Stowable input interface for use with in-vehicle displays
A vehicle comprising a center console and an input unit is disclosed. The center console may include an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system. The input unit may be communicatively coupled with the IVI system. The input unit may be stowed or folded in the center console when not in use and moved out of the center console when in use.
1 . A vehicle comprising:
a center console comprising an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system; and
an input unit configured to communicatively couple with the IVI system, wherein the input unit is stowed or folded in the center console when not in use and moved out of the center console when in use, wherein the input unit automatically communicatively couples with the IVI system when the input unit is moved out of the center console, and wherein the input unit automatically communicatively decouples from the IVI system when the input unit is stowed or folded in the center console.
2 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the center console further comprises an elongated slot, and wherein the input unit is stowed in the elongated slot when not in use and moved out of the elongated slot when in use.
3 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the input unit is at least one of a keyboard or a trackpad.
4 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the input unit automatically wirelessly couples with the IVI system when the input unit is moved out of the center console, and wherein the input unit automatically wirelessly decouples from the IVI system when the input unit is stowed or folded in the center console.
5 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the input unit comprises a communication interface, and wherein the communication interface is switched off when the input unit is moved out of the center console.
6 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the input unit is further configured to wirelessly couple with one or more additional communication devices inside or outside the vehicle.
7 . The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a support stand connected between the center console and the input unit.
8 . The vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the support stand is retractable, and wherein the input unit moves inside and outside of the center console via the support stand.
9 . The vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the support stand is adjustable and rotatable, and configured to move in 3-dimensions within a vehicle interior portion.
10 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the support stand comprises a pivot joint configured to enable rotatory motion of the support stand.
11 . The vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the input unit is detachable from the support stand.
12 . The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a hand rest configured to provide support to a user's palms and wrists when the user uses the input unit.
13 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the IVI system is configured to mirror a display screen of a user device, and wherein the input unit is configured to enable a user to access one or more files stored on the user device via the mirrored display screen.
14 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the input unit is configured to draw power from a vehicle power supply during an input unit operation.
15 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the input unit comprises an in-built battery configured to supply power to the input unit during an input unit operation.
16 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the input unit enters a low power consumption mode when the input unit is stowed in the center console.
17 . The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a sliding cover configured to cover the input unit.
18 . The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to:
obtain a user input from a user to move the input unit out of the center console;
determine that the vehicle is in an autonomous driving mode or stationary responsive to obtaining the user input; and
automatically move the input unit out of the center console responsive to determining that the vehicle is in the autonomous driving mode or stationary.
19 . A vehicle comprising:
a center console comprising an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system, wherein the center console further comprises an elongated slot; and
a keyboard configured to communicatively couple with the IVI system, wherein:
the keyboard is stowed in the elongated slot when not in use and moved out of the elongated slot when in use,
the keyboard automatically communicatively couples with the IVI system when the keyboard is moved out of the elongated slot,
the keyboard automatically communicatively decouples from the IVI system when the keyboard is stowed in the elongated slot,
the keyboard draws power from a vehicle power supply during a keyboard operation, and
the keyboard enters a low power consumption mode when the keyboard is stowed in the elongated slot.
20 . A vehicle comprising:
a center console comprising an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system;
an input unit configured to communicatively couple with the IVI system, wherein:
the input unit is integrated with the center console,
the input unit is stowed in the center console when not in use and moved out of the center console when in use,
the input unit automatically communicatively couples with the IVI system when the input unit is moved out of the center console, and
the input unit automatically communicatively decouples from the IVI system when the input unit is stowed in the center console; and
a sliding cover configured to cover the input unit when the input unit is not in use.