Patent Publication Number: US-2023143533-A1

Title: Programmable input device for a vehicle

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an input device for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a programmable auxiliary input device for a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Vehicles often include an input device, such as a center stack touchscreen human-machine interface, that receives user inputs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a system for a vehicle includes a first input device and a second input device that provides a plurality of selectable input options. The plurality of selectable input options comprises a plurality of control input options for controlling a plurality of vehicle functions and an association input option for associating the first input device with at least one vehicle function suggested from among the plurality of vehicle functions. The at least one vehicle function is suggested based on historical use of the control input option that controls the at least one vehicle function and an accessibility score of the control input option. 
     Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the first input device is an auxiliary input device;   the auxiliary input device includes at least one of a mechanical button, a rotary dial, and a mechanical slider;   the auxiliary input device is mounted to a class A surface of the vehicle;   the second input device is a touchscreen human-machine interface, wherein the selectable input options provided by the touchscreen human-machine interface are selectable by a user via a touch event on the touchscreen;   the accessibility score is determined based on the number of touch events executed to select the control input option to control the at least one vehicle function; and   the historical use of the control input option comprises the selection frequency of the control input option in a predetermined number of previous system-on cycles of the vehicle.       

     According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a system of a vehicle includes the steps of detecting a first input device, providing, on a second input device, a plurality of selectable control input options for controlling a plurality of vehicle functions, and providing at least one selectable association input option for associating the first input device with at least one vehicle function suggested from among the plurality of vehicle functions. The at least one vehicle function is suggested based on historical use of the control input option for controlling the at least one vehicle function, and an accessibility score of the control input option. 
     Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the step of mounting the first input device to a class A surface of the vehicle;   the at least one selectable association input option comprises a first selectable association input option for associating the first input device with a first vehicle function and a second selectable association input option for associating the first input device with a second vehicle function;   the first input device includes at least one of a mechanical button, a rotary dial, and a mechanical slider;   the at least one selectable association input option for associating the first input device with the at least one vehicle function is provided on the second input device;   the second input device is a touchscreen human-machine interface of the vehicle, wherein the selectable control input options provided by the touchscreen human-machine interface are selectable by a user via a touch event on the touchscreen; and   the step of determining the accessibility score based on the number of touch events executed to select the control input option to control the at least one vehicle function.       

     According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a system for a vehicle includes an auxiliary input device and a touchscreen human-machine interface for the vehicle that provides a plurality of input options that may be selected by a user via a touch event on the touchscreen. The plurality of input options comprises a plurality of control input options for controlling a plurality of vehicle functions and an association input option for associating the auxiliary input device with at least one vehicle function suggested from among the plurality of vehicle functions. The at least one vehicle function is suggested based on historical use of the control input option that controls the at least one vehicle function and an accessibility score of the control input option. 
     Embodiments of a third aspect of the present disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the auxiliary input device includes at least one of a mechanical button, a rotary dial, and a mechanical slider;   the auxiliary input device is mounted to a class A surface of the vehicle;   the auxiliary device is mounted to the class A surface of the vehicle via a magnet;   the accessibility score is determined based on the number of touch events executed to select the control input option to control the at least one vehicle function; and   the historical use of the control input option comprises the selection frequency of the control input option in a predetermined number of previous system-on cycles of the vehicle.       

     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a vehicle, illustrating an auxiliary input device coupled to an exterior class A surface of the vehicle, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a vehicle interior of the vehicle, illustrating a touchscreen human-machine interface of the vehicle, and a plurality of auxiliary input devices coupled to class A surfaces of the vehicle interior, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is a front elevational view of the human-machine interface, illustrating a plurality of selectable input options, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    is a front elevational view of the human-machine interface, illustrating a plurality of selectable input options, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    is a front elevational view of the human-machine interface, illustrating a plurality of selectable input options, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is a front elevational view of the human-machine interface, illustrating a selectable association input option, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a flow chart diagram of an operating routine of a system of the vehicle, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    is a flow schematic, illustrating the steps of a method of operating a system of the vehicle, according to one embodiment; and 
         FIG.  9    is a block diagram of a system of the vehicle, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the detailed description which follows and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or recognized by practicing the invention as described in the following description, together with the claims and appended drawings. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. 
     In this document, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and/or any additional intermediate members. Such joining may include members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another (i.e., integrally coupled) or may refer to joining of two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature, or may be removable or releasable in nature, unless otherwise stated. 
     The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, “substantially” may denote values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other. 
