Patent Publication Number: US-9430475-B2

Title: Method for providing information to a user of a motor vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to International Patent Application PCT/IB2009/051788 filed on May 1, 2009, which claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application GB 0807893.3, filed on May 1, 2008, which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     The present invention relates to a method for providing information to a user of a motor vehicle and in particular to the provision of information in the form of a customised interactive manual for the vehicle. 
     It is known to provide a manual for a motor vehicle providing information regarding the vehicle and how to operate various functions of the vehicle such as for example a climate control system, an audio system, a navigation system and other vehicle based systems. 
     However a typical manual is normally common to a model of vehicle and is therefore large and complex and, as a consequence of this, many people do not bother to read the supplied manual. Such a manual is so large because it will contain a large percentage of information that is not relevant to the actual vehicle such as, for example, the operating instruction for all types of audio visual system that are fitted by the manufacturer to the vehicle type. 
     This failure to read the manual is a problem because, while some systems or devices may be usable without a manual, other systems or devices are more complicated and for correct operation require a manual to operate them. The failure to read the manual is therefore a potential cause of misuse or damage to a vehicle based system or device. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide information to a user of a motor vehicle that is customised for their vehicle and easily accessed. 
     According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for providing information to a user of a motor vehicle, the method comprises the steps of: storing a configuration code on the vehicle defining the specification of the vehicle, uploading to a mass storage device located on the vehicle information relating to more than one vehicle specification, disabling irrelevant information based upon the stored configuration code and providing access to the non-disabled information to the user of the motor vehicle. 
     Disabling irrelevant information may comprise preventing access to information not relevant to the vehicle. 
     Alternatively, disabling irrelevant information may comprise selecting information relevant to the vehicle based upon the configuration code. 
     Disabling irrelevant information may further comprise deleting information not relevant to the specification of vehicle. 
     Uploading to a mass storage device located on the vehicle information relating to more than one vehicle specification may comprise uploading to a mass storage device located on the vehicle information relating to more than one type of vehicle. 
     The method may further comprise updating the configuration code when the specification of the vehicle is altered so as to update the information available to the user according to a new specification of the vehicle. 
     Providing access to the non-disabled information to the user of the motor vehicle may further comprise determining the speed of the vehicle and altering the access provided to the user based upon whether the vehicle speed is above or below a predetermined speed threshold. 
     The information may be supplied by means of at least one of an audible output and a display and, when the speed of the vehicle is above the predetermined speed threshold, the information supplied via the display may be restricted. 
     The display may be a graphical user interface and, when the speed of the vehicle is above the predetermined speed threshold, the type of information available for selection via the graphical user interface may be restricted. 
     When the speed of the vehicle is above the predetermined speed threshold, only audible information may be supplied to the user. 
     When the vehicle speed is above the predetermined speed threshold, only graphical information may be supplied via the display to the user. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for providing information to a user of a motor vehicle, the method comprises the steps of: storing on a mass storage device located on the vehicle information relating to the vehicle, providing access to the information to the user of the motor vehicle, determining the speed of the vehicle and altering the access provided to the user based upon whether the vehicle speed is above or below a predetermined speed threshold. 
     The information may be supplied by means of at least one of an audible output and a display and, when the speed of the vehicle is above the predetermined speed threshold, the information supplied via the display may be restricted. 
     The display may be a graphical user interface and, when the speed of the vehicle is above the predetermined speed threshold, the type of information available for selection via the graphical user interface may be restricted. 
     When the speed of the vehicle is above the predetermined speed threshold, only audible information may be supplied to the user. 
     When the vehicle speed is above the predetermined speed threshold, only graphical information may be supplied via the display to the user. 
     According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle having a mass storage device to store information relating to more than one vehicle specification, a memory device to store a configuration code identifying the specification of the vehicle and a means to provide information regarding the motor vehicle in response to an input from a user of the vehicle wherein the information accessible to the user is based upon the configuration code stored in memory so that only relevant information is provided. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle having a mass storage device to store information and means to access the information stored on the mass storage device regarding the motor vehicle in response to an input from a user of the vehicle wherein the access provided to the user is altered based upon whether the vehicle speed is above or below a predetermined speed threshold. 
    
    
     
       The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:— 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a motor vehicle showing the motor vehicle during one stage of assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing a first part of a method according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing a first part of a method according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing a second part of a method according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing a third part of a method according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a graphical user interface forming part of the motor vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 6  there is shown a motor vehicle  1  having a body controller  2  including memory and a mass storage device  3  connected to the body controller  2  by a CAN  5 . It will be appreciated that the configuration code can be stored in any memory device located on the motor vehicle  1  and that the invention is not limited to a motor vehicle  1  having a body controller  2 . 
