US5808374A — Driver interface system for vehicle control param…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 120 words

A control system for a vehicle comprising: a display to convey information to an operator of a vehicle; a controller for said display, said controller storing a list of parameters to be set, said controller being operable to display prompts to an operator to set levels for each of said parameters on said display, said parameters including at least mirror and seat positions, and said prompts requesting the operator to adjust said mirror and seat positions without requiring the operator to request the prompts be displayed; a switching system operable by an operator to set levels for said parameters; and said control communicating with components on the vehicle such that said control can move the components to the set level.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 120 words

A control system for a vehicle comprising: a display to convey information to an operator of a vehicle; a controller for said display, said controller storing a list of parameters to be set, said controller being operable to display prompts to an operator to set levels for each of said parameters on said display, said parameters including at least mirror and seat positions, and said prompts requesting the operator to adjust said mirror and seat positions without requiring the operator to request the prompts be displayed; a switching system operable by an operator to set levels for said parameters; and said control communicating with components on the vehicle such that said control can move the components to the set level.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said prompts include a first set of primary prompts including at least seat position and mirror position.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 33 words

A system as recited in claim 2, wherein a secondary set of prompts may also be selected by an operator, said secondary set of prompts including volume of an audio system and temperature.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said switching system includes a rotary switch mounted on a rim of a steering wheel.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said switching system includes a touch element allowing an operator to touch a location to set the desired level of a control parameter.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 53 words

A system as recited in claim 1, wherein a separate remote transmitter is provided to an operator, said transmitter storing previously selected parameter settings for the operator, said transmitter being operable to communicate said settings to said controller, said controller moving the vehicle components to said settings upon receipt of said transmitted signals.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 144 words

A method of operating a vehicle comprising the steps of: (1) providing a display and a controller for said display, said controller being operable to display prompts to an operator to request an operator to set desired levels for several vehicle parameters, including at least seat and mirror positions, and providing a switching system to allow an operator to adjust the level of said parameters upon receiving said prompts, said controller being provided with the ability to then communicate said levels to the vehicle components and cause adjustment of vehicle components as necessary; (2) identifying an entry into the vehicle, and then utilizing said control to display prompts requesting an operator to adjust the levels of said parameters; (3) adjusting the levels of said parameters utilizing said switching system; and (4) sending a signal to actuate the vehicle components to the newly selected level.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 144 words

A method of operating a vehicle comprising the steps of: (1) providing a display and a controller for said display, said controller being operable to display prompts to an operator to request an operator to set desired levels for several vehicle parameters, including at least seat and mirror positions, and providing a switching system to allow an operator to adjust the level of said parameters upon receiving said prompts, said controller being provided with the ability to then communicate said levels to the vehicle components and cause adjustment of vehicle components as necessary; (2) identifying an entry into the vehicle, and then utilizing said control to display prompts requesting an operator to adjust the levels of said parameters; (3) adjusting the levels of said parameters utilizing said switching system; and (4) sending a signal to actuate the vehicle components to the newly selected level.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 39 words

A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said switching system includes a rotary switch mounted on a steering wheel hub of a vehicle, and the steps of adjusting the parameter levels include turning said switch on said hub.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said switching system includes a touch screen element which may be touched at a desired location for setting a parameter.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as recited in claim 7, wherein display of prompts of step (2) is made without requiring an operator to initiate a request for said display.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 97 words

A switching system for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle steering wheel having an outer rim, said rim defining a perimeter of said wheel and surrounding a rotational axis of said wheel; and a rotary switch mounted on said rim, said rotary switch being operable to rotate on said rim, said rotary switch rotating in a plane, and said perimeter being generally perpendicular to said plane at the location on said rim where said rotary switch is mounted, said switch including contact components such that rotation of said switch causes a signal to be sent from said switch.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 97 words

