text:
Joe Burrow, 20 Other Athletes Are Investing in...Iowa Farmland?!?
Nowadays when you hear of professional athletes and investing, you assume it's the usual multi-million-dollar deal with a brand or maybe even purchasing a stake in a business.
Bert Remien
The A's, B's, H's And M's Of Farming
It was an alphabet soup of farming in the old days.
What's The Top Crop in South Dakota vs Minnesota, Iowa?
Get out of your concrete lifestyle and take a drive out of the city and look in any direction. Yes, this is where much of your dinner comes from.
Are There More Cows Than People In South Dakota?
The dairy industry is huge and important and growing in the state of South Dakota.
There's A Whole Lot Of Weird New Letters Down On The Farm
The letters of farming in 2022 include GPS, GIS, and VRT. What's all that?
Who Knew Cows Could Be Potty-Trained?
Researchers in one country claim they're having great success
Recognizing The Women On South Dakota Farms
See that tractor up there in that picture? Know who's at the wheel? A woman. Back 'in the day', when you saw a tractor in the field you knew who was at the wheel. It was Bob or Henry, maybe Jim or Carl or Johnny. The point is, it was always a 'he'...
Workers at Seven Iowa John Deere Plants on Strike
Producers here in South Dakota are keeping a sharp eye on the John Deere workers strike going on in Iowa and around the nation. Details here.
JD Collins
Will It Be A Record Corn Production Year In South Dakota?
The South Dakota corn production record is an average of 162 bushels per acre, set in 2020.
'Silo' the Film Sheds Light on Dangers of Modern Farming
"The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn't still be a farmer." American humorist, columnist, and philosopher, Will Rogers, hit the nail on the head with that saying.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Closures continue after suspected ransomware attack on Bernalillo County
Politics - Government
by: Annalisa Pardo
Posted: Jan 11, 2022 / 05:35 PM MST / Updated: Jan 12, 2022 / 07:49 AM MST
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Nearly a week after a suspected ransomware attack on Bernalillo County, many of the county's services are still limited. A TV advertisement telling people to come to the county's Alvarado Square building has run dozens of times in the past week but all the while, the building has been mostly closed because of the attack on the county on January 5.
Notices online and on the building's door tell visitors of the limited services but there is still confusion on what is open. "We came here to get our taxes for our property and they actually did the services," said one visitor.
Weather: Next storm brings wind and showers
Crime: Man found shot after allegedly stealing tools from home
COVID-19: Gov. urges postponing events as COVID cases rise; organizers respond
New Mexico: Reintroduced bill would make shooting threats a felony
Bernalillo County employees will answer questions at Alvarado Square
Most Bernalillo County buildings remain closed 3 days after suspected ransomware attack
Albuquerque mayor updates city's preparations for employee vaccination or testing program
"I came to get a well permit," said another visitor. "The gentleman at the desk told me the systems were down and they can't process anything. So he gave me a phone number to call." KRQE News 13 tried to get more information on the cyber-attack.
KRQE asked if there is any evidence of citizens' personal information was compromised. "I don't know, that's part of the investigation…I haven't heard anything on that," said Tom Thorpe, communications services administrator for Bernalillo County.
The county has opened the lobby of the building with minimal services available. But they aren't saying if a ransom has been demanded or how much it could be, or when the county's services will be operating fully again.
"I hate to be vague but until they complete their investigation, you know, it kind of stays status quo. We're doing the best we can," said Thorpe. "Just asking for everyone's understanding in this, that it's a difficult situation that's affected not only the county but obviously there are others involved. Whether it's citizens, vendors, whomever, and we are doing the absolute best to you know, identify and remedy this situation and we'll keep working around the clock."
This isn't the first time Alvarado Square has been closed since opening in August. In October, it closed for about a week when vandals shot at its windows, damaging at least 10 windows and costing about $500,000 in damage.


text:
info@girvin.com
Suite 7D
williams@girvin.com
mack@girvin.com
The Design Associates
t 03-3404-0328
info@thedesignassoc.com
GIRVIN | Strategic Branding & Design | Seattle
GIRVIN | Strategic Branding & Design | New York
The Design Associates | Tokyo
Brand Culture | The spirituality of TATA
by Tim Girvin | Brands, Concepts, General, Marketing 2.0, Trends | Apr 13, 2009
The concept of cult, culture and brand | spirit integrated.
to devote major portions
of my busy life
to poor community."
I've spoken about the concept of the cult of the brand, and the tribes that follow it. And others have followed it, too, with their observations.
I've wondered, too, about the concept of brand, as a warming fire, a hearth of sharing and community — and a kind of tribal connection to the love of enterprise. People either are connected to brand, or they are not; they're either linked in, to embrace — or it's merely yet another distraction in the multitude of complications that we all face, every day. Love in. Love, out. But in this instance, in speaking with a friend that's working in India — and for TATA — I've learned more about the character of that civilization, and the implications of the spirituality — and how they might be linked.
TATA, as you might know, is unexpectedly one of the biggest, fastest growing groups in the world — internationally flourishing — yet dynamically committed to sharing its resources and people, as a mission — not merely a concomitant attachment to percentage profit diversions — but instead, this sense of contribution being a driver for action, above and beyond everything else. Even in the construct of such amazing new thinking, in the strategy of its organization, it's a 140 year old brand.
My friend's role is exploring those links, from brand, to operations, to human resources, and the connective glue that melds them all together. Gary Jusela is a friend, colleague in the trade of brand development, and a client, as well. You can learn more about his work, at the links above. But he'd mentioned something about the brand culture of TATA that sent me off on this exploration. He referenced the profound "spiritual character of the brand" — this being nearly the basis for everything they think about, in the embodiment of the brand. And it's a sizeable enterprise to comprehend.
Site overviews offer that "Tata is a rapidly growing business group based in India with significant international operations. Revenues in 2007-08 are estimated at $62.5 billion (around Rs251,543 crore), of which 61 per cent is from business outside India. The Group employs around 350,000 people worldwide. The Tata name has been respected in India for 140 years for its adherence to strong values and business ethics." And rather than focusing on one category of business channel, they embrace many: "the business operations of the Tata Group currently encompass seven business sectors: communications and information technology, engineering, materials, services, energy, consumer products and chemicals. The Group's 27 publicly listed enterprises have a combined market capitalisation of some $60 billion, among the highest among Indian business houses, and a shareholder base of 3.2 million. The major companies in the Group include Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Power, Tata Chemicals, Tata Tea, Indian Hotels and Tata Communications."
Big. So what about culture — how is that managed and expressed?
The etymology of brand culture
First, my take on brand culture is more to the cultic underpinnings of the word. Cult, culture, cultivation — and finally, colony. They align — and they surely align with the story as well.
1620, from M.L. cultivatus, pp. of cultivare, from L.L. cultivus "tilled," from L. cultus. Figurative sense of "improve by training or education" is from 1681.
1617, "worship," also "a particular form of worship," from Fr. culte, from L. cultus "care, cultivation, worship," originally "tended, cultivated," pp. of colere "to till" (see colony). Rare after 17c.; revived mid-19c. with reference to ancient or primitive rituals. Meaning "devotion to a person or thing" is from 1829.
1440, "the tilling of land," from L. cultura, from pp. stem of colere "tend, guard, cultivate, till" (see cult). The figurative sense of "cultivation through education" is first attested 1510. Meaning "the intellectual side of civilization" is from 1805; that of "collective customs and achievements of a people" is from 1867. Slang culture vulture is from 1947. Culture shock first recorded 1940.
c.1384, "ancient Roman settlement outside Italy," from L. colonia "settled land, farm, landed estate," from colonus "husbandman, tenant farmer, settler in new land," from colere "to inhabit, cultivate, frequent, practice, tend, guard, respect," from PIE base *kwel- "move around" (source of L. -cola "inhabitant;" see cycle). Also used by the Romans to translate Gk. apoikia "people from home." Modern application dates from 1548. Colonize is from 1622; colonial first recorded 1776, coined by British statesman Edmund Burke (1729-97). Colonialism first attested 1886.
I think about them, based on the etymon. That is, of course, where the truth lies. Looking back, there are broader senses of threading that can be meaningful in reflection — and these are: tilling, worship, tending, people from home. What this means to me is the notion of a "colony" being collectively cared for, nurtured — tilled, or cultivated.
