Vehicle information display

• US 8,095,260 B1
• Filed: 09/12/2011
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, Cooprider, Troy O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US13/229,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20110320066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 120 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems

Abstract

An information display system for a vehicle includes a display screen disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The information display system is operable to display on the display screen vehicle user information so as to provide information to the driver of the equipped vehicle related to use of the equipped vehicle. The display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver. The video images are captured by the rearward facing camera and are displayed on the display screen when the equipped vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver. When the equipped vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver, the information display system is operable to display on the display screen vehicle user information.

Claims

1. An information display system for a vehicle, said information display system comprising:

a display screen disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle equipped with said information display system so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information so as to provide information to the driver of the equipped vehicle related to use of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver, and

wherein said video images are captured by said rearward facing camera and are displayed on said display screen when the equipped vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver;

wherein, when the equipped vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver, said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information;

wherein said information display system is operable to automatically display on said display screen vehicle user information responsive to a triggering event, and wherein said triggering event comprises at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition; and

wherein said displayed vehicle user information comprises instructions pertaining to how to service an accessory associated with said at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition.

2. The information display system of claim 1, wherein said displayed information comprises at least one of a text display and an image display.

3. The information display system of claim 1, wherein said information display system is operable to only display on said display screen vehicle user information when the equipped vehicle is one of (a) shifted into park, (b) traveling at a speed below a threshold speed and (c) stationary.

4. The information display system of claim 1, wherein said information display system is operable to access an electronically stored instruction.

5. The information display system of claim 4, wherein said electronically stored instruction pertains to an accessory of the equipped vehicle or pertains to the equipped vehicle itself.

6. The information display system of claim 5, wherein said information display system is operable so that the driver of the equipped vehicle can scroll through and access electronically stored instructions.

7. The information display system of claim 1, wherein said information display system downloads data via a telematics system of the equipped vehicle.

8. The information display system of claim 7, wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen instructions at least partially derived from said downloaded data.

9. The information display system of claim 1, wherein said displayed vehicle user information comprises information from a vehicle user manual of the equipped vehicle.

10. The information display system of claim 1, wherein said displayed vehicle user information comprises information pertaining to at least one of (a) a communication system, (b) a voice recorder, (c) a garage door opener, (d) a memory mirror system, (e) a phone, (f) a hands-free phone, (g) a video device, (h) a video device for internal cabin surveillance, (i) a telephone function, (j) a video telephone function, (k) a compass system, (l) a navigation system, (m) a tire pressure monitoring system, (n) a tire changing device, (o) a computer, (p) a trip computer, (q) a remote starter control, (r) a clock, (s) a radio, (t) a light, (u) an interior light, (v) an exterior light and (w) a telematics system.

11. The information display system of claim 1, further comprising an in-vehicle communication control and a human-machine interface located at an interior rearview mirror assembly, said human-machine interface being connected to said in-vehicle communication control via a connective link to communicate at least one human-machine interface signal between said human-machine interface and said in-vehicle communication control, and wherein a global positioning system communicates at least one GPS-derived signal to one of said interior rearview mirror assembly and said in-vehicle communication control via said connective link, said at least one human-machine interface signal and said at least one GPS-derived signal sharing said connective link such that said connective link comprises a shared common connective link between said in-vehicle communication control and said interior rearview mirror assembly.

12. The information display system of claim 1, wherein, responsive to a user input by the driver of the equipped vehicle, said information display system is operable to display on said display screen information comprising at least one instruction pertaining to an accessory of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said at least one instruction comprises at least one of (a) an instruction on how to operate said accessory or component thereof, (b) an instruction on how to control said accessory or component thereof, (c) an instruction on how to adjust said accessory or component thereof, (d) an instruction on how to repair said accessory or component thereof, and (e) an instruction on how to replace said accessory or component thereof.

13. The information display system of claim 1, wherein said display screen comprises one of an interior mirror display screen and a windshield electronics module display screen.