A switching system for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle steering wheel having an outer rim, said rim defining a perimeter of said wheel and surrounding a rotational axis of said wheel; and a rotary switch mounted on said rim, said rotary switch being operable to rotate on said rim, said rotary switch rotating in a plane, and said perimeter being generally perpendicular to said plane at the location on said rim where said rotary switch is mounted, said switch including contact components such that rotation of said switch causes a signal to be sent from said switch.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 15 words

A switching system as recited in claim 11, wherein said signal is an electrical signal.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 128 words

A vehicle switching system comprising: a single switch having extreme positions and a plurality of intermediate positions between said extreme positions; said switch including a touch element such that when said element is touched by an operator between said extreme positions, a controller for said switch identifies the location between said extreme position which has been touched, said location being communicated to a controller for a vehicle component, and said controller adjusting the vehicle component to a level corresponding to said location; and said element being a speedometer display for a vehicle, and an operator may touch said speedometer display at a location corresponding to a desired speed, and a control for said speedometer communicating with a vehicle speed control, and adjusting vehicle speed to the desired speed.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 128 words

A vehicle switching system comprising: a single switch having extreme positions and a plurality of intermediate positions between said extreme positions; said switch including a touch element such that when said element is touched by an operator between said extreme positions, a controller for said switch identifies the location between said extreme position which has been touched, said location being communicated to a controller for a vehicle component, and said controller adjusting the vehicle component to a level corresponding to said location; and said element being a speedometer display for a vehicle, and an operator may touch said speedometer display at a location corresponding to a desired speed, and a control for said speedometer communicating with a vehicle speed control, and adjusting vehicle speed to the desired speed.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 16 words

A switch as recited in claim 13, wherein said touch element is a resistance bar potentiometer.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

A switch as recited in claim 13, wherein said element is a touch screen.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 117 words

A control system for a vehicle comprising: a controller operable to communicate with vehicle components including at least a vehicle seat position, and adjust parameters of said components, including at least a vehicle seat position, said controller being operable for storing preselected positions including at least a desired seat position; and a signalling device which is portable and may be carried by an operator, said signalling device being operable to capture said preset settings from said control, and said signalling device being operable to send a signal to said controller communicating said settings, said controller communicating with said vehicle components upon receiving said signal from said signalling device to begin moving said components to said preset levels.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 117 words

A control system for a vehicle comprising: a controller operable to communicate with vehicle components including at least a vehicle seat position, and adjust parameters of said components, including at least a vehicle seat position, said controller being operable for storing preselected positions including at least a desired seat position; and a signalling device which is portable and may be carried by an operator, said signalling device being operable to capture said preset settings from said control, and said signalling device being operable to send a signal to said controller communicating said settings, said controller communicating with said vehicle components upon receiving said signal from said signalling device to begin moving said components to said preset levels.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 34 words

A control system as recited in claim 16, wherein said vehicle components also include the vehicle mirrors, and said controller is operable to communicate to adjust and store desired parameters of said vehicle mirrors.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 92 words

A vehicle switching system comprising: a single switch having extreme positions and a plurality of intermediate positions between said extreme positions: said switch including a touch element such that when said element is touched by an operator between said extreme positions, a controller for said switch identifies the location between said extreme position which has been touched, said location being communicated to a controller for a vehicle component, and said controller adjusting the vehicle component to a level corresponding to said location; and said switch is provided for controlling a vehicle window.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 92 words

A vehicle switching system comprising: a single switch having extreme positions and a plurality of intermediate positions between said extreme positions: said switch including a touch element such that when said element is touched by an operator between said extreme positions, a controller for said switch identifies the location between said extreme position which has been touched, said location being communicated to a controller for a vehicle component, and said controller adjusting the vehicle component to a level corresponding to said location; and said switch is provided for controlling a vehicle window.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-09-14	2002-03-16	2002-09-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-09-14	2006-03-16	2006-09-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-09-14	2010-03-16	2010-09-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Driver interface system for vehicle control parameters and easy to utilize switches

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