DESC: FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention relates to a system for controlling an infotainment unit of a vehicle and a method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Modern vehicles are equipped with an infotainment unit for providing entertainment and information through audio and video interfaces. Key features of an infotainment unit include radio, phone connectivity, media playback and streaming, navigation, etc.
[003] Infotainment units can be accessed or controlled through multiple keys or buttons or switches, wherein each such key or button has a dedicated functionality. Thus, selecting a particular functionality necessarily requires the user to firstly locate the dedicate key or button or switch and then press/push until the required functionality is selected or appears on the display.
[004] Controlling the infotainment unit is thus a challenge. Moreover, when a driver of the vehicle operates the infotainment unit, locating and accessing the right switch/key for a particular functionality would be distracting, thereby increasing the risk of an accident. Moreover, the large number of dedicated keys or buttons or switches require separate circuitry to be installed, thereby increasing the associated installation and maintenance cost. Further, the switches/keys of the infotainment unit are provided on the dashboard around the infotainment system rendering a cluttered appearance of the dashboard.
[005] In view of the above, there is a need for a system for controlling an infotainment unit which addresses at-least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for controlling an infotainment unit of a vehicle. The system comprising at least one input unit having a knob and at-least one button operable by a user, the knob capable of being pressed, tilted or rotated, and the button capable of being pressed; and a control unit connected with the input unit and in communication with the infotainment unit, the control unit configured to monitor operation of the knob and/or at-least one button; determine a functionality associated with the operation of the knob and/or at-least one button, each operation of the knob and/or button has a pre-configured functionality; and generate a command signal depending upon the functionality associated with the operation of the knob and/or button to control the infotainment unit.
[007] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling an infotainment unit of a vehicle. The method comprising the steps of monitoring operation of the knob and/or at-least one button by a control unit; determining a functionality associated with the operation of the knob and/or at-least one button, each operation of the knob and/or button has a pre-configured functionality; and generating a command signal depending upon the functionality associated with the operation of the knob and/or button to control the infotainment unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[008] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a system for controlling an infotainment unit of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a top view of an input unit of a system for controlling an infotainment unit of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows an illustrative representation of a vehicle interior comprising the input unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[009] The present invention is directed towards controlling an infotainment unit of a vehicle, wherein a single unit controls multiple functionalities of the infotainment unit.
[010] Figure1 shows a system 100 for controlling an infotainment unit 200 of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 comprises at least an input unit 110 and a control unit 150. The control unit 150 is connected with the input unit 110, and further connected with the infotainment unit 200 for controlling and providing inputs to the infotainment unit 200. Typically, the infotainment unit 200 includes a radio tuner, a USB port (and/or other wired communication interface) for providing a wired content service, a Bluetooth port (and/or other wireless communication interface) for providing a wireless content service; a navigation system for providing a navigation service, etc. and a display 20 configured to display information to the driver/passenger played/processed by the infotainment unit. The display 20 can be provided on a dashboard of the vehicle. The display 20 also functions as an interface to the infotainment unit 200 wherein input can be provided for various options provided by the infotainment unit 200. Further, the infotainment is capable of being connect and synched with an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a tablet and access data from such device, thereby allowing user to access/control functionalities of the device connected.
[011] Figure 2 shows an input unit 110 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The input unit 110 comprises a knob 112 and plurality of buttons - a first button 114a, a second button 114b, a third button 114c and a fourth button 114d. In an alternate embodiment, the input unit 110 comprises a knob 112 and at least one button. As shown in figure 1, the knob 112 is in the center and each of the 4 buttons surround the knob 112. Accordingly, a user has to interact with or operate only one unit to control multiple infotainment related functionalities.
[012] The knob 112 is capable of being tilted and/or rotated and/or pressed. In an embodiment, the knob 112 is a multi-detent continuous rotation type with push button and 4-way tilt function. The knob 112 upon being rotated allows a user to scroll through a list of items/options displayed on the display 20 of the infotainment unit 200. The knob 112 upon being pushed/pressed or tilted one or more times allows the user to select the items/options/functions of choice. Each operation of the knob 112 has a pre-configured functionality/task. For instance, upon operating the knob 112 and selecting a particular option, a sub-list of options may be displayed, or the infotainment unit 200 may perform the preset task.
[013] The plurality of buttons, i.e., first button 114a, second button 114b, third button 114c and fourth button 114d are capable of being pushed to perform a dedicated functionality. In an embodiment, each button is configured to be pressed for variable durations. In this regard, each button is capable of being short pressed or long pressed, i.e., pressed for a predetermined time period. Each button thus performs a dual function - one function when the button is short pressed, while a second function when the button is long pressed, and each operation of the button has a pre-configured functionality/task. For instance, the first button 114a when long pressed can be used to navigate to home screen on the display 20 and short pressing the same button goes to previous screen (back function) on the display 20. The second button 114b can be used to navigate to media functions. The third button 114c can be used to navigate to phone. The fourth button 114d can be used to save the current screen/function as favorite when long pressed. When short pressed, the fourth button 114d can navigate to saved favorite function/screen on the display 20.
