Abstract:
The described method and system provide for quickly and intuitively presenting users with a variety of detailed vehicle information through a mobile application on a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device is preferably a mobile phone having at least a camera, a display, a processor, and a tangible non-transient computer-readable medium for storing appropriate programming and vehicle information. By pointing a camera at a vehicle, the mobile computing device receives images of the vehicle and may identify various objects or features of the vehicle. The mobile computing device then overlays these identifications on top of images of the vehicle displayed to a user corresponding to the location of the identified objects or features in the images. The user can then select the various objects or features to receive further detailed vehicle information regarding the selection.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Wireless communication services available for mobile vehicles, such as navigation and roadside assistance, have increased rapidly in recent years. Telematics services that are now available to consumers include navigation, infotainment, communication, maintenance and diagnostics, system updates, and emergency services, to name but a few. At the same time, the popularity of smartphones, netbooks, tablet computing devices, laptops and other portable electronics devices has also continued to grow. Accordingly, the popularity of mobile applications is also growing rapidly, as mobile phones and tablets now have the capabilities to provide consumers with increasingly sophisticated programs suitable for a broad range of tasks. 
         [0002]    However, even with the rapid development of technology and the vast amount of information readily available over the Internet, car owners are still often unfamiliar with the basics of how to properly use and maintain their motor vehicles. Rather than take the time to read an owner&#39;s manual or look up features and solutions on the Internet, car owners often just barely get by with knowledge passed onto them by others regarding only the bare necessities, such as bringing the car in for an oil change and doing an occasional maintenance check-up. These car owners may be unaware of many features offered by modern vehicles, such as telematics services and special child safety seat locking mechanisms, as well as being unaware of conventional routine tasks such as how to check their oil or change a tire. 
         [0003]    Thus, it is an object in part to provide a system and method for providing users of mobile computing devices with detailed information relating to their vehicles with an easy-to-use and engaging interface. However, while this is an object underlying certain implementations of the invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to systems that solve the problems noted herein. Moreover, the inventors have created the above body of information for the convenience of the reader and expressly disclaim all of the foregoing as prior art; the foregoing is a discussion of problems discovered and/or appreciated by the inventors, and is not an attempt to review or catalog the prior art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention provides a system and method for quickly and intuitively provides users with a variety of detailed vehicle information through a mobile application on a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device is preferably a mobile phone having at least a camera, a display, a processor, and a tangible non-transient computer-readable medium for storing appropriate programming and vehicle information. 
         [0005]    Using a camera, the mobile computing device receives at least one image corresponding to a vehicle, identifies at least one object in the at least one image, and displays the at least one image with overlaid information corresponding to any identified objects in the at least one image. The user may further provide the mobile computing device with an input corresponding to one of the identified objects (e.g. by tapping on an overlaid label on a touch screen display) and the mobile computing device further displays detailed vehicle information pertaining to the selected identified object. 
         [0006]    The detailed vehicle information may be stored at the mobile computing device or may be received by the mobile computing device over a network. In further implementations, the detailed vehicle information may be based on the location of the user or the vehicle, may be based on the vehicle make, model or year, or may include advertisements (e.g. for particular brands of products). 
         [0007]    The mobile computing device may further include at least one position sensor, such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, and compass, and use the position sensor to determine relative motion between images received at the mobile computing device. Using this relative motion, the mobile computing device may better adjust the display of overlaid information to correspond to user motion. 
