Gesticulating anthropomorphic interface

• US 20040102875A1
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Johnson, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,859,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of providing a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface in a vehicle, the method comprising receiving driver input data including a function to be performed. The method also comprises receiving vehicle data corresponding to the function. The function is executed in response to the driver input data and the vehicle data and the executing results in output data. The output data is translated into a command for a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure. The gesticulating anthropomorphic figure is displayed making a gesture responsive to the command.

Claims

1. A method of providing a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface in a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving driver input data including a function to be performed;

receiving vehicle data corresponding to said function;

executing said function in response to said driver input data and said vehicle data, said executing resulting in output data;

translating said output data into a command for a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure; and

displaying said gesticulating anthropomorphic figure making a gesture responsive to said command.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said gesticulating anthropomorphic figure is a three dimensional poseable figure affixed to the interior of said vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said gesticulating anthropomorphic figure is a computer animated figure viewable on a display device affixed to the interior of said vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying said figure making a verbal communication responsive to said command.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said driver input data is entered using a keypad entry device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said driver input data is entered using a voice recognition device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said function is parking assistance;

said vehicle data includes the location of a bumper on said vehicle relative to an external object; and

said gesture includes indicating the distance between said bumper and said external object.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said function is traffic assistance;

said vehicle data includes a speed of said vehicle; and

said gesture includes a motion responsive to said speed.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said function is navigation;

said driver input data further includes a target location for said vehicle;

said vehicle data includes a current location and a current heading direction;

said executing includes calculating an angle with respect to said current heading direction and responsive to said current location that points in the direction of said target location; and

said gesture includes indicating the direction of said angle.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said target location and said current location are expressed in terms of latitude, longitude and altitude.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said receiving vehicle data occurs in response to a change in said current location.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said receiving vehicle data occurs on a periodic basis.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said receiving vehicle data occurs in response to a change in said current heading direction.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said receiving driver input data occurs in response to a change in said target location.

15. A system for providing a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure;

a network in communication with said figure; and

a microprocessor in communication with said network, said microprocessor including instructions to implement a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface, the method comprising;

receiving driver input data including a function to be performed over said network;

receiving vehicle data corresponding to said function over said network;

executing said function in response to said driver input data and said vehicle data, said executing resulting in output data;

translating said output data into a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure command; and

displaying said gesticulating anthropomorphic figure making a gesture responsive to said command.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said network is a wireless network.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein said network is internal to said vehicle.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein said figure is a three dimensional poseable figure affixed to the interior of said vehicle.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein said figure is a computer animated figure viewable on a display device affixed to the interior of said vehicle.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein:

said function is navigation;

said driver input data further includes a target location for said vehicle;

said vehicle data includes a current location and a current heading direction;

said executing includes calculating an angle with respect to said current heading direction and responsive to said current location that points in the direction of said target location; and

said gesture includes indicating the direction of said angle.

21. The system of claim 15 further comprising a location detector device attached to said vehicle and to said network, wherein said current location is received from said device over said network.

22. The system of claim 15 further comprising a heading direction detector device attached to said vehicle and to said network, wherein said current heading direction is received from said device over said network.

23. The system of claim 15 further comprising a navigation system connected to said network, wherein said target location is received from said navigation system.