1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention provides a method and apparatus for conveniently setting various programmable features of a motor vehicle using a graphical user interface accessed with a computer.
2. Prior Art
Motor vehicles, and automobiles in particular, have grown increasingly complex. A modern automobile may contain as many as fifty microprocessors controlling a wide variety of operational and convenience features. While much of the processing power is devoted to functions that are transparent to the driver, the number of driver-selectable features and options has increased tremendously. For example, automobiles may include driver controls for seating position, seat temperature, cabin temperature, cabin ventilation, cabin illumination, dash illumination, audio entertainment, navigation, suspension compliance and transmission shift-mode, to name only a few. Providing driver control of all of these functions has led to a proliferation of knobs, buttons, switches and other controls in many automobiles.
The increased number of driver controls is not without its drawbacks. Typically, drivers must refer to increasingly voluminous owner's manuals to understand the various controls available and learn how to operate them. Naturally, different drivers have different preferences and this can result in a lengthy process of changing settings each time a different driver enters the vehicle. Furthermore, the increased complexity of driver controls is a distraction to the driver and negatively affects traffic safety.
Efforts have been made to simplify the driver/vehicle interface. One such effort is the “iDrive” system introduced by BMW. This system employs a video display and a driver-operated “joystick” to replace many of the individual controls. The system is reported to control more than seven hundred functions. While the system succeeds in eliminating much of the dashboard clutter, it results in as much, if not more, driver distraction than with conventional controls.
Another effort to simplify the driver/vehicle interface (and one that is employed in conjunction with BMW's “iDrive” system) is voice recognition. The vehicle is programmed to learn and respond to certain spoken commands. However, voice recognition technology is still in its infancy and spoken commands are not consistently understood, especially in a typically noisy vehicle environment.
There remains a need for a system and method of interfacing with the myriad of controllable features in a modern automobile without distracting the driver when actually operating the automobile.
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for setting preferences and other parameters of a motor vehicle. In certain embodiments of the invention, a user initiates a connection to an interactive site on a global computer network. The site hosts a graphical user interface with which preferences and other parameters of a motor vehicle may be set by the user. In some embodiments, set-up data for the motor vehicle may be transferred directly to the motor vehicle from the interactive site. In other embodiments, set-up data for the motor vehicle are transferred from the user's computer to a transfer device where it is temporarily stored. The transfer device, which may comprise a key for operating the motor vehicle, is then used to program the features of the motor vehicle.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
Local computer 12 is coupled to a remote interactive site server 14 by a telecommunications link. In a typical embodiment of the invention, interactive site server 14 would be accessible via the World Wide Web. Other appropriate means for connecting computer 12 to server 14 could also be employed. Server 14 contains programming for interactively setting the programmable features of motor vehicle 10. Preferably, server 14 presents to the owner of motor vehicle 10, via computer 12, a graphical user interface that is tailored to motor vehicle 10 and the programmable features thereof.
Transfer device 16 receives the programming data from local computer 12 by a wired or wireless connection to computer 12. A wired connection may comprise a serial bus configured in accordance with any of the appropriate industry standards, such as, for example, universal serial bus (USB), “FireWire”, etc. Wireless connections may comprise optical, audio, magnetic, inductive, infrared or radio frequency coupling. One wireless communication protocol suitable for use with the present invention is the “Bluetooth” protocol, which is now becoming widely installed in home computer systems. Another wireless communication protocol that may be employed with the present invention for transferring data from local computer 12 to transfer device 16 is the video data transfer protocol described in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/155,531 and its predecessor applications. Transfer device 16 also communicates with motor vehicle 10 by means of a wired or wireless connection with a suitable protocol, such as any of those mentioned above.
Communications between local computer 12 and transfer device 16 and between the transfer device and motor vehicle 10 may be either one-way (namely, from the home computer to the transfer device and then to the vehicle) or two-way. However, significant advantages are realized when utilizing two-way communication. Two-way communication allows “synchronization” of the motor vehicle with a “virtual” motor vehicle maintained at the site server 14. Many of the features and settings of the motor vehicle can be controlled directly by the driver while in the motor vehicle. By periodically returning transfer device 16 to computer 12 and reestablishing a connection with server 14, the virtual motor vehicle can be updated with any changes in the settings of the real motor vehicle.
