A user interface device includes: an output device having an output region predefined around an output unit; an acquisition unit acquiring information about a user's gesture performed around the output region; and a controller determining an area of a shielded region which is shielded by the user's gesture in the output region based on the acquired information and controlling output of the output device.

One or more embodiments include systems and methods for regulating control of a vehicle infotainment system. In one embodiment, a vehicle computing system includes a user interface which has one or more output components and one or more input components. Software executing in memory of the vehicle computing system may be programmed with rules to reduce driver distraction such as preventing inputs or outputs during vehicle operation. Inputs may be intercepted from the one or more input components of the user interface. Additionally or alternatively, outputs may be intercepted to the output components of the user interface. The intercepted inputs or intercepted outputs may be evaluated for one or more violations based on the rules. If the one or more violations are detected, the inputs or outputs may be prevented during vehicle operation.

The invention relates to an operating unit for a vehicle, provided with an operating element (12) having an operating interface (14) with multiple symbol fields (16), to which are assigned operating functions that can be triggered with the actuation of the operating element (12). The operating element (12) is arranged on a support structure (18) such that it can be pressed down in a resettable manner and by means of an actuation object, in particular by means of the finger of a hand. The operating unit (10) is also provided with a mechanical switch (22) which can be actuated when pressing down the operating element (12), a controllable press-down force threshold switching device (34) for switching the force to be overcome to press down the operating element (12) between a first threshold value and a second threshold value that is smaller in comparison to the first threshold value, an actuation sensor system (30) for detecting whether, when the operating element (12) is actuated, the actuation object contacts same within one of the symbol fields (16) of the operating interface (14), and an evaluation and control unit (32) which receives signals from the actuation sensor system (30) or, inter alia, from the actuation sensor system (30), and which only causes the press-down force threshold switching device (34) or, inter alia, the press-down force threshold switching device (34) to switch from the first threshold value to the second threshold value by changing its control, when the actuation object within one of the symbol fields is in contact with the operating interface (14) within one of the symbol fields (16) with an actuation of the operating element (12). An electromagnet or permanent holding electromagnet (40) is used as the press-down force threshold switching device (34).

A vehicle display device according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a display that displays, as an image, functions for various pieces of vehicle operation information, a knob that is electrically interlocked with the display and selectively operates a corresponding function of the display according to left-right movement thereof, a guide rail that provides a movement path of the knob and divides a plurality of functional areas interlocked with the functions displayed on the display, and a guide part in which magnets having different polarities are alternately arranged in a lengthwise direction of the guide rail to automatically guide a location of the knob.

A method includes receiving a first signal from a first button circuit in a first location indicating possible interaction with a corresponding interactable element by a user, and receiving sensed signal data from a first sensor circuit indicating changes in electrical properties of an electrode of the first sensor circuit The method includes determining whether the sensed signal data indicates detection of a first frequency identifying the first location based on receiving the first signal indicating the possible interaction with the corresponding interactable element. When the sensed signal data indicates detection of the first frequency identifying the first location, performance of a functionality associated with the corresponding interactable element is facilitated.

An autonomous vehicle is provided with a touch panel that enables an operator to input vehicle speed control instructions during an automatic driving mode and a mechanical operation unit for inputting driving control instructions. When the driving mode of the autonomous vehicle is the automatic driving mode or a semi-automatic driving mode, a driving control unit of the autonomous vehicle prioritizes a vehicle speed control instruction input from the touch panel over a vehicle speed control instruction input from the mechanical operation unit and executes vehicle speed control for the autonomous vehicle based on the prioritized instruction.

A display control system using a knob includes an input part to receive a touch input signal for a display area, a memory to store a display control program according to the touch input signal, and a processor to execute the program, such that the processor moves a position of a knob to perform function control of an area of the display to which the touch input signal is applied.

An integrated control device provided on an autonomous vehicle may include an operating portion by which the acceleration, braking, steering, and shifting operations are input and a core controller coupled to the operating portion to control the acceleration, braking, steering, and shifting operations. A user selects a single operating portion from among a plurality of operating portions of various types according to his or her preference and couples the core controller to the selected operating portion for use.

An operation device for an autonomous vehicle includes a touch panel configured to display at least one of a start button and a deceleration button, and a notification button on the same screen. The autonomous vehicle is autonomously drivable. The start button is a button for starting driving of the autonomous vehicle in an autonomous drive mode. The deceleration button is a button for decelerating the autonomous vehicle during the autonomous drive mode. The notification button is a button for performing notification to an outside of the autonomous vehicle.

An operation device includes an operation unit configured to be movable relative to a device body of the operation device. The operation device includes a first detector that detects touching of the operation unit and a second detector that detects movement of the operation unit relative to the device body. The operation device further includes a controller that processes detection signals of the first detector and the second detector so that the movement of the operation unit relative to the device body and the touching of the operation unit correspond to inputs for operating an operation subject apparatus.