Patent Application
20170300216
The subject matter described herein relates in general to in-vehicle navigation systems and, more particularly, to operation of in-vehicle navigation systems.
Modern vehicles commonly have an in-vehicle navigation system (NAV system). The NAV system may provide route guidance and position information about the vehicle. The NAV system uses a display screen to communicate information visually and a speaker to communicate information audibly. The NAV system can provide a variety of information and may be integrated with a variety of on-board vehicle systems or features. For example, the NAV system may be integrated with the music system (radio, satellite radio, cd player, dvd player, etc), the on-board telephone phone system, climate control system, comfort and convenience system, etc. The screen may be configured to display the operational condition of these various systems either individually by using the full display screen or simultaneously by splitting the screen into multiple sections, each showing different systems. The splitting of the screen into multiple sections, however, limits the amount of information that may be effectively displayed and communicated to the user for any single system.
An on-board vehicle navigation system (NAV system) may provide a variety of information and may be integrated with a variety of on-board vehicle systems or features. The NAV system may have the display set to show information about a single system in a full screen mode or have the display divided to show information about multiple systems simultaneously (mixed display mode). The NAV system may allow the user to select an automatic switching from a mixed display mode to a full display mode upon the occurrence of predetermined system conditions. The full display mode may be temporary and automatically return back to the previous display mode or may require a user acknowledgement prior to returning back to the previous display mode. The switch to the full display mode allows more information to be communicated to the user.
In one respect, the present disclosure is directed to an on-board navigation system having a plurality of operating systems and a display. Each operating system supplying information about an operational condition of the operating system. The operating systems including at least one of a music system, a weather alert system, and a route guidance system. The display is operable to display visual information about an operational condition of the operating systems. The display has a full screen mode and a mixed display mode. The full screen mode corresponds to operational information about a single operating system being displayed on a majority portion of the display and the mixed display mode corresponds to operational information about multiple operating systems being displayed in discrete areas of the display. The display automatically switches to full screen mode when a predetermined parameter associated with one of the operating systems occurs and displays information about the associated operating system.
In another respect, the present disclosure is directed to an on-board navigation system having a plurality of operating systems and a display. Each operating system supplying information about an operational condition of the operating system. The operating systems include at least one of a music system, a weather alert system, and a route guidance system. The display is operable to display visual information about an operational condition of the operating systems. The display has a full screen mode and a mixed display mode. The full screen mode corresponds to operational information about a single operating system being displayed on a majority portion of the display and the mixed display mode corresponds to operational information about multiple operating systems being displayed in discrete areas of the display. The display automatically switches to full screen mode when a predetermined parameter associated with one of the operating systems occurs and displays information about the associated operating system. A user may select which predetermined parameters cause the display to automatically switch to full screen mode.
In yet another respect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of displaying on an on-board navigation system information about an operating system. The method includes monitoring operating parameters of an operating system. The operating system including at least one of a music system, a route guidance system, and a weather alert system. The method includes ascertaining if a full screen mode is authorized and initiating a full screen mode based on the operating parameter and the authorization. The method includes ascertaining if the full screen mode event is concluded and returning from the full screen mode to a previous display mode after the event is concluded.
This detailed description relates to on-board vehicle navigation systems (NAV systems). The NAV system may provide a variety of information and may be integrated with a variety of on-board vehicle systems or features, such the music system (radio, satellite radio, cd player, dvd player, etc), the on-board telephone phone system, climate control system, comfort and convenience system, etc. The NAV system may have the display set to show information about a single system in a full screen mode or have the display divided to show information about multiple systems simultaneously (mixed display mode). The NAV system may allow the user to select an automatic switching from a mixed display mode to a full display mode upon the occurrence of predetermined system conditions. The full display mode may be temporary and automatically return back to the previous display mode or may require a user acknowledgement prior to returning back to the previous display mode. The switch to the full display mode allows more information to be communicated to the user.
Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are intended only as exemplary. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the aspects herein in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of possible implementations. Various embodiments are shown in the Figures, but the embodiments are not limited to the illustrated structure or application.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details.
Referring to
In one or more arrangements, NAV system 20 may have multiple display modes. In some display modes, a single system or function utilizes the entire display 22 (full screen mode). For example, as illustrated in
In one or more arrangements, NAV system 20 when in the mixed display mode may divide display 22 into more than two main display areas. For example, as illustrated in
The use of the mixed display mode allows information from multiple systems/features to be simultaneously displayed on display area 22. However, the mixed display mode limits the amount of information that may be conveyed to the relatively smaller display area available as compared to the full screen mode. For example, discounting the presence or absence of a header display area 54, the largest main display area in a mixed display mode, as shown in
In one or more arrangements, NAV system 20 may allow a user to select what display mode is to be utilized. For example, a user may choose to have NAV system 20 default to a mixed display mode. The number of display areas in a mixed display mode may be determined by the number of active systems or features. For example, when NAV system 20 is actively using a music function and a map display has been requested, NAV system 20 may have a mixed display mode with two main display areas as shown in
In one or more arrangements, NAV system 20 is operable to automatically switch to a full screen mode upon the occurrence of predetermined system conditions. The automatic switch may be selected by the user or may be hard programmed into NAV system 20. Referring to
In one or more arrangements, the occurrence of predetermined conditions associated with the route guidance system may cause the automatic switching to full screen mode from a mixed display mode. For example, when the route guidance system is active it may be desirable to provide additional information about an upcoming maneuver and utilize the full screen mode to convey that additional information. The parameters that determine when to perform the automatic switch to display information about an upcoming maneuver may include: (1) number of traffic lanes; (2) vehicle or road speed; (3) complexity of the maneuver; (4) number of maneuvers required within a certain period of time or distance; (5) amount of traffic; (6) proximity to the maneuver; (7) time of any voice prompt; (8) time of day and location; and/or (9) the existence of a geofence. Each of these parameters can be assigned a value of 0 or 1 for a particular situation where NAV system 20 may perform the automatic switching to full screen mode when the value is 1 and may remain in the current display mode when the value is 0. Each of these parameters may be evaluated individually, collectively or not at all depending on the settings. For example, only some of the parameters may be active or utilized by NAV system 20 while others are not active. Additionally, some parameters may dominate the others, as described below. The parameters and their associated values may be based on providing additional information (full screen mode) when it is believed the additional information will aid in the successful completion of the maneuver.
