Abstract:
An on-screen gear selector for an automatic transmission, which provides an interface between the driver and the automatic transmission. The gear selector provides the current selection by the driver to the transmission control unit. The virtual on-screen gear selector provides safety and security features, and is incorporated into the software of the gear selector, such as not allowing the transmission to change from park until the brake pedal is depressed, or not allowing the transmission to change from drive to a lower gear or reverse if the speed of the vehicle is above a predetermined value, thereby avoiding damage to the transmission. The use of the on-screen gear selector also provides the benefit of reducing space and weight of the vehicle, by having less mechanical parts.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an on screen gear selector for an automatic transmission. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Manual gear selectors for automatic transmissions are generally known. These types of gear selectors typically incorporate the use of a knob or lever which is used to select the gear of operation from the transmission. The manual gear selector is used to change the transmission from “Park” to “Drive,” or to “Reverse,” one of the low gears, or neutral, as well as a combination of which. However, the components of a manual gear selector may wear out over extended periods of use, and may become stuck or broke. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a gear selector for an automatic transmission which reduces or eliminates the aforementioned problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an on-screen gear selector for an automatic transmission, which provides an interface between the driver and the automatic transmission. The gear selector provides the current selection by the driver to the transmission control unit. The virtual on-screen gear selector provides security features, which are incorporated into the software of the gear selector, such as not allowing the transmission to change from Park until the brake pedal is depressed, or not allowing the transmission to change from drive to a lower gear or reverse if the speed of the vehicle is above a predetermined value, thereby avoiding damage to the transmission. The use of the on-screen gear selector also provides the benefit of reducing space and weight of the vehicle, by having less mechanical parts. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the operating mode of the transmission may be indicated on the screen while the vehicle is in use, providing the status as to which mode the transmission is operating in. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention is an on-screen gear selector for an automatic transmission. A touch screen is mounted as part of an instrument panel, and an on-screen gear selector is selectively displayed on the touch screen. The on-screen gear selector also includes a plurality of icons, each one of the plurality of icons representing a mode of operation of an automatic transmission. The plurality of icons are part of the on-screen gear selector, and an outline surrounds at least one of the icons to provide an indication of which mode of operation the automatic transmission is configured to operate. One of the icons is selected to configure the automatic transmission to operate in the corresponding mode of operation, and the outline surrounds the icon which is selected. 
     In one embodiment, the plurality of icons are arranged on the touch screen horizontally, but in other embodiments, the plurality of icons may be arranged in other ways, such as vertically, in rows, in columns, or combinations thereof. 
     In one embodiment, there are five icons, one of the plurality of icons provides an indication that the vehicle is in Park when surrounded by the outline, another of the plurality of icons provides an indication that the vehicle is in Drive when surrounded by the outline. Another of the plurality of icons provides an indication that the vehicle is in Reverse when surrounded by the outline, another of the plurality of icons provides an indication that the vehicle is in Neutral when surrounded by the outline, and another of the plurality of icons provides an indication that the vehicle is in manual Low gear when surrounded by the outline. 
     The on-screen gear selector may be incorporated with the safety features of the vehicle, such that the selector does not command the automatic transmission to shift one from gear to another when the vehicle is travelling above a predetermined speed. 
     Each of the plurality of icons and the outline are operable for being placed in a minimized position, allowing other functions of the touch screen to be used. One of the plurality of icons is displayed on the touch screen when in the minimized position, and the one icon being displayed is surrounded by the outline. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an on-screen gear selector, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an on-screen gear selector, with the on-screen gear selector used to configure the transmission of the vehicle to operate in a drive mode of operation, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an on-screen gear selector, with one of the icons of the on-screen gear selector minimized to allow the vehicle to operate in a drive mode of operation and simultaneously use other vehicle functions, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an on-screen gear selector, with several of the icons of the on-screen gear selector displayed in a pop-up mode of operation to allow the vehicle to operate in a drive mode, and providing the option to select other modes of operation, and simultaneously use other vehicle functions, according to embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a second perspective view of an on-screen gear selector, with several of the icons of the on-screen gear selector displayed in a pop-up mode of operation to allow the vehicle to operate in a reverse mode, and providing the option to select other modes of operation, and simultaneously use other vehicle functions, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     Referring now to the Figures generally, a portion of an instrument panel incorporating a gear selector function according to the present invention is shown generally at  10 . The instrument panel  10  includes an on-screen gear selector according to the present invention, shown generally at  12 , as well as other various vehicle control devices, such as a temperature control dial  14 , a fan dial  16 , and a vent control dial  18 . 
