Abstract:
A vehicle audio system having handlebar mounted controls that permit an operator to control the audio system utilizing finger controls mounted on the handlebars.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to vehicle audio systems and, more particularly, to handlebar controls for a vehicle audio system. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Vehicle audio systems that are located in vehicles steered or controlled with handlebars are typically controlled with knobs and buttons. In order to operate such audio systems, an operator has to remove a hand from the handlebar. This creates a dangerous situation where only one hand must maintain control over the direction of the vehicle and often maintain control while traversing uneven pavement and other dangerous road conditions. 
         [0005]    As audio devices incorporate new technologies, such as personal audio players, MP3 players, Flash Memory, GPS units, and other such devices, the operation of such audio devices requires more steps and additional mental concentration. Thus, an increased risk may occur for accidents as vehicles with handlebars have audio systems incorporated into their designs. Prior approaches to simplify the operations of the vehicle audio system when installed in vehicles with handlebars have been made. 
         [0006]    Examples of prior attempts to partially solve this problem include making the vehicle audio system operate with push buttons rather than knobs. A problem with this and similar approaches is that a vehicle operator still has to remove one of their hands from the handlebar. Other attempts have included buttons or knobs that may be redefined depending upon the mode of the audio system. Once again, depending upon the mode of operation, the vehicle operator must remove one of their hands from the handlebars to operate the audio system, depending upon the mode of the operation, even if the button may be remapped by the system. Furthermore, the system remapping of buttons may not be intuitive to every user. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a need exists for an approach to simplify the operation of audio systems on vehicles with handlebars. In particular, it is desirable to have handlebar audio controls that enable the operation of the audio system to operate the system without requiring the vehicle operator to remove their hands from the handlebars. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In view of the above, a vehicle audio system for a handlebar controlled vehicle is provide that includes finger controls to enable an operator to operate the handlebar controlled vehicle and the vehicle&#39;s audio system without removing their hands from the handlebar controlled vehicle. The approach also includes being able to record preset actions and select the actions, thus reducing the number of steps from multiple finger motions to only a few. 
         [0009]    By using one or more multi-way finger controls integrated with the handlebars of a vehicle, the user is aided in the use of different types of electronic devices, including audio systems. The ability to customize or change the way the audio systems operate via defining presets for commands, in addition to content, also aids in the use of the different types of electronic devices with controls mounted on handlebars. 
         [0010]    It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0011]    Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0012]    The description below may be better understood by reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a handlebar controlled vehicle with a vehicle audio system in accordance with one example of an implementation of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   a  is a diagram of one example of a finger control device in communication with a vehicle audio system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 2   b  is a diagram of one example of finger control devices integrated with other handlebar controls in accordance with the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of one example of an implementation of a vehicle audio system that receives communication from the finger control of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of one example of a vehicle audio system that may be implemented in accordance with the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of one example of a setup mode display that may be utilized in the vehicle audio system in accordance with the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of an audio mode display that may be utilized in the vehicle audio system of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of one example of a navigation mode display that may be utilized in the vehicle audio system of  FIG. 3  and that has an associated status bar. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a diagram of one example of a setup mode display that may be utilized in the vehicle audio system of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of different events that may be associated with presets in the vehicle audio system of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of one method for seeking among the presets illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of one example of a scanning operation that may be utilized in connection with the vehicle audio system of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating examples of modes that may be displayed on the display of  FIG. 1  and that may be selectable via the finger control device. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a flow diagram of examples of steps for displaying the modes illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a flow diagram illustrating one method for selecting a mode from the modes displayed in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a state diagram illustrating example states of the cursor as controlled by the finger control device. 