Abstract:
Automobiles, automobile instruments, and user interfaces for controlling automobile equipment are provided. A user interface for controlling automobile equipment includes a circuit board accommodating an encoder circuit. Further, the user interface includes a dial mounted independent of the circuit board. The dial is moveable in response to manipulation by a user of the automobile equipment. The dial communicates electronically with the encoder circuit.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field generally relates to automobile instrumentation, and more particularly relates to instrumentation on an instrument panel for manipulation by a user in the passenger compartment of an automobile. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Rotary dial switches are widely used in the automobile industry. A common example of such a rotary dial switch is a headlight switch that controls the automobile headlights and parking lights responsive to push-pull movement of the actuator knob. Such a switch may also control the interior dome light and the intensity of instrument panel illumination by angular rotation of the actuator knob. 
     It is common for the actuator knob of an automotive electrical switch to bear various switch indicia to indicate the switching functions controlled by the switch. For example, such switch indicia includes recognized symbols for fog lights, headlights, etc. 
     Such rotary dial switches have been effectively employed in automobiles to the point that they have become commonplace. Further, the aesthetics of rotary dial switches generally have not changed. Such switches are somewhat limited to aesthetic features as they basically include a rotatable outer rim and an interior face that may include the switch indicia noted above. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide improved automobile instruments and automobiles with such improved instruments. In addition, it is desirable to provide improved user interfaces for controlling automobile equipment. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background. 
     SUMMARY 
     User interfaces for controlling automobile equipment are provided. In one embodiment, a user interface for controlling automobile equipment includes a circuit board accommodating an encoder circuit. Further, the user interface includes a dial mounted independent of the circuit board. The dial is moveable in response to manipulation by a user of the automobile equipment. The dial communicates electronically with the encoder circuit. 
     An automobile instrument is provided in another embodiment. In one embodiment, an automobile instrument includes an instrument panel having a front surface. The automobile instrument further includes an arm extending from the front surface of the instrument panel. Also, the automobile instrument includes a rotary dial mounted to the arm and separated from the front surface of the instrument panel by a distance. A void is defined between the front surface of the instrument panel and the rotary dial. 
     In another embodiment, an automobile is provided. The automobile includes a passenger compartment and an instrument panel adjacent the passenger compartment. The automobile also includes a circuit board accommodating an encoder circuit and positioned within the instrument panel. Further, the automobile includes a rotary dial mounted independent of the circuit board. The rotary dial is moveable in response to manipulation by a user. Also, the rotary dial communicates electronically with the encoder circuit. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustration of a section of a passenger compartment of an automobile in accordance an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustration of the vehicle instrument panel of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view schematic illustration of a rotary dial and vehicle instrument panel of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIGS. 4-5  are perspective view illustrations of a rotary dial and vehicle instrument panel of  FIG. 1  in accordance with another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application and uses of embodiments described herein. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     The following description refers to elements or features being “connected” or “coupled” together. As used herein, “connected” may refer to one element/feature being mechanically joined to (or directly communicating with) another element/feature, and not necessarily directly. Likewise, “coupled” may refer to one element/feature being directly or indirectly joined to (or directly or indirectly communicating with) another element/feature, and not necessarily mechanically. However, it should be understood that although two elements may be described below, in one embodiment, as being “connected,” in alternative embodiments similar elements may be “coupled,” and vice versa. Thus, although the schematic diagrams shown herein depict example arrangements of elements, additional intervening elements, devices, features, or components may be present in an actual embodiment. 
     Further, various components and features described herein may be referred to using particular numerical descriptors, such as first, second, third, etc., as well as positional and/or angular descriptors, such as horizontal and vertical. However, such descriptors may be used solely for descriptive purposes relating to drawings and should not be construed as limiting, as the various components may be rearranged in other embodiments. It should also be understood that  FIGS. 1-5  are merely illustrative and may not be drawn to scale. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective-view illustration of the forward portion of a passenger compartment in a representative automobile, identified generally as  10 . By way of example, and not limitation, embodiments herein can be incorporated into any automobile, such as coupe- or sedan-type passenger cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), heavy duty vehicles, vans, buses, etc. The vehicle  10  includes an interior compartment, such as passenger compartment  12 , having vehicle interior structure, which is represented collectively herein by an instrument panel  14  (also known as a “dashboard” or “fascia”) including a center console  16 , a glove compartment (or “glove box”)  18  of conventional design, and a steering wheel assembly, designated generally at  20 . 