         [0008]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an operating environment for a mobile computing device usable in implementations of the described principles; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a process for presenting detailed vehicle information to a user in accordance with an implementation of the described principles; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary screenshot of a screen that may be presented to a user of a mobile application in accordance with an implementation of the described principles; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is another exemplary screenshot of a screen that may be presented to a user of the mobile application in accordance with an implementation of the described principles; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing various exemplary items of information that may be presented to a user in an implementation in accordance with an implementation of the described principles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Before discussing the details of the invention and the environment wherein the invention may be used, a brief overview is given to guide the reader. In general terms, not intended to limit the claims, the invention is directed to a mobile application on a mobile computing device that utilizes a camera to provide a user with detailed vehicle information regarding a vehicle based on where the camera is pointed. The mobile computing device presents the camera image to the user on a display, with an overlay labeling recognizable features of the vehicle. The user can select the labels (e.g. by touching them if it is a touchscreen display or through other input methods) and receive additional information regarding the selected label. 
         [0015]    Given this overview, an exemplary environment in which the invention may operate is described hereinafter. It will be appreciated that the described environment is an example, and the components depicted do not necessarily imply any limitation regarding the use of other environments to practice the invention. With reference to  FIG. 1  there is shown an example of a system  100  that may be used with the present method and system and generally includes a processing unit  21 , a system memory  22 , and a system bus  23  that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit  21 . The system bus  23  may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory may include read only memory (ROM)  24  and random access memory (RAM)  25 . A basic input/output system (BIOS)  26 , containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computing device  20 , such as during start-up, may be stored in ROM  24 . The computing device  20  may further include a hard disk  32 . The hard disk may provide nonvolatile storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computing device  20 . It will be appreciated that although only a hard disk is depicted, computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computing device  20  may be stored on other media such as magnetic disks, optical discs, flash memory, or other types of electronic memory, accessible through the appropriate drives. 
         [0016]    In a preferred implantation, the computing device  20  may be a mobile phone, but it will be appreciated that other types of computing environments may be employed and are contemplated by this invention, including but not limited to, tablet computers, personal computers, hand-held or laptop devices, programmable consumer electronics, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. 
         [0017]    Although not required, aspects of the invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a personal computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The depicted computing system environment in  FIG. 1  is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should the computing environment be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment. 
         [0018]    The program modules stored on the ROM  24 , RAM  25 , or hard disk  32  may include an operating system  35 , one or more applications programs  36 , other program modules  37 , and program data  38 . It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the execution of the various machine-implemented processes and steps described herein may occur via the computerized execution of computer-executable instructions stored on a tangible computer-readable medium, e.g., RAM, ROM, PROM, volatile, nonvolatile, or other electronic memory mechanism. 
         [0019]    A user may enter commands and information into the computing device  20  through input devices such as a touch-screen display  48  or other input devices such as a keyboard or pointing device (not depicted). Other input devices (also not depicted) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices may be connected to the processing unit  21  through an appropriate interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) or may be built into the computing device itself. In addition to the display  48 , the computer may include other peripheral output devices such as speakers and printers (not depicted). 
         [0020]    The computing device  20  may further include a network interface  53  and appropriate hardware for accessing local area networks, wireless networks, and the Internet, and for communicating with vehicle components, other devices, or a communications gateway using other wireless technologies such as shorter-range technologies including, but not limited to, WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and RFID. In a further implementation, the computing device  20  may utilize a vehicle&#39;s telecommunications module  114  and the computing device&#39;s connection with the vehicle components (which may be wired or wireless) to send and receive information over a wireless network. 
