Multi-function vehicle input apparatuses with operational buttons for vehicle systems control and methods incorporating the same

A steering wheel of a vehicle, the steering wheel comprising:

• an outer rim;
• a center hub disposed within the outer rim;
• and
• an input apparatus positioned on the center hub, the input apparatus includes a plurality of outer buttons, a touch pad, and a confirmation button, the touch pad is positioned adjacent to the plurality of outer buttons and the confirmation button, the touch pad includes a capacitive surface;
• wherein the plurality of outer buttons correspond to a plurality of vehicle systems such that actuation of at least one of the plurality of outer buttons selects a corresponding vehicle system,
• wherein a plurality of settings of the selected vehicle system are navigable in response to actuation of capacitive surface of the touch pad and at least one of the plurality of settings is selectable in response to actuation of the confirmation button,
• wherein, in response to actuating at least one of the plurality of outer buttons, an operability of other outer buttons of the plurality of outer buttons is deactivated.

A multi-function input apparatus of a vehicle having a steering wheel, the multi-function input apparatus comprising:

• a touch pad positioned on the steering wheel of the vehicle, the touch pad including a capacitive surface that is selectively actuated in response to conductive contact with the capacitive surface;
• a plurality of outer buttons positioned so as to partially border the touch pad;
• a confirmation button positioned so as to partially border the touch pad;
• a processor;
• and
• non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, causes the processor to:
• select a vehicle system in response to at least one of the plurality of outer buttons being actuated;
• navigate a plurality of settings of the selected vehicle system in response to actuation of the capacitive surface;
• actuating at least one of the plurality of settings in response to the confirmation button being actuated;
• and
• in response to actuating at least one of the plurality of outer buttons, deactivating an operability of other outer buttons of the plurality of outer buttons.