Abstract:
A method for customizing a selected one of a plurality of customizable vehicle features on a vehicle equipped with an onboard processor and a user interface including a display and a first plurality of user input controls. The method comprises displaying on the display a vehicle feature menu and scrolling therethrough with a first one of the plurality of user input controls. A vehicle feature mode menu is displayed on the display and is scrolled through with a first of the plurality of user input controls. The second one of the plurality of user input controls is utilized to navigate from the vehicle feature menu to the vehicle feature mode menu.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to vehicle control systems, and more particularly to a method for accessing vehicle status data and performing feature customization.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Vehicles are becoming increasingly equipped with various features that can be manipulated or adjusted by a driver or passenger of the vehicle. A user may be permitted to select amongst a variety of operative settings or modes associated with a particular feature. In this manner, a user may adjust vehicle features to personal preference and thus customize or personalization the vehicle. Headlights, door locks, interior lighting settings, and key fob door lock and unlock feedback are only a few examples of such vehicle features that may now be customized by a user. As the number of customizable vehicle features and the modes associated therewith grow, it becomes increasingly desirable to implement a customization process that is practical, efficient, and user-friendly.  
         [0003]     One known data acquisition and feature customization process utilizes a vehicle&#39;s odometer display and trip stem. In this system, the odometer display is used to display a series of numbers that represent vehicle features (option codes) and different modes thereof (option modes). A user may navigate through a hierarchy of these option codes and modes by manipulating the odometer trip stem. For example, a user may first press and hold the trip stem until a group of numbers representing a particular function begins to flash. The user may then sequentially scroll through the numbers until a code representing the feature to be adjusted is found and then select that feature by pressing and holding the trip stem. Next, the user may sequentially scroll through codes representing various modes associated with the selected vehicular feature by tapping the trim stem and select amongst them by pressing and holding the trip stem. After the user selects an option mode, the control system signals an onboard processor, which then configures the corresponding vehicle feature in accordance with the desired adjustment.  
         [0004]     Though platforms utilizing a vehicle&#39;s odometer interface do enable vehicle feature customization, display and control limitations may render the customization process relatively confusing and cumbersome. Fortunately, more advanced interfaces have been developed and are becoming increasingly prevalent on motor vehicles. One such control system, referred to as a Driver Information Center (DIC), provides a display (e.g., LCD) capable of displaying several lines of characters and includes a plurality of user inputs (e.g., buttons) disposed thereon. As these interfaces are relatively new, user-friendly customization processes that take full advantage of the DIC interface have not been implemented. It should thus be appreciated that it would be desirable to provide a user-friendly feature customization process for use in conjunction with a mutli-line display/multi-input interface, such as that employed in a DIC control system.  
         [0005]     As it is increasingly important to implement a user-friendly customization process, so too is it increasingly important to implement a management system for organizing the ever-growing number of statistical items describing the status of various vehicular features (e.g., gas mileage, tire pressure, oil life, etc). A well-organized process for accessing such vehicle status data permits a user to more easily find and view desired information about his or her vehicle. It should thus also be appreciated that it would be desirable to provide a vehicle feature management process that provides a relatively straightforward process for accessing and viewing vehicle status data.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a method for customizing a selected one of a plurality of customizable vehicle features on a vehicle equipped with an onboard processor and a user interface including a display and a first plurality of user input controls. The method comprises displaying on the display a vehicle feature menu and scrolling therethrough with a first one of the plurality of user input controls. A vehicle feature mode menu is displayed on the display and is scrolled through with a first of the plurality of user input controls. The second one of the plurality of user input controls is utilized to navigate from the vehicle feature menu to the vehicle feature mode menu.  
         [0007]     According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for customizing a selected one of a plurality of customizable features on a vehicle comprising a processor onboard the vehicle, a plurality of user input controls coupled to the processor, and a display coupled to the processor. The display displays a vehicle feature menu and a vehicle feature mode menu. A first one of the plurality of user input controls is used to scroll through the vehicle feature menu and the vehicle feature mode menu and a second one of the plurality of user input controls is used to navigate therebetween.  