     As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     Class A surfaces include all visible exterior surfaces of a vehicle (e.g., body panels, bumper, grill, lights, etc.) and all visible surfaces of see-touch and feel parts in the interior of a vehicle (e.g., dashboard, seats, door pads, etc.). 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  9   , a vehicle  10  is illustrated. The vehicle  10  includes a vehicle exterior  12 , as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , and a vehicle interior  14 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2   . The vehicle  10  includes a control system  16 . The control system  16  includes an input device  18 . In various embodiments, the control system  16  includes a plurality of input devices  18 . The input device  18  is configured to be actuated by a user of the vehicle  10  and transmit an input signal to one or more other components of the control system  16  of the vehicle  10  responsively. A variety of types of input devices  18  are contemplated. For example, the input device  18  may include a microphone that is configured to receive voice commands. The input device  18  may include an imager, such as a vehicle interior camera, for receiving gesture commands from a user. As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the input device  18  may include a touchscreen human-machine interface (HMI)  20 . As described further herein, the touchscreen HMI  20  may be configured to be actuated by a user via touch events on the touchscreen HMI  20 . In various embodiments, the input device  18  may include one or more mechanical actuators  22 , such as one or more buttons  24 , sliders, rotary dials  26  (e.g., knob  26 ), joysticks, switches, toggle switches, rocker switches, and/or a combination thereof. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the vehicle  10  includes the touchscreen HMI  20 , a plurality of buttons  24 , and a rotary dial  26 . 
     The vehicle  10  may include at least one vehicle input device  28 . The vehicle input device  28  is integrated with the vehicle  10 . In various embodiments, the vehicle input device  28  is installed into the vehicle  10  during manufacturing of the vehicle  10  prior to a first commercial sale of the vehicle  10 . A variety of such vehicle input devices  28  are contemplated, such as a center stack touchscreen HMI  20 , a microphone for receiving voice commands, and/or various mechanical actuators  22  (e.g., buttons  24 , etc.). In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the touchscreen HMI  20  is the vehicle input device  28 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the vehicle  10  may include at least one auxiliary input device  30 . The auxiliary input device  30  may be not installed during manufacturing of the vehicle  10  prior to the first commercial sale of the vehicle  10 . In various embodiments, the auxiliary input device  30  is an aftermarket input device that is selectively coupled to the vehicle  10 . In other words, the auxiliary input device  30  may be purchased for optional attachment to the vehicle  10 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2   , a plurality of auxiliary input devices  30  are coupled to class A surfaces of the vehicle interior  14 . In particular, a first auxiliary input device  30  that includes a rotary knob  26  is coupled to a center console box lid, and a second auxiliary input device  30  that includes a plurality of buttons  24  is coupled to a portion of a dashboard that faces vehicle-rearward. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the auxiliary input device  30  is coupled to the vehicle exterior  12  on a class A surface of the driver side door. The illustrated auxiliary input device  30  includes a plurality of buttons  24  that are configured to be mechanically actuated. It is contemplated that auxiliary input devices  30  may be coupled to various portions of the vehicle  10  by a variety of means. For example, in some embodiments, the auxiliary input device  30  may include a magnet  34  that is configured to be coupled to a corresponding magnetically compatible surface of the vehicle  10 , as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , wherein the auxiliary input device  30  is magnetically coupled to the metal exterior of the driver side door of the vehicle  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 - 6   , the input device  18  of the vehicle  10  may provide a plurality of selectable input options  36 . The selectable input options  36  may be selected by the user via actuation of the input device  18 . For example, the rotary knob  26  illustrated in  FIG.  2    may provide a first selectable input option  36  and a second selectable input option  36 , wherein turning the knob  26  clockwise selects the first input option  36  and turning the knob  26  counter-clockwise selects the second input option  36 . In some implementations, wherein the input device  18  is the touchscreen HMI  20 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  3 - 6   , the touchscreen HMI  20  may provide a plurality of selectable input options  36  that may be selected by a user via touch events (i.e., actuation of the HMI  20 ) on the touchscreen. Examples of touch events may include a swipe, press, pinch, and/or a variety of touch events. Selection of a selectable input option  36  provided by the input device  18  may prompt an input signal to be sent to a controller  38  of the control system  16 , which may control outputs in response, as described further herein. 
     Referring still to  FIGS.  1 - 6   , in some embodiments, the plurality of selectable input options  36  provided by the input device  18  may include at least one control input option  40 . In various embodiments, the plurality of selectable input options  36  may include a plurality of control input options  40 . Selection of a control input option  40  may prompt controlling of one or more corresponding vehicle functions. For example, in an embodiment wherein the rotary knob  26  illustrated in  FIG.  2    is associated with the volume of a speaker of the vehicle  10 , selection of a first control input option  40  provided by the rotary knob  26 , via clockwise rotation of the rotary knob  26 , may increase the volume of the speaker, and selection of a second control input option  40 , via counter-clockwise rotation the rotary knob  26 , may decrease the volume of the speaker. In another exemplary embodiment, wherein the touchscreen HMI  20  includes a control input option  40  in the form of a displayed icon that may be selected via a touch event that is associated with a steering wheel heater, selection of the control input option  40  via the touch event may activate the steering wheel heater. 
