Assisted learning device

• US 20060286543A1
• Filed: 04/26/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Williams, Vivian T., Lutz, Joel D., Gooden, Rodney A., Karwick, Irwin J., Person, Mark J., Bojanowski, David E., Massoll, Charles A., Powers, Robert B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,376,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/379
• 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

Abstract

An assisted learning (AL) system for a vehicle including vehicle systems with input devices is provided. The AL system includes: memory that stores usage instructions for the input devices; an AL input device; an audio output device; and a control module that retrieves a respective one of the usage instructions associated with a selected one of the input devices when the selected one of the input devices is actuated after the AL input device is actuated and that outputs the usage instructions to the audio output device.

Claims

1. An assisted learning (AL) system for a vehicle including vehicle systems with input devices, comprising:

memory that stores usage instructions for said input devices;

an AL input device;

an audio output device; and

a control module that retrieves a respective one of said usage instructions associated with a selected one of said input devices when said selected one of said input devices is actuated after said AL input device is actuated and that outputs said usage instructions to said audio output device.

2. The AL system of claim 1 wherein said output device is a speaker and said usage instructions include audio files that are output by said speaker.

3. The AL system of claim 1 wherein said control module retrieves said respective one of said usage instructions associated with said selected one of said input devices when said selected one of said input devices is actuated within a predetermined period after said AL input device is actuated.

4. The AL system of claim 1 wherein said usage instructions are stored as compressed digital audio files and further comprising an audio decoder that converts said compressed digital audio signals into decompressed digital audio signals.

5. The AL system of claim 1 further comprising a digital audio playback (DAP) module that receives said decompressed digital audio signals from said audio decoder and that converts said decompressed digital audio signals to analog audio signals.

6. The AL system of claim 1 wherein said control module mutes other audio inputs when said AL input device is activated.

7. The AL system of claim 1 wherein said control module outputs an AL prompt to said output device after said AL input device is activated.

8. The AL system of claim 1 wherein said control module ends said instructions if said AL input device is activated twice within a predetermined period.

9. The AL system of claim 7 wherein said control module ends one of said AL prompt and said usage instructions if a remote service assistance system is activated.

10. A method of providing assisted learning (AL) for a vehicle including input devices, comprising:

receiving an AL system activation request;

outputting a beginning voice prompt;

receiving a function activated notification related to a function control;

deactivating said function control relating to said function activated notification; and

outputting instructions relating to said function control.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising commanding all radio output devices of the vehicle to mute.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

setting a timer once said activation request is received; and

outputting an ending voice prompt if said function activated notification is not received once said timer is up.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving a service assistance activation request; and

outputting an ending voice prompt when said service assistance activation request is received.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

setting a timer once said activation request is received; and

outputting an ending voice prompt if a function activated notification is not received once the timer is up.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving a second AL system activation request; and

outputting an ending voice prompt once said second AL system activation request is received.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising receiving an ignition on signal.