Brand culture, defined by Wikipedia is "a company culture in which employees "live" to brand values, to solve problems and make decisions internally, and deliver a branded customer experience externally. It is the desired outcome of an internal branding, internal brand alignment or employee engagement effort that elevates beyond communications and training." VentureRepublic extends that meaning to "Strong brands are managed by organisations characterized by their strong internal brand cultures. A strong brand culture is determined by the internal attitudes towards branding, management behaviour and practices of an organisation. These combined efforts are crucial to build and maintain strong brand equity through competitive advantages from branding. The most prominent person to lead these efforts is the CEO and the senior management team."
TATA delivers on that front, with comprehensive overviews on what they are doing, internationally, to contribute to the communities in which they reside. The detailing of their community work is lengthy, "The many companies of Tata are involved in a wide variety of community development projects and programmes, principally in India but also, increasingly, in different parts of the world (these initiatives are distinct, and separated, from the social uplift efforts of the Tata trusts). The community development endeavours of Tata companies cover many areas, from health and education to livelihoods, women-children welfare and more." Their "rainbow effect" suggests a "panoply of community development endeavours undertaken by Tata companies — embracing everything from health and education to art, sport and more — has touched, and changed, many lives."
There is a story here: "The time was the early 1990s and the occasion was gathering of industrialists called by India's prime minister, PV Narasimha Rao. Representing the Tata group were Chairman Ratan Tata and JJ Irani, the managing director of Tata Steel at that point. "The prime minister proposed that we business people set aside 1 per cent of our net profit for community development projects totally unconnected to the workers and industry any of us was involved with," recalls Mr Irani. "Mr Tata and I looked at each other; we didn't make any comment. Later, we drew up a chart that quantified Tata Steel's contribution on Mr Rao's scale. We discovered that, over a 10-year period, the company had been dedicating between 3 and 20 per cent of its profits to social development causes. In the years since, depending on profit margins, the figure has continued to vacillate within this band."
That strategy isn't something that is merely linked to the Tata Steel group alone, it is not an anomaly for a single Tata company. If there is one attribute common to every Tata enterprise, it has to be the time, effort and resources each of them devotes to the wide spectrum of initiatives that come under the canopy of community development. The money numbers are staggering: by a rough estimate the Tata group as a whole, through its trusts and its companies, spends about 30 per cent of its profits after tax (PAT) on social-uplift programs.
Brand culture and principle
The Tata culture in this critical segment of the overall corporate sustainability matrix — inclusive of working for the benefit of the communities in which they operate, of building India's capabilities in science and technology, of supporting art and sport — springs from an ingrained sense of giving back to society. According to the leadership refrains of Mr. Irani, "This is a matter of principle for us, it is in our bloodstream,"and it isn't something we like to shout about. Some people consider social responsibility as an additional cost; we don't. We see it as part of an essential cost of business, as much as land, power, raw materials and employees."
The Tata tradition in community development has, since the earliest days of the group's history, been defined by its core values. It never was charity for its own sake or, as group founder Jamsetji Tata put it, "patchwork philanthropy". Sustainability, says Kishor Chaukar, a member of the Tata Group Corporate Centre, is of fundamental importance. "I don't believe charity (alone) makes a substantial impact on society," he explains. "All you are doing, then, is satisfying the mendicant mentality. The real contribution comes when communities are enabled in a manner that has a sustained developmental impact. That way you empower people, educate them, give them instruments of income, a feeling of self-respect and dignity, a reason to live."
Admirable positions for one of the largest corporate groups in the world. Tata Steel, Tata Tea and Tata Chemicals, have in-house organisations dedicated to the community development task, but that does not mean smaller companies lag behind. "Each Tata company has its own priorities in social development," says Mr Chaukar. "They take up whatever is relevant to the communities and constituencies in which they function. Somebody is working in water management, somebody is in education, someone is in Aids containment, someone in income generation; the range is huge. You have to take on board different desires, anxieties, and requirements."
And I wonder where it comes from. To the opening imagery, I ponder if this sensibility might be based on ancient characters of spirituality, or perhaps more particularly, and recently, on the principles of Gandhi. Dr. Devendra Prasad Pandey, Director of the Rajiv Gandhi P.G. College, Allahabad, India offers that alignment, the concept of trusteeship. "Gandhiji advocated trusteeship doctrine all through his life. It is based on the principle that all people having money or property hold it in trust for society. Society is to be regarded as a donor to the individual and accordingly the latter is required to share part of his acquired wealth with the society for mutual benefit. According to this doctrine business organizations have to be viewed as socio-economic institutions to be run and owned by 'Trust Corporation' with considerably diluted shareholdings. Most of the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi on trusteeship find expression in his speeches, short notes, and press interviews and informal discussions."
A reference to that effect: "My idea of society is that while we are born equal, meaning thereby that we all have a right to equal opportunity, all have not the some capacity. It is in the nature of things impossible. For instance, all cannot have same height, colour or degree of intelligence. Therefore, in nature of things, some will have ability to earn more and others less. Normally, people with talents will have more. Such people should be viewed to exist as trustees and in no other terms."
Still further, reaching thousands of years to the past, to the legacy of the classical text of the Bhagvat Gita
the messaging holds true, from several hundred years before the common era. Gandhi-ji's doctrine of trusteeship and concept of corporate social responsibilities find expression in following hymns of the Bhagvat Gita.
Javata Priyate Dehuh Tavatsatva Hidehinam/
Adhikam yo bhibhanayat sa stano Dand marhati//
As much as is necessary for one's own living only that much one entitled to have. One who has excess of this is a thief and deserves punishment.
Ishtan bhogan hi wo deva dasyante yagna bhavitah/
Tairdattan pradaryabhyo yo bhangyakte sten aiv sah//
Fostered by sacrifice (hard work) you will get all enjoyments. He who enjoys it without sacrifice and giving in return is undoubtedly a thief.
Na twaham kamep rajyam na swarnam na puparbhavam/
Kamaye dukh taptanam praninamarti nashwam//
Neither I desire Kingdom nor do I crave for heaven or salvation, I simply desire the end of miseries of all creatures who are afflicted with grief.
Corporate leadership today seeks a positive image, one which pictures business as part of the total society. Business houses seek to demonstrate not only their efficiency, but also their humanism, their social awareness, and their response to national problems. And I suppose that the notion of being truthful — authentic within, and similarly — reflectively — being truth full without is that balancing notion.
As management guru Peter Drucker says: "A healthy society requires three vital sectors: a public sector of effective governments; a private sector of effective businesses; and a social sector of effective community organisations." While there's not much it can do about the first sector, the Tata group is contributing all it can to the other two. As a measure, of what I'm doing during these challenging times, the utile question is:
Am I, personally, doing enough? Surely. Not.
E x p l o r i n g b r a n d + s t o r y + w e l l n e s s :
https://www.girvin.com/new/wellness.php
*The stamp image was provided to me by Stuart Balcomb — as well, an inspiration.
An overviiew on TATA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Group
harvinder jeet Singh	on May 16, 2019 at 11:19 pm
Serving communities and contributing to society is to be learnt from Tatas, very nicely presented
The Symbolism of the X
11 years ago	19 Comments	20130 views
WANDER. WONDER. WISDOM.
2 years ago	No comments	19170 views
RETHINKING BRAND AND ITS ARMATURE: ALLEGORY, MYTHIC AND SYMBOLIC DESIGN TACTICS: METAPHORICAL VISIONS AND THE CUMULARITY OF CLOUDMIND®
THE PRESENTATION AT FUTURE IN REVIEW | THE CONFERENCE: FIRE2018
DESIGN AS A PORTAL | THE SYMBOLISM OF MAGICAL INTENT
BRAND MYSTICISM
Cool People
Human brands
Marketing 2.0
Brands, Concepts, General, Marketing 2.0, Trends | Apr 13, 2009
Branding Buildings | Building Brands > The Context of Identity in Making Place
Imagining a new identity for an building icon. The World Trade Center There are layers in play in the experience of the procession of how people connect with buildings. Buildings do, for the most part, one thing. They hold people. Interestingly enough, it's not (that) often that the concept of relating to buildings -- and the…
The Smoke: The Brands That Will Die.
