Optical encoder-controlled circular infotainment interface

Abstract

A user interface for an infotainment system of a motor vehicle includes a rectangular display screen and a rotatable ring having a central circular viewing window through which the display screen is visible. The rotatable ring includes a plurality of rotational positions relative to the display screen. An optical switch is disposed between the rotatable ring and the display screen and detects the rotational position of the rotatable ring. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the display screen and to the optical switch. The electronic processor controls an image presented on the display screen dependent upon the rotatable position of the rotatable ring as detected by the optical switch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A user interface for an infotainment system of a motor vehicle, the user interface comprising:
 a rectangular display screen;   a rotatable ring having:
 a central circular viewing window through which the display screen is visible; and 
 a plurality of rotational positions relative to the display screen; 
   an optical switch disposed between the rotatable ring and the display screen and configured to detect the rotational position of the rotatable ring; and   an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the display screen and the optical switch, the electronic processor being configured to control an image presented on the display screen dependent upon the rotational position of the rotatable ring as detected by the optical switch.   
     
     
         2 . The user interface of  claim 1  wherein the electronic processor is configured to associate each rotational position of the rotatable ring with a respective infotainment system function selected by a human user and put the function into effect in response to sensing the rotational position of the rotatable ring. 
     
     
         3 . The user interface of  claim 2  wherein the electronic processor is configured to present on the display screen a plurality of infotainment system functions available for selection by the human user. 
     
     
         4 . The user interface of  claim 3  wherein the rotatable ring includes an indicator configured to indicate which of the displayed infotainment system functions is currently selected by the human user. 
     
     
         5 . The user interface of  claim 1  further comprising a push switch disposed between the rotatable ring and the display screen and communicatively coupled to the electronic processor, the electronic processor being configured to change a mode of the infotainment system in response to the push switch being pushed by a user. 
     
     
         6 . The user interface of  claim 5  wherein the electronic processor is configured to change the image presented on the display screen in response to the push switch being pushed by the user. 
     
     
         7 . The user interface of  claim 1  wherein a diameter of the central circular viewing window is at least as large as a width of the display screen and is at least as large as a length of the display screen. 
     
     
         8 . A user interfacing method for a motor vehicle, the method comprising:
 providing a rotatable ring having:
 a central circular viewing window through which a display screen is visible; and 
 a plurality of rotational positions relative to the display screen; 
   providing an optical switch disposed between the rotatable ring and the display screen;   detecting the rotational position of the rotatable ring by use of the optical switch; and   controlling an image presented on the display screen dependent upon the rotational position of the rotatable ring as detected by the optical switch.   
     
     
         9 . The user interfacing method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 associating each rotational position of the rotatable ring with a respective infotainment system function selected by a human user; and 
 putting the respective infotainment system function into effect in response to sensing the rotational position of the rotatable ring. 
 
     
     
         10 . The user interfacing method of  claim 9  further comprising presenting on the display screen a plurality of infotainment system functions available for selection by the human user. 
     
     
         11 . The user interfacing method of  claim 10  wherein the rotatable ring includes an indicator indicating which of the displayed infotainment system functions is currently selected by the human user. 
     
     
         12 . The user interfacing method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 providing a push switch between the rotatable ring and the display screen; and 
 changing a mode of the infotainment system in response to the push switch being pushed by a user. 
 
     
     
         13 . The user interfacing method of  claim 12  further comprising changing the image presented on the display screen in response to the push switch being pushed by the user. 
     
     
         14 . The user interface of  claim 8  wherein a diameter of the central circular viewing window is at least as large as a width of the display screen and is at least as large as a length of the display screen. 
     
     
         15 . A user interface for an infotainment system of a motor vehicle, the user interface comprising:
 a rectangular display screen;   a rotatable ring having:
 a central circular viewing window through which the display screen is visible; and 
 a plurality of rotational positions relative to the display screen; 
   an optical switch disposed between the rotatable ring and the display screen and configured to detect the rotational position of the rotatable ring; and   a push switch disposed between the rotatable ring and the display screen.   
     
     
         16 . The user interface of  claim 15  further comprising an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the display screen, the optical switch, and to the push switch, the electronic processor being configured to control an image presented on the display screen dependent upon the rotational position of the rotatable ring as detected by the optical switch, wherein the electronic processor is configured to associate each rotational position of the rotatable ring with a respective infotainment system function selected by a human user and put the function into effect in response to sensing the rotational position of the rotatable ring. 
     
     
         17 . The user interface of  claim 16  wherein the electronic processor is configured to present on the display screen a plurality of infotainment system functions available for selection by the human user. 
     
     
         18 . The user interface of  claim 17  wherein the rotatable ring includes an indicator configured to indicate which of the displayed infotainment system functions is currently selected by the human user. 
     
     
         19 . The user interface of  claim 16  wherein the electronic processor is configured to change a mode of the infotainment system and change the image presented on the display screen in response to the push switch being pushed by a user. 
     
     
         20 . The user interface of  claim 15  wherein a diameter of the central circular viewing window is at least as large as a width of the display screen and is at least as large as a length of the display screen.