Abstract:
A handheld controller device (HCD) used to relay user inputs to a controller, such as but not limited to a HCD to relay user inputs to a vehicle system controller that controls one or more vehicle systems according to the user inputs. The HCD may be ergonomically shaped to match the human hand in a structurally supporting, and optionally, non-movable manner to allow a driver to provide user inputs without unduly sacrificing positional support, without having to change eye level, and/or without having to locate constantly moving buttons.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/238,887 filed Sep. 1, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to handheld controllers of the type used to electronically indicate user inputs to a control module for further processing, such as but not limited to controllers of the type used within vehicles to facilitate control of one or more vehicle subsystems. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    Many vehicles include a number of actuatable buttons within an instrumental panel to convey user intentions to control related vehicle subsystems. The buttons are typically placed below a static indicator of the related function such that the underlying function controlled by the button is fixed throughout all ranges of vehicle operation. Some multi-layer display have been used instead of theses types of static indicators so that other functional controls can be implemented with actuation of the same button. Instead of having a static image around a cluster of buttons on the instrument panel to exclusively designate climate control options, for example, the multi-layer displays can change the images to reflect entertainment or navigation control options. In the event the buttons are positioned around a display and/or if the display is a touch screen, the displayed options can be changed depending on user interaction. 
         [0004]    While this approach supports the multi-layer display and control functionality contemplated by the present invention, it does not contemplate or suggest addressing the difficulties associated with the user reaching from a secure steering implement (e.g., steering, wheel, joystick, etc.) to actuate one of the buttons positioned farther forward on the instrument panel. This type of movement requires the user to shift their vision from a direction of travel to the instrument panel, to shift their balance from a normal seated position, and to disengage from support provided by the steering implement. This complex range of movements can be distracting and cumbersome, especially if the user is required to repeatedly reach away for the instrument panel to command one or more of the vehicle subsystems or if the user is operating the vehicle at a high rate of speed where support of both hands may be desirable. 
         [0005]    Some vehicles have elected to mimic user operations of the instrument panel buttons with buttons included on the steering implement, which can be helpful in ameliorating the difficulties associated with reaching for the instrument panel buttons. The movement of the user actuated buttons on the steering implement can itself be problematic, however, since at least in the case of the steering wheel, the buttons are continuously orientated in different positional relations to the user. The buttons consequently change in positional relation to the user depending of the position of the steering implement, which can make it difficult for the user to easily identify the desired button and difficult for the user to actuate the desired button when the steering implement is in an awkward position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, other features of the present invention will become more apparent and the present invention will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompany drawings in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system for controller subsystems included within a vehicle according to one non-limiting aspect of the present invention; and 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2-9  respectively illustrate perspective, top, bottom, left, right, rear, front, and assembly views of a hand-held control device (HCD) contemplated by one non-limiting aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system  10  operable for controlling vehicle subsystems according to one non-limiting aspect of the present invention. The system  10  may include a hand-held control device (HCD)  12  within a vehicle  14  to communicate user inputs to a vehicle system controller  16 . The vehicle system controller  16  may process the user inputs to facilitate control of one or more vehicle subsystems. The system  10  is shown with respect to facilitating control of an automotive vehicle  14  shown with driver and passenger seats  20 ,  22  for exemplary purposes and without intending to limit the scope and contemplation of the present invention. The present invention fully contemplates its use and application in controlling any vehicle or non-vehicle system of the type that may rely on the HCD  12  contemplated by the present invention to facilitate related subsystem controls. 
         [0010]    In addition to the HCD  12 , a driver or front-seat passenger may manipulate one or more buttons  28 ,  30 ,  32  included on a steering wheel  34  and one or more buttons  36 , included on an instrument panel  40  to similarly communicate user inputs to the vehicle system controller  16 . A display  44  and any number of gauges  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  may be included within or proximate to the instrument panel  40  to facilitate communications with the vehicle occupants and to provide multi-layer control of the vehicle subsystems. Depending on the type of vehicle  14 , any number of vehicle subsystems may be included and controlled according to user inputs. One non-limiting aspect of the present invention contemplates facilitating controls within a police cruiser. This may include controlling typical vehicle subsystems, such as but not limited to an entertainment system, navigation system, heating and cooling system, etc., as well as police specific subsystems, such as but not limited to lights/sirens, radar, camera, and wireless radio subsystems. 
         [0011]    The HCD  12  may be positioned on a riser  54  included on a floor  56  of the vehicle  14  between the driver seat  20  and the passenger seat  22 . The HCD  12  may be affixed to the riser  54  as a structurally stable and rigid device in that it can be used to provide constant and immovable support to the driver. In particular, the HCD  12  may include a hand grip  60  shaped to match and support the contours of a common human hand. The shaped and design of the hand grip  60  may be such that the driver can place their right hand on the HCD  12  to receive some structural support and positional security while steering with their left hand. This can be helpful in allowing the driver to actuate one more buttons included on the hand grip  60  without unduly interrupting the driver&#39;s ability to manage the vehicle  14 , without taking the driver&#39;s line of sight from the road/windshield, and/or without requiring the driver to track positional changes of the buttons. 
         [0012]    The hand grip  60  is shown to be ergonomically shaped to match contours of the average human hand (see  FIGS. 2-9 ). The table shown below illustrates various dimensions for male and female hands according to percentiles. The hand breadth is measured as a width of the hand from one side to the other across the base of the fingers just above the palm. The hand length is a span of the hand from the longest finger (middle finger) to a bottom of the palm adjoining the forearm. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Percentile 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Sample 
                 1 st   
                 5 th   
                 50 th   
                 95 th   
                 99 th   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Male (cm) 
                 Breadth 
                 8.1 
                 8.4 
                 9.0 
                 9.8 
                 10.0 
               
