Reconfigurable vehicle accessory control panel

a control panel and accessory technology, applied in the direction of electric controllers, identification means, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of cumbersome use, large number of switches, and aesthetically disconcerting for users, and achieve the effect of reducing the number of switches and reducing the number of users
US20060036335A1Inactive Publication Date: 2006-02-16LEAR CORP
16 Cites 107 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
LEAR CORP
Publication Date
2006-02-16
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A vehicle accessory control panel is provided for controlling at least two vehicle accessory systems. A plurality of switches is reconfigurable for providing at least two sets of switch functions. A plurality of graphics is provided for identifying the switch functions. A plurality of illumination elements is provided for illuminating the plurality of graphics. The respective set of illumination elements is activated for illuminating a respective set of graphics identifiable with a selected set of accessory switch functions. A first set of graphics identifies a first set of accessory switch functions in response to enabling the first set of accessory switch functions. A second set of graphics identifies a second set of accessory switch functions in response to enabling the second set of accessory switch functions. A wakeup protocol includes a sequential illumination learning mode scheme for visually identifying each respective set of accessory switch functions.
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Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates in general to a vehicle accessory switch control panel for activating vehicle accessories, and more particularly, to a reconfigurable vehicle accessory switch control panel.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Vehicle accessory input controls typically consist of a plurality of buttons, knobs, or menu driven display screens located on an instrument panel within the passenger compartment of a vehicle for controlling accessories such as multimedia, navigation, and climate control systems. Often the center console area of the instrument panel is cluttered with a large number single push button switches to control as many of the vehicle accessory functions as possible. A large number of switches is often aesthetically displeasing and confusing to...

Claims

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