System and method for adjusting climate control in vehicles

• US 6,175,782 B1
• Filed: 09/21/1999
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Talking Quick Tips, Inc.
• Original Assignee: American Calcar, Inc.
• Inventors: Obradovich, Michael L., Dinkel, John G., Kent, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US09/401,039
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/200, 701/206, 701/207, 701/213, 237/12.313, 237/2.A, 237/12.3 R, 165/203, 165/11.1, 165/43, 165/205, 165/42, 236/43, 236/51, 236/91.C, 236/49.3, 236/91.G, 236/91.F, 250/226, 356/218, 621/86, 621/33, 62/36.1, 62/37, 622/08, 454/112, 454/75
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/70 Computer memory; Data storage, e.g. maps for adaptive control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/76 Digital systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00642 Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices B60H1/3201 - B60H1/3208, B60H1/3225 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00771 the input being a vehicle position or surrounding, e.g. GPS-based position or tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00985 Control systems or circuits characterised by display or indicating devices, e.g. voice simulators characterised by the input of sound using a voice synthesizer B60H1/00757; B60H1/00978 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/148 Instrument input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• 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 35/215 characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• 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 35/654 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 : Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/042 : operating on the fuel supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 : a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 : combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels

Abstract

In a multimedia information and control system for use in an automobile, at least one interface is employed which enables a user to access information concerning the automobile and control vehicle functions in an efficient manner. The user may select one of a plurality of displayed options on a screen of such an interface. Through audio, video and/or text media, the user is provided with information concerning the selected option and the vehicle function corresponding thereto. Having been so informed, the user may activate the selected option to control the corresponding vehicle function.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a climate control in a vehicle comprising:

determining a geographic region where the vehicle is;

providing a plurality of predetermined temperature ranges corresponding to different temporal and geographic parameters;

selecting a predetermined temperature range as a function of a current time and the geographic region, the current time and geographic region satisfying the temporal and geographic parameters corresponding to the selected temperature range; and

operating the climate control to meet the selected temperature range.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the current time includes a current date.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the geographic region is determined based on a global positioning system (GPS) measure.

4. A method for adjusting a climate control in a vehicle comprising:

receiving information concerning a future time, and a desired climate condition in the vehicle at the future time;

determining whether the desired climate condition is achievable at the future time; and

operating the climate control to achieve the desired climate condition at the future time when it is determined that the desired climate condition is achievable at the future time.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the desired climate condition includes a selected temperature.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein whether the desired climate condition is achievable at the future time is determined based on a current measure of a power resource in the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the information is received via remote communication.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the remote communication includes a telephone communication.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the remote communication includes a radio frequency (RF) communication.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the future time includes a time of entry to the vehicle.

11. A system for adjusting a climate control in a vehicle comprising:

a sensor for determining a geographic region where the vehicle is;

a memory for providing a plurality of predetermined temperature ranges corresponding to different temporal and geographic parameters;

a processor for selecting a predetermined temperature range as a function of a current time and the geographic region, the current time and geographic region satisfying the temporal and geographic parameters corresponding to the selected temperature range; and

a controller for operating the climate control to meet the selected temperature range.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the current time includes a current date.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the geographic region is determined based on a GPS measure.

14. A system for adjusting a climate control in a vehicle comprising:

an interface for receiving information concerning a future time, and a desired climate condition in the vehicle at the future time;

a processor for determining whether the desired climate condition is achievable at the future time; and

a controller for operating the climate control to achieve the desired climate condition at the future time when it is determined that the desired climate condition is achievable at the future time.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the desired climate condition includes a selected temperature.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein whether the desired climate condition is achievable at the future time is determined based on a current measure of a power resource in the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the information is received via remote communication.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the remote communication includes a telephone communication.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the remote communication includes a RF communication.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein the future time includes a time of entry to the vehicle.