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a diagram of examples of various submenus that may be presented to a user for the different modes of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a diagram of an example of a setup submenu in accordance with one implementation of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  is a diagram of examples of various menus that may be accessible in a MP3 mode for display in the vehicle audio system of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 19  is a diagram of examples of additional menus in the MP3 mode of  FIG. 18  that may be displayed in the vehicle audio system of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 20  is a diagram of examples of different mode menus for display in the vehicle audio system of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    It is to be understood that the following descriptions of various examples of implementations are given for purposes of illustration only and are not to be read in a limiting sense. The partitioning of examples in function blocks, modules or units shown in the drawings is not to be construed as indicating that these function blocks, modules or units are necessarily implemented as physically separate units. Functional blocks, modules or units, shown or described may be implemented as separate units, circuits, functions, modules, interfaces, or circuit elements. One or more functional blocks, units or devices may also be implemented in a common circuit, chip, circuit element or unit. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  depicts a diagram of one example of an implementation of a handlebar controlled vehicle  100  with a vehicle audio system  106 . Examples of a handlebar controlled vehicle  100  may include motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, tricycles, and scooters. The handlebars  102  are typically connected or coupled to the vehicle body  104  with a joint (not shown) that enables the handlebars to turn and control the direction of the handlebar controlled vehicle  100 . It is not uncommon to find handlebar controlled vehicles  100  with a vehicle audio system  106 . The vehicle audio system  106  may be a radio, compact disc player, MP3 player, other audio/video device, or a combination of a radio, compact disc player, MP3 player, other audio/video device, or any of the foregoing. The vehicle audio system  106  is shown as being integrated/mounted or otherwise affixed to the handlebar controlled vehicle  100 . In other examples of implementations, the vehicle audio system  106  may be temporary attached or otherwise associated with the handlebar controlled vehicle  100 . An example of a device that is associated with the handlebar vehicle audio system  106  may be a cellular telephone device that is Bluetooth enabled, which is capable of playing MP3 audio files and is located upon a person using the handlebar controlled vehicle  100 . 
         [0036]    The handlebar  102  is depicted with two “finger control” devices  108  and  110  that are in communication with the vehicle audio system  106 . The finger control devices  108  and  110  may be controlled with a single finger, such as a thumb and may control the operation of the vehicle audio system  106 . In the current example, two finger control devices  108  and  110  are shown. In other examples of implementations, a different number of control devices may be employed, including the use of only one finger control device. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates one example of a diagram of the finger control device  108  of  FIG. 1  that is in communication with the vehicle audio system  106 . The finger control device  108  may have a housing  202  with a mount  204  for securing the housing  202  to the handlebar  102  of the handlebar controlled vehicle  100 . The mount  204  may be attached to the handlebar  102  by clamping force, glue, screws or other fasteners. In other examples of various implementations, the housing  202  may reside within or be integrated with the handlebar  102  or the handlebar  102  controls of the handlebar controlled vehicles  100 . In addition to the housing  202 , a moveable pin or stick  206  may be located within the housing  202 , which extends upward from the housing  202  in at least one direction. The moveable pin or stick  206  is of a size and height to allow a user&#39;s finger to easily engage the moveable pin  206  within the housing  202 . The moveable pin or stick  206  (a multi-way toggle may also be employed) may have at least four degrees of movement, namely up, down, right, and left. In other examples, an additional degree for movement may also be employed in the up/down direction or in the form of rotational movement. In operation, the moveable pin or stick  206  may be engaged by a user&#39;s thumb to modify the operation of the vehicle audio system  106 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2   b  is a diagram of one example of finger control devices  208 ,  212  integrated with other handlebar controls  210 ,  214 . In the illustrated example, the right finger control device  208  may be integrated or grouped with other handlebar controls  210 , such as start, off, and right turn signal controls. The handlebar controls  210  may be affixed to the handlebar of a vehicle with a mount  204 . The finger control device  208  may have a housing  202  and moveable pin or stick  206 . In other examples of implementations, a multi-way rocker switch may be employed. Similarly, the left finger control device  212  may also have a housing  203  and moveable pin or stick  205 . The left finger control device  212  may also be integrated or grouped with left handlebar controls  214 , such as horn, lights, and left turn signal controls. The left handlebar controls  214  may be affixed to the handlebar with mount  207 . Furthermore, the right and left finger control devices  208  and  212  may also have graphics or other symbols that aid in identifying the types of common actions that may be activated with the finger control devices  208  and  212 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  illustrates a diagram of one example of a vehicle audio system  106  that receives communication from the finger controls  108 ,  110  ( FIG. 1) and 208 ,  212  ( FIG. 2   b ). The vehicle audio system  106  may have a display  302  that provides operation information, such as station, track, operation mode, power indication, to name but a few. The display  302  may be, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) display or a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The regions of the display  302  may be associated with function keys  304 - 312  that may have their functions (displayed as  314 - 322 ) and redefined depending upon the operation mode/state of the vehicle audio system  106 . The vehicle audio system  106  may also have knobs or dials ( 324  and  326 ) that may aid in the tuning or operation (i.e., volume) of the vehicle audio system  106 . One or more jacks or ports, such as  328 , may also be available for connection of headsets or headphones (not shown). 
