Technique for effectively communicating information concerning vehicle service providers to a user

• US 6,542,794 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2002
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US10/038,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20020082752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/29, 701/30, 701/31, 701/34, 701/200, 701/207, 701/208, 701/209, 701/211, 701/213, 455/456, 340/438, 340/439, 340/445, 340/457, 340/459, 340/460, 340/461, 340/457.4, 340/988, 340/990, 340/995, 342/457, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 342/357.17, 702/182, 702/183, 702/184
• 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 use in a vehicle comprising:

a processor for selecting at least one service provider for servicing the vehicle when the vehicle needs a service;

a mechanism for monitoring a distance between the at least one service provider and the vehicle, and

an interface for informing a user of the vehicle when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance from the at least one service provider.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein data concerning a location of the at least one service provider is supplied to a navigator for providing directions to reach the location.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein information about the at least one service provider is supplied to the user via audio media.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface includes a display element, and information about the at least one service provider is displayed on the display element.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one service provider is selected amongst a plurality of service providers, and the at least one service provider is the closet to current location of the vehicle of all of the plurality of service providers.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a memory for storing information concerning locations of the plurality of service providers.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the information includes global positioning system (GPS) information.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a processing unit for determining whether the vehicle needs the service.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the processing unit includes the processor.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one service provider includes a service station.

11. A system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a device connected to one or more components of the vehicle for identifying a condition of the vehicle;

a processor for selecting at least one service provider in response to the condition of the vehicle;

a mechanism responsive to a selection of the at least one service provider for monitoring a distance between the vehicle and the at least one service provider; and

an interface for providing information about the at least one service provider when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance from the at least one service provider.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the condition includes a maintenance warning.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein data concerning a location of the at least one service provider is supplied to a navigator for providing directions to reach the location.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the information is provided via audio media.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the interface includes a display element, and the information is provided on the display element.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one service provider is selected amongst a plurality of service providers, and the at least one service provider is the closest to a current location of the vehicle of all of the plurality of service providers.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising a memory for storing data concerning locations of the plurality of service providers.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the data includes GPS data.

19. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one service provider includes a service station.

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

selecting at least one service provider for servicing the vehicle when the vehicle needs a service;

monitoring a distance between the at least one service provider and the vehicle, and

informing a user of the vehicle when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance from the at least one service provider.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising providing directions to reach a location of the at least one service provider.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein information concerning the at least one service provider is supplied to the user via audio media.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein information concerning the at least one service provider is communicated to the user visually.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the service provider is selected amongst a plurality of service providers, and the at least one service provider is the closest to a current location of the vehicle of all of the plurality of service providers.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising storing information concerning locations of the plurality of service providers.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the information includes GPS information.

27. The method of claim 20 further comprising determining whether the vehicle needs the service.

28. The method of claim 20 wherein the service provider includes a service station.

29. A method for use in a system in a vehicle, the system including a device connected to one or more components of the vehicle, the method comprising:

using the device to identify a condition of the vehicle;

selecting at least one service provider in response to the condition of the vehicle;

in response to a selection of the at least one service provider, monitoring a distance between the vehicle and the at least one service provider; and

providing information about the at least one service provider when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance from the at least one service provider.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the condition includes a maintenance warning.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein data concerning a location of the at least one service provider is supplied to a navigator for providing directions to reach the location.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the information is provided via audio media.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the information is visually provided.

34. The method of claim 29 wherein the at least one service provider is selected amongst a plurality of service providers, and the at least one service provider is the closest to a current location of the vehicle of all of the plurality of service providers.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising storing data concerning locations of the plurality of service providers.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the data includes GPS data.

37. The method of claim 29 wherein the at least one service provider includes a service station.