Interactive engine

• US 8,989,960 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG), Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG), Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Grossman, Jack Eric, Jolda, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUTLER, RODNEY ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US13/826,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20140277933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 353 11- 13, 340/461, 340/438, 340/815.4
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/146 Instrument input by gesture
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/165 Videos and animations
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/797 at the vehicle exterior
• 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 35/28 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 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2619 built in the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/20 in augmented reality scenes

Abstract

A system includes a unit configured to read information of a vehicle system, a projector configured to display the information on a surface of a vehicle, and a sensor configured to receive gesture input from a user. The information displayed on the surface of the vehicle is manipulatable based on the gesture input.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a control unit configured to read information of a vehicle system;

a projector configured to display the information on a surface of a vehicle; and

a sensor configured to receive gesture input from a user,

wherein the information displayed on the surface of the vehicle is manipulatable based on the gesture input, and

wherein the surface of the vehicle comprises an engine.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the projector is disposed along an edge of a hood openably positioned over an engine bay of the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a cover disposed over the surface of the vehicle, the cover being configured to allow the information from the projector to be visibly displayed.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a capacitive proximity sensor.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the interactive graphical interface comprises:

a cover disposed over a portion of a vehicle.

6. A vehicle, comprising the system according to claim 1.

7. The system according to claim 3, wherein the sensor is disposed beneath the cover.

8. A system, comprising:

an interactive graphical interface configured to display information of a vehicle system, the interactive graphical interface comprising;

a cover portion of a vehicle; and

a projector configured to display the information on the cover; and

a sensor configured to receive gesture input from a user,

wherein the information displayed is manipulatable based on the gesture input, and

wherein the portion of the vehicle comprises an engine.

9. A method, comprising:

reading information of a vehicle system through a control unit;

displaying the information on a surface of the vehicle;

accepting gesture input from a user; and

manipulating the information displayed on the surface based on the gesture input,

wherein the surface of the vehicle comprises a surface of an engine of the vehicle.

10. A method, comprising:

reading information of a vehicle system through a control unit;

displaying the information on a surface of the vehicle;

accepting gesture input from a user; and

manipulating the information displayed on the surface based on the gesture input,

wherein the surface of the vehicle comprises a surface within a vehicle engine bay.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising presenting an interactive menu to the user, the menu comprising one or more selectable interaction modes.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said accepting gesture input from a user comprises detecting a presence and movement of a body part of the user over the surface of the vehicle.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said displaying the information on a surface of the vehicle comprises projecting the information using a projector.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein a content of the information displayed is determined based on an interaction mode selected from the interactive menu.