     The gear selector  12  is part of a touch screen  20 , where the touch screen  20  is also used to operate other vehicle functions, such as, but not limited to, GPS navigation, radio, compact disc player, mp3 player, parking assist system, and the like. The on-screen gear selector  12  provides an interface between the driver of the vehicle and the automatic transmission of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the selector  12  is in electronic communication with the electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle such that when the selector  12  is used to select a mode of operation, the ECU directs the transmission to change to the selected mode of operation. 
     Also, the on-screen gear selector  12  of the present invention is not limited for use with a specific type of transmission. The selector  12  of the present invention may be used with any type of transmission in which the various modes of operation may be changed to through the use of electronic control over the mechanical parts of the transmission, such that the vehicle&#39;s ECU may be linked to and control the transmission. 
     The selector  12  may be configured to operate in several ways. In one embodiment, upon starting or activation of the vehicle, the selector  12  is presented on the touch screen  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . With reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , the various modes of operation the transmission is able to be configured are shown on the touch screen  20 . More specifically, there is a group of icons indicating which mode of operation the transmission may be configured to. There is a first icon  22  representing the “Park” position (i.e. when the vehicle is in Park), a second icon  24  representing the “Reverse” mode of operation, a third icon  26  representing the “Neutral” mode of operation, a fourth icon  28  representing the “Drive” mode of operation, and a fifth icon  30  representing the “Low” mode of operation. 
     Upon initial activation of the vehicle, the icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30  are shown on the touch screen  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . An indicator is used to identify the present mode of operation in which the transmission is configured. In this embodiment, the indicator is in the form of an outline  32 , and the first icon  22  is surrounded by the outline  32  to provide an indication that the vehicle is in “Park.” When the vehicle driver desires to drive the vehicle, the proper icon  22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30  is touched which corresponds to the desired mode of operation for the transmission. In the example shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the fourth icon  28  on the touch screen  20  is touched to configure the transmission, and therefore the vehicle, in the drive mode of operation, or “Drive.” When the vehicle is in Drive, the fourth icon  28  is surrounded by the outline  32 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     If the vehicle driver desires to place the transmission, and therefore the vehicle, in another mode of operation, one of the other icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 30  is touched, and the transmission is changed to be in the mode of operation chosen. If the driver desires the transmission, and therefore the vehicle, changed to be in the Reverse mode of operation, the second icon  24  is touched by the driver, and the transmission is changed to operate in the Reverse mode of operation. The outline  32  then surrounds the second icon  24 . The same selection process is applied to the other respective modes of operation of the transmission. By touching the proper icon  22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30  which corresponds to the desired mode of operation of the transmission, the transmission is then configured to operate in the desired mode of operation. Also, the outline  20  is positioned to surround the icon  22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30  which represents the current mode of operation of the transmission. 
     In one embodiment, once the transmission is configured to the desired mode of operation, such as the Drive mode of operation as indicated by the fourth icon  28  shown in  FIG. 2 , the selector  12  is changed to a minimized view as shown in  FIG. 3 . The minimized view is useful when the vehicle, and hence the transmission, is going to be operating in a single mode of operation for extended periods of time (such as in the Drive mode of operation), rather than for a shorter amount of time, such as when the vehicle is configured to operate in the Reverse mode of operation. This allows for other functions to be displayed on the touch screen  20  with minimal interference from the selector  12 . An example of this is shown in  FIG. 3 , where the display screen  34  of a navigation system is shown, and the fourth icon  28  and the outline  32  shown in a minimized position. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fourth icon  28  and outline  32  may change to the minimized position after a predetermined amount of driving time when the transmission is left in one particular mode of operation. Furthermore, while it is shown in  FIG. 3  that the icon  28  and outline  32  may be located in the lower right-hand corner, it is within the scope of the invention that any of the icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30  and outline  32  may be placed in one of the other corners of the touch screen  20 , or any place else on the touch screen  20  in the minimized position to allow for use of other functions to be displayed on the touch screen  20 . 
