Technique for effectively searching for information in a vehicle

• US 6,438,465 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2001
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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:
  US09/792,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20010021887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/29, 701/35, 701/36, 345/733, 345/810, 345/530, 345/803, 345/156, 345/763-765, 345/168, 345/685, 345/802, 345/700, 345/705, 345/714, 345/737, 345/745, 340/436, 340/459, 340/521, 340/417, 731/172
• 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 system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a memory for storing a plurality of displays having predetermined contents, the plurality of displays being associated with a plurality of aspects of the vehicle;

an interface for entering a query to conduct a search concerning an aspect of the vehicle;

an input device for selecting a result of the search;

a processor responsive to the selected result for identifying at least one of the plurality of displays which is associated with the aspect of the vehicle; and

a display element for showing thereon the at least one display.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the result is selected from a list of search results satisfying the query.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein an association of the plurality of displays with the plurality of aspects of the vehicle is established in a table format.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the query includes a term at least identifying partially the aspect of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the input device includes a touch-screen capability.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one display includes an option selectable to access information concerning the aspect of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one display includes an option selectable to control the aspect of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the aspect of the vehicle includes a climate control of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1 herein the interface includes the input device.

10. A method for use in a system in a vehicle comprising:

storing in a memory a plurality of displays having predetermined contents, the plurality of displays being associated with a plurality of aspects of the vehicle;

receiving an entry of a query to conduct a search concerning an aspect of the vehicle;

receiving from an input device a selection of a result of the search;

in response to the selected result, identifying at least one of the plurality of displays which is associated with the aspect of the vehicle; and

showing the at least one display.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the result is selected from a list of search results satisfying the query.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein an association of the plurality of displays with the plurality of aspects of the vehicle is established in a table format.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the query includes a term at least identifying partially the aspect of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one display includes an option selectable to access information concerning the aspect of the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one display includes an option selectable to control the aspect of the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the aspect of the vehicle includes a climate control of the vehicle.