Integrated user interface system and method
Abstract
Problem to be solved.To provide an improved method and system for supporting passengers to interact with a vehicle information system. A user interface system 360 includes a plurality of interface elements 366 located at armrests 388 or other suitable chair locations. Interface elements are obscured or otherwise not highlighted when the user is away from the user interface system. At least one selected interface element can be highlighted as the user's hand approaches the user interface system, eg, by being visualized and / or forming a raised protrusion. When emphasized, the selected interface element can be invoked for use and manipulated to interact with available system resources. Chair 382 may display the user interface system when requesting access to system resources. [Selection diagram] Fig. 4A

Term
9.8 yearsto projected expiry
Projected expiry 27 June 2036, counted from filing; an application has no term until it is granted.
- Priority and filed
- Published
- Today
- Projected expiry
20 claims: 5 independent, 15 dependent
- 1システムリソースとの相互作用に適した統合ユーザインターフェースシステムであって、 ユーザの椅子の椅子領域と、 前記椅子領域に提供される複数のインターフェース要素とを備え、選択されたインターフェース要素は、ユーザの手が前記選択されたインターフェース要素に接近するときには、明瞭となり、かつ前記システムリソースと相互作用するために起動され、ユーザの手が前記ユーザインターフェースシステムから離れたことの感知に応答して不明瞭となり、かつ前記システムリソースと相互作用ができなくなり、 前記選択されたインターフェース要素は、前記椅子領域から投影すること、照明されること、制御指示を表示すること、前記選択されたインターフェース要素と関連付けされる事前に選択された制御機能を表す機能アイコンを表示することのうちの少なくとも1つによって明瞭となり、 前記統合ユーザインターフェースシステムは、前記システムリソースから利用可能なシステム機能と関連付けされる制御指示を有するメニューシステムを表示するための映像インターフェースシステムと組み合わせて使用され、前記選択されたインターフェース要素は前記制御指示にマッピングされて、前記統合ユーザインターフェースシステムを介して前記メニューシステムをナビゲーションすることが可能となる、ユーザインターフェースシステム。
- 2ユーザの手が前記ユーザインターフェースシステムと隣接している間、前記選択されたインターフェース要素は、明瞭に維持され、ユーザの手が前記ユーザインターフェースシステムから離れたときに不明瞭となる、請求項1に記載のユーザインターフェースシステム。
- 3前記選択されたインターフェース要素は、ユーザの椅子の椅子の特徴を制御するための椅子制御インターフェースを提供し、前記椅子制御インターフェースは、ヘッドレストの位置、フットレストの位置、肘掛けの位置、椅子の背もたれのリクライニング角度、ランバーサポートの位置、椅子の上昇、椅子の回転角度、椅子内蔵マッサージシステム、音量レベル、照明の明るさのレベル、椅子内蔵温度制御システムのうち少なくとも1つを制御する、請求項1に記載のユーザインターフェースシステム。
- 4前記インターフェース要素は、マトリクス構成に配置され、 前記選択されたインターフェース要素は、前記インターフェース要素の一部を備え、前記インターフェース要素は、ユーザの手が前記インターフェースシステムに近づくときに明瞭となって前記選択されたインターフェース要素を少なくとも部分的に囲む境界を画定する複数の境界インターフェース要素を含む、請求項1に記載のユーザインターフェースシステム。
- 5前記インターフェース要素のうちの複数は、複合インターフェース要素を形成し、前記複合インターフェース要素は、タッチパッドシステムと、ゲーム用インターフェースシステムと、ゲーム用Dパッドシステムと、椅子制御システムと、ポインタ制御システムと、長方形のグリッドシステムと、電話のキーパッドシステムとのうち少なくとも1つを備える、請求項1に記載のユーザインターフェースシステム。
- 6前記インターフェース要素は、マトリクス構成に配置され、 前記複合インターフェース要素を形成する前記インターフェース要素の少なくとも1つが利用不能となる場合は、前記マトリクス構成内の前記複合インターフェース要素の位置は、利用不能なインターフェース要素を避けるために動的に調整される、請求項5に記載のユーザインターフェースシステム。
- 7前記椅子領域に配置されたタッチフィルムインターフェースシステムと、前記タッチフィルムインターフェースシステムの個々の区域に前記選択されたインターフェース要素を仮想インターフェース要素として投影するためのプロジェクションシステムとを備え、前記タッチフィルムインターフェースシステムの選択された区域は、ユーザの手の接近を検知して、前記椅子領域と実際に接触する前に、関連する仮想インターフェース要素を起動する、請求項1に記載のユーザインターフェースシステム。
- 8タッチフィルムインターフェースシステムの個々の区域に選択されたインターフェース要素を仮想インターフェース要素として投影するプロジェクションシステムと、ユーザの手が前記椅子領域の選択された区域に近接したことを検知して、前記椅子領域と実際に接触する前に、関連する仮想インターフェース要素を起動するカメラシステムとを備える、請求項1に記載のユーザインターフェースシステム。
- 9前記椅子領域のカバーは、突起の形成および操作を可能にする柔軟な椅子領域のカバーを含む、請求項1に記載のユーザインターフェースシステム。
- 10前記椅子領域は、左肘掛けおよび右肘掛けを含み、 前記選択されたインターフェース要素は、前記左肘掛けおよび右肘掛けのうちの1つに配置されている、請求項1に記載のユーザインターフェースシステム。
- 11第2の選択されたインターフェース要素は、前記左肘掛けおよび右肘掛けのうちの1つに配置されている、請求項10に記載のユーザインターフェースシステム。
- 12統合ユーザインターフェースシステムを操作するための方法であって、 椅子領域を有するユーザの椅子を提供すること、 複数のインターフェース要素を前記椅子領域に配置することを含み、選択されたインターフェース要素は、ユーザの手が前記選択されたインターフェース要素に接近するときには、明瞭となり、かつ前記システムリソースと相互作用するために起動され、ユーザの手が前記ユーザインターフェースシステムから離れたことの感知に応答して不明瞭となり、かつ前記システムリソースと相互作用ができなくなり、 前記選択されたインターフェース要素は、前記椅子領域から投影すること、照明されること、制御指示を表示すること、前記選択されたインターフェース要素と関連付けされる事前に選択された制御機能を表す機能アイコンを表示することのうちの少なくとも1つによって明瞭となり、 前記統合ユーザインターフェースシステムは、前記システムリソースから利用可能なシステム機能と関連付けされる制御指示を有するメニューシステムを表示するための映像インターフェースシステムと組み合わせて使用され、前記選択されたインターフェース要素は前記制御指示にマッピングされて、前記統合ユーザインターフェースシステムを介して前記メニューシステムをナビゲーションすることが可能となる、方法。
- 13タッチフィルムインターフェースシステムを前記椅子領域に配置することを更に含み、プロジェクションシステムは、前記タッチフィルムインターフェースシステムの個々の区域に前記選択されたインターフェース要素を仮想インターフェース要素として投影し、前記タッチフィルムインターフェースシステムの選択された区域は、ユーザの手の接近を検知して、前記椅子領域と実際に接触する前に、関連する仮想インターフェース要素を起動する、請求項12に記載の方法。
- 14椅子領域を有するユーザの椅子であって、 システムリソースと 前記椅子領域に設けられた統合ユーザインターフェースシステムとを備え、 前記統合ユーザインターフェースシステムは、複数のインターフェース要素を含み、選択されたインターフェース要素は、ユーザの手が前記選択されたインターフェース要素に接近するときには、明瞭となり、かつ前記システムリソースと相互作用するために起動され、ユーザの手が前記ユーザインターフェースシス2から離れたことの感知に応答して不明瞭となり、かつ前記システムリソースと相互作用ができなくなり、 前記選択されたインターフェース要素は、前記椅子領域から投影すること、照明されること、制御指示を表示すること、前記選択されたインターフェース要素と関連付けされる事前に選択された制御機能を表す機能アイコンを表示することのうちの少なくとも1つによって明瞭となり、 前記複数のインターフェース要素は、複数の異なる複合インターフェース要素を形成するように構成され、前記複合インターフェース要素は、後退位置、最大延出位置、照明位置、及び不鮮明位置のうちの1つにある個々の異なる組のインターフェース要素によって画定され、 前記統合ユーザインターフェースシステムは、前記システムリソースから利用可能なシステム機能と関連付けされる制御指示を有するメニューシステムを表示するための映像インターフェースシステムと組み合わせて使用され、前記選択されたインターフェース要素は前記制御指示にマッピングされて、前記統合ユーザインターフェースシステムを介して前記メニューシステムをナビゲーションすることが可能となる、ユーザの椅子。
- 15ユーザの手が前記ユーザインターフェースシステムと隣接している間、前記選択されたインターフェース要素は、明瞭に維持され、ユーザの手が前記ユーザインターフェースシステムから離れたときに不明瞭となる、請求項14記載のユーザの椅子。
- 16前記選択されたインターフェース要素は、ユーザの椅子の椅子の特徴を制御するための椅子制御インターフェースを提供し、前記椅子制御インターフェースは、ヘッドレストの位置、フットレストの位置、肘掛けの位置、椅子の背もたれのリクライニング角度、ランバーサポートの位置、椅子の上昇、椅子の回転角度、椅子内蔵マッサージシステム、音量レベル、照明の明るさのレベル、椅子内蔵温度制御システムのうち少なくとも1つを制御する、請求項14に記載のユーザの椅子。
- 17前記インターフェース要素は、マトリクス構成に配置され、 前記選択されたインターフェース要素は、前記インターフェース要素の一部を備え、前記インターフェース要素は、ユーザの手が前記インターフェースシステムに近づくときに明瞭となって前記選択されたインターフェース要素を少なくとも部分的に囲む境界を画定する複数の境界インターフェース要素を含む、請求項14に記載のユーザの椅子。
- 18前記インターフェース要素のうちの複数は、複合インターフェース要素を形成し、前記複合インターフェース要素は、タッチパッドシステムと、ゲーム用インターフェースシステムと、ゲーム用Dパッドシステムと、椅子制御システムと、ポインタ制御システムと、長方形のグリッドシステムと、電話のキーパッドシステムとのうち少なくとも1つを備える、請求項14に記載のユーザの椅子。
- 19前記インターフェース要素は、マトリクス構成に配置され、 前記複合インターフェース要素を形成する前記インターフェース要素の少なくとも1つが利用不能となる場合は、前記マトリクス構成内の前記複合インターフェース要素の位置は、利用不能なインターフェース要素を避けるために動的に調整される、請求項18に記載のユーザの椅子。
- 20前記椅子領域に配置されたタッチフィルムインターフェースシステムと、前記タッチフィルムインターフェースシステムの個々の区域に前記選択されたインターフェース要素を仮想インターフェース要素として投影するためのプロジェクションシステムとを備え、前記タッチフィルムインターフェースシステムの選択された区域は、ユーザの手の接近を検知して、前記椅子領域と実際に接触する前に、関連する仮想インターフェース要素を起動する、請求項14に記載のユーザの椅子。
Independent claims20
180 paragraphs, as filed
0001The present disclosure relates generally to integrated electronic systems, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to integrated user interface systems for chair placement.
0002Computer-based systems generally provide a user interface that allows users to interact with the system. For example, passenger cars often include a vehicle information (or entertainment) system to meet the desire of passengers who wish to access ornamental content such as entertainment content or other information on the move.
0003Conventional vehicle information systems generally include an overhead in-vehicle video system or a video system using a chair, and are provided with individual control devices so that ornamental content can be selected in the passenger's chair. The ornamental content may include audio and video content derived from various content sources. Pre-recorded ornamental content such as video and music may be provided by internal content sources such as vehicle-mounted audio and video players. Conventional vehicle information systems may also include an antenna system for receiving ornamental content such as live television programs and / or internet content. These ornamental content is transmitted from one or more content providers (or content sources) outside or away from the passenger car.
0004However, such a conventional vehicle information system has many drawbacks. Some passengers find it difficult to enjoy ornamental content due to the complexity of operating the vehicle information system. For example, current methods of passenger interaction with vehicle information systems require the use of controls located behind the front chairs or a portable controller dedicated to each passenger's chair. For example, it can be difficult to use a mobile controller because it is connected to a passenger's chair via a wired communication connection and is otherwise difficult to operate. Disadvantages of such systems often cause passengers' dissatisfaction on the move.
<p num="0005"> In view of the above, there is a need for improved methods to support passengers interacting with the vehicle information system in order to overcome the aforementioned obstacles and deficiencies of the conventional vehicle information system.</p>
0006<figref num="1">FIG. 6 is a representative top view illustrating an embodiment of a user chair with an integrated user interface system for interacting with selected system resources (or associated resource functions) available through an information system.</figref><figref num="2A">It is a typical top view which illustrates the alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system is located within the armrest of the user's chair and is obscured by the armrest cover when the user is away from the user interface system.</figref><figref num="2B">FIG. 2A is a representative top view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the user's chair in FIG. 2A. When the user approaches the user interface system, the user interface system becomes clear.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 1 is a representative top view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system is partially located on each armrest of the user's chair.</figref><figref num="4A">It is a typical figure which illustrates the alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system is supplied as an array (or matrix) of interface elements.</figref><figref num="4B">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the user interface system of FIG. 4A. Interface elements are not emphasized.</figref><figref num="4C">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the user interface system of FIG. 4A. Interface elements are emphasized as the user's hands approach and approach the user interface system.</figref><figref num="4D">It is a typical figure which illustrates the chair of the user of FIG. 4A with the user interface system of FIG. 4C.</figref><figref num="4E">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the user interface system of FIG. 4A. The selected interface element is emphasized as the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system.</figref><figref num="4F">It is a typical figure which illustrates the chair of the user of FIG. 4A with the user interface system of FIG. 4E.</figref><figref num="5A">FIG. 4 is a typical detailed view illustrating the user interface system of FIGS. 4A-F. The selected interface elements are arranged in a grid configuration.</figref><figref num="5B">FIG. 5A is a typical detailed view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the user interface system of FIG. 5A.</figref><figref num="5C">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the user interface system of FIG. 5B. The user interface system is emphasized as the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system.</figref><figref num="6A">FIG. 3 is a representative top view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system is used in conjunction with the video interface system.</figref><figref num="6B">5 is a typical detailed view illustrating the user interface system of FIGS. 5A-C. The user interface system is used in conjunction with the video interface system of Figure 6A.</figref><figref num="7A">5 is a typical detailed view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 5A-C. The selected interface elements are arranged in an alternative grid configuration.</figref><figref num="7B">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the user interface system of FIG. 7A. The user interface system is emphasized as the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system.</figref><figref num="7C">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the user interface system of FIG. 7B. The user interface system is used in conjunction with the video interface system in Figures 6A-B.</figref><figref num="8A">FIG. 4 is another representative detailed view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 4A-F. The selected interface elements form a gaming interface.</figref><figref num="8B">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the user interface system of FIG. 8A. The user interface system is emphasized as the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system.</figref><figref num="9A">8 is a typical detailed view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 8A-B. The gaming interface is suitable for playing arcade games.</figref><figref num="9B">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the user interface system of FIG. 9A. The user interface system is emphasized as the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system.</figref><figref num="10A">8 is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 8A-B. The game interface forms a D pad (Directional pad) for two players to play.</figref><figref num="10B">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the user interface system of FIG. 10A. The user interface system is emphasized as the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system.</figref><figref num="11A">8 is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 8A-B. The gaming interface is suitable for playing quiz games.</figref><figref num="11B">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the user interface system of FIG. 11A. The user interface system is emphasized as the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system.</figref><figref num="12A">FIG. 4 is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 4A-F. The selected interface elements form a pointer control interface system.</figref><figref num="12B">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the user interface system of FIG. 12A. The user interface system is emphasized as the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system.</figref><figref num="12CD">FIG. 12C is a representative detailed view illustrating an embodiment of the user interface system of FIG. 12B. The pointer control interface system is formed with a dome-shaped outline. FIG. 12D is a representative detailed view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the user interface system of FIG. 12B. The pointer control interface system is formed with a flat outer shape.</figref><figref num="13A">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the embodiment of the pointer control interface system of FIG. 12A-D. The user interface system is used to navigate the hierarchical menu system displayed via the video interface system in Figures 6A-B.</figref><figref num="13B">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the embodiment of the pointer control interface system of FIG. 12A-D. The user interface system is used to navigate the hierarchical menu system displayed via the video interface system in Figures 6A-B.</figref><figref num="13C">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the embodiment of the pointer control interface system of FIG. 12A-D. The user interface system is used to navigate the hierarchical menu system displayed via the video interface system in Figures 6A-B.</figref><figref num="14A">FIG. 4 is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 4A-F. The interface element comprises an electromechanical solenoid.</figref><figref num="14B">FIG. 14A is a representative detailed view illustrating an embodiment of the selected electromechanical solenoid of FIG. 14A.</figref><figref num="15A">14 is a typical detailed view illustrating an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.</figref><figref num="15B">14 is a typical detailed view illustrating an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.</figref><figref num="15C">14 is a typical detailed view illustrating an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.</figref><figref num="15D">14 is a typical detailed view illustrating an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.</figref><figref num="15E">14 is a typical detailed view illustrating an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.</figref><figref num="15F">14 is a typical detailed view illustrating an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.</figref><figref num="15G">14 is a typical detailed view illustrating an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.</figref><figref num="15H">14 is a typical detailed view illustrating an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.</figref><figref num="15I">14 is a typical detailed view illustrating an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.</figref><figref num="15J">14 is a typical detailed view illustrating an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.</figref><figref num="15K">14 is a typical detailed view illustrating an embodiment of a method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.</figref><figref num="16A">FIG. 1 is a representative top view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system is projected onto the armrests of the user's chair.</figref><figref num="16B">FIG. 16B is a representative top view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. 16B. The camera system detects the interaction between the user and the user interface system.</figref><figref num="17AB">FIG. 17A is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system may be supplied to the user's chair in a dynamic manner. FIG. 17B is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system may be supplied to the user's chair in a dynamic manner.</figref><figref num="18A">FIG. 1 is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system may provide a user interface for controlling the characteristics of one or more chairs of the user.</figref><figref num="18B">FIG. 1 is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system may provide a user interface for controlling the characteristics of one or more chairs of the user.</figref><figref num="19A">FIG. 18 is another representative detailed view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 18A-B.</figref><figref num="19B">FIG. 18 is another representative detailed view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 18A-B.</figref><figref num="20A">FIG. 1 is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system may include at least one touchpad system.</figref><figref num="20B">FIG. 1 is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system may include at least one touchpad system.</figref><figref num="21A">FIG. 3 is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system located on the left armrest of the user's chair is different from the user interface system located on the right armrest of the user's chair.</figref><figref num="21B">FIG. 3 is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system located on the left armrest of the user's chair is different from the user interface system located on the right armrest of the user's chair.</figref><figref num="22A">FIG. 1 is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user's chair supports the use of a video interface system using the chair.</figref><figref num="22B">It is a typical detailed view which illustrates the alternative embodiment of the chair of the user of FIG. The chair-based video interface system provides a touch keyboard for entering user information and can be used with the video interface system of FIG. 6A.</figref><figref num="23AB">FIG. 23A is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system may include a storable keyboard system. FIG. 23B is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system may include a storable keyboard system.</figref><figref num="24A">It is a typical top view which illustrates the information system of FIG. The information system is installed in the vehicle.</figref><figref num="24B">It is a typical top view which illustrates the alternative embodiment of the information system of FIG. The information system is mounted on the aircraft.</figref><figref num="25">FIG. 24 is a typical detailed diagram illustrating an embodiment of the distribution system of the information system of FIGS. 24A-B.</figref><figref num="26AB">FIG. 26A is a typical top view illustrating the passenger car cabin. The information system shown in Fig. 24A-B is installed. FIG. 26B is a typical top view illustrating an embodiment of the information system of FIG. 26A. The information system communicates with the personal media device.</figref><figref num="27AB">FIG. 27A is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user's chair is located in the cabin of Figures 26A-B. FIG. 27B is a representative detailed view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user's chair is located in the cabin of Figures 26A-B.</figref>
0007Note that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structure or function are generally represented by similar codes for illustration purposes throughout the figure. It should also be noted that the figures are for the sole purpose of easily understanding the embodiments for carrying out the invention. The figures do not exemplify all aspects of the detailed embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.