Twelve brands that will die: the beauty in transmigration, dissolution and carnage. There's a metaphor that where there is smoke, there will be fire -- and finally, in the fire, the smoke clears, and who will be there; what will be left? Fire is a kind of transmigration -- from one structure, one form, to…
We use cookies on our website to give you the best experience on our website. By clicking "Accept", you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.


National Cheng Kung University has opened for an Exchange Program for fall entrance 2019.
Application, AFTER they complete the preceding requirements of the application process.
exchange coordinator of the home university (fee-paying students can skip the coordinators' signature).
before you submit it to the system. We will update your application accordingly on your behalf.
For more application information, please follow this link.


This is one of the best bottle sterilizers if you are on the lookout for a sterilizer that will do more than just sterilize your baby bottles. I say this because it also acts as a dryer and a storage unit for all your baby bottles. It also has such a large capacity as it can hold 8 bottles at the same time for sterilization. You will also get to save on a lot of energy costs thanks to its shut off function. However, since it is a steam Sterilizer, the heating plate at the base can get rusty if not properly maintained.
It comes in very sizeable dimensions which means it will take up very little space on your kitchen counter.
It effectively eliminates all harmful bacteria from your baby bottles by using steam.
You can use it to store your baby bottles where it will keep them sterilized for up to 24 hours when the unit is closed.
If you need it to dry your bottles after sterilization, it can do that efficiently.
It saves you energy by shutting off immediately a sterilization cycle is completed.
It can fit up to 8 bottles for a single sterilization cycle.
Cleaning it is very easy as its simple parts can be dismantled at will for cleaning.
The bottom heating plate rusts over time if not properly maintained.


text:
Hilary of Poitiers, John of Dama
« Prev Concerning Worship towards the East. Next »
Chapter XII.—Concerning Worship towards the East.
It is not without reason or by chance that we worship towards the East. But seeing that we are composed of a visible and an invisible nature, that is to say, of a nature partly of spirit and partly of sense, we render also a twofold worship to the Creator; just as we sing both with our spirit and our bodily lips, and are baptized with both water and Spirit, and are united with the Lord in a twofold manner, being sharers in the mysteries and in the grace of the Spirit.
Since, therefore, God23772377 Basil, De Spir. Sanct., c. 27; Alcuin, De Trin. ii. 5; Wal. Strabo, De reb. eccles, c. 4; Hon. August., Gemma Animæ. c. 950. is spiritual light23782378 1 St. John i. 5., and Christ is called in the Scriptures Sun of Righteousness23792379 Mal. iv. 2. and Dayspring23802380 Zach. iii. 8, vi. 12; St. Luke i. 78., the East is the direction that must be assigned to His worship. For everything good must be assigned to Him from Whom every good thing arises. Indeed the divine David also says, Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth: O sing praises unto the Lord: to Him that rideth upon the Heavens of heavens towards the East23812381 Ps. lxviii. 32, 33.. Moreover the Scripture also says, And God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed23822382 Gen. ii. 8.: and when he had transgressed His command He expelled him and made him to dwell over against the delights of Paradise23832383 Text, ὃν παραβάντα ἐξώρισεν, ἀπέναντί τε τοῦ Παραδείσου τῆς τρυφης κατῴκισεν . Variants, ὃν παραβάντα, τῆς τρυφῆς ἐξώρισεν, and ὃν παραβάντα, τοῦ παραδείσου τῆς τρυφῆς ἐξώρισεν, ἀπέναντί τε τοῦ παραδείσου κατῴκισεν., which clearly is the West. So, then, we worship God seeking and striving after our old fatherland. Moreover the tent of Moses23842384 Levit. xvi. 14. had its veil and mercy seat23852385 Ibid. 2. towards the East. Also the tribe of Judah as the most precious pitched their camp on the East23862386 Num. ii. 3.. Also in the celebrated temple of Solomon the Gate of the Lord was placed eastward. Moreover Christ, when He hung on the Cross, had His face turned towards the West, and so we worship, striving after Him. And when He was received again into Heaven He was borne towards the East, and thus His apostles worship Him, and thus He will come again in the way in which they beheld Him going towards Heaven23872387 Acts i. 11.; as the Lord Himself said, As the lightning cometh out of the East and shineth23882388 Text, φαίνεται. Variant, φθάνει. The old translation gives occupat.even unto the West, so also shall the coming of the Son of Man be23892389 St. Matt. xxiv. 27..
So, then, in expectation of His coming we worship towards the East. But this tradition of the apostles is unwritten. For much that has been handed down to us by tradition is unwritten23902390 Basil, De Spiritu Sancto, ch. 27..
2377 Basil, De Spir. Sanct., c. 27; Alcuin, De Trin. ii. 5; Wal. Strabo, De reb. eccles, c. 4; Hon. August., Gemma Animæ. c. 950.
2378 1 St. John i. 5.
2379 Mal. iv. 2.
2380 Zach. iii. 8, vi. 12; St. Luke i. 78.
2381 Ps. lxviii. 32, 33.
2382 Gen. ii. 8.
2383 Text, ὃν παραβάντα ἐξώρισεν, ἀπέναντί τε τοῦ Παραδείσου τῆς τρυφης κατῴκισεν . Variants, ὃν παραβάντα, τῆς τρυφῆς ἐξώρισεν, and ὃν παραβάντα, τοῦ παραδείσου τῆς τρυφῆς ἐξώρισεν, ἀπέναντί τε τοῦ παραδείσου κατῴκισεν.
2384 Levit. xvi. 14.
2385 Ibid. 2.
2386 Num. ii. 3.
2387 Acts i. 11.
2388 Text, φαίνεται. Variant, φθάνει. The old translation gives occupat.
2389 St. Matt. xxiv. 27.
2390 Basil, De Spiritu Sancto, ch. 27.


text:
A magnetic field
Portal about magnets and magnetic materials
Why is light called electromagnetic radiation quizlet?
Why is light called electromagnetic radiation?
Is electromagnetic radiation the same as light?
What is the radiation of electromagnetic waves called?
How are color and wavelength related quizlet?
What are the 7 types of radiation?
What is the most energetic form of light?
Where do electromagnetic waves come from?
What is light radiation?
Which type of electromagnetic radiation has the greatest frequency?
What are the 4 main properties of electromagnetic waves?
How do we use electromagnetic waves in everyday life?
What is the difference between electromagnetic radiation and electromagnetic waves?
What color has the shortest wavelength?
What happens to light that is absorbed by matter quizlet?
What is meant by the electromagnetic spectrum quizlet?
The atoms are ionized. When the electrons "calm down" they fall back into their home level and emit particles of light called photons (packets of energy) Light also travels in waves that travel through space – this is called electromagnetic radiation. Light behaves like a stream of particles.
Scientists call them all electromagnetic radiation. The waves of energy are called electromagnetic (EM) because they have oscillating electric and magnetic fields. … If it has low frequency, it has less energy and could be a TV or radio wave. All EM energy waves travel at the speed of light.
Radio waves, gamma-rays, visible light, and all the other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation can be described in terms of a stream of mass-less particles, called photons, each traveling in a wave-like pattern at the speed of light.
IT IS INTERESTING: Your question: How do you measure EMF on a power line?
Radio waves, microwaves, visible light, and x rays are all examples of electromagnetic waves that differ from each other in wavelength. … These waves are also called "electromagnetic radiation" because they radiate from the electrically charged particles.
How are color and wavelength related? Separates visible light into its different colors. As light passes through a prism it slows and bends, but different wavelengths bend at different angles. This separated light into different wavelengths, forming a rainbow of colors.
The EM spectrum is generally divided into seven regions, in order of decreasing wavelength and increasing energy and frequency. The common designations are: radio waves, microwaves, infrared (IR), visible light, ultraviolet (UV), X-rays and gamma rays.
Gamma rays
Description: Electromagnetic waves are formed when an electric field comes in contact with a magnetic field. They are hence known as 'electromagnetic' waves. The electric field and magnetic field of an electromagnetic wave are perpendicular (at right angles) to each other.
In fact visible 'light' is a form of radiation, which can be defined as an energy that travels in the form of electromagnetic waves. It can also be described as a flow of particle-like 'wave-packets', called photons, that travel constantly at the speed of light (about 300 000 kilometres per second).
IT IS INTERESTING: Which part of electromagnetic spectrum carries heat energy?
Like other waves, electromagnetic waves have properties of speed, wavelength, and frequency.23 мая 2019 г.
