Gesticulating anthropomorphic interface

• US 6,859,686 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Johnson, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Broadhead, Brian J.
• Application Number:
  US10/305,383
• Publication Number:
  US 20040102875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/48, 701/1, 701/200, 701/211, 701/206, 701/208, 701/209, 340/995.2, 340/995.26, 340/995.27
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of providing a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface in a vehicle, the method comprising receiving driver input data including a function to be performed. The method also comprises receiving vehicle data corresponding to the function. The function is executed in response to the driver input data and the vehicle data and the executing results in output data. The output data is translated into a command for a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure. The gesticulating anthropomorphic figure is displayed making a gesture responsive to the command.

Claims

1. A system for providing a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure;

a network in communication with said figure; and

a microprocessor in communication with said network, said microprocessor including instructions to implement a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface, the method comprising;

receiving driver input data including a function to be performed over said network, wherein the function includes parking assistance;

receiving vehicle data corresponding to said function over said network, said vehicle data including the location of a bumper on the vehicle relative to an external object;

executing said function in response to said driver input data and said vehicle data, said executing resulting in output data;

translating said output data into a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure command; and

displaying said gesticulating anthropomorphic figure making a gesture responsive to said command, said gesture indicating the distance between the bumper and the external object.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said network is a wireless network.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said network is internal to said vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said figure is a three dimensional poseable figure affixed to the interior of said vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said figure is a computer animated figure viewable on a display device affixed to the interior of said vehicle.

6. A method of providing a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface in a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving driver input data including a function to be performed, wherein said function includes parking assistance;

receiving vehicle data corresponding to said function, said vehicle data including the location of a bumper on the vehicle relative to an external object;

executing said function in response to said driver input data and said vehicle data, said executing resulting in output data;

translating said output data into a command for a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure; and

displaying said gesticulating anthropomorphic figure making a gesture responsive to said command, said gesture indicating the distance between the bumper and the external object.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said gesticulating anthropomorphic figure is a three dimensional poseable figure affixed to the intedor of said vehicle.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said gesticulating anthropomorphic figure is a computer animated figure viewable on a display device affixed to the interior of said vehicle.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising displaying said figure making a verbal communication responsive to said command.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein said driver input date is entered using a keypad entry device.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein said driver input data is entered using a voice recognition device.

12. A method of providing a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface in a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving driver input data including a function to be performed and a target location for said vehicle, wherein said function includes navigation;

receiving vehicle data corresponding to said function, said vehicle data including a cunnnt location and a current heading direction;

executing said function in response to said driver input data and to said vehicle data, said executing resulting in output data and said executing including calculating an angle with respect to said current heading direction and responsive to said current location that points in the direction of said target location;

translating said output data into a command for a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure; and

displaying said gesticulating anthropomorphic figure making a gesture responsive to said current, said gesture indicating the direction of said angle.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said target location and said current location are expressed in terms of latitude, longitude and altitude.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said receiving vehicle data occurs in response to a change in said current location.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said receiving vehicle data occurs on a periodic basis.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein said receiving vehicle data occurs in response to a change in said current heading direction.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein said receiving driver input data occurs in response to a change in said target location.

18. A system for providing a gesticulating autbropomorphic interface in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure;

a network in communication with said figure; and

a microprocessor in communication with said network, said microprocessor including instructions to implement a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface, the method comprising;

receiving driver input data including a function to be performed and a target location for said vehicle, wherein said driver input data is received over said network and said function includes navigation;

receiving vehicle data corresponding to said function over said network, said vehicle data including a current location and a current heading direction;

executing said function in response to said driver input data and said vehicle data, said executing resulting in output data and said executing including calculating an angle with respect to said current heading direction and responsive to said current location that paints in the direction of said target location;

translating said output data into a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure command; and

displaying said gesticulating anthroporncnpliic figure making a gesture responsive to said current, said gesture indicating the direction of said angle.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a location detector device attached to said vehicle and to said network, wherein said current location is received from said device over said network.

20. The system of claim 18 further comprising a heading direction detector device attached to said vehicle and to said network, wherein said current heading direction is received from said device over said network.

21. The system of claim 18 further comprising a navigation system connected to said network, wherein said target location is received from said navigation system.

22. A method of providing a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface on a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving driver input data including a function to be performed, wherein said function includes traffic assistance;

receiving vehicle data corresponding to said function, the vehicle data including at least one of speed of said vehicle and a bumper distance of said vehicle from an external object;

executing said function in response to said driver input data and said vehicle data, said executing resulting in output data;

translating said output data into a command for a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure, said command including instructions for moving a member on the figure to simulate braking if said speed is over a first limit or if said bumper distance is less than a second limit; and

transmitting said command to said gesticulating anthropomorphic figure.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the member is a leg.

24. A system for providing a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure;

a network in communication with said figure;

end

a microprocessor in communication with said network, said microprocessor including instructions to implement a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface, the method comprising;

receiving driver input data including a function to be performed, wherein said driver input data is received over said network and said function includes traffic assistance;

receiving vehicle data corresponding to said function over said network, said vehicle data including at least one of a speed of said vehicle and a bumper distance of said vehicle from an external object;

executing said function in response to said driver input data and said vehicle dab, said executing resulting in output data;

translating said output data into a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure command; and

displaying said gesticulating anthropomorphic figure making a gesture responsive to said command, said gesture including moving a member on the figure to simulate braking if said speed is over a first limit or if said bumper distance is less than a second limit.