0008Currently available vehicle information systems require a chair-mounted or tethered controller to be included in the passenger chair. Since these controllers are difficult to operate, it has been proven that an information system that does not require these controllers is desirable while enhancing the level of user interaction. Such information systems provide the basis for a wide range of systems, such as vehicle information systems used in automobiles, aircraft, and other types of vehicles while traveling. This result is achieved by equipping the user (or passenger) chair 382 with the integrated user (or passenger) interface system 360, as illustrated in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment disclosed herein. To.
0009With reference to FIG. 1, the user's chair 382 is illustrated to include multiple conventional chair elements such as chair seat 384D and chair backrest 386. The chair elements are joined via a chair frame (not shown) and are supported by the chair base 384B. The user's chair 382 may be supplied using any suitable material in any conventional embodiment. The chair seat 384D may be located, for example, between a pair of armrests 388, and the chair back 386 may be equipped with a headrest 384. If desired, the user's chair 382 may likewise include one or more additional conventional chair features. Typical chair features include footrests, lumbar support, chair positioning (manual and / or electric), chair built-in massage, chair built-in temperature control, and / or other traditional chair features without limitation. It may be included. Common chair positioning includes adjustable headrests, armrests, footrests, lumbar support, chair back angle, front / rear / lateral chair position, up / down chair loading / unloading, and / or chair rotation. Good.
0010If the user's chair 382 is configured for use in the operating environment within the information system 100 shown in FIG. 1, the integrated user interface system 360 advantageously has one or more choices available by the information system 100. It is possible to interact with the system resource 110 (and / or at least one associated resource function (and / or application) of the selected system resource 110). The user interface system 360 may be located in one or more suitable locations (or areas) of the user's chair 382. Typical suitable locations for the user chair 382 suitable for the user interface system 360 are the left armrest 388L (shown in Figure 3) and the right armrest 388R (shown in Figure 3) of the user chair 382, both. 388 armrests, 386 chair backs, and / or tray tables may be included without limitation. The tray table may be associated with any suitable chair area, such as the chair backrest 386 and / or armrest 388 of the user's chair 382.
0011At least part of the User Interface System 360 is optionally a wall, floor, ceiling, one or more suitable locations (or areas) of adjacent user chairs, and / or any other within the operating environment. It may be supplied separately from the user's chair 382 where appropriate. In one embodiment, the chair backrest 386 and / or armrest 388 of the adjacent user's chair may provide a portion of the user interface system 360. The chair backrest 386 and / or armrest 388 of the adjacent user chair is, for example, a tray table, video interface system 362 (shown in Figure 26A-B), audio associated with the user interface system 360 of the user chair 382. An interface system 364 (shown in Figures 26A-B) may be provided. Therefore, the user interface system 360 eliminates the need for a separate portable controller in the user's chair 382, while enhancing the level of interaction with the information system 100 in a new and exciting but very natural way. can do.
0012Advantageously, when the user is away from the user interface system 360, the user interface system 360 may be obscured (or not otherwise highlighted) and the user (and / or the user). The user interface system 360 may become clear when the user interface system 360 approaches and approaches the user interface system 360. In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 may continue to be emphasized while the user indicates his or her willingness to use the user interface system 360. If you do not wish to use the user interface system 360, the user interface system 360 may optionally not be obscured or otherwise highlighted from view. The user interface system 360 may be obscured, for example, when it senses that the user's hand has left (and / or has left) the user interface system 360. Alternatively and / or additionally, the user interface system 360 may obscure the user interface system 360 after a predetermined period of time has passed since the user's hands were released. The predetermined period may be in the range of any predetermined period, for example, in the range of any 10 seconds between 10 seconds and 60 seconds (or more).
0013In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 may be located, at least in part, within the user's chair 382. The user interface system 360 may thereby be obscured from view by the cover of the chair when the user is away from the user interface system 360 and is apparent when the user approaches and approaches the user interface system 360. May become. The user interface system 360 may optionally be obscured from view when the user leaves the user interface system 360 and / or when the user interface system 360 goes into idle mode (and / or power saving mode). Good. That is, the user's chair 382 may look like a normal chair when the user interface system 360 is not in use. On the other hand, the user's chair 382 may display the user interface system 360 when the user wants to use the user interface system 360. The user's chair 382 allows the user to use the user interface system 360 in any suitable manner, for example by placing a hand (or finger) near the location where the user interface system 360 of the user's chair 382 is located. You may allow them to show their desired intentions.
0014FIG. 2A-B illustrates a typical embodiment of the user's chair 382, at least a portion of the user interface system 360 is located within the selected armrest 388 of the user's chair 382. The user's chair 382 preferably provides a chair compartment 388A with the appropriate size and / or dimensions to accommodate the user interface system 360. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the chair compartment 388A is located adjacent to the selected armrest 388 and is partially defined by the armrest cover 388B of the user's chair 382. The armrest cover 388B comprises an area (and / or surface) of the armrest 388, on which the user can rest his arm when seated in the user's chair 382. When the user interface system 360 is located in the chair compartment 388A, the armrest cover 388B may cover the user interface system 360 so that the user interface system 360 is included in the chair compartment 388A.
0015The user interface system 360 may include one or more interface elements 366 and may include a selected configuration consisting of four interface elements 366A-D, as shown in FIG. 2A. This configuration is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. The interface element 366 may preferably be placed adjacent to (and / or flush with) the armrest cover 388B and selectively presented by the user's chair 382 via the armrest cover 388B. May be good. In the aforementioned embodiment, when the user is away from the interface element 366, the interface elements 366A-D may be obscured from view by the armrest cover 388B shown in FIG. 2A. Interface elements 366A-D are preferably invalid and / or inoperable when obscured. Thereby, interface element 366A-D can interact with one or more system resources 110 (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by information system 100 (shown in Figure 1). It disappears.
0016However, when the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system 360, one or more selected interface elements 366A-D may become apparent through the armrest cover 388B, as illustrated in Figure 2B. May (and / or may be emphasized). The selected interface element 366A-D is invoked for use after it has been clarified, thereby allowing one or more system resources 110 (and / or one or more associated) available by the information system 100. It may be operated to interact with the resource function). In other words, one or more selected interface elements 366A-D may be associated with a preselected control function when activated. The selected interface element 366A-D may be invoked to launch a preselected control function, and one or more system resources 110 may perform the preselected control function on the user interface system 360. Can receive from and perform preselected control functions. For example, when activated to use interface element 366A and interface element 366D and associating volume up and down with control functions, respectively, the user can operate interface element 366A displayed on the user's chair 382 for viewing content 210. You can increase the volume (shown in Figures 22A-B) and operate the interface element 366D to decrease the volume.
0017Additionally and / or alternatives, the selected interface element 366A-D may, when activated, be associated with one or more preselected controls for interacting with system resource 110. .. The selected interface element 366A-D is capable of invoking at least one of the preselected control functions, and system resource 110 receives the preselected control function from the user interface system 360 and is started. A preselected control function may be performed. Interface element 366A may be invoked, for example, to use and associate volume control features. The user thereby operates the interface element 366A in an alternative manner to increase and / or decrease the volume of the ornamental content 210 presented by the user's chair 382.
0018For example, interface element 366A may be manipulated to increase the volume in the first aspect and may be manipulated to decrease the volume in the second aspect. The second aspect for manipulating interface element 366A may be the same as and / or different from the first aspect. In one embodiment, the interface element 366A may be pushed (or rotated) in the first direction to increase the volume and in the second (or opposite) direction to decrease the volume. It may be pushed (or rotated). Alternatively, interface element 366A may be pressed once to increase the volume and twice in succession (and / or a second time) to decrease the volume.
0019The selected interface elements 366A-D may be clarified via the armrest cover 388B in any conventional embodiment. For example, in FIG. 2B, interface elements 366A, 366D are shown to extend from the user interface system 360 and engage the armrest cover 388B after being clarified. By extending from the user interface system 360 and engaging with the armrest cover 388B, each interface element 366A, 366D that is clear forms a raised protrusion (or step) 388C in the associated area of the armrest cover 388B. You may. Each protrusion 388C of the armrest cover 388B may have any suitable size, shape, and / or dimension and extends any predetermined distance from the armrest cover 388B (and / or user interface system 360). You may. The predetermined distance may be any distance within any preselected range, for example in the range of any 0.5 mm in the range between 1.5 mm and 3 mm (or more).
0020The predetermined distance extending from the armrest cover 388B to the protrusion 388C may be the same as or different from the distinct interface elements 366A, 366D. For example, one or more boundary interface elements 366BND (shown in Figures 17A-B) may form protrusion 388C. The protrusion 388C defines a boundary that at least partially surrounds one or more other protrusions 388C formed by one or more highlighted interface elements 366APP (shown in FIGS. 17A-B). That is, the emphasized interface element 366APP may contain one or more boundary interface elements 366BND. Boundary interface element 366BND may optionally include interface element 366 other than the emphasized interface element 366 APP.
0021The boundary interface element 366BND is emphasized in the manner described above in relation to the emphasized interface element 366APP, but the emphasis applied to the boundary interface element 366BND is preferably applied to the emphasized interface element 366APP. It is different from the emphasis. This makes the boundary interface element 366BND and the emphasized interface element 366APP visually identifiable. The first protrusion 388C formed by the boundary interface element 366BND may extend from the armrest cover 388B by a first predetermined distance. On the other hand, the second protrusion 388C formed by the highlighted interface element 366APP extends a second predetermined distance from the armrest cover 388B. The first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance may be the same distance, but the first predetermined distance is used to easily distinguish the boundary interface element 366BND from the emphasized interface element 366APP. Is preferably different from the second predetermined distance.
0022The second projection 388C formed by the highlighted interface element 366 APP may be manipulated to initiate a preselected control function in the manner described above. In one embodiment, at least one of the boundary interface elements 366BND may include the emphasized interface element 366APP. The boundary interface element 366BND may form a first protrusion 388C after it has become clear. The first protrusion 388C may be manipulated to activate a preselected control function, such as the highlighted interface element 366APP. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the boundary interface elements 366BND may be inactive and cannot be manipulated to initiate a preselected control function.
0023Additional and / or alternatives, the boundary for the boundary interface element 366BND may be formed by other types of observable highlights, such as illumination and / or display of control instructions. The boundary interface element 366BND may be illuminated with a different color than the highlighted interface element 366APP, for example. The boundary interface element 366BND may optionally display a control instruction to identify the highlighted interface element 366APP as being activated for an operation that initiates a preselected control function. The control instructions may be associated with the highlighted interface element 366 APP, for example, in aspects described in detail below, to provide a textual and / or graphic display to identify one or more preselected control functions. ..
0024The protrusion 388C may allow the user's chair 382 to give the clear interface elements 366A, 366D a tactile sensation to facilitate the operation of the clear interface elements 366A, 366D. That is, the clear interface elements 366A and 366D may be activated by manipulating the respective protrusions 388C formed on the armrest cover 388B. The armrest cover 388B may optionally be supplied as a soft armrest cover, which allows the formation and / or manipulation of the protrusion 388C. In other words, the armrest cover 388B is preferably made of a flexible material, such as leather or suede. The material forming the armrest cover 388B may be the same as or different from the material of the other chair component covers of the user's chair 382.
0025One or more selected interface elements 366A-D may be clarified, alternative and / or additionally, by being visible on the armrest cover 388B. For example, interface element 366C, after being clarified, may become visible 388D in the associated area of armrest cover 388B, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, with the associated area of armrest cover 388B described above. It may be activated by operating in the manner described. The selected interface elements 366A-D may be visible in any conventional embodiment on the armrest cover 388B. Any conventional aspect includes being illuminated, displaying control instructions, and / or otherwise observably highlighted. The illustrated control instructions may include the function icon 367 (shown in FIG. 6B). The function icon 367 displays the preselected control function associated with the selected interface element 366 when the selected interface element 366 is activated.
0026The function icon 367 may provide a textual and / or graphic display to identify one or more preselected control functions associated with the selected interface element 366, in any conventional manner. It may be displayed. If the preselected control functionality of the selected interface element 366 is fully programmable, for example, the selected interface element 366 is programmable to provide the function icon 367. In a preferred embodiment, the armrest cover 388B is formed from a transparent material, whereby the observable highlight provided by the clear interface element 366C is observable through the armrest cover 388B, and / or the clear interface element 366C. Can be operated via the armrest cover 388B. That is, any control instructions associated with the control of the clear interface element 366C and / or the clear interface element 366C may be illuminated from the back and thereby visible through the armrest cover 388B.
0027When the user's hands approach the user interface system 360, one or more interface elements 366 may remain obscured by the armrest cover 388B. On the other hand, the other interface element 366 becomes clear. The choice of which interface element 366 remains obscured and which interface element 366 becomes obscured may depend on any selected criteria, including the given application of the user interface system 360. That is, the number and / or configuration of the invoked interface elements 366 may be at least in part based on the type of user interface. This user interface type is one or more related system resources 110 (shown in Figure 1) (and / or associated one or more resource features) available by Information System 100 (shown in Figure 1). Appropriate for interacting with. If the given application is a game, for example, the user interface system 360 displays the appropriate configuration of one or more launched interface elements 366 and displays one or more user games available by the information system 100. A gaming interface system 360 GAME (shown in Figures 8A-B, 9A-B, 10A-B, and 11A-B) for playing may be provided.
0028Any interface element 366 that remains obscured by the armrest cover 388B is not functioning and one or more system resources 110 (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the information system 100. Cannot be used to interact with. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-B, for example, when the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360, the interface elements 366A, 366C, 366D may be clarified in the manner detailed above. However, the interface element 366B may remain recessed within the chair compartment 388A or otherwise obscured by the armrest cover 388B. Although for illustration purposes only, four interface elements 366A-D are illustrated and described with specific configurations placed on selected armrests 388, each user interface system 360 is of interface element 366. It may have any preselected number and / or configuration, and may optionally be placed at any suitable location on the user's chair 382.
0029The user interface system 360 may optionally have any physical properties, such as size (and / or dimensions) and / or shape (and / or form). Interface element 366 may similarly have any suitable physical properties. Typical physical properties of interface element 366 include the quantity, size, shape, spacing, and / or configuration of interface element 366. The physical properties of the user interface system 360 and / or the interface element 366 are preferably determined by the location, size and / or shape of the user's chair 382, where the user interface system 360 is located, and / or the information system 100. At least based on one or more types of control interfaces suitable for interacting with one or more available system resources 110 (and / or associated one or more resource features).
0030In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 is fully programmable (or reprogrammable). In other words, interface element 366 of user interface system 360 when user interface system 360 is launched and interacts with selected one or more system resources 110 (and / or associated one or more resource functions). Is automatically configured (or reconfigured) to remain obscured and / or obscured to perform any suitable preselected control function. Good. In one embodiment, each system resource 110 is associated with one or more selected interface elements 366, and the selected interface element 366 is one or more preselected controls suitable for the selected system resource 110. It may be programmed and selectively launched to provide functionality. A given interface element 366 is thereby fully compatible and may be programmed to provide a first preselected control function when installed in a second user's chair 382. When installed in a second user's chair 382, it may provide a first preselected control function. The selection and configuration of the associated interface element 366 may be automatically configured to suit certain user preferences, such as right-handed and left-handed.
0031Advantageously, the observable highlights of the selected interface element 366 are similarly programmable or configurable. In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 may support multicolor illumination of the selected interface element 366. The lighting and / or control instructions for the selected interface element 366 may be based, for example, on the selected one or more system resources 110 (and / or associated one or more resource functions). Thereby, the selected interface element 366 may display a first color (or first control instruction) when the first system resource 110 is selected. Also, when the second system resource 110 is selected, a second color (or second control instruction) may be displayed. The observable highlight preferably provides guidance for using the user interface system 360 and provides one or more related system resources 110 with preselected control functions.
0032If the user's chair 382 is configured to be used with an information system 100 that includes first and second system resources 110, for example, the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 2A-B is to interact with system resource 110. Automatically configured. The user interface system 360 may be obscured from view in the manner described above when the user is away from the user interface system 360. When the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360 and indicates a desire to interact with the first system resource 110, the interface elements 366A, 366D provide one or more preselected control functions to the first system resource 110. May be invoked to provide to. On the other hand, interface elements 366B, 366C remain obscure. To launch interface elements 366A, 366D, make interface elements 366A, 366D work, display the appropriate control instructions for using the user interface system 360, and first select one or more preselected control functions. Includes providing to system resource 110. By continuing to express a desire to interact with the second system resource 110, it launches interface elements 366C, 366D, providing one or more preselected control functions to the second system resource 110, and the user interface system. The second system resource 110 may be provided with one or more preselected control functions by displaying the appropriate control instructions for using the 360. Interface element 366C becomes obscured and interface element 366B remains obscured.
