Dialogue System for a Motor Vehicle

• US 20100204915A1
• Filed: 04/20/2010
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: KUENZNER, Hermann
• Granted Patent: US 8,731,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/201
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/122 Instrument input devices with reconfigurable control functions, e.g. reconfigurable menus
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

In a dialogue system for a motor vehicle, the dialogue system including a plurality of control keys, assigning at least one of at least on of the control keys a function from a predefined set of functions in such a manner that the function is executed upon actuation of the control key. The control key can be assigned a primary parameter, which is automatically required for executing the function, and at least one secondary parameter which relates to the method for executing the function, in such a manner that the function is executed in the manner defined by the secondary parameter upon actuation of the control key.

Claims

1. A dialogue system for a motor vehicle, the dialogue system comprising:

a plurality of control keys, wherein at least one of the control keys can be assigned a function from a predefined set of functions in such a manner that this function is executed upon actuation of the control key; and

a processor coupled to the plurality of control keys, the processor configured to

assign the control key a primary parameter, which is automatically required for executing the function,

assign at least one secondary parameter, which relates to the method for executing the function, and

execute the function in the manner defined by the secondary parameter upon actuation of the control key.

2. The dialogue system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one secondary parameter relates to the manner of a sound reproduction.

3. The dialogue system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one secondary parameter relates to the viewing mode of a screen.

4. The dialogue system according to claim 2, wherein the primary parameter is one of a radio station, an audio source, and a telephone number.

5. The dialogue system according to claim 3, wherein the primary parameter is one of a navigation destination, a telephone number, and an Internet address.

6. The dialogue system according to claim 1, wherein the primary parameter is a navigation destination, and the at least one secondary parameter relates to route planning criteria for a route guidance to a navigation destination.

7. The dialogue system according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to display a current assignment of the control key in response to a request operation of an operator.

8. The dialogue system according to claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to display, when the control key is assigned a primary parameter and at least one such secondary parameter,

a description of the primary parameter is displayed in response to a first request operation of an operator, and

a description of at least one secondary parameter is displayed in response to an additional second request operation of an operator.

9. A method for assigning a primary parameter and at least one secondary parameter to control key of a dialogue system, the method comprising the acts of:

detecting an assignment operation of an operator during execution of a function of the dialogue system;

determining a primary parameter the, wherein execution of the function on which the function execution is based,

assigning the primary parameter to the control key;

determining at least one secondary parameter based, at least in part, on the current settings of the dialogue system for executing the function; and

assigning the secondary parameter to the control key.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising

detecting an operator inquiry in an interactive mode of the dialogue system following assignment of secondary parameter, and

displaying output associated with one or more of a control key shall be assigned a secondary parameter, the secondary parameter shall be assigned to the control key, and the value of a specific secondary parameter to be assigned to the control key.

11. A method for assigning a primary parameter and at least one secondary parameter to control key of a dialogue system, the method comprising the acts of:

detecting a user request operation of an operator of the dialogue system, the user request operation associated with a primary parameter during the execution of a function;

detecting a secondary request operation by an operator, the secondary request operation associated with at least one secondary parameter, and

assigning the primary parameter and the at least one secondary parameter to the control key based on the current settings of the dialogue system for executing the function.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one secondary parameter relates to the manner of a sound reproduction.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one secondary parameter relates to the viewing mode of a screen.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the primary parameter is one of a radio station, an audio source, and a telephone number.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the primary parameter is one of a navigation destination, a telephone number, and an Internet address.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the primary parameter is a navigation destination, and the at least one secondary parameter relates to route planning criteria for a route guidance to a navigation destination.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising displaying a current assignment of the control key in response to a request operation of an operator.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising displaying, when the control key is assigned a primary parameter and at least one such secondary parameter,

a description of the primary parameter is displayed in response to a first request operation of an operator, and

a description of at least one secondary parameter is displayed in response to an additional second request operation of an operator.