     It is contemplated that the vehicle  10  may include various types of components and/or systems that may be controlled via selection of control input options  40  provided by input devices  18 . For example, control input options  40  may be utilized to control at least one of the following vehicle functions: seating assembly adjustment, door adjustment (e.g., open, closed, etc.), window position adjustment, speaker volume adjustment, cabin heating and cooling adjustment, seating assembly heating and cooling adjustment, steering wheel heating and cooling adjustment, drive mode shifting (e.g., park, reverse, etc.), infotainment feature adjustment (e.g., radio, display, navigation, etc.), mirror position adjustment, and/or a combination thereof. The aforementioned list is not intended to be limiting with respect to controllable vehicle functions, as various other vehicle functions are contemplated. 
     In some embodiments, the plurality of input options  36  may include an association input option  42 . Selection of the association input option  42  may prompt association of the input device  18  with a vehicle function, such that the vehicle function may be controlled via actuation of the input device  18 . In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle  10  includes first and second input devices  18 . The first input device  18  provides a control input option  40  for controlling a given vehicle function. The given vehicle function may be associated with the second input device  18  in addition to the first input device  18  in response to selection of an association input option  42  for associating the second input device  18  with the given vehicle function. The association input option  42  may be provided for selection via the first input device  18 , the second input device  18 , and/or another input device  18 . In various embodiments, the input device  18  that provides the control input option  40  originally may be the vehicle input device  28 , such as the touchscreen HMI  20  illustrated in  FIG.  2   . In some embodiments, the input device  18  that is associated with the vehicle function controlled via selection of the control input option  40  may be the auxiliary input device  30 , such as the rotary knob  26  and/or buttons  24  illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9   , the control system  16  may include and/or be in communication with the controller  38 . The controller  38  may be configured with a microprocessor  44  to process logic and routines stored in memory  48  that receives information from a variety of vehicle systems, components, and/or devices, including one or more input devices  18 . The controller  38  may receive input signals from the one or more input devices  18  and prompt execution of vehicle functions responsively. The controller  38  may include the microprocessor  44  and/or other analog and/or digital circuitry for processing one or more routines. Further, the controller  38  may include the memory  48  for storing one or more routines. It should be appreciated that the controller  38  may be a standalone dedicated controller or may be a shared controller integrated with other control functions. It should further be appreciated that certain functions may be carried out by a dedicated processor. 
     In various embodiments, input device historical use data may be stored in the memory  48  of the controller  38 . For example, the frequency with which a selectable input option  36  is selected by a user may be stored within the memory  48 . In some implementations, the frequency with which the selectable input option  36  is selected by the user in a predetermined number of previous system-on cycles of the vehicle  10  may be stored in memory  48 . For example, the number of times that the steering wheel heater ON icon illustrated on the touchscreen HMI  20  in  FIG.  5    is selected by a user in the previous  10  times the vehicle  10  is turned on may be stored in memory  48 . The system-on cycle may be the period between the vehicle  10  being turned on and off, in some embodiments. It is contemplated that system-on cycles may be synonymous with trips of the vehicle  10 , in various embodiments. 