     When the touch screen  20  appears as shown in  FIG. 3 , and the icon  28  shown in the minimized position is touched, the touch screen  12  then changes to display the selector  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 , such that the transmission may be configured to operate in a different mode of operation. The gear selector  12  may also be configured to appear on the touch screen  20  when the vehicle comes to a complete stop, such as at an intersection, or entering a garage. 
     In an alternate embodiment, instead of touching the icon  28  when the icon  28  is in the minimized position as shown in  FIG. 3  to change the display back to appear as shown in  FIG. 2 , the selector  12  may be configured to appear as shown in  FIG. 4  when the vehicle begins to reduce speed, or when the vehicle has slowed down such that the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value.  FIG. 4  shows a “pop-up” mode of operation of the selector  12 , where several of the icons  26 , 28 , 30  are shown next to the display screen  34  of the navigation system. It is also within the scope of the invention that the pop-up mode may be used with other functions being displayed on the touch screen  20 . When the selector  12  is in pop-up mode, one of the icons  26 , 28 , 30  may be selected to change the mode of operation of the transmission, while the display screen  34  of the navigation system (or other function of the touch screen  20 ) is being displayed. The provides essentially a quick and efficient way to operate the selector  12  without having to configure the touch screen  20  to be shown as in  FIGS. 1-2 . 
     Another function of the pop-up mode is shown in  FIG. 5 , where several of the icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 28  are displayed next to a park assist screen  36 . The park assist screen  36  is displayed on the touch screen  20  when the transmission is in the Reverse mode of operation, and the outline  32  surrounds the second icon  24 . Typically, a vehicle is driven in the Reverse mode of operation for short distances, and allowing the icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 28  to be displayed in the pop-up mode as shown in  FIG. 5  allows the selector  12  to be operated without having to revert back to the view shown in  FIG. 1 or 2 . These icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 28  may also be displayed when the other functions are displayed on the touch screen  20  as well. Additionally more of less of the icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 , as well as different combinations of the icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30  may be displayed on the touch screen  20  when other functions are displayed on the touch screen  20 . 
     In an embodiment, the selector  12  is also configured to appear as shown in  FIG. 2  when the vehicle comes to a stop, such as at an intersection or when parking in a parking lot or garage, to allow the driver of the vehicle to access the selector  12  and change the mode of operation of the transmission if need be, when frequent mode of operation change is a common occurrence. 
     The on-screen gear selector  12  also includes several safety and security features. One of these features is that the driver of the vehicle is not able to change the mode of operation of the transmission from the Park position unless the brake pedal is depressed. More specifically, when the on-screen gear selector  12  is configured as shown in  FIG. 1 , and is in the Park position, as noted by the outline  32  surrounding the first icon  22 , the selector  12  cannot be used to change the transmission from the Park position unless the brake pedal is pressed. Furthermore, if the selector  12  is configured as shown in  FIG. 2 , such that the vehicle is in the Drive gear, and the outline  32  surrounds the fourth icon  28 , the driver, even if one of the other icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 30  is touched, is not able to change the mode of operation of the transmission unless the vehicle is travelling below a predetermined speed. Similarly, if the selector is configured to be in the Reverse gear, and the outline  32  surrounds the second icon  24 , the driver, even if one of the other icons  22 , 26 , 28 , 30  is touched, is not able to change the mode of operation of the transmission unless the vehicle is travelling below a certain speed. In other embodiments, the selector  12  and transmission may be configured to disallow changing between modes of operation unless the vehicle is travelling below a certain speed, regardless of what mode of operation the vehicle and transmission are in, and which icon  22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30  is surrounded by the outline  32 . 
     It should be noted that the arrangement of the icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30  is not limited to what is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . It is within the scope of the invention that the icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30  may be arranged differently than what is shown on the touch screen  20 . For example, the icons  22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30  may be arranged horizontally, diagonally, in one or more rows or columns, and combinations thereof. 
     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.