Behaviour and uses of electromagnetic waves
Radio waves. Radio waves are used for communication such as television and radio. …
Microwaves. Microwaves are used for cooking food and for satellite communications. …
Infrared. …
Visible light. …
Ultraviolet radiation.
Classically, electromagnetic radiation consists of electromagnetic waves, which are synchronized oscillations of electric and magnetic fields. … In order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength these are: radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays.
violet light
What happens to light that is absorbed by matter? A It is completely absorbed and gives up all its energy.
Electromagnetic Spectrum. The entire range of electromagnetic waves with different frequencies and wavelengths. Light.
Electromagnetism 0
Frequent question: Do AirPods give off EMF?
Summary. Apple AirPods will be giving us much higher levels of overall EMF exposure
What is the difference between EMF and ELF?
Extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields (EMF) occupy the lower part of
Why emf is not a force?
The word "force" is somewhat misleading, because EMF is not a force, but rather
What is the dimensional formula of EMF?
Therefore, Electromotive Force or EMF is dimensionally represented as [M1 L2 T-3 I-1]. What
Best answer: What is the SI unit of induced emf?
Like other measures of energy per charge, emf uses the SI unit volt, which
Does a Faraday cage block EMF?
No. Faraday cages cannot block low frequency magnetic fields. Faraday cages work through the
Hello! My name is Jason. Magnets are my hobby and in my blog I share interesting materials about magnets and magnetic materials.
What are Speks magnets made of?
How do you clean magnet tiles?
You asked: Can you weld a magnet to steel?
Who invented electro magnet?
Your question: How does the resistance of bismuth vary with magnetic field?
How do similar poles ends of two magnets interact?
Question: Can Magnet Fishing find gold?
Are carbon steel ball bearings magnetic?
© 2020 A magnetic field


Graduation is a time to celebrate, and grads deserve a reward for all their hard work. When buying a gift for a graduate, try to come up with something that's fun and practical. Your gift should equip your grad to handle the next chapter of their life, but also support enjoying themselves along the way. Our graduation gift guide will get your wheels turning, so you can pick the perfect gift for your child, relative, or close friend.
There's a good chance that your grad will want to explore the world and satisfy their wanderlust. After four years of studying, they may need a break, so give them the tools to make it happen! Every seasoned traveler needs a road-ready backpack with plenty of space for clothes, toiletries, books, and a sleeping bag. Backpacks are better for long journeys because they give you greater mobility than a rolling suitcase. Can you imagine rolling one of those through the woods on a camping trip? Neither can we. A quality REI backpack and an open-ended plane ticket are the best gifts a graduate can ever receive.
As your graduate moves into their apartment and adapts to adulthood, they'll need to start cooking more meals for themselves. Instead of leaving them in the wild to fend for themselves, provide them with a compass to the kitchen. Ask each family member and close friend to write down their favorite recipe and then package them together in a personalized recipe box. This way, your grad can learn how to make mom's famous soup, grandma's cookies, and dad's chili. Bring a little taste of home into their adult life!
These days, most people take photos with their smartphones, but it's easy to lose the files if they're not backed up in the cloud. Get the Picture Keeper Connect to ensure that your grad goes off into the real world with a secure storage solution. The app backs up your grad's photos on a separate USB drive with an extremely user-friendly app. They just plug it into their phone or tablet, click the "Start Backup" button, and watch as their photo albums (and contacts) are stored for safe keeping.
For additional graduation gift ideas check out our other articles above. One is for preschool and kindergarten graduates. The other is for college grads. We hope you find a gift idea you like!


text:
Input device having plurality of function switches
The present invention provides an input device allowing automatic customization of selection of function switches and functions assigned to the operating direction of a manual operating pad in a manner most suitable to the habit and subjective bias of operators to prevent any mistakes. The input device includes a mistake counter means, which increments the counted number of mistakes by determining, when any part of an input unit is operated within a predetermined period of time after another part of the input unit has been operated, that the preceding operation is a mistake; and a controller unit will replace the function assigned to the preceding operating action with another function in a function table, when the counted number of times of mistakes reaches a predetermined number.
Masudaya, Hideki (Miyagi-ken, JP)
Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
G06F3/02; H01H13/807; H01H13/84; H04M1/247; (IPC1-7): G09G5/00
20090309871 Smart Pixel Addressing December, 2009 Elliott
20100066641 Controlled Lighting System and Use of Such a System March, 2010 Kronhagel et al.
20060114225 Cursor function switching method June, 2006 Tsukada et al.
20100033436 Touch-Controlled Liquid Crystal Display and Touch Panel thereof February, 2010 Lai et al.
20100020034 MOBILE DEVICE HAVING BACKPANEL TOUCHPAD January, 2010 Kim
20030067454 Display device and signal transmission method thereof April, 2003 Shin et al.
20080143683 Pet-based touch pad June, 2008 Hotelling
20050078112 Logic analysis device with transmission speed display indicators April, 2005 Hu
20080036714 Display Control Device, Display Apparatus, Method of Controlling Display Device, Display Control Program, and Storage Medium Storing the Program February, 2008 Imai et al.
20060114231 Optical wireless mouse power saving feature June, 2006 Koh
20090225104 Driving Device and Related Output Enable Signal Transformation Device in an LCD Device September, 2009 Hu et al.
NGUYEN, CHANH DUY
BGL (P.O. BOX 10395, CHICAGO, IL, 60610, US)
1. An input device, comprising: a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of these devices; a controller unit for controlling the electronic devices; a first warning unit for generating warning signals for informing an operator of the function switches of a mistaken action on the function switches; and a mistake counter means for monitoring the operation on the function switches to count and store the number of mistakes on each of the function switches, wherein the mistake counter means increments the counted number of mistakes by determining, when one of the function switches is operated within a predetermined period of time after another function switch has been operated, that the preceding switch operation is a mistake; and the controller unit instructs the first warning unit to generate the warning signals when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number.
2. An input device according to claim 1, wherein the controller unit allows the electronic device selected by a function switch operated in the first action to be replaced with another device assigned to another function switch after generating the warning signals.
3. An input device, comprising: a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of the devices; a controller unit for controlling the electronic devices; and a mistake counter means for monitoring the operation on the function switches to count and store the number of mistakes for each of the function switches, wherein the mistake counter means increments the counted number of mistakes by determining, when one of the function switches is operated within a predetermined period of time after another function switch has been operated, that the preceding switch operation is a mistake; and the controller unit replaces the assigned electronic device selected by the function switch operated in the preceding action with another electronic device selected by another function switch, when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number.
4. An input device according to claim 3, further comprising a second warning unit for generating notification signals for informing an operator of the function switches of the automatic reassignment of the electronic device, wherein the controller unit instructs the second warning unit to generate the notification signals when the device reassignment has been performed.
5. An input device according to claim 1, wherein the function switches are provided in a console box and the electronic devices selected by the function switches are electric components equipped in an automobile.
6. An input device according to claim 2, wherein the function switches are provided in a console box and the electronic devices selected by the function switches are the electric components equipped in an automobile.
8. An input device according to claim 4, in which: the function switches are provided in an instrument panel and the electronic devices selected by the function switches are the electric components equipped in an automobile.
9. An input device, comprising: a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of these devices; a manual operating pad manipulatable in two or more directions for selecting a functionality of the electronic devices by the operating direction; a controller unit for instructing the electronic devices to execute the function; a first warning unit for generating warning signals for informing an operator of the manual operating pad of a mistaken action on the manual operating pad; and a mistake counter means for monitoring the operation on the manual operating pad by the operator to count and store the number of mistakes in each operating direction of the manual operating pad, wherein the mistake counter means increments the counted number of mistakes in an operating direction by determining, when the manual operating pad is operated in a direction within a predetermined period of time after the pad has been operated in another direction, that the preceding operation is a mistake; and the controller unit instructs the first warning unit to generate the warning signals when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number.
10. An input device according to claim 9, wherein the assignment of the electronic device selected by the preceding action to an operating direction can be swapped with another assignment of another device selected in another direction by means of the controller unit after generating the warning signals.
