Method and system to configure an aftermarket interface module using a graphical user interface

• US 9,619,114 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2012
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Automotive Data Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Automotive Data Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Rutledge, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Kawsar, Abdullah Al
• Assistant Examiner(s): Samwel, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US13/730,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20130332844A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,564 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/20 Steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/45 External transmission of data to or from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/20 Steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization

Abstract

A system to remotely configure an aftermarket interface module using a graphical user interface (“GUI”) is disclosed. The system includes a GUI adapted to display on a computer. The GUI permits a user to select a vehicle model, year and make to determine the functions of the OEM controls. In addition, the GUI permits a user to select an aftermarket electronics brand and model that the OEM controls will operate. The user selects a particular control signal configuration using the GUI for each of the OEM controls. An interface module is flash programmed with the particular control signal configuration. The interface module is connected to the OEM controls and the aftermarket electronics, where the interface module receives the OEM control signals and controls the aftermarket electronics using the particular control signal configuration.

Claims

1. A method using a graphical user interface (“

GUI”

) to generate firmware for an interface module that enables a plurality of original equipment manufacturer (“

OEM”

) vehicle buttons to control an aftermarket electronic device based on a series of selections from a user, the method comprising;

establishing a connection via Internet between a configuration system residing on a remote server and a computer, on which the GUI is displayed;

in the GUI, providing a list of vehicles and a list of aftermarket electronic device for the user to specify a vehicle and the aftermarket electronic device;

based on the user'"'"'s provided specification of the vehicle, displaying in the GUI possible images of steering wheels that fit the user'"'"'s specification of the vehicle to permit the user to select an image of one specific steering wheel that represents the user'"'"'s actual steering wheel control;

displaying the image of one specific steering wheel in the GUI containing a plurality of OEM buttons based on a selection of the possible images of the steering wheels from the user;

selecting the aftermarket electronic device from the GUI;

receiving an assignment command of a first function for the aftermarket electronic device to a first OEM vehicle button displayed on the image of one specific steering wheel;

associating a first duration condition for the first OEM vehicle button with activating the first function;

receiving a second assignment command of a second function for the aftermarket electronic device to the same first OEM vehicle button displayed on the image of one specific steering wheel;

associating a second duration condition for the first OEM vehicle button with activating the second function;

displaying a desired user configuration of each OEM vehicle button and the button'"'"'s corresponding functions for a confirmation from the user;

generating a particular firmware for the interface module based on the series of selection; and

flashing the particular firmware to the interface module via the computer.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the series of selections to enable transfer of the particular firmware to a second interface module.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the aftermarket electronic device is a stereo, an entertainment device, or any combination thereof, installed in a vehicle.

4. A method using a graphical user interface (“

GUI”

) to generate a custom firmware for an interface module that enables a plurality of original equipment manufacturer (“

OEM”

) vehicle buttons to control an aftermarket electronic device based on a series of selections, the method comprising;

establishing a connection via Internet between a configuration system residing on a remote server and a computer, on which the GUI is displayed;

providing a list of vehicles and aftermarket electronic devices in the GUI;

selecting by a user a vehicle make, year and model from the list of vehicles in the GUI;

in response to selection of the vehicle make, year and model display possible images of steering wheels, selecting by the user an image of one specific steering wheel that represents the user'"'"'s actual steering wheel control when a match is available;

when a matching steering wheel is not available;

taking a measurement of a value of each particular OEM button of a plurality of OEM buttons on the user'"'"'s actual steering wheel;

entering the value using the GUI;

generating a custom firmware based on the entered value;

selecting an aftermarket electronic device from the GUI;

further customizing the custom firmware by specifying functions for the aftermarket electronic device to the plurality of OEM vehicle buttons;

in response to a display of a desired user configuration of each OEM button and the button'"'"'s corresponding functions to control the aftermarket electronic device, confirming the desired user configuration;

generating a further customized firmware based on the value and the further customization; and

flashing the further customized firmware to the interface module via the computer.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising selecting the electronic device from a device drop down menu using the GUI.

6. A non-transitory processor readable medium having processor instructions that are executable to cause a processor to:

establish a connection via Internet between a configuration system residing on a remote server and a computer, on which a graphical user interface (“

GUI”

) is displayed;

display the graphical user interface (“

GUI”

) on the computer;

select a vehicle in response to a user choosing the vehicle from a vehicle drop down menu using the GUI;

display possible images of steering wheels based at least in part on a selected vehicle to permit the user to select an image of one specific steering wheel that represents the user'"'"'s actual steering wheel control;

display the image of one specific steering wheel containing a plurality of OEM controls based on a selection of the possible images of the steering wheels from the user;

the image of one specific steering wheel containing a plurality of original equipment manufacturer (“

OEM”

) control labels on the image, each of the plurality of OEM control labels is positioned in accordance with a physical location of each corresponding OEM control of a plurality of OEM controls on the steering wheel;

select an aftermarket electronic device in response to the user choosing the device from a device drop down menu using the GUI;

based on a user'"'"'s selection of a particular OEM control label that is being displayed on the image of one specific steering wheel, assign a first desired function to a first particular OEM control in response to the user choosing the first desired function from a function drop down menu using the GUI;

specify a first duration condition for the first particular OEM control and associate the first duration condition with activating the first desired function;

based on a second user'"'"'s selection of the particular OEM control label that is being displayed on the image of one specific steering wheel, assign a second desired function to the first particular OEM control in response to the user choosing the second desired function from a function drop down menu using the GUI;

specify a second duration condition for the first particular OEM control and associate the second duration condition with activating the second desired function;

generate a particular firmware for an interface module that enables the OEM control to control the aftermarket electronic device via the interface module; and

flash the firmware to the interface module via the computer.