     The controller  38  may be operable to determine an accessibility score of a control input option  40  of an input device  18  of the vehicle  10 . If a relatively large number of selectable input options  36  must be selected to provide access to the control input option  40  that controls a given vehicle function, the accessibility score of the control input option  40  may be relatively low. Conversely, if a relatively small number of selectable input options  36  must be selected to provide access to the control input option  40 , then the accessibility score of the control input option  40  may be relatively high. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  3 - 6   , the input device  18  is the touchscreen HMI  20  of the vehicle  10 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , a home screen of the touchscreen HMI  20  is shown. The home screen includes a control input option  40  labeled RADIO that, upon selection, switches the infotainment mode of the vehicle  10  to FM radio, such that FM radio is played through the speakers of the vehicle  10 . As such, a single touch event actuation of the touchscreen HMI  20  controls the corresponding vehicle function, which results in a relatively high accessibility score for the radio control input option  40 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the touchscreen HMI  20  provides a selectable control input option  40  that is associated with the steering wheel heater of the vehicle  10 . In order to access the steering wheel heater control input option  40 , three touch event actuations of the touchscreen HMI  20  are necessary—a swipe touch event to move from the home screen illustrated in  FIG.  3    to the screen illustrated in  FIG.  4   , a press touch event on the climate input option illustrated in FIG.  4 , and an additional press touch event on the steering wheel heater control input option  40 , illustrated in  FIG.  5   . As such, the steering wheel heater input option has a relatively lower accessibility score. It is contemplated that various control input options  40  of a variety of different types of input devices  18  may have various accessibility scores. For example, if a first control input option  40  is selected via a single actuation of a mechanical button  24 , the first control input option  40  may include a first accessibility score, while if a second control input option  40  is selectable via three actuations of a mechanical button  24 , the second control input option  40  may have a second accessibility score that is lower than the first accessibility score. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , in some embodiments, the control system  16  may be configured to suggest that a first input device  18  be associated with a vehicle function that is controlled by a control input option  40  of a second input device  18 . The control system  16  may suggest association of the first input device  18  and the vehicle function based on historical use of the control input option  40 , such as the frequency that the control input option  40  is selected, and the accessibility score of the control input option  40 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the touchscreen HMI  20  provides an association input option  42  for associating another input device  18  with the vehicle function of turning the steering wheel heater on and off. It is contemplated that various vehicle functions may be suggested for association with an input device  18  based on historical use data and the accessibility score of the control input option  40 . As described further herein, in some embodiments, the control input option  40  that controls the vehicle function, and for which the accessibility score and historical use data is recorded, may be provided for selection by the vehicle input device  28 , and the input device  18  that is to be associated with the vehicle function may be the auxiliary input device  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   , the control system  16  is operable to execute a suggestion routine  100 . The suggestion routine  100  initiates with step  102  of scanning for auxiliary input devices  30 . In various embodiments, a wireless auxiliary input device  30  may be scanned for. It is contemplated that the control system  16  may scan for the auxiliary input devices  30  via a variety of types of communication protocols, such as wireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, etc.) and wired communication. 
     If a new or unrecognized auxiliary input device  30  is not detected by the control system  16  at step  104 , the routine  100  ends. In an alternative embodiment, the routine  100  may instead proceed to step  106 , as illustrated in phantom in  FIG.  7   . If no known auxiliary input devices  30  (e.g., previously detected by the control system  16 ) are detected at step  106 , the routine  100  ends. If a known auxiliary input device  30  is detected at step  106 , the routine  100  proceeds to step  108 . If it is determined at step  108  that the known auxiliary input device  30  has been actuated in a predetermined number of preceding system-on cycles of the vehicle  10 , the routine  100  ends. If the input device  18 , instead, has not been actuated in the predetermined number of preceding system-on cycles of the vehicle  10 , then the routine  100  proceeds to step  110  of determining suggested vehicle functions. As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , if a new input device  18  is detected at step  104 , the routine  100  proceeds to step  110  of determining the suggested vehicle function. 
     At step  110 , the control system  16  determines which of the vehicle functions controlled by control input options  40  of vehicle input devices  28  are to be suggested for association with the detected auxiliary input device  30 . In various embodiments, the control system  16  may suggest the vehicle function for association with the auxiliary input device  30  based on the historical use data (e.g., frequency) of the corresponding control input option  40  and the accessibility score of the corresponding control input option  40 . In various implementations, the control system  16  may suggest a first vehicle function for association with the auxiliary input device  30  over a second vehicle function based on historical usage data indicating more frequent use of the first control input option  40  relative to the second control input option  40  and/or a lower accessibility score of the first control input option  40  relative to the second control input option  40 . In some embodiments, the control system  16  may filter out one or more vehicle functions from the plurality of vehicle functions for potential association with the auxiliary input device  30  based on incompatibility of the vehicle function with the auxiliary input device  30 . For example, if the auxiliary input device  30  comprises a single mechanical button  24 , the control system  16  may preliminarily filter out speaker volume adjustment from among the plurality of vehicle functions that may potentially be associated with the auxiliary input device  30 , as a single mechanical button  24  does not afford an opportunity to adjust speaker volume both up and down. 
     In some embodiments, the control system  16  may determine the suggested vehicle function based on other factors in addition to the historical usage data of the control input option  40  and the accessibility score of the control input option  40 . For example, the control system  16  may apply a predicted future usage multiplier. The predicted future usage multiplier may take into account a variety of external factors, such as seasonal factors, weather, GPS location, and/or a combination thereof. For example, the control system  16  may receive an input from a temperature sensor indicating that the average ambient exterior temperature over the past month has been below 32° F. In response, the control system  16  may more heavily weigh control input options  40  that control heating functions of the vehicle (e.g., steering wheel heater, seat warmers, etc.). 