11. An input device, comprising: a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of the devices; a manual operating pad manipulatable in two or more directions for selecting a functionality of the electronic devices by the operating direction; a controller unit for instructing the electronic devices to execute the function; and a mistake counter means for monitoring the operation on the manual operating pad by the operator to count and store the number of mistakes in each operating direction of the manual operating pad, wherein the mistake counter means increments the counted number of mistakes in an operating direction by determining, when the manual operating pad is operated in a direction within a predetermined period of time after the manual operating pad has been operated in another direction, that the preceding switch operation is a mistake; and the controller unit replaces the function selected by the operating direction in a preceding action with another function selected in a succeeding action when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number.
12. An input device according to claim 8, further comprising: a second warning unit for generating notification signals for informing the operator of the reassignment done; wherein the controller unit instructs the second warning unit to generate the notification signals when the device reassignment has been performed.
13. An input device according to claim 9, wherein the function switches and the manual operating pad are mounted in a console box of an automobile and the electronic devices are electric components equipped on board selected by the function switches, as well as the functions are individual functions of each of the electric components in an automobile.
14. An input device according to claim 10, wherein the function switches and the manual operating pad are provided mounted in a console box and the electronic devices selected by the function switches are electric components equipped in an automobile, as well as the functions are individual functions of each of the electric components in an automobile.
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an input device having a plurality of function switches, and more particularly to an input device for used in a vehicle to operate electronic devices on board by only one input device to reduce operation errors by overriding functions assigned to switches.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Recently, automobiles have a number of electronic devices equipped, including CD player, MD player, radio, air conditioner, TV receiver, and telephone. These devices are each mounted at a different place, and when a driver wants to control one of these devices the driver's attention ahead will be distracted to reduce safety for driving. An input device or control center mounted on the instrument panel to control the on-board devices therefrom has been devised as a solution.
[0005] An exemplary control center will be described by referring to FIG. 10 to FIG. 16. FIG. 10 is an overview of an control center. As shown in FIG. 10, a control center 100 includes six function switches 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d, 101e, and 101f, and a multiple directive input device 103 having a manual operating pad 102 having four-way operation in the forward, backward, right and left directions. When selecting one of function switches 101a, 101b, 10c, 101d, 101e, and 101f, one of devices among for example the CD (or MD), radio, air conditioner 1, air conditioner 2, TV and telephone will be controlled, in correspondence with the key pressed.
[0006] FIG. 11 to FIG. 16 show functions which correspond to the operating direction of the manual operating pad 102 and each of which are selected by the function switches 101a to 101f. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when pressing the function switch 101c to select the air conditioner 1, the operation of the manual operating pad 102 in either the forward (upward), backward (downward) left, and right direction will correspondingly control the air conditioner 1 to scroll up the blower outlet, to scroll down the blower outlet, to increase the blower power, or to decrease the blower power, respectively. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12 to FIG. 16, when another device is selected, the operating direction of the manual operating pad 102 will control a preset function of the selected device. As can be seen, the control center 100 may control some functions of a plurality of electronic devices by combination of the selection of function switches 101a to 101f with the operating direction of the manual operating pad 102.
[0007] When the operator is the driver, for example while driving a car, the operator-driver needs to watch out for walkers and other vehicles ahead to keep safe driving. This implies that the operator-driver must operate the control center 100 by blind touch, i.e., without looking at it, and that this requires the operator-driver to well understand the function of each of keys 101a to 101f and manual operating pad 102, what will be happen in operating the manual operating pad 102 in which direction, or which of switches 101a to 101f will bring on to the control. However it will be difficult to force every driver to memorize all of functionalities correctly and personal habits or bias may cause a misunderstanding or misapprehension.
[0008] For instance, as shown in FIG. 11, the direction-distance from the driver is used as the reference for controlling the blower power of the air conditioner, in correspondence with the power of the blower, such that for example the blower will be powered up when operating the manual operating pad 102 in leftward (in the direction going apart from the driver-operator in a right hand drive), and the blower will be powered down when the manual operating pad 102 is manipulated in rightward (in the direction coming closer to the driver-operator in a right hand drive). For example, as is often the case with someone who uses drawing X-Y coordinate system in the work, rightward move may mean an increase whereas leftward move may mean a decrease. When this person operates the control center in the wrong way and realizes the mistake, the person will attempt to readjust in a hurry, causing the danger of an accident.
[0009] Although a customizable control center that allows the correspondence between the operating direction of the manual operating pad 102 and one of the functions in the function switches 101a to 101f to be manually customized has been devised and proposed, customizing of the control center for all electronic devices on board or in every operating directions will be cumbersome and may be time-consuming work.
[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and has an object to overcome the above problems and to provide an input device that allows the correspondence between the operating direction of the manual operating pad and the functionality or the correspondence between the function switches and the controlled devices to be customized in accordance with the habit or bias to reduce operation errors.
[0011] To achieve the object and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention comprises: a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of these devices; a controller unit for controlling the electronic devices; a warning unit for generating warning signals for informing an operator of a mistaken action; and a mistake counter means for monitoring the operation to count and store the number of mistakes on each of the function switches, wherein the mistake counter means increments the counted number of mistakes by determining, when one of the function switches is operated within a predetermined period of time after another function switch has been operated, that the preceding switch operation is a mistake; and the controller unit instructs the warning unit to generate the warning signals when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number. The operator may recognize which function switch is most prone to make a mistake, and will take care of operation much carefully when acting on the erroneous operation, resulting in a gradually decrease of erroneous operation on the function switches.
[0012] In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the controller unit allows the electronic device selected by a function switch operated in the first action to be replaced with another device assigned to another function switch after generating the warning signals. The operator is allowed thereby to decide whether to perform the reassignment of a device assigned to the most erroneously operating function switch with another device assigned to another function switch. When performing the reassignment and after some iteration of the reassignment, the device assignment on the function switches 21a to 21f will be modified to be most suitably conformed to the habit and subjective prejudice of the operator, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease of mistaken actions on the function switches, without a complex procedure of customization.
[0013] Also, the present invention comprises: a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of the devices; a controller unit for controlling the electronic devices; and a mistake counter means for monitoring the operation to count and store the number of mistakes for each of the function switches, wherein the mistake counter means increments the counted number of mistakes by determining, when one of the function switches is operated within a predetermined period of time after another function switch has been operated, that the preceding switch operation is a mistake; and the controller unit replaces the assigned electronic device selected by the function switch operated in the preceding action with another electronic device selected by another function switch, when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number. The component that is assigned to a function switch most prone to make a mistake will be automatically swapped with another component assigned to another function switch. After some iteration of this reassignment, the device assignment on the function switches 21a to 21f will be modified to be most suitably conformed to the habit and subjective bias of the operator, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease of mistaken actions on the function switches, without responding to warning signals from the warning unit each time.
[0014] In addition, the present invention further comprises a warning unit for generating notification signals for informing an operator of the automatic reassignment of the electronic device, wherein the controller unit instructs the warning unit to generate the notification signals when the device reassignment has been performed. The operator may confirm the reassignment to be assured.
[0015] In accordance with the present invention, the function switches are provided in a console box and the electronic devices selected by the function switches are electric components equipped in an automobile. Since while driving a vehicle such operations have to be done in blind touch, driving will be much safer while operating these function switches.
[0016] Also, the present invention comprises: a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of these devices; a manual operating pad manipulatable in two or more directions for selecting a functionality of the electronic device by the operating direction; a controller unit for instructing the electronic devices to execute the functions; a warning unit for generating warning signals for informing an operator of a mistaken action; and a mistake counter means for monitoring the operation to count and store the number of mistakes in each operating direction of the manual operating pad, wherein the mistake counter means increments the counted number of mistakes in an operating direction by determining, when the manual operating pad is operated in a direction within a predetermined period of time after the pad has been operated in another direction, that the preceding switch operation is a mistake; and the controller unit instructs the warning unit to generate warning signals when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number. The operator may recognize the operating direction of the manual operating pad the most prone to make a mistake, and will take care of the action thereafter when operating the most erroneous function, resulting in a gradual decrease of actions on the manual operating pad.
[0017] In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the assignment of the electronic device selected by the preceding action to an operating direction can be swapped with another assignment of another device selected in another direction by means of the controller unit after generating the warning signals. The operator may have option to perform or not a reassignment of the operating direction with another function assigned to another direction. When instructing to do and after some iteration of the reassignment, the device assignment on the operating directions of the manual operating pad will be modified to be most suitably conformed to the habit and subjective prejudice of the operator, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease of mistakes on the pad operation, without a complex procedure of customization.