14. An information display system for a vehicle, said information display system comprising:

a display screen disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle equipped with said information display system so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information so as to provide information to the driver of the equipped vehicle related to use of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver, and wherein said video images are captured by said rearward facing camera and are displayed on said display screen when the equipped vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver;

wherein, when the equipped vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver, said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information;

wherein said information display system is operable to access an electronically stored instruction, and wherein said electronically stored instruction pertains to an accessory of the equipped vehicle or pertains to the equipped vehicle itself;

wherein said information display system is operable so that the driver of the equipped vehicle can scroll through and access electronically stored instructions; and

wherein said information display system, responsive to the driver selecting an instruction on how to adjust a clock or radio of the equipped vehicle, displays on said display screen information pertaining to the clock or radio of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said displayed information comprises at least one of (a) a text instruction pertaining to adjustment of the clock or radio of the equipped vehicle and (b) an image pertaining to adjustment of the clock or radio of the equipped vehicle.

15. An information display system for a vehicle, said information display system comprising:

a display screen disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle equipped with said information display system so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information so as to provide information to the driver of the equipped vehicle related to use of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver, and wherein said video images are captured by said rearward facing camera and are displayed on said display screen when the equipped vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver;

wherein, when the equipped vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver, said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information;

wherein said information display system is operable to access an electronically stored instruction, and wherein said electronically stored instruction pertains to an accessory of the equipped vehicle and wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen said instruction as an animation showing the driver of the equipped vehicle how to operate or adjust the accessory of the equipped vehicle.

16. An information display system for a vehicle, said information display system comprising:

a display screen disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle equipped with said information display system so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information so as to provide information to the driver of the equipped vehicle related to use of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver, and wherein said video images are captured by said rearward facing camera and are displayed on said display screen when the equipped vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver;

wherein, when the equipped vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver, said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information;

wherein said information display system downloads data via a telematics system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen instructions at least partially derived from said downloaded data; and

wherein, responsive to at least one of (i) a user input, (ii) a vehicle warning condition and (iii) a vehicle fault condition, said information display system downloads data pertaining to a service provider near the current geographical location of the equipped vehicle.

17. An information display system for a vehicle, said information display system comprising:

a display screen disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle equipped with said information display system so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information so as to provide information to the driver of the equipped vehicle related to use of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver, and wherein said video images are captured by said rearward facing camera and are displayed on said display screen when the equipped vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver;

wherein, when the equipped vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver, said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information; and

wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen a vehicle orientation video to teach the driver of the equipped vehicle about features or accessories of the equipped vehicle.

18. The information display system of claim 17, wherein said information display system is operable to at least one of (a) display on said display screen vehicle user information responsive to a user input and (b) automatically display on said display screen vehicle user information responsive to a triggering event.

19. The information display system of claim 18, wherein said information display system is operable to only display on said display screen vehicle user information when the equipped vehicle is one of (a) shifted into park, (b) traveling at a speed below a threshold speed and (c) stationary.

20. The information display system of claim 19, wherein said information display system is operable to automatically display on said display screen vehicle user information responsive to a triggering event and wherein said triggering event comprises at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition.

21. The information display system of claim 17, wherein said information display system is operable to automatically display on said display screen vehicle user information responsive to a triggering event.

22. The information display system of claim 21, wherein said triggering event comprises at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition.

23. The information display system of claim 22, wherein said vehicle user information comprises at least one of (a) text pertaining to said at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition, (b) an icon pertaining to said at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition, (c) an image pertaining to said at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition, (d) an animation pertaining to said at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition and (e) a video clip pertaining to said at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition.

24. An information display system for a vehicle, said information display system comprising:

a display screen disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle equipped with said information display system so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information so as to provide information to the driver of the equipped vehicle related to use of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward, facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver, and wherein said video images are captured by said rearward facing camera and are displayed on said display screen when the equipped reversing maneuver;

wherein, when the equipped vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver, said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information; and

wherein, responsive to a user input, said information display system is operable to display on said display screen first aid information.

