SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING INFORMATION IN A VEHICLE

Abstract

Aspects of the invention provide a system and method for receiving information in a vehicle. Information pertaining to the vehicle's driver may be stored. Information pertaining to the vehicle's driver may be made audile through the vehicle's radio system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 a shows a flow chart of an alternative portion of the method of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 b shows a flow chart of an alternative portion of the method of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 10 for receiving information in a vehicle 12. The system 10 includes memory 13, such as electronically erasable and programable read only memory (EEPROM), a receiver 14, and a processor 16. The memory 13, receiver 14, and processor 16 reside in the module 17, or downlink processor (DLP). The memory 13, receiver 14 and processor 16, however, may reside in separate modules. The system 10 also includes a radio system 18 that includes a speaker 19.

The processor 16 is electrically connected to the memory 13 and the receiver 14. The downlink processor 17 is connected to the radio system 18 via a network link, such as car area network (CAN), and audio circuitry. The audio circuitry provides audio capability in an analog format.

The receiver 14 is configured to receive a broadcast signal containing information about a user-defined geographic region. The information includes a broadcast identification number.

The broadcast signal is a satellite signal. The broadcast signal, however, may be of other types.

The information about a user-defined geographic region includes a zip code and radius defining the geographic area for which a user is interested in hearing information. Other criteria, such as an area defined by a set of latitude and longitude coordinates, may also be used.

The broadcast identification number is a number unique to the user's particular vehicle 12 and matches the vehicle's identification or electronic serial number. The broadcast identification number is used by the processor 16 to determine whether certain broadcast information pertains to the vehicle 12 as will be explained below in detail.

The user can update the information about their user-defined geographic region via a website or other data channel that is in communication with a central data hub. For example, a user may wish to change the zip code from a default zip code set by the vehicle dealer or manufacturing facility. The user includes their broadcast identification number along with their updated information. Before broadcasting the information, the central data hub packages the broadcast identification number with the updated information. A vehicle receiving the broadcast information can use the broadcast identification number to determine whether to download and store the updated information as will be explained below in detail.

The receiver 14 is also configured to receive a broadcast signal containing information. The information includes a geographic location associated with an event.

The broadcast signal is a satellite signal. The broadcast signal, however, may be of other types.

The information, for example, includes information about one or more incidents, e.g., traffic events, in different locations. The location of particular incidents is indicated by a zip code or a latitude and longitude. Other geographic indicators, however, may be used.

A set of incident data for a particular location is packaged and broadcast by location sequentially. For example, traffic event information associated with a particular zip code may be packaged and broadcast followed by traffic event information for a different zip code.

The processor 16 is configured to store an identification number unique to the vehicle, e.g., an electronic serial number. This identification number may be input during manufacturing via a physical data link or wireless transmission. The electronic serial number is stored in memory 13.

The processor 16 is also configured to store information about a user-defined geographic region. This information may come from a dealer, manufacturer, or vehicle user. For example, after the vehicle 12 is manufactured, a dealer may input a default geographic region to the DLP 17 via a physical data link or a wireless transmission. The default geographic region may be the zip code in which the dealer is located. As explained above, a user may also update the geographic region information. The information about a user-defined geographic region is stored in memory 13.

The processor 16 is also configured to process the signal containing the information to determine whether at least a portion of the information pertains to the user-defined geographic region.

The processor 16 determines, for example, whether the zip code associated with a set of traffic event information falls within the specified radius of the user-defined zip code. If it does, the traffic event information pertains to the user-defined geographic region. If it does not, the traffic event information does not pertain to the user-defined geographic region.

The processor 16 is also configured to store at least a portion of the event information pertaining to the user-defined desired geographic region. As the processor 16 parses through the event information and determines whether a given event pertains to the user-defined geographic region, the processor 16 is configured to store one or more events pertaining to the user-defined geographic region. The event information is stored in memory 13.

The processor 16 is also configured to automatically generate a signal capable of being made audible when at least a portion of the information pertains to the user. The signal is forwarded from the DLP 17 via the audio circuitry to the radio system 18. The signal is then played by the speaker 19. The signal may also include a non-audio component, such as information for text or an icon, to be displayed on a display screen. The non-audio component of the signal may be sent over the network link or through a wireless transmission.

The processor 16 is further configured to process the signal containing the information about the user-defined geographic region, or other criteria, to determine whether the identification number unique to the vehicle matches the broadcast identification number. The processor 16 thus determines whether the information about the user-defined geographic region pertains to the vehicle 12. If the broadcast identification number matches the identification number unique to the vehicle the information about the user-defined geographic region pertains to the vehicle 12. If the broadcast identification number does not match the identification number unique to the vehicle, the information about the user-defined geographic region does not pertain to the vehicle 12.

