METHOD FOR ASSISTING THE USER OF A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IN LOCATING A CONTROL ELEMENT

摘要

The invention relates to a method for assisting the user of a piece of equipment, particularly a vehicle, in locating a control element, whereby acoustic signals in the vicinity of the equipment, for example in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, are monitored by means of a speech recognition system on a search request from said user, regarding a control element to be located. When such a search request is detected by the speech recognition system of a signalling control unit, a signal, perceptible to the user and indicating to said user the position of the control element, is activated. Said signal can be an optical signal. In this case, a lighting device, preferably a backlighting, in the vicinity of the control element is activated. Alternatively, a speech signal, stored in a memory and prepared for the corresponding control element, is activated. Ideally, a sensor for detecting the position of the user's hand can also be used. In this case, speech signals are produced, in order to indicate to the user how he should move his hand to reach the control element. Vehicles can then be especially equipped with a sensor for monitoring the passenger compartment.