Interactive system and method for customization of an adjustable vehicular feature

• US 7,266,434 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2003
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Young, Richard A., Mc Cullough, Scott A., Osinski, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Dalena
• Application Number:
  US10/704,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20050102077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/49, 340/5.7, 340/5.72, 340/5.83, 340/539.1, 340/825.69, 340/825.25, 340/825.24, 345/173, 345/156, 713/200
• US Class Current: 701/36
• 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 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 25/2036 by using the door logic and door and engine unlock means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels

Abstract

An interactive system for customizing at least one operational feature on a vehicle by an operator comprises an input device for receiving operator selection data and a message generating device. To assist an operator during the customization process, the message generating device generates a plurality of operator recognizable comments in response to the operator selection data. A processor coupled to the input device and to the message generating device recognizes the operator selection data and directs the message generating device to generate selected ones of the operator recognizable comments.

Claims

1. An interactive system for customizing at least one operational feature on a vehicle by an operator from within the vehicle, said system comprising:

a personalization master for automatically determining operator identity and transmitting a corresponding operator identification signal;

a trip stem for receiving operator selection data within the vehicle;

a message generating device comprising a storage device for storing information, a sound generating device for generating a plurality of audible operator recognizable comments in response to and coordinated with said operator selection data, and a display device responsive to the operator selection data, said comments for assisting said operator in the customization of said at least one operational feature; and

a processor coupled to said personalization master, said trip stem and said message generating device for receiving the operator identification signal, recalling a plurality of settings associated with the operator identity, recognizing said operator selection data, and directing said message generating device to generate selected ones of said audible operator recognizable comments.

2. An interactive system according to claim 1 wherein said storage device comprises a compact disc player and wherein said information is stored on a compact disc.

3. An interactive system according to claim 1 wherein said sound generating device comprises at least one speaker.

4. An interactive system according to claim 1 wherein said trip stem further comprises controls of said vehicle'"'"'s onboard entertainment center.

5. An interactive system according to claim 1 wherein said trip stem further comprises controls of a Driver Information Center.

6. An interactive system according to claim 1 wherein said trip stem comprises control associated with said at least one operational feature of the automobile.

7. A method for customizing at least one operational feature of an automotive vehicle from within the vehicle, said method comprising:

determining an operator'"'"'s identity and automatically transmitting a corresponding operator identification signal to a processor via a personalization master;

inserting a media storage device containing a plurality of operator recognizable comments into a media player;

inputting operator data via a trip stem within the vehicle and displaying information responsive thereto;

processing said operator identification signal and said operator data in said processor, wherein said processor is coupled to said personalization master, said trip stem and said media storage device;

recalling a plurality of settings associated with the operator;

selecting at least one audible operator recognizable comment from said plurality of operator recognizable comments in response to said operator data; and

generating said at least one operator recognizable comment via a message generating means coupled to said media player such that said operator recognizable comment is coordinated with the step of inputting operator data.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein said inserting comprises inserting a compact disc into a compact disc player.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said message generating means comprises at least one speaker.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said message generating means further comprises a display and said generating further comprises generating a graphical comment.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said inputting further comprises manipulating vehicle control elements.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said inputting further comprises manipulating controls of a Driver Information Center.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein said inputting further comprises manipulating controls of an onboard entertainment system.

14. A method according to claim 11 wherein said inputting further comprises manipulating controls associated specifically with said operation features.