Abstract:
A control dial ( 12, 14 ) includes an array of spaced sensor elements ( 18, 20 ) and a display ( 22 ) located within the dial for displaying a desired control value. A controller ( 30 ) is connected to said plurality of sensor elements and to the display for controlling an end-use device ( 34 ). The controller monitors the array of spaced sensor elements so as to determine a user desired command based on user touches to the array of spaced sensor elements. The controller ( 30 ) controls the display ( 22 ) and the end-use device ( 34 ) commensurate with the determined user desired command.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Kulczycki Patent Application Ser. No. 61/345,333, filed May 17, 2010, the subject matter of which is incorporated hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a control dial and is particularly directed to a touch-type control dial method and apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Control knobs or dials, and, in particular, mechanical rotary control knobs and dials are known. Such rotary control knobs and dials are mechanically turnable and control things from a simple ON/OFF function of an end-use device, to the selection of specific items such as selection of a television or radio station. Some control knobs or dials are used to provide, what is referred to as, as an infinitely controlled function such as the volume of a radio. Such mechanical rotary control knobs and dials have been found in many vehicle control applications such as radio systems and environmental control systems such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a control dial comprises an array of spaced sensor elements and a display located within dial for displaying a desired control value. A controller is connected to said plurality of sensor elements and to the display for controlling an end-use device. The controller monitors the array of spaced sensor elements so as to determine a user desired command based on user touches to the array of spaced sensor elements. The controller controls the display and the end-use device commensurate with the determined user desired command. 
         [0005]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling an end user device using a control dial comprises the steps of spacing a plurality of sensor elements in an array, displaying within the dial a desired control value, and controlling an end-use device by monitoring the array of spaced sensor elements, determining a user desired command based on user touches to the array of spaced sensor elements, and controlling the display and the end-use device commensurate with the determined user desired command. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a touch-type control panel in a vehicle having a driver and passenger control dials made in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2-7  depict a control dial made in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention showing different possible control movements on the operator&#39;s finger on the dial; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 8  shows a control process for a control dial in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a control panel  10 , such as an environmental control panel for control of vehicle temperature, is shown. The control panel  10  includes a set of control dials  12 ,  14  made in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention. The control dials  12  and  14  are described herein for controlling vehicle cabin temperature (driver&#39;s side and passenger&#39;s side, respectively). The dials  12 ,  14  are similarly constructed and function similarly. For the purposes of this application, only one control dial will be described in detail. 
         [0011]    The use of the control dials  12 ,  14 , although being described by way of an example embodiment for vehicle cabin temperature control, could be used to control other vehicle devices such as a radio, etc. Also, the use of the control dials  12 ,  14 , is not limited to control of an end-user device associated with a vehicle but can be used in any control environment. 
         [0012]    The control dial  12  may be circular in shape and mainly flat faced for flush mounting in the vehicle control panel  10 . Preferably, the control dial  12  is slightly concave to allow a finger of the operator to move around the dial so as to have a more ergonomic feel. A base portion  16  of the control dial  12  is divided into a plurality of sensor segments  18  (an array of sensors) around the outer periphery  19  of the dial  12 . In the example embodiment shown, the dial  12  is divided into twelve equally dispersed segments  18  which are equally spaced and distributed about the outer area or periphery of the dial  12 . Any number of segments could be used with more sensors providing more control resolution. A center sensor segment  20  (e.g., a thirteenth segment) is located at substantially the center of the dial  12 . The center segment  13  can have several functions. In accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention, the center segment  13  is used for sensing of a finger swipe motion across the dial  12 . 
         [0013]    The individual segments  18  and  20  of the dial  12  are not visibly apparent to the operator. If the control dial  12  is used in a HVAC application, as in this described example embodiment, an information display device  22  can be located in the dial center. Therefore, the center of the dial has both a sensor segment  20  and a display device  22 . The information display device  22  can be used to provide an indication of information (such as the desired cabin temperature setting) that is visible to the user. For example, the center display device  22  can display a desired temperature setting such as 70 degrees, to indicate the desired temperature setting for the side of the vehicle cabin associated with that dial. The center dial display  22  can be any type of known display such as a digital display. 
         [0014]    The twelve outer sensor segments  18  and the inner sensor segment  20  are, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention, capacitive sensors. Use of other types of touch sensors is contemplated. Each capacitive sensor segment  18  is slightly circumferentially spaced from the next adjacent sensors on each side so as to be electrically isolated therefrom. The capacitive sensor elements  18  form an array of sensor elements spread around the circumference of the dial  12 . The center sensor  20  is also a capacitive sensor that is isolated from the outer sensors  18 . The sensors  18 ,  20  are connected to a controller  30  that is, in turn, controllable connected to an end-user device  34  to be controlled. The controller  30  monitors motion of an operator&#39;s finger across and around the dial  12  and controls the end-user device  34 , such as heater vent doors, the air conditioner, etc. in response to the monitored finger motion in accordance with a predetermined control process. 