         [0040]    Turning to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  is a block diagram  400  of the vehicle audio system  106  of  FIG. 3 . The vehicle audio system  106  may have one or more controllers  402 , such as digital signal processors and/or microprocessors. The controller  402  may be coupled to (i) a receiver  404  that is also coupled to an antenna  406 , (ii) a GPS engine  408  that is coupled to a GPS antenna  410 , (iii) finger control devices (such as  108 ,  110  ( FIG. 1) and 208 ,  212  ( FIG. 2   b )), (iv) a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter  412  that may also be coupled to an amplifier  414 , (v) a Bluetooth transceiver  416 , (vi) a display  302 , (vii) a compact disc (CD) player  418 , (viii) buttons/knobs board  420 , (ix) a MP3 port  422 , (x) analog-to-digital converter  424 , and (xi) memory  426 . The memory  426  may also have a database  427  capable of storing device queries. The amplifier  414  may also have right and left audio channel outputs  428  and  430 , respectively. 
         [0041]    The receiver  404  may be an AM/FM receiver that is adapted to be tuned by the controller  402  in response to input from a user. The GPS engine  408  may be a GPS receiver that both receives GPS signals and processes the signals into location data. The Bluetooth transceiver  416  may be employed for communicating and controlling devices, such as cellular telephones, MP3 players, computers, headphones, and speakerphones. The CD player  418  is depicted as a compact disc player, but in other implementations DVD players, CD/DVD recorders or other digital playback/recording devices may be employed in place of the CD player or in addition to the CD player. The MP3 port  422  may be a port for connection to a MP3 player such as the IPOD™ or SANSA™ E200, to name only a few examples. If a MP3 port  422  is unavailable, then the MP3 player or other audio device may connect to the A/D converter  424  via a patch cord. A memory  426  may be used to store operation data, presets, and digitized content. The display  302  may be a LCD display, LED display, or other type of graphical/visual display device capable of displaying a graphical menu in some implementations. The graphical menu may be traversed using one or more finger controllers, such as  108  and  110 . The display  302  may also be a touch screen display that enables input data to be entered via touching the screen. In other examples of implementations, the display  302  may map button functions to buttons that may change as the displayed menus change. The vehicle audio system  106  may be independently powered, or powered via a vehicle battery (not shown). 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 5 , a diagram  500  of one example of a setup mode display  502  that may be utilized in the vehicle audio system  106  of  FIG. 3  is depicted. Upon activation of one of the buttons, such  326  ( FIG. 3 ), a setup mode may be entered with a predetermined setup mode display  502 . The setup mode display  502  may have additional selections, such as time  504 , language/feedback  506 , navigation  508 , display settings  510 , presets  512 , Bluetooth device pairing  514 , and system information  516 . 
         [0043]    When time  504  is selected on the setup display  502 , a time setup submenu may be displayed  518 . The time setup submenu  518  may have selections for GPS time, user time, set hours, set minutes, time zone, daylight savings, clock if radio off, 12/24 hour format. Each of these selections may have one or more additional screens that further enable a user to change or modify the setup of the vehicle audio system  106 . 
         [0044]    When language  506  is selected on the setup display  502 , a language submenu  520  may be displayed. The language submenu  520  may contain both language items and feedback settings, such as, list of available languages, virtual voice volume and touch screen beeps. 
         [0045]    When navigation  508  is selected on the setup display  502 , a navigation submenu  522  may be displayed. The navigation submenu  522  may contain selections related to navigation, such as routing method, avoidance types, guidance settings, units, GPS display format, arrival time format, map view (full map, turn-by-turn, turn limit), map items, map perspective, map headings, and GPS information. 
         [0046]    When display setting  510  is selected on the setup display  502 , a display setting submenu  524  may be displayed. The display setting submenu  524  may contain selections related to controlling the display  502 . Examples of commands that may be accessed from the display setting submenu  524  may include: auto daytime/nighttime, daytime colors slider, nighttime colors slider, flip side-buttons, default view, and map view. 
         [0047]    When presets  512  is selected on the setup display  502 , a presets submenu  526  may be displayed. The preset submenu  526  may contain selections for configuring the preset stations and settings associated with the vehicle audio system  106 , such as short-cuts to commands within the graphical menu. Examples of commands that may be found in the preset submenu  526  may include: global presets, local presets, primary seek/scan settings, and manage presets. The association of the presets to a command may be recorded and stored in memory. This mapping of the preset allows the operation of the vehicle audio system  106  to be changed and customized by the user. 
         [0048]    When Bluetooth  514  is selected on the setup display  502 , a Bluetooth submenu  528  may be displayed. The Bluetooth submenu  528  may depict commands for configuring and managing Bluetooth connections. Examples of the commands contained in submenu  528  may include: pair new device, list of devices, set as active phone, rename device, modify priorities, and delete pairing. 
         [0049]    When System Information  516  is selected on the setup display  502 , a system information submenu  530  may be depicted. The system information submenu  530  may depict the software version, hardware version, serial number, navigation version, and database version. In general, any information pertaining to the audio system or device may be accessed and displayed in the system information submenu  530 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 6  illustrates a diagram  600  of the audio mode display  602  in the vehicle audio system  106  of  FIG. 3  that has an associated status bar  604 . The status bar  604  may be located near the bottom of display  602 . The status bar  604  may have data such as time  606 , current preset  608 , and navigation information  610 . The navigation information may be directional information such as a campus  612  or directions  614 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 7  shows a diagram  700  of an example of a navigation mode display  702  in the vehicle audio system  106  of  FIG. 3  that has an associated status bar  704 . In the navigation mode, the display  702  may have a position indicator  706  that represents the location and direction of the vehicle in the navigation mode display  702 . The status bar  704  associated with the navigation mode display  702  may display data such as time  708 , current street  710 , and audio information  712 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 8  illustrates a diagram  800  of one example of a setup mode display  802  in the vehicle audio system  106  of  FIG. 3 . The setup mode display  802  may depict a map for browsing or selecting a destination. Near the bottom of the setup mode display  802  may be a status bar  804  that contains information, such as help text. 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 9 , a depiction  900  of various examples of the different events that may be associated with presets in the vehicle audio system  106  of  FIG. 3  is provided. To store preset data  902 , a channel selector  904  may be activated and held for a predetermined amount of time, such as three seconds. The channel selector  904  may have an indicator to identify that no presets have been assigned. The indicator may be a first color, such as a white background. After the channel selector  904  has been held for three seconds, a radio frequency (if in the radio operation mode) may be assigned to the channel selector  904 . The background color of the channel selector may be change from the first color to a second color  906  to indicate that a preset has been assigned. 
         [0054]    A user of the vehicle audio system  106   FIG. 3 , may recall presets  908  that have previously been defined. A channel selector  904  may indicate that no presets are assigned. If a recall preset mode is active, then holding the channel selector  904  for a predetermined amount of time results in the last assigned preset being recalled. After the previously assigned preset is recalled, the color of the background of the channel selector  906  may be changed to indicate that the preset has been assigned if the channel selector  906  was not assigned. Banks  910  of presets may be accessed by pressing a next indicator, such as arrow button  912 . Depending on the number of presets available, the arrow button may have to be pressed more than once to access the higher numbered presets. 
         [0055]    Turning to  FIG. 10 , a flow diagram  1000  of one example of a method for seeking among the presets of  FIG. 9  is shown. The flow diagram  1000  starts by determining if the vehicle audio system  106  is in the preset mode of operation  1002 . If the vehicle audio system  106  is in the preset mode of operation  1002  and there are two or more stored presets  1004 , then a determination is made if seeking is going to up or forward  1006 . If there are not two or more stored presets  1004 , then select the only stored preset  1008 . 
         [0056]    If seeking is not to be “up”  1006 , then a determination may be made if the vehicle audio system  106  was already tuned to a preset  1010 . If the vehicle audio system  106  was not tuned to a preset, the vehicle audio system  106  may be tuned to the last preset that was tuned  1012  to in the vehicle audio system  106 . The display may then be updated with the data associated with the selected preset  1014 . If the vehicle audio system  106  was tuned to a preset  1010 , then the vehicle audio system  106  may be tuned to the previous preset  1016 . 
