Abstract:
A method and an apparatus are provided for displaying operational information of an automobile on a signal processing device within an interior cabin of the automobile. The apparatus comprises a first automobile control module configured to generate a first output signal corresponding to the operational information of the automobile and an interface circuit configured to couple the signal processing unit and the first automobile control module. The first interface circuit has a signal translating circuit that is configured to convert the first output signal for use by the signal processing device in displaying the operational information of the automobile. The apparatus also comprises a holder associated with the interface circuit and configured to removably attach the signal processing device to the interior cabin space of the automobile.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for processing information provided by modules of a vehicle control system that are monitoring various events, and more particularly relates to displaying selected items of such information in graphical form to a driver or other user of the vehicle.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Many kinds of mechanical equipment utilize electrical sensors or transducers to provide electrical output signals for measuring parameters and/or identifying physical events related to the operation and condition of vehicular systems. Such output signals can be processed and displayed on a screen viewable by the driver or other user of the vehicle. The amount of information capable of being displayed is increasing as motorized vehicles continue to evolve. For instance, the recently introduced Parallel Hybrid Vehicle (PHV) utilizes an Internal Combustion (IC) engine and/or an Electric Motor (EM) to provide power to the vehicle drive wheels. There are significantly more modes of operation inherent in this PHV than in an older conventional vehicle having only an IC engine. These PHV operating modes include IC engine only, EM only, combined IC and EM and regenerative electric braking, for instance. With the exception of the IC engine only mode, these are all new modes of operation to most vehicle operators. Moreover conventional power trains also either presently include or are planned to include new technologies such as variable valve timing, displacement on demand, and alternative transmission shifting schedules, for example.  
         [0003]     Presently information from vehicle control modules are displayed on custom, purpose built monitor systems having screens that are permanently installed in vehicles. Graphical and textual images on such screens presently provide limited graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to vehicle operators and/or technicians. However, such prior art solutions tend to be undesirably inflexible, expensive and limited in the scope of the information presented. For instance, prior art purpose built GUIs do not have the flexibility to simultaneously serve as information providers, diagnostic tools and teaching tools. Also, prior art GUIs that are integrated into vehicle dashboards require significant investments in engineering time and piece part costs. Moreover, such prior art GUIs generally do not display fuel savings from the operations of the previously mentioned new PHV and IC engine technologies that are designed to be mostly transparent to the vehicle operators and passengers. Also, as mentioned, one such new IC engine technology involves cylinder displacement on demand, which changes the number of active cylinders of an IC engine in response to changes in engine loading. A vehicle operator or driver may be aware of driveline events associated with changes in the displacement on demand system or changes in the mode of operation of a PHV system, but not know what specific vehicle operations are causing them.  
         [0004]     Some customers or drivers prefer technology to be transparent. These customers do not want to be aware of the inter-workings and operation of their vehicles. Instead such customers only want to enjoy the benefits of the technology and are likely to be annoyed by purpose built GUIs that are integrated into vehicle dashboards. Unfortunately, such displays cannot be easily removed from the vehicle and thus can take up space that might be utilized for other applications. Other drivers or customers however view the new technologies as an important feature and are interested in viewing the new functions and the operations thereof.  
