Multimedia information and control system for automobiles

• US 9,387,760 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2014
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Talking Quick Tips, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Talking Quick Tips, Inc.
• Inventors: Obradovich, Michael L., Kent, Michael L., Dinkel, John G.
• Primary Examiner(s): TISSOT, ADAM D
• Application Number:
  US14/303,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20150130601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 701/31.6, 701/114, 701/32.7, 701/33.4, 701/33.6, 701/33.7, 701/34.2, 701/34.3, 701/34.4, 731/146.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.6, 307/10.7, 180/271
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. An information system for use in a vehicle comprising:

an output including at least a display;

a processor unit for providing information related to operation of a plurality of devices in the vehicle and for identifying an event of a plurality of events related to a condition of the vehicle and determining information for coping with the identified event, wherein an audible notification is provided via the output in response to the identified event, the audible notification being an audible notification from a library of audible notifications, at least one of which is pre-selectable by a user, and the notification is provided based on occurrence of the identified event; and

an interface for selection of an option for a user to obtain the information for coping with the identified event, the interface being positioned in or on the vehicle, the system being configured to detect when a user has selected the option, the processor unit being configured to direct delivery of the information for coping with the identified event in response to selection of the option.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the option is displayed on the display.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the output includes at least one speaker and the information for coping with the identified event is provided audibly via the at least one speaker.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein information related to operation of a device related to the identified event is provided via the output in response to selection of the at least one option.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of devices includes a fuel gauge.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of devices includes a speedometer.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of devices includes a tachometer.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the identified event relates to an environmental condition within the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of devices includes a climate control.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices includes an engine.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the identified event relates to the engine overheating.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the identified event relates to a tire pressure of a tire of the vehicle.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the audible notification is a first audible notification if the identified event is part of a first group of identified events, and the audible notification is a second audible notification that is different from the first audible notification if the identified even is part of a second group of identified events.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the first group of identified events are associated with an urgent response need, and the second group of identified events are not associated with an urgent response need.

30. The system of claim 2, wherein the option is not displayed on the display prior to the processor unit identifying the event, and the option begins to be displayed on the display when the audible notification is provided.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein at least some of the content displayed on the display before the audible notification is provided continues to be displayed on the display with the option when the audible notification is provided.

32. The system of claim 3, wherein the information for coping with the identified event is also provided as text on the display.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein prior to selection of the option the display displays a plurality of icons, and at least some of the icons are replaced by the text presenting the information for coping with the identified event.

13. A method for use in a system in a vehicle, the system having at least a processor, a display and a speaker, the method comprising:

providing information to the processor concerning status and operation of a plurality of devices in the vehicle;

the processor identifying an event of a plurality of events related to a condition of the vehicle and determining information for coping with the identified event;

the system providing an audible notification of the identified event, wherein the audible notification is an audible notification selected from a library of audible notifications, at least one of which is pre-selectable by a user, and the audible notification is provided based on the identified event;

the display outputting a displayed indication of a selectable option for the user to obtain information to cope with the identified event;

the processor identifying selection by the user of the selectable option; and

the processor directing outputting of the information to cope with the identified event in response to user selection of the selectable option.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the audible alert is output via a speaker.

15. The method claim 13 wherein the plurality of devices includes a fuel gauge.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the plurality of devices includes a speedometer.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the plurality of devices includes a tachometer.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the identified event relates to an environmental condition within the vehicle.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the plurality of devices includes a climate control.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein the plurality of devices includes an engine.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the identified event relates to the engine overheating.

22. The method of claim 13 wherein the identified event relates to a tire pressure of a tire of the vehicle.

23. The method of claim 13, additionally comprising providing a first audible notification if the identified event is part of a first group of identified events, and providing a second audible notification that is different from the first audible notification if the identified even is part of a second group of identified events.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the first group of identified events are determined to merit an urgent response, and the second group of identified events are determined to not merit an urgent response.

25. The method of claim 13, wherein the displayed indication of the selectable option comprises an event icon that is displayed on the display during an identified event.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the event icon is not displayed on the display unless the processor has identified an identified event.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein a plurality of other icons are displayed on the display before the event icon is displayed, and the plurality of other icons are still displayed on the display with the event icon during the identified event.