IP Library Granted Patent US 8,299,901
Granted Patent B2
US 8,299,901 · App. 12/012,853 · Granted Oct 30, 2012

Control lockout for an electronic apparatus

Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,299,901
App. No.
12/012,853
Granted
Oct 30, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electronic system including a user interface for transmitting an operational parameter control signal in response to manual manipulation of the user interface. A processor is coupled to the user interface and adjusts an operational parameter of the electronic system in response to receiving the operational parameter control signal. An actuatable device is actuated by a user. In response to the user actuation, the actuatable device prevents the processor from adjusting the operational parameter of the electronic system.

Claims (19)

1. An electronic system comprising:

a body having a front surface and a back surface, the back surface being disposed opposite from the front surface;

a user interface disposed on the front surface of the body, the user interface being configured to transmit a control signal in response to manual manipulation of the user interface;

a processor coupled to the user interface and configured to adjust an operational parameter of the electronic system in response to receiving the control signal;

a switch disposed on the back surface of the body, the switch having a lock position and an unlock position; and

a remote controller including a user-actuatable pushbutton, the remote controller being configured to:

in response to a first actuation of the pushbutton, transmit a first air-borne signal to the processor to inhibit the processor from adjusting the operational parameter of the electronic system; and

in response to a second actuation of the pushbutton after the first actuation, transmit a second air-borne signal to the processor to enable the processor to adjust the operational parameter of the electronic system in response to receiving the operational parameter control signal;

the electronic system being user-configurable to enable a user to switch between:

a first configuration in which when the switch is in the lock position, the user interface remains disabled regardless of the pushbutton of the remote controller being depressed, and when the switch is in the unlock position, the user interface toggles between enabled and disabled states in response to the pushbutton of the remote controller being depressed; and

a second configuration in which when the switch is in the unlock position, the user interface remains enabled regardless of the pushbutton of the remote controller being depressed, and when the switch is in the lock position, the user interface toggles between enabled and disabled states in response to the pushbutton of the remote controller being depressed.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a pushbutton, the manual manipulation of the user interface comprising depressing of the pushbutton.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein, when the processor is prevented from adjusting the operational parameter of the electronic system, actuation of the actuatable device enables the processor to adjust the operational parameter of the electronic system.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the front surface of the body includes a display screen.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a plurality of user interface pushbuttons, in the first configuration of the electronic system, the user interface being configured to be enabled, when in the disabled state and with the switch in the unlock position, by depressing the user interface pushbuttons in a predetermined sequence, the user interface pushbuttons each corresponding to a respective operational function other than enabling or disabling the user interface.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a plurality of pushbuttons, the electronic system being user-configurable to enable the user to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration by depressing the user interface pushbuttons in a predetermined sequence.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic system is user-configurable to enable the user to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration by depressing the user interface pushbuttons in a predetermined sequence within a predetermined time period.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a plurality of user interface pushbuttons, and the remote controller includes a plurality of remote controller pushbuttons, the electronic system being user-configurable to enable the user to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration by depressing the user interface pushbuttons and the remote controller pushbuttons in a predetermined sequence.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a plurality of user interface pushbuttons, and the remote controller includes a plurality of remote controller pushbuttons, the electronic system being user-configurable to enable the user to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration by depressing the user interface pushbuttons and the remote controller pushbuttons in a predetermined sequence within a predetermined time period.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 72222 FRAME 267. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC.
Reel/Frame 072930/0871 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC
Reel/Frame 072222/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2008
From: COMBS, JR., ROBERT F.
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS COMPANY OF AMERICA
Reel/Frame 020688/0919 →
Continuity (1)
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