     The instrument panel  14  extends transversely across the vehicle  10 , at a forward end of the passenger compartment  12 . The instrument panel  14  is configured to house various switches, accessories, and instrumentation, including, for example at the driver side, an electronic instrument cluster with various digital and/or analog gauges. These gauges may include a speedometer, odometer, tachometer, as well as other information displays, such as a trip odometer, compass, and fuel level. At the front passenger side, the instrument panel  14  houses heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) vents  30 , the glove compartment  18 , and a passenger-side airbag module (not visible). 
     The center console  16  originates at the instrument panel  14 , and continues beneath it, running rearward in the passenger compartment  12  between front driver and passenger seat assemblies  32 . The instrument panel  14  is also designed to cover or conceal various underlying components when installed in the motorized vehicle  10 . For instance, the instrument panel  14  overlies a plurality of HVAC ducts, assorted wiring harnesses, and other vehicular componentry such as a circuit board and circuitry (none of which are visible in the illustrations provided). 
     In  FIG. 2 , further details of the instrument panel  14  are shown. As shown, rotary dials or rotary dial encoders  52  are provided for manipulation by a user, whether driver or passenger, to adjust conditions in the automobile  10 . For example, a rotary dial encoder  52  may be provided to adjust settings of the radio or music player system, settings of the HVAC system, or other systems. Each rotary dial has a top surface or face  55  and an annular outer sidewall  57 . The top face  55  may include buttons or otherwise provide for user input by occupants of the passenger compartment  12  to adjust settings of the rotary dial encoder  52 , such as selecting an operating condition for modification. The outer wall  57  may be rotated or otherwise manipulated by occupants of the passenger compartment  12  to modify the value of the selected condition. 
     Other configurations of the rotary dial encoder  52  may be used. For example, the outer wall  57  may be manipulated to select the condition for adjustment and the top face  55  may receive user input to modify the selected condition. In either case, selective rotation of the annular outer sidewall  57  in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction modifies an operating condition of the vehicle, such as cabin temperature, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system fan speed, the stereo volume, station, and other settings, or selects an operating condition for modification. 
     A conventional rotary dial encoder is an electro-mechanical device that converts the angular position or motion of a shaft or axle to an analog or digital code. There are two main types: absolute and incremental or relative. The output of conventional absolute encoders indicates the current position of the shaft, making them angle transducers. The output of conventional incremental encoders provides information about the motion of the shaft, which is typically further processed elsewhere into information such as speed, distance, and position. As described herein, rotary dial encoders  52  are able to convert the angular position or motion of the annular outer sidewall  57  to an analog or digital code, rather than motion of a shaft—which may not be present in embodiments herein. The rotary dial encoders  52  provided herein may be absolute or incremental. 
     In  FIG. 2 , each rotary dial encoder  52  is positioned flush with an outer face  59  of the instrument panel  14 . Specifically, an underside of each rotary dial encoder  52  is embedded in the outer face  59  of the instrument panel  14  or is positioned adjacent the outer face  59  of the instrument panel  14  to prevent any obstruction between the rotary dial encoder  52  and the instrument panel  14 . However, embodiments herein provide for a rotary dial encoder  52  that is mounted at a distance from the face  59  of the instrument panel  14 , and for a rotary dial encoder  52  that may be articulated or otherwise moved from the flush, retracted position shown in  FIG. 2  to an extended position in which the rotary dial encoder  52  is positioned at a distance from the face  59  of the instrument panel  14 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a rotary dial encoder  52  positioned at a distance from the face  59  of the instrument panel  14 . The rotary dial encoder  52  rotates about axis  60  on a mount or platform  62 . For example, platform  62  may include an internal axle (not shown) on which rotary dial encoder  52  sits and around which rotary dial encoder  52  rotates. Platform  62  is separated from the face  59  of the instrument panel  14  by arm  64 . The arm  64  may be formed with a circumferential thickness (into and out of the drawing sheet) of less than about 30 degrees around the axis  60 . For example, the arm  64  may have a circumferential thickness of less than about 20 degrees, less than about 15 degrees, or less than about 10 degrees around the axis  60 . The arm  64  has a minimum circumferential thickness sufficient to withstand use, such as more than about 2 degrees around the axis  60 . 
     The platform  62  and arm  64  may be formed as an integral, unitary piece. Further, the platform  62  and arm  64  may be formed with the instrument panel  14  as an integral, unitary piece. As shown, the arm  64  extends from the face  59  of the instrument panel  14  in the direction of axis  60 . As a result, the rotary dial encoder  52  is located at a distance  66  from the face  59  of the instrument panel  14 . Specifically, an underside  68  of the rotary dial encoder  52  facing the face  59  of the instrument panel  14  is separated from the face  59  of the instrument panel  14  by the distance  66 . Further, an underside  72  of the platform  62  facing the face  59  of the instrument panel  14  is separated from the face  59  of the instrument panel  14  by the distance  74 . As a result, a void  76  is defined between the face  59  of the instrument panel  14  and the underside  72  of the platform  62 . The void  76  is bounded by the face  59  of the instrument panel  14 , the underside  72  of the platform  62 , and the arm  64 . The void  76  is open to the passenger compartment  12  all along the circumference of the rotary dial encoder  52  about axis  60  except at the thickness of the arm  64 . As shown, the axis  60  passes through the void  76 . 