         [0008]     According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for customizing a plurality of adjustable features on a vehicle having an onboard processor and a user interface comprising a display and at least first and second user input controls. The method comprises displaying a first menu on the display comprising a first plurality of adjustable feature options and inputting user feature selection data via the at least first and second user input controls. The user feature selection data is used to select one of the first plurality of adjustable feature options. A second menu comprising a second plurality of feature mode options corresponding to the selected one of the first plurality of adjustable feature options is displayed on the display. User feature mode selection data is inputted via the at least first and second user input controls and used to select one of the second plurality of feature mode options. The processor processes the user feature mode selection data and the selected adjustable feature is adjusted in accordance with the user feature mode selection data. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a Driver Information Center (DIC) control system;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of the inventive vehicular data management and feature customization process for use in conjunction with a DIC control system of the type depicted in  FIG. 1  having a four-button user interface; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of the inventive vehicular data management and feature customization process for use in conjunction with a DIC control system of the type depicted in  FIG. 1  having a six-button user interface. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a Drive Information Center (DIC) control system  100 . DIC control system  100  includes a DIC user interface  118  that comprises a display  116  capable of displaying several lines of alphanumeric characters and a user control  114  having a plurality of inputs A through X (e.g., buttons) disposed thereon. Inputs A through X provided on user control  114  receive user selection data provided by a user. That is, by way of user control  114 , a user may specify a particular feature to be selected (user feature selection data), a particular mode in which a selected feature is to be placed (user feature mode selection data), a particular menu display to be accessed (user feature menu navigation data), and a particular informational item to be viewed (vehicle status selection data). User interface  118  is coupled via a serial data link to on-board processor  102 , which is similarly coupled to a Data Link Connector (DLC)  104 , a Remote Function Actuator (RFA) receiver  106 , a personalization master  108 , and an Occupant Position Device Master (OPDM)  110 . Control system  100  permits a driver to adjust an adjustable feature  112  (e.g., the seats, steering wheel, pedals, mirrors, etc.) of a motor vehicle. Additionally, control system  100  may permit the programming of conditions under which certain vehicular tasks or functions are to be performed. For example, control system  100  may be utilized to program the vehicle doors to lock at a particular vehicle speed.  
         [0015]     A vehicle may remain configured to the most recent user adjustments, or control system  100  may be switched between different groups of adjustments associated with different drivers in the well-known manner. Control system  100  may automatically configure adjustable vehicular features in accordance with a driver-specific setting group in the following way. First, personalization master  108  determines driver identity by, for example, wireless reception (via RFA receiver  106 ) of a signal emitted by a driver-specific keyfob. Personalization master  108  then transmits a corresponding driver identification signal to OPDM  110 , which stores multiple groups of settings associated with different drivers. OPDM  110  recalls the settings associated with the identified driver and customizes feature  112  accordingly. To establish a driver-specific setting group, or simply to adjust a vehicular feature, control system  100  may employ the inventive feature customization process described more fully hereinbelow.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of the inventive vehicle feature management process for use in conjunction with a DIC control system of the type depicted in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, user control  114  of DIC interface  118  ( FIG. 1 ) comprises four buttons, hereafter referred to as buttons A, B, C, and D. During the feature management process, a user utilizes buttons A, B, C, and D to navigate through an arrangement or structure of menus  200 , select features and feature modes, and access vehicle status data (e.g., gas mileage). Menu structure  200  comprises three main menu groups: a first menu group  202  showing display readings associated with a first type of information (i.e., display readings  210 ,  212 , and  214  associated with Information Type 1), a second menu group  204  showing display readings associated with a second type of information (i.e., display readings  216 ,  218 , and  220  associated with Information Type 2), and a third menu group  201  illustrating a two-level menu hierarchy comprising first level vehicle feature menu  206  and second level feature mode menu  208 .  
         [0017]     The first level of menu group  201  consists of first level feature menu  206  comprising a plurality of adjustable vehicle features (i.e., Vehicle Features 1, 2, and 3—X shown at display readings  222 ,  224 , and  226 , respectively) and an EXIT option (shown at display reading  228 ). The second level of menu group  201  consists of a plurality of menus, each of which comprises modes into which one of vehicle features 1 through X may be placed. That is, each second level feature mode menu corresponds to an adjustable vehicle feature listed in first level menu  206 . In embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , second level feature mode menu  208  corresponds to Vehicle Feature 1 shown at display reading  222 , second level feature mode menu  290  corresponds to Vehicle Feature 2 shown at display reading  224 , and second level feature mode menus  292  correspond to Vehicle Features 3 through X shown at display reading  226 . The display readings comprising second level feature mode menus  290  and  292  are not shown in  FIG. 2  for clarity.  
