Patent US6418362B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6418362B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering wheel interface for vehicles
Assignee: Oracle America Inc
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Filing: 2000-10-27
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Granted: 2002-07-09
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Expires: 2020-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for enabling a user/driver of a vehicle to interact with and manipulate a pointer on a display screen of a computer is presented. The interface device is generally mounted in a steering wheel of the vehicle. The device typically includes at least one user input mechanism in the form of a thumb input pad positioned on a modified grip portion of the steering wheel, and at least one input button positioned on a back side of the steering wheel grip. The thumb input pad is reachable by a thumb of a vehicle driver, and the at least one input button is reachable by a finger of the vehicle driver when the driver has positioned his or her hand in a common driving position. The pointer that is being controlled by the various forms of interface device, scrolls across the particular display screen provided in the particular vehicle, and is utilized in making selections and carrying out computer functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P. St. Pierre
- 👤 Mark J. Koch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03549; B; B60; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/60; G06F3/0338; G06F3/03547; B60K2360/00; B60K2360/11; B60K2360/113; B60K2360/117; B60K2360/77; B60K2360/782; B60K35/10; B60K37/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An interface device for electronic manipulation of a pointer on a display screen in a vehicle, comprising; at least one user input mechanism mounted on a steering wheel of said vehicle; and a control device in communication with said at least one user input mechanism and said display screen, wherein said control device translates user input to said input mechanism into actions of said pointer on said display screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
An interface device for electronic manipulation of a pointer on a display screen in a vehicle, comprising; at least one user input mechanism mounted on a steering wheel of said vehicle; and a control device in communication with said at least one user input mechanism and said display screen, wherein said control device translates user input to said input mechanism into actions of said pointer on said display screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The interface device according to claim 1 , wherein said user input mechanism by one of a thumb and a finger of a user when said user has positioned a hand on a grip of said steering wheel in approximately a common driving position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The interface device according to claim 1 , wherein said user input mechanism is at least one of a disc shaped actuator, a joystick, a track ball, a touch pad, and a button.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interface device according to claim 3 , wherein said user input mechanism includes a plurality of buttons, and each button is of a different shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The interface device according to claim 3 , wherein said user input mechanism includes a plurality of buttons, and each button has a differentiating surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The interface device according to claim 1 , wherein said control device is a microprocessor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The interface device according to claim 6 , further comprising a signal transmitter for transmitting RF signals, said transmitter being in electronic communication with said microprocessor and said at least one user input mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The interface device according to claim 7 , further comprising a signal receiver for receiving RF signals, said receiver being in electronic communication with said display screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The interface device according to claim 6 , further comprising a signal transmitter for transmitting infrared signals, said transmitter being in electronic communication with said microprocessor, and said at least one user input mechanism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The interface device according to claim 9 , further comprising a signal receiver for receiving infrared signals, said receiver being in electronic communication with said display screen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The interface device according to claim 1 , wherein said display screen is one of an LCD screen positioned in a dashboard of said vehicle, an interior surface of a windshield of said vehicle upon which a desired image is projected, and a plasma screen positioned in said dashboard of said vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
A user interface device for electronic manipulation of a pointer on a display screen of at least one computer in a vehicle, said interface device mounted in a steering wheel of said vehicle and comprising: at least one thumb input pad positioned on a grip of said steering wheel; and at least one input button positioned on a backside of said grip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
A user interface device for electronic manipulation of a pointer on a display screen of at least one computer in a vehicle, said interface device mounted in a steering wheel of said vehicle and comprising: at least one thumb input pad positioned on a grip of said steering wheel; and at least one input button positioned on a backside of said grip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The interface device according to claim 12 , wherein said at least one thumb input pad is reachable by a thumb of said user when said user has positioned a hand on said grip of said steering wheel in approximately a common driving position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The interface device according to claim 12 , wherein said at least one input button is reachable by a finger of said user when said user has positioned a hand on said grip of said steering wheel in approximately a common driving position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The interface device according to claim 12 , wherein said thumb input pad is one of a disc-shaped actuator, a joystick, a track ball, and a touch pad.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The interface device according to claim 12 , wherein said device includes a plurality of input buttons, and each button of said plurality is of a different identifying shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The interface device according to claim 12 , wherein said device includes a plurality of input buttons, and each button of said plurality has a different identifying surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The interface device according to claim 12 , further comprising a microprocessor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The interface device according to claim 12 , further comprising a signal transmitter for transmitting one of RF signals and infrared signals, said transmitter being in electronic communication with said microprocessor, said thumb input pad, and said at least one input button.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The interface device according to claim 16 , further comprising a signal receiver for receiving one of RF signals and infrared signals, said receiver being in electronic communication with said display screen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
The interface device according to claim 1 , wherein said display screen is one of an LCD screen positioned on a dashboard of said vehicle, an interior surface of a windshield of said vehicle upon which a desired image is projected, and a plasma screen positioned on said dashboard of said vehicle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
124 words
A user interface system for electronic manipulation of a pointer on a display screen of at least one computer in a vehicle, said interface system mounted in a steering wheel of said vehicle and comprising: at least one thumb input pad positioned along a grip of said steering wheel; at least one input button positioned along a backside of said grip relative to a driver of said vehicle; a microprocessor; a signal transmitter positioned on said steering wheel and electronically coupled with said microprocessor, said thumb input pad, and said at least one input button; and a signal receiver mounted on a vehicle dashboard panel relatively in front of said driver of said vehicle, said signal receiver in electronic communication with said display screen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
124 words
A user interface system for electronic manipulation of a pointer on a display screen of at least one computer in a vehicle, said interface system mounted in a steering wheel of said vehicle and comprising: at least one thumb input pad positioned along a grip of said steering wheel; at least one input button positioned along a backside of said grip relative to a driver of said vehicle; a microprocessor; a signal transmitter positioned on said steering wheel and electronically coupled with said microprocessor, said thumb input pad, and said at least one input button; and a signal receiver mounted on a vehicle dashboard panel relatively in front of said driver of said vehicle, said signal receiver in electronic communication with said display screen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interface system according to claim 22 , wherein said signal transmitter has a physical electronic connection with said signal receiver.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interface system according to claim 22 , wherein said signal transmitter utilizes one of RF frequencies and infrared signals to communicate with said signal receiver.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of manipulation by a user of a pointer on a display screen of at least one computer in a vehicle, comprising the steps of: moving said pointer to desired locations on said display screen by direction of a user's thumb on a thumb input pad, said thumb input pad positioned on a steering wheel grip; and carrying out desired functions on said display by depression of at least one input button by a user's finger, said at least one input button positioned on a back side of said steering wheel grip relative to said user.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of manipulation by a user of a pointer on a display screen of at least one computer in a vehicle, comprising the steps of: moving said pointer to desired locations on said display screen by direction of a user's thumb on a thumb input pad, said thumb input pad positioned on a steering wheel grip; and carrying out desired functions on said display by depression of at least one input button by a user's finger, said at least one input button positioned on a back side of said steering wheel grip relative to said user.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-08 | 2006-01-07 | 2006-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-08 | 2010-01-07 | 2010-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-08 | 2014-01-07 | 2014-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |