Occupant based navigation aid lock-out function

A vehicle navigation aid (nav-aid) system and method are provided to un-lock nav-aid functions in a moving vehicle. Sensors within the vehicle provide vehicle speed S and whether a person other the driver is present. For S greater than predetermined threshold speed Sth≧0, the nav-aid system remains in a locked-out state if a passenger is not present. When a passenger is present, then the system may accept some otherwise locked-out nav-aid requests. A warning and disclaimer message requiring positive acknowledgement thereof is desirable. In a preferred embodiment, the passenger should occupy a front seat and have a weight or size or both exceeding a predetermined (e.g., “adult”) threshold. Desirably, navigation aid access is precluded for S>Sth unless the occupied seat belts are latched. In a further embodiment, a user access status display indicates which nav-aid functions can be accessed depending on the vehicle status.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for setting vehicle navigation aid function accessibility and, more particularly, to an occupant dependant system and method for locking and unlocking various navigation aid functions in a moving vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many modern vehicles are equipped with navigation aid (“nav-aid”) systems. These nav-aid systems can include position tracking (PT) capability, electronic map displays, route planning capabilities, turn-by-turn driving directions, local point of interest (POI) identification (e.g., restaurants, fuel stations, parks, entertainment, motels and hotels, etc.), and many other functions. It is common for the position tracking (PT) capability to be provided by a global positioning system (GPS) receiver built into the vehicle, but other types of PT capability can also be used (e.g., dead reckoning, local beacons, cell phones, etc.) alone or in combination with GPS. Nav-aid systems typically include a display on which the nav-aid information is presented and a user input where any of the above-listed and other types of nav-aid information may be requested by the user. The user input device can be in the form of a physical keyboard, a virtual display touch-screen based input, a rotary and/or pushbutton input method, or combinations thereof. As used herein, the terms “buttons”, “keys”, “keyboard” and “user input” are intended to include these and any other means by which the user can communicate with the nav-aid system.

It is important in connection with vehicle operation to avoid activities that may be distracting to the driver. Accordingly, it is common with present day nav-aid systems to limit the nav-aid functions that can be requested by a user while the vehicle is moving. This is usually accomplished by disabling the nav-aid input device or functions when the vehicle is in motion, so that the nav-aid input keys and keyboard functions are not operable. Accordingly, these disabled keys or functions are said to be “locked out.” Persons of skill in the art will understand that “lock-out” may be accomplished in any numbers of ways, as for example and not intended to be limiting, by powering down the input device, by blocking the input device from sending signals to the nav-aid controller, by disabling various keys or control buttons on the input device (or input screen), or by other means. As used herein, the words “lock-out”, “locked-out”, “disabled” or equivalent are intended to include any means for rendering various input functions inoperable. When the vehicle stops, the lock-out is removed and the nav-aid inputs are once again enabled. While this “all or nothing” approach minimizes driver distraction related to the nav-aid system in a moving vehicle, under some circumstances it is more restrictive than may be needed. Further, under certain circumstances, such a blanket lock-out can prevent the vehicle occupants from asking for and obtaining important traffic information (e.g., detour ahead, etc.). Thus, a more flexible approach is desirable.

Accordingly, there exists an ongoing need to provide a navigation aid system and method which permits various nav-aid functions to be accessed under circumstances where driver distraction is minimal, even when the vehicle is moving. It is desirable that such a system and method, as much as possible, use existing capabilities already available in the vehicle. Other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle navigation aid (nav-aid) system and method are provided that makes it possible to un-lock various locked-out nav-aid functions in a moving vehicle. Sensors within the vehicle provide information on vehicle speed S and whether a person other the driver is present in the vehicle. For vehicle speed S greater than a predetermined threshold speed Sth≧0, the nav-aid system remains in a locked-out state if a passenger is not present. When a passenger is present, then the system can accept some otherwise locked-out nav-aid requests. A warning and disclaimer message and positive acknowledgement thereof by the nav aid system user is desirable. In a preferred embodiment, the passenger should occupy a front seat and have a weight or size or both (e.g., a combination of weight and size) exceeding a predetermined (e.g., adult) threshold. In another embodiment, navigation aid access is precluded for S>Sthunless the occupied seat belts are latched. In a still further embodiment, a user access status indicator alerts the user to which nav-aid functions can be accessed at any particular time depending on the vehicle status

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1shows simplified schematic diagram of vehicle navigation aid (nav-aid) system20according to the present invention, showing the relationship of navigation aid device24to various sensing modules22-1(seat-belt sensing),22-2(park/speed sensing),22-3(occupant sensing) of vehicle electronics system22. Vehicle electronics system22(and sensing modules22-1,22-2,22-3therein) and navigation aid (nav-aid) device24are coupled by leads or bus23. Navigation aid (nav-aid) device24comprises controller24-1, memory24-2, position tracking module (PT-MOD)24-3; display24-4, user input24-5and optional radio24-6. These elements are coupled by leads or busses25, wherein leads or bus25-1couples controller24-1and memory24-2, leads or bus25-2couples controller24-1and PT MOD24-3, leads or bus25-3couples controller24-1and display24-4, leads or bus25-4couples controller24-1and user input24-5, and leads or bus25-5couples controller24-1and optional radio24-6. Controller24-1controls the operation of nav-aid system24based on program instructions and data stored in memory24-2, current position data received from PT-MOD24-3, information supplied by vehicle electronics system22over bus23, and information requests from user input24-5, and presents the nav-aid results to the user on display24-4. Display24-4desirably but not essentially comprises user access indicator24-4-1which may be manifest, for example and not intended to be limiting, as various colored lights24-4-2such as green (G) for unlimited access, yellow (Y) for partial access and red (R) for no access. Colored lights24-4-2may be a separate light bar on display24-4or refer to colors assumed by the various nav-aid function buttons or keys associated with user input24-5, depending upon their access status. User input24-5and display24-4may be combined when the user input keys or buttons appear as, for example, touch sensitive buttons on display24-4rather than as mechanical switches on a separate user input keyboard. User access indicators24-4-1,24-4-2are explained more fully in connection withFIG. 3. Radio24-6may be a conventional broadcast or satellite radio receiver so that nav-aid system24is a multi-function device, or radio24-6may be a WiFi transceiver so that nav-aid system24can maintain Internet connectivity, or radio24-6maybe a cell phone transceiver or emergency signaling transceiver or a combination thereof. Radio24-6is not essential to the present invention but may be included in further implementations.

As is explained more fully in connection withFIGS. 2-3, nav-aid device24is adapted to receive various inputs from vehicle electronics system22, wherein seat-belt sensing module22-1provides data to nav-aid device24on the status (e.g., latched or unlatched) of the driver and passenger(s), especially the front seat passenger(s) seat belts, occupant sensing module22-3provides information to nav-aid device24on, for example, the weight or size or both of the passenger(s), especially the front seat passenger(s), and park/speed sensing module22-2provides information to nav-aid device24on whether the vehicle is moving or parked, and/or whether the transmission is set at PARK and/or how fast the vehicle is moving, according to various embodiments. Navigation aid device24uses some or all of this information in determining according to various embodiments, which nav-aid function inputs are usable (accessible) and which are locked-out when the vehicle is in motion or at rest. How this information is used is explained more fully in conjunction withFIGS. 2 and 3. In a preferred embodiment, modules22-1,22-2,22-3are a part of vehicle electronics system22since they are useful for other purposes, but this is not essential and in further embodiments one or more thereof may be included directly in nav-aid device24. Either arrangement is useful. What is important is that some or all of the information originating in such modules be available to controller24-1.

FIG. 2is a simplified schematic flow chart illustrating method100for determining availability of various navigation aid (nav-aid) functions of nav-aid system20, according to further embodiments of the invention. Method102begins with START102and initial query104, which may occur when the ignition is activated and/or the engine started. Either START arrangement is useful. In query104it is determined whether the vehicle is moving or not. This may be done in several ways according to different embodiments, depending upon the desires of the designer. For example, vehicle electronics system22can be used to send a signal to nav-aid device24indicating that the transmission is in PARK and/or the speed S is at or below a predetermined lockout threshold speed Sth. The predetermined lockout threshold speed Sthmay be set at zero or a small but non-zero value according to the desires of the system designer. Where it is desired that Sth=0, receiving a signal indicating that the transmission is in PARK, is equivalent to S=0. If the outcome of query104is NO, then method100proceeds to step106wherein some or all of the nav-aid input capabilities are unlocked, that is rendered active, so that the user may request such nav-aid functions. In general, if Sth=0, then all of the possible nav-aid functions of which system20is capable would be accessible, and if Sth>0 then, generally, a sub-set of such nav-aid functions may be available, according to the desires of the designer. In further embodiments, several values of Sthmay be specified, that is, Sth1<Sth2<Sth3etc., wherein the particular sub-set of nav-aid functions that are available may be different for S=Sth1, S=Sth2, S=Sth3etc. Following step106, method100returns to START102as indicated by paths107,128. If the outcome of query104is YES indicating that S>Sth, then method100advances to step108is which any nav-aid features not allowed for the condition S>Sthare locked-out, that is, nav-aid device24will not accept any non-allowed nav-aid requests once a YES output is obtained from query104. Depending upon the criteria that have been established by the designer, this can mean that no nav-aid functions are accessible if the vehicle is not in PARK or if S>Sth=0 or various sub-sets of such functions can be available for S>sth.

Following step108, method100advances to query110in which it is determined, e.g. by examining information provided by vehicle electronics system module22-1, whether or not both the passenger and driver seat belts are engaged, i.e., latched. If the outcome of query110is NO, then method100returns to START102as shown by paths111,128. If the outcome of query110is YES, then method100advances to query112wherein it is determined whether or not a passenger seat is occupied by an adult. It is generally not possible to determine the age of the person occupying the passenger seat, hence categorizing the person as an “adult” is necessarily based on some other characteristic, such as weight or size or both. Occupant sensing module22-3is able to determine the weight or size or both of a person occupying a passenger seat and categorize the results at least into “empty”, “child” or “adult” classifications. Thus, query112is conveniently accomplished by determining whether or not the person occupying the passenger seat has the predetermined threshold weight or size or both expected of an “adult”, where “adult” refers to a person mature enough to be able to operate nav-aid device24irrespective of their actual age in years. If the outcome of query112is NO indicating that the passenger seat is either empty or occupied by a person too light and/or too small to be considered an “adult”, then method100returns to START102as shown by path113,126. It is preferred that seat belt sensing module22-1and occupant sensing module22-3be coupled to a front passenger seat, so that the inputs provided to nav-aid system24for use in queries110and112be related to the front passenger seat or seats from which a person occupying such seat or seats could more easily reach user input24-5of nav-aid system24. In a further embodiment, occupant sensing module22-3can provide information on, for example, the distribution of weight among the various passenger seats and/or the distribution of weight in a given passenger seat as a function of time and/or in connection with a nav-aid function request. For example, and not intended to be limiting, as a passenger shifts in his or her seat in the course of entering a nav-aid function request, such change in weight distribution can be detected by sensor module22-3and correlated with the nav-aid function input request, thereby allowing the system to infer that a particular passenger has entered the request. This is useful in determining, for example, that a front seat passenger is operating the nav-aid device.