     The motor vehicle  1  also includes various sensors (not shown) to monitor operation of the motor vehicle  1  including a sensor to measure vehicle speed. 
     The motor vehicle  1  includes a graphical user interface  10  for use in accessing information relating to the motor vehicle, and for operating various systems on the motor vehicle  1 . 
     The graphical user interface  10  includes a display portion  11 , a number of touch sensitive panels  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15  for making control function requests. In this case, the touch sensitive panels  12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15  respectively request control menus for an audio system, a communications system, a climate control system and a navigation system but it will be appreciated that other system controls could be added to or could replace those shown. 
     Pressing one of the panels  12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15  will cause the display  11  to change to one related to the request control function from which functions of the respective system can be adjusted or changed. 
     The graphical user interface also includes touch sensitive return panel  16  which is used to return the display  11  to a default mode when any of the various control functions have been completed. 
     The graphical user interface  10  also includes touch sensitive panels  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23  and  24  for accessing information stored in the mass storage device  3  relating to the motor vehicle  1 . 
     In this case, the touch sensitive panels  21 ,  22 ,  23  and  24  respectively request information relating to exterior features, interior features, accessories and index based textual information relating to all fitted systems and features. The touch sensitive panel  20  is used to enter an information mode in which the panels  21 ,  22 ,  23  and  24  become active. In some embodiments the panels  21 ,  22 ,  23  and  24  are hidden from view until the panel  20  is pressed thereby allowing the area of the display  11  to be increased. Pressing the panel  16  at any time returns the display to the default mode and exits the information mode. 
     It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the use of a touch screen graphical user interface and a display with conventional push buttons could be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , after starting assembly of the motor vehicle  2  at block  50 , a configuration code is stored in the body controller  2 . The configuration code comprehensively identifies the specification of the motor vehicle  1  including details regarding the equipment fitted, the type of equipment fitted the type and specification of the engine, the type of transmission fitted etc. 
     Then during assembly as indicated in block  60  and shown in  FIG. 1  the mass storage device  3  is uploaded with information relating to the vehicle type from a remote database  4 . As shown in  FIG. 1  this is by way of direct transfer using a lead connected to an USB port on the mass storage device  3 . However, it will be appreciated that the uploading could also be affected by the use of transferable media such as a DVD disc that is inserted into a drive located on the mass storage device  3  so as to permit the transfer of data to the mass storage device  3 . 
     The information uploaded comprises the information for all variants of the same vehicle type and constitutes an electronic manual accessible to a user of the motor vehicle. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 to 6  there is shown the operations performed during use of the motor vehicle  1 . 
     Referring first to  FIG. 4  after a key-on event (or an ignition event when the vehicle does not have a key to start the engine but a stop/start button) at block  100  the configuration code stored in the body controller  2  is broadcast or made available to all other electronic devices via the CAN  5  and in particular to the mass storage device  3 . 
     Then at block  120  the mass storage device  3  is operable to use the configuration code to determine which parts of the uploaded information are relevant to the motor vehicle  1  and disables those parts that are not relevant. 
     The irrelevant information may be disabled by preventing access to the information or by selecting information relevant to the motor vehicle  1  based upon the configuration code and storing it in a separate location in the mass storage device  3  for access by the user of the motor vehicle  1 . In either case the user is only able to access information relevant to the motor vehicle  1 . For example, if the motor vehicle has full automatic climate control fitted, then all information relating to manual air conditioning or non-air conditioning systems is not accessible to the user. 
     When a user makes a request for information as indicated in block  130  by pressing panel  20  ( FIG. 6 ) the information mode is entered as indicated at block  200  on  FIG. 5 . 
     While the graphical user interface  10  is in the information mode, as depicted in  FIG. 6 , the function control panels  12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15  are continuously monitored as indicated in block  210  and if any of the control function panels  12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15  is touched the information mode is immediately exited as indicated in block  900 . That is to say, at all times priority is given to the control of vehicle functions. 
     Assuming no control function request has been received then at block  240  the speed of the motor vehicle  1  is determined and compared to a predetermined threshold which is a very low vehicle speed. The vehicle speed may, for example and without limitation, be in the range 1 to 20 Kph. 
     If the speed of the motor vehicle  1  is less than the predetermined vehicle speed, the blocks  250  to  295  are executed and, if the speed is above the predetermined speed, the blocks  350  to  395  are executed. 