               
                   
                 Length 
                 17.3 
                 17.9 
                 19.3 
                 21.1 
                 21.9 
               
               
                 Female (cm) 
                 Breadth 
                 7.1 
                 7.3 
                 7.9 
                 8.6 
                 8.9 
               
               
                   
                 Length 
                 15.9 
                 16.5 
                 18.0 
                 19.7 
                 20.5 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0013]    Part of the ergonomic shaping may include the illustrated contours, including those corresponding with a top half  62  of the hand grip  60  being generally sloped upwardly from rear to front relative to a bottom half  64  that is sloped downwardly from rear to front (see  FIGS. 3-4 ). The sloped halves  62 ,  64  may define a left side surface that supports a thumb and towards which the top and bottom halves slope upwardly from a right side to a left side (see  FIGS. 5-6 ). A column portion  66  of the bottom half  64  of the hand grip  60  may extend downwardly to a support section  68 . The support section  68  may be affixed to a base structure  70 , such as by welding or removable fastener. When viewed form the top side of  FIG. 7 , the hand grip  60  may have a generally bean shape with depressions  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  proximate a front surface to comfortably support an index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger. 
         [0014]    The base structure  70  of the hand grip  60  may include a top piece  84  and a bottom piece  86 , which are shown in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention as stamped metal components. The use of stamped metal, as opposed to molded plastic, which itself may be used, may be advantageous in limiting assembly and design costs. A keypad  90  may be affixed to a forward end of the base structure  70  and at a distance from the hand grip  60  that allows the average human hand to rest their palm on the hand grip  60  and at the same time reach a forward most end of the keypad  90  without disengaging from a seated position on the hand grip  60 . To facilitate the desired positional relation of the keypad  90  to the hand grip  60 , and to accommodate the shape of each component, the top piece  84  of the base structure  70  may be sloped upwardly relative to a corresponding portion of the bottom piece  86 . Each of the forward and rearward ends of the base structure  70  may be shaped as illustrated to facilitate maximizing the positional stability of the keypad  90  relative to the hand grip  60 . 
         [0015]    The bottom piece of the base structure  70  may include a plurality of apertures  94 ,  96 ,  98  to facilitate attachment to the vehicle  14 , such as by screwing or welding. A number of removable fasteners (illustrated as screws) may also be used to facilitate attaching the two pieces  84 ,  86  of the base structure  70  together and to portions of the keypad  90  and hand grip  60 . Offsets created by upward extending portions  100 ,  102  of each piece  84 ,  86  may be sufficient to permit a flexible cable  104  to run between the keypad  90  and hand grip  60  within a substantially protected covering. The cable  104  may include removable connectors  106 ,  108  configured to removable connect to printed circuit boards (PCBs)  110 ,  112  housed within each of the keypad  90  and hand grip  60 . The cable  104  may be used to facilitate signal exchange between the two PCBs  110 ,  112 . The ability of the PCBs  110 ,  112  to communicate with each other can be advantageous in facilitating communication of user inputs to the keypad  90  and hand grip  60 . 
         [0016]    Each of the keypad  90  and hand grip  60  may include a number of push buttons  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  140 ,  142 ,  144  (referred to as “push buttons”) to facilitate receipt of the user inputs. The push buttons may be of the type that rely on a generally linear compression of the buttons in a direction parallel or along an axis defined by a centerline through each push button. In addition to the push buttons, the hand grip  60  is shown to include top and bottom toggle buttons  146 ,  148  and a wheel button  150 . Where the push buttons return to an uncompressed, non-signal generating position when compression is removed, the toggle buttons  146 ,  148  and wheel button  150  remain in the current position until actuated to a new position. The toggle buttons  146 ,  148  may be moveable between first and second positions while the wheel button  150  is axially rotated between any number of positions, typically measured by a radial positioning measure. 