         [0005]     In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that it is desirable to provide an inexpensive method and an apparatus providing a GUI for displaying selected information from vehicle control modules in a new and meaningful way. It is also desirable for such GUIs to provide a teaching tool for vehicle sales people, drivers, potential customers and other vehicle users. Furthermore, it is desirable for the apparatus and method to facilitate the logging of diagnostic data related to vehicular technologies so that such data can be provided to original equipment manufacturers or technicians. Moreover, it is desirable that such methods and apparatus have either no changes or only minimal changes in the other portions of the overall vehicle system. In addition, it is desirable that signal processing devices and display screens providing such GUIs be easily removed by users who prefer the technology to be transparent from vehicles without impacting such vehicles. Furthermore, it is desirable that such method and apparatus utilize Commercial Of The Shelf (COTS) products that can be reprogrammed as the need arises. Such uses of COTS products decrease costs and provide flexibility. Additionally, it is desired that such apparatus utilize diagnostic ports that are either already installed or planned to be installed in the interiors of the cabins of modern automotive vehicles. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent brief summary, detailed description, appended claims, and abstract, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY  
       [0006]     A method is provided for displaying operational information of an automobile on a signal processing device within an interior cabin of the automobile. The apparatus comprises a first automobile control module configured to generate a first output signal corresponding to the operational information of the automobile and an interface circuit configured to couple the signal processing unit and the first automobile control module. The first interface circuit has a signal translating circuit that is configured to convert the first output signal for use by the signal processing device in displaying the operational information of the automobile. The apparatus also comprises a holder associated with the interface circuit and configured to removably attach the signal processing device to the interior cabin space of the automobile.  
         [0007]     In addition to the apparatus, methods are provide for displaying operational information of an automobile on a signal processing device within an interior cabin of the automobile. The method comprises the steps of receiving output signals corresponding to the operational information of the automobile and modifying the output signals to provide modified output signals for use by the signal processing device in displaying the operational information of the automobile. The method also comprises the steps of selecting at least one of the modified output signals and displaying the operational information of the automobile corresponding to the at least one of the modified output signals on the signal processing device within the interior cabin of the automobile. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers denote like elements, and  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a view of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) affixed to the dashboard of a motorized vehicle;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2A  shows a front view and  FIG. 2B  shows an end view of the PDA of  FIG. 1  in a holder that enables the PDA to be easily removed from the dashboard;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a simplified general diagram of an automotive control system including the PDA of  FIG. 1  and an interface device for the PDA of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the interface device of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method of an exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 6A, 6B ,  6 C and  6 D show PDA screens with various displays; and  
         [0015]      FIGS. 7A, 7B  and  7 C show PDA screen concepts related to vehicle fuel usage;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 8A, 8B  and  8 C show various PDA screen concepts; and  
         [0017]      FIGS. 9A, 9B  and  9 C show PDA screen concepts related to the modes of operation of a parallel hybrid vehicle. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a signal processing device or personal digital assistant (PDA)  10  is shown affixed to the dashboard  14  within the interior  16  of the cabin space of a motorized vehicle (not shown) and preferably within easy reach of the hand  18  of an operator. PDA  10  can be a COTS device such as a commonly available Palm Pilot, for instance. A holder or docking device  20  that can be similar to a cell phone holder enables PDA  10  to be easily removed from the vehicle if PDA  10  is not needed, thus freeing up the space otherwise taken by PDA  10 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 2 A  shows a front view and  FIG. 2B  shows an end view of the PDA  10  and the holder or docking device  20 . PDA  10  includes a screen  22  for displaying graphical information  24  and/or textual information  25 . A user generally operates PDA  10  by using known controls such as a wiggle-stick, stylus, a finger actuated to pad, for example. (not shown) and/or buttons  27 . Holder  20  preferably has top, bottom and side members  26  for gripping the case of the PDA  10 .  FIG. 2B  shows the back surface  28  of holder  20 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a simplified general diagram of an automotive control system  30  in which an exemplary embodiment of this invention is utilized and which includes an interface device  32  for PDA  10 . In this illustrative example, system  30  includes an engine control module  34 , a transmission control module  36  and a body control module  38  that are of known configurations. For PHV applications, a hybrid module  40  is also preferably included in the system  30 . Each of these modules ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 ) or other modules include sensors providing output signals or data indicative of monitored events or parameters. A vehicle Controller Area Network (CAN) bus  42  electrically connects or conducts in a known manner the data from modules ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ) to a commonly used vehicle diagnostic port  44 . Port  44  is located in the interior  16  of the cabin space for the vehicle driver as indicated by dashed block  46 . A PDA interface  32  is arranged to plug into or mate with port  44 . Cable  48  and connector  50  connect PDA interface  32  to PDA  10  as indicated by dashed block  52 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a block diagram for the PDA interface and signal translating device  32  of  FIG. 3 . Diagnostic port  44  provides power on conductor  60  for the components of PDA interface  32 . Also, port  44  provides data from CAN  42  through conductor  62  to an Input/Output (I/O) device  64 . Two way conductor  66  interconnects I/O device  64  with a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  68  that may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers. Two-way conductors ( 70 ,  72 ) respectively interconnect CPU  68  with read only memory (ROM)  74  and random access memory (RAM)  76 . Conductor  78  connects the output of I/O  64  to cable  48 . In operation, PDA interface  32  translates the data from CAN  42  into serial data that can be processed by PDA  10 . I/O  64  provides any necessary shifts in the levels of such data. In addition, ROM  74  provides temporary memory storage of such data. CPU  68  performs and controls logic operations under the directions of programs stored in RAM  76 .  
