Technique for providing information and control responsive to a request in a vehicle

• US 6,542,795 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• 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:
  US10/176,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20020156555A1
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/36, 701/37, 701/29, 701/35, 345/839, 345/810, 345/530, 345/803, 340/436, 340/459, 340/521, 340/410
• 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:

an interface for entering a request concerning an aspect of the vehicle, the request including a user description of the aspect of the vehicle;

a processor for selecting, based on the user description, a display which contains at least one option for selection, the at least one option pertaining to the aspect of the vehicle;

a display element for showing thereon the selected display; and

an input device for selecting the at least one option on the selected display.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the user description includes a term at least identifying partially the aspect of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the term includes one or more words.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one option is selected to access information about the aspect of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one option is selected to control the aspect of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the aspect of the vehicle includes a climate control of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface includes a touch-screen capability.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface includes a voice input.

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

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected display includes a second option for selection which pertains to a second aspect of the vehicle having a description similar to the user description.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the description of the second aspect of the vehicle is similar to the user description in spelling.

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

receiving a request concerning an aspect of the vehicle, the request including a user description of the aspect of the vehicle;

selecting, based on the user description, a display which contains at least one option for selection, the at least one option pertaining to the aspect of the vehicle;

showing the selected display; and

allowing a selection of the at least one option on the selected display.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the user description includes a term at least identifying partially the aspect of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the term includes one or more words.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one option is selected to access information about the aspect of the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one option is selected to control the aspect of the vehicle.

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

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the selected display includes a second option for selection which pertains to a second aspect of the vehicle having a description similar to the user description.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the description of the second aspect of the vehicle is similar to the user description in spelling.

20. Software including machine readable instructions stored in a tangible medium for performing a process comprising:

receiving a request concerning an aspect of the vehicle, the request including a user description of the aspect of the vehicle;

selecting, based on the user description, a display which contains at least one option for selection, the at least one option pertaining to the aspect of the vehicle;

showing the selected display; and

allowing a selection of the at least one option on the selected display.