[0018] Also the present invention comprises: a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of the devices; a manual operating pad manipulatable in two or more directions for selecting a functionality of the electronic device by the operating direction; a controller unit for instructing the electronic devices to execute the functions; and a mistake counter means for monitoring the operation to count and store the number of mistakes in each operating direction of the manual operating pad, wherein the mistake counter means increments the counted number of mistakes in an operating direction by determining, when the manual operating pad is operated in a direction within a predetermined period of time after the manual operating pad has been operated in another direction, that the preceding switch operation is a mistake; and the controller unit replaces the function selected by the operating direction in a preceding action with another function selected in a succeeding action when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number. The function assigned to an operating direction most prone to make a mistake by the operator will be automatically swapped with another function assigned to another direction, and some iteration of the reassignment, the function assignment on the operating directions will be modified to be most suitably conformed to the habit and subjective bias of the operator, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease of mistaken actions on the manual operating pad, without responding to warning signals from the warning unit each time.
[0019] In addition, the present invention further comprises a warning unit for generating notification signals for informing the operator of the reassignment done, wherein the controller unit instructs the warning unit to generate the notification signals when the device reassignment has been performed. The operator may recognize the reassignment and will be assured to operate on the manual operating pad.
[0020] Also, in accordance with the present invention, the function switches and the manual operating pad are mounted in a console box of an automobile and the electronic devices are the electric components equipped on board selected by the function switches, as well as the functions are individual functions of each of the electronic components in an automobile. Since while driving a vehicle such operations have to be done in blind touch, driving will become much safer while operating these function switches and manual operating pad.
[0021] The above and further objects and novel features of the present invention will more fully appear from following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the accompanying drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.
[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,
[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an input device in accordance with the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an input device in accordance with the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 is an exemplary function table illustrating the combination of the assignments of function switches and the operating directions of the manual operating pad with individual functions in an input device in accordance with the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 is an example of the count of mistakes stored in a mistake counter means of first and second embodiments in accordance with the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the control flow in first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the control flow in second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 7 is an example of the count of mistakes stored in a mistake counter means of third and fourth embodiments in accordance with the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control flow in third preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the control flow in fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the input device in accordance with the Prior Art;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the correspondence of the operating direction of the manual operating pad to the assigned function of the air conditioner 1 in the input device of the Prior Art;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the correspondence of the operating direction of the manual operating pad to the assigned function of the CD (MD) player in the input device of the Prior Art;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the correspondence of the operating direction of the manual operating pad to the assigned function of the radio in the input device of the Prior Art;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the correspondence of the operating direction of the manual operating pad to the assigned function of the TV in the input device of the Prior Art; and
[0038] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the correspondence of the operating direction of the manual operating pad to the assigned function of the telephone in the input device of the Prior Art.
[0039] [First Embodiment]
[0040] A detailed description of a first preferred embodiment embodying the present invention will now be given referring to the accompanying drawings, in particular to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5.
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an input device embodiment in accordance with the present invention. As shown in the figure, the input device 10 includes a controller unit (CPU) 11, a first warning unit 12, a second warning unit 13, and an input unit 14.
[0042] The controller unit 11 includes a processor, a RAM, a ROM, a timer, a mistake counter means 15, and a function table 16. The controller unit 11 may have functionalities of receiving the input from the input unit 14, controlling the first and second warning units 12 and 13, and outputting control signals to those electronic devices such as a CD player, an MD player, a radio, an air conditioner, a TV, a telephone, and the like.
[0043] The first and second warning unit 12 and 13 may be, for example, LCDs, buzzers, LEDs or vibrators incorporated in the manual operating pad, which may be served for giving warning signs or for notifying the operator-driver of the command result of a component, by the command signals supplied from the controller unit 11.
[0044] The input unit 14 as shown by the overview in FIG. 2, includes six function switches 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, and 21f, and a multi-directional input device 23 having a manual operating pad 22 for manually operating in four directions of forward, backward, leftward, and rightward. Also, the manual operating pad 22 has two input switches 24a and 24b at both lateral sides.
[0045] The mistake counter means 15 may be invoked when the function switches 21a to 21f or the manual operating pad 22 are manipulated to monitor the actions so as to determine whether the action taken at that time is a mistakenly performed error or not to count and store the number of mistakes with respect to the selection of function switches 21a to 21f and the operating direction of the manual operating pad 22.
[0046] The function table 16 as shown in FIG. 3 is a reference table of the correspondence between the combination of the selection of function switches 21a to 21f with the operating direction of the manual operating pad 22 and individual function of the components connected. As shown in the figure, the function switches 21a to 21f are preset assigned to electronic devices and functions corresponding thereto are preset assigned to each of operating directions of the manual operating pad 22. The function table 16 may be held in the internal memory of the controller unit 11 in a manner rewritable by the controller unit 11 and non-volatile with the uninterrupted power supplied from the battery.
[0047] In this manner, when either of function switches 21a to 21f in the input unit 14 is selected and the manual operating pad 22 is commanded in either of directions, the controller unit 11 will refer to the function table 16 to execute a function assigned to the combination of operations of the selected one of function switches 21a to 21f with the direction of the manual operating pad 22. For example, when a function switch 21a is selected and the manual operating pad 22 is commanded in the forward direction, the controller unit 11 will execute a function so as to give louder sound of CD.
[0048] The operating procedure in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. When the operator selects one of the function switches 21a to 21f (step S51), the mistake counter means 15 will retrieve, from the internal timer circuit of the controller unit 11, the elapsed time since the last selection of function switches 21a to 21f to the present time (step S52). Then the mistake counter means 15 will compare the elapsed time with a predetermined (T sec.) period of time (step S53). If the elapsed time is longer than T, then the last operation of function switches 21a to 21f is determined not to be an error and the circuit waits for a next action on the function switches 21a to 21f (step S54). If the elapsed time is shorter than T, then the circuit will determine that the last action on the function switches 21a to 21f was a mistake, and increment the number of mistakes of the selected one of function switches 21a to 21f, which count is stored in the controller unit 11 as shown by an example in FIG. 4 (step S55). Then the circuit will compare thus incremented number of mistakes counted with a predetermined (M) number (step S56). If the counted number of mistakes is less than M, then the circuit will wait for the next action on the function switches 21a to 21f (step S54). If the counted number of mistakes is equal to M, then the controller unit 11 will output warning signals to the first warning unit 12 to warn the operator-driver. The first warning unit 12 is served for warning the operator to indicate that the counted mistakes of the previously selected one of the function switches 21a to 21f reaches a predetermined number and ask if the operator wishes to replace the component assigned to the last selected one of the function switches 21a to 21f with another component assigned to another one of the function switches 21a to 21f (step S57). Then the circuit will wait for the reply (input) from the operator (step S58). If there is no response after a predetermined period of time, then the counted mistakes of the last selected one of the function switches 21a to 21f will be initialized to zero (step S59) to wait for the next action on the function switches 21a to 21f (step S54) If the operator acts as the response, the circuit will replace the component assigned to the last selected one of the function switches 21a to 21f in the function table 16 with another swappable component assigned to another one of the function switches 21a to 21f (step S60) and will clear the counted mistakes of the last selected one of the function switches 21a to 21f (step S61) to wait for the next action on the function switches 21a to 21f (step S54).
[0049] If the first warning unit 12 is a display device such as an LCD, for example, the warning signals supplied will be the indication signals to be displayed on the LCD panel, which will provide thereby a warning display on the LCD for the operator (step S57). Then the LCD will display a message to the operator, while the operator in turn will follow the message to act in sequence accordingly to perform the replacement of assigned devices to the function switches 21a to 21f.
[0050] If the first warning unit 12 is an audio output device such as a loudspeaker, the warning signals will be indication for supplying voice instruction through the loudspeaker, for giving the operator a notification (step S57). Then the operator will understand by the voice instruction output from the loudspeaker that he or she has made a mistake in the touch operation on it as well as he or she will follow the instruction given by the audible guidance to act accordingly to replace the components assigned to the function switches 21a to 21f.
[0051] If the first warning unit 12 is a ringing device including a buzzer, a chime, or a bell, then the warning signals will be the indication for outputting sounds from the buzzer, which will give the operator through the buzzer a notification (step S57). Then the operator will understand that he or she has made an error by the sound output from the buzzer, and may be provided an option for example that the replacement will not be done when selecting a function switch 21b, whereas the replacement of the components assigned to the function switches 21a to 21f will be done by selecting another function switch 21a.
