SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY ALTERING CONTENT OF A VEHICLE INTERFACE

• US 20120306637A1
• Filed: 06/01/2011
• Published: 12/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: McGough, Beth A., Lamb, Tony M.
• Application Number:
  US13/150,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20120306637A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/439
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/195 Blocking or enabling display functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/193 for improving awareness
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/195 Blocking or enabling display functions
• 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: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions

Abstract

A vehicle interface is provided that includes a controller configured to selectively alter content presented by the vehicle interface in response to receiving a signal indicative of driver distraction.

Claims

1. A vehicle interface, comprising:

a controller configured to selectively alter content presented by the vehicle interface in response to receiving a signal indicative of driver distraction.

2. The vehicle interface of claim 1, wherein the vehicle interface comprises a graphical display.

3. The vehicle interface of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to increase a font size of textual content presented by the graphical display in response to receiving the signal indicative of driver distraction.

4. The vehicle interface of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to reduce a level of content presented by the graphical display via removal of graphical elements of the content.

5. The vehicle interface of claim 1, wherein the vehicle interface comprises a voice prompt.

6. The vehicle interface of claim 1, wherein the signal indicative of driver distraction comprises at least one of a signal indicative of lane departure, a signal indicative of obstacle detection, a signal indicative of driver eye closure, a signal indicative of driver eye position, a signal indicative of phone activation, a signal indicative of erratic speed, and a signal indicative of excessive interior noise.

7. The vehicle interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to selectively alter content presented by the vehicle interface in response to user input.

8. The vehicle interface of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to maintain a reduced level of content until a password is provided.

9. The vehicle interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to selectively alter content presented by the vehicle interface in response to a signal indicative of inclement weather, reduced vehicle traction, or a combination thereof.

10. The vehicle interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to restore content presented by the vehicle interface in response to termination of the signal.

11. A vehicle interface, comprising:

a graphical display; and

a controller configured to present a first layout on the graphical display having a first level of content, and to present a second layout on the graphical display having a second level of content, less than the first level of content, in response to receiving a signal indicative of driver distraction.

12. The vehicle interface of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to present the first layout on the graphical display in response to termination of the signal.

13. The vehicle interface of claim 11, wherein the signal indicative of driver distraction comprises at least one of a signal indicative of lane departure, a signal indicative of obstacle detection, a signal indicative of driver eye closure, a signal indicative of driver eye position, a signal indicative of phone activation, a signal indicative of erratic speed, and a signal indicative of excessive interior noise.

14. The vehicle interface of claim 11, comprising a voice prompt, wherein the controller is configured to selectively reduce a level of content of the voice prompt in response to receiving the signal indicative of driver distraction.

15. The vehicle interface of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to present the second layout on the graphical display in response to user input.

16. A method of operating a vehicle interface, comprising:

selectively altering content presented by the vehicle interface in response to receiving a signal indicative of driver distraction.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising activating an alarm in response to receiving the signal indicative of driver distraction.

18. The method of claim 16, comprising selectively altering content presented by the vehicle interface in response to user input.

19. The method of claim 16, comprising restoring content presented by the vehicle interface in response to termination of the signal.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein selectively altering content presented by the vehicle interface comprises at least one of reducing a level of content presented by a graphical display via removal of graphical elements of the content, and reducing the level of content of a voice prompt.