IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,124,004
Granted Patent B2
US 7,124,004 · App. 11/034,287 · Granted Oct 17, 2006

Technique for suggesting a service provider to service a vehicle

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,124,004
App. No.
11/034,287
Granted
Oct 17, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a multimedia information and control system for use in an automobile, at least one interface is employed which enables a user to access information concerning the automobile and control vehicle functions in an efficient manner. The user may select one of a plurality of displayed options on a screen of such an interface. Through audio, video and/or text media, the user is provided with information concerning the selected option and the vehicle function corresponding thereto. Having been so informed, the user may activate the selected option to control the corresponding vehicle function.

Claims (56)

1. A system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a processor for determining a measure of performance of a component of the vehicle, the measure being added to a cumulative measure;

a mechanism for determining whether the cumulative measure exceeds a predetermined value;

a device for monitoring a distance between the vehicle and at least one service provider after the cumulative measure exceeds the predetermined value; and

an interface for suggesting to a user to use the at least one service provider for servicing the vehicle when the monitored distance is smaller than a predetermined distance.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein data concerning a location of the at least one service provider is supplied to a navigation apparatus for providing directions to reach the location.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein information about the at least one service provider is supplied to the user via audio media.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface includes a display element, and information about the at least one service provider is displayed on the display element.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one service provider is selected amongst a plurality of service providers, and the at least one service provider is the closest to a current location of the vehicle of all of the plurality of service providers.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a memory for storing information concerning locations of the plurality of service providers.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the information includes global positioning system (GPS) information.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the component includes an engine.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the measure includes an RPM measure.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one service provider includes a service station.

11. A system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a processor for determining a measure of performance of a component of the vehicle, the measure being added to a cumulative measure;

a mechanism for selecting at least one service provider