Centralized control and management system for automobiles

• US 7,741,959 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2006
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• 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): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/416,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20060200781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,512 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426.15, 340/426.19, 340/426.24, 340/426.28, 340/426.26, 318/265, 318/266, 318/466, 187/317, 180/173, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/426.24
• 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 method for use in a system in a vehicle, the system including at least one actuator for controllably moving at least one door of the vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a selectable option to open the door;

controlling the actuator to move the door towards an open position in response to a selection of the option;

sensing any detectable object in a course of opening the door;

causing the actuator to stop movement of the door when a detectable object is sensed in the course of opening the door; and

providing, on a display, an indicator indicating a status of the door.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator indicates an extent to which the door is open.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the option is selectable via voice command.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the option is displayed on a screen and selectable by touching the option on the screen.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the movement of the door is stopped until the detectable object is removed.

6. A system for use in a vehicle, comprising:

at least one actuator for controllably moving at least one door of the vehicle, a selectable option being provided to open the door;

a device for controlling the actuator to move the door towards an open position in response to a selection of the option;

a sensor for sensing any detectable object in a course of opening the door, the actuator being controlled to stop movement of the door when a detectable object is sensed in the course of opening the door; and

a display for providing thereon an indicator indicating a status of the door.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the indicator indicates an extent to which the door is open.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the option is selectable via voice command.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein the option is displayed on a screen and selectable by touching the option on the screen.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the movement of the door is stopped until the detectable object is removed.