Method and system for adjusting a function in a vehicle

• US 6,449,535 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2001
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• 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:
  US10/017,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20020082751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 315 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/36, 701/49, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.4, 340/425.5, 340/457, 340/461, 340/5.1, 340/5.21, 340/5.23, 340/5.8, 340/5.81, 340/5.85, 340/438, 340/449, 340/459, 296/65.08, 296/65.16, 318/466, 318/256, 318/112, 318/280, 165/41, 165/42, 165/202, 165/244, 165/253, 165/254, 165/287, 236/49.3
• 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 use in a system for adjusting a function in a vehicle, the system including a display element, the function of the vehicle being operated based on a preferred setting thereof, the method comprising:

detecting an adjustment of the function occasioned by an input of a current setting of the function;

providing, on the display element, a selectable option when the adjustment is detected;

receiving a selection of the selectable option; and

in response to the selection of the selectable option, adopting the current setting as a new preferred setting of the function.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the current setting is stored according to a security measure when the current setting is adopted.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the security measure includes a personal identification number (PIN).

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the function includes a climate control.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the function includes a radio.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the selectable option includes a save option.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein a restart of the system causes the current setting to be ineffective when the current setting is not adopted.

8. A method for use in a system in a vehicle, the system including a display element, the method comprising:

receiving data concerning a setting affecting an operation of a function in the vehicle;

providing, on the display element, a selectable option in response to the received data;

receiving a selection of the selectable option; and

in response to the selection of the selectable option, adopting the setting to affect the operation of the function of the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the selection of the selectable option causes the data to be saved.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the selectable option includes a save option.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the function includes a climate control.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the function includes a radio.

13. A system for adjusting a function in a vehicle, the function of the vehicle being operated based on a preferred setting thereof, the system comprising:

a processor for detecting an adjustment of the function occasioned by an input of a current setting of the function;

a display element for providing thereon a selectable option when the adjustment is detected; and

an interface for receiving a selection of the selectable option, the current setting being adopted as a new preferred setting of the function in response to the selection of the selectable option.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising a memory for storing the current setting according to a security measure when the current setting is adopted.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the security measure includes a PIN.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the function includes a climate control.

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

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the selectable option includes a save option.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein a restart of the system causes the current setting to be ineffective when the current setting is not adopted.

20. A system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a first interface for receiving data concerning a setting affecting an operation of a function in the vehicle;

a display element for providing thereon a selectable option in response to the received data;

a second interface for receiving a selection of the selectable option; and

a processor for adopting the setting to affect the operation of the function of the vehicle in response to the selection of the selectable option.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the first interface is the same as the second interface.

24. The system of claim 20 wherein the function includes a climate control.

25. The system of claim 20 wherein the function includes a radio.

22. The system of claim 30 wherein the selection of the selectable option causes the data to be saved.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the selectable option includes a save option.