Another advantage of two-way communications is that it may be used to facilitate remote troubleshooting of the motor vehicle. Data from the motor vehicle may be transferred to computer 12, and from there to the motor vehicle manufacturer, dealer or other support facility via an Internet or email connection. Analysis of the data can then be used to issue appropriate repair orders. In some cases, repairs may be effectuated by downloading corrective software or firmware in the same manner that feature set-up is accomplished.
As illustrated in
Transfer device 16 may be configured in numerous other ways. For example, a recordable compact disk (CD) or digital video disk (DVD) could be employed as a transfer device. In this case, set-up data would be written onto the CD or DVD at local computer 12 and the disk would then be loaded into a suitable drive in the motor vehicle. Such an approach is more suitable for one-way communication than two-way communication.
It is also possible to configure a system in which motor vehicle 10 receives set-up data directly from local computer 12 without a transfer device. This can be accomplished by establishing a telephonic connection with the motor vehicle. In this regard, motor vehicles are increasingly being equipped with built-in telecommunications capabilities for implementing a variety of so called “telematic” functions. The communication path might also involve a combination of wired and wireless protocols. For example, local computer 12 may have a wireless link to an in-home transceiver, which is connected to a remote transceiver in the motor vehicle's garage or other parking area by a wired connection. The wired connection may comprise a data communication bus or a communication signal may be carried as a modulation on the household wiring. The garage transceiver then communicates with the motor vehicle using a wireless protocol.
The graphical user interface with which a user sets the functions and preferences of the motor vehicle may be highly sophisticated. The options that may be provided are virtually limitless. The following lists some of the functions that could be implemented using the present invention. Many of these allow a driver to personalize his or her car much as cell phones are personalized with distinctive cases, ring tones, greeting messages, etc.
Entertainment
Radio
CD Changer
MP3 Tunes
Sound & Source Management
Reminders
Filter
Fan
Comfort Index
Timed Temperature Preset
Seat Warmer
Temperature
Humidity
Address Entry
Address Library
Trip Planning
Route Planning
Phone Book
Voice Dialing
Phone Voice Commands
Horn Effects
Interior Lighting Effects
Sound Effects
Visual Effects
Voice Commands
Systems & Controls
Buttons
Safety
Window & Sunroof Control
Seatbelts
Speed Governor
Vehicle Tracking
Accident
Door Locks
Window Control
Panic Alert
Door Access
Lighting
Alarms
Suspension Control
Engine Control
Transmission Control
Steering
Winter
Sport Mode
Turbo Boost
Handling
Contacts
Other Notifications
Emergency Aid
Trip Logs
Daily Mileage Logs
Trip Mileage Logs
Cumulative Data
Guest Logs
Last Service
Next Service
Diagnostics
Firmware & Software Updates
Virtual Test Drive
Learn & Setup
Automatic Tutor
Forecast
Road Conditions
Safety Kit
FAQ
Help
Vehicle-specific Information
Nearest Dealerships
Customer Relations
Driving Accessories
Logo Wear
Performance Accessories
Events
Use of the present invention facilitates customized driver controls and displays. For example, touch screen LCD or similar display panels are now used in many automobiles. Using a graphical user interface, a driver can design a customized set of controls for operating features of interest to that driver. One driver may wish to have certain radio selections readily available, whereas another driver may wish to have available a selection of destinations for the navigation system. These preferences are communicated via the transfer device as described above. Controls that are customized in this manner are not limited to touch screen selections. By the same process, driver defined functions may be assigned to buttons, dials and other mechanical controls as well to create individualized “function keys.” Likewise, displays available to the driver may also be customized.
It will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.
This is a continuation of application U.S. Ser. No. 10/757,087 filed Jan. 13, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,611, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/155,531 filed May 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,882,712, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/415,299, filed Oct. 8, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,483,906, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/351,270, filed Jul. 12, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,378, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/235,709, filed Jan. 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,023.
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