     Assuming firstly that the speed of the motor vehicle  1  is below the predetermined speed then, at block  250 , the full range of options is displayed. That is to say all of the panels  21  to  24  are visible and active. 
     Then, as indicated in block  260 , a user may select one of the various options such as for example by touching the exterior panel  21 . This causes a new screen to be displayed as indicated in block  270  and may also provide audible help or guidance. A typical exterior screen display corresponding to block  270  is shown in  FIG. 6  where it can be seen that three areas ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ are highlighted on the display  11 . The areas ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ are features of the motor vehicle  1  for which information or help is available. It will be appreciated that similar screens are accessible via the interior and accessory panels  22  and  23 . The manual panel  24  causes the display of text which can be scrolled through or searched via a touch screen keyboard. 
     Then, as indicated at block  280 , a user selects the required option by pressing one of the areas ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’. For example, if the area ‘C’ is touched the information relating to exterior lighting will be displayed, as indicated in block  290 , and audible information or help may also be provided. 
     As indicated in block  295  when the user is finished the panel  16  is pressed and, as indicated in block  400 , the information mode is exited. As an alternative, the touching once of the panel  16  may cause the method to return to block  240  and pressing it twice will cause the information mode to be exited. 
     Assuming now that the speed of the motor vehicle  1  is above the predetermined speed then, at block  350 , only a restricted range of options is displayed. That is to say, the panels  21  to  23  are visible and active but the panel  24  is dimmed or not displayed. 
     Then, as indicated in block  360 , a user may select one of the various options such as for example by touching the exterior panel  21 . This causes a new screen to be displayed as indicated in block  370  and may also provide audible help or guidance. A typical exterior screen display is shown in  FIG. 6  and has been described above and so will not be described again in detail. 
     Then, as indicated at block  380 , a user selects the required option by pressing one of the highlighted areas ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ for example if the area ‘C’ is touched, limited information relating to exterior lighting will be displayed as indicated in block  390  and audible information or help will be provided. That, is to say the information will primarily be provided by an audible output but a supporting diagram or graphic may be displayed to accompany the audible output. Unlike block  290 , no detailed text will be displayed because it is not safe to read detailed text while the vehicle  1  is travelling at speed. 
     As indicated in block  395 , when the user is finished with the information mode, the panel  16  is pressed and, as indicated in block  400 , the information mode is exited. As an alternative, the touching once of the panel  16  may cause the method to return to block  240  and pressing it twice will cause the information mode to be exited. 
     Therefore in summary the information provided is dependent upon the speed of the motor vehicle  1  thereby allowing full and complete information including text to be displayed below the predetermined speed threshold but inhibiting the text displayed above the speed threshold. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an alternative method to the method shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The method commences at block  50  and then at block  55  the configuration code is stored in the body controller  2 . Then, at step  65 , the information for all vehicle models (types) made by the manufacturer are uploaded into the mass storage device  3 . That is to say, if the manufacturer manufactures a saloon model, a sports model and a 4×4 model the information for all of these models is uploaded into the mass storage device  3 . Then at block  75  the configuration code is read and in block  80  information not relating to the particular model of vehicle is deleted so that, in effect, the mass storage device  3  is left only with the information it would have received in block  60  on  FIG. 2   
     The method then ends at block  90  and the motor vehicle  1  then operates as previously described with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 6 . 
     The advantage of this approach is that a manufacturer can use the same type of mass storage device for all of the models it makes and either upload these prior to assembly to the motor vehicle with all of the information for all models or, during assembly, upload the same information to every vehicle passing down the production line irrespective of the model type or specification of the vehicle. 
     Then, either as part of the assembly process or at a first key-on or ignition-on event, the information relating to other models is deleted. This technique simplifies the manufacturing process particularly when different models travel down the same production line and reduces cost. 
     It will be appreciated that, preferably, the configuration code can be updated during use of the vehicle  1  by connecting a device to the body controller  2  such as, for example, a diagnostic service tool. This enables the information supplied to the user to be customised based upon variations in vehicle specification. 
     For example, if a towing bracket is fitted to the motor vehicle  1  by a dealer, the configuration code is changed by the dealer to indicate this. The next time the motor vehicle  1  is used the configuration code will have changed and the information relating to the fitted towing bracket can now be accessed by the user whereas before it was not accessible. Similarly, if the motor vehicle  1  is sold in a country other than the country for which it was manufactured or a new owner is more familiar with a different language then a dealer or a person having the appropriate device could change the configuration code so as to present information in this alternative language. This might be advantageous for example to hire companies renting vehicles to persons from various countries.