         [0057]    If seeking is to be “up”  1006 , then a determination made if the vehicle audio system  106  was already tuned to a preset  1018 . If the vehicle audio system  106  was not tuned to a preset, the vehicle audio system  106  may be tuned to the first preset defined in the vehicle audio system  106  was tuned  1020 . The next preset may then be identified and the next preset may be identified  1014 . If the vehicle audio system  106  was tuned to a preset, then the vehicle audio system  106  may be tuned to the next preset  1022 . 
         [0058]    If the vehicle audio system  106  is not in the preset mode  1002 , then a determination is made if seeking is to be “up”  1024 . If the determination is not “up”  1024 , then seeking to the previous frequency/channel/track of the current audio mode occurs  1026  and the display is updated  1028 . If the determination is “up”  1024 , then seeking to the next frequency/channel/track of the current audio mode occurs  1030  and the display is updated  1028 . 
         [0059]    In  FIG. 11 , a flow diagram  1100  of one example of a scanning operation in the vehicle audio system of  106   FIG. 3  is shown. A check of the operational mode of the vehicle audio system  106  occurs to determine if the operational mode is a “preset mode”  1102 . If the vehicle audio system  106  is in a preset mode, then a determination is made if there are two or more presets  1104 . If there are not two or more presets  1104 , then set the defaults to the previously defined preset  1106  and stop at the first preset played  1108 . 
         [0060]    If there are two or more presets  1104 , then a determination is made if scanning is scanning “up”  1110 . If scanning “up”  1110 , then a determination occurs to find out if the vehicle audio system  106  is currently on a preset  1112 . If the vehicle audio system is not at a preset  1112 , then the first preset is selected  1114  and the vehicle audio system  106  is set to a mode that is directed by they preset and played for a predetermined period, such as three seconds  1116  if no additional presets are available  1118 , then the present preset is played or otherwise accessed  1108 . If all the presets have not be accessed or otherwise played  1118 , then the next preset is accessed or otherwise played  1120 . In other implementations, other predetermined time periods may be selected such as five seconds or eight seconds. 
         [0061]    If the vehicle audio system  106  is at a preset  1112 , then the next preset is accessed or otherwise played  1120 . Wrapping to the next preset may occur if at the end of the presets and not all of the presets have been accessed or otherwise selected. The vehicle audio system  106  is set to a mode that is directed by the preset and played for a predetermined period, such as five seconds  1116 . If all the presets have not been accessed or otherwise played  1118  then the next preset is selected  1120 . If all the presets have been accessed or otherwise played  1118 , then present preset is not changed  1108 . 
         [0062]    If there are two or more presets  1104  and scanning up is not to occur  1110 , then a determination is made if the vehicle audio system  106  is currently on a preset  1122 . If the vehicle audio system is currently on a preset, then the previous or predecessor preset is accessed or otherwise played  1124 . Wrapping from the first preset to the last preset may occur in order of all the presets to be accessed or otherwise played. The vehicle audio system  106  is then set according to the details of the current preset  1126 . If all the presets have not been accessed or otherwise played  1128 , then the previous preset is selected  1124 . If all the presets have been accessed or otherwise played  1128 , then the current preset is not changed  1108 . If a preset is not selected  1122 , then the last preset is selected  1130  and the vehicle audio system  106  is then set according to the details of the current present  1126 . In other implementations, the cycling through presets may be only the presets that have been previously defined rather than all presets. 
         [0063]    If the scanning occurs and the vehicle audio system  106  is not in the preset mode  1102 , then a determination is made if the scanning is to be “up”  1132 . If the scanning is “up”  1132 , then seek to the next frequency/channel/track occurs  1134 . The vehicle audio system  106  is then configured in response to the data associated with the current selection  1136 . A check is made to determine if all the presets have been accessed or otherwise played  1138 . If all the presets have not been accessed, then the next preset is selected  1134 . Otherwise, the current preset is not changed  1140 . If scanning “up” is not selected, then seeking to the previous frequency/channel/track occurs  1142  and the vehicle audio system  106  is then configure din response to the data associated with the current selection  1144 . If there are further selections  1148 , then step  1142  is repeated, otherwise the current frequency/channel/track is played  1140 . 
