METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR USING AND MANAGING AGGREGATED ELECTRONIC CALENDARS IN A VEHICLE

• US 20120254763A1
• Filed: 04/01/2011
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: King, Anthony Gerald, Protopapas, Maria Eugenia
• Application Number:
  US13/078,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20120254763A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/738
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1097 Task assignment

Abstract

Various embodiments may include methods and systems for using and managing aggregated electronic calendars and task lists in a vehicle. The method may include receiving information at a vehicle computer identifying at least one vehicle occupant. Further, calendar data may be received at the computer including at least two electronic calendars each associated with the at least one vehicle occupant and at least one contact of the vehicle occupant. The electronic calendar for the identified vehicle occupant and the contact of the vehicle occupant may be displayed in the vehicle.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for using and managing an electronic calendar in a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving information at a vehicle computer identifying at least one vehicle occupant;

receiving at a computer electronic calendar data including at least two electronic calendars each associated with (1) the at least one vehicle occupant and (2) at least one contact of the at least one vehicle occupant; and

displaying within the vehicle the electronic calendar for the identified vehicle occupant and the contact of the vehicle occupant.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising displaying the electronic calendar for the vehicle occupant in a first window and the electronic calendar for the contact of the vehicle occupant in a second window.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 wherein the first and second windows are aggregated in an aggregated electronic calendar.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the aggregated electronic calendar includes tabs for selecting the first and second windows.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 further comprising instructing the electronic calendar to display the first window as a default when executing within the vehicle.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising identifying the vehicle occupant as a driver or a passenger.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving one or more instructions at the vehicle computer defining one or more operations to be performed on the electronic calendar;

based on the instructions, determining for which of the at least two electronic calendars to perform the one or more operations; and

performing the one or more operations for at least one of the at least two electronic calendars.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the identifying information from at least one vehicle occupant identification source selected from a vehicle key, a paired nomadic device, voice recognition, or a vehicle occupant associated code.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 further comprising receiving the identifying information from at least two of the identification sources.

10. A system for using and managing an electronic calendar in a vehicle, the system comprising:

at least one vehicle computer configured to;

receive electronic calendar data including at least two electronic calendars, at least one of which is associated with at least one vehicle occupant;

receive one or more instructions to perform one or more calendar operations selected from adding, deleting, or revising one or more calendar items of at least one of the at least two electronic calendars;

receive information identifying for which of the at least two electronic calendars to perform the one or more calendar operations; and

perform the one or more calendar operations on the one or more calendar items of at least one of the at least two electronic calendars.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least two electronic calendars are associated with the at least one vehicle occupant.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least two electronic calendars are each associated with (1) at least one vehicle occupant and (2) at least one contact of the at least one vehicle occupant.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one vehicle computer is further configured to:

receive information identifying the at least one vehicle occupant; and

display the electronic calendar for the identified vehicle occupant.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the vehicle computer is further configured to audibly output the one or more calendar items of the electronic calendar.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the vehicle computer is further configured to receive the identifying information from at least one vehicle occupant identification source selected from a vehicle key, a paired nomadic device, voice recognition, or a vehicle occupant associated code.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the vehicle computer is further configured to receive the identifying information from at least two of the identification sources.

17. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least two electronic calendars comprise a first electronic calendar and a second electronic calendar, the vehicle computer being further configured to output a conflict notification for at least one calendar item with at least one other calendar item in the second electronic calendar.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the at least one vehicle computer is further configured to output the conflict notification when adding one or more calendar items.

19. The system of claim 10 wherein the vehicle computer is further configured to receive one or more audible commands including the information identifying for which electronic calendar to perform the calendar operation.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the identifying information includes at least one electronic calendar or all electronic calendars.

21. A computer-program product on a computer-readable medium programmed for using and managing an electronic calendar in a vehicle and comprising instructions for:

receiving information identifying a vehicle occupant;

receiving electronic calendar data including at least two electronic calendars, at least one of which is associated with the identified vehicle occupant; and

outputting the at least two electronic calendars at a vehicle computer.

22. The computer-program product of claim 21 further comprising instructions for identifying the vehicle occupant as a driver or a passenger.

23. The computer-program product of claim 22 further comprising instructions for providing selective control of vehicle controls based on whether the vehicle occupant is a driver or a passenger.

24. The computer-program product of claim 21 wherein at least one of the at least two electronic calendars is associated with a contact of the vehicle occupant.

25. The computer-program product of claim 24 wherein the contact is a family member or co-worker.

26. The computer-program product of claim 21 wherein the at least two calendars are different calendars for the identified vehicle occupant.

27. The computer-program product of claim 21 wherein the vehicle occupant may be an unrestricted calendar user or a restricted calendar user as defined by the operation privileges for the at least two electronic calendars.