Control system comprising first, second, and third inputs and first, second, and third displays, and a method of operating the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12043115-B2
Application number	US-202117539566-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 1, 2021
Priority date	Dec 1, 2021
Publication date	Jul 23, 2024
Grant date	Jul 23, 2024

Abstract

A control system for a vehicle comprises a controller comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions. The system comprises first, second, and third inputs configured to be manipulated by an operator. The system comprises first, second, and third displays adjacent the first, second, and third inputs, respectively. The first, second and third displays are configured to show first, second, and third indicia, respectively. Manipulation of the first input by the operator transmits a selection input signal to the controller. The controller receives the selection input signal. The processor compares the selection input signal to the instructions in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, transmits a selection output signal to the second and third displays, removes the second and third indicia from the second and third displays, and shows a first sub-selection indicium on the second display and a second sub-selection indicium on the third display.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising:
a controller comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions;
first, second, and third inputs configured to be manipulated by an operator and in electronic communication with the controller;
first, second, and third displays adjacent the first, second, and third inputs, respectively, and in electronic communication with the controller, wherein the first, second and third displays configured to show first, second, and third indicia, respectively;
wherein manipulation of the first input by the operator transmits a selection input signal to the controller;
wherein the controller is configured to receive the selection input signal and the processor is programmed to:
compare the selection input signal to the instructions in the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium;
transmit a selection output signal to the second and third displays;
remove the second and third indicia from the second and third displays;
show a first sub-selection indicium on the second display and a second sub-selection indicium on the third display;

wherein the processor is programmed to show the first sub-selection indicium on the second display and the second sub-selection indicium on the third display for a time limit;
wherein the time limit is determined by a vehicle input corresponding to an operator's attention to driving the vehicle, wherein the vehicle input comprises:
a visual demand of driving the vehicle;
a motion behavior of the vehicle;
a gaze behavior of the operator;
a navigation input;
a quantity of sub-selection indicia;
a memory of past interactions between the operator and the control system stored in the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium; and
wherein the visual demand further comprises: traffic conditions, pedestrian conditions, road obstacles, and roadway conditions; the traffic conditions, pedestrian conditions, road obstacles, and roadway conditions ascertained by LIDAR and forward-facing vehicle cameras, and
wherein the quantity of sub-selection indicia further comprises: a quantity of sub-selections shown on displays after the selection input, wherein more sub-selection indicia require more attention from the operator, and wherein the processor ascertains the time limit by referencing the vehicle inputs collectively, such that the time limit dynamically changes with conditions to ensure that sub-selection indicia are shown for an adequate quantity of time to allow the operator to analyze the sub-selection indicia and manipulating a corresponding input while preventing the sub-selection indicia from being shown indefinitely.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein manipulation of one of the second and third inputs by the operator transmits a sub-selection input signal to the controller; and
wherein the controller is configured to receive the sub-selection input signal and the processor is programmed to:
compare the sub-selection input signal to the instructions in the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium;
transmit a sub-selection output signal to the first, second, and third displays;
remove the first indicium from the first display and the first and second sub-selection indicia from the second and third displays, respectively; and
show the one of the first and second sub-selection indicia corresponding with the sub-selection input signal on the first display and the second and third indicia on the second and third displays, respectively.

3. The control system of claim 2 , further comprising an output device in electronic communication with the controller and arranged to change between at least a first setting and a second setting;
wherein the controller is configured to receive the sub-selection input signal and the processor is programmed to:
compare the sub-selection input signal to the instructions in the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium; and
transmit a device signal to the output device to change the output device to one of the first and second settings.

4. The control system of claim 3 , wherein the output device further comprises a cabin comfort module configured to change an environment within the vehicle between a first comfort mode and a second comfort mode, with the first comfort mode corresponding to the first setting and a second comfort mode corresponding to the second setting.

5. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to remove the first and second sub-selection indicia from the second and third displays, respectively after the time limit ends, and show the second and third indicia on the second and third displays, respectively.

6. A method of operating a control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising a controller comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions, first, second, and third inputs in electronic communication with the controller, first, second, and third displays adjacent the first, second, and third inputs, respectively, and in electronic communication with the controller; the method comprising:
showing first, second, and third indicia on the first, second and third displays, respectively;
performing a manipulation of the first input with an operator;
transmitting a selection input signal from the first input to the controller;
receiving the selection input signal with the controller;
comparing the selection input signal with the processor to the instructions in the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium;
transmitting a selection output signal from the controller to the second and third displays;
removing the second and third indicia from the second and third displays;
showing a first sub-selection indicium on the second display and a second sub-selection indicium on the third display for a time limit;
performing a manipulation of one of the second and third inputs with the operator;
transmitting a sub-selection input signal to the controller;
receiving the sub-selection input signal with the controller;
comparing the sub-selection input signal with the processor to the instructions in the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium;
transmitting a sub-selection output signal from the controller to the first, second, and third displays;
removing the first indicium from the first display and the first and second sub-selection indicia from the second and third displays, respectively;
showing the one of the first and second sub-selection indicia corresponding with the sub-selection input signal on the first display and the second and third indicia on the second and third displays, respectively
determining the time limit by a vehicle input corresponding to an operator's attention to driving the vehicle, wherein the vehicle input comprises:
a visual demand of driving the vehicle;
a motion behavior of the vehicle;
a gaze behavior of the operator;
a navigation input;
a quantity of sub-selection indicia;
storing a memory of past interactions between the operator and the control system in the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium,
wherein the visual demand further comprises: traffic conditions, pedestrian conditions, road obstacles, and roadway conditions; the traffic conditions, pedestrian conditions, road obstacles, and roadway conditions ascertained by LIDAR and forward-facing vehicle cameras; and

wherein the quantity of sub-selection indicia further comprises: a quantity of sub-selections shown on displays after the selection input, wherein the processor ascertains the time limit by referencing the vehicle inputs collectively, such that the time

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Tsimhoni Omer
• Phillips John Wesley
• Bare Erik Robert
• Gerlach V Gustav Franz
• Martin Scott Thomas

Classifications

• B60K35/22

  Display screens · CPC title

• B60K35/29

  Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions · CPC title

• B60K35/28

  characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver · CPC title

• B60K35/60

  Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) · CPC title

• B60K35/10 Primary

  Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor · CPC title