Voice notification system for a vehicle

• US 7,469,173 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2005
• Issued: 12/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Proietty, John, Czubay, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOUIE, WAE LENNY
• Application Number:
  US11/161,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20060020381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/22, 701/29, 701/110, 701/114, 340/460, 340/438, 340/500, 340/426, 180/65.3, 180/65.5
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L

Abstract

A notification system for a vehicle includes at least a first and a second power source. The notification system also includes a controller that is operable with the first and second power sources and is configured to determine operating modes of the first and second power sources. The controller is also adapted to generate signals that correspond to the operating modes and operating limitations of the vehicle to effect an audible indication in the form of a voice message that may include a vehicle system limitation message for a vehicle operator.

Claims

1. A passive notification system for a vehicle having a plurality of power sources for propelling, at least in part, the vehicle, the system comprising:

an audio device; and

a controller operable with the plurality of power sources and being configured to determine operating modes of the plurality of power sources, the controller being adapted to generate signals that correspond to the current operating mode and operating limitations of at least one of the plurality of power sources of the vehicle to effect an audible indication in the form of a voice message that is output by the audio device, wherein the voice message includes a vehicle system limitation message for a vehicle operator.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the voice message also includes a voice system notification message.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the voice system notification message provides an indication of the state of at least one of the plurality of power sources.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the voice vehicle system limitation message includes an indication of a vehicle speed limitation or a vehicle travel distance limitation.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the voice vehicle system limitation message includes an indication of whether a vehicle cold restart is possible.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of power sources include a vehicle battery, an internal combustion engine, or a fuel cell.

7. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a transmission; and

a motor coupled to the transmission, wherein the transmission and the motor receive power from the plurality of power sources to enable movement of the vehicle.

8. A method of informing a vehicle operator of a vehicle operating condition, the method comprising:

configuring the vehicle to include at least a first and a second power source;

determining operating modes of the first and the second power source;

determining operating limitations of the vehicle corresponding to the operating modes; and

generating signals that correspond to the operating modes and operating limitations of the vehicle to effect an audible indication in the form of a voice message that includes a vehicle system limitation message for the vehicle operator.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein generating signals that correspond to the operating modes and operating limitations of the vehicle to effect an audible indication in the form of a voice message also includes a voice system notification message.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the voice system notification message provides an indication of the state of the first or the second power source.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein generating signals to effect a voice message that includes a vehicle system limitation message further includes a vehicle system limitation message that indicates a vehicle speed limitation or a vehicle travel distance limitation.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein configuring the vehicle to include a first and a second power source includes a vehicle battery, an internal combustion engine, or a fuel cell.

13. A method according to claim 8, wherein generating signals to effect a voice message that includes a vehicle system limitation message further includes a vehicle system limitation message that indicates whether a vehicle cold restart is possible.

14. A method according to claim 8, further comprising configuring the vehicle to include:

a transmission; and

a motor coupled to the transmission, wherein the transmission and the motor receive power from the first and the second power sources to enable movement of the vehicle.

15. A method according to claim 8, further comprising configuring the vehicle to include a speaker for receiving the generated signals and outputting the audible indication.