Multimedia technique for operating devices in a vehicle

• US 6,330,497 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2000
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Calcar, 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:
  US09/717,538
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/30, 701/31, 701/32, 701/36, 701/49, 340/461, 340/436, 340/438, 340/449, 340/459, 340/336, 307/10.1
• 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 2370/11 Graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/12 Input devices or input features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/148 Input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/152 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/154 Combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/736 the user being the driver
• 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 system for operating a device to perform a function in a vehicle comprising:

a display element for displaying at least one option which is associated with the function of the vehicle, the at least one option indicating a first status;

a first interface for selecting the at least one option, the selected at least one option indicating a second status;

an output element for providing information concerning the selected at least one option;

a second interface for activating the selected at least one option, the activated option indicating a third status; and

a processor for causing the device to perform the function after the selected at least one option is activated.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes climate control.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first interface is the same as the second interface.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the display element includes a liquid crystal display (LCD).

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the second status is indicated by a highlight on the selected at least one option in a first color.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the third status is indicated by a highlight on the activated option in a second color.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected at least one option is selected using a touch-screen technique.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the information is provided via audio media.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the information is provided textually.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first interface and the second interface includes a device for indicating the at least one option.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first interface and the second interface includes a control button.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first interface and the second interface includes a voice command capability.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a radio function.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a television function.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a CD playing function.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a navigation function.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a telephonic function.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a lock function.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a mirror adjustment function.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a window adjustment function.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a seat adjustment function.

22. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a windshield wiper control function.

23. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a cruise control function.

24. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a light control function.

25. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a security function.

26. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a steering control function.

27. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a ride control function.

28. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes an engine function.

29. The system of claim 1 wherein the function includes a transmission function.

31. The method of claim 20 wherein the function includes climate control.

32. The method of claim 20 wherein the second status is indicated by a highlight on the selected at least one option in a first color.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the third status is indicated by a highlight on the activated option in a second color.

34. The method of claim 20 wherein the selected at least one option is selected using a touch-screen technique.

35. The method of claim 10 wherein the content is provided via audio media.

36. The method of claim 10 wherein the content is provided textually.

30. A method for operating a device to perform a function in a vehicle comprising:

displaying at least one option which is associated with the function of the vehicle, the at least one option indicating a first status;

selecting the at least one option, the selected at least one option indicating a second status;

providing information concerning the selected at least one option;

activating the selected at least one option, the activated option indicating a third status; and

causing the device to perform the function after the selected at least one option is activated.

37. The method of claim 30 wherein the at least one option is selected using an indicator device.

38. The method of claim 30 wherein the at least one option is selected using a control button.

39. The method of claim 30 wherein the at least one option is selected via voice command.

40. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a radio function.

41. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a television function.

42. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a CD playing function.

43. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a navigation function.

44. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a telephonic function.

45. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a lock function.

46. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a mirror adjustment function.

47. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a window adjustment function.

48. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a seat adjustment function.

49. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a windshield wiper control function.

50. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a cruise control function.

51. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a light control function.

52. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a security function.

53. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a steering control function.

54. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a ride control function.

55. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes an engine function.

56. The method of claim 30 wherein the function includes a transmission function.