         [0015]    In accordance with the example embodiment in which the dials  12 ,  14  are used for control of a vehicle convenience item such as a HVAC system, the dials  12 ,  14  may be located on a control panel  10  located near a central front cabin location of the vehicle dash between the driver and passenger. When either the driver or passenger place their associated finger on their associated dial, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, motion of the finger is detected and monitored by the controller  30  and appropriate control action occurs in accordance with a predetermined control process. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-5 , each of the sensor segments  18 ,  20  are capacitive type sensors that provide a signal when touched by a user&#39;s finger. The user&#39;s finger acts as a dielectric. As mentioned, for ergonomic reasons, the dials  12 ,  14  could be slightly recessed or concave. 
         [0017]    Each capacitive sensor segment  18 ,  20  has an output that is connected to the controller  30 . The controller  30  may take the form of a microprocessor or microcomputer, for processing of the sensor output signals and making determinations as to what type of finger motion is occurring. Alternatively, the controller  30  could be made up of a plurality of specific integrated circuits and discrete components to accomplish the desired function and can be an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”). 
         [0018]    The controller  30  tracks a specific pattern of motion (finger movement) on the dial  12  and also monitors for taping motion of the finger on the dial  12 . Specifically, the controller  30  determines if the user is (1) rotating his finger clockwise or counterclockwise around the dial, i.e., around the plurality of segments  18 , (2) swiping his finger across or up-and-down across the dial, i.e., from one outer periphery segment to another out periphery segment through the center segment, (3) taping on the dial, or (4) providing a “flick-and-spin” or “flick-swipe” motion across the segments of the dial. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  specifically shows a finger motion in a clockwise motion around the outer periphery segments  18  of the dial  12 . When the controller  30  determines this type of motion has occurred, temperature (assuming a HVAC system) will be increased. Display values shown on the center display  22  will be increased accordingly. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  specifically shows a finger motion in a counter-clockwise motion around the outer periphery segments  18  of the dial  1 . 2 . When the controller  30  determines this pattern of motion, temperature will be decreased. Display values shown on the display  22  will be decreased accordingly. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  specifically shows a finger swipe across the dial  12  from one outer segment to another outer segment through the center sensor segment  20 . When the controller  30  determines upward swipe motion, temperature will be jumped-up in value by a predetermined amount, such as five degrees per swipe. Display values shown on display  22  will be increased accordingly. When the controller  30  determines downward swipe motion, temperature will be jumped-down in value by a predetermined amount, such as five degrees per swipe. Display values shown on display  22  will be decreased accordingly. 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  specifically shows a finger swipe side-to-side from one outer segment to another outer segment across the center segment of the dial  12 . When the controller  30  determines this side-to-side motion, the controller can, optionally, control up and down temperature jumps by predetermined amounts (optional to up-and-down swipes) as described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0023]    The controller  30  controls the center dial display  22  commensurate with the finger motion on the dial  12  in accordance with a predetermined control process as described with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 . Rotating the finger clockwise around the dial will cause the display to commensurately increase display values to indicate the desired temperature setting that the operator desires. Rotating the finger counter-clockwise around the dial will cause the display to commensurately decrease display values to indicate the desired temperature setting that the operator desires. Cross-swipes (up/down, left/right) jumps the display temperature values by a predetermined amount, e.g., 5 degrees up/down. In response to the finger motions, not only does the controller  30  control the display device, it also controls the end-user device commensurately to achieve the operator desired temperature setting. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a single tap to the center sensor  20  by the operator&#39;s finger can result in any desired control of the system. Pressing and holding the center sensor  20  can also result in any desired control. For example, taping the center sensor can be used to change the display units between Fahrenheit and Celsius readings. 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  depicts a signal tape of the operator&#39;s finger on the dial near the top of the dial which the controller  30  can sense and provide desired control such as increasing temperature (and display value) one degree at a time (one degree per tap). Pressing and holding a sensor segment, such as near the top of the dial  12 , can advance the desired temperature quickly one degree at a time. Similarly, pressing and holding the bottom segment of the dial  12  can decrease the desired temperature setting accordingly. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a control process  100 , in accordance with an example embodiment, for using a control dial of the present invention is shown. The control process  100  is for one control dial. If multiple dials are used, a control process would be provided for each dial. The control process  100  starts at step  102  where initial flags are set, memories cleared, and initial control conditions are set. In step  104 , a determination is made as to whether a finger touch to the dial has been sensed, i.e., whether any of the plurality of control dial sensors is providing a signal indicating contact by an operator&#39;s finger. If the determination in step  104  is negative, the process loops back until an affirmative determination is made. 