0033Control of the user interface system 360 may be implemented in any conventional manner, for example, one or more hardware and / or software components associated with the user's chair 382 and / or the information system 100. In one embodiment, the control of the user interface system 360 may include a computer program product for controlling the user interface system 360 provided in the user's chair 382. Computer program products are encoded on more machine-readable storage media. The hardware and / or software components may provide, for example, multiple instructions for controlling the user interface system 360 provided in the user's chair 382. The illustrated control instructions are instructions that visually obscure interface element 366 when the user is away from the user interface system 360, when the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360, and / or the selected system. Instructions to launch and / or highlight the selected interface element 366 when indicating a desire to interact with resource 110, and visually impair any interface element 366 that is not used to interact with the selected system resource 110. Instructions that remain clear and / or instructions that visually obscure interface element 366 of the user interface system 360 when the user interface system 360 is in idle and / or power saving modes may be included. ..
0034You may ask the user to perform a unique action to avoid inadvertent activation. For example, you may be asked to perform a given hand gesture adjacent to the user interface system 360 to indicate your desire to use the user interface system 360. The unique behavior may, in one embodiment, simply activate (and / or release) the user interface system 360. Alternatively and / or additionally, each given application of the User Interface System 360 may be associated with different unique behaviors. That is, the choice of which interface element 366 remains obscured and which interface element 366 becomes obscured depends on the unique action taken. The user interface system 360 may also be stopped by performing a unique action in order to put the user interface system 360 in a stopped state. Upon performing the unique action selected, the user interface system 360 displays a preselected number and / or configuration of interface element 366 that is suitable for using the associated application of the user interface system 360. You may.
0035If the user interface system 360 comprises multiple user interface parts located at different locations in the user's chair 382, the unique behavior selected is two or more individual user interface parts, interface subgroups. A given user interface part and / or all user interface parts may be invoked. The selection of the user interface portion to launch may be based on any selected criteria, including a given application of the user interface system 360. That is, the activation of the user interface portion may be based on the nature of interaction with one or more system resources 110 (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the information system 100. In one embodiment, the selected unique action may be performed adjacent to any interface portion of the user interface system 360. In an alternative embodiment, the selected unique action is performed, for example, adjacent to a predetermined interface portion located on the right armrest 388R (shown in FIG. 3) of the user's chair 382. The user interface system 360 thereby facilitates interaction with one or more system resources 110 (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the information system 100 in the manner described above. May be launched for.
0036FIG. 3 shows another typical embodiment of the user's chair 382. In this embodiment, the user interface system 360 includes left and right user interface systems 360L, 360R arranged on the left and right armrests 388L, 388R of the user's chair 382, respectively. Left and right user interface systems 360L, 360R are separate from one or more system resources 110 (shown in Figure 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the information system 100. The left and right user interface systems 360L, 360R may preferably have a composite user interface system 360C for interacting with system resource 110, although it may have an independent user interface system 360 to support the interaction. Form. The left and right user interface systems 360L, 360R may include one or more interface elements 366, respectively, in the manner detailed above, in connection with the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 2A-B. Advantageously, the left user interface system 360L may be the same as or different from the right user interface system 360R.
0037In the aforementioned embodiment, when the user is away from the user interface system 360C, the interface element 366 may be obscured from view and the user's hands are approaching the user interface system 360L and / or the user interface system 360R. When approaching, one or more selected interface elements 366 may be clarified. Interface elements 366 of the user interface systems 360L, 360R may include a plurality of conventional control elements of any kind, which are selectively used to allow interaction with the information system 100. Includes, without limitation, mechanical, electrical, and / or virtual control elements that may be activated. Typical control elements are one or more switches (eg pushbuttons), keyboard or keypad, pointing device (eg mouse or trackball), touchpad (or touchpoint) 366TCH (shown in Figures 20A-B). , Touch screen display system, and / or any other conventional type of control element may be provided without limitation. Interface element 366 may be provided in any embodiment. In any embodiment, the interface element 366 is physically placed in the user's chair 382 and / or, for example, the interface element 366 is projected onto one or more selected locations (or areas) of the user's chair 382. By doing so, it involves virtually arranging the interface element 366 on the user's chair 382.
0038In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 may include a touch film interface system (or layer), such as a capacitive sensor system. A typical touch film interface system is "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTING WITH INFORMATION". It is described in US Patent Application No. 12 / 897,589, a co-pending application filed on October 4, 2010 under the title "SYSTEMS)". This application is assigned to the assignee of this application, and the entire content and purpose of the disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference. One or more interface elements 366 may incorporate a touch film interface system to form a touchpad (or touchpoint) 366 TCH (shown in Figures 20A-B). The touchpoints may be supplied in any conventional manner, eg, via one or more conventional pushbuttons. More preferably, at least one of the touch points may be provided with a capacitive button to detect the approach of the hand (or finger) before the user actually touches the touch point. The touchpoint may be associated with the selected armrest 388 of the user's chair 382. Additionally and / or alternatives, the user interface system 360 may include proximity sensors (not shown) for detecting the user's hand. By using the proximity sensor system and / or the capacitive button, the user interface system 360 can be activated before the actual touch of the touch point. If desired, the proximity sensor system may be applied to detect the user's hand adjacent to any relevant part of the user interface system 360.
0039The proximity sensor system and / or touchpoint is preferably fully programmable in the embodiments described above. That is, each touchpoint has a dedicated processing system, such as any type of microprocessor (μPs), central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / Alternatively, it may include a digital signal processor (DSP). For example, the touch sensitivity of the capacitive button can be adjusted to any suitable sensitivity. Touch sensitivity may be set to high sensitivity so that the touch point can sense the hand of the user located approximately 2.54 cm (1 inch) or more above the top of the user interface system 360, and / Or can be set to low sensitivity so that physical contact between the user's hand and the touchpoint is required. The sensitive touch sensitivity can be used, for example, to sense unique behaviors such as a given hand gesture to indicate the desire to use the user interface system 360 in the manner detailed above.
0040In the aforementioned aspects, the touchpoints of the user interface system 360 may be obscured (or otherwise unemphasized) from view when the user is away from the user interface system 360, and the user. When (and / or the user's hand) approaches and approaches the user interface system 360, it may be clarified (or otherwise emphasized). In one embodiment, the touchpoint may be illuminated as needed, or otherwise observably highlighted, and / or when the user indicates a desire to use the user interface system 360. , When you do not want to use the user interface system 360, it may be obscured from view or may not be emphasized in any other way. The touchpoint may be obscured immediately after, for example, sensing that the user's hand leaves (and / or leaves) the user interface system 360, and / or the user's hand leaves the user interface system 360. It may be obscured after a predetermined period of time has passed since the separation. The predetermined period may be in the range of any predetermined period, for example, in the range of any 10 seconds between 10 seconds and 60 seconds (or more).
0041An alternative embodiment of the user chair 382 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIGS. 4A-D. Referring to FIGS. 4A-B, the user chair 382 includes the user interface system 360. The user interface system 360 is located on the left armrest 388L and / or the right armrest 388R of the user chair 382 and is supplied in the manner detailed above in connection with the user interface system 360 of FIG. The user interface system 360 is exemplified to include a plurality of interface elements 366. Multiple interface elements 366 are arranged in an array (or matrix) configuration 366MAT. Each matrix 366MAT may have any suitable dimensions and may include any predetermined number of interface elements 366, with arbitrary pre-selection of spacing between adjacent interface elements 366. The matrix 366MAT illustrated in FIGS. 4A-B comprises columns and rows of interface elements 366, the rows parallel to the longitudinal axis of the selected armrest 388. This is for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes. The columns and / or rows of interface element 366 may be oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the selected armrest 388 at any preselected angle. The preselected angle may be in any predetermined range of angles, for example any 5 degree range between zero and 45 degrees (or more).
0042The number, spacing and / or configuration of interface elements 366 may be the same and / or different within the matrix 366MAT. Preferably, each matrix 366MAT is placed adjacent to the distal end region 388E of the armrest 388 on which the user normally places his hand and the associated armrest 388 has a predetermined width 388W and / or a predetermined length 388X. May be over. A given length of 388X is any preselected range of lengths, eg any 2.54 centimeters (lengths ranging from 2.54 centimeters (1 inch) to 30.48 centimeters (12 inches) (or longer)). 1 inch) may be used. That is, the width 388W of the selected matrix 366MAT may have a preselected proportion of the width W of the associated armrest 388. On the other hand, the length 388X of the selected matrix 366MAT may comprise a preselected proportion of the length L of the associated armrest 388.
0043The width 388 W may be within any preselected percentage of width W, for example any 5 percent range from 10 percent to 90 percent (or more). The length 388X may be in the range of any preselected proportion of length L, for example any 5 percent in the range of 10 percent to 50 percent (or more). In one embodiment, the matrix 366MAT may include a rectangular grid 366GRD (shown in FIG. 5A) of interface elements 366. The rectangular grid 366GRD has a predetermined number of columns and a predetermined number of rows. Preferably, the interface element 366 associated with the rectangular grid 366GRD comprises a subset of the interface elements 366 forming the matrix 366MAT, at any preselected angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the selected armrest 388. It may be oriented in the manner described above in relation to the matrix 366MAT.
0044As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-B, the interface element 366 forming at least one of the matrix 366MAT may be supplied as an unemphasized interface element 366OBS when the user is away from the matrix 366MAT. As the user's hand approaches and approaches the matrix 366MAT, one or more selected interface elements 366 may become the emphasized interface element 366 APP, as shown in Figure 4C-D. The interface element 366 forming the matrix 366MAT may preferably not be highlighted and / or may be highlighted in the manner described above in connection with FIG. 1-3. FIG. 4C-D illustrates an embodiment of the user interface system 360. In this embodiment, each interface element 366 of both matrix 366MAT comprises an enhanced interface element 366APP and one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associations) available by the information system 100. Invoked to interact with one or more resource features).
0045In Figure 4E-F, the user interface system 360 in Figure 4A-B is displayed including the matrix 366MAT. As the user's hand approaches and approaches the matrix 366MAT, part of the interface element 366 becomes the emphasized interface element 366APP. The highlighted interface element 366APP may be the same and / or different in the matrix 366MAT and optionally form a pattern to facilitate the use of the user interface system 360. The pattern may include, for example, a given highlighted interface element 366 APP of the selected matrix 366 MAT. The selected matrix 366MAT demarcates the other emphasized interface elements 366APP of the selected matrix 366MAT in the manner described above in connection with FIGS. 2A-B. In the embodiments described above, one or more of the matrix 366MAT may advantageously be programmable or configurable, customizing the user interface system 360 and being available by the information system 100. Allows you to select the appropriate interface element 366 to interact with the System Resource 110 (shown in Figure 1) (and / or one or more associated resource features).
0046FIG. 5A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the matrix 366MAT (shown in FIGS. 4A-F). The matrix 366MAT comprises an interface element 366OBS that is not highlighted when the user is away from the user interface system 360, as described above. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, when the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360, the plurality of interface elements 366 becomes the emphasized interface element 366 APP forming a rectangular grid 366 GRD. The rectangular grid 366GRD has a predetermined number of columns of the highlighted interface element 366APP and a predetermined number of rows of the highlighted interface element 366APP. The highlighted interface element 366APP within the rectangular grid 366GRD of the user interface system 360 is thereby one or more system resources 110 (shown in Figure 1) (and / or associated 1) available by the information system 100. Or collaborate to form a trackpad (or panel) for interacting with multiple resource functions).
0047In one embodiment, one or more other interface elements 366 of the matrix 366MAT may be manifested as additional emphasized interface element 366 APP when the user's hands approach the user interface system 360. The additional highlighted interface element 366APP, after becoming clear, may form at least one other control (in addition to the rectangular grid 366GRD) for the user interface system 360 on the selected armrest 388. Good. That is, the rectangular grid 366GRD may be supplied as part of the broader user interface system 360 located on the armrest 388. The combined user interface system 3 60C is similarly used with the rectangular grid 366GRD in combination with one or more other user interface systems 360 located elsewhere on the other armrests 388 and / or the user's chair 382. It may be formed (shown in Figure 3).
0048Another alternative embodiment of the matrix 366MAT is illustrated in Figure 5B-C. With reference to FIG. 5B, the matrix 366MAT is shown to have a rectangular grid 366GRD. The rectangular grid 366GRD has a predetermined number of columns of interface element 366 and a predetermined number of rows of interface element 366. The columns and rows may be any predetermined number of interface elements 366 and any preselected range, eg, any range of one interface element 366 to 16 (or more) of interface elements 366. Good. If desired, the column may have a predetermined number of interface elements 366. A predetermined number of interface elements 366 are the same as or different from a predetermined number of interface elements 366 in a row. Preferably, the rectangular grid 366GRD is placed adjacent to the distal end area 388E of the armrest 388 on which the user normally places his hand and spans the width 388W and / or a predetermined length 388X of the associated armrest 388. May be good.
0049In the aforementioned embodiment, in relation to the matrix 366MAT (shown in FIGS. 4A-F), the rectangular grid 366GRD comprises an interface element 366OBS that is not highlighted when the user is away from the rectangular grid 366GRD, as described above. .. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, each interface element 366 in the rectangular grid 366GRD becomes the emphasized interface element 366 APP when the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system 360. The highlighted interface element 366APP in the rectangular grid 366GRD, after being clarified, is one or more system resources 110 available by the information system 100 in the manner described above in connection with FIG. 5A (shown in FIG. 1). You may form a trackpad (or panel) to interact with (and / or associated one or more resource features). The user interface system 360 placed on the selected armrest 388 is a rectangular grid 366GRD, and / or a rectangular grid 366GRD is generally used with any additional highlighted interface element 366APP. Not done. However, the rectangular grid 366GRD is used with one or more other user interface systems 360 located elsewhere on the other armrests 388 and / or the user's chair 382 to form the composite user interface system 360C. May be done (shown in Figure 3).
0050Referring to FIG. 6A, the video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 (shown in FIGS. 26A-B) may be associated with the user's chair 382 and may be supplied as part of the user interface system 360. Good. That is, the interaction with the information system 100 may be performed with the video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 via the interface element 366. The video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 preferably moves away from the user's chair 382 when the user approaches (and / or sits) the user's chair 382, when the user uses the user interface system 360, and away from the user's chair 382. When (and / or stand up), it is supplied in a manner that avoids physical interference with the user. The video interface system 362 may face the user's chair 382, for example, or may be located outside the reach of the arm as shown in FIG. 22B. Additionally and / or alternatives, the video interface system 362 may be attached to the user's chair 382, such as the selected armrest 388 of the user's chair 382, as illustrated in FIG. 22A. The voice interface system 364 may also be located near and / or away from the user's chair 382, and optionally the voice interface system 364 is incorporated into the user's chair 382. May be good.
0051The operation of the video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 may be controlled in any conventional manner. The user interface system 360 may be used to control, for example, the video interface system 362. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the user interface system 360 may include at least one interface element 366 DSP, so that at least one interface element 366 DSP controls the video interface system 362 after it becomes clear. It may be manipulated. The video interface system 362 may be at least started and / or stopped via, for example, interface element 366 DSP. In one embodiment, the interface element 366 DSP may control one or more other conventional operations of the video interface system 362, such as brightness, contrast, tint, and the like. FIG. 6B shows that interface element 366DSP may be observably highlighted after it has been clarified, for example by displaying the video function icon 367DSP. The function icon 367DSP may display the control of one or more types of video interface system 362. This control can be achieved by manipulating the interface element 366 DSP.
0052Alternatively and / or additionally, the operation of the voice interface system 364 may be similarly controlled via the user interface system 360. In the aforementioned aspects, the user interface system 360 may include at least one selected interface element 366 in relation to the selected interface element 366. At least one selected interface element 366 may be manipulated to control the voice interface system 364 after it has become clear. The voice interface system 364 may be at least started and / or stopped via the selected interface element 366 DSP, for example. In one embodiment, the selected interface element 366 may control one or more other conventional operations of the voice interface system 364, such as volume, sound quality, balance, and the like. The selected interface element 366 may be observably highlighted after it has been clarified, for example by displaying the associated voice function icon 367. The function icon 367 may display the control of one or more types of voice interface systems 364. This control can be achieved by manipulating the selected interface element 366.
0053When the user indicates a desire to interact with one or more selected system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the information system 100. One or more selected interface elements 366 may be invoked as the highlighted interface element 366 APP to provide one or more preselected control functions to the selected system resource 110. On the other hand, the other interface element 366 may remain obscured as the unemphasized interface element 366OBS (shown in FIG. 5A) in the manner detailed above in connection with the user interface system 360 of Figure 1-3. Good. If desired, the video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 may be similarly activated to facilitate interaction with the selected system resource 110. Video interface system 362 and / or audio interface system 364 may be activated to provide visible and / or audible feedback for, for example, the highlighted interface element 366 APP.
0054In one embodiment, the video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 has one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated resources) available by the information system 100. A list (or list) of features) may be displayed. When the user indicates his or her desire to interact with the selected system resource 110, the video interface system 362 may be activated to display, for example, control instructions 262Y (shown in Figures 6B and 7C) of the user interface system 360. The highlighted interface element 366APP may be manipulated to select from control instructions 262Y. The video interface system 362 may display, for example, control instruction 262Y and cursor 262X (shown in FIGS. 6B and 7C). The position of the cursor 262X with respect to the control instruction 262Y displayed on the video interface system 362 may be adjusted via the user interface system 360. When the cursor 262X is placed on the predetermined control instruction 262Y, the user interface system 360 is activated to select the predetermined control instruction 262Y and start the associated function of the selected system resource 110.
0055FIG. 6B shows the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 5A-C used in conjunction with the video interface system 362 of FIG. 6A. The user interface system 360 of FIG. 6B may be supplied as a rectangular grid 366GRD of interface elements 366 in the manner detailed above. Interface element 366 within the rectangular grid 366GRD may be mapped to the corresponding area of the video interface system 362. The video interface system 362 may, for example, display the control instruction 262Y in the form of a (hierarchical) menu structure (or system) 262, where the control instruction 262Y is the menu associated with the selected level of the menu system 262. With options.
0056Menu system 262 may provide an organized aspect for displaying one or more available system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions). .. In one embodiment, the menu system 262 "PORTABLE USER CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEM) may be supplied in the manner described in US Patent Application No. 12 / 210,689, a co-pending application filed September 15, 2008. This application is assigned to the assignee of this application, and the entire content and purpose of the disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, the menu system 262 may include a welcome menu level and / or an instruction menu that provides user instructions for operating the user interface system 360. The welcome menu level includes, for example, name and / or other selected user information and / or, in a mobile environment, travel information such as departure time, departure place, arrival time, and / or destination city. You may.