[014] Accordingly, upon operation of the knob 112 and/or the button, the control unit 150 is configured for providing one or more command signals to access or select options provided on the display 20 of the infotainment system. In this regard, the control unit 150 is configured to communicate with the infotainment system for a preset task (for e.g., phone call, music, radio, navigation, etc.) including toggling between various items/options being displayed on the display 20. The control unit 150 is configured for processing any input by the user upon operation of the knob 112 or the buttons of the input unit 110.
[015] In an embodiment, the control unit 150 is configured to monitor operation of the knob 112 and/or at-least one button and determine type of operation of the knob 112 and/or at-least one button. Thereafter, functionality associated with the type of operation of the knob 112 and/or at-least one button is identified. In this regard, each operation of the knob 112 and/or button has a pre-configured functionality/task. Depending upon the functionality associated with the operation of the knob 112 and/or button the control unit 150 generates a command signal to control the infotainment unit 200. In an embodiment, the control unit 150 is configured to determine whether the knob 112 is tilted or rotated or duration of the knob 112 being pressed, and for the button the control unit 150 is configured to determine duration of the button being pressed and identify whether the button has been long pressed or short pressed. Accordingly, upon operation of the knob 112 or the button of the input unit 110, the control unit 150 generates a command signal to the display 20 of the infotainment unit 200, thereby allowing the user to select the item/option from the display 20. The control unit may have access to a storage unit where a correlation between command signal and input unit/function is stored.
[016] Figure 3 shows an illustrative representation of a vehicle interior. As shown, the input unit 110 is placed on a central console 10 of the vehicle. Accordingly, the input unit 110 is easily accessible and enables a user to control or provide input and navigate through a display 20 of infotainment unit 200 with ease.
[017] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling an infotainment unit 200 of a vehicle. The method is executed on a system 100 discussed hereinbefore. The method starts with monitoring operation of the knob 112 and/or at-least one button by a control unit 150 and determining a functionality associated with the operation of the knob 112 and/or at-least one button. Each operation of the knob 112 and/or button has a pre-configured functionality. Accordingly, depending on the functionality associated with the operation of the knob 112 and/or button a command signal is generated to control the infotainment unit 200. In an embodiment, the method determines whether the knob 112 is tilted or rotated or duration of the knob 112 being pressed, and for the button the method determines duration of the button being pressed. Accordingly, upon operation of the knob 112 or the button of the input unit (110), the control unit 150 generates a command signal to the display 20 of the infotainment unit 200, thereby allowing the user to select the item/option from the display 20.
[018] By way of an example, the items/options/functionalities of the infotainment unit 200 that can be controlled by the input unit (110) include, but not limited to, volume control, menu navigation, favorites, shortcut keys, power ON/OFF. As an example, the knob 112 can be configured to perform the following functionalities:
Rotary: volume control or menu scroll
Push: long press for power OFF of the display 20 and short press for power ON and select function
Similarly, by way of example, the plurality of buttons can be configured to perform the following functionalities:
First button 114a: home screen and back
Second button 114b: media
Third button 114c: phone
Fourth button 114d: favorites
Long press :- Power ON/OFF or sleep mode
Short press :- to acknowledge & maneuver into desired pages/features in infotainment system
[019] Advantageously, the input unit controls multiple functionalities thereby obviating the need for having dedicated switches/keys/buttons for different tasks. Further, the possibility of the user being distracted while making a selection from the infotainment unit is reduced, thereby mitigating the risks associated with distracted driving. Further, the system 100 provides for a hassle-free access and control of the infotainment unit. Moreover, the functionalities of the input unit are customizable in accordance with the requirements of the user.
[020] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for controlling an infotainment unit (200) of a vehicle, the system (100) comprising:
at least one input unit (110) having a knob (112) and at-least one button operable by a user, the knob (112) capable of being pressed, tilted or rotated, and the button capable of being pressed; and
a control unit (150) connected with the input unit (110) and in communication with the infotainment unit (200), the control unit (150) configured to:
monitor operation of the knob (112) and/or at-least one button;
determine a functionality associated with the operation of the knob (112) and/or at-least one button, each operation of the knob (112) and/or button has a pre-configured functionality; and
generate a command signal depending upon the functionality associated with the operation of the knob (112) and/or button to control the infotainment unit (200).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (150) is configured to determine whether the knob (112) is tilted or rotated or duration of the knob (112) being pressed.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (150) is configured to determine duration of the button and the knob (112) being pressed.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knob (112) is a multi-detent rotation knob (112) capable of being bidirectionally rotated, pressed, or multi way tilted.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of buttons placed are around the knob (112), each button capable of being short or long pressed.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of buttons comprises a first button (114a), a second button (114b), a third button (114c) and a fourth button (114d).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein input unit (110) is placed on a central console of the vehicle

8. A method for controlling an infotainment unit (200) of a vehicle, the said method comprising:
monitoring operation of the knob (112) and/or at-least one button by a control unit (150);
determining a functionality associated with the operation of the knob (112) and/or at-least one button, each operation of the knob (112) and/or button has a pre-configured functionality; and
generating a command signal depending upon the functionality associated with the operation of the knob (112) and/or button to control the infotainment unit (200).

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the step of determining operation of the knob (112) includes determining whether the knob (112) is tilted or rotated or pressed.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the step of determining operation of the button includes determining duration of the button being pressed.