If the outputs of both queries110and112are YES, then method100advances to query114, wherein it is determined whether or not a locked-out feature on nav-aid device24has been requested, e.g., via user input24-5. If the outcome of query114is NO, then method100returns to START as shown by path115,126. If the output of query114is YES then method100proceeds to step116. Query114is desirable but not essential. If omitted, then method100proceeds directly from a YES output of query112to step116. In step116a warning and disclaimer message is presented on display118to tell the user that previously locked-out nav-aid functions are about to be enabled, that is, can be potentially accessed by the user provided that the user positively acknowledges the warning and disclaimer message and accepts responsibility for requesting further nav-aid functions. Method100proceeds to query118wherein it is determined whether or not the user acknowledges the warning and disclaimer message and accepts responsibility for unlocking the previously disabled nav-aid functions. The user would acknowledge the warning and disclaimer message and accept responsibility for the unlock by, for example, pressing an indicated key on the user input. This can be a mechanical key or a screen button or any other response indicator that requires a positive action by the user. If the outcome of query118is NO, indicating that the user did not positively execute the required acknowledgement and acceptance, then method100returns to START102as shown by path119,128. If the outcome of query118is YES, indicating that the user has executed the required acknowledgement and acceptance, then method100proceeds to step120wherein the previously locked-out nav-aid function(s) is unlocked so that the user's input entered in connection with step114can be executed, or if query114has been omitted, the user can now enter it via user input24-5. In either case, the user requested nav-aid function is initiated in step120. Method100then desirably, but not essentially, proceeds to query122wherein it is determined whether or not the nav-aid function initiated in step120has been completed in the sense that no further inputs are needed from the user. If the outcome of query122is NO, indicating that further input is needed from the user, then method100loops back to step120and the requested nav-aid feature remains unlocked until no further user input is needed, whereupon the outcome of query122becomes YES and method100returns to START100as shown by paths125,126. Query122is desirable since it insures that the unlock action provided in step120is temporary, that is, it expires when the need for further user input thereto ends. By returning to START102after the nav-aid function is complete (as far as user input is concerned) as shown by paths125,126, method100requires that the previously described conditions for enabling further nav-aid function access be satisfied. An ongoing nav-aid function (e.g., show current location on an electronic chart) initiated in step120may continue to run, but cannot be modified or another nav-aid function initiated unless the above described YES outcomes of queries110,112,114,118, etc., are still current or re-enabled. This is a desirable fail-safe feature.

FIG. 3is a simplified schematic flow chart illustrating method200for determining accessibility of various navigation aid (nav-aid) functions, depending on vehicle speed S and occupancy and showing further details, according to still further embodiments of the invention. Method200begins with START202that can occur when the vehicle ignition is turned on and/or the engine started. Either START arrangement is useful. Method200proceeds to initial step204wherein nav-aid device24obtains information on vehicle speed S from, for example, park/speed sensing module22-2or any other convenient source. In subsequent query206it is determined whether or not S>Sth. The discussion in connection with query104of method100with respect to detecting whether the transmission in PARK or the vehicle is moving or stopped, can also apply here and is included by reference. If the outcome of query206is NO, then method200proceeds to step208-1wherein allowable nav-aid functions are unlocked and made accessible to the user via user input24-5. At the same time or in either order, step208-2may also be executed wherein user access indicator24-4-1is reset to indicate that such nav-aid functions are accessible, for example, by causing user access indicator panel24-4-2to show green (G), or for example, to cause such function buttons presented on display24-4(where display24-4is also functioning as an input source) or on user input24-5to glow green . Following step208-1and optional step208-2, method200returns to START202as shown by paths209,233. If the outcome of query206is YES (i.e., S>Sthand/or not in PARK), then method200proceeds to step210-1wherein some or all of the nav-aid inputs are made unresponsive to the user, i.e., locked-out, and optional step210-2wherein the color or other user access status indicator24-4-1,24-4-2is changed to indicate a lock-out condition, for example and not intended to be limiting, red (R) for full lock-out or yellow (Y) for a partial lock-out, or combinations thereof. The particular nav-aid functions that are disabled may be dependent upon the speed S, that is for example and not intended to be limiting, if speed S is high, all nav-aid input functions may be disabled (e.g., lock-out access indicator red) so that no further nav-aid requests can be entered while the high speed persists. In contrast, if the speed S is very low, then some nav aid function input requests can still remain enabled, e.g., lockout status indicator yellow. Non-limiting examples of an allowable low speed function might be, for example and not intended to be limiting, expanded traffic information, points of interest, or song listings. The earlier discussion of enabling or not enabling various sub-sets of the nav-aid functions for S=Sth1, S=Sth2, S=Sth3etc., is incorporated herein by reference. Information on such various subsets and corresponding Sthvalues are conveniently stored in memory24-2. As noted above, disabling and enabling various nav-aid functions may be accomplished in any number of ways, such as for example and not intended to be limiting, rendering user input24-5inactive, interrupting the flow of commands from user input24-5to controller24-1, disabling controller24-1, and so forth. The invention does not depend upon the exact means and method chosen for enabling and/or disabling the nav-aid input functions that may be requested by the user and any means and method for doing so are intended to be included in the various embodiments.