[0052] If the first warning unit 12 is a light emitting device including LEDs or a lamp, then the warning signs will be the indication for the LED to emit light, thereby the operator will be warned through the LEDs (step S57) Then the operator will understand by the light emitted from the LEDs that he or she has made an error and may be provided an option for example that the replacement will not be done when selecting a function switch 21b, whereas the replacement of the components assigned to the function switches 21a to 21f will be done by selecting another function switch 21a.
[0053] If the first warning unit 12 is a vibrator device incorporated in the manual operating pad 22, the warning signals may be the indication for the vibrator to vibrate, thereby the operator will be warned through the vibrator (step S57). Then the operator will understand by the vibration provided by the vibrator that he or she has made an error and may be provided an option for example that the replacement will not be done when selecting a function switch 21b, whereas the replacement of the components assigned to the function switches 21a to 21f will be done by selecting another function switch 21a.
[0054] It should be noted here that the present invention makes use of the nature that a human operator will attempt in a hurry to correct an error committed. It may be preferable, therefore, that the predetermined period of time T is in the range of one to three seconds, and that the predetermined counted number M is in the range of two to five.
[0055] Which one component assigned to the function switches 21a to 21f is the best candidate may be determined, desirably either at random or by the operator's choice of one of devices of the function switches 21a to 21f after the notification indication.
[0056] As can be appreciated from the foregoing description, a notification will be given when the total count of mistakes reaches a given threshold number. The operator may recognize which key is the most mistaken one among the function switches 21a to 21f, and will take care of actions on the most erroneous one of function switches 21a to 21f so that ultimately the erroneous operation on the function switches 21a to 21f will be decreased. Furthermore, when a device assigned to a key is swapped with another one, then the most erroneously operated device that has been assigned to one of the function switches 21a to 21f will be replaced with another device assigned to another one of the function switches 21a to 21f, and so on such that the assignment of devices to the function switches 21a to 21f will gradually fit to the habit or custom of the operator, resulting in a decrease of erroneous operation on the function switches 21a to 21f.
[0057] [Second Embodiment]
[0058] A second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in greater details by referring to FIG. 6. The input device in accordance with the second preferred embodiment has a similar configuration to the input device of the preceding first preferred embodiment as have been described herein above, and the steps S51 to S56 in the operating procedure in FIG. 6 are identical to the corresponding steps in FIG. 5 of S51 to S56, so that the detailed description of the parts already described in the preceding embodiment will be omitted.
[0059] The control flow in the second preferred embodiment may be such that the counted number of mistakes is compared with a predetermined number M (step S56), if the counted number is equal to M then the last selected device assigned to one of function switches 21a to 21f will be automatically replaced with another device assigned to another one of function switches 21a to 21f (step S62) thereafter the controller unit 11 will clear the count of mistakes on the last selected one of function switches 21a to 21f (step S63) and will instruct the second warning unit 13 to notify the operator of the device reassignment (step S64). And then the control will wait for the next action on the function switches 21a to 21f (step S54).
[0060] As can be appreciated from the foregoing description, a device assigned to one of the function switches 21a to 21f that is often erroneously operated may be automatically replaced with another device assigned to another one of the function switches 21a to 21f, allowing the operator not to do anything, and after some iteration of this flow the device assignment on the function switches 21a to 21f will be modified to be most suitably conformed to the habit and subjective prejudice of the operator, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease of mistaken actions on the function switches 21a to 21f. Since the controller unit notifies of the reassignment, the operator may confirm the automatic reassignment and will be assured.
[0061] [Third Embodiment]
[0062] Next, a third preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in greater details with reference to FIG. 5. The present embodiment has the identical configuration as the preceding first embodiment, the similar members are designated to the identical reference numbers and the detailed description of the parts already described in the preceding embodiment will be omitted.
[0063] In the operation flow in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the operator moves the manual operating pad 22 in either direction (step S81), the controller unit 11 will perform a function allocated to the combination of a device selected at that moment with the direction of operation of the manual operating pad 22 (step S82). Then the mistake counter means 15 will retrieve from the internal timer incorporated in the controller unit 11 the elapsed time since the last action on the manual operating pad 22 (step S83). Then the mistake counter means 15 will compare the retrieved elapsed time with a predetermined (T sec.) period of time (step S84). If in the comparison the elapsed time is longer than T, then the last action done on the manual operating pad 22 will be determined not to be a mistake, and the controller unit 11 will wait for the next action (step S85). If otherwise the elapsed time is shorter than T then the last action on the manual operating pad 22 will be determined to be an error, and then the count of mistakes stored in the controller unit 11 conforming to the last selected operating direction of the manual operating pad 22 will be incremented, as shown in FIG. 7 (step S86). Thereafter the count of mistakes will be compared with a predetermined (M) number (step S87). If the counted mistakes is less than M, then the control will wait for the next action on the manual operating pad 22 (step S85) If the counted mistakes is equal to M then the controller unit 11 will output warning signals to the first warning unit 12 for warning the operator, and the first warning unit 12 will notify the operator that the number of times of mistakes by the operator reached to a predetermined number of times since the last action on the manual operating pad 22, will ask the operator whether to perform the reassignment of device function assigned to the last selected direction of the manual operating pad 22 to another device function assigned to another direction of the manual operating pad 22 (step S88), and will wait for the response from the operator (step S89). If there is no action taken by the operator after a predetermined period of time, the count of mistakes in the last designated direction of the manual operating pad 22 will be nullified (step S90) and the flow will wait for the next action on the manual operating pad 22 (step S85). If the operator responds, then the function stored in the function table 16 and assigned to the last selected direction of the operation of the manual operating pad 22 will be replaced with another operating function assigned to another direction of the operation of the manual operating pad 22 (step S91), the count of mistakes of that last selected operating direction of the manual operating pad 22 will be nullified (step S92) to wait for the next action on the manual operating pad 22 (step S85).
[0064] If the first warning unit 12 is a display device such as an LCD panel, then the warning signals may be the indication to be displayed on the LCD, which will provide a notification to the operator on the LCD panel screen (step S88). A message to the operator will be displayed on the LCD screen, and the operator in turn will follow the instruction given by the message to act accordingly to swap the functions to be assigned to the operating directions of the manual operating pad 22.
[0065] If the first warning unit 12 is an audio output device such as a loudspeaker, the warning signals will be indication for supplying voice instruction through the loudspeaker, for giving the operator a notification (step S88). Then the operator will understand by the voice instruction output from the loudspeaker that he or she has made a mistake in the touch operation on it as well as he or she will follow the instruction given by the audible guidance to act accordingly to replace the functions assigned of operating directions to the manual operating pad 22.
[0066] If the first warning unit 12 is a ringing device including a buzzer, a chime, or a bell, then the warning signals will be the indication for outputting sounds from the buzzer, which will give the operator through the buzzer a notification (step S88). Then the operator will understand that he or she has made an error by the sound output from the buzzer, and may be provided an option for example that the replacement will not be done when operating the manual operating pad 22 backward whereas the replacement of the functions assigned to the manual operating pad 22 will be done by operating the manual operating pad 22 forwardly.
[0067] If the first warning unit 12 is a light emitting device including LEDs or a lamp, then the warning signs will be the indication for the LED to emit light, thereby the operator will be warned through the LEDs (step S88). Then the operator will understand by the light emitted from the LEDs that he or she has made an error and may be provided an option for example that the replacement will not be done when operating the manual operating pad 22 backward whereas the replacement of the functions assigned to the manual operating pad 22 will be done by operating the manual operating pad 22 forwardly.
[0068] If the first warning unit 12 is a vibrator device incorporated in the manual operating pad 22, the warning signals may be the indication for the vibrator to vibrate, thereby the operator will be warned through the vibrator (step S88). Then the operator will understand by the vibration provided by the vibrator that he or she has made an error and may be provided an option for example that the replacement will not be done when operating the manual operating pad 22 backward whereas the replacement of the functions assigned to the manual operating pad 22 will be done by operating the manual operating pad 22 forwardly.
