Multimedia system for selecting and activating functions

• US 20070200875A1
• Filed: 10/27/2006
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Seeger, Isabell
• Granted Patent: US 8,516,372 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/048 with digital indication using a microprocessor H03J1/0016

Abstract

A multimedia system may include a controller and display that displays status information, menu information, and other information. The information may include multiple status icons representing different status information. Each status icon may provide details regarding a setting or condition of the multimedia system, and may be associated with a system function. A user interface is used to select a status information icon by scrolling through the icons and highlighting the icons sequentially. The system allows a user to select and activate functions quickly by scrolling through status information and activating the functions associated with that information. Menu information or a menu structure may be used to access the functions of the multimedia system.

Claims

1. A multimedia system comprising:

a controller;

a display coupled to the controller to display status information and menu items;

a selector device coupled to the controller that allows the status information to be selected;

a user interface coupled to the controller that receives input comprising selection or activation of the status information or menu items, where the selection occurs by the selector device and where the user interface is configured to cycle the status information; and

a performing device configured to perform a function associated with the status information upon activation of the status information.

2. The multimedia system of claim 1 where the user interface is a control element.

3. The multimedia system of claim 2 where the control element comprises a rotary push button, hard key, soft key, touch screen display or a combination.

4. The multimedia system of claim 3 where the rotary push button allows a user to cycle through the status information, and further where a selection of the status information highlights the status information selected.

5. The multimedia system of claim 3 where the rotary push button receives a first input associated with a short activation and receive a second input associated with a long activation.

6. The multimedia system of claim 2 where the control element comprises a number pad, a keypad, a cursor control device, a joystick, remote control, or a combination.

7. The multimedia system of claim 1 where status information comprises information indicating a setting or a condition of the multimedia system.

8. The multimedia system of claim 7 where the status information comprises a radio station identifier, a radio frequency, a waveband, a traffic announcement mode, a traffic message channel, a selected program type, a map scale, a CD number, a title number, a GSM provider, a signal strength, a volume level, a mail icon, or a combination.

9. The multimedia system of claim 1 where the menu items comprise a hierarchically structured menu system organizing and displaying functions of the multimedia system.

10. The multimedia system of claim 1 further comprising a receiver configured to play radio stations.

11. The multimedia system of claim 1 further comprising a compact disc unit.

12. The multimedia system of claim 1 further comprising a navigation unit configured to give directions or locate a position of the multimedia system.

13. The multimedia system of claim 1 further comprising a telecommunication unit configured to receive electronic communications, connect with a network, send messages, establish a call, or a combination.

14. A multimedia system for a transport mechanism comprising:

a display configured to display menu items and status information, where the status information provides information indicative of a setting or a condition of the multimedia system;

a controller coupled to the display that drives the display; and

a user interface coupled to the controller that receives instructions comprising a selection or activation of the menu items and the status information, where the controller displays the selection on the display;

where the controller is configured to allow the status information to be selected by the user interface as shown on the display, and the controller performs a function associated with the activation of the menu items or the status information.

15. The multimedia system of claim 14 where the status information comprises a radio station identifier, a radio frequency, a waveband, and a traffic announcement mode.

16. The multimedia system of claim 15 where the menu items comprise a hierarchically structured menu system.

17. The multimedia system of claim 14 where the user interface comprises a combination of a rotary push button and a hard key or a soft key, or a touch screen display.

18. The multimedia system of claim 17 where the controller allows a user to cycle through the status information with the rotary push button.

19. The multimedia system of claim 14 where the function associated with the status information switch on and off a mode assigned to the status information when the status information is activated.

20. The multimedia system of claim 14 where the function associated with the status information activates a menu assigned to the status information when the status information is activated.

21. A multimedia system comprising:

a display configured to display status information and menu items;

a control element for selecting and activating a menu item;

a control device that drives the display and is coupled to the control element to receive selections and activations;

a selector device configured to allow the status information to be selected with the control element; and

a performing means for performing a function associated with the status information upon selection of the status information.

22. The multimedia system of claim 26, where the status information comprises a signal strength icon, and where a selection of the signal strength icon displays signal strength received from a cellular network or WiFi network.

23. A method for selecting and activating a function of a multimedia system comprising:

displaying status information and menu items on a display of the multimedia system;

selecting the status information; and

activating a function assigned to the status information in response to its selection.

24. The method of claim 23, where the status information comprises a radio station identifier, a radio frequency, a waveband, a traffic announcement mode, a traffic message channel, a selected program type, a map scale, a CD number, a title number, a GSM provider, a signal strength, a volume level, or a mail icon.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising displaying a list of radio stations for selection when status information for a radio station is selected.