Patent ID: 8155837
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: B60Q,G06F,H01H

Abstract:
1. An operating device comprising: a plurality of steering wheel switches provided on a steering wheel; a display unit in which function icons representing functions of the steering wheel switches are arranged in a substantially same layout as the steering wheel switches; and a contact detection device that detects contact or access of a driver's finger to the steering wheel switches, wherein, if the contact detection device detects the contact or access of the driver's finger with one of the steering wheel switches, the function icon associated with the one steering wheel switch is highlighted, wherein the function icons include generic function icons assigned, in one-to-one correspondence to switch groups, each of the switch groups including of a plurality of the steering wheel switches and each of the generic function icons showing a representative function of the steering wheel switches belonging to one and the same switch group, wherein the function icons are arranged in the substantially same layout as the switch groups, wherein, if the contact or access of the driver's finger with one of the steering wheel switches belonging to one of the switch groups is detected by the contact detection device, the function icon associated with the one switch group changes from the generic function icon to an individual function icon representing functions of the steering wheel switches belonging to the one switch group, wherein the function icons include icons displayed in a variably controllable condition, and wherein the function icon associated with the steering wheel switch for which the contact or access by the driver's finger is detected is differently highlighted when the contact or access of the driver's finger to one of the steering wheel switches is detected and when the contact or access by the driver's finger with respect to two or more of the steering wheel switches belonging to two or more of the switch groups is detected.