         [0018]     It should be appreciated that, although only three menu groups are shown in  FIG. 2  (i.e., menu groups  202 ,  204 , and  201 ), the number of menu groups employed may be varied. Additionally, although only one menu group (i.e., menu group  201 ) is shown as having a tiered hierarchy, it should be appreciated that other menu groups may comprise a hierarchy. Lastly, although menu group  201  is shown in  FIG. 2  as comprising only a two-level hierarchy, it should be understood that a menu group may comprise a tiered hierarchy of any desirable number of levels.  
         [0019]     Buttons A, B, C, and D of DIC user control  114  ( FIG. 1 ) are programmed in the following way. Button A performs two functions. First, when display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying a reading associated with menu group  202  or  204 , pressing button A will cause display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) to migrate to the last reading displayed in first level menu  206  (e.g., reading  222 ). Second, when display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying a reading associated with menu group  201 , button A may be used to scroll through display readings (e.g., for first level feature menu  206 , to scroll through readings  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228 , and back to  222 ; or, for second level feature mode menu  208 , to scroll through readings  230 ,  232 ,  234 ,  236 , and back to  230 ).  
         [0020]     Button B is programmed to select amongst menu options within menu group  201 . Button B may be pressed to choose a vehicle feature when in a vehicle feature menu (i.e., first level vehicle feature menu  206 ), or to choose a vehicle feature mode when in a vehicle feature mode menu (i.e., second level vehicle feature mode menus  208 ,  290 , or  292 ). That is, when an adjustable vehicle feature of first level feature menu  206  (e.g., Vehicle Feature 1, Vehicle Feature 2, and Vehicle Features 3—X) is shown on display  116  ( FIG. 1 ), button B may be pressed to enter the second level feature mode menu (e.g., second level feature mode menus  208 ,  290 , and  292 , respectively) comprising various modes in which the selected feature may be placed. When a feature mode of a second level feature mode menu (e.g., menu  208 ,  290 , or  290 ) is shown on display  116  ( FIG. 1 ), button B may be pressed to select the desired feature mode. After feature mode selection, display reading  116  ( FIG. 1 ) will return to the last reading displayed in the previous menu (e.g., in  FIG. 2 , display reading  222 _of first level menu  206 ) and processor  102  ( FIG. 1 ) will signal corresponding vehicle feature  112  to perform the desired adjustment  
         [0021]     As stated above, the feature modes that comprise second level feature mode menus  290  and  292  are not shown in  FIG. 2  for clarity. Instead,  FIG. 2  shows only the modes that comprise second level feature mode menu  208  (i.e., modes 1, 2, and 3—X shown at  230 ,  232 , and  234 , respectively). These modes represent potential settings in which Vehicle Feature 1 (shown at  222 ) may be placed. To reach this feature mode menu, Vehicle Feature 1 (shown at  222 ) may be selected from first level feature menu  206  by pressing button B as is shown at  272 . After feature mode menu  208  has been accessed, button A may be used to scroll through the listed feature modes (i.e., feature modes 1—X). After the desired mode is located, button B may again be pressed to select the desired feature mode (as shown at  294  for Feature 1,  296  for Feature 2, and  298  for Feature 3). Control system  100  ( FIG. 1 ) then responds in the above described manner to perform the desired adjustment.  
         [0022]     Button C is programmed similarly to button A and performs two functions. When display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying a reading associated with menu group  204  or  201 , pressing button C will cause display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) to migrate to the last reading displayed in menu group  202  (e.g., reading  210 ). When display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying a reading associated with menu group  202 , button C may be used to scroll through display readings (e.g., to scroll through reading  210 ,  212 ,  214 , and back to  210 ).  
         [0023]     Button D is programmed similarly to buttons A and C and performs two functions. When display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying a reading associated with menu group  202  or  201 , pressing button D will cause display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) to migrate to the last reading displayed in_menu group  204  (e.g., reading  216 ). When display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying a reading associated with menu group  204 , button D may be used to scroll through display readings (e.g., to scroll through reading  216 ,  218 ,  220 , and back to  216 ).  
         [0024]     As described above, buttons A, B, C, and D may be used to navigate through menu structure  200 . To view a particular item of information, a user utilizes button C or D to access the appropriate information type group (e.g., Information Type 1 group  202 , or Information Type 2 group  216 ) and scroll through the listed informational items (e.g., for Information Type 1 group  202 , Item 1 at reading  210 , Item 2 at reading  212 , and Items 3—X at reading  214 ; for Information Type 2 group  204 , Item 1 at reading  216 , Item 2 at reading  218 , and Items 3—X at reading  220 ). Information of various types may be displayed in menu grouping  202  or  204 . Information Type 1 of menu group  202  may, for example, consist of information generally regarding vehicle care (e.g., oil life), and may be referred to as VEHICLE CARE menu group  202 . VEHICLE CARE menu group  202  may comprise a number (X) of informational items of any suitable type. For example, VEHICLE CARE menu group  202  may comprise an item describing remaining oil life at display reading  210 , the number of miles until scheduled service at display reading  212 , and tire pressure and the average temperature of the engine at display reading  214 , etc.  
