In-vehicle animation bypass system and method

• US 7,317,385 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2005
• Issued: 01/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Campbell, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lu; Shirley
• Application Number:
  US11/195,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20070030133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/575, 701/33, 701/29
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1868 according to driving situations
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/195 Blocking or enabling display functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/186 Status of parking brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/14 Clutch pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/16 Ratio selector position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle

Abstract

A system and method for bypassing an animation sequence of a vehicle display system may comprise starting an animation sequence at an in-vehicle display, interrupting the animation sequence in response to a user-initiated input, and displaying a final state of the animation sequence.

Claims

1. A method for bypassing an animation sequence of a vehicle display system, the method comprising:

including an in-vehicle display;

starting the animation sequence at the in-vehicle display;

interrupting the animation sequence in response to a user-initiated input; and

displaying a final state of the animation sequence.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle display comprises at least one of an instrument cluster, a center stack display, and an overhead display.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the animation sequence is configured to begin at vehicle start-up.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the final state of the animation sequence comprises displaying actual vehicle data on the in-vehicle display.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein displaying the final state of the animation sequence comprises displaying current measured values from one or more vehicle systems, the measured values comprising one or more of:

engine revolutions per minute;

engine temperature;

oil level;

fuel level;

gear shift information;

radio station information;

vehicle climate information;

trip information; and

video displays.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the animation sequence comprises two or more events sequentially performed at the in-vehicle display.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein an event comprises at least one of movement of a gauge pointer, lighting of a gauge, displaying numerical data indicating a vehicle condition, a mirror display, displaying indicia on a center stack, and displaying indicia on an overhead display.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-initiated input is performed to control vehicle motion.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the user-initiated input comprises one or more of:

depressing a brake pedal;

depressing a clutch;

releasing an emergency brake;

maneuvering a gear shift;

turning a steering wheel; and

depressing an acceleration pedal.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-initiated input comprises actuation of a user-actuated switch.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the user-initiated input comprises one or more of:

turning on vehicle lighting;

actuating a trip/odometer;

actuating a hazard switch;

adjusting a navigation display system control;

adjusting an audio control;

adjusting a video control; and

actuating an information control.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the current state of data, measured values, and/or other information after interrupting the animation sequence in response to a user-initiated input and before displaying the final state of the animation sequence.

12. A method for bypassing an animation sequence of a vehicle display system, the method comprising:

including an in-vehicle display;

providing on the in-vehicle display a sequence of animations ending with a display of sensed vehicle data; and

expediting the display of the sensed vehicle data in response to a user-initiated input.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the display of the sensed vehicle data is expedited by skipping at least one animation in the sequence of animations.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the display of the sensed data is expedited by displaying the sensed vehicle data upon receipt of the user-initiated input.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

displaying the current state of data, measured values, and/or other information after providing the in-vehicle display and before expediting the display of the sensed vehicle data in response to the user-initiated input.

15. A vehicle display system, comprising:

an in-vehicle display configured to display an animation sequence; and

a control unit configured to control the display and to interrupt the animation sequence in response to a user-initiated input;

wherein the control unit is further configured to initiate the display of a final state of the animation sequence in response to the user-initiated input.

16. The vehicle display system of claim 15, wherein the in-vehicle display comprises at least one of an instrument cluster, a center stack display, and an overhead display.

17. The vehicle display system of claim 15, wherein displaying the final state of the animation sequence comprises displaying actual vehicle data on the in-vehicle display.

18. The vehicle display system of claim 15, wherein the user-initiated input is performed to control vehicle motion.

19. The vehicle display system of claim 15, wherein the user-initiated input comprises actuation of a user-actuated switch.

22. A control system for an in-vehicle display system that includes a vehicle display, the control system comprising:

an output coupled to the vehicle display; and

a control unit configured to control the vehicle display and to interrupt the animation sequence in response to a user-initiated input;

wherein the control unit is further configured to initiate the display of a final state of the animation sequence and a sensed vehicle data in response to the user-initiated input.

23. The control system of claim 22, wherein the control unit is further configured to display the current state of data, measured values, and/or other information after interrupting the animation sequence and before displaying the final state of the animation sequence and/or the sensed vehicle data in response to the user-initiated input.