Abstract:
An assisted learning (AL) system for a vehicle including vehicle systems with input devices is provided. The AL system includes: memory that stores usage instructions for the input devices; an AL input device; an audio output device; and a control module that retrieves a respective one of the usage instructions associated with a selected one of the input devices when the selected one of the input devices is actuated after the AL input device is actuated and that outputs the usage instructions to the audio output device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/685,085, filed on May 26, 2005. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]     The present disclosure relates to vehicle control systems, and more particularly to audible vehicle assistance for user inputs to vehicle control systems.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.  
         [0004]     Vehicle systems have many different types of user controls such as buttons, knobs, sliders, touch screens, etc. that are used to control functions of the associated vehicle system. Owner&#39;s manuals typically provide printed instructions of the vehicle&#39;s systems and controls. While some user controls may be easy to understand, the function and use of other user controls may not be as readily apparent.  
         [0005]     If a user does not know how to operate the system or control, there are a few ways to learn how the system or control works. The user may attempt to operate the system or control by adjusting the control without instructions. This method has both positive and negative effects. The user may achieve the end result, but may not understand or retain how it was achieved. If the user wants to operate the system or control again, there is a likelihood that the same “guessing game” will take place. If the system does not perform its function, the user can become frustrated and hesitate to use the system or control. The user may also attempt to look up the instructions in the owner&#39;s manual. If a question arises while driving alone, the user may need to stop the vehicle and read the owner&#39;s manual.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Accordingly, an assisted learning (AL) system for a vehicle including vehicle systems with input devices is provided. The AL system includes: memory that stores usage instructions for the input devices; an AL input device; an audio output device; and a control module that retrieves a respective one of the usage instructions associated with a selected one of the input devices when the selected one of the input devices is actuated after the AL input device is actuated and that outputs the usage instructions to the audio output device.  
         [0007]     In other features, a method of providing assisted learning (AL) for a vehicle including input devices is provided. The method includes: receiving an AL system activation request; outputting a beginning voice prompt; receiving a function activated notification related to a function control; deactivating said function control relating to said function activated notification; and outputting instructions relating to said function control.  
         [0008]     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a vehicle including an Assisted Learning (AL) system.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a method performed by the AL system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the term module refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.  
         [0013]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an assisted learning (AL) system  10  according to the present invention will be described in detail. The AL system  10  provides audio instructions of a vehicle&#39;s systems and/or controls. An AL input device  12  enables and/or disables an AL mode and may include a button, knob, switch, or any other suitable device. A communication bus  14  allows the flow of data between inputs and outputs of the AL system  10 .  
         [0014]     The vehicle includes other controls  18  that are used to actuate various vehicle systems. Exemplary controls  18  that are associated with vehicle systems may include buttons, knobs, sliders, keypads, etc., that are associated with radio, CD, DVD, seats, doors, navigation, etc. A control module  16  performs control and processing related to the operation of the AL system  10  as will be described below. Memory  20  stores the instructions associated with the vehicle systems. The memory  20  may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. In some implementations, the memory  20  stores the instructions in a compressed format, e.g., MP3.  
         [0015]     In order to play back audio from a compressed format, an audio decoder  22  converts the compressed files into uncompressed digital audio files. The uncompressed digital audio files are then played by a digital audio playback (DAP) module  24 , which converts the digital signals to audio signals. An audio amplifier  26  boosts the strength of the audio signal. The audio amplifier  26  supplies the audio signal to an audio output  28 . The audio output  28  allows a user to hear the audio signal output. An exemplary audio output  28  may include a speaker.  
         [0016]     Once the user actuates the AL input device  12 , the control module  16 , through the audio port  28 , outputs a voice prompt. For example, the voice prompt may be “Welcome. You have entered Assisted Learning mode. Please press any button or operate any control which you would like assistance. Press the Assisted Learning button again to cancel this mode.” While a specific prompt is described herein, skilled artisans will appreciate that other prompts may be used.  
         [0017]     For example, the user may depress a radio preset button. In response thereto, an exemplary control  18  prompt may be, “This is a radio preset button. It provides a fast easy method to tune to a favorite radio station. First tune to a station you like. Then press and hold this preset button for two seconds until a beep is heard. You have just saved that radio station to a preset. Now any time you want to return to this station, momentarily press the radio preset again. Up to 30 favorite stations can be programmed. Assisted Learning Ended. (Beep).” 
         [0018]     In some embodiments, the DAP module  24  may be implemented into a vehicle&#39;s radio. Because the radio already has interfaces to an audio amplifier, no additional vehicle wiring or packaging would be required. However, the DAP module  24  could be located in another vehicle module or could be a stand-alone module.  
         [0019]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the AL system will be described in further detail. Control determines whether the ignition is on at  102 . If the ignition is not on, control returns to evaluate the ignition at  102 . If the ignition is on, control determines whether the input device of the AL system is activated at  104 . If the input device of the AL system is not activated, control returns to evaluate the ignition at  102 .  
         [0020]     If the input device of the AL system is activated, control mutes all other radio output at  106 . Control outputs the beginning voice prompt at  108 . Control determines whether the enable of the AL system is activated again at  110 . If the enable of the AL system is activated again, control outputs the ending voice prompt at  112 . If the enable of the AL system is not activated again, control determines whether service assistance, e.g. OnStar®, is activated at  114 . If the service assistance is activated, control outputs the ending voice prompt at  112 .  
         [0021]     If the service assistance is not activated, control sets a timer at  116 . Control determines whether a function is activated at  118 . If a function is not activated, control determines whether the timer is up at  120 . If the timer is not up, control returns to determine whether a function is activated at  118 . If the timer is up, control outputs ending voice prompt at  112 . If a function is activated, control deactivates the selected function control at  122 . Control outputs the instructions at  124  and proceeds to set the timer at  116 .  
         [0022]     Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the present disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and the following claims.