0057The user interface system 360 may be fixed, for example, when the user first approaches the user's chair 382. The instruction menu may provide user instructions for unlocking the user interface system 360. In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 may be unpinned (and / or re-pinned) by performing a predetermined hand gesture adjacent to the user interface system 360.
0058Interface element 366 within the rectangular grid 366GRD may be mapped to control instruction 262Y as displayed by the video interface system 362. In order to facilitate the mapping between the interface element 366 and the video interface system 362, the control instruction 262Y of the menu system 262 is preferably displayed in a manner consistent with the interface element 366. For example, the interface element 366 of the user interface system 360 of FIG. 6B is exemplified to form a rectangular grid 366GRD, so that the control instruction 262Y of the menu system 262 is similarly displayed as a rectangular grid configuration. It is shown in. Menu system 262 is shown and described as a rectangular grid of control instruction 262Y, but is displayed with any given configuration of control instruction 262Y that matches the configuration of the highlighted interface element 366APP of user interface system 360. May be done. Menu system 262 and associated menu behaviors are examples of selected one or more system resources 110 (shown in Figure 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by information system 100. May be provided.
0059Interface element 366 within the rectangular grid 366GRD may include interface element 366 APP that is highlighted in the manner described above after it has been clarified. The highlighted interface element 366APP may be manipulated to guide the cursor 262X to the selected control instruction 262Z. The rectangular grid 366GRD contains any boundary interface element 366BND, as illustrated in Figure 6B. The boundary interface element 366BND preferably correlates with a predetermined boundary of the menu system 262 and / or a predetermined boundary of the video interface system 362. Thereby, the cursor 262X stays within the boundaries of the menu system 262 and / or the video interface system 362.
0060By displaying the cursor 262X and the menu system 262 on the video interface system 362, useful feedback can be provided to enable user orientation. That is, in order to move the cursor 262X adjacent to the selected control instruction 262Z by looking at the position of the cursor 262X on the video interface system 362, the user can perform any additional operation of the interface element 366APP to be emphasized. Can be decided. The video interface system 362 can thereby provide user-feedback for controlling the movement of the cursor 262X with respect to the selected control instruction 262Z. The graphic design of the user interaction of the video interface system 362 is preferably synchronized with the emphasized interface element 366 APP, which facilitates providing important feedback for each operation of the user interface system 360. The user interface system 360 advantageously allows the user to navigate (and / or browse) the menu system 262, and otherwise available one or more system resources 110 (and / or) by the information system 100. Can interact with one or more associated resource features).
0061Figure 5 A-C user interface System 360 can be used in a wide range of system applications. Figure 7A-C illustrates a typical telephone application for the User Interface System 360. That is, the telephone application is another example of one or more system resources 110 (shown in Figure 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the selected information system 100. .. One or more selected interface elements 366 can also be invoked to provide one or more preselected control functions to the selected system resource 110. With reference to FIG. 7A, the user interface system 360 is shown to include multiple interface elements 366 arranged on the armrests 388 selected in the alternative rectangular grid configuration 366GRD. The alternative rectangular grid 366GRD includes the aspects described above in relation to the rectangular grid 366GRD (shown in FIGS. 5A-C) and may be supplied in any aspect. The interface element 366 is arranged in a conventional telephone keypad configuration.
0062As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the interface element 366 of the alternative rectangular grid 366GRD may be supplied as an unemphasized interface element 366OBS when the user is away from the matrix 366MAT. As the user's hand approaches and approaches the alternative rectangular grid 366GRD, the interface element 366 forming the alternative rectangular grid 366GRD may be the highlighted interface element 366APP as shown in FIG. 7B. The interface element 366 forming the alternative rectangular grid 366 GRD may preferably not be highlighted and / or may be highlighted in the embodiments detailed above in connection with FIG. 1-3. For example, the interface element 366 forming the alternative rectangular grid 366GRD may be visible in any conventional aspect on the selected armrest 388. The aspects include being illuminated, displaying control instructions, and / or otherwise observably highlighted. Interface element 366 preferably displays a traditional phone keypad, eg, control support associated with the number / character associated with each phone key.
0063In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 7A-B is the video interface system 362 (shown in FIGS. 6A-B) and / or the audio interface system in the embodiments detailed above in connection with FIGS. 6A-B. Can be used with the 364 (shown in Figures 26A-B). FIG. 7C illustrates, for example, that the user interface system 360 is used with the video interface system 362 of FIG. 6A. In the manner described above in connection with FIG. 6B, the interface element 366 within the rectangular grid 366GRD may be mapped to the corresponding area of the video interface system 362. Interface element 366 may optionally include at least one interface element 366 DSP (shown in FIG. 6B). At least one interface element 366 DSP may be manipulated to control the video interface system 362 after it has become clear.
0064The video interface system 362 is shown to display a traditional telephone keypad, eg, the number and / or character associated with the key of each telephone. The individual buttons on the phone keypad are associated with their respective control instructions 262Y. Interface element 366 within the rectangular grid 366GRD may be mapped to control instruction 262Y as displayed by the video interface system 362. And, after clarification, the interface element 366 APP to be emphasized may be provided in the manner described above. The highlighted interface element 366APP may be manipulated to guide the cursor 262X within control instruction 262Y to dial a telephone number or otherwise initiate a telephone call. The display of the telephone keypad and cursor 262X on the video interface system 362 can provide useful feedback to enable user orientation. The video interface system 362 may optionally provide feedback on the dialed telephone number as shown in FIG. 7C.
0065Alternatively and / or additionally, the user interface system 360 can be used with the voice interface system 364 (shown in Figures 26A-B). The voice interface system 364 may advantageously support bidirectional voice communication associated with conventional telephone communication. If desired, the selected system resource 110 may support data communication, including full dual data communication and / or half dual data communication. In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 allows the user to initiate and / or receive a call through the selected system resource 110 (shown in FIG. 1). When the selected system resource 110 receives a call, the user interface system 360, the video interface system 362, and / or the audio interface system 364 can issue an alarm. The video interface system 362 can provide, for example, a visible reception notification, and / or the audio interface system 364 can provide a reception notification with an alarm sound, for example by presenting a preselected ringtone. it can. One or more interface elements 366 of the user interface system 360 can optionally notify the user of receipt by observably highlighting in the manner detailed above. When received, interface element 366 can be illuminated, for example, by blinking or otherwise.
0066One or more selected interface elements 366 are highlighted when the user indicates his or her desire to interact with selected system resource 110 in order to make and / or receive telephone calls by the information system 100. Launched as a 366 APP, one or more preselected control functions can be provided to selected system resource 110 in the manner detailed above in connection with the user interface system 360 of Figure 1-3. The other interface element 366 can remain obscured as the unemphasized interface element 366OBS (shown in Figure 5A). As shown in FIG. 7C, the video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 can be activated to facilitate interaction with the selected system resource 110. With the User Interface System 360, the user advantageously through (and / or associated with one or more resource functions) one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) available by the Information System 100. You can make and / or receive calls.
0067Another exemplary system application for the User Interface System 360 in Figure 5A-C is the Gaming Interface System 360 GAME. Typical gaming interface applications for the User Interface System 360 are shown in detail in relation to FIGS. 8A-B, 9A-B, 10A-B, and 11A-B. That is, support for one or more user games is available by Information System 100 for selected one or more system resources 110 (shown in Figure 1) (and / or associated one or more resource features). Is another example of. One or more selected interface elements 366 can be invoked to provide one or more preselected control functions for the selected system resource 110. The user interface system 360 is shown to include multiple interface elements 366. Multiple interface elements 366 can be placed in one armrest 388, both armrests 388, and / or any other suitable location on the user's chair 382.
0068In one embodiment, the gaming interface system 360 GAME may be formed via one or more selected interface elements 366 of the user interface system 360. In other words, the plurality of selected interface elements 366 can work together to form the composite game interface element 366 GAME of the user interface system 360. The gaming interface system 360 GAME may have any suitable number and / or configuration of the selected interface elements 366. When placed on both armrests 388, the number and / or configuration of the selected interface elements 366, placed on the left user interface system 360L, is the selected interface placed on the right user interface system 360R. It may be the same as the number and / or composition of elements 366, and / or may be different. That is, the gaming interface system 360GAME supplied by the left user interface system 360L may be the same as and / or different from the gaming interface system 360GAME supplied by the right user interface system 360R. The interface element 366 selected for each user interface system 360L, 360R may be supplied in any aspect, including the aspects described above in relation to the rectangular grid 366GRD (shown in FIGS. 5A-C). Interface element 366 is arranged in a conventional and / or any kind of customized gaming interface configuration without limitation.
0069With reference to FIG. 8A, the user interface system 360 is illustrated to include the gaming interface system 360 GAME. The gaming interface system 360 GAME features a rectangular grid 366 GRD of interface elements 366 oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the associated armrest 388 at a preselected 45 degree angle. One application of the illustrated game interface system 360GAME can play pinball games. The interface element 366 of the user interface system 360 may be supplied as an unemphasized interface element 366 OBS when the user is away from the user interface system 360. When the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360, the interface element 366 forming the gaming interface system 360 GAME is highlighted in the manner described above in connection with FIG. 1-3, as shown in FIG. 8B. It may be an interface element 366 APP. For example, the interface element 366 forming the gaming interface system 360 GAME may be visualized in any conventional manner in the associated armrest 388. Conventional embodiments include being illuminated, displaying control instructions, and / or otherwise observably highlighted.
0070In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 7A-B is the video interface system 362 (shown in FIGS. 6A-B) and / or the audio interface system in the embodiments detailed above in connection with FIGS. 6A-B. Can be used with the 364 (shown in Figures 26A-B). When the user indicates his or her desire to interact with the selected system resource 110 (shown in FIG. 1), it is detailed above in connection with the user interface system 360 of Figure 1-3 in order to play the game by the information system 100. In the manner described, one or more selected interface elements 366 are invoked as the highlighted interface element 366 APP to form the gaming interface system 360 GAME, with one or more preselected control functions. It can be provided to the selected system resource 110. The video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 is similarly activated to facilitate interaction with the selected system resource 110 and otherwise play the game. The User Interface System 360 advantageously allows the user to use one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the Information System 100. You can start and play the game.
0071An alternative embodiment of the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 8A-B is shown in FIGS. 9A-B. The user interface system 360 of FIGS. 9A-B can be supplied in the manner described above in connection with the user interface system 360 of FIG. 8A-B and is a suitable gaming interface system for playing arcade games. 360 GAME can be formed. Referring to FIG. 9A, the user interface system 360 is illustrated to provide a gaming interface system 360 GAME with a rectangular grid 366 GRD of interface elements 366. The rectangular grid 366GRD of interface element 366 is shown to be oriented at a preselected angle of zero degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the associated armrest 388. That is, the rectangular grid 366GRD can be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the selected armrest 388.
0072The rectangular grid 366GRD is illustrated to be located at the centerline of the armrest 388 of the user's chair 382 in FIGS. 8A-B, whereas the rectangular grid 366GRD is the armrest 388, as shown in Figures 9A-B. It may deviate from the center line of. The rectangular grid 366GRD may be offset to the left and / or to the right by any predetermined distance from the centerline of the armrest 388, if desired. Depending on the distance of a given length, the rectangular grid 366GRD may deviate from the centerline of the armrest 388 and have any preselected range of lengths, eg 3.81 cm (1.5 inches) to 7.62 cm (3). It can be in the range of any 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inches) between inches) (or more). The deviation may be supplied in any suitable manner. A typical embodiment for providing a shift is to place the rectangular grid 366GRD in the position of the armrest, and / or the rectangular grid 366GRD is offset from the centerline of the associated armrest 388 the interface element of the matrix 366MAT. Includes forming from 366 (shown in Figures 4A-F).
0073The interface element 366 of the user interface system 360 may be supplied as an unemphasized interface element 366 OBS when the user is away from the user interface system 360. When the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360, the interface element 366 forming the gaming interface system 360 GAME is highlighted in the manner described above in connection with FIGS. 8A-B, as shown in FIG. 9B. Interface element 366 APP may be used. The video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 is similarly activated to facilitate interaction with the selected system resource 110 and otherwise play the game. The user interface system 360 advantageously allows the user to use one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the information system 100. You can start and play arcade games.
0074Another alternative embodiment of the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 8A-B is shown in FIGS. 10A-B. The gaming interface system 360 GAME of FIG. 10A-B is supplied in connection with the user interface system 360 of FIG. 8A-B in the manner described above to allow two players to play the selected game. It is equipped with a pad (direction indicator pad). Typical games suitable for D-pads for two-player play include quiz games, slider games, and / or mock trackball games. Referring to FIG. 10A, interface element 366 of user interface system 360 may be provided as unemphasized interface element 366 OBS when the user is away from user interface system 360. When the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360, the interface element 366 forming the gaming interface system 360 GAME is the highlighted interface element shown in FIG. 10B in the manner described above in relation to FIGS. 8A-B. It may be 366 APP. The video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 is similarly activated to facilitate interaction with the selected system resource 110 and otherwise play the game. The user interface system 360, advantageously, allows the user to use one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the information system 100. You can start and play the game.
0075Yet another alternative embodiment of the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 8A-B is shown in FIGS. 11A-B. The user interface system 360 of FIGS. 11A-B may be supplied in the manner described above in connection with the user interface system 360 of FIG. 8A-B and is suitable for playing the selected quiz game. The interface system 360 GAME can be formed. Referring to FIG. 11A, interface element 366 of user interface system 360 may be provided as unemphasized interface element 366 OBS when the user is away from user interface system 360. When the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360, the interface element 366 forming the gaming interface system 360 GAME is the highlighted interface element shown in FIG. 11 in the manner described above in connection with FIGS. 8A-B. It may be 366 APP.
0076The interface element 366 forming the gaming interface system 360 GAME may be visualized in any conventional manner with the associated armrest 388. This aspect includes being illuminated, displaying control instructions, and / or otherwise observably highlighted. As illustrated in FIG. 11B, for example, interface element 366 may be observably highlighted by displaying the associated function icon 367. The video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 is similarly activated to facilitate interaction with the selected system resource 110 and otherwise play the game. With the User Interface System 360, the user advantageously starts and plays the game through one or more system resources 110 (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the information system 100. can do. In connection with Figures 8A-B, 9A-B, 10A-B, and 11A-B, the User Interface System 360 has been shown and described to have a representative interface of choice, but this is for illustration purposes only. It is the purpose. The user interface system 360 may be supplied with any suitable type of gaming interface system 360 GAME via one or more interface elements 366 and / or placed at any suitable location on the user's chair 382. You may.
0077Another exemplary system application for the User Interface System 360 in Figure 5A-C is a pointer control interface system, such as a mouse and / or trackball system. A typical embodiment of the pointer control interface system 360PNT is shown and described in FIGS. 12A-D. The pointer control interface system 360PNT may be formed via one or more interface elements 366 located at the selected armrest 388 or other suitable location on the user's chair 382. In other words, the plurality of interface elements 366 work together to form the composite pointer control interface element 366PNT for the user interface system 360. The selected interface element 366 may be supplied in any manner as described above in relation to the rectangular grid 366GRD (shown in FIGS. 5A-C). Interface element 366 is arranged without limitation in any kind of conventional and / or customized pointer control interface configuration.
0078With reference to FIG. 12A, the pointer control interface system 360PNT is shown to include multiple directional interface elements 366W-Z to provide directional control for the pointer control interface system 360PNT. The directional interface element 366W-Z may preferably provide 360 degree (360 °) pointer control and / or any preselected angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the selected armrest 388. May be oriented with. The preselected angle may be in the range of any predetermined angle, for example any range of 5 degrees from zero degrees to 45 degrees (or more). Each directional interface element 366W-Z may include one or more interface elements 366 as needed.
0079The pointer control interface system 360PNT is shown in Figure 12A. The pointer control interface system 360PNT includes at least one optional selection interface element 366V for providing selection control to the pointer control interface system 360PNT. In an exemplary embodiment, the selection interface element 366V is located at the central portion 361 of the pointer control interface system 360PNT. The selection interface element 366V is shown to be centered with respect to the directional interface element 366W-Z for purposes of illustration, whereas the selection interface element 366V is shown with respect to the directional interface element 366W-Z by the user. It may be supplied to any suitable area of the interface system 360. In one embodiment, the pointer control interface system 360PNT is preferably a central interface element 366V, illuminated at the chair location, and the user can use the pointer control interface system 360P. Make it easier to place NT.
0080The directional interface element 366W-Z and / or the selection interface element 366V forming the pointer control interface system 360PNT is supplied as the unemphasized interface element 366OBS shown in Figure 12A when the user is away from the user interface system 360. May be good. The directional interface elements 366W-Z and / or the selection interface element 366V, which form the interface element 366 when the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360, are illustrated in FIG. 12B in the manner detailed above. As such, it may be an emphasized interface element 366 APP. The directional interface element 366W-Z and / or the selection interface element 366V forming the pointer control interface system 360PNT may be visualized by the associated armrest 388 in any conventional manner. Any conventional aspect includes being illuminated, displaying control instructions, and / or otherwise observably highlighted.
0081An example of observably emphasizing the pointer control interface system 360PNT is to illuminate the directional interface elements 366W-Z and / or the selection interface element 366V, and / or each directional interface element 366W-Z and / or the selection interface. Includes displaying element 366V in a preselected color and / or control instruction. The directional interface element 366W-Z may include a directional function icon such as an arrow. Additional and / or alternatives, one or more preselected colors may be the same and / or different between the directional interface elements 366W-Z. The preselected color of the selected interface element 366V may be the same as or / or different from the preselected color of the directional interface element 366W-Z.
0082The pointer control interface system 360PNT is shown and described in connection with Figures 12A-B to form a circular shape through four directional interface elements 366W-Z, but this is only an example. Of purpose, the pointer control interface system 360PNT may be formed of directional interface elements 366W-Z of any suitable number and / or configuration, and / or any suitable shape and / or outline. May be provided without limitation. After clarification, the pointer control interface system 360PNT may be supplied, for example, as a control ball (or dome) with the dome-shaped features shown in FIG. 12C. Alternatively, in Figure 12D, the pointer control interface system 360PNT is shown to have a planar outline. The characteristics of the directional interface element 366W-Z of the pointer control interface system 360PNT, such as shape, outline, and / or number and / or configuration, may depend on any selected criterion. Any selected criteria may be with one or more system resources 110 (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by a given application and / or information system 100 of the user interface system 360. The nature of the interaction is included. That is, at least some of the characteristics of the pointer control interface system 360PNT may be based on the appropriate type of user interface for interacting with the associated system resource 110 available by the information system 100 (shown in FIG. 1).
