Patent US5539429A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5539429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Touch device panel
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1994-08-22
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Granted: 1996-07-23
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Expires: 2014-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A touch panel device for navigation of a vehicle for example an automobile. There is a display unit with a screen, and information display for visually representing desired information on the screen. A switch superimposes a switch pattern over the information on the screen and executing a predetermined control action when an operator's finger approaches the switch pattern. To remove the switch pattern after the lapse of a preset time form the visual representation of the switch pattern, erasing is used. The erasing can be accomplished for example by the actuation of a timer to remove the switch pattern. With the switch pattern removed, the entire information on the screen can be seen wholly without being concealed by the switch pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Haruto Yano
- 👤 Yoshiaki Hirasa
- 👤 Toshimichi Tokunaga
- 👤 Chisato Yoshida
- 👤 Kazuhiro Yokouchi
- 👤 Hirofumi Goto
- 👤 Katsuaki Matsumoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:35
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B29/00; G09B29/10; G09B29/106; B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/023; B60R16/0231; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34; G01C21/36; G01C21/3664; G01C21/3667; G01C21/367; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G09G; G09G5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A vehicle touch panel device comprising: a display unit having a screen; means for visually representing information on said screen said information related to navigational information of the vehicle; switch means for superimposing a predetermined switch pattern over the visually represented information on said screen and executing a predetermined control action upon detection of approach of an object within a given range from said pattern; erase means for erasing said switch pattern by the lapse of a preset time after the visual representation of said switch pattern by said switch means if no further actuation of the switch pattern occurs during the preset time; and switch pattern display start means for making said switch means start visual representation of the switch pattern in response to detection of approach of an object within a given range from said screen, so that said predetermined switch pattern can be displayed on the screen after said switch pattern has been displayed and erased.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A vehicle touch panel device comprising: a display unit having a screen; means for visually representing information on said screen said information related to navigational information of the vehicle; switch means for superimposing a predetermined switch pattern over the visually represented information on said screen and executing a predetermined control action upon detection of approach of an object within a given range from said pattern; erase means for erasing said switch pattern by the lapse of a preset time after the visual representation of said switch pattern by said switch means if no further actuation of the switch pattern occurs during the preset time; and switch pattern display start means for making said switch means start visual representation of the switch pattern in response to detection of approach of an object within a given range from said screen, so that said predetermined switch pattern can be displayed on the screen after said switch pattern has been displayed and erased.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A vehicle touch panel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screen is a cathode ray tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle touch panel device of claim 1, further comprising: restarting means for restarting the lapse of the preset time by said erase means in response to detection of approach of an object within a given range from said screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
144 words
A touch panel apparatus for use in a vehicle comprising: display means for visually displaying sequentially a plurality of modes of navigational information associated with a vehicle; switch means for superimposing a predetermined switch pattern by touch and approach over the information visually represented on said screen and executing a predetermined control action upon detection of approach of an object within a given range from said pattern; erase means for erasing said switch pattern solely by the lapse of a preset time after the visual representation of said switch pattern by said switch means if no further actuation of the switch pattern occurs during the preset time; and switch pattern display actuation means for actuating said switch pattern display in response to detection of approach of an object within a given range from said screen, so that said predetermined switch pattern can be displayed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
A touch panel apparatus for use in a vehicle comprising: display means for visually displaying sequentially a plurality of modes of navigational information associated with a vehicle; switch means for superimposing a predetermined switch pattern by touch and approach over the information visually represented on said screen and executing a predetermined control action upon detection of approach of an object within a given range from said pattern; erase means for erasing said switch pattern solely by the lapse of a preset time after the visual representation of said switch pattern by said switch means if no further actuation of the switch pattern occurs during the preset time; and switch pattern display actuation means for actuating said switch pattern display in response to detection of approach of an object within a given range from said screen, so that said predetermined switch pattern can be displayed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The touch panel apparatus of claim 4, wherein one of said plurality of navigational modes of information includes navigation information for representing the location of the vehicle on the display means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The touch panel apparatus of claim 5, wherein said navigation information includes a map.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The panel apparatus of claim 6, wherein said switch pattern upon actuation can control visual movement and size of said map.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The touch panel apparatus of claim 7, wherein said switch pattern included means for scrolling the map.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The touch panel apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said switch pattern includes means for enlarging or reducing the size of the map on the display means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The touch panel apparatus of claim 5, wherein said means for erasing is a timer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A touch panel apparatus for use in a vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said display means is a cathode ray tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A touch panel apparatus for use in a vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said touch panel is installed in a vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle touch panel device of claim 4, further comprising: restarting means for restarting the lapse of the preset time by said erase means in response to detection of approach of an object within a given range from said screen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vehicle including a touch panel device comprising: a display unit having a screen; means for visually representing information on said screen said information related to navigational information of the vehicle; switch means for superimposing a predetermined switch pattern over the visually represented information on said screen and executing a predetermined control action upon detection of approach of an object within a given range from said pattern, said superimposed switch pattern partially visually obscuring the represented information; erase means for erasing said switch pattern from the screen after a lapse of a preset time if no further actuation of the switch pattern occurs during the preset time, so that the represented information is not obscured; and switch pattern display actuation means for actuating said switch means to start visual representation of the switch pattern in response to detection of approach of an object within a given range from said screen, so that said predetermined switch pattern can be displayed on the screen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vehicle including a touch panel device comprising: a display unit having a screen; means for visually representing information on said screen said information related to navigational information of the vehicle; switch means for superimposing a predetermined switch pattern over the visually represented information on said screen and executing a predetermined control action upon detection of approach of an object within a given range from said pattern, said superimposed switch pattern partially visually obscuring the represented information; erase means for erasing said switch pattern from the screen after a lapse of a preset time if no further actuation of the switch pattern occurs during the preset time, so that the represented information is not obscured; and switch pattern display actuation means for actuating said switch means to start visual representation of the switch pattern in response to detection of approach of an object within a given range from said screen, so that said predetermined switch pattern can be displayed on the screen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle touch panel device of claim 14, further comprising: restarting means for restarting the lapse of the preset time by said erase means in response to detection of approach of an object within a given range from said screen.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |