Technique for effectively providing information responsive to a notable condition in a vehicle

• US 6,587,759 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2002
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Calcar, Inc.
• Original Assignee: American Calcar, Inc.
• Inventors: Dinkel, John G., Kent, Michael L., Obradovich, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US10/209,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20020198635A1
• Time in Patent Office: 336 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/36, 701/48, 701/29, 701/30, 701/31, 701/33, 340/459, 340/460, 340/461, 340/436, 340/439, 340/438
• 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 display element;

an output element for providing information concerning at least one device in the vehicle;

a processor for identifying a notable condition of the vehicle;

a mechanism for providing an alert indicating the notable condition, a provision of the information concerning the at least one device being interrupted by the alert; and

an interface for selecting an option, which is provided on the display element in response to the notable condition, thereby prompting a user to select the option to obtain selected information to cope with the notable condition.

2. The system claim 1 wherein the alert is provided via audio media.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the alert comprises a preselected audio signal.

4. The system claim 1 wherein the at least one device includes a fuel gauge.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one device includes a speedometer.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one device includes an odometer.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one device includes a tachometer.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one device includes a temperature gauge.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one device includes a climate control.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the notable condition concerns engine overheating in the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the notable condition concerns a low fuel level in the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected information is provided to the user via audio media.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected information is provided to the user textually.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the output element includes the display element.

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

providing information concerning at least one device in the vehicle;

identifying a notable condition of the vehicle;

providing an alert indicating the notable condition, a provision of the information concerning the at least one device being interrupted by the alert; and

providing an option on the display element in response to the notable condition, thereby prompting a user to select the option to obtain information to cope with the notable condition.

16. The method claim 15 therein the alert is provided via audio media.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the alert comprises a preselected audio signal.

18. The method claim 15 wherein the at least one device includes a fuel gauge.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one device includes a speedometer.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one device includes an odometer.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one device includes a tachometer.

22. The method of claim 15 the at least one device includes a temperature gauge.

23. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one device includes a climate control.

24. The method of claim 15 wherein the notable condition concerns engine overheating in the vehicle.

25. The method of claim 15 wherein the notable condition concerns a low fuel level in vehicle.

26. The method of claim 15 wherein the selected information is provided to the user via audio media.

27. The method of claim 15 wherein the selected information is provided to the user textually.

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

providing information concerning at least one device in the vehicle;

identifying a notable condition of the vehicle;

providing an alert indicating the notable condition, a provision of the information concerning the at least one device being interrupted by the alert; and

providing an option on the display element in response to the notable condition, thereby prompting a user to select the option to obtain information to cope with the notable condition.