     Next, the routine  100  proceeds to step  112 , wherein an association input option  42  for associating the auxiliary input device  30  with the suggested vehicle function determined in step  110  is provided. The association input option  42  may be provided for selection on the vehicle input device  28  that provides the control input option  40  that controls the suggested vehicle function. In some embodiments, the association input option  42  may be provided on the auxiliary input device  30 . In some embodiments, the association input option  42  may be provided on an input device  18  other than the auxiliary input device  30  and the vehicle input device  28  that provides the control input option  40 . 
     If the association input option  42  is not selected by the user at step  114 , the routine  100  ends. If, at step  114 , the association input option  42  is selected by the user, the routine  100  proceeds to step  116 , wherein the auxiliary input device  30  is associated with the suggested vehicle function, such that the actuation of the auxiliary input device  30  is operable to control the suggested vehicle function. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8   , method  200  of operating the control system  16  of the vehicle  10  includes the step  210  of detecting a first input device  18 . In various embodiments, the first input device  18  may be the auxiliary input device  30 . It is contemplated that the first input device  18  may be the vehicle input device  28 , in some embodiments. In various embodiments, the first input device  18  may include a mechanical actuator  22 , such as a mechanical button  24 , a rotary dial  26 , and/or a mechanical slider. A plurality of mechanical actuators  22  are contemplated. The first input device  18  may be detected by the control system  16  via a variety of features and/or communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, etc.). 
     The method  200  may include the step  220  of providing, on a second input device  18 , a plurality of selectable control input options  40  for controlling a plurality of vehicle functions. In various embodiments, the second input device  18  may be the vehicle input device  28 . For example, the second input device  18  may be the touchscreen HMI  20 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  2 - 6   . The selectable control input options  40  provided on the touchscreen HMI  20  may be selectable by a user via a touch event on the touchscreen (e.g., swipe, press, etc.). 
     The method  200  of operating the control system  16  of the vehicle  10  may include the step  230  of determining an accessibility score of a control input option  40  provided by the second input device  18 . In some embodiments, wherein the second input device  18  is the touchscreen HMI  20 , the accessibility score may be determined based on the number of touch events executed to select the control input option  40  to control the at least one vehicle function. 
     The method  200  may include the step  240  of providing at least one selectable association input option  42  for associating the first input device  18  with at least one vehicle function suggested from among the plurality of vehicle functions. In various embodiments, the at least one association input option  42  may be provided in response to execution of the step  210  of detecting the first input device  18 . In various embodiments, the at least one vehicle function may be suggested based on historical use of the control input option  40  for controlling the at least one vehicle function, and an accessibility score of the control input option  40 . In some embodiments, the at least one selectable association input option  42  for associating the first input device  18  with the at least one vehicle function may be provided on the second input device  18 . It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, the at least one selectable association input option  42  for associating the first input device  18  with the at least one vehicle function may be generated on the first input device  18  and/or on an input device  18  other than the first and second input devices  18 . In some embodiments, the at least one selectable association input option  42  comprises a first selectable association input option  42  for associating the first input device  18  with a first vehicle function and a second selectable association input option  42  for associating the first input device  18  with a second vehicle function. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, wherein the second input device  18  is the touchscreen HMI  20 , the touchscreen HMI  20  may provide a plurality of selectable association input options  42  that, if selected, would associate the first input device  18  with respective vehicle functions. 
     The method  200  of operating a control system  16  of the vehicle  10  may include the step  250  of mounting the first input device  18  to a class A surface of the vehicle  10 . In the exemplary embodiment, the first input device  18  is an auxiliary input device  30 , that includes an attachment feature  32  configured to attach the auxiliary input device  30  to a class A surface of the vehicle  10 . In some embodiments, the attachment feature  32  may be a magnet  34  that magnetically couples the auxiliary input device  30  to a compatible surface of the vehicle  10 , as illustrated in  FIG.  1   . A variety of types of attachment features  32  are contemplated (e.g., adhesives, hook and loop fasteners, immediately engaging fasteners, etc.). 
     The control system  16  of the present disclosure may provide a variety of advantages. For example, the control system  16  suggesting a vehicle function for association with an auxiliary input device  30  that has been newly detected by the control system  16  based on historical usage data and an accessibility score of a plurality of control input options  40  that control the corresponding plurality of vehicle functions may provide a user with a suggested vehicle function for association with the first input option  36  that is often used by the user and is difficult to use by the user via the existing control input option  40 . 
     It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.