USER INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20080133082A1
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Rasin, Vladimir, Schunder, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,073,589 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/834 Docking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens

Abstract

A user interface system and method for a vehicle enables access to an electronic device. The electronic device is configured to transmit a first data set wherein the first data set indicates at least one of appearance and a function requirement. A user interface module is included having a second data set and a display unit configured to electronically display information that is assessable via the electronic device. Additionally, a conversion engine communicates with the user interface module and the electronic device and processes the first data set and the second data set. Based on the first and second data set, a third data set is generated that is loaded into the user interface module. Through the use of the third data set, the user information system provides access to the electronic device.

Claims

1. A user interface system for a vehicle that enables access to an electronic device, the electronic device being configured to transmit a first data set, wherein the first set indicates at least one of an appearance and a function requirement, the system comprising:

a user interface module having a second data set and a display unit configured to electronically display information that is accessible via the electronic device; and

a conversion engine configured to communicate with the user interface module and the electronic device, the conversion engine processing the first data set and the second data set and generating a third data set based on the first data set and the second data set thereby enabling access to the electronic device and causing the display unit to display the information in accordance with at least one of the appearance and the function requirement.

2. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the user interface module includes at least one selection device, the conversion engine processing the first data set and the second data set to cause the selection device to operate and effect user interface module functions in accordance with at least one of the appearance and the function requirement.

3. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the third data set is loaded into the user interface module thereby enabling access to the electronic device and causing the display unit to display the information in accordance with at least one of the appearance and the function requirement.

4. The user interface system of claim 3, wherein the conversion engine has conversion data adapted to process the first and second data set to generate the third data set.

5. The user interface system of claim 4, wherein the conversion data provides data conversion rules by which the first and second data set are processed to generate the third data set.

6. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the conversion engine is integrated with the user interface module.

7. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third data sets are compatible with a vehicle user interface markup language (VUML) specification.

8. A user interface system for a vehicle that enables access to at least one application on an electronic device, the electronic device having an available mode and unavailable mode and being configured to transmit a first data set, wherein the first data set indicates at least one of an appearance and a function requirement, the system comprising:

a user interface module having a second data set and a display unit configured to display information pertaining to the application; and

a conversion engine being operable with the user interface module and configured to communicate with the electronic device so long as the electronic device is in the available mode, the conversion engine processing the first data set and the second data set and generating a third data set based on the first and second data sets, thereby enabling access to the at least one application and causing the display unit to display the information in accordance with at least one of the appearance and the function requirement.

9. The user interface system of claim 8, wherein the user interface module includes at least one selection device, the conversion engine processing the first data set and the second data set to cause the selection device to operate and effect user interface module functions in accordance with the function requirement.

10. The user interface system of claim 8, wherein the third data set is automatically loaded into the user interface module thereby enabling access to the electronic device and causing the display unit to display the information in accordance with at least one of the appearance and the function requirement.

11. The user interface system of claim 10, wherein the second data set is restored to the user interface module when the electronic device is in an unavailable mode.

12. The user interface system of claim 8, wherein the conversion engine has conversion data adapted to process the first and second data set to generate the third data set.

13. The user interface system of claim 12, wherein the conversion data provides data conversion rules by which the first and second data set are processed to generate the third data set.

14. The user interface of claim 8, wherein the conversion engine is integrated with the user interface module.

15. The user interface of claim 8, wherein the first, second, and third data sets are compatible with a vehicle user interface markup language (VUML) specification.

16. A method of accessing an electronic application on an electronic device through the use of a user interface system on a vehicle, wherein the user interface system includes a display unit configured to display information pertaining to the application, the method comprising:

receiving, at a conversion engine that is operable with the user interface system, a first data set, wherein the first data set is generated by the external device and the first data set indicates at least one of an appearance and a function requirement;

receiving, at the conversion engine, a second data set, wherein the second data set is generated by the user interface system;

generating a third data set based on the first and second data sets through the use of the conversion engine; and

loading the third data set into the user interface module, wherein the third data set enables access to the at least one application and causes the display unit to display the information in accordance with at least one of the appearance and the function requirement.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the user interface module includes at least one selection device and the conversion engine receives the first data set and the second data set so as to cause the selection device to operate and effect user interface module functions in accordance with the function requirement.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the conversion engine has conversion data for processing the first and second data set to generate the third data set.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the conversion data provides data conversion rules by which the first and second data set are processed to generate the third data set.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising generating a signal that indicates an available mode of the electronic device.