0083The pointer control interface system 360PNT in Figure 12A-D can be advantageously used with the video interface system 362 (shown in Figure 6A-B) and / or the audio interface system 364 (shown in Figure 26A-B). it can. In the embodiments described above in connection with FIGS. 6A-B, the video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 has one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and shown in FIG. 1) available by the information system 100. You can view (or list) a list (or list) of / or one or more associated resource functions) and operate the pointer control interface system 360PNT after it becomes clear to operate the available system resources 110 and selected. You can navigate between one or more system resources 110.
0084In one embodiment of the user's chair 382, the pointer control interface system 360PNT (generally along with the video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364) may include the user interface system 360 as a whole. That is, the pointer control interface system 360PNT may include only the user control interface in the user's chair 382. Thereby, with the pointer control interface system 360PNT, the user can use one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the information system 100 and one hand. It can be interacted with using simple conventional gestures that can be done with (or one finger) and / or both hands (or two fingers). The hand gesture is preferably performed adjacent to and / or within a predetermined range of the pointer control interface system 360PNT of the user interface system 360.
0085Typical hand gestures may include, without limitation, taps, double taps, slides, swipes, twists, pinches, pulls and the like. Each gesture of the hand can be associated with a given control function. Associate the twisting hand gesture with the rotation function to rotate the rotating ornamental content 210 (shown in Figure 22A-B), which is displayed, for example, through the video interface system 362 (shown in Figure 6A-B). can do. On the other hand, other hand gestures can be associated with other display control functions, such as dragging, zooming in, zooming out, and / or panning. When the gesture of the selected hand is executed adjacent to the pointer control interface system 360PNT, the user interface system 360 can perform a predetermined control function associated with it. The displayed ornamental content 210 can be manipulated, for example, by performing one or more hand gestures adjacent to the pointer control interface system 360PNT of the user interface system 360 in a predetermined manner. In one embodiment, one or more operations of interface element 366 of the user interface system 360 can be accomplished by performing hand gestures.
0086Referring to FIG. 13A-C, for example, the video interface system 362 may select from one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or one or more associated resource functions). Menu system 262 can be displayed. The menu system 262 can be supplied in any conventional mode, including the mode described above in connection with the menu system 262 (shown in FIG. 6B), and a plurality of controls displaying the available system resource 110. Illustrated to include indication 262Y. The pointer control interface system 360PNT can be manipulated after it has been clarified to navigate the menu system 262 and optionally select at least one control instruction 262Y representing the selected system resource 110. That is, the video interface system 362 can display the control instruction 262Y of the menu system 262 and use the pointer control interface system 360PNT after clarification to view and / or select one or more control instructions 262Y. can do.
0087The pointer control interface system 360PNT can be manipulated to navigate menu system 262 in any conventional manner, including those detailed above in relation to menu system 262 (shown in FIG. 6B). .. For example, using one or more of the directional interface elements 366W-Z of the pointer control interface system 360PNT, navigate the control instruction 262Y and / or launch and select the selection interface element 366V of the pointer control interface system 360PNT. You can select one or more of the control instructions 262Y to be performed. The selected control instruction 262Y can be selected in any suitable manner. A typical embodiment for selecting the control instruction 262Y is to operate the pointer control interface system 360PNT to position the cursor 262X (shown in FIG. 6B) displayed on the video interface system 362 in relation to the control instruction 262Y. It may include adjusting and / or scrolling the control instruction 262Y displayed on the video interface system 362.
0088Additional and / or alternatives, the menu system 262 can be navigated by making one or more selected hand gestures. This type of gesture is performed adjacent to the pointer control interface system 360PNT in the manner detailed above in connection with the pointer control interface system 360PNT (shown in FIGS. 20A-B). One or more predetermined hand gestures are associated with a given control function to return to the previously viewed menu level (or menu item), for example, to return to the main (or home) menu level of menu system 262. You may. Additionally and / or alternatives, the selected interface element 366 may be associated with a control function to return to the main (or home) menu level of menu system 262. The selected interface element 366, when emphasized, can thereby be manipulated to return to the main menu level of menu system 262. In one embodiment, the hand gesture is performed adjacent to the pointer control interface system 360PNT (or other highlighted interface element 366APP) located in two or more locations on the user's chair 382.
0089With reference to FIG. 13A, for example, the user interface system 360 is shown to include at least one interface element 366 DSP. The interface element 366 DSP may be supplied in the manner described above in connection with the interface element 366 DSP (shown in FIG. 6B) and may be manipulated after clarification to activate the video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364. And can be controlled in other ways. When the video interface system 362 is activated, the video interface system 362 can display the menu system 262. If the menu system 262 comprises a hierarchical menu system with multiple menu levels 365, the menu system 262 of FIG. 13A is the main (or home) menu level of the first selected menu level 365A, eg, menu system 262. May be provided. The user interface system 360 can advantageously support returning directly from any other menu level to the main menu level by a predetermined hand gesture performed adjacent to the user interface system 360. In one embodiment, the interface element 366 DSP can be similarly manipulated to bring the video interface system 362 and / or the audio interface system 364 into a stopped state.
0090FIG. 13A shows an exemplary embodiment of a first selected menu level 365A of menu system 262. The first selected menu level 365A is illustrated to include a horizontal menu system. A typical control instruction 262Y is arranged in a horizontal configuration and is associated with one or more selected system resources 110 (shown in Figure 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions). Typical control instructions 262Y are control instruction 262A that displays an e-mail (or e-mail) function, control instruction 262B that displays an entertainment (or viewing) content function, control instruction 262C that displays a shopping function, and food (and / /). Drinks) Includes, without limitation, control instructions 262D displaying ordering functions and / or control instructions 262E displaying user game functions. Control instructions 262A-E are indicated to be placed at their respective horizontal positions 362H associated with the video interface system 362. The first selected menu level 365A is shown and described to include a horizontal menu system with typical control instructions 262A-E, but this is for illustration purposes only. The first selected menu level 365A may include any predetermined number and / or configuration of control instructions 262Y which may be associated with any selected system resource 110.
0091Manipulate the pointer control interface system 360PNT after it becomes clear to navigate between the control instructions 262A-E (and / or the displayed system resource 110) of the first selected menu level 365A of menu system 262. can do. Navigation of the first selected menu level 365A can be performed via any suitable operation of the pointer control interface system 360PNT. Manipulate one or more directional interface elements 366W-Z of the pointer control interface system 360PNT to scroll (or or) horizontally scroll control instructions 262A-E by, for example, one or more horizontal positions 362H of the video interface system 362. Can be rotated). When at least one of the directional interface elements 366W, 366Y is activated, the control instructions 262A-E can be scrolled to the left by one or more horizontal positions 362H, and / or the directional interface elements 366X, When at least one of the 366Z is activated, one or more horizontal positions 362H can be scrolled to the right.
0092If the displayed control instructions 262A-E include a complete group of control instructions 262Y for the first selected menu level 365A of menu system 262, then the leftmost horizontal position of video interface system 362 362HL The control instruction 262Y displayed in may be moved to the horizontal position 362HR on the right side of the video interface system 362 while scrolling the first selected menu level 365A to the left. Similarly, the control instruction 262Y displayed at the rightmost horizontal position 362HR may be moved to the leftmost horizontal position 362HL while scrolling to the right.
0093Alternatively, the first selected menu level 365A may include other control instructions 262Y that are not displayed on the video interface system 362. That is, the video interface system 362 cannot present all of the first selected menu level 365A control instructions 262Y, and / or the displayed control instructions 262A-E are selected for control instructions 262Y. It has a subgroup. Any undisplayed control instruction 262Y can be displayed via the video interface system 362 by replacing one or more of the displayed control instructions 262A-E with the invisible control instruction 262Y. .. When operating the pointer control interface system 360PNT, for example, to scroll the displayed control instruction 262A-E by one position to the left, the control instruction 262A may be scrolled to a position where it is not displayed. On the other hand, the invisible control instruction 262Y may be scrolled to the rightmost horizontal position 362HR of the video interface system 362.
0094In one embodiment, the navigation (or scrolling) speed can be increased by moving the user's hand from a first position to a second position on the pointer control interface system 360PNT. Here, the second position is farther away from the central portion 361 of the pointer control interface system 360PNT (shown in FIGS. 12A-B) than the first position. Navigation speed can also be reduced by moving the user's hand from the second position to the first position of the pointer control interface system 360PNT. That is, the navigation speed can be controlled, at least in part, based on the distance between the user's hand and the central portion 361 of the pointer control interface system 360PNT. Control instruction 262Y (and / or displayed system resource 110) operates the selected interface element 366V (shown in Figure 12A-B) of pointer control interface system 360PNT at the highlighted horizontal position 362HE of video interface system 362. Can be selected by.
0095An alternative embodiment of the menu system 262 is illustrated in FIG. 13B. The menu system included in the menu system 262 of FIG. 13B may, at least partially, be associated with and / or be separated from the menu system 262 of FIG. 13A. When supplied as part of the same hierarchical menu system, the menu system 262 of FIG. 13B can form a second selected menu level 365B of the menu system 262 of FIG. 13A. Supplied in connection with the first selected menu level 365A of the menu system 262 (A shown in FIG. 13) in the manner described above, the second selected menu level 365B provides a horizontal menu system. Shown to be prepared. The horizontal menu system contains a typical control instruction 262Y. A typical control instruction 262Y is arranged in a horizontal configuration and is associated with one or more selected system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions).
0096With reference to FIG. 13B, the second selected menu level 365B may be associated with selected entertainment content available via the information system 100, such as movie 262'. Therefore, the control instruction 262Y for the second selected menu level 365B can display different types (or disciplines) of movies. Typical control instructions 262Y include control instructions 262A that display dramatic movie content functions, control instructions 262B that display romantic movie content functions, control instructions 262C that display comedy movie content functions, and movie content functions for teens. Includes, without limitation, control instructions 262D to display and / or control instructions 262E to display action movie content features. Control instructions 262A-E are indicated to be placed at their respective horizontal positions 362H associated with the video interface system 362.
0097The pointer control interface system 360PNT can also be manipulated after it has been clarified to navigate within the various menu levels 365 of the menu system 262. For example, control instructions that allow you to operate the pointer control interface system 360PNT to navigate the first selected menu level 365A (shown in Figure 13A) and / or display entertainment (or ornamental) content features. 262B (shown in Figure 13A) can be selected and the information system 100 responds by displaying a second selected menu level 365B associated with the movie entertainment content via the video interface system 362. be able to. The pointer control interface system 360PNT is similarly operated to the second selected menu level 365B in the manner described above in relation to the navigation of the first selected menu level 365A (shown in FIG. 13A). You can navigate and / or select within control instructions 262A-E (and / or displayed system resources 110). In one embodiment, the menu system 262 may include one or more additional menu levels 365 associated with control instructions 262A-E of a second selected menu level 365B. Each additional menu level 365 may be supplied in the manner detailed above and / or any predetermined number and / or configuration control instructions 262Y that can be associated with any selected system resource 110. May include.
0098Additional and / or alternatives, the menu system 262 of FIG. 13C may include a menu system and / or a separate menu system that is at least partially associated with the menu system 262 of FIGS. 13A-B. Good. Supplied as part of the same hierarchical menu system, the menu system 262 of FIG. 13C can form a third selected menu level 365C of the menu system 262 of FIGS. 13A-B. A third selected menu level 365C is indicated to have a vertical menu system. The vertical menu system is typically arranged in a vertical configuration and associated with one or more selected system resources 110 (shown in Figure 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions). It has a control instruction 262Y. FIG. 13C shows that the third selected menu level 365C can be associated with selected entertainment content, such as music 262 , available via information system 100, for example. The selected menu level 365C control instruction 262Y can display different types (or disciplines) of music.
0099Different disciplines of music can be edited in any conventional manner, for example by artist, album, song title, and / or other music selection. As shown in FIG. 13C, the control instruction 262Y of the third selected menu level 365C can display music selections from the album "Brothers" by the artist "Black Keys". Typical control instructions 262Y are control instructions 262A that display a song titled "These Days", control instructions 262B that display a song titled "Everlasting Light", and "Next Girl". Control instruction 262C to display a song titled "Next Girl", control instruction 262D to display a song titled "Tighten Up", and / or "Howlin'For" Includes, without limitation, the control instruction 262E that displays the song titled "You)". The third selected menu level 365C can optionally display biographical information 262X about songs (and / or albums) such as album covers and / or cover notes. Control instructions 262A-E. It is shown to be placed in each vertical position 362L associated with the video interface system 362. Although shown and described as having a vertical menu system with typical control instructions 262A-E. , This is for illustration purposes only, and the third selected menu level 365C can be associated with any selected system resource 110 of any given number and / or configuration control instructions 262Y. May include.
0100Manipulate the pointer control interface system 360PNT after it has been clarified to navigate the control instructions 262A-E (and / or displayed system resource 110) of the third selected menu level 365C of menu system 262. Can be done. The navigation of the third selected menu level 365C is similar to the aspect detailed above in relation to the horizontal menu system (shown in Figure 13A), in any suitable operation of the pointer control interface system 360PNT. It may be executed via. Manipulating one or more directional interface elements 366W-Z of the pointer control interface system 360PNT to scroll the control instructions 262A-E vertically, for example, by one or more vertical positions 362V of the video interface system 362. Can be done. When at least one of the directional interface elements 366W, 366X is activated, the control instructions 262A-E can be scrolled up by one or more vertical positions 362V and / or the directional interface elements 366Y, 366Z. When at least one of the is activated, it can be scrolled down by one or more vertical positions 362V. Control instruction 262Y (and / or displayed system resource 110) operates the selected interface element 366V (shown in Figure 12A-B) of pointer control interface system 360PNT at the highlighted vertical position 362VE of video interface system 362. Can be selected by.
0101If the displayed control instructions 262A-E have a complete group of control instructions 262Y for the third selected menu level 365C of menu system 262, then the top vertical position 362VU of the video interface system 362. The control instruction 262Y displayed in can be moved to the vertical position 362VL at the bottom of the video interface system 362 when scrolling up the third selected menu level 365C. The control instruction 262Y displayed at the bottom vertical position 362VL can also be moved to the top vertical position 362VU when scrolling down.
0102Alternatively, the third selected menu level 365C provides other control instructions 262Y that are not displayed in the video interface system 362 in the manner detailed above in relation to the horizontal menu system (shown in FIG. 13A). It may be included. That is, the video interface system 362 cannot display all of the control instructions 262Y of the third selected menu level 365C at the same time, and / or the displayed control instructions 262A-E select the control instructions 262Y. It has a subgroup that has been created. Any undisplayed control instruction 262Y can be displayed via the video interface system 362 by replacing one or more of the displayed control instructions 262A-E with the invisible control instruction 262Y. .. When operating the pointer control interface system 360PNT, for example, to scroll the displayed control instruction 262A-E by one upward position, the control instruction 262A can be scrolled to the undisplayed position. On the other hand, the undisplayed control instruction 262Y can be scrolled to the horizontal position 362VL at the bottom of the video interface system 362.
0103As described in detail above, when the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system 360, the interface element 366 of the selected user interface system 360 may become clear in any conventional manner ( Or it may be emphasized in other ways). In connection with the user interface system 360 shown in FIGS. 2A-B, for example, the selected interface elements 366A, 366D extend from the user interface system 360 and engage the armrest cover 388B after being clarified. You may. FIG. 14A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 4A-F. The interface element 366 forms a matrix configuration 366 MAT with an electromechanical solenoid 400. When the user is away from the user interface system 360, the electromechanical solenoid 400 allows the interface element 366 to be obscured from view by retracting into the user interface system 360. And, after being clarified, it can be emphasized by extending from the user interface system 360. The user interface system 360 may thereby support the selected armrest 388 of the user's chair 382 through a wide variety of interactive control scenarios.
0104When placed on the selected armrest 388 of the user's chair 382, the interface element 366 is attached to the armrest cover 388B (shown in FIGS. 2A-B) in the manner detailed above in connection with the user interface system 360 (shown in FIGS. 2A-B). It can be placed adjacent to (shown in Figures 2A-B) and covered with an armrest cover 388B. The interface element 366 can thereby be selectively displayed by the user's chair 382 via the armrest cover 388B. When powered off (or idle), the solenoid 400 can be stowed within the user interface system 360. Thereby, the interface element 366 can be obscured from view by the armrest cover 388B. If the interface element 366 is obscured, the user's chair 382 has a normal appearance.
0105One or more interface elements 366 become apparent when the user's hands approach the user interface system 360. Solenoid 400 of clear interface element 366 is activated and waits for a user command in a standby state. When given a command (ie, when the operating mode is selected), each associated solenoid 400 extends from the user interface system 360 and has a raised protrusion (or step) 388C (shown in Figure 2B) above. It can be formed in the associated area of the armrest cover 388B by the method described in detail. The raised protrusion 388C produces a tactile sensation for controlling the selected mode of operation.
0106The electromechanical solenoid 400 is preferably designed to be raised and / or lowered based on automatic and / or manual commands. FIG. 14A also shows that the solenoid 400 may be equipped with a cap 410. Cap 410 can also incorporate capacitive touch sensors and / or light emitting diode (LED) luminaires. In one embodiment, approximately 25 solenoids 400 can be associated with each armrest 388. If desired, the cap 410 can be raised and / or illuminated. A matrix (or array) of light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be placed under the cap 410 and / or a set of four pico solenoids (not shown) may be placed under the cap 410 as needed. It may be raised and lowered.
0107In a preferred embodiment, the one or more solenoids 400 can be used in a number of different ways. One operating mode may include, for example, using the solenoid 400 as a capacitive touch sensor to detect the location of the user's hand. This mode of operation is sometimes referred to as the "hover" mode, which can be used to provide visual feedback through interaction design. Hover mode can also be used to provide mouse-like functionality. Another exemplary mode of operation of the solenoid 400 may include configuring the solenoid as a selector switch. Thereby, each solenoid 400 can be suppressed or released in order to detect a specific desired selection. That is, the solenoid 400 may be "clickable".