Following step210, method200proceeds to NAV-AID FEATURE REQUESTED ? query212, wherein it is determined whether a nav-aid request has been attempted to be entered by the user. In this mode of operation, it is convenient to have user input24-5active in the sense that a nav-aid function request may be entered, but that such entered request is not yet executed by controller24-1, so that the user input function overall can be considered to be still disabled. If the outcome of query212is NO, then method200returns to START202as shown by path213,235. If the outcome of query212is YES, then method200proceeds to query214wherein it is determined whether or not the requested nav-aid function or feature is among those that were locked out in step210. If the outcome of query214is NO indicating that the requested nav-aid function or feature has not been locked out, then method200proceeds to EXECUTE REQUESTED NAV FEATURE step226where controller24-1executes the requested nav-aid function or feature. Query228follows wherein it is determined whether or not the requested nav-aid aid action has been completed as far as user input is concerned, as has already been discussed in connection with query122of method100, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference. If the outcome of query228is NO, then method200cycles back to through226and query228until the outcome of query228is YES, whereupon method200proceeds to optional step230wherein user access indicator24-4-1,24-4-2is reset to indicate that further access is blocked, e.g., condition or color red. Then method200returns to START202as shown by path231,233. The discussion in connection with analogous steps120,122of method100is incorporated herein by reference.

Returning to query214, if the outcome of query214is YES then method200proceeds to query216analogous to query110of method100, the discussion of which is incorporated herein by reference. If the outcome of query216is NO, then method200returns to START200as shown by path217,233. If the outcome of query216is YES, then method200proceeds to query218wherein it is determined if the passenger seat is occupied by an “adult” (i.e., an adult weight or size or both) as that term is explained in connection with analogous query112of method100, discussion of which is incorporated herein by reference. If the outcome of query218is NO, then method200returns to START200as shown by path219,235. If the outcome of query218is YES, the method200proceeds to DISPLAY WARNING & DISCLAIMER MESSAGE step220, analogous to step116of method100, discussion of which is incorporated herein by reference. Method200then proceeds to USER ACCEPTS UNLOCK RESPONSIBILITY ? query222analogous to query118of method100, the discussion of which is incorporated herein by reference. If the outcome of query222is NO, then method200returns to START200as shown by path225,235. If the outcome of query222is YES, then method200optionally proceeds to RESET USER ACCESS INDICATOR step224to indicate that a nav-aid function can now be accessed, and then to EXECUTE REQUESTED NAV FEATURE step226. Method200then proceeds to subsequent REQUESTED NAV ACTION COMPLETED ? query228, which upon a YES outcome optionally proceeds to RESET USER ACCESS INDICATOR step230to indicate that further access requests are disabled (e.g., status red), and then returns to START202via path231,233, as has already been discussed. As explained in connection with steps116,118,120,122of method100ofFIG. 2, discussion of which has been incorporated herein by reference, analogous to steps220,222,226,230of method200return to START202as far as further nav-aid input requests are concerned after a requested nav action is completed, i.e., requires no further inputs from the user. As previously explained, an ongoing nav-aid action (e.g., track current position on a map) that requires no further inputs from the user may continue, but further user inputs will not be honored unless queries212through222have a YES outcome. This is a desirable fail-safe feature. As noted in connection withFIG. 3, RESET USER ACCESS INDICATOR steps208-2,210-2,224and230are desirable but not essential. They are desirable because they provide the user with an easily visible indicator of whether nav-aid device24will accept further nav-aid function requests, which indicators change automatically as a function of the vehicle operating and occupancy condition. This is a desirable but not essential feature. InFIG. 1, user access indicator24-4-1,24-4-2are shown as being part of display24-4, but may also be combined with user input element24-5depending upon the exact nature of user input element24-5. For example and not intended to be limiting, display24-4may include user input functions, e.g., user touchable on-screen function selection buttons, and user input24-5may include display functions, for example and not intended to be limiting, function buttons or switches whose color automatically changes as a function of whether or not they are enabled. Either arrangement or a combination thereof is useful. The discussion of using weight distribution information in determining what nav-aid functions are locked or unlocked presented in connection with method100is applicable to method200and is incorporated herein by reference.