         [0021]    The computing device  20  further includes a camera  41 , capable of taking single images or continuous video (i.e. a sequence of images), as well as position sensor equipment  56 , such as, for example, gyroscopes, accelerometers, and compasses. Using the inputs from the position sensor equipment  56 , the processing unit  21  and relevant program modules may determine the relative motion of the computing device  20  utilizing motion tracking technology known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment, the computing device  20  is a mobile phone having a touch screen, a camera, gyroscope, accelerometer, appropriate programming and adequate processing power to execute the computer-implemented steps described herein. Various types of commercially available smartphones have these features or similar features and are capable of performing the processes described herein with appropriate programming. With further reference to the architecture of  FIG. 1 , and turning more specifically to  FIG. 2 , a process  200  for presenting detailed vehicle information to a user of a mobile application is depicted. First, a user points the camera on the mobile phone at a vehicle, for example, by opening the hood of the vehicle and pointing it at the engine compartment. Using conventional computer vision and object recognition technology known to those skilled in the art, the mobile phone analyzes the image data it receives to determine the position of certain known objects  203  such as an engine, a washer fluid cap, an oil cap, and a battery. The mobile phone then overlays labels  205  onto the recognized objects onto the image such that the field of view presented to the user by the mobile phone&#39;s display includes the image of the engine compartment in the background with relevant labels superimposed on it. 
         [0023]    In one implementation, the overlaid information may be based on a single image captured by the mobile phone&#39;s camera. In a further implementation, the camera may be feeding a video to the display of the mobile phone, and if the user moves the mobile phone, such as panning it or rotating it such that it views a different portion of the engine compartment, the mobile phone tracks the motion of the mobile phone  207  using the position sensors of the phone (e.g. gyroscope, accelerometer, compass or a combination thereof). This allows the mobile phone to move the overlaid information together with the motion of the background images, as well as presenting new overlay information if a new recognized object appears in the camera&#39;s field of view. 
         [0024]    The user may further select an item of overlaid information  209 , for example, by tapping the touch screen display of the mobile phone on one of the overlaid labels. Upon receiving this user input, the mobile phone may present further detailed vehicle information to the user. In one implementation, the further detailed vehicle information presented may be overlaid upon a background showing the mobile phone&#39;s field of view, similar to the presentation of the overlaid labels (this is depicted by  FIG. 4 , discussed in further detail below). In another implementation, selecting an overlaid label may take the user to a screen with a different format, such as by redirecting the user to an informative website or a stored database entry (e.g. a stored page with information from the owner&#39;s manual, a glossary entry, etc.). 
         [0025]    This described implementation may be better understood in the context of an example.  FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary screenshot  300  of a mobile phone&#39;s field of view when the camera is pointed at the engine compartment of a vehicle. It will be appreciated that this is merely an example, and that other implementations may include different recognized objects, other presentation formats, different mobile application instructions, etc. At the top of the screen, the user is presented with instructions on how to use this mobile application  302 , which inform the user that tapping on one of the labels will allow the user to view more detailed information. The labels shown in this example are for oil  308 , battery  306 , and washer fluid  304 . The user also has the option of pressing a “Back” button  310  that would allow the user to return to a previous screen (e.g. going back to a main menu or exiting/minimizing the mobile application). 
         [0026]    If the user taps on the washer fluid label  304  in  FIG. 3  in this example, the mobile phone will then present the user with the exemplary screenshot  400  of  FIG. 4 , which includes detailed instructions regarding the washer fluid  404 . In this example, the top of the screen shows that washer fluid has been selected  402 , and a “Back” button  410  remains in the bottom left to allow the user to go back to viewing the overlaid labels of  FIG. 3 . The detailed instructions pertaining to washer fluid  404  are featured on the screen and include instructions regarding how to maintain the vehicle&#39;s washer fluid supply. Furthermore, the mobile phone may recommend and advertise a certain brand (e.g. “Brand X”) of washer fluid to the user, and, in a further implementation, the recommendation/advertisement may be based on the vehicle type, the location of the vehicle, the location of the user, the climate in that location, and a variety of other factors as determined or stored by the mobile phone. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a diagram  500  depicting exemplary objects that may be recognized by the mobile phone. In the implementation depicted by  FIG. 5 , the mobile phone may first attempt to recognize the area of a vehicle captured by its field of view, whether it is the hood  510 , dashboard,  511 , passenger compartment  512 , exterior  513 , or trunk  514 , and then further recognize objects of interest in that area (e.g. battery, oil, engine, washer fluid, anti-freeze  520  for the hood  510 ). Table I below provides an example of the type of information that may be presented to the user regarding each item in further detail. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE I 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Exemplary Objects of Interest 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Area 
                 Objects of Interest 
                 Detailed Information Presented to the User 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Hood 
                 Battery 
                 Type; remaining charge; instructions on how to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 jump-start; when to replace; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Oil 
                 Oil remaining; recommended brand; instructions on 
               