         [0064]    Turning to  FIG. 12 , a diagram  1200  of examples of various modes that may be displayed on the display of  FIG. 1  and selectable via a finger control device is provided. A user may select between any of the modes AM, AUX, personal Audio player (such as a MP3 player), FM, PHONE, XM radio, IPod, Bluetooth, Weather, USB or INPUT, by moving the pin  205  finger control device  212 . The selection of the mode may be made by pushing down on the pin  205  or by using a timer that when expired selects the mode that a course may be highlighting, such as AM. 
         [0065]      FIG. 13  is a flow diagram  1300  illustrating example steps for displaying the modes of  FIG. 12 . If a call is active  1302 , then the possible modes (see  FIG. 12 ) are not shown and no other function or modules are executed  1304 . If a phone call is not active  1302 , then the modes of  FIG. 12  are displayed  1306 . 
         [0066]    Turning to  FIG. 14 , a flow diagram  1400  of one example of a method for selecting a mode from the modes displayed in  FIG. 12  is illustrated. It may be possible to have finger control devices for a passenger to use, if so, the steps may be if the phone mode, mode selection screen, or menu screen is active or being displayed  1402 , then no further action is taken  1404 . If the phone mode, mode selection screen, or menu screen are not active  1402 , then the course may be advanced to the next available mode  1406 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 15  is a state diagram  1500  illustrating example states of the cursor as may be controlled by the finger control device  212 . Four states are shown  1502 ,  1504 ,  1506 , and  1508 . Additional states may be added with such motions as quick motions, such as up, down, left, or right, combination of motions, such as down-up, up-down, right-down, etc. 
         [0068]    In  FIG. 16 , a diagram of example submenus  1600  that may be presented to a user for the different modes of  FIG. 12  is depicted. Some of the sub-menus  1600  may be directed to controlling MP3 players, such as submenu  1602 . Specific menu items, such as track list  1604  may further be provided. The track list command  1604  may result in a list of all tracks available on the MP3 player being controlled by the currently selected mode. A user may use the MP3 setup submenu to save the query of the MP3 player in a database located in memory. The query may then be assigned to a preset and quickly executed with minimal actions. The types of queries that may be stored and recalled include replaying the recorded steps, such as selecting a song, displaying a plurality of playlists, shuffling the order of play back of a playlist, to name but a few examples. In other implementations, a user may use the MP3 setup submenu to record a number of steps to activate or use a feature of the MP3 player and create a one or more presets for replaying the recorded steps, such as selecting a song, displaying a plurality of playlists, shuffling the order of play back of a playlist, to name but a few examples. The ability to record the steps for setting up the MP3 player or other devices in other modes enables users to operate the other devices with minimal steps. 
         [0069]    Turning to  FIG. 17 , a diagram of an example of a setup submenu  1700  is depicted. Controls  1702  may be selected via a course as one of the submenu functions  1702 . Under controls  1702 , a user may select between seek/scan  1704 . For example, a short press on the pin  206  ( FIG. 2 ), may result in the seek/scan module or function being toggled between seeking and scanning Similarly, other submenu selections shown in  FIG. 16  may also be toggled by use of a short pressing of the pin  206 . 
         [0070]    Turning to  FIG. 18 , a diagram  1800  of example menus accessible in an MP3 mode for display in the vehicle audio system  106  of  FIG. 3  is shown. The hierarchical configuration of the menus starts with a top menu  1802  and allows transition to a browse menu  1804 . From the browse menu  1804 , a user may access an artist menu  1806 , albums menu  1808 , song menu  1810 , or return to the top level menu  1802 . The artist menu  1806  may allow different displays of the artist data  1812 . Similarly, the albums may allow for different displays of album data  1814  and the song menu may allow different arrangement of the song data to be displayed  1816 . Upon selection of a song from the artist, albums or song menus, the currently selected song playing data is displayed in menu  1818 . 