         [0025]     Using the exemplary feature and mode assignments just described, a user might view the number of miles until scheduled service (Item 2 of Information Type 1 displayed at reading  212  in menu group  202 ) in the following way. To begin, the user accesses VEHICLE CARE menu group  202  by pressing button C from any display reading other than one associated with menu group  202 . This is shown at  258  if display reading  116  ( FIG. 1 ) is currently displaying a reading associated with menu group  204 , at  274  if the current display reading is associated with menu group  206 , or at  288  if the current display reading is associated with menu group  208 . After VEHICLE CARE menu group  202  has been accessed, display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) may migrate to the last reading displayed in menu group  202 . For example, display  116  may display reading  210 , which is, in accordance with the present example, an informational item describing oil life. Button C is then pressed (shown at  240 ) to progress from display reading  210  to display reading  212  (i.e., the number of miles until scheduled service). To view additional information associated with VEHICLE CARE, a user may continue to press button C and thereby scroll through the remaining display readings (i.e., display reading  214 ). When the last item and display reading is reached (e.g. Item X of display reading  214 ), pressing button C will return display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) to the first item and display reading in menu  202  (i.e., Item 1 and reading  210 ).  
         [0026]     As stated above, a variety of types of information may be displayed in a menu grouping. Information Type 2 of menu group  204  may, for example, comprise information generally regarding vehicle travel (e.g., statistics relating to fuel use and distances traveled), and may be referred to as the TRIP/FUEL menu group. TRIP/FUEL menu group  204  may comprise a number (X) of informational items of any suitable type. For example, TRIP/FUEL menu group  204  may comprise an item describing gas mileage at display reading  216 , the average number of miles traveled per spent gas tank at display reading  218 , and the number of remaining miles able to be traveled before the gas supply is exhausted, the number of miles the vehicle has traveled during the current excursion, and the direction the vehicle is traveling at display reading  220 , etc.  
         [0027]     Viewing an item within TRIP/FUEL menu group  204  may be accomplished in much the same way an as viewing an item within menu group  202 . That is, menu structure  200  is designed such that the last displayed reading of Information Type 2 menu group  204  can be accessed by pressing D from any display reading associated with menu groups  202  or  201  (as represented at  248  for menu group  202 ,  270  for menu group  206 , and  286  for menu group  208 ). However, unlike menu group  202 , menu group  204  may be accessed by selecting an EXIT option provided as the last option (reading  228 ) of first level menu group  206  with button B, as will be more fully discussed hereinbelow. Pressing button D while viewing a reading associated with menu group  204  scrolls through the display readings in the above described manner.  
         [0028]     In  FIG. 2 , vehicle feature customization is primarily accomplished by navigating through and selecting amongst readings within menu group  201  with buttons A and B. To begin the customization process, first level feature menu  206  may be accessed by pressing button A from any display reading not associated with menu group  201  (i.e., menu group  202  or  204  as shown at  246  and  256 , respectively), or by selecting the EXIT option with button B provided as the last option of all second level feature mode menus (e.g., reading  236  of second level feature mode menu  208  as shown at  284 ). After first level menu  206  has been accessed, display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) may migrate from its former reading to the last reading displayed in first level menu  206 . For illustrative purposes, the following assumes that the last reading displayed in first level menu  206  was display reading  222 .  
         [0029]     From the first display reading of first level feature menu  206  (i.e., display reading  222 ), one of two paths may be taken: (1) the second level menu group associated with the currently displayed vehicle feature (i.e., second level menu group  208  associated with Vehicle Feature 1 displayed at  222 ) may be accessed by pressing button B as is shown at  272 , or (2) the next display reading and vehicle feature (i.e., display reading  224  and Vehicle Feature 2) may be reached by pressing button A as shown at  260 . If button A is pressed, display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) migrates from reading  222  to  224  and the user will once again be confronted with the two possible paths: (1) the second level menu group associated with the currently displayed vehicle feature (i.e., a second level menu group  290  associated with Vehicle Feature 2 displayed at  224 ) may be accessed by pressing button B as shown at  273 , or (2) the next display reading and vehicle feature (i.e., display reading  226  and Vehicle Feature 3) may be reached by pressing button A as shown at  262 . This process of navigating through first level menu  206  is repeated until (1) a second level feature mode menu is accessed, or (2) all display readings (i.e., display readings  222 ,  224 , and  226 ) have been scrolled through, in which case display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) may display an EXIT option (i.e., reading  228 ). A user may select this EXIT option (i.e., reading  228 ) by pressing button B as is shown at  268  and thereby cause display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) to migrate to the last reading displayed in_a different menu group (e.g., menu group  204 ). Alternatively, button A may be pressed as shown at  266  to return display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) to the first display reading in menu group  206  (i.e., display reading  222 ).  
