Smart owner's manual

• US 20040019591A1
• Filed: 07/25/2002
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Gardner, Judith Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,552,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/20 of structured data, e.g. relational data
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A system that compares two sets of information to generate and store comparison results is disclosed. The sets of information may be information pertaining to known aspects of a product and aspects of a new product. The comparison of the sets of information yields information that highlights the differences between the known product and the new product. By distilling the differences between the known product and the new product, a smart owner'"'"'s manual that is stripped of redundant information is created.

Claims

1. A vehicle information system adapted to provide to a user information associated with features of a first vehicle, the vehicle information system comprising:

a first database storing information associated with features of the first vehicle;

a second database storing information associated with features of a second vehicle with which the user is familiar;

a system comparison module adapted to compare the first and second databases and to store in a third database disposed within the first vehicle information associated with the differences between the features of the first and second vehicles; and

an information extractor disposed within the first vehicle, coupled to the third database and adapted to communicate to the user a difference between the features of the first and second vehicles in response to a user action.

2. The vehicle information system of claim 1, wherein the first and second databases are disposed within the first vehicle.

3. The vehicle information system of claim 1, wherein the features of the first and second vehicles comprise vehicle operational features.

4. The vehicle information system of claim 1, wherein the features of the first and second vehicles comprise component locations.

5. The vehicle information system of claim 1, wherein the features of the first and second vehicles comprise luxury item features.

6. The vehicle information system of claim 1, wherein the user action comprises a request for information.

7. The vehicle information system of claim 6, wherein the request for information comprises a verbal request for information.

8. The vehicle information system of claim 1, wherein the user action comprises actuation of a component within the first vehicle.

9. A method of providing to a user information associated with features of a first vehicle, the method comprising:

reading from a first database information associated with features of the first vehicle;

reading from a second database information associated with features of a second vehicle with which the user is familiar;

comparing the first and second databases;

storing in a third database disposed within the first vehicle information associated with the differences between the features of the first and second vehicles;

detecting a user action; and

communicating to the user a difference between the features of the first and second vehicles in response to the user action.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein reading from the first and second databases comprises accessing the first and second databases over a network.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the features of the first and second vehicles comprise vehicle operational features.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the features of the first and second vehicles comprise component locations.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the features of the first and second vehicles comprise luxury item features.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the user action comprises a request for information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the request for information comprises a verbal request for information.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the user action comprises actuation of a component within the first vehicle.

17. A vehicle information system adapted to provide to a user information associated with features of a first vehicle, the information system comprising:

a controller;

a memory coupled to the controller;

a first instruction set stored in the memory and for execution by the controller, wherein the execution of the first instruction set by the controller causes the controller to read from a first database information associated with features of the first vehicle;

a second instruction set stored in the memory and for execution by the controller, wherein the execution of the second instruction set by the controller causes the controller to read from a second database information associated with features of a second vehicle with which the user is familiar;

a third instruction set stored in the memory and for execution by the controller, wherein the execution of the third instruction set by the controller causes the controller to compare the first and second databases;

a fourth instruction set stored in the memory and for execution by the controller, wherein the execution of the fourth instruction set by the controller causes the controller to store in a third database disposed within the first vehicle information associated with the differences between the features of the first and second vehicles;

a fifth instruction set stored in the memory and for execution by the controller, wherein the execution of the fifth instruction set by the controller causes the controller to detect a user action; and

a sixth instruction set stored in the memory and for execution by the controller, wherein the execution of the sixth instruction set by the controller causes the controller to communicate to the user a difference between the features of the first and second vehicles in response to the user action.

18. The vehicle information system of claim 17, wherein the first and second databases are disposed within the first vehicle.

19. The vehicle information system of claim 17, wherein the third database is stored in the memory.

20. The vehicle information system of claim 17, wherein the first and second databases are coupled to the controller over an Internet connection.

21. The vehicle information system of claim 17, wherein the features of the first and second vehicles comprise vehicle operational features.

22. The vehicle information system of claim 17, wherein the features of the first and second vehicles comprise component locations.

23. The vehicle information system of claim 17, wherein the features of the first and second vehicles comprise luxury item features.

24. The vehicle information system of claim 17, wherein the user action comprises a request for information.

25. The vehicle information system of claim 24, wherein the request for information comprises a verbal request for information.

26. The vehicle system of claim 17, wherein the user action comprises actuation of a component within the first vehicle.