Multimedia information and control system for automobiles

• US 8,554,404 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2009
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Talking Quick Tips, Inc.
• Original Assignee: American Calcar, Inc.
• Inventors: Obradovich, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US12/396,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20100175014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,681 Days
• Field of Search: 701/20, 701200-202, 701207-213, 701/36, 701/49, 340/988, 340/990, 340/995.1, 340/995.14, 340/995.19, 340/995.2, 340/995.24
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/70 Computer memory; Data storage, e.g. maps for adaptive control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/76 Digital systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00642 Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices B60H1/3201 - B60H1/3208, B60H1/3225 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00771 the input being a vehicle position or surrounding, e.g. GPS-based position or tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00985 Control systems or circuits characterised by display or indicating devices, e.g. voice simulators characterised by the input of sound using a voice synthesizer B60H1/00757; B60H1/00978 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/148 Instrument input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/11 Graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/12 Input devices or input features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/148 Input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/152 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/154 Combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/736 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 : Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• 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 35/215 : characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 : Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 : characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/654 : the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 : Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 : Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 : Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 : Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/042 : operating on the fuel supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 : a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 : combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels

Abstract

In a multimedia information and control system for use in an automobile, at least one interface is employed which enables a user to access information concerning the automobile and control vehicle functions in an efficient manner. The user may select one of a plurality of displayed options on a screen of such an interface. Through audio, video and/or text media, the user is provided with information concerning the selected option and the vehicle function corresponding thereto. Having been so informed, the user may activate the selected option to control the corresponding vehicle function.

Claims

1. A system in a vehicle for accessing information about the vehicle, comprising:

a display element configured to display a first display image including a first image at least partially visually resembling an interior of a vehicle having a plurality of vehicle interfaces, the first image visually resembling the interior of the vehicle to an extent greater than a portion of the vehicle defined by the display element, and to display a second display image including a second image at least partially visually resembling at least one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces displayed in the first image;

an input device for selecting between the first display image and the second display image; and

wherein in the second image, the at least one vehicle interface is displayed with more detail than in the first image.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the display element is configured to display a third display image including a third image at least partially resembling a portion of the plurality of vehicle interfaces including the at least one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces, and wherein the input device is configured for selecting between the first display image, the second display image and the third display image.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein in the third image, several of the plurality of vehicle interfaces are displayed with more detail than the same vehicle interfaces are displayed with in the first image.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein in the third image, at least one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces is displayed with more detail than the same vehicle interface is displayed with in the second image.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the vehicle interfaces includes one of vehicle interface controls mounted on a dashboard, a vehicle interface of an instrument panel, vehicle interface controls of an audio system, and vehicle interface climate controls.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the vehicle interface controls mounted on the dashboard and the vehicle interface of the instrument panel include components of a tachometer, components of turn signal and hazard warning indicators, components of a speedometer, components of a plurality of engine and general maintenance warning indicators, components of an odometer, and components of a fuel level indicator.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the input device includes a voice communication interface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the input device includes a touch-screen interface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the input device is configured to enable control of the plurality of operative components.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first image resembles a visual view from the perspective of a driver seated in a driver'"'"'s seat of the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first display image comprises the first image and a plurality of options, wherein each option corresponds to at least one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces displayed in the first image.

12. A method for accessing information about a vehicle, comprising:

displaying a first image at least partially visually resembling an interior of a vehicle including a plurality of vehicle interfaces on a display element in a first display image;

selecting a second display image with an input device coupled to the display element for selecting between the first display image and the second display image, the second display image including a second image at least partially visually resembling at least one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces displayed in the first image; and

wherein in the second image, the at least one vehicle interface is displayed with more detail than in the first image.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the input device comprises a touch-screen interface, and selecting the second display image with the input device comprises touching the touch-screen.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein selecting the second display image comprises touching the touch-screen at a location on the first image visually resembling one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces, and wherein the second image at least partially visually resembles the touched one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein after the second display image is selected, the second display image replaces the first display image on the display element.

16. The method of claim 14 additionally comprising selecting an option displayed on the second display image, wherein after the option is selected information about the touched one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces is provided.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the information about the touched one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces is displayed on the display element.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the information about the touched one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces is provided in a sound segment.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein while touching the touch-screen at the location on the first image visually resembling the one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces, the location on the first image visually resembling the one of the plurality of vehicle interfaces is highlighted.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the first image resembles a visual view from the perspective of a driver seated in a driver'"'"'s seat of the vehicle.