     As shown, a movement indicator  80  is provided on the underside  68  of the rotary dial encoder  52 . The movement indicator  80  may be annular and extend around the entire periphery of the underside  68  of the rotary dial encoder  52 . A sensor  82  is provided within the instrument panel  14  to communicate with the movement indicator  80 . The sensor  82  is adapted to monitor rotary movement of the rotary dial encoder  52  by monitoring the movement indicator  80 . Specifically, the sensor  82  is adapted to read the movement indicator  80  at a sensor reading position  84 . In  FIG. 3 , the sensor reading position  84  is aligned with the arm  64 , such that the sensor  82  reads the movement indicator through the arm  64 , such as through an internal opening in the arm  64 . The sensor  82  may be a capacitive, magnetic, optical, or other type of sensor. Accordingly, the movement indicator  80  may be a capacitive, magnetic, optical, or other type of appropriate indicator. For example, if the sensor  82  is an optical sensor, then the movement indicator  80  may have an optical pattern, such as a black-and-white checker board or bar code that uniquely identifies the relative rotary position of the rotary dial encoder  52 , or which indicates motion of the rotary dial encoder  52 . 
     The sensor  82  is in electronic communication with an encoder circuit  86 . The encoder circuit  86  is in electronic communication with a printed circuit board  88 . As is conventional, the circuit board  88  provides for control of systems for modifying operating conditions of the vehicle, such as cabin temperature, the HVAC system fan speed, the stereo volume, station, and other settings. While not shown, the circuit board  88  is connected to the HVAC system and stereo through typical circuitry and electrical connections. In certain embodiments, the sensor  82  and/or the encoder circuit  86  may be formed as part of the circuit board  88 . The circuit board  88  may accommodate the sensor  82 , encoder circuit  86 , and other circuits for operation of the HVAC system, stereo, etc. 
     Through the sensor  82  and movement indicator  80 , the rotary dial encoder  52  is able to communicate electronically with the encoder circuit  86 . For example, the movement indicator  80  may include an optical pattern and the sensor  82  may be an optical sensor. The sensor  82  communicates either an absolute position of the rotary dial encoder  52  based on the optical pattern of the indicator  80  located at the sensor reading position  84 , or a relative rotary movement of the rotary dial encoder  52  based on movement of the optical pattern of the indicator  80  through the sensor reading position  84 . The encoder circuit  86  communicates the position or relative movement of the rotary dial encoder  52  to the circuit board  88  and the circuit board  88  modifies the operation of the selected operation, e.g., HVAC or stereo. 
     With the structure shown in  FIG. 3 , the sensor  82 , encoder circuit  86  and circuit board  88  are encompassed by the instrument panel  14 . Further, while a conventional apparatus would mount a rotary dial to a rotatable axle that physically mates with the circuit board, in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the rotary dial encoder  52  is physically disconnected from the circuit board  88 . Specifically, physical rotation of the rotary dial encoder  52  about axis  60  in response to manipulation by a user in the passenger compartment  12  does not cause or drive any physical movement in or by the circuit board  88  or encoder circuit  86 . Rather, the rotary dial encoder  52  is mounted on the platform  62  of the arm  64  independent of the circuit board  88 . When the rotary dial encoder  52  rotatably slides on the platform  62  of the arm  64 , no movement is cause in the platform  62  of the arm  64 , or in the rest of the instrument panel  14 . Rather, rotation of the rotary dial encoder  52  is communicated to the circuit board through optics, electronics, or magnetics. 
     Because the rotary dial encoder  52  does not communicate physically with the encoder circuit  86  and circuit board  88 , the void  76  may be formed behind the rotary dial encoder  52  (from perspective of a user in the passenger compartment  12 ). Formation of the void  76  allows for a variety of aesthetic and styling choices. For example, with the relatively thin connection provided by the arm  64 , the arm  64  may be hidden behind the rotary dial encoder  52  and the rotary dial encoder  52  may appear to float over the instrument panel  14 . Further, the instrument panel  14  may be provided with a lighting instrument  90 , such a light-emitting diode or diodes, that may be controlled by circuit board  88 . The lighting instrument  90  can provide back lighting to the rotary dial encoder  52  that may be altered based on the operating condition selected, the value of the operating condition selected, that magnitude of the modification indicated by rotation of the rotary dial encoder  52 , or other properties. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a rotary dial encoder  52  fixed in a position separated from the face  59  of the instrument panel  14  by distance  66 . In one embodiment, the distance  66  is about 0.5 to about 3 cm. Alternatively, the position of the rotary dial encoder  52  may be adjustable relative to the instrument panel  14 . For example, the rotary dial encoder  52  may be moveable about the arm  64 , or the arm  64  may be movable in relation to the instrument panel  14 . 
