and displayed on the touch screen 23, for example to show a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with the program and/or to show a sub-menu associated with the program.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • buttons 25 are programmed to provide a number of mission critical functions, namely (i) a 'emergency response' function, referred to hereafter as a 999 mode (ii) an 'arrive at scene' function, referred to hereafter as an ARR mode (iii) an ITS function, (iv) a GPS SatNav function, (v) a PNC function and (vi) an ANPR function.
  • mission critical functions namely (i) a 'emergency response' function, referred to hereafter as a 999 mode (ii) an 'arrive at scene' function, referred to hereafter as an ARR mode (iii) an ITS function, (iv) a GPS SatNav function, (v) a PNC function and (vi) an ANPR function.
  • the 999 and ARR modes correspond to different predetermined combinations of lights.
  • the 999 mode corresponds to all strobe (front and rear) and the roof light bar being switched on.
  • the siren may also be initiated.
  • the 'arrive scene' modes corresponds to the front strobes being switched off whilst keeping the rear strobes and light bar operating to warn vehicles approaching the scene.
  • the siren is switched off in this mode.
  • the EVC 7 uses a processor which runs independently of the PC 1 and so can initiate the 999 and ARR modes immediately upon receiving the appropriate control signal from the PDS 3.
  • buttons 31 of the PDS 3 are in this case programmed to send either a 999 control signal or an ARR control signal direct to the EVC 7, independently from the PC 1.
  • the control signals in this case are transmitted through the EVC bus 27.
  • the remaining four buttons 33 of the PDS 3 are programmed to send a control signal for initiating or controlling a respective application (LTS, NAV, PNC and ANPR) to the PC 1 via the PC bus 29.
  • buttons 31 , 33 are repeatedly re-programmable so that different or new functions can be assigned to buttons. For example, the 999 function could be moved from the uppermost button to the lowermost button. All that is required is for a user to reprogram the PDS 3.
  • the user is able to specify to the PDS 3 the image to be displayed on each OLED display 26.
  • the user may simply type-in a word or legend to be displayed, select one of a predetermined number of icons, or upload an image from an external computer system. In this case, simple text legends are used.
  • the processor of the PDS 3 is arranged to indicate, by means of the OLED display 26, the or each function currently in operation. This may be by means of changing the colour of the image assigned to a button, underlining the image or causing it to flash. For example, if the 999 button is pressed to initiate the 999 mode via the EVC 7, the OLED display 26 for the 999 button may blink and continue to do so regardless of what other buttons are pressed or whichever other programs are being controlled via the touch screen 23. In a multitasking environment, this means that a clear and visible indication is continually given to the user as to which function(s) are in operation.
  • the aforementioned touch screen 23 and buttons 25 are connected to a dedicated PDS processor 41 which operates under the control of a control program 43 stored on memory.
  • the PDS processor 41 can be programmed and monitored via an interface 45 (which can be wired or wireless, e.g. using Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G, SMS, GPRS) which interfaces to said PDS processor over a bus 47.
  • the PDS processor 41 is, in use, connected to the PC 1 and the EVC 7 using, respectively, the PC bus 29 and EVC bus 27 previously described. Depending on which of the buttons 26 is pressed, the PDS processor 41 outputs a corresponding control signal either to the PC 1 , or to the EVC 7 independently of the PC 1.
  • the PDS 3 also enables combinations of buttons to be assigned to additional functions.
  • the number of functions is not limited to the number of buttons 25.
  • pushing two or more buttons simultaneously can be interpreted by the PDS processor 41 as a different function; for example pushing the PNC and ANPR buttons simultaneously may be used to control the brightness of the screen or the volume of the audio output.
  • pushing a plurality of buttons in a predetermined sequence may be assigned to another function; for example, pushing the ANPR button, followed in quick succession by the PNC button can be assigned to power-down the PDS 3.
  • the PDS 3 may be configured to assign one or more sub-options to the buttons.
  • the current button assignments shown in Figure 2(b) may change to show different selectable options relevant to the 999 mode, perhaps enabling one of the predetermined combination of lights operated by the EVC 7 to be manually turned off.
  • the current sub-menu may be exited automatically after a predetermined period of time or in response to an 'exit' function assigned to one of the buttons in the sub-menu. The previous 'next level up' menu is then displayed again.
  • Programming and re-programming of the PDS processor 41 is performed either by connecting a computer, e.g. an external laptop, to the interface 45 over the wired or wireless link.
  • a computer e.g. an external laptop
  • An application providing a GUI allowing assignment of the buttons 25 to particular functions and for specifying the legend, image or image upload to be displayed on the OLED screen 26 of a button can be pre-stored on memory 43 or provided as a separate application for use on the external computer.
  • buttons 25 are provided in the form of a touch-sensitive buttons rather than physical buttons requiring mechanical displacement to cause selection.
  • a separate touch screen may be provided for displaying individual buttons, i.e. distinct from the main touch screen 23.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de contrôle programmable (3) permettant à un utilisateur de contrôler des systèmes associés à un véhicule, par exemple un véhicule de secours. Le dispositif comprend un écran tactile (23) permettant de contrôler un système informatique externe (1) et l'affichage d'informations, et une pluralité de boutons (25) séparés de l'écran tactile. Le dispositif est conçu de sorte que chacun desdits boutons (25) peut être désigné pour contrôler un programme fonctionnant sur le système informatique ou un système (7) indépendant du système informatique, chaque bouton pouvant être reprogrammé pour contrôler un programme ou un système différent indépendant du système informatique.
PCT/GB2011/000971 2010-06-29 2011-06-29 Dispositif de contrôle WO2012001349A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1010883.5A GB2481597A (en) 2010-06-29 2010-06-29 A programmable control device for controlling a computer and a system independent from the computer
GB1010883.5 2010-06-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012001349A1 true WO2012001349A1 (fr) 2012-01-05

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2011/000971 WO2012001349A1 (fr) 2010-06-29 2011-06-29 Dispositif de contrôle
PCT/GB2011/000972 WO2012013917A1 (fr) 2010-06-29 2011-06-29 Dispositif de contrôle d'une pluralité de boutons

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2011/000972 WO2012013917A1 (fr) 2010-06-29 2011-06-29 Dispositif de contrôle d'une pluralité de boutons

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GB (4) GB2481597A (fr)
WO (2) WO2012001349A1 (fr)

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GB2527732A (en) * 2014-04-16 2016-01-06 Econ Engineering Ltd Control apparatus and method of control
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WO2012013917A1 (fr) 2012-02-02
GB201010883D0 (en) 2010-08-11

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