Personal computer for automobiles

• US 7,062,365 B1
• Filed: 09/03/2003
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weibin Fei
• Original Assignee: Weibin Fei
• Inventors: Fei, Weibin
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/654,434
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/36, 345/163, 345/167, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/113 Scrolling through menu items
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/117 Cursors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/5899 Internet
• 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 35/213 Virtual instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 Foot operated pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

The present invention discloses a computer system for a vehicle. The computer system includes a processor having at least one supporting module connected to an automotive system of the vehicle. A display screen is connected to the processor for retrieving information data from the processor and selectively displaying information concerning the automotive system. The present invention further includes a means connected to the processor for controlling the functions of and operating the automotive system based upon the information displayed on said display screen.

Claims

1. A computer system for a vehicle comprising:

a) a computer console including a processor having at least one supporting module connected to an automotive system of the vehicle located between driver and passenger seats;

b) a first display screen on a dashboard of said vehicle facing said driver connected to said processor for retrieving information data from said processor and selectively displaying information concerning said automotive system;

c) a computer keyboard mounted on a steering wheel of said vehicle connected to said processor for controlling functions of and operating said automotive system based upon the information displayed on said display screen;

d) said first display screen being able to selectively display all gauges associated with a motor vehicle, each gauge being in an independent data field on said display screen, said display screen also displaying command options for navigating and controlling peripheral devices in said vehicle;

e) a foot pedal mouse connected to said processor and positioned on floor of the vehicle, wherein said foot pedal mouse senses a direction of pressure placed thereon by a foot of a user and moves a mouse cursor across said first display screen in said direction, wherein upon reaching a display representative of a desired program, said program is selectively operable by depressing said foot pedal mouse;

f) a second display screen mounted on said dashboard facing the passenger seat next to the driver seat of said vehicle for displaying graphical images; and

g) additional display screens on backs of front seats of said vehicle facing passengers in rear seats to view information displayed by the vehicular computer system including images from a DVD player in said console and controlled from said keyboard.