         [0071]    In  FIG. 19 , a diagram  1900  illustrates examples of additional menus in the MP3 mode that may be associated for display in the vehicle audio system  106  of  FIG. 3 . Additional menus under the browse menu  1804  include podcasts menu  1902 , genres  1904  and playlists  1906 . Under the podcasts menu  1902 , a listing of all available podcasts may be displayed  1908 . The genres menu  1904  may display genre information in different formats  1910 . The playlist menu  1906  may display the list of playlists and/or the list of songs contained in the playlists  1912 . Once a selection is made, the resulting song is played with the associated song data displayed in menu  1818 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 20  is a diagram  2000  of examples of different mode menus for display in the vehicle audio system of  FIG. 3 . The finger controls  108  or  110  may be configured for accessing the initial mode menu  2002  or upon a movement right or left and a short press to select a predefined preset or hot key to bring up a different mode display  2004 . The presets may be associated with a specific mode in response to an action, such as a long press of the finger control  108  or  110  when the finger control is at a hot key selection (such as right or left). After the preset mode or hot key has been activated, a user may traverse the mode menus using the finger controls  108  and  110  in a similar manner as if the initial mode menu  2002  had been selected. 
         [0073]    Traversing the menus of  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20  may be accomplished using the finger controls  108  and  110  that enable a user to keep their hands on the handlebar and use their thumbs to move the sticks  206  ( FIG. 2   a ) of each of the finger controls  108  and  110  left, right, up, and down. By pushing down on the stick  206  ( FIG. 2   a ) may cause the button to be pushed. In other implementations, buttons may be placed around or next to the finger control that may be pressed by a single finger without removing the hand from the handlebars. 
         [0074]    The movement of the stick of the finger controls  108  and  110  may result in the items contained in a menu being traversed. The menu item may be selected by pressing on the stick of finger controls  108  or  110 . In the current implements, the finger controls  108  and  110  may be mirrored controls, each causing the same movements and actions within a menu. The advantage of such an arrangement is either right handed or left handed people with be comfortable using the finger controls. In other implementations, a single finger control may be mounted on either the right or left side of the handlebars  102 . 
         [0075]    The finger controls  108  and  110  may be electronically coupled to the vehicle audio system  106  with wires. The wires may be a plurality of wires that each transfers a motion or selection from the finger controller  108  and  110 . In other implementations, a few wires may be configured as a wire bus, such as a three-wire bus that carries the signals from the finger controls  108  and  110  to the vehicle audio system  106 . In yet another implementation, the finger controls  108  and  110  may individually communicate with the vehicle audio system  106  via Bluetooth or other wireless protocol or approach. Even though, the finger controllers  108  and  110  are shown with respect to handlebars, in other implementations one or more finger controllers may be placed upon a steering wheel. 
         [0076]    The vehicle audio system  106  may be placed into a mode to define “preselects” that enables different menu item and selection queries to be stored in a database located in memory and executed via a preset or hotkey. In other implementations, the different graphical menu items and selections may be recorded and called or played back by selecting the “preset.” The presets may be traversed and a desired “preset” selected that plays the previously recorded menu traversals and selections. 
         [0077]    The approaches, menus and flow diagrams described with respect to  FIGS. 1-19  may include additional steps or modules that are commonly performed during signal processing, such as moving data within memory, encoding and generating timing signals. It will be understood, and is appreciated by persons skilled in the art, that one or more processes, sub-processes, or process steps or modules described in connection with  FIGS. 1-19  may be performed by hardware or hardware executing software to attain results that changes the operation and/or configuration of the vehicle audio system. If the process is performed by hardware and software executed by a controller, the software may reside in software memory (not shown) in a suitable electronic processing component or system such as, one or more of the functional components or modules schematically depicted or identified in  FIGS. 1-19 . The software in software memory may include an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions (that is, “logic” that may be implemented either in digital form such as digital circuitry or source code), and may selectively be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that may selectively fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this disclosure, a “computer-readable medium” is any tangible means that may contain, store or communicate the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium may selectively be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor storage system, apparatus or device. More specific examples, but nonetheless a non-exhaustive list, of computer-readable media would include the following: a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a RAM (electronic), a read-only memory “ROM” (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (electronic) and a portable compact disc read-only memory “CDROM” (optical). Note that the computer-readable medium may even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed and captured from and then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. 
         [0078]    The foregoing description of implementations has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing examples of the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.