     For example,  FIGS. 4-5  illustrate an embodiment in which the rotary dial encoder  52  is movable between a retracted position  101  (in  FIG. 4 ) and an extended position  102  (in  FIG. 5 ). While the design of features in  FIGS. 4-5  is different from those of  FIG. 3 , it is to be understood that the non-articulating embodiment of  FIG. 3  may be used with the design of  FIGS. 4-5  and the articulating embodiment of  FIGS. 4-5  may be used with the design of  FIG. 3 . In  FIGS. 4-5 , the instrument panel  14  includes a pocket  104 . The pocket  104  is sized to receive the platform  62  when the rotary dial encoder  52  is in the retracted position  101 . As shown, the platform  62  includes an outer surface  106  that is flush with the outer face  59  of the instrument panel  14  when the rotary dial encoder  52  is in the refracted position  101 . A lighting instrument  90  is positioned in the pocket  104  of the instrument panel  14  to illuminate the underside of the platform  62  and rotary dial encoder  52 . Portions of the platform  62  and rotary dial encoder  52  may be transparent to allow light from the lighting instrument  90  to pass through. In other embodiments, the pocket  104  is sized to receive the rotary dial encoder  52  in the retracted position  101 . Specifically, the top face  55  of the rotary dial encoder  52  is flush with the outer face  59  of the instrument panel  14  when the rotary dial encoder  52  is in the retracted position. In such an embodiment, the platform  62  may have a footprint or circumference equal to or smaller than the footprint or circumference of the rotary dial encoder  52 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the void  76  between the underside of the platform  62  and the face  59  of the instrument panel  14  is present when the rotary dial encoder  52  is moved to the extended position  102 . When the rotary dial encoder  52  is moved to the retracted position  101 , the void may be filled by the platform  62 . In such case, a distance between the rotary dial encoder  52  and the face  59  of the instrument panel  14  may be zero. When extended to the extended position  102 , a distance  108  is defined between the rotary dial encoder  52  and the instrument panel  14 . In one embodiment, the distance  108  is about 0.5 to about 3 cm. 
     The arm  64  is adapted to articulate between the retracted position  101  and the extended position  102 . Such articulation may be provided through conventional design, such as by a sliding interaction between a reciprocating notch and groove provided on the arm  64  and the instrument panel  14 . Articulation of the arm  64  to the extended position  102  may be instigated by pushing the platform  64  to move the notch/groove from a retracted position to an extended position. A spring or other biasing means may be provided to extend the arm  64  outward to the extended position  102 . The rotary dial encoder  52  may be returned to the retracted position  101  by the user pushing the platform  62  to the instrument panel  14 . A locking mechanism may be provided to hold the rotary dial encoder  52  in the extended position  102 , and may be released by the user to move the rotary dial encoder  52  to the retracted position  101 . 
     Alternatively, movement of the rotary dial encoder  52  between the retracted position  101  and the extended position  102  may be controlled electronically. For example, a motor may be used to extend and retract the arm  64  between the positions  101  and  102 . The motor may be in electronic communication with and controlled by the control board. Further, the top face  55  of the rotary dial encoder  52  may be pushed or otherwise manipulated to signal the control board to extend the rotary dial encoder  52  to the extended position  102  for use. A corresponding physical manipulation may be used to signal the control board to retract the rotary dial encoder  52  to the retracted position  101 . 
     Each of the embodiments provided herein allows for enhanced aesthetics of the rotary dial encoder  52  by providing the rotary dial encoder  52  at an extended position from the instrument panel  14 , whether fixed or adjustable. As a result, a void is defined between the rotary dial encoder  52  and the instrument panel  14 . The void provides for use of back-lighting and other design considerations to alter the perception of the rotary dial encoder  52  by a user in the passenger compartment of the automobile. Further, positioning the rotary dial encoder  52  at a distance from the instrument panel  14  may facilitate use by a user in the passenger compartment of the automobile. Also, in an automobile with a plurality of rotary dial encoders  52 , extension of a selected rotary dial encoder  52  to an extended position may prompt correct use by a user in the passenger compartment of the automobile, i.e., reduce dial confusion by the user. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.