0108FIG. 14B shows a detailed view of the electromechanical solenoid 400. In one preferred embodiment, each solenoid 400 has at least one processing system (not shown), such as a microprocessor (μP), central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array. (FPGA) and / or any type of digital signal processor (DSP) may be included. If desired, the processing system can be shared between two or more solenoids 400. The operation of the solenoid 400 may thereby be supplied in a fully programmable and / or reconfigurable manner.
0109The user interface system 360 of FIGS. 14A-B may be supplied (or manufactured) in any conventional manner. A typical embodiment for manufacturing the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 14A-B is illustrated in relation to FIGS. 15A-K. With reference to FIG. 15A, the cap assembly 412 of the cap 410 is shown to include an illuminated capacitive touch sensor 414. The capacitive touch sensor 414 may be supplied in any suitable manner and may be placed on a printed circuit board (or PCB) 416 as shown in FIG. 15A. The printed circuit board 416 can be coupled to a second printed circuit board (or PCB) 418, as illustrated in FIG. 15B. The printed circuit boards 416, 418 can be coupled in any conventional manner, such as soldering, whereby the coupled printed circuit boards 416, 418 support the functionality of the illuminated capacitive touch sensor 414. Can be done. As illustrated in FIG. 15B, the second printed circuit board 418 is arranged perpendicular to the printed circuit board 416, whereby the printed circuit boards 416, 418 can form a T-shaped assembly.
0110FIG. 15C shows that the capacitive touch sensor 414 can be placed inside the cap cover 420. The cap cover 420 can be formed from any suitable transparent material and defines an internal passage 22 for receiving the capacitive touch sensor 414. When the capacitive touch sensor 414 is illuminated by the transparent material, the light emitted from the capacitive touch sensor 414 can pass through the cap cover 420. The cap cover 420 may optionally have a predetermined color selected from a plurality of colors and / or may also provide control instructions such as the function icon 367 (shown in FIG. 6B). The function icon 367 displays the preselected control function associated with the selected interface element 366 when the selected interface element 366 is activated. The light emitted from the capacitive touch sensor 414 can thereby be displayed with a predetermined color. In one embodiment, the conductive ring 422 may be placed around the periphery of the cap cover 420 shown in FIG. 15D. The conductive ring 422 can be formed from any suitable conductive material such as copper or any other metal. The conductive ring 422 preferably electrically communicates with at least one of the printed circuit boards 416, 418.
0111The slider module 430 is shown in Figure 15E. The slider module 430 of FIG. 15E includes opposing end regions 432, 434 and defines a central passage 436. Opposing end regions 432, 434 can communicate via the central passage 436. The central passage 436 adjacent to the end region 432 may be adapted to receive the cap assembly 412. Thereby, the printed circuit boards 416, 418 are arranged in the central passage 436, and the cap cover 420 extends from the end region 432 of the slider module 430, as illustrated in FIG. 15E. As shown in FIG. 15F, the central passage 436 adjacent to the end region 434 may be adapted to receive the actuator assembly 440. When the actuator assembly 440 is properly placed in the central passage 436, the control interface 442 of the actuator assembly 440 may extend from the end region 434 of the slider module 430. FIG. 15G shows that the module cover plate 438 may optionally be combined with the slider module 430 to include the cap assembly 412 and actuator assembly 440 within the slider module 430 to form the interface element 366.
0112With reference to FIG. 15H, the rack assembly 450 of the user interface system 360 is shown to have a predetermined area 454 defining a plurality of openings 452 for receiving a plurality of interface elements 366 (shown in FIG. 15G). The plurality of openings 452 are preferably supplied in an array (or matrix) configuration, such as an array (or matrix) configuration 366MAT (shown in FIGS. 4A-F). The size and number of openings 452, the spacing between adjacent openings, the orientation of openings 452 in relation to a given axis of rack assembly 450, and / or other properties of given area 454 are related to array configuration 366MAT. It may be supplied in the manner described above. As shown in FIG. 15I, the interface element 366 of FIG. 15G can be placed within one or more openings 452 defined by the rack assembly 450 and is the interface detailed above in relation to FIGS. 4A-E. Form an array configuration of element 366, 366 MAT.
0113The rack assembly 450 is preferably made of metal or other conductive material to limit any electrical interference that can occur between the mounted interface elements 366. The capacitive touch sensor 414 of the mounted interface element 366 is shown to be placed adjacent (and / or flush with) the interface surface 456 of the rack assembly 450. To assist in the protection of the capacitive touch sensor 414, an optional protective cover (and / or coating) 460 can be applied to the interface surface 456 load of the rack assembly 450, as illustrated in Figure 15J. The protective cover 460 is preferably made of a material such as plastic that does not adversely affect the function of the capacitive touch sensor 414.
0114The rack assembly 450 with the onboard interface element 366 can be placed on the base structure 460 as shown in Figure 15K. That is, the rack assembly 450 can be coupled to the base structure 460. As illustrated in FIG. 15K, the control interface 442 of the actuator assembly 440 of each mounted interface element 366 communicates with the base structure 460. Once the user interface system 360 becomes clear, the actuator assembly 440 of the interface element 366 selected and mounted can be activated and extended by a predetermined distance. In one embodiment, one or more activated actuator assemblies 440 can extend to the full length of the activated actuator assembly 440. The other activated actuator assembly 440 can extend to a predetermined percentage of the overall length. The capacitive touch sensor 414 of the clear interface element 366 can thereby extend from the rack assembly 450 by a predetermined distance, eg, the predetermined distance described above in relation to FIGS. 2A-B.
0115Alternatively and / or additionally, interface element 366 of one or more user interface systems 360 may be supplied as a virtual control element. The user interface system 360 can be placed in the user's chair 382 in any of the embodiments detailed above. In any of the embodiments detailed above, the interface element 366 of the selected user interface system 360 becomes clear (or otherwise highlighted) when the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system 360. )be able to. In one embodiment, the interface element 366 can be projected onto one or more selected locations on the user's chair 382.
0116The operating environment of the information system 100 may include a projection system 500 for projecting interface element 366 onto a selected location on the user's chair 382, such as a pico projection system, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 16A. Good. Interface element 366 can thereby be displayed as a virtual control element at a selected location on the user's chair 382. Typical locations where virtual control elements can be projected are equipped on the selected armrests 388, both armrests 388, and / or the chair backrest 386 (shown in Figure 1) and / or the selected armrests 388. Includes, but is not limited to, tray tables. If desired, the projection system 500 projects one projector and / or selected interface element 366 to multiple locations on the user's chair 382, respectively, to project the selected interface element 366 to multiple locations on the user's chair 382. It may include multiple projectors for projecting to the location of. The selected location of the user's chair 382 may be associated with one or more projectors.
0117The projection system 500 can be placed on the user's chair 382 and / or on a wall, floor, ceiling, adjacent user's chair, and / or any other suitable location within the operating environment. Thereby, the projection system 500 can project the interface element 366 onto a selected location on the user's chair 382. The illustrated projection system and the installation location of the projection system are described above, filed on October 4, 2010 under the title "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTING WITH INFORMATION SYSTEMS". It is described in US Patent Application No. 12 / 897,589, which is a co-pending application referenced. This application is assigned to the assignee of this application, and the entire content and purpose of the disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference.
0118Referring to FIG. 16A, for example, the projection system 500 is illustrated to project multiple interface elements 366 onto selected armrests 388 of the user's chair 382. The selected armrest 388 may include an armrest cover 388B, and the projection system 500 may project interface element 366 onto the armrest cover 388B of the user's chair 382. In the aforementioned aspect, in connection with FIGS. 2A-B, the armrest cover 388B comprises an area (and / or surface) of the armrest 388 on which the arm rests when the user is seated in the user's chair 382. You may. The armrest cover 388B is preferably supplied in a manner that allows (and / or facilitates) the display of interface element 366 as a virtual control element. The material forming the armrest cover 388B may be the same as or different from the material covering the other chair parts of the user's chair 382.
0119The projection system 500 may optionally project the viewing content 210 (shown in Figures 22A-B) onto any other location (and / or outside) on the selected armrest 388 and / or the user's chair 382. it can. Thereby, the projected ornamental content 210 is associated with the video interface system 362 (shown in Figure 6A), the touch display system 200'(shown in Figure 22A-B), and / or the personal media device 200 (shown in Figure 26B). And can be displayed in the manner described above. The projection system 500 can, for example, project the ornamental content 210 onto a user-provided book or other item. When used with one or more video interface systems 362, by projection of the touch display system 200'and / or personal media device 200, ornamental content 210, advantageously in the manner described in connection with FIG. 22B. , The user can multitask.
0120In one embodiment, the armrest 388 of the user's chair 382 is a proximity sensor (not shown) such as a capacitive sensor system and / or a touch film interface system (or layer) in the manner described above in connection with FIG. ) 510 may be included. The touch film interface system 510 may form, for example, the armrest cover 388B. Alternatively, the armrest cover 388B can also cover the touch film interface system 510 so that the touch film interface system 510 is located within the armrest 388 and obscured by the armrest cover 388B. The touch film interface system 510 can be formed by adhering, adhering, or otherwise sticking to an armrest 388 of choice. Although the touch film interface system 510 may have any predetermined dimensions, the touch film interface system 510 preferably follows the shape of the selected armrest 388 and / or the interface elements of the user interface system 360. Provide appropriate predetermined dimensions to provide.
0121The projection system 500 is adapted during operation and when the user's hand approaches and approaches the armrest cover 388B, the interface element 366 of the user interface system 360 is selected for the armrest 388 armrest cover 388B (and / or touch film interface system). It can be projected on 510). That is, the projection system 500 does not project the interface element 366 onto the armrest cover 388B when the user is away from the user interface system 360. The user interface system 360 is thereby obscured (or not otherwise highlighted) and / or when the user interface system 360 is not used in the manner detailed above, the user chair 382 is normal. It looks like a chair. When the user desires to use the user interface system 360, the projection system 500 can project one or more interface elements 366 of the user interface system 360 onto the armrest cover 388B. The user interface system 360 is thereby made clear (or otherwise highlighted) in the user's chair 382.
0122The projected interface element 366 can be mapped to the corresponding area of the armrest cover 388B. That is, each projected interface element 366 can be associated with a corresponding area of armrest cover 388B. Thereby, when the user's hand is adjacent to the corresponding area of the armrest cover 388B, the touch film interface system 510 senses the user's hand. Thereby, the user manipulates the associated projected interface element 366 to manipulate one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated one or more) available by the information system 100. Can interact with resource functions). In the embodiments described above, the projected interface element 366 can be displayed in any conventional embodiment, eg, by one or more conventional pushbuttons. The touch film interface system 510 can advantageously detect the user's hand before it actually touches the projected interface element 366. By using the touch film interface system 510, the user interface system 360 can be activated before the projected interface element 366 is actually touched. In the embodiments described above in connection with the user interface system 360 (shown in FIGS. 2A-B), the user interface system 360 can be configured with any size (and / or dimensions) and / or shape (and / or form), for example. It has characteristics and can be projected. Interface element 366 can also be projected with any suitable properties. Typical properties of interface element 366 include quantity, size, shape, spacing, and / or configuration of interface element 366. The properties of the user interface system 360 and / or interface element 366 are preferably utilized by at least the location, size and / or shape of the location, and / or information system 100 on which the user interface system 360 of the user's chair 382 is projected. Based on one or more types of control interfaces suitable for interacting with one or more possible system resources 110 (and / or associated one or more resource functions). The projector system 500 is preferably capable of projecting one or more user interface systems 360, shown and described in connection with FIG. 2-13, onto the user's chair 382. In one embodiment, the projected user interface system 360 may include, without limitation, conventional keyboard systems such as QWERTY keyboards, telephone keyboards, calculator keyboards and the like. The size (and / or dimensions) of the keyboard system can be based, at least in part, on the size (and / or dimensions) of the chair location on which the keyboard system is projected.
0123Additional and / or alternative, the operating environment of the information system 100 may include the projection system 500 and the camera system 520 shown in FIG. 16B. With reference to FIG. 16B, the projection system 500 can also be supplied in the manner described above in connection with the projection system 500 (shown in FIG. 16A), providing the user interface system 360 in one or more locations, eg, the user. It can be projected onto the selected armrest 388 of chair 382. The camera system 520 can detect the presence of the user and / or the user's interaction with the user interface system 360. Thereby, the user chair 382 advantageously does not require a special storage device to provide the user interface system 360. The user's chair 382 preferably provides the armrest cover 388B in a manner that can be displayed (and / or facilitated) as a virtual control element as described above. The projection system 500 can optionally project the user interface system 360 onto any surface, including the outer surface of the user's chair 382. The user interface system 360 can be projected onto, for example, a user-provided book or other item.
0124In the aspects described above in connection with the projection system 500 (shown in FIG. 16A), the projection system 500 is adapted to provide interface element 366 of the user interface system 360 as the user's hand approaches and approaches the armrest cover 388B. It can be projected onto the armrest cover 388B of the user's chair 382. That is, the projection system 500 does not project the interface element 366 onto the armrest cover 388B when the user is away from the user interface system 360. The user interface system 360 can be obscured (or not otherwise highlighted), and / or the user's chair 382 can look like a normal chair when not using the user interface system 360. it can. When the user wishes to use the user interface system 360, the projection system 500 can project one or more interface elements 366 of the user interface system 360 onto the armrest cover 388B. The user interface system 360 can thereby be made clear (or otherwise highlighted) in the user's chair 382.
0125The camera system 520 is a camera for detecting the presence of the user and / or the user's interaction with the selected interface element 366 at multiple locations in the user's chair 382, and / or at each location in the user's chair 382. It may include a plurality of cameras for detecting the user's interaction with the selected interface element 366. The selected location of the user's chair 382 may be associated with one or more cameras. The camera system 520 can be mounted in the same manner as the mode for mounting the projection system 500 described above. The camera system 520 can be placed, for example, in the user's chair 382 and / or walls, floors, ceilings, adjacent user's chairs, and / or any other suitable location within the operating environment. Thereby, the camera system 520 can detect the presence of the user and / or the user's interaction with the interface element 366 at the selected location of the user's chair 382.
0126The projected interface element 366 can also be mapped to the corresponding area of the armrest cover 388B. That is, each projected interface element 366 may be associated with the corresponding area of the armrest cover 388B. Thereby, the camera system 520 detects the user's hand when the user's hand is adjacent to the corresponding area of the armrest cover 388B. Thereby, the user manipulates the associated projected interface element 366 to manipulate one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated one or more resources) available by the information system 100. Can interact with (function). In the embodiments described above, the projected interface element 366 can be displayed in any conventional embodiment, eg, via one or more conventional pushbuttons. The camera system 520 can optionally detect the user's hand before actually touching the projected interface element 366. In other words, the camera system 520 can activate the user interface system 360 before it actually comes into contact with the projected interface element 366.
0127Advantageously, the user interface system 360 can be supplied to the user's chair 382 in a dynamic manner. That is, the choice of interface element 366 that can be clarified (or otherwise emphasized) can be changed according to the stimulus selected as the user approaches and approaches the user interface system 360. .. With reference to FIG. 17A, for example, the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 4A-B is shown to include a matrix 366MAT of interface elements 366. In the manner described above in connection with the matrix 366MAT (shown in FIGS. 4A-F and 5A), the matrix 366MAT can define a rectangular grid 366GRD of the selected interface element 366. The selected interface element 366 can be manifested as the emphasized interface element 366 APP when the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system 360. The first set of highlighted interface elements 366APP is illustrated to be supplied as boundary interface element 366BND. Boundary interface element 366BND defines a boundary surrounding a second set of interface element 366APP that is at least partially emphasized.
0128If one or more highlighted interface elements 366APP associated with a rectangular grid 366GRD become unavailable, the user interface system 360 will use the rectangular grid 366GRD to avoid the unavailable highlighted interface element 366APP. The position of can be adjusted within the matrix 366MAT. Unavailable The highlighted interface element 366APP can be unavailable for a number of reasons. Unavailable The highlighted interface element 366APP may become unavailable, for example, by entering failure mode.
0129As illustrated in FIG. 17B, the unavailable highlighted interface element 366 APP is shown to be disturbed by a foreign body 600, eg, a beverage container placed on a selected armrest 388. The user interface system 360 is shown to adjust the position of the rectangular grid 366GRD to the other interface elements 366 in the matrix 366MAT to avoid the use of the unavailable interface element 366 interfered with by the foreign object 600. Although shown to provide unidirectional translation, this is for illustration purposes only and the user interface system 360 positions the rectangular grid 366GRD within the matrix 366MAT in any conventional aspect. Can be adjusted dynamically with. Any conventional embodiment includes translation in two or more dimensions and / or rotations. In one embodiment, the rectangular grid 366GRD can also be supplied in a user interface system 360 located at an alternative location on the user's chair 382. Additional and / or alternatives, the rectangular grid 366GRD can be returned to its original position on the matrix 366MAT if the unavailable highlighted interface element 366APP becomes available again.
0130In one embodiment, the user can determine the position of the rectangular grid 366GRD. The user can determine, for example, the position of the rectangular grid 366GRD by manipulating the selected interface element 366 in the matrix 366MAT. The user interface system can identify the selected interface element 366 as a basis for the reason for locating the rectangular grid 366GRD. The selected interface element 366 can provide, for example, the center point of the rectangular grid 366GRD. Thereby, the rectangular grid 366GRD is formed via one or more interface elements 366 arranged around the selected interface element 366.
0131As described above, the user interface system 360 disclosed herein can be used in a wide range of system applications. 18A-B illustrate another alternative embodiment of the user's chair of FIG. The user interface system 360 can provide a chair control interface. The chair control interface controls the features of one or more chairs of the user's chair 382 that can be placed anywhere in the user's chair 382. Typical chair features that can be controlled via the user interface system include footrest adjustment, lumbar support adjustment, (manual and / or electric) chair position adjustment, chair built-in massage control, chair built-in temperature control, and / Alternatively, other conventional chair features may be included without limitation. Common chair position adjustments include adjustable headrests, armrests, footrests, lumbar support, chair back angle, front / rear / lateral chair position, up / down chair lift, and / or chair rotation. It may be included without limitation.
0132With reference to FIG. 18A, for example, the user interface system 360 is shown to supply the selected armrest 388. The user interface system 360 is shown to include four interface elements 366R-U associated with each representative chair feature of the user's chair 382. Interface element 366R may be associated with selected chair communication functions such as selected passenger support service (PSS) functions. The selected Passenger Support Service (PSS) function is, for example, a crew call function when the user's chair 382 is located on the passenger car 390 (shown in FIGS. 24A-B). Interface element 366S is shown associated with chair lighting control functions such as chair lighting on / off control. On the other hand, the interface element 366T may be associated with the chair volume control function. Interface element 366U may be associated with a chair position adjustment control function for controlling the chair back angle (and / or reclining) function for the user's chair 382.