[0069] As can be appreciated from the foregoing description, since the operator will be warned once the counted mistakes reach to a predetermined threshold number, the operator will act more carefully when operating instructions prone to make a mistake, so that ultimately the mistake in operating the manual operating pad 22 will be gradually reduced. When replacing functions, the function assigned to a direction of manual operating pad 22 prone to make a mistake will be reassigned by another function, and after some iteration of the reassignment the operating directions of the manual operating pad 22 will be most suitably conformed to the habit and subjective prejudice of the operator, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease of mistaken actions on the manual operating pad 22.
[0070] It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the reassignment, which function is the best candidate to replace one prone to make a mistake may be the one that has been assigned to the opposite direction to the direction that the operator make a predetermined number of times of mistakes, however, the candidate may be chosen at random. Alternatively the desirable operating direction to be reassigned may be set by the choice of the operator, after the warning.
[0071] [Fourth Embodiment]
[0072] Now a fourth preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention will be described in greater details with reference to FIG. 9. The input device in accordance with the preferred embodiment has a similar configuration to the input device of the preceding first preferred embodiment as have been described herein above, and the steps S81 to S87 in the operating procedure in FIG. 9 are identical to the corresponding steps of the third preferred embodiment in FIG. 8 of S81 to S87, so that the detailed description of the parts already described in the preceding embodiments will be omitted.
[0073] In the control flow of the fourth preferred embodiment, the mistake counter means 15 will compare the counted number of times of mistakes with a predetermined (M) number (step S87). If the count of mistakes is equal to M, then the last selected function stored in the function table 16 and assigned to an operating direction of the manual operating pad 22 will be automatically replaced with another function assigned to another operating direction of the manual operating pad 22 (step S93), the count of mistakes in the last selected operating direction of the manual operating pad 22 will be nullified (step S94), the controller unit 11 will instruct the second warning unit 13 to notify the operator of the reassignment done (step S95) to wait the next action on the manual operating pad 22 (step S85).
[0074] In a manner as have been described above, a function assigned to an operating direction of the manual operating pad 22 most prone to frequently make mistakes will be automatically swapped with another function assigned to another direction of the manual operating pad 22. After some iteration of the reassignment, the operating directions of the manual operating pad 22 will be most suitably conformed to the habit and subjective bias of the operator, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease of mistaken actions on the manual operating pad 22. Since the controller unit notifies of the reassignment each time, the operator may confirm the automatic reassignment and will be assured.
[0075] Also, it is clear for those skilled in the art that, while in the preferred embodiments described herein the count of mistakes has been described to be incremented, the count may be equivalently decremented by counting the number of mistakes, and invariably the count will reach to a predetermined threshold, the present invention may achieve a similar effect in both manners.
[0076] Although the input device in accordance with the present invention has been described by way of example in an input device for the electric components equipped in a vehicle, it is clearly appreciated by the one skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For instance, the input device can be equivalently applied to any home-use appliances such as a microwave oven, to an input device for a personal computer, or to a cellular phone.
[0077] As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art from the foregoing description, the input device in accordance with the present invention comprising a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of these devices; a controller unit for controlling these electronic devices; a warning unit for generating warning signals for informing an operator of mistaken actions; and a mistake counter means for monitoring the action by the operator to count and store the number of mistakes for each of function switches; the mistake counter means incrementing the counted number of mistakes by determining, when a function switch is pressed within a predetermined period of time after another one of function switches has been pressed, that the preceding switch operation is a mistake; and the controller unit instructing the warning unit to generate warning signals when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number. The operator may recognize which function switch is most prone to make a mistake, and will take care of operation much carefully when acting on the erroneous operation, resulting in a gradually decrease of erroneous operation on the function switches.
[0078] In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the controller unit allows the electronic device selected by a function switch operated in the first action to be replaced with another device assigned to another function switch after generating warning signals. The operator is allowed thereby to decide whether to perform the reassignment of a device assigned to the most erroneously operating function switch with another device assigned to another function switch. When performing the reassignment and after some iteration of the reassignment, the device assignment on the function switches 21a to 21f will be modified to be most suitably conformed to the habit and subjective prejudice of the operator, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease of mistaken actions on the function switches, without a complex procedure of customization.
[0079] Also, the input device in accordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of these devices; a controller unit for controlling these electronic devices; and a mistake counter means for monitoring the action on the device to count and store the number of mistakes for each of function switches; the mistake counter means incrementing the counted number of mistakes by determining, when a function switch is pressed within a predetermined period of time after another one of function switches has been pressed, that the preceding switch operation is a mistake; and the controller unit replacing the electronic device selected by the function switch operated in the preceding action with another electronic device selected by another function switch, when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number. The component that is assigned to a function switch most prone to make a mistake will be automatically swapped with another component assigned to another function switch. After some iteration of this reassignment, the device assignment on the function switches 21a to 21f will be modified to be most suitably conformed to the habit and subjective bias of the operator, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease of mistaken actions on the function switches, without responding to warning signals from the warning unit each time.
[0080] In addition, the present invention comprises a warning unit for generating notification signals for informing an operator of the automatic reassignment, the controller unit instructing the warning unit to generate notification signals when the device reassignment has been performed. The operator may confirm the reassignment to be assured.
[0081] In addition, in accordance with the present invention, function switches may be provided in the instrument panel and the electronic devices selected by the function switches may be the electric components equipped in an automobile. Since while driving a vehicle such operations have to be done in blind touch, driving will be much safer while operating these function switches.
[0082] Also, the input device in accordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of these devices; a manual operating pad manipulatable in two or more directions for selecting a functionality of electronic device by the operating direction; a controller unit for instructing electronic devices to execute functions; a warning unit for generating warning signals for informing an operator of mistaken actions; a mistake counter means for monitoring the action by the operator to count and store the number of mistakes for each of function switches; the mistake counter means incrementing the counted number of mistakes in operating directions by determining, when the manual operating pad is operated in a direction within a predetermined period of time after the manual operating pad has been operated in another direction, that the preceding switch operation is a mistake; and the controller unit instructing the warning unit to generate warning signals when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number. The operator may recognize the operating direction of the manual operating pad the most prone to make a mistake, and will take care of the action thereafter when operating the most erroneous function, resulting in a gradual decrease of actions on the manual operating pad.
[0083] In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the assignment of the electronic device selected in the preceding action to an operating direction can be swappable with another assignment of another device selected in another direction by means of the controller unit after generating warning signals. The operator may have option to perform or not a reassignment of the operating direction with another function assigned to another direction. When instructing to do and after some iteration of the reassignment, the device assignment on the operating directions of the manual operating pad will be modified to be most suitably conformed to the habit and subjective prejudice of the operator, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease of mistakes on the pad operation, without a complex procedure of customization.
[0084] Also the present invention comprises a plurality of function switches each provided corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices for selecting one of these devices; a manual operating pad manipulatable in two or more directions for selecting a functionality of electronic device by the operating direction; a controller unit for instructing electronic devices to execute functions; and a mistake counter means for monitoring the operation to count and store the number of mistakes in each operating direction of the manual operating pad; the mistake counter means incrementing the counted number of mistakes in an operating direction by determining, when the manual operating pad is operated in another direction within a predetermined period of time after the pad has been operated in a direction, that the preceding switch operation is a mistake; and the controller unit replacing the function selected by the operating direction in a preceding action with another function selected in a succeeding action, when the counted number of mistakes reaches a predetermined threshold number. The function assigned to an operating direction most prone to make a mistake by the operator will be automatically swapped with another function assigned to another direction, and some iteration of the reassignment, the function assignment on the operating directions will be modified to be most suitably conformed to the habit and subjective bias of the operator, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease of mistaken actions on the manual operating pad, without responding to warning signals from the warning unit each time.
[0085] In addition, the present invention further comprises a warning unit for generating notification signals for informing the operator of the reassignment done; and the controller unit instructing the warning unit to generate notification signals when the device reassignment has been performed. The operator may recognize the reassignment and will be assured to operate on the manual operating pad.
[0086] Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, function switches and manual operating pad may be mounted in the instrument panel of a vehicle and the electronic devices may be the electric components equipped on board selected by the function switches, as well as the functions are individual functions of each of those components. Since while driving a vehicle such operations have to be done in blind touch, driving will become much safer while operating these function switches and manual operating pad.
[0087] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description thereof. It is to be recognized that the embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents.
Previous Patent: Wireless portfolio system and device
Next Patent: ***WITHDRAWN APPLICATION AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***