         [0023]     PDA  10  effectuates a GUI method  100  for displaying real-time data in the form of meaningful screens indicating vehicle operation. Method  100  is shown by the flow chart of  FIG. 5  and provides another preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The data is selected either by a user or selected automatically, such as for mode display data. The apparatuses ( 30 ,  32 ) respectively of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  effectuate method  100 . Specifically, the processor or processors  68  and memories ( 74 ,  76 ) in PDA interface block  32  of  FIG. 4  are configured to cooperate with PDA  10  to perform the steps of method  100 . The series of steps carried out in PDA interface  32  can be stored as a sequence of controller steps in ROM  76 .  
         [0024]     Generally, method  100  has either a user controlled or a vehicle mode controlled state of operation. More specifically, a processing cycle of method  100  of  FIG. 5  begins with step  102  in response to an interrupt signal. This interrupt signal causes I/O module  64  of  FIG. 4  to read the vehicle CAN signals per input step  104  and deliver corresponding signals to CPU  68 . The CAN signals are then translated into serial data per function step  106  by interface  32 .  
         [0025]     In decision step  108  the user determines whether to view user selected data or vehicle determined data such as the mode changes of a hybrid vehicle, for instance. If user selected data as indicated by the method flow line  109  is chosen then the PDA  10  is directed to lookup a particular predetermined graphic and/or text per function step  110 . Next, the graphic and/or text is displayed by PDA  10  per step  112 . Alternatively, if hybrid mode change is selected as indicated by the method flow line  113 , then decision step  114  determines whether the vehicle mode has changed. If the answer is No, then the present mode continues to be displayed per function step  116 . On the other hand, if the mode has changed then the answer is Yes and function step  117  causes the appropriate graphic and/or text to be retrieved and displayed per step  118 . PDA  10  continues to repeat per step  120  some or all of the above-described steps until a user shuts down PDA  10  per the “END” step  122 .  
         [0026]     The following GUI Storyboard descriptions provide Screen Concepts in Column 1 for PDA  10  corresponding to the Hybrid Powertrain of Column 2 and Expected Actions for PDA  10  of Column 3. Storyboard 1 and  FIGS. 6A, 6B ,  6 C and  6 D depict a variety of screen concepts.  
       Storyboard 1  
       [0027]                                            Column 1   Column 2   Column 3                   Screens   Hybrid Powertrain   Expected Action       shown by:           Key On   Display GM Powered Logo               and a key state message.           Battery State of Charge   Display an animated battery that               changes with state of charge           Upon User Request   Display interactive introduction               to teaching tool for PHV.               Multiple pages.                    
 More specifically, referring to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6A , upon the initial start up step  102  of method  100 , CPU  68  is programmed to automatically provide signals through I/O  64 , which cause PDA  10  to look up and display logo  130  and text  132  on the screen  22 . This action corresponds to steps  110  and  112  of method  100 . Next data is obtained from the HCM  40  of  FIG. 3  relating to the state of EM battery charge and the level  134  of graphic  136  is adjusted by PDA  10  either automatically or upon user request per step  108  as shown in  FIG. 6B . The user could then choose Tech Reference from the menu  138  shown in  FIG. 6C  to cause PDA  10  to look up and show the display related to a teaching tool for the PHV indicated by the text and graphical images  138  of  FIG. 6C . In this case, multiple pages beginning with the page shown in  FIG. 6D  are displayed by PDA  10 . The teaching tool provides insight to sales people, drivers and/or customers into the motivation and the workings of the new technology. 
