Technique for accessing location-dependent information sources in a vehicle

• US 7,251,789 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2001
• Issued: 07/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Auto Director Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: American Calcar, Inc.
• Inventors: Obradovich, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Cao (Kevin)
• Application Number:
  US09/838,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20020008718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,294 Days
• Field of Search: 340/773, 340/735, 340/854, 340/853, 340/855, 340/764, 715/763, 715/765, 715/853, 715/835, 715/833, 715/771, 715/864, 701/23, 701/223
• US Class Current: 715/835
• 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 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3694 Output thereof on a road map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/47 for recognising genres
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/909 Collision avoidance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/97 Instrumentation and component modelling, e.g. interactive control panel

Abstract

In a control and management system for automobiles, a central processor in the system connects traditionally unrelated vehicle subsystems together to realize synergistic functions such as smart driving, automatic parking, etc. A master interface having a display is employed in the system to help a user control and manage the vehicle functions.

Claims

1. A system for use in a vehicle comprising:

an interface for providing a set of indicators for indicating a group of information sources outside the vehicle, the group of information sources being preselected to be associated with a location, each indicator being selectable to receive signals from the information source indicated by the indicator; and

a processor for determining whether the vehicle is within a predetermined distance from a second location, a second set of indicators indicating a second group of information sources being provided when it is determined that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the second location, the second group of information sources being preselected to be associated with the second location.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the information sources includes a radio station.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the information sources includes a television station.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the indicators is selectable by voice command.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface includes a display.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein at least one of the indicators when selected is highlighted on the display.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor determines whether the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the second location by comparing a global positioning system (GPS) measurement identifying a current location of the vehicle with a second GPS measurement identifying the second location.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the indicators includes an icon.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the at least one indicator is selectable by pointing and clicking at the icon.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the information sources includes a video source.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the information sources includes an audio source.

12. A method for use in a system in a vehicle comprising:

providing a set of indicators for indicating a group of information sources outside the vehicle, the group of information sources being preselected to be associated with a location, each indicator being selectable to receive signals from the information source indicated by the indicator;

determining whether the vehicle is within a predetermined distance from a second location; and

providing a second set of indicators indicating a second group of information sources which is preselected to be associated with the second location when it is determined that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the second location.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the information sources includes a radio station.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the information sources includes a television station.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the indicators is selectable by voice command.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the indicators is provided on a display in the system and, the at least one indicator when selected is highlighted on the display.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein a GPS measurement identifying a current location of the vehicle is compared with a second GPS measurement identifying the second location in determining whether the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the second location.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the indicators includes an icon.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one indicator is selectable by pointing and clicking at the icon.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the information sources includes a video source.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the information sources includes an audio source.