The processor 16 is still further configured to store the information about the user-defined geographic region when the identification number unique to the vehicle matches the broadcast identification number. The information is stored in memory 13.

The processor 16 is further configured to automatically generate an information signal capable of being made audible by, for example, the speaker 19, containing the stored information. The signal is forwarded from the DLP 17 via the audio circuitry to the radio system 18. The signal is then played by the speaker 19. The signal may also include a non-audio component, such as information for text or an icon, to be displayed on a display screen. The non-audio component of the signal may be sent over the network link or through a wireless transmission.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for receiving information in a vehicle 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

At step 20, a processor 16 (FIG. 1) stores information about a user-defined criteria.

At step 22, a receiver 14 (FIG. 1) receives a broadcast signal containing information. The information, for example, may be financial information or weather information.

At 24, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) processes the signal to determine whether at least a portion of the information pertains to the user-defined criteria.

At step 26, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) stores at least a portion of the information pertaining to the user-defined criteria.

At step 28, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) and speaker 19 (FIG. 1) automatically generate an audible signal when at least a portion of the information pertains to the user-defined criteria. The audible signal may be a beep or a simulated voice that alerts the user that information is available.

At step 30, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) receives a user input signal in response to the audible alert signal. When the user wants to hear the information, the user pushes a button, for example, located on a console assembly or the steering wheel.

At step 32, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) and speaker 19 (FIG. 1) generate an audible information signal containing at least a portion of the information pertaining to the user-defined criteria.

As an alternative to step 32, at step 32′, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) and speaker 19 (FIG. 1) generate, using a text-to-speech processor, an audible voice signal containing the stored information.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of another method for receiving information in a vehicle 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

At step 34, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) stores information about an identification number unique to the vehicle.

At step 36, the receiver 14 (FIG. 1) receives a broadcast signal containing information about a user-defined geographic region including a broadcast identification number.

At step 38, the receiver 14 (FIG. 1) receives a broadcast signal containing event information including a geographic location associated with an event. The event information may be, for example, traffic event information or political event information, such as a localized election. The event information, however, may be any information that has some bearing on a geographic location.

At step 40, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) processes the signal containing the event information to determine whether at least a portion of the event information pertains to the user-defined geographic region.

FIG. 3 a shows a portion of the flow chart of the method of FIG. 3 with alternative steps 38′ and 40′.

The location of particular events may be indicated by a zip code, as shown in alternative step 38′. Other criteria, however, may be used.

When the location of particular events is indicated by a zip code, as shown in step 38′, at step 40′, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) processes the signal to determine whether at least a portion of the event information pertains to the user-defined geographic by determining whether the zip code associated with the event is located within a predetermined radius, e.g., ten miles, of the user-defined zip code. If the zip code is located within the predetermined radius of the user-defined zip code, the event information pertains to the user-defined geographic region. If the zip code is not located within the predetermined radius of the user-defined zip code, the event information does not pertain to the user-defined geographic region.

FIG. 3 b shows a portion of the flow chart of the method of FIG. 3 with alternative steps 38″ and 40″.

The location of particular events may be indicated by a latitude and longitude, as shown in yet another alternative step 38″.

When the location of particular events is indicated by a latitude and longitude, as shown in step 38″, at step 40″, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) converts the latitude and the longitude associated with the event into a zip code associated with the event and determines whether the zip code associated with the event is located within a predetermined radius, e.g., ten miles, of the user-defined zip code.

The processor 16 (FIG. 1) uses a look-up table to convert the latitude and the longitude coordinates into a zip code. Other conversion processes, however, may also be used.

If the zip code is located within the predetermined radius of the user-defined zip code, the event information pertains to the user-defined geographic region. If the zip code is not located within the predetermined radius of the user-defined zip code, the event information does not pertain to the user-defined geographic region.

Referring to FIG. 3, at step 42, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) stores at least a portion of the event information pertaining to the user-defined geographic region.

At step 44, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) and speaker 19 (FIG. 1) automatically generate an audible alert signal when at least a portion of the event information pertains to the user-defined geographic region. The audible signal may be a beep or a simulated voice that alerts the user that event information is available.

At step 46, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) receives a user input signal in response to the audible alert signal of step 44. When the user wants to hear the event information, the user pushes a button, for example, located on a console assembly or the steering wheel.

At step 48, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) and speaker 19 (FIG. 1) generate an audible information signal containing the stored event information.