 
         [0028]     Storyboard 2 assumes the user has chosen to view Fuel Economy Info from menu  138  of  FIG. 6C .  
       Storyboard 2  
       [0029]                                            Column 1   Column 2   Column 3                   Screen Concepts   Hybrid Powertrain   Expected Action       shown by:           Upon key off or user   Display message           request   “Est. Fuel Economy Today”               Use BSFC/Odo formulas           Upon user request   Display message               “Estimated Fuel Economy               Since Purchase” Store               these values           Decel Fuel Cut off   Display message               “Fuel Saved By Decel Fuel               Cut Off”                    
 As used herein, BSFC refers to a Brake Specific Fuel Consumption signal and Odo refers to an odometer signal indicating how many miles the vehicle has traveled. Generally, when the driver or other user requests detailed real time selected data per method flow line  109  of  FIG. 5 , then calculations can be made within PDA  10  to turn the serial data from interface  32  into meaningful information and graphics. For instance, if Fuel Economy Info is selected from menu  138  of  FIG. 6C  by a user then the BSFC fuel rate from ECM  34  and the Odo signals from BCM  38  can be used to calculate either the amount of fuel saved or the Fuel Economy (FE) of a hybrid vehicle. These amounts can be respectively compared to the amount of fuel saved or to the fuel economy of a comparable traditional, non-hybrid vehicle. Specifically,  FIG. 7A  shows a bar graph  150  indicating Estimated Fuel Economy Today of the hybrid vehicle and another bar graph  152  indicating the FE of the traditional vehicle. Also,  FIG. 7B  shows a bar graph  154  indicating Estimated FE since purchase of the hybrid vehicle and another bar graph  156  indicating the estimated FE of the traditional vehicle. 
 
         [0030]      FIG. 7C  shows a graphic representation or ICON of the main functional parts of a parallel hybrid vehicle  160  having an engine  162  and an EM  164 . The graphic of  FIG. 7C  indicates the hybrid vehicle is in a deceleration fuel cutoff mode (Decel Fuel Cut Off). The Decel Fuel Cut Off (DFCO) graphic of  FIG. 7C  occurs when ECM  34  has detected that that the driver has lifted his/her foot off of the accelerator and that the vehicle is coasting and/or decelerating so that the fuel to the IC engine  162  is cutoff thus saving additional fuel. Specifically, the circular graphic  163  on the IC engine  162  indicates that the IC engine is inoperative. The rectangular graphic  165  on the EM  164  indicates that the electric motor is operative and supplying power through the transmission  166  to the rear drive wheels ( 167 ,  168 ) as indicated by respective arrows ( 170 ,  172 ). Hence, the graphical representation of  FIG. 7C  indicates which of the main part of hybrid vehicle  160  are operational during the DFCO mode of operation. Power plug  174  is connected through vehicle power line  176  to storage battery  178 . Plug  174  mates with the outlet of an appropriate source of electrical power (not shown) for charging battery  178 .  
         [0031]     The following Storyboard 3 occurs in response to the user selecting Real Time Detailed Display from PDA menu  138  of  FIG. 6C . Selection of the real time display enables the driver to view selected details about the operation of the vehicle rather then just pop up images such as those displayed in response to selection of Real Time Mode Display from menu  138  corresponding to the powertrain modes. IEO refers to the off time of the IC engine and PT refers to powertrain.  