The number of traffic lanes parameter, by way of example, may be assigned a value of 0 if there is only a single traffic lane in each direction and a value of 1 if there are two or more traffic lanes in each direction. The vehicle or road speed parameter, by way of example, may be assigned a value of 0 if the speed is less than a predetermined value and a value of 1 if the speed exceeds the predetermined value. The speed may be relevant because it provides a window into the time a driver will have to make the upcoming maneuver.
The complexity of the maneuver parameter, by way of example, may be assigned a value of 0 if the maneuver is at an intersection of four or less options and a value of 1 if the intersection has more than four options or if the intersection is not an approximately perpendicular intersection. In this manner a more complex maneuver will be displayed in a full screen mode while a more traditional maneuver will not result in full screen mode. The number of maneuvers required parameter, by way of example, may be assigned a value of 0 if there is a single maneuver within a predetermined period of time or distance and a value of 1 if there is a second maneuver required within the predetermined period of time or distance.
The amount of traffic parameter, by way of example, may be assigned a value of 0 if the traffic level is low and a value of 1 if the traffic level is high. The low and high designation may be based on a traffic density on the route proximate to the maneuver location. The proximity to the maneuver parameter, by way of example, may be assigned a value of 0 if the proximity is greater than a predetermined distance and a value of 1 if the proximity is less than the predetermined distance. The time of voice prompt parameter, by way of example, may be assigned a value of 0 if the voice prompt is more than a predetermined time away and a value of 1 if the voice prompt is less than the predetermined time away. The time of day and location parameter, by way of example, may be assigned a value of 0 if there is expected to be light traffic at that particular time of day and location and a value of 1 if there is expected to be heavy traffic at that particular time of day and location. The expected traffic level may be based on historical data on NAV system 20 or provided to NAV system 20.
The geofence parameter, by way of example, may be assigned a value of 0 if the vehicle is within a predetermined geofence area and a value of 1 if the vehicle is outside of the predetermined geofence area. The geofence area may be based on the particular driving history of the vehicle on which NAV system 20 is being utilized. For example, if the vehicle travels (or has traveled) a particular route frequently it may be assumed that the driver knows that route (and the associated maneuvers) well and NAV system 20 may define that route as a geofence area. The familiarity of the driver with that route and the maneuvers may allow the driver to rely on the voice prompts for the guidance and the mixed display mode. The switching to a full screen mode may not provide any additional value. The frequency required for a route to become a geofence area, by way of example, may be based on the number of times that maneuver has been performed and/or the frequency (number of times in a particular time frame) at which that maneuver is performed. NAV system 20 may reset or remove the geofence(s) at a predetermined interval and require them to be re-established based on current driving patterns/behavior.
In one or more arrangements, NAV system 20 may automatically switch from mixed display mode to full screen mode when any active parameter has a value of 1 regardless of the value of the other active parameters. In one or more arrangements, an active parameter may dominate over the other active parameters such that the value of the dominate parameter may dictate whether automatic switching occurs. For example, the geofence parameter may be a dominate parameter and when active may dictate that automatic switching does not occur when the vehicle is within a geofence area (parameter value of 0) and may allow switching when the vehicle is not within a geofence area (parameter value of 1). It should be appreciated that when the geofence parameter has a value of 1 NAV system 20 does not automatically go into full screen mode, rather, with the value of 1 the geofence parameter does not prevent the automatic switching for full screen mode based on the value of other active parameters.
In one or more arrangements, the automatic switching from mixed display mode to full screen mode may be temporary in nature. In the case of the music system the switch to full screen mode may last for a predetermined time period and then return to the previous display mode. The predetermined time period for the music system switch may be three seconds, by way of example. In the case of the route guidance system the switch to full screen mode may last until the associated maneuver(s) is completed. In the case of the weather alert feature, the switch to full screen mode may last for a predetermined time period and then return to the previous display mode or may require a driver acknowledgement before returning to the previous display mode. For example, an acknowledgment button 102, as shown in
In one or more arrangements, NAV system 20 may use the control scenario 110, shown in
It will be appreciated that arrangements described herein can provide numerous benefits, including one or more of the benefits mentioned herein. NAV system 20 may have display 22 set to show information about a single system in a full screen mode or have display 22 divided to show information about multiple systems simultaneously (mixed display mode). NAV system 20 may allow the user to select an automatic switching from a mixed display mode to a full display mode upon the occurrence of predetermined system conditions. The full display mode may be temporary and automatically return back to the previous display mode or may require a user acknowledgement prior to returning back to the previous display mode. The switch to the full display mode allows more information to be communicated to the user. The various display configurations may account for the amount of display area available. For example, when an entire area of display 22 is available a full set of information may be displayed and when a limited area of display 22 is available a subset of information may be displayed.
The terms “a” and “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e. open language). The phrase “at least one of . . . and . . . . ” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As an example, the phrase “at least one of A, B and C” includes A only, B only, C only, or any combination thereof (e.g. AB, AC, BC or ABC). The term “operatively connected” as used throughout this description, can include direct or indirect connections, including connections without direct physical contact.
Aspects herein can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means . . . plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