As an alternative to step 48, at step 48′, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) and the speaker 19 (FIG. 1) generate an audible information signal containing the event information pertaining to the user-defined geographic region.

As an alternative to step 46, at step 50, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) and speaker 19 (FIG. 1) automatically generate an audible voice signal containing the stored event information. The user does not have to physically respond to the alert signal of step 44 in order to hear the event information stored at step 42. Rather, the user automatically hears the event information stored at step 42.

As another alterative to step 46, at step 52, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) processes the signal containing the information about the user-defined geographic region to determine whether the broadcast identification number matches the identification number unique to the vehicle.

At step 54, the processor 16 (FIG. 1) stores the information about the user-defined geographic region when the broadcast identification number matches the identification number unique to the vehicle.

While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for receiving information in a vehicle comprising: storing information about a user-defined criteria;receiving a broadcast signal containing information;processing the signal to determine whether at least a portion of the information pertains to the user-defined criteria; andautomatically generating an audible signal when at least a portion of the information pertains to the user-defined criteria.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a user input signal in response to the audible signal.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the audible signal is an audible alert signal and the method further comprises generating an audible information signal containing at least a portion of the information pertaining to the user-defined criteria.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the audible signal is an audible alert signal and the method further comprises storing at least a portion of the information pertaining to the user-defined criteria and generating an audible information signal containing the stored information.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the audible information signal is a voice signal.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing at least a portion of the information pertaining to the user-defined criteria.

7. A method for receiving event information in a vehicle comprising: storing information about an identification number unique to the vehicle;receiving a broadcast signal containing information about a user-defined geographic region;receiving a broadcast signal containing event information including a geographic location associated with an event;processing the signal containing the event information to determine whether at least a portion of the event information pertains to the user-defined geographic region;storing at least a portion of the event information pertaining to the user-defined geographic region; andautomatically generating an audible signal when at least a portion of the event information pertains to the user-defined geographic region.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the audible signal is an audible alert signal and the method further comprises, after the step of automatically generating an audible signal, receiving a user input signal in response to the audible signal.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising, after the step of receiving a user input signal, generating an audible information signal containing the stored event information.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising, after the step of receiving a user input signal, generating an audible information signal containing the event information pertaining to the user-defined geographic region.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the audible signal is an audible alert signal and the method further comprises, after the step of automatically generating an audible signal, automatically generating an audible information signal containing the stored event information.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the audible information signal is a voice signal.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein the broadcast signal containing the information about the user-defined geographic region includes a broadcast identification number, the method further comprising processing the signal containing the information about the user-defined geographic region to determine whether the broadcast identification number matches the identification number unique to the vehicle thereby determining whether the information about the user-defined geographic region pertains to the vehicle and storing the information about the user-defined geographic region when the broadcast identification number matches the identification number unique to the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 7 wherein the information about the user-defined geographic region includes a user-defined zip code and wherein the event information includes a zip code associated with the event.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of processing the signal containing the event information to determine whether at least a portion of the event information pertains to the user-defined geographic region includes determining whether the zip code associated with the event is located within a predetermined radius of the user-defined zip code.

16. The method of claim 7 wherein the information about the user-defined geographic region includes a user-defined zip code and wherein the event information includes a latitude and a longitude associated with the event.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising converting the latitude and the longitude associated with the event into a zip code associated with the event and wherein the step of processing the signal containing the event information to determine whether at least a portion of the event information pertains to the user-defined geographic region includes determining whether the zip code associated with the event is located within a predetermined radius of the user-defined zip code.

18. A system for receiving event information in a vehicle comprising: a receiver configured to receive a broadcast signal containing event information including a geographic location associated with an event;a processor configured tostore information about an identification number unique to the vehicle;store information about a user-defined geographic region;process the broadcast signal to determine whether at least a portion of the event information pertains to the user-defined geographic region;store at least a portion of the event information pertaining to the user-defined geographic region; andautomatically generate a signal capable of being made audible when at least a portion of the event information pertains to the user-defined geographic region.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a broadcast signal containing information about a user-defined geographic region including a broadcast identification number and wherein the processor is further configured to process the signal containing the information about the user-defined geographic region to determine whether the identification number unique to the vehicle matches the broadcast identification number thereby determining whether the information about the user-defined geographic region pertains to the vehicle; andstore the information about the user-defined geographic region when the identification number unique to the vehicle matches the broadcast identification number.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the signal capable of being made audible is an alert signal and the processor is further configured to automatically generate an information signal containing the stored event information, and further wherein the information signal is capable of being made audible.