         [0030]     After a vehicle feature has been selected in the above-described manner, display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) migrates from first level feature menu  206  to a second level feature mode menu. As stated above, only the display readings comprising second level menu  208  are shown in  FIG. 2  for simplicity. Second level feature mode menu  208  is associated with Vehicle Feature 1 identified in display reading  222 , and comprises modes into which Vehicle Feature 1 may be placed. A user may select amongst these modes by: (1) locating the desired mode by scrolling through display readings (i.e., readings  230 ,  232 , and  234 ) with button A (as shown at  276 ,  278 , and  280 , respectively), and (2) by selecting the desired mode with button B (as shown at  294 ,  296 , and  298 , respectively). After a mode is selected, display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) may return to, for example, the last reading displayed in the previous menu (e.g., reading  222  of first level menu  206 ). If a user scrolls through all feature modes, display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) may display an EXIT option (i.e., display reading  236 ). A user may select this EXIT option (i.e., display reading  236 ) by pressing button B as is shown at  284  and thereby cause display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) to migrate to, for example, the last reading displayed in the previous menu (e.g., reading  222  of first level feature menu  206 ), or button A may be pressed as shown at  282  to return display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) to the first display reading (i.e., display reading  230 ) in the menu currently viewed (i.e., second level feature mode menu  208 ). If desired, an indication means (e.g., a signal, such as a check mark or a textbox) may be provided on each second level feature mode menu proximate the feature mode option representative of the current feature mode setting. In this way, a user may be provided with a visual indication of the mode in which a given feature is currently operating.  
         [0031]     First level feature menu  206  may comprise a variety of adjustable vehicle features. For example, Vehicle Feature 1 (display reading  222 ) may be KEYFOB DOOR LOCK RESPONSE OPTIONS, Vehicle Feature 2 (display reading  224 ) may be DISPLAY LANGUAGE OPTIONS, Vehicle Feature 3 (display reading  226 ) may be AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK OPTIONS, Vehicle Feature 4 (display reading  226 ) may be RIDE FEEL OPTIONS, Vehicle Feature  5  (display reading  226 ) may be AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT OPTIONS, etc. As explained above, each adjustable vehicle feature has a plurality of modes associated therewith displayed in a second level feature mode menu of menu group  201 , which may be accessed by pressing button B when the feature is displayed on display  116  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, Vehicle Feature 1 may be KEYFOB DOOR LOCK RESPONSE OPTIONS and have a second level feature mode menu (i.e., second level feature mode menu  208 ) associated therewith comprising various modes in which the KEYFOB DOOR LOCK RESPONSE may be placed. These modes might include HORN CHIRP as Mode 1 at  230 , FLASH LIGHTS as Mode 2 at  232 , HORN CHIRP AND FLASH LIGHTS as Mode 3 at  234 , and NO RESPONSE as Mode 4 at  234 .  
         [0032]     To further illustrate a Vehicle feature and mode assignment, the following relates to the way in which a user might customize the KEYFOB DOOR LOCK RESPONSE feature (i.e., the user feedback provided when a vehicle receives a wireless door lock signal) to select a HORN CHIRP AND FLASH LIGHTS mode (i.e., the vehicle briefly sounds the horn and flashes the lights). To begin, first level menu  206  is accessed in the above-described manner. This may cause display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) to display the last reading displayed in first level menu  206 . For example, display  116  may display the first reading (i.e., reading  222 ) of first level menu  206 , which happens to be the feature the user wishes to adjust (i.e., feature 1, which is, in this example, KEYFOB DOOR LOCK RESPONSE OPTIONS). The user selects this feature by pressing button B as is shown  272 . This causes display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) to migrate from display reading  222  of first level feature menu  206  to display reading  230  of second level feature mode menu  208 . The first feature mode displayed for KEYFOB DOOR LOCK RESPONSE is HORN CHIRP, which is shown as Mode 1 at display reading  230  in  FIG. 2 . Button A is then pressed twice to progress from display reading  230  to display reading  232  and display reading  232  to display reading  234  as is shown at  276  and  278 , respectively. At display reading  234 , display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) displays Mode 3, HORN CHIRP AND FLASH LIGHTS. As this is the mode the user desires, button B is pressed and the HORN CHIRP AND FLASH LIGHTS mode is selected. Display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) then returns to the display reading last displayed in the previous menu (e.g., reading  222  of first level menu  206 ), and processor  102  ( FIG. 1 ) signals the corresponding Vehicle Feature  112  (i.e., KEYFOB DOOR LOCK RESPONSE) to accomplish the desired adjustment.  