0133Interface element 366R-U of user interface system 360 may be supplied as interface element 366OBS that is not highlighted when the user is away from user interface system 360. When the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360, the interface element 366R-U may become the interface element 366APP highlighted in the manner detailed above, as shown in FIG. 18B. Interface elements 366R-U may be manipulated after clarification to control the characteristic functions of each chair, observably highlighted in armrests 388 selected in the embodiments described above in connection with FIGS. 2A-B. May be done.
0134As illustrated in FIG. 18B, for example, interface element 366R-U may be observably highlighted by displaying the associated function icon 367R-U. The user interface system 360 advantageously allows the user to control the feature features of the selected chair. The four interface elements 366R-U are shown and described to have a specific configuration that controls the feature function of the selected chair and is placed on the selected armrest 388, but this is only an example. As intended, the user interface system 360 may include any preselected number and / or configuration of interface elements 366 to control any conventional one or more chair functions. , Can be placed as needed in any suitable location on the user's chair 382.
0135An alternative user interface system 360 for controlling selected chair functions is shown in Figures 19A-B. With reference to Figure 19A, the user interface system 360 is shown to be supplied to the selected armrest 388, and the seven interface elements 366R, 366S1 associated with each typical chair feature of the user's chair 382. Shown to include / 2, 366T1 / 2, 366U1 / 2. In the embodiments described above in connection with FIGS. 18A-B, interface element 366R may be associated with the selected chair communication function. Other typical chair features may advantageously be controlled by each pair of interface elements 366S1 / 2, 366T1 / 2, and 366U1 / 2. In other words, interface elements 366R, 366S1 / 2, 366T1 / 2, 366U1 / 2 can provide additional control functionality to a single interface element 366S, 366T, 366U (shown in Figures 18A-B), respectively. it can.
0136The interface element 366S1 / 2 exemplified to be associated with the chair lighting control function is, for example, the brightness of the chair lighting, in contrast to the chair lighting on / off control which may be provided by the interface element 366S. Incremental up / down control over (or brightness) may be provided. Alternatively, interface element 366S1 may provide chair lighting on / off control. On the other hand, the interface element 366S2 may provide incremental up / down control over the brightness of the illumination. Interface elements 366T1 and 366T2 are shown associated with the chair volume control function. Interface element 366T may be provided with on / off control of chair volume. On the other hand, interface element 366S1 / 2 may provide incremental up / down control over chair volume. Interface elements 366U1 and 366U2 are shown associated with the chair position adjustment control function. When associated with the chair back angle (and / or reclining) function of the user's chair 382, for example, interface element 366U1 as opposed to chair back up / down control which may be provided by interface element 366U. / 2 may provide incremental up / down control over the backrest angle of the chair.
0137Interface elements 366R, 366S1 / 2, 366T1 / 2, 366U1 / 2 of the user interface system 360 are supplied as interface element 366OBS which is not highlighted in the manner detailed above when the user is away from the user interface system 360. You may. When the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360, the interface elements 366R, 366S1 / 2, 366T1 / 2, and 366U1 / 2 may become the highlighted interface element 366APP shown in FIG. 19B. Interface elements 366R, 366S1 / 2, 366T1 / 2, 366U1 / 2 may be manipulated after clarification to control the characteristic functions of each chair, in the manner described above in connection with FIGS. 2A-B. It may be observably emphasized on the armrest 388.
0138As illustrated in FIG. 19B, for example, interface elements 366R, 366S1 / 2, 366T1 / 2, 366U1 / 2 may be observably highlighted by displaying the associated function icon 367R-U. The user interface system 360 advantageously allows the user to control the feature features of the selected chair. The seven interface elements 366R, 366S1 / 2, 366T1 / 2, and 366U1 / 2 are shown to control the feature features of the selected chair and have a specific configuration that is placed on the selected armrest 388. As described, this is for illustration purposes only, and the user interface system 360 is intended to control any conventional one or more chair functions with any preselected number and / or Interface elements 366 of the configuration may be provided and can be placed at any suitable location on the user's chair 382 as needed.
0139Figure 20A-B shows that the user interface system 360 may include one or more (track) touchpad systems 366TCH. In other words, the interface element 366 of one or more user interface systems 360 may be supplied as the touchpad system 366 TCH. With reference to FIG. 20A, the user interface system 360 is located on the selected armrest 388 of the user's chair 382 and is shown to include the touchpad system 366 TCH. The touchpad system 366 TCH may be supplied in any conventional manner and may be arranged adjacent to one or more other interface elements 366. One or more other interface elements 366 are one or more array configurations 366MAT1 and 366MAT2 of interface element 366, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 20A. The first and second array configurations 366MAT1, 366MAT2 are described above in connection with interface elements 366 of any number and / or configuration, eg, array configuration 366MAT of interface element 366 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-F). It may be provided in the manner detailed in.
0140In one embodiment, the one or more touchpad systems 366TCH may be supplied as a touch screen display system. The touch screen display system may be supplied in any conventional manner, advantageously showing the control functionality of the touch pad system 366 TCH to the video interface system 362 (shown in FIG. 6A) and / or the touch display system 200'(shown in FIG. 6A). It may be combined with the video display functionality (shown in FIGS. 22A-B). The user interface system 360 may optionally support drag viewing content 210 from among the touch screen display system, video interface system 362, and / or touch display system 200'. For example, the video interface system 362 may provide a large viewable area in connection with the touch screen display system. Thereby, the "screen enlargement" effect may be provided by displaying the ornamental content 210 dragged from the touch screen display system. Additional and / or alternatives, the ornamental content 210 displayed by the video interface system 362, such as entertainment content, may be dragged onto the touch screen display system for display.
0141The touch screen display system advantageously has private interaction with one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the information system 100. May be supported. A typical private exchange is the entry (or viewing) of personal information, credit card numbers, personal identification numbers (PINs), transaction information, or any other sensitive information that the user may wish to enter (or view) privately. ) May be included. In one embodiment, the touch screen display system may be detachably coupled to the user's seat 382. Thereby, for example, the touch screen display system can be removed from the user's seat 382 for closer viewing of the small ornamental content 210 and / or for ease of playing the game via the touch screen display system. The touch screen display system may optionally be rotatably combined with the user's seat 382. Thereby, the touch screen display system is rotated to an appropriate angle in relation to the user's chair 382, facilitating the use of the touch screen display system. When the touch screen display system presents a conventional keyboard system, for example, the touch screen display system can be rotated to display the keyboard system for easy typing.
0142The interface element 366 of the touchpad system 366 TCH and any other user interface system 360 may be supplied as an unemphasized interface element 366 OBS in the manner detailed above when the user is away from the user interface system 360. Good. When the user's hand approaches the user interface system 360, the touchpad system 366 TCH and any other interface element 366 may be the highlighted interface element 366 APP shown in FIG. 20B. The touchpad system 366 TCH and any other interface element 366 may be observably highlighted after clarification, and one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and shown in FIG. 1) available by the information system 100. / Or may be manipulated to interact with one or more associated resource functions) in the manner described above.
014321A-B illustrate alternative embodiments of the user's chair of FIG. The left user interface system 360L located on the left armrest 388L of the user chair 382 is different from the right user interface system 360R located on the right armrest 388R of the user chair 382. With reference to FIG. 21A, the user interface system 360 may be supplied in the manner described above in connection with the user interface system 360 (shown in FIG. 3). The user interface system 360 includes the user interface system 360L on the left and the user interface system 360R on the right. The user interface system 360L on the left is shown to include a first plurality of interface elements 366H and a second plurality of interface elements 366I. The first plurality of interface elements 366H may be supplied as interface elements 366 for controlling any conventional one or more chair functions in the embodiments described above in FIGS. 18A-B and 19A-B. .. On the other hand, the second plurality of interface elements 366H may be supplied as a game D pad in the manner detailed above in FIGS. 10A-B. The right user interface system 360R is shown to include the touchpad system 366TCH and a plurality of other interface elements 366 in the manner described in connection with FIGS. 20A-B, in contrast to the left user interface system 360L.
0144The interface elements 366 of the respective user interface systems 360L, 360R may be supplied as unemphasized interface elements 366OBS in the manner detailed above when the user is away from the user interface system 360. When the user's hand approaches and approaches the user interface system 360, one or more selected interface elements 366 of each user interface system 360L, 360R may become the highlighted interface element 366 APP shown in FIG. 21B. Good. The selected interface element 366, after being clarified, is observably highlighted and one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated) (and / or associated) available by the information system 100. It may be manipulated to interact with the resource function of) in the manner described above.
0145With reference to FIG. 22A, the user's seat 382 can be adapted and advantageously used with a seat-based video interface system, such as the touch display system 200'. The touch display system 200', which generally has a smaller size (and / or dimensions) than the conventional video interface system 362 (shown in Figure 22B), is an alternative and / or additional with the information system 100. An interface system may be provided to enhance user interaction. The touch display system 200'is shown in FIG. 22A to be coupled to the user's seat 382 via the support arm 205. The support arm 205 may be supplied in any conventional manner, preferably allowing the position of the touch display system 200'to be adjusted.
0146In one embodiment, the support arm 205 can accommodate the touch display system 200'when the touch display system 200' is not in use. In FIG. 22A, the support arm 205 is shown associated with the left armrest 388L of the user's seat 382, but this is for illustration purposes only and the support arm 205 is the right armrest 388R of the user's seat 382. Alternatively, it may be associated with any other suitable area. The touch display system 200'may be coupled to the user's seat 382 in any conventional manner. In one embodiment, the touch display system 200'can be placed (or incorporated) in a selected location, eg, on the armrest 388 of the user's seat 382. When incorporated into a selected location on the user's seat 382, the outer surface of the touch display system 200'is preferably adjacent (and / or flush with) the chair cover at the selected location. ) Placed.
0147The touch display system 200'may be supplied in any conventional manner as shown in FIG. 22A. The touch display system 200'is preferably supplied as a personal (or portable) media device 200. The personal media device 200 may be supplied by the operator of the information system 100 and / or the user of the information system 100. If desired, the personal media device 200 may be detachably coupled to the support arm 205. Thereby, the user can place the personally owned personal media device 200 on the support arm 205 when arriving at the user's seat 382 and remove the personal media device 200 when leaving the user's seat 382. Can be done. Alternatively and / or additionally, the operator-owned personal media device 200 is secured and coupled to the support arm 205 to prevent theft, and / or detachably coupled to the support arm 205 for repair and maintenance. , And / or can be easily replaced.
0148In the aforementioned aspects relating to the touch screen display system described in connection with FIGS. 20A-B, the touch display system 200'is advantageously detachably coupled to the user's seat 382. The touch display system 200'supports private interaction with one or more system resources 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions) available by the information system 100. A typical private exchange is the entry (or viewing) of personal information, credit card numbers, personal identification numbers (PINs), transaction information, or any other sensitive information that the user may wish to enter (or view) privately. ) May be included. The touch display system 200'can also be removed from the user's seat for closer viewing of the small ornamental content 210.
0149In one embodiment, the touch display system 200'may include one video interface system for the user interface system 360. Alternatively, the touch display system 200'may provide a secondary video interface system for the user interface system 360 or may be used in conjunction with the video interface system 362 (shown in FIG. 6A). As shown in FIG. 22B, for example, when the video interface system 362 displays the ornamental content 210 supplied by the information system 100, the touch display system 200'is adapted and the other ornamental content 210, eg, the user inputs. Information may be displayed. That is, the touch display system 200'advantageously allows the user to multitask. User information may be entered, for example, via one or more highlighted interface elements 366APP and / or via the touch display system 200'.
0150In an entertainment environment, entertainment content, such as movies or the Internet, may be displayed via video interface system 362 and / or audio interface system 364 (shown in FIGS. 26A-B). On the other hand, the touch display system 200'can be used to order food and / or drinks. The interaction with the touch display system 200'can be supported in the same manner as described above in connection with the interaction with the user interface system 360. For example, with the touch display system 200', users can use one or more system resources 110 (shown in Figure 1) (and / or associated one or more resource functions) and simple conventional ones available by the information system 100. You can interact with gestures. This simple conventional gesture is described above in connection with the pointer control interface system 360PNT (shown in Figures 12A-D) using one hand (or one finger) and / or both hands (or two fingers). It is carried out in the above-mentioned manner.
0151FIG. 22B illustrates a video display 240 of a touch display system 200'displaying a keyboard 242 for entering user information. In one embodiment, the keyboard 242 may include a touch keyboard, thereby typing a character or other sign, pressing the relevant key on the keyboard 242 as shown by the touch display system 200'. Can be done by. Additionally and / or alternatives, the individual keys of the keyboard 242 displayed on the touch display system 200'may be mapped to one or more selected interface elements 366 of the user interface system 360. The selected interface element 366 is preferably placed on both armrests 388 of the user's chair 382. Thereby, the interface element 366 may be manipulated after it has been highlighted to type characters or other codes through the displayed keyboard 242. The typed characters or other codes may optionally be displayed via the touch display system 200'.
0152If necessary, the touch display system 200'may be adapted in the same manner to display the ornamental content 210 supplied by the information system 100. If the video interface system 362 is configured to display entertainment content, such as social network content, internet content, or movie (or television) content, for example, using the touch display system 200', electronically. You can write email messages and / or order food. Although shown and described in connection with FIG. 22B to display a touch keyboard for entering user information, the touch display system 200'may allow the user to enter user information. Any conventional embodiment includes aspects via one or more menu systems 262 (shown in FIG. 3B) and / or graphic icons.
0153In an alternative embodiment, the touch display system 200'may advantageously support idle mode. As a result, the video display 240 of the touch display system 200'is darkened when the touch display system 200' is not in use. The touch display system 200'may darken the video display 240 as soon as it detects that the user has already left the touch display system 200'and / or a predetermined time elapses before darkening the video display 240. You may allow that. That is, in the manner described above in connection with the interface element 366 of the user interface system 360, the ornamental content displayed by the video display 240 when the user is away from the touch display system 200'(and / or the user interface system 360). The 210 may be obscured (or not otherwise highlighted) from view and become clear (or as the user (and / or the user's hand) when approaching and approaching the touch display system 200'. It may be emphasized in other ways).
0154The video display 240 may be obscured, for example, by sensing the user's hand moving away from (and / or away from) the video display 240. Alternatively and / or additionally, the video display 240 may obscure the video display 240 after a predetermined period of time has passed since the user's hand was released. The predetermined period may be any predetermined range of time, eg, any 10 second range between 10 seconds and 60 seconds (or more).
0155A typical storable keyboard system 244 of the user interface system 360 is shown in Figures 23A-B. Preferably, the keyboard system 244 with the touch keyboard system becomes clear (and / or remains clear) while the user indicates his or her desire to use the keyboard system 244 (and / or the user interface system 360). Good. Advantageously, the keyboard system 244 may be obscured (or otherwise unemphasized) from view when the use of the keyboard system 244 is not desired. Referring to FIG. 23A, for example, keyboard system 244 may be supplied to selected armrests 388 in the user's seat. The selected armrest 388 may form a keyboard containment compartment 246 to receive the keyboard system 244 or may provide a deployment system (not shown). The keyboard system 244 can thereby be deployed and used from the keyboard containment compartment 246, as shown in FIG. 23A. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 23B, when the use is finished, it can be stored in the keyboard storage compartment 246. The keyboard system 244 is preferably obscured from view when placed within the keyboard containment compartment 246.
0156The user's chair 382 is suitable for use with an information system 100 located in a fixed location, such as a building, office, or school, but the user's chair 382 is similarly, advantageously movable. It can be applied in system applications. With reference to FIGS. 24A-B, for example, a user's chair 382 can be configured to be mounted on a wide variety of passenger cars 390 and to communicate with the vehicle information system 300 mounted on the passenger car 390. Typical types of passenger cars 390 are automobiles 390A (shown in Figure 24A), aircraft 390B (shown in Figure 24B), buses, RV cars, passenger ships or ferries, and / or passenger trains, or any other type of passenger car. May be included without limitation. As illustrated in FIG. 24B, when the vehicle information system 300 is mounted on an aircraft 390B, for example, a conventional in-flight entertainment system for aircraft passengers, such as the Series 2000, 3000, eFX, and / or eX2. It may be equipped with an in-flight entertainment system. These series are from Panasonic Avionics in Lake Forest, California. Manufactured by Corporation (renamed from Matsushita Avionics System Corporation).
0157As shown in FIGS. 24A-B, the vehicle information system 300 comprises at least one conventional content source 310 and one or more user (or passenger) interface systems 360 communicating via the real-time content distribution system 320. Each Content Source 310 may be supplied in the manner described in the following concurrent application, a US patent application. US Patent Application No. 10 / 772,565 filed February 4, 2004 under the title "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOWNLOADING FILES"; "To manage content on mobile platforms US Patent Application No. 11 / 123,327 filed May 6, 2005 under the title "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING CONTENT ON MOBILE PLATFORMS"; PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE AND US Pat. No. 11,154,749, filed June 15, 2005 under the title "METI FOR PRESENTING VIEWING CONTENT DURING TRAVEL"; "Systems and methods for receiving broadcast content on mobile platforms during international travel." (SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING BROADCAST CONTENT ON A MOBILE PLATFORM DURING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL), filed on November 7, 2005, US Patent Application No. 11 / 269,378; SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING A PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE WITH A VEHICLE INFORMATION US Patent Application No. 12 / 210,624 filed on September 15, 2008 under the title "SYSTEM"; entitled "PORTABLE USER CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS" US Patent Application No. 12 / 210,689 filed on September 15, 2008 under the title; "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING BROADCAST CONTENT ON A MOBILE" US Patent Application No. 12 / 237,253, filed September 24, 2008, entitled "PLATFORM DURING TRAVEL"; and "SYSTEM AND METHOD for receiving advertising content on mobile platforms while traveling." FORPRESENTING ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT ON A MOBILE PLATFORM DURING TRAVEL) , US Patent Application No. 12 / 245,521 filed on October 3, 2008. These applications are assigned to the assignee of this application and the entire content and purpose of the disclosure of each application is incorporated herein by reference.
