Method for attributing equipment operation to a specific operator

A method for controlling equipment, the method comprising:

• evaluating a control state of an equipment control;
• detecting if a signal associated with an operator of the equipment control is present;
• and
• based upon the evaluated control state:
• activating a first equipment function if the signal from the equipment control is present;
• or
• activating a second equipment function if the signal is not present.

An apparatus for controlling equipment operable by a plurality of operators, comprising:

• a control state evaluation device configured to evaluate a control state of an equipment control;
• a signal detection device configured to detect if a signal associated with an operator of the equipment control is present;
• and
• a process controller configured to activate a first equipment function if the signal from the equipment control is present, and configured to activate a second equipment function if the signal is not present.

A system for controlling vehicle equipment via a touch screen apparatus, comprising:

• a first conductive surface operatively connected to a first signal generator;
• a second conductive surface operatively connected to the first signal generator or a second signal generator;
• and
• the touch screen apparatus, the touch screen apparatus comprising:
• a dual view touch screen;
• a control state evaluator operatively connected to the touch screen;
• a signal detector operatively connected to the touch screen;
• and
• a process controller configured to detect an output from the signal detector and an output of the control state evaluator,
• wherein the process controller is configured to activate a first function based upon a detected signal from the first conductive surface, and to activate a second function based upon a detected signal from the second conductive surface.

A touch screen apparatus comprising:

• a dual view touch screen, the dual view touch screen enabling control of vehicle equipment though a first operator and at least a second operator upon touching a screen of the dual view touch screen;
• and
• a process controller for activating a first function based upon a first signal associated with the first operator and for activating a second function based upon a second signal associated with the second operator, the first signal being provided to the process controller when the first operator touches the screen and the second signal being provided to the process controller when the second operator touches the screen,
• wherein the first signal and the second signal are generated by at least one signal generator, and
• wherein the first function and the second function each control functions of the vehicle equipment and are each associated with the first operator and the second operator, respectively.