         [0033]     As stated above, second level feature mode menus  290  and  292  associated with Vehicle Features 2 and 3 through X, respectively, have not been shown in  FIG. 2  for clarity. However, the following modes may be made available for the exemplary features just set forth: modes for Vehicle Feature DISPLAY LANGUAGE may include ENGLISH, FRENCH, and SPANISH; modes for Vehicle Feature AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK may include LOCK WHEN IN GEAR, LOCK WHEN 5 MPH, DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK; modes for Vehicle Feature RIDE FEEL may include NORMAL, COMFORT, SPORT, PERFORMANCE, and TOURING; and modes for Vehicle Feature AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS may include AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON WHEN DARK and DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON. Other adjustable vehicle features might include: KEYFOB DOOR UNLOCK RESPONSE, EASY KEY LOCKING/UNLOCKING RESPONSE, AUTOMATIC DOOR UNLOCK, VEHICLE EXIT LIGHT TIMING, SMART HIGH BEAM LIGHT, CHIME VOLUME, HORN CHIRP VOLUME, PARKING TILT MIRRORS, DRIVER SEAT ENTRY, ENTRY/EXIT VEHICLE LOWERING/KNEELING, MEMORY SEAT REMOTE RECALL, REMOTE START, VEHICLE LOAD AUTO ADJUST, VEHICLE SHIFT FEEL, ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, RAIN-SENSING WIPERS, etc.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of the inventive vehicle feature management process for use in conjunction with a DIC control system of the type depicted in  FIG. 1  having a six-button user control  114  ( FIG. 1 ). In this embodiment, user control  114  of DIC interface  118  ( FIG. 1 ) comprises six buttons, hereafter referred to as buttons A, B, C, D, E, and F. During the feature management process, a user utilizes buttons A, B, C, D, E, and F to navigate through and select amongst readings provided within menu structure  200  described hereinabove.  
         [0035]     Buttons A, B, C, and D of user control  114  ( FIG. 1 ) are programmed as described above in conjunction with  FIG. 2 . In accordance with the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 , additional buttons E and F of user control  114  ( FIG. 1 ) are provided for scrolling up and down, respectively, through the menu display readings. For example, display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) will migrate from display reading  224  to display reading  222  when button E is pressed as is shown at  332 . Conversely, display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) will migrate from display reading  222  to display reading  224  when button F is pressed as is shown at  324 . In this way, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  may make navigation through menu structure  200  easier and quicker.  
         [0036]     It should be appreciated that, if desired, the inventive vehicle feature management process may include a time-out function wherein display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) automatically migrates to a particular reading when no user input is received during a predetermined amount of time. For example, display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) may automatically return to the last reading displayed in a menu group (e.g., menu group  204  described above as the FUEL/TRIP menu group) after no user input has been received during period of fifteen seconds.  
         [0037]     It should further be appreciated that menus employed in the inventive feature management process may be shown on display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) in a variety of ways. For example, the menu options comprising a given menu may be displayed one at a time. In this case, scrolling through menu options may result in display  116  ( FIG. 1 ) migrating in its entirety from the former menu option to the current menu option in accordance with user input. Alternatively, menu options comprising a given menu may be showed jointly. In this case, scrolling through menu options may simply move an indication means (e.g., a symbol such as a check or a text box) from the former menu option to the current menu option in accordance with user input.  
         [0038]     Thus, there has been provided a vehicle data and feature management process comprising a user-friendly data retrieval and feature customization process for use in conjunction with a mutli-line display/multi-input interface, such as employed by a Driver Information Center (DIC) control system utilizing a plurality of user control inputs.  
         [0039]     While multiple embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. For example, while the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  utilize four and six buttons, respectively, a different number of controls may be utilized. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.