US 2010/0147663 A1 · Interface device

Abstract

An interface device (15) is provided that includes an operating knob (30) for outputting an operation command signal to in-vehicle equipment, the operating knob (30) being provided with a palm rest portion (30a) for an occupant's palm to be placed on, and a switch (31) being disposed on the operating knob (30) within a region that a fingertip can reach while the palm is placed on the palm rest portion (30a). Since this determines the positional relationship between the switch (31) and the fingertip when the palm is placed on the palm rest portion (30a), even if the switch (31) is operated without being visually checked it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation from occurring and, moreover, the operability is remarkably improved. Furthermore, since tilting the operating knob (30), which is supported so that it can tilt in fore-and-aft and left-and-right directions, outputs an operation command signal to in-vehicle equipment, coupling this with operation of the switch (31) enables many types of operation command signal to be outputted.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An interface device in which an operating knob for outputting an operation command signal to in-vehicle equipment installed in a vehicle is supported on an operating knob support portion,

wherein the operating knob has a palm rest portion for an occupant's palm to be placed on, and a switch for outputting an operation command signal to the in-vehicle equipment is disposed on the operating knob within a region that a fingertip can reach while the palm is placed on the palm rest portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interface device

Life of this patent

Interface device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16