Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Animation processing method – Sprite processing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-28
2004-11-02
Kincaid, Kristine (Department: 2174)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Animation processing method
Sprite processing
C345S215000, C345S215000, C701S007000, C701S036000, C701S211000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06812942
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of in-vehicle dashboard displays, particularly displays for driver-control of in-vehicle devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The number and complexity of driver-controllable in-vehicle devices has grown rapidly in the last several years and is anticipated to further increase in the future. Such devices include audio systems, televisions, telephones, air conditioners, GPS, Internet browsers and other Internet or wireless communication-based systems. A vehicle driver also has control of positioning of vehicular components such as seat, window, roof and mirror positions, many of which can be adjusted by the driver by use of switches located in proximity to the driver. In addition to these accessories, the driver must also control driving functions such as vehicle speed, and engine RPM, which are monitored by responsible drivers. Many functions which are not directly manipulated by the driver, e.g. engine temperature, are displayed on a dashboard and are monitored by the driver and if necessary, the driver chooses actions in response to such displays. While some in-vehicle devices are typically positioned to be controllable or manipulable by a front-seat passenger, all in-vehicle devices are usually designed and positioned to be used by the driver.
Controlling this multiplicity of in-vehicle devices provides a potential safety hazard for the driver himself, and as a consequence, for all the passengers and other road users. Factors that distract the driver's attention from the road and the task of driving are potential safety hazards and should be minimized.
The major factors that reduce the driver's attention to his driving include:
i) devices with a complex interface that require a large amount of user attention to operate. For example, many car phones have a display that identifies the caller. These displays are often small and difficult to read, especially in poor lighting conditions, causing a driver to remove his attention from the road and from the driving for longer periods of time. Other examples of activities that require substantial amounts of driver attention include manually tuning a radio and selecting songs from a CD list of titles.
ii) positioning of the devices in the vehicle in a way that requires the driver to turn his head away from the road, and not merely to glance away from the road. The typical positioning of audio systems and telephones in the mid-point of the dashboard between the driver and the front passenger seat are examples of this sort of dangerous positioning.
iii) a lack of familiarity with the devices. Many different vehicle manufacturers use different interfaces for their in-vehicle systems. Unfamiliarity with the vehicle, such as when driving a new car or a rental car, will increase the length of time it takes the driver to locate and select the intended ‘button’ or function, and increases the length of time that a driver removes his attention from the road.
iv) increased number of devices. The greater the number of devices controlled by the driver, the longer the amount of time a driver spends not concentrating on driving.
v) devices that distract the driver when in use, i.e. telephone conversations, and devices that as part of their use require the driver to make decisions based upon information provided therefrom, such as GPS.
Skrzycki, in an article entitled “Driver Distractions get NHTSA's Attention”,
Washington Post
, Jun. 13, 2000, quotes the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Deputy Administrator as saying “anything that distracts the driver from their primary task is something that concerns us, whether it is talking on the phone, eating fast food or getting stock quotes from the Internet”.
The use of mobile telephones in vehicles, and approaches to allow them to become more hands-free and thus minimize driver distraction, is described in “Drivers Use of Telecom Devices is Focus of NHTSA Research”,
Communications Daily
, 39, 20, Feb. 28, 2000; and in “Motorola Bluetooth Hands Free Car Kit”, http://www.motorola.com/bluetooth/products/products_carkit.html.
There is thus a clear need in the art for an improved method and system for controlling the multiplicity of in-vehicle devices which minimizes the distraction to drivers and which thus contributes to road safety.
Kantowitz and Moyer, in an article entitled “Integration of Driver In-vehicle ITS information”, http://www.driverdistraction.org/Topics.asp?Track=4&Level=3 & Topic=10&Doc=28#A28, May 31, 2000, incorporated herein by reference, describe approaches for the integration of three categories of in-vehicle information systems: safety and collision avoidance, travel information, and convenience and entertainment. While emphasizing the importance of integrating all in-vehicle information systems to reduce the demands placed on a driver and therefore to increase safety, Kantowitz and Moyer do not propose any particular solution for presenting integrated information to the driver.
The Communiport® Mobile MultiMedia System by Delphi Automotive Systems is a product that controls many in-vehicle systems from a flat bed panel separated from, and in addition to, the traditional dashboard display. Communiport® is described at http://www.delphiauto.com/index.cfm?location=345, and in the following articles: “Delphi and Palm Demonstrate Mobile Multimedia Products and Services”,
PR News Wire
, Apr. 18, 2000; “Delphi Communications Technologies Keep Drivers in Touch and at Ease”,
PR News Wire
, Jun. 12, 2000; “Delphi's Communiport®: Technology for Tomorrow, Today Demonstrated at Frankfurt Auto Show”, http://www.theautochannel.com, Sep. 15, 1999; and “Electricity builds for Convergence 2000” by K. Buchholz, http://www.sae.org/automag/convergence/index.htm.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,598 to Asakawa et al. discloses a head up display unit equipped with a transparent and flat image information display screen, suitable for positioning anywhere in the interior of a vehicle. External scene information and simple display information are superimposed upon the screen.
The disclosures of each and every one of the publications mentioned in this section and in other sections of the specification, are incorporated herein by reference, each in its entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a new in-vehicle dashboard display that acts as the main interface between the driver and all or most in-vehicle systems. The display is preferably controlled by a central processing unit that manages each of the in-vehicle systems or communicates with the in-vehicle systems, and which controls the communication between the user and the in-vehicle display.
The display system of preferred embodiments of the present invention is context dependent, i.e. the choice of graphic interface elements and/or the size or position of graphic interface elements appearing in the display changes in response to a particular event or situation. This is in contrast to the prior art dashboard displays which always contain the same combination of dials and other indicators, which also do not change their size or position on the dashboard display. The display system typically comprises a default driving display showing a representation of all the major driving functions normally shown on a dashboard display, such as speed, engine RPM (revolutions per minute), and fuel and temperature gauges. In addition, the display typically shows buttons, images or icons relating to other in-vehicle systems such as radio, CD player, telephone, global positioning system (GPS) and air conditioning. Selecting the button for a particular function preferably alters the position or size of components shown on the display, bringing up an image on the display which is related to the usage of that selected function, and the display can be used to control the function. Additionally or alternatively, upon an event not initiated by the driver, such as receipt of an incoming telephone call or email,
Darby & Darby
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kincaid Kristine
Nguyen Nhon D
LandOfFree
Context-responsive in-vehicle display system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Context-responsive in-vehicle display system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Context-responsive in-vehicle display system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3293404