         [0027]    If the determination in step  104  is affirmative, the process proceeds to step  106  where a determination is made as to whether a clockwise finger motion has been detected around the plurality of outer periphery sensors  18 . If the determination in step  106  is affirmative, the process proceeds to step  108  where a determination is made as to whether the clockwise finger motion is a finger-flick motion, i.e., rapid clockwise rotation. If the determination in step  108  is affirmative, the display  22  is quickly incremented according to the degree and speed of the sensed flick motion in process step  110 . The controller  30  then controls the end user device accordingly in step  112 , i.e., control the end user device  34  to increase the cabin temperature to correspond to the temperature setting value set on the display  22 . The process then returns to step  104 . If the determination in step  108  is negative, the display  22  is incremented commensurate with the finger motion movement in step  114 . The controller  30  controls the end-user device  34  in step  112  commensurate with the value set on the display  22 . 
         [0028]    If the determination in step  106  is negative, the process proceeds to step  120 . In step  120 , a determination is made as to whether a counter-clockwise motion has been detected. If the determination in step  120  is affirmative, the process proceeds to step  122  where a determination is made as to whether the counter-clockwise finger motion is a finger-flick motion, i.e., rapid counter-clockwise rotation. If the determination in step  122  is affirmative, the display  22  is quickly decremented according to the degree and speed of the flick motion in process step  124 . The controller  30  then controls the end-user device  34  accordingly in step  112  so as to decrease the cabin temperature commensurate with the value on the display  22 . The process then returns to step  104 . If the determination in step  122  is negative, the display  22  is decremented slowly following the finger motion movement in step  126  and the controller  30  controls the end-user device  34  in step  112  so that the cabin temperature is commensurate with the display value. 
         [0029]    If the determination in step  120  is negative, the process proceeds to step  130 . In step  130 , a determination is made as to whether a swipe-up motion has been detected. Recall that a swipe motion is type of finger motion across the dial as depicted in  FIG. 4 . If the determination in step  130  is affirmative, the process proceeds to step  132  where the display value shown on display  22  is jumped-up a predetermined amount, e.g., five degrees/per swipe. The controller  30  then controls the end-user device  34  accordingly in step  112  and the process then returns to step  104 . 
         [0030]    If the determination in step  130  is negative, the process proceeds to step  140 . In step  140 , a determination is made as to whether a swipe-down motion has been detected. If the determination in step  140  is affirmative, the process proceeds to step  142  the display value shown in display  22  is jumped-down a predetermined amount, e.g., five degrees/swipe. The controller controls the end user device accordingly in step  112  and the process then returns to step  104 . 
         [0031]    If the determination in step  140  is negative, the process proceeds to step  150 . In step  150 , a determination is made as to whether a tape to the center of the control dial, i.e., sensor segment  20 , has been detected. If the determination in step  150  is affirmative, the controller controls the display  22  so as display values such as between Fahrenheit or Celsius. Any adjustments are then made to the end-user device, if necessary, in step  112  and the process then returns to step  104 . As mentioned, taps to the upper or lower portion of the dial can be sensed and temperature values incremented or decremented accordingly. 
         [0032]    If the determination in step  150  is negative, the process proceeds to step  160 . In step  160 , a determination is made as to whether a press and hold to any portion of the control dial has been detected. If the determination in step  160  is affirmative, the controller  30  controls the end user device in step  112  in accordance with any desired manner and/or the dial  12 , e.g., incrementing or decrementing temperature values until the “hold” s released. The control process then returns to step  104 . 
         [0033]    The desired control process  100  followed by the controller  30  in response to finger movements, swipes (up, down, left, right), flicks, taps and/or press and holds on the dial can be those described or any other desired end-user device response. Also, the function of the dials  12 ,  14  can be changed such as controlling vehicle cabin temperature, controlling fan speeds, controlling radio volume and/or radio stations. A function control button on the control panel, such as radio volume, radio station, fan speed, etc. could be provided so that when such function control button is tapped, the controller  30  will switch the control function of the dial so as to control a commensurate end-user control device associated with that dial accordingly. Alternatively, the dials  12 ,  14  could be single purpose control dials so as to control only a single device such as the HVAC system for an associated side of the vehicle. 
         [0034]    From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. The control dial of the present invention and the control process in accordance with the present invention can be used to replace any mechanical rotary control knob whether in a vehicle system or any non-vehicle system. Improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.