               
                   
                   
                 how to change; when to change; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Engine 
                 Type; specifications; maintenance instructions; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Washer Fluid 
                 Amount remaining; recommended brand; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 instructions on how to fill; when to fill; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Anti-Freeze 
                 Amount remaining; recommended brand; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 instructions on how to fill; when to fill; etc. 
               
               
                 Dashboard 
                 Telematics 
                 Information on available services; instructions on 
               
               
                   
                   
                 how to use services; pricing information; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Airbag 
                 Airbag information; safety recommendations; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 maintenance instructions; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Steering 
                 Relevant information (e.g. FWD, RWD, 4WD); 
               
               
                   
                   
                 instructions on optimal steering procedure; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Instrument Panel 
                 Explanation of speedometer, tachometer, and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 odometer; current readings; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Radio 
                 Type information; instructions on how to use; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 HVAC 
                 Instructions on how to use; current settings; etc. 
               
               
                 Passenger 
                 Seatbelts 
                 Safety recommendations and warnings; applicable 
               
               
                 Compartment 
                   
                 laws; how to use; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Child Safety 
                 Information on special features; instructions on 
               
               
                   
                   
                 attaching child car seats; etc. 
               
               
                 Exterior 
                 Tires 
                 Type; instructions on how to fill; recommended 
               
               
                   
                   
                 brand; recommended pressure; when to replace; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Vehicle Info 
                 General info (e.g. make, model, year, color); 
               
               
                   
                   
                 vehicle features; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Ratings 
                 User reviews from surveys, magazines, Internet; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 awards; etc. 
               
               
                 Trunk 
                 Spare Tire 
                 Recommended usage instructions; instructions on 
               
               
                   
                   
                 how to change tires; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Dimensions 
                 Storage space information; instructions on how to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 transport large objects; etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Backseat 
                 Instructions on how to put the backseat down to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 increase space; etc. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0028]    It will be appreciated that the objects depicted in  FIG. 5  and Table I are merely examples of items as to which a mobile application may provide additional information to a user. Other implementations may include more or less items. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that it is not necessary to divide the objects into categories such as hood  510 , dashboard  511 , passenger compartment  512 , exterior  513 , or trunk  514 . 
         [0029]    This detailed information may be stored at the mobile phone or may be stored at a remote location on a network and retrieved by the mobile phone over the network. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the recognizable objects and detailed information may be vehicle-specific (i.e. different vehicles will have different features and designs) or location-specific (i.e. certain detailed information, such as a recommendation for tire type or oil type that should be used, may be based on the location of the vehicle or user). In different implementations of the present invention, the mobile applications may be particularly tailored to specific types of vehicles or may be generic and include the stored information off a variety of vehicles (or means for accessing such information). For a generic mobile application, the mobile application may require input from a user to specify a certain make, model, and/or year of vehicle that the camera is pointed at, or it may be programmed to be able to recognize certain types of vehicles. In yet another further implementation, a mobile application may be able to connect (via a connection port or wireless connection) to a vehicle telematics unit to obtain information regarding the vehicle (such as the vehicle type or other specific information such as diagnostic information and instrument panel readings). 
         [0030]    Thus, it will be appreciated that the described system and method allows for mobile applications to quickly and intuitively provide users with a variety of detailed vehicle information. It will also be appreciated, however, that the foregoing methods and implementations are merely examples of the inventive principles, and that these illustrate only preferred techniques. 
         [0031]    It is thus contemplated that other implementations of the invention may differ in detail from foregoing examples. As such, all references to the invention are intended to reference the particular example of the invention being discussed at that point in the description and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the invention more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the invention entirely unless otherwise indicated. 
         [0032]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0033]    Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.