       Storyboard 3  
       [0032]                                            Column 1   Column 2   Column 3                   Screen Concepts   Hybrid   Expected Action       shown by:   Powertrain           Upon key off   Display message:           or user request   “unfueled engine” fuel savings               over traditional PT”,               Use cumulative IEO time X               traditional idle fuel rate = gallons           Upon user   Display message           request   “EM torque”,               Give some indication of hybrid               operation and events           Torque   Display message           Smoothing   “Fuel Saved by Fuel Cutoff”, for               IEO or DFCO                    
 Such detailed data includes bar graph  180  of  FIG. 8A  that indicates the amount of fuel saved. Also, the data includes line graph  182  of  FIG. 8B  that indicates EM torque percent (%) measured by ordinate axis  184  as a function of a rolling time scale indicated by abscissa  186 . An interested driver can correlate the increases and decreases of the magnitude of graph  182  with events either felt or not felt while driving the hybrid vehicle. For instance, point  188  could represent that the EM is working with to the IC engine to provide increased performance. A graph such as  182  could also be used to represent the displacement on demand operation of an IC engine.  FIG. 8C  indicates that fuel  190  is being saved  192  because of fuel cutoff due to either IEO or DFCO. 
 
         [0033]     The following Storyboard 4 occurs in response to the user selecting “Real Time Mode Display” from the menu  138  of  FIG. 6C . Storyboard 4 and  FIGS. 9A, 9B  and  9 C relate to various modes of operation of the parallel hybrid vehicle  160 .  
       Storyboard 4  
       [0034]                                            Column 1   Column 2   Column 3                   Screen Concepts   Hybrid Powertrain   Expected Action       shown by:   State           IC Engine Off   Display message               “Engine Off”           Regeneration through   Display message           Electric Machine   “Energy Regeneration”           Torque Smoothing   Display message               “Hybrid Fuel Saving Enabled”                    
 In the case of Storyboard 4, steps  114 ,  116  or  117  and  118  of method  100  of  FIG. 5  are effectuated in response to signals from HCM  40 .  FIG. 9A  shows the IC Engine Off graphic  163  on engine  162 .  FIG. 9B  shows the Energy Regeneration mode wherein the drive wheels  166  and  168  turn EM  164  as indicated by dotted arrow  198  that operates as a generator to recharge battery  178 . Arrow  200  of  FIG. 9C  indicates that IC engine  162  and EM  164  are operating together to provide power to drive wheels  167  and  168  to effectuate the Hybrid Fuel Savings Enabled mode. 
 
         [0035]     PDA  10  can be configured to log data related to PHV  160  on an ongoing basis. Also, PDA  10  can sense if there has been a malfunction signal sent from any of the vehicle controllers and PDA  10  can link back in time and save logged data. This logged data can be downloaded to a personal computer and emailed to technical support to help diagnose malfunctions. Also, the above-described concepts can be extended to other applications of new technologies such as displacement on demand, variable valve timing and continuously variable transmission. In these cases, signals can are also obtained from any or all of respective vehicle control modules ECM  34 , TCM  36  and/or BCM  38  and interface  32  is utilized to control other displays programmed into PDA  10 .  
         [0036]     Thus an inexpensive method  100  and an apparatus  30  has been described for providing a GUI for displaying selected information from existing motorized vehicle control modules of  FIG. 3  in a new and meaningful way. The disclosed GUI is suitable for providing a teaching tool for vehicle sales people, operators and customers. Furthermore, the apparatus  30  and method  100  facilitate logging of diagnostic data related to new technologies so that such data can be provided to original equipment manufacturers. Moreover, the method  100  and apparatus  30  requires either no or only minimal changes in the other portions of the overall vehicle system such as either wiring changes or the redesign of the vehicle. This is because circuit  32  of apparatus  30  is located in a plug which mates with the vehicle diagnostic port  44 . In addition customers who prefer that technology be transparent can easily remove the PDA  10 , cable  48  and interface  32  from a vehicle. Furthermore method  100  and apparatus  30  utilize COTS such as PDA  10  that can be reprogrammed as the need arises. Such uses of COTS decrease costs and provide flexibility.  
         [0037]     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that these exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in any exemplary embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.