0158The ornamental content 210, available through the content source 310, is any conventional type of audio and / or ornamental content, such as standard (or ornamental content), live (or real-time) ornamental content, and / or interactive ornamental content. May be provided in the manner described in the US patent application of the co-pending application referred to above. The US patent application for concurrent applications referenced above is US Patent Application No. 10 / 772,565 filed on February 4, 2004 under the title "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOUNLOADING FILES". Issue; "PORTABLE Media DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING VIEWING CONTENT DURING US Patent Application No. 11 / 154,749, filed June 15, 2005 under the title "TRAVEL"; and "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR for receiving broadcast content on mobile platforms during international travel." RECEIVING BROADCAST CONTENT ON A MOBILE PLATFORM DURING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL) is the US patent application No. 11 / 269,378 filed on November 7, 2005. Typical ornamental content 210 is not limited to text messages, email (or email), TV show content, music content, podcast content, photo album content, audio book content, movie content, and / or game content. It may be included.
0159If desired, the viewing content 210 may include US Pat. No. 6,661,353, entitled "METHOD FOR DISPLAYING INTERACTIVE FLIGHT MAP INFORMATION," and / or "Passenger Car Travel Routes." In US Patent Application Agent Reference No. 700546.4065 for a co-pending application filed on October 2, 2009 under the title "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING A TRAVEL ROUTE OF A PASSENGER VEHICLE". Map information may be included in the embodiments described. These applications are assigned to the assignee of this application and the entire content and purpose of the disclosure of each application is incorporated herein by reference. The representative ornamental content shown and described in the present specification is not exhaustive and is provided in the present specification for the purpose of illustration only, and is not intended to be limited.
0160The content source 310 may include one or more internal content sources, such as a server system 310A mounted on the vehicle 390 and / or a remote (or terrestrial) content source 310B that may be external to the vehicle 390. The server system 310A has the vehicle information system 300 and / or at least one medium for storing the pre-programmed content and / or the downloaded ornamental content 210D, as required, as illustrated in FIGS. 24A-B. (Or file) It may be supplied as an information system controller to provide the overall system control functions of the server system. The server system 310A may include one or more conventional peripheral media containment systems (not shown) for storing pre-programmed content and / or downloaded ornamental content 210D, and / or one or more. It may communicate with a plurality of conventional peripheral media containment systems. Traditional peripheral media containment systems include optical media devices of any suitable type, such as digital video disc (DVD) or compact disc (CD) systems, and / or video cassette recorder (VCR) systems or hard disk drives ( Includes magnetic media systems such as HDD) systems. If desired, the server system 310A may likewise support the decryption and / or digital rights management (DRM) capabilities of the vehicle information system 300.
0161The vehicle information system 300 is configured to distribute and / or display ornamental content 210 provided by one or more selected content sources 310, including aspects via wired and / or wireless communication in real time. It is possible to communicate with the content source 310 in the conventional manner of. The vehicle information system 300 and the terrestrial content source 310B can communicate, for example, in any conventional wireless mode. Any conventional radio aspect includes a direct and / or indirect aspect via an intermediate communication system 370, such as the satellite communication system 370A. The vehicle information system 300 can thereby receive the viewing content 210D to download from the selected ground content source 310B and / or upload the viewing content 210U, including navigation and other control instructions. It can be sent to the terrestrial content source 310B. If desired, a terrestrial content source 310B can be configured to communicate with other terrestrial content sources (not shown). The terrestrial content source 310B is shown in Figure 24B to provide access to the Internet 310C. Although shown and described to include a satellite communication system 370A for purposes of illustration, the communication system 370 is any conventional type of wireless communication system, such as a cellular communication system (not shown) and / or aircraft surface. An information system (AGIS) communication system (not shown) may be provided.
0162To facilitate communication with the terrestrial content source 310B, the vehicle information system 300 is an antenna system 330 and a transceiver system 340 for receiving ornamental content from the remote (or terrestrial) content source 310B shown in FIGS. 24A-B. May include. The antenna system 330 is preferably located outside the vehicle 390, such as the outer surface 394 of the fuselage 392 of the aircraft 390B. The antenna system 330 can receive the ornamental content 210 from the ground content source 310B and can provide the received ornamental content 210 processed by the transceiver system 340 to the computer system 350 of the vehicle information system 300. .. The computer system 350 may optionally provide the received ornamental content 210 to the media server system 310A and / or one or more user interface systems 360. The computer system 350 and the media server system 310A are shown and described to include separate systems for purposes of illustration, but may be at least partially integrated.
0163Vehicle information system components, including the content source 310 and the user interface system 360, are shown in FIGS. 24A-B to communicate via the content distribution system 320. FIG. 25 illustrates a typical content distribution system 320 of the vehicle information system 300. The content distribution system 320 of FIG. 25 combines and supports communication between the headend system 310H, including the content source 310, and the plurality of user interface systems 360. The distribution system 320 shown in FIG. 25 was filed on March 29, 2006 under the title "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROUTING COMMUNICATION SIGNALS VIA A DATA DISTRIBUTION NETWORK". US Patent Application No. 11 / 277,896 for co-pending applications, and INTEGRATED VIDEO AND, respectively, "Integrated video and audio signal distribution systems and methods for use in commercial aircraft and other vehicles. AUDIO SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE ON COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT AND OTHER VEHICLES) "may be supplied in the manner described in US Pat. Nos. 5,596,647, 5,617,331, and 5,953,429. These are assigned to the assignee of this application and the entire content and purpose of the disclosure of each application is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively and / or additionally, the distribution system 320 "OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING CONTENT ABOARD A MOBILE PLATFORM DURING" TRAVEL) may be supplied in the manner described in US Patent Application No. 12 / 367,406 of a co-pending application filed on February 6, 2009. This application is assigned to the assignee of this application and the entire content and purpose of the disclosure of each application is incorporated herein by reference.
0164If desired, the distribution system 320 may also include a network management system (not shown) supplied in the manner described in the US patent application for co-pending applications below. US Patent Application No. 10 / 773,523 filed on February 6, 2004 under the title "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING NETWORK RELIABILITY" and "Improve Network Reliability" US Patent Application No. 11 / 086,510 filed on March 21, 2005 under the title "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING NETWORK RELIABILITY". These applications are assigned to the assignee of this application and the entire content and purpose of the disclosure of each application is incorporated herein by reference.
0165As illustrated in FIG. 25, the distribution system 320 may be supplied as multiple line-replaceable units (LRUs). Line replaceable units (LRUs) include area distribution boxes (ADBs) 322, floor disconnect boxes (FDBs) 323, and chair electronic boxes (SEBs). electronics box) (and / or premium chair electronics (PSEB) box)) 324 included, configured to communicate over multiple wired and / or wireless communication connections 325 in real time. The line-replaceable unit of distribution system 320 may also include a switching system 321 to provide an interface between distribution system 320 and headend system 310H. The switching system 321 may include a conventional switching system, such as an Ethernet® switching system, and is configured to combine the headend system 310H with the area distribution box 322. Each area distribution box 322 couples and communicates with the switching system 321.
0166Each area distribution box 322 then combines and communicates with at least one floor cutting box 323. The area distribution box 322 and the associated floor cutting box 323 can be combined in any conventional configuration, but the associated floor cutting box 323 is preferably central as illustrated in FIG. It is a star-shaped network configuration arranged around the area distribution box 322 of. Each floor cutting box 323 couples with multiple daisy chains of the chair electronic box 324 to provide information. The chair electronic box 324 is then configured to communicate with the user interface system 360. The electronic box 324 of each chair may support one or more user interface systems 360.
0167If necessary, the floor cutting box 323 is advantageously referred to above as "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROUTING COMMUNICATION SIGNALS VIA A DATA DISTRIBUTION". It may be supplied and / or internally connected as a routing system in the manner described in US Patent Application No. 11 / 277,896 of a co-pending application filed March 29, 2006 under the title NETWORK). .. Distribution system 320 may include at least one FDB internal port bypass connection 325A and / or at least one SEB loopback connection 325B. Each FDB internal port bypass connection 325A is a communication connection 325. The communication connection 325 allows the floor cutting box 323 associated with the different area distribution boxes 322 to communicate directly. Each SEB loopback connection 325B is a communication connection 325. The communication connection 325 directly couples with the electronic box 324 of the last chair in each daisy chain of the electronic box 324 of the chair of the selected floor cutting box 323 shown in FIG. Each SEB loopback connection 325B therefore forms a loopback path between the electronic boxes 324 of the daisy chain type chair coupled with the associated floor cutting box 323.
0168Returning to FIGS. 24A-B, the user interface system 360 is supplied to display the selected ornamental content 210 in order to select the ornamental content 210. If desired, the user interface system 360 may be equipped with a traditional passenger interface, as referred to above, "PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING." VIEWING CONTENT DURING TRAVEL) may be supplied in the manner described in US Patent Application No. 11 / 154,749 for a co-pending application filed June 15, 2005, as well as high quality video. SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING HIGH-QUALITY VIDEO) may be supplied in the manner described in US Patent Application No. 11 / 379,360 of a co-pending application filed on April 19, 2006. The entire contents of these disclosures are incorporated by reference in this application.
0169FIG. 26A provides a diagram of cabin 380 of a passenger car 390, such as an automobile 390A (shown in FIG. 24A) and / or an aircraft 390B (shown in FIG. 24B). The vehicle information system 300 is mounted on the vehicle. The cabin 380 is exemplified to include a plurality of passenger chairs 382, and each passenger chair 382 is associated with the selected user interface system 360. Each user interface system 360 may include a video interface system 362 and / or an audio interface system 364. A typical video interface system 362 is an overhead in-vehicle display system 362A with central control, a chair back display system 362B with individual controls or an armrest display system (not shown), an occupant display panel, and / or mobile display. It may include a system. The voice interface system 364 is supplied in any conventional manner, including an overhead speaker system 364A, a mobile display system, and / or headphones coupled with a voice jack supplied, for example, to the armrest 388 of the user's chair 382. May be done. The speaker system is also associated with the speaker system 364B located within the user's chair 382, eg, the base 384B of the user's chair 382 and / or the speaker system 364C located within the headrest 384 of the user's chair 382. May be good. In a preferred embodiment, the voice interface system 364 may include any noise canceling system for further improving the sound quality produced by the voice interface system 364.
0170The video interface system 362 and the audio interface system 364 are mounted in any suitable vehicle interior surface, such as the chair back 386, wall 396, ceiling, and / or bulkhead, or the armrest 388 of the passenger chair 382 in any conventional manner. You may. In any conventional embodiment, US Patent Application No. 11 of a co-pending application filed on July 25, 2007, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING USER INTERFACE DEVICES". / 828,193, and "USER INTERFACE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING VIEWING CONTENT) includes aspects described in US Patent Application No. 11 / 835,371 of a co-pending application filed August 7, 2007, via the supplied mounting system 363. These applications will be assigned to the assignee of this application and the entire disclosure of each application will be incorporated by reference in this application.
0171As shown in FIG. 26A, the user interface system 360 may also include interface element 366. The interface element 366 allows the user (or passenger) to communicate with the vehicle information system 300, for example by exchanging control signals 220. For example, interface element 366 allows the user to enter one or more user instructions 230 to control the operation of the vehicle information system 300. An exemplary user instruction 230 is an instruction to initiate communication with the content source 310, an instruction to select the ornamental content 210 to display, and / or an instruction to control the display of the selected ornamental content 210. May include. If a fee is required to access the ornamental content 210, payment information may be entered via interface element 366 as well.
0172Interface element 366 may be supplied in any conventional manner, generally one or more switches (or push buttons) such as a keyboard or keypad, and / or a mouse, trackball, or stylus pen. Includes pointing devices. If desired, interface element 366 is integrated and / or separated from the associated video interface system 362 and / or audio interface system 364, at least in part. For example, the video interface system 362 and the interface element 366 may be supplied as a touch screen display system. Interface element 366 also has one or more input ports (not shown) for combining peripheral inputs (not shown), such as a full-sized computer keyboard, external mouse, and / or gamepad with the vehicle information system 300. ) May be included.
0173Preferably, the at least one user interface system 360 includes a wired and / or wireless access point 368 such as a conventional communication port (or coupling portion) and includes a personal media device 200 (shown in FIG. 26B) as a vehicle information system 300. Combine to. Passengers traveling in vehicle 390 (not shown) can thereby enjoy personally selected ornamental content during the trip. The access point 368 may be located near the associated passenger chair 382 and may be supplied to any suitable interior surface of the vehicle, such as the chair back 386, wall 396, ceiling, and / or bulkhead.
0174With reference to FIG. 26B, the personal media device 200 and the vehicle information system 300 are shown to communicate via their respective access points 368. The personal media device 200 can store audio and / or video viewing content 210 and can store portable devices such as laptop computers, palmtop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, and / or MPEG audio layers 3. It may be supplied as a (MP3) device. An exemplary personal media device 200 is shown and described in the following co-pending application, a US patent application. US Patent Application No. 10 / 772,565, a co-pending application filed on February 4, 2004 under the title "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOUNLOADING FILES"; Portable Media Devices and Methods for Viewing (PORTABLE Media DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING VIEWING CONTENT US Patent Application No. 11 / 154,749, filed June 15, 2005 under the title "DURING TRAVEL"; "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR for receiving broadcast content on mobile platforms during international travel." RECEIVING BROADCAST CONTENT ON A MOBILE PLATFORM DURING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL) , filed on November 7, 2005, US Patent Application No. 11 / 269,378; Systems for Interfaceing Portable Media Devices with Vehicle Information Systems and Method (SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING A PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE WITH A VEHICLE INFORMATION US Patent Application No. 12 / 210,624 filed on September 15, 2008 with the title "SYSTEM)"; filed on September 15, 2008 with the title "Media Equipment Interface Systems and Methods for Vehicle Information Systems" US Patent Application No. 12 / 210,636; US Patent Application No. 15 filed on September 15, 2008, entitled "MEDIA DEVICE INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS" 12 / 210,652; and US Patent Application No. 12 / filed on September 15, 2008, entitled "PORTABLE USER CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEM". No. 210,689. These applications will be assigned to the assignee of this application and the entire disclosure of these applications will be incorporated by reference in this application.
0175As shown in FIG. 26B, each of the personal media devices 200 includes a video display 240 for visually displaying the ornamental content 210 and an audio system 250 for aurally displaying the ornamental content 210. Each personal media device 200 may include a user control system 260. The user control system 260 may be supplied in any conventional manner, generally one or more switches (or push buttons) such as a keyboard or keypad, and / or a mouse, trackball, or stylus pen. Includes pointing devices such as. The personal media device 200 can thereby control the mode in which the desired ornamental content 210 is selected and the selected ornamental content 210 is received and / or displayed.
0176The personal media device 200 also includes a communication port (or coupling portion) 270. The communication port 270 allows the personal media device 200 to communicate with the user interface system 360 via the access point 368 of the vehicle information system 300. Communication port 270 and access point 368 may support wireless communication, as illustrated with the personal media device 200A. Meanwhile, support for wired communication between communication port 270 and access point 368 via communication cable assembly 369 is shown with the personal media device 200B. When the communication port 270 and the access point 368 are communicating, the vehicle information system 300 uses an easy-to-use communication interface to support a simple aspect in which the associated personal media device 200 is integrated with the vehicle information system 300. ..
0177When the personal media device 200 and the vehicle information system 300 are communicating, the vehicle information system 300 can perform multiple integrated tasks simultaneously and the personal media device 200 can perform vehicle information through the selected access point 368. Can be fully integrated with System 300. The system components of the vehicle information system 300 and the personal media device 200 are thereby compatible. The personal media device 200 may similarly receive a control signal (or command) 220 and / or an operating power 220P from the vehicle information system 300. Thereby, the personal media device 200 can advantageously be a seamless part of the vehicle information system 300.
0178For example, user instructions 230 (shown in FIGS. 24A-B) for controlling the operation of the vehicle information system 300 are supplied via the interface element 366 of the vehicle information system 300 and / or the user control system 260 of the personal media device 200. May be done. That is, the interface element 366 of the vehicle information system 300 and / or the user control system 260 of the personal media device 200 is used to select the viewing content 210 and control how the selected viewing content 210 is received and / or displayed. be able to. The selected ornamental content 210 is supplied by the associated content source 310 (shown in FIGS. 24A-B) of the vehicle information system 300 and / or by a storage medium (not shown) located within the personal media device 200. May be good. The video portion of the selected ornamental content 210 may thereby be displayed via the video display system 362 of the vehicle information system 300 and / or via the video display 240 of the personal media device 200. The audio display system 364 of the vehicle information system 300 and / or the audio system 250 of the personal media device 200 can be used to present the audio portion of the selected ornamental content 210. If the video display 240 of the personal media device 200 is much smaller than the video display system 362 of the vehicle information system 300, passengers prefer to view the wider video display system 362 through the selected viewing content 210. Sometimes.
0179The personal media device 200 may be stored in the user's chair 382 when the personal media device 200 is no longer in use and / or when direct physical contact with the personal media device 200 is not required otherwise. For example, the user's chair 382 may include a containment compartment 389 that provides accommodation for the personal media device 200. Containment compartment 389 may be supplied to any suitable portion of the user's chair 382 in any conventional manner. As illustrated with the passenger chair 382B, the personal media device 200 may be located in a containment pocket 389B formed in the armrest 388 of the user chair 382B. Containment compartment 389 may also be supplied to the chair backrest 386 and / or headrest 384 of the user's chair 382. The accommodation compartment 389A of the passenger chair 382A is shown to be formed, for example, under the chair backrest 386 of the user chair 382A. If desired, the containment compartment 389 may be an overhead compartment, a door compartment, a compartment supplied under the user's chair 382, or any other compartment available in the passenger car 390 such as a glove compartment, trunk, or closet. It may be provided with a conventional containment compartment of the above type.
0180Detailed embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative shapes, specific examples of which are illustrated in the figure as an example and are described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the detailed embodiments are not limited to the specific shapes or methods disclosed, but rather the present disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives.
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Every citation, both ways
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Numbers
- Publication
- 2016196293
- Application
- 126607
Titles2
- Japanese
- 統合ユーザインターフェースシステムおよび方法
- English
- Integrated user interface system and method
Classification
- CPC, 21
- A47C7/624
- B64D11/00155
- B64D11/06
- B64D11/0624
- B60N2/0228
- Y10T29/49826
- B64D11/0015
- A47C7/506
- A47C7/54
- B60N2/0233
- B60N2/0239
- A47C1/024
- A47C3/18
- A47C3/20
- A47C7/38
- A47C7/46
- A47C7/62
- A47C7/74
- G06F3/04817
- G06F3/0482
- G06F3/04842
- IPC, 3
- B60R16 02
- B60N2 46
- B60N2 75