         [0017]    User manipulation of the push buttons, toggle buttons  146 ,  148 , and wheel button  150  may by communicated by the PCBs  110 ,  112  to the vehicle system controller  16 . Optionally, the PCB  110  included in the hand grip  60  may be a passive PCB in that is simply relays button manipulation to the PCB  112  within the keypad  90  without any processing by a processor. A processor  152  on the keypad PCB  112  may then process the related impulses for transmission through a network interface and cable  154  connected to the vehicle system controller  16 , allowing the system  10  to employ a minimum number of processors to exchange messages with the vehicle system controller  16 . The processor  152  may format the user inputs into data messages prior to transmitting the corresponding information to the vehicle system controller 16. The data messages may be created according to any type of protocol and include any type of information, such as but not limited to an identification of the actuated button, a state of the button, and a time of actuation. This information may be used by the vehicle system controller  16  to coordinate related subsystem control. 
         [0018]    The present invention fully contemplates the use of the hand grip and keypad buttons to facilitate any type of control, including multi-layer and variable display based controls where the subsystem controlled by the same button can at different times be used to instigate a different type of control depending on information shown within the display  44  or elsewhere within the instrument panel  40  at the time of manipulation. In some cases, user inputs to the HCD  12  may also be used to control remotely or wirelessly connected devices, such as but not limited to wireless devices like handheld radios, cellular phones, computers, etc. that may otherwise be in communication with the vehicle system controller  16 . In this manner, the present invention is able to provide a structural secure, non-movable controller  12  to facilitate communication of user inputs to a vehicle system controller  16  that can be used to control virtually any system and facilitate the receipt of virtually any user input, especially when operated with information varying displays and other instrument panel features. 
         [0019]    One non-limiting aspect of the present invention contemplates using the HCD  12  to facilitate user inputs within a police cruiser. Police cruisers may include a laptop computer  160  positioned forwardly of the HCD  12  that can be interfaced with the HCD  12  and controlled via inputs to the keypad  90  and hand grip  60 . For example, a police office may input license plate numbers into the computer  160 , or a computer located elsewhere in the vehicle  14 , prior to instigating a traffic stops, such as to identify the individual and their police record. Shortly after inputting the license number, the officer may radio dispatch to notify the operator of any impending traffic stop and to active the lights and sirens to instruct the vehicle to move to the side of the road. These exchanges can be facilitated with the HCD  12  in that the HCD  12  can be used to input the license plate numbers, to radio dispatch, to active the lights and sirens, etc. While some of the related controls may be rely on the vehicle system controller  16  to change displays and other information in coordination with the user inputs to the HCD  12 , the process can be advantageous in that the officer can complete all tasks that previously required greater movement between input devices without having to remove their hand from the HCD  12 . 
         [0020]    To facilitate some of the police cruiser operations contemplated by the present invention, the keypad is shown to include a L/S button  122 , a memo button  124 , a RPT button  126 , a voice button  132 , a number of numerical buttons for #1-#6  128 ,  130 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  140 , and an emergency, 911 button  142 . The L/S button  122  can be used to activate the lights and sirens. The voice button  132  can be used to radio dispatch or to conduct a mobile phone call through a vehicle speak and microphone arrangement. The number buttons  128 ,  130 ,  134 ,  136 ,  140  can be used to facilitate inputting numbers and selecting inputs from displayed information. The emergency, 911 button  142  can be used to generate an alert or other message to indicate an officer emergency. 
         [0021]    The buttons  116 ,  118 ,  120  on the hand grip  60  may not necessarily be labeled like the buttons on the keypad, although they may be. The hand grip buttons, however, can operation in conjunction with the buttons on the keypad or as an alternative to the same, i.e., some operations may be instigated through keypad inputs as well as hand grip inputs. The table shown below illustrates a number of functions that may be instigated through hand grip  60 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 OPERATIONAL 
                 PUSH BUTTON FUNCTIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                 MODE 
                 I - RIGHT INDEX 
                 II - RIGHT MIDDLE 
                 III - RIGHT RING 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Mode 1 
                 1 
                 Alert 1 
                 
                           
                 
                 Siren Enable 
                 AIR 
                 Air Horn 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 1 st  Push: Rear amber and blue 
                 On/Off 
                 Sounds the air horn and is 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 lights 
                   
                   
                 inactive while the siren is in 
               
               
                   
                 2 nd  Push: Adds red lights to 
                   
                   
                 use. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 rear 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 3 rd  Push: Removes amber 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 lights 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 4 th  Push: OFF 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Mode 2 
                 2 
                 Alert 2 
                 
                           
                 
                 Warning 
                 VOICE 
                 Voice 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Lights 
                   
                 Command 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 1 st  Push: Two forward reds, 
                 1 st  Push: Turns the LEFT 
                 1 st  Push: Allows voice 
               
               
                   
                 all rear lights 
                 pointing warning light arrow 
                 commands to be accepted 
               
               
                   
                 2nd Push: Adds wig-wags, 
                 on and off. 
                 by the CPVE 
               
               
                   
                 siren (when enabled) and 
                 2 nd  Push: Turns the RIGHT 
                 If prior to command 
               
               
                   
                 oscillating center front red 
                 pointing warning light arrow 
                 activation - 
               
               
                   
                 3 rd  Push: OFF 
                 on and off. 
                 2 nd  Push: Will cancel the 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 3 rd  Push: Turns the CENTER 
                 command 
               
               
                   
                 OUT arrows on and off. 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 4 th  Push: OFF 
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Mode 3 
                 3 
                 Alert 3 
                 L/S 
                 Lights/Siren 
                 LIGHTS 
                 Lights Out 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 OFF 
                 OFF 
                 OFF 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 1 st  Push: All lights and siren 
                 1 st  Push: Cancels all alert 
                 Turns off the siren, the 
               
               
                   
                 (when enabled) 
                 functions. 
                 emergency warning light 
               
               
                   
                 2 nd  Push: Removes wig-wags 
                 2 nd  Push: Cancels all lights 
                 system and the lights of the 
               
               
                   
                 3 rd  Push: Removes amber 
                 and repeater (VRS). 
                 CPVE components in the 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 lights 
                   
                   
                 front occupant 
               
               
                   
                 4 th  Push: OFF 
                   
                   
                 compartment (including 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 display, HCD, keyboard and 
               
               
                   
                 HUD). 
               
               
                   
                 2-Second Hold: Screen 
               
               
                   
                 display shall be restored. 
               
               
                   
                 Normal vehicle lights shall 
               
               
                   
                 remain on. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Mode 4 
                 HOME 
                 Radio Channel 
                 RPT 
                 Repeater (VRS) 
                 MEMO 
                 Memo 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Home) 
                   
                 Enable 
                   
                 Recorder 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Returns the lowband radio 
                 On/Off 
                   
                 1 st  Push: Allows audio to be 
               
               
                   
                 (i.e., the primary CHP radio) 
                   
                   
                 recorded by CPVE 
               
               
                   
                 to its default/home channel. 
                   
                   
                 2 nd  Push: Stops recording 
               
             
          
           
               
                     Mode SO 
                 High-Speed Pursuit 
                 Routine Stop 
                 Other 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0022]    Due to the ability of the present invention to provide single-handed control of any number of vehicle subsystems, it may be desirable to arrange and implement the corresponding controls in an intuitive and consistent manner so that the driver need not necessarily look at displays  44 , gauges  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  42  or other areas of the vehicle  14  when operating the HCD  12 . Along those lines, the HCD buttons may be configured to provide tactile or audible feedback to the driver in order to let the driver know when an input has been received. Protuberances or other sensation inducing features may be included on the buttons or in proximity thereto, such as on the keypad  90  and hand grip  60 , to indicate functions of the associated button and/or to simply identify its position relative to the other buttons. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , portions  160 ,  162  of the top surface of the keypad  90  may be raised or lowered relative to the other portions in order to facilitate identification of one or more of the buttons. A vertical member  160  and a horizontal member  162  may rise above the top surface to a height slightly less than a height of the adjoining push buttons. The vertical raised member  160  may be positioned between a first and second column of the keypad push buttons and the horizontal raised member  162  being positioned between a second and third row of the keypad push buttons to provide a tactile differentiator between different portions of the keypad. A portion around the 911 button  142  may be sunken below most of the top surface of the keypad, optionally along with the 911 button  142 , to prevent inadvertent actuation. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the 911 button  142  may be shorter than the rest of the keypad buttons. The keypad buttons are shown as hermetically sealed buttons covered by a rubber pad. The buttons attach to the PCB  112 , and thereby, to the processor. The internal cavity or enclosure provided by the keypad may be defined by the connection of a top half to a bottom half. The hand grip may have a similar arrangement a first enclosure and second enclosure are defined by the connection of sections  62 ,  64  of the hand grip  60 . The enclosures may be used to house the PCB  110  and hand grip buttons, which may also be hermetically sealed as illustrated. 
         [0025]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. The features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments and combinations of the invention.