An input display device includes a display configured to display an image, a capacitive touch panel configured to be attached onto the display and include at least one three-dimensional UI portion on a surface of the touch panel, and a detection unit configured to measure a capacitance of the touch panel and detect an operation on the touch panel based on the measured capacitance. The detection unit detects a rotation of the three-dimensional UI portion from a change in coordinates of a finger touching the three-dimensional UI portion, determines that a rotation detected when a finger distance decreases is valid, and determines that the rotation detected when the finger distance does not decrease is invalid.

An operating element in a vehicle includes a capacitive touch panel and a capacitive sensor unit configured to detect a user approaching the touch panel. When the capacitive sensor unit detects the approaching user, a first control unit activates the touch panel, such that the touch panel may be activated from a sleep mode by a single movement, and such that the user can, at the same time, perform inputs using the touch panel.

A user interface apparatus for a vehicle including a touch screen; a gesture input unit configured to detect a gesture of a user; and a processor configured to in response to the gesture detected by the gesture input unit being applied from a driver seat of the vehicle, display a preset first screen on the touch screen corresponding to driver operations of the vehicle, and in response to the gesture detected by the gesture input unit being applied from a front passenger seat of the vehicle, display a preset third screen on the touch screen corresponding to passenger operations of the vehicle excluding vehicle driving operations.

A method and system for assisting a user when interacting with a graphical user interface combines gaze based input with gesture based user commands. A user of a computer system without a traditional touch-screen can interact with graphical user interfaces in a touch-screen like manner using a combination of gaze based input and gesture based user commands. A solution for touch-screen like interaction uses gaze input and gesture based input as a complement or an alternative to touch-screen interactions with a computer device having a touch-screen. Combined gaze and gesture based interaction with graphical user interfaces can be used to achieve a touchscreen like environment in computer systems without a traditional touchscreen or in computer systems having a touchscreen arranged ergonomically unfavorable for the user or a touchscreen arranged such that it is more comfortable for the user to use gesture and gaze for the interaction than the touchscreen.

A sliding-contact control unit for a motor vehicle includes a support element, a printed circuit board arranged on the support element, a control element covering the printed circuit board that defines an operator-controlled finger-slide control zone. The printed circuit board includes a first series of position detectors configured to determine the position and the direction of sliding of the finger of an operator. The first series of position detectors is supported against the control element, facing the slide-operated control zone. The printed circuit board includes a first detection element, which is simultaneously a contact force sensor and a haptic actuator, wherein the first detection element is interposed in a supporting arrangement between the printed circuit board and a connecting component, wherein the connecting component is in direct contact with the control element.

A control panel for motor vehicle includes a mount; a printed circuit board, which is fastened on the mount; a facade element, which is assembled on the mount and which covers the printed circuit board; the facade element comprising at least one actionable control key, which is integral with a fixed part of the facade element and which extends above a zone of the printed circuit board; the control key including an end joining the fixed part of the facade element and a mobile free end; the control key includes at its joining end a first protuberance bearing against the mount and/or against the printed circuit board, and includes at its free end a pressing zone provided to be touched by an operator with a view to actuating the control key; the control key also includes a second protuberance arranged between the first protuberance and the pressing zone, said second protuberance having a lesser height than the first protuberance and including at its free end opposite the printed circuit board a bearing surface provided to come into contact with a sensor arranged opposite on the printed circuit board when the control key is actuated.

A touch input apparatus mounted on a mounting surface includes a protrusion protruding from the mounting surface. A recessed portion is formed in the protrusion. A touch portion is provided on a bottom surface of the recessed portion and receives a user's touch signal. A vehicle having the touch input apparatus includes a display and a controller configured to operate the display according to the users input inputted to the touch input apparatus.

A touch input device includes: a main body including a touch input unit disposed on a surface of the main body and a base including a metal composite disposed on another surface of the main body; a first pattern groove engraved in a surface of the base; a second pattern groove engraved in the surface of the base and disposed adjacent to the first pattern groove; a first sensing pattern disposed in the first pattern groove and including a conductive material; and a second sensing pattern disposed in the second pattern groove and including a conductive material; and a wire connecting the first sensing pattern and the second sensing pattern to an integrated circuit.

The teachings herein generally relate to systems, methods and apparatuses useful in vehicle command and control. For example, a vehicle control system according to the teachings herein may include one or more touch panels connected to a steering wheel and being in communicative connection to a vehicle control processor. Preferably, the touch panel(s) are configured face down, and adapted to track touches (e.g., simultaneous touches) by multiple individually identified fingers. As another example, an apparatus for vehicle command and control, according to the teachings herein, may include one or more face down touch panels positioned to be touched by a driver's fingers while the driver's thumb holds or otherwise contacts a steering wheel. Preferably, the touch panels are in communication with a view screen enabled to display an indication of touch actions by multiple fingers touching the panels. The touch panels preferably include touch sensors adapted to identify touches of multiple fingers of a user. Preferably, the touch sensors are associated with software for identifying and tracking touches (e.g., movements) of every finger individually out of multiple fingers and determining whether each touch is a sliding movement or a non-sliding contact.

A touch-sensitive display apparatus and a control apparatus are included in an operating device of a motor vehicle. The control apparatus is configured, in a first operating mode, to display on the display apparatus a screen keyboard for receiving a character sequence from a user. A driver is not to operate the on-screen keyboard during a journey. A sensor apparatus is configured to detect an approach of an object to the display apparatus, a distinction being drawn between a driver approach from a predetermined driver side and a passenger approach from a passenger side opposite the driver side. The control apparatus is configured to deactivate the first operating mode in the event of a detected driver approach of the object and, instead, to activate an alternative operating mode that is different from the first operating mode.