25. The information display system of claim 24, wherein said displayed first aid information relates to treatment of a snake bite.

26. The information display system of claim 24, wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen at least one of a video clip, an image and an animation to assist the user in understanding how to assist an injured person.

27. The information display system of claim 24, wherein said information display system is operable to at least one of (i) provide an emergency contact number and (ii) connect the user to an emergency contact via a vehicle telematics system.

28. An information display system for a vehicle, said information display system comprising:

a display screen disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle equipped with said information display system so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein at least one of (i) said information display system downloads data via a telematics system of the equipped vehicle and (ii) said information display system is operable to access an electronically stored instruction;

wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information so as to provide information to the driver of the equipped vehicle related to use of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver, and wherein said video images are captured by said rearward facing camera and are displayed on said display screen when the equipped vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver;

wherein when the equipped vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver, said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information;

wherein said information display system is operable to only display vehicle user information when the equipped vehicle is one of (a) shifted into park, (b) traveling at a speed below a threshold speed and (c) stationary;

wherein said information display system is operable to at least one of (a) display on said display screen vehicle user information responsive to a user input and (b) automatically display on said display screen vehicle user information responsive to a triggering event;

wherein, responsive to at least one of (i) a user input, (ii) a vehicle warning condition and (iii) a vehicle fault condition, said information display system downloads data pertaining to a service provider near the current geographical location of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein, responsive to at least one of (i) a user input, (ii) a vehicle warning condition and (iii) a vehicle fault condition, said information display system downloads data pertaining to automotive repair shops near the current geographical location of the equipped vehicle.

29. The information display system of claim 28, wherein said information display system is operable to access an electronically stored instruction and wherein said electronically stored instruction pertains to an accessory of the equipped vehicle or pertains to the equipped vehicle itself.

30. The information display system of claim 29, wherein said electronically stored instruction pertains to an accessory of the equipped vehicle and wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen said instruction as an animation showing the driver of the equipped vehicle how to operate or adjust the accessory of the equipped vehicle.

31. The information display system of claim 28, wherein said information display system downloads data via a telematics system of the equipped vehicle and wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen instructions at least partially derived from said downloaded data.

32. The information display system of claim 28, wherein said information display system is operable to automatically display on said display screen vehicle user information responsive to a triggering event, and wherein said triggering event comprises at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition.

33. The information display system of claim 32, wherein said displayed vehicle user information comprises instructions pertaining to how to service an accessory associated with said at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition.

34. The information display system of claim 28, wherein said information display system is operable so that the driver of the equipped vehicle can scroll through and access electronically stored instructions.

35. An information display system for a vehicle, said information display system comprising:

a display screen disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle equipped with said information display system so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information so as to provide information to the driver of the equipped vehicle related to use of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver, and wherein said video images are captured by said rearward facing camera when the equipped vehicle is in reverse gear;

wherein, when the equipped vehicle is not in reverse gear, said information display system is operable to display on said display screen vehicle user information of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein, responsive to at least one of (i) a user input, (ii) a vehicle warning condition and (iii) a vehicle fault condition, said information display system downloads data pertaining to a service provider near the current geographical location of the equipped vehicle.

36. The information display system of claim 35, wherein, responsive to at least one of (i) a user input, (ii) a vehicle warning condition and (iii) a vehicle fault condition, said information display system downloads data pertaining to automotive repair shops near the current geographical location of the equipped vehicle.

37. The information display system of claim 35, wherein said information display system is operable to automatically display on said display screen vehicle user information responsive to a triggering event, and wherein said triggering event comprises at least one of a vehicle warning condition and a vehicle fault condition.

38. The information display system of claim 35, wherein said information display system is operable to only display vehicle user information when the equipped vehicle is one of (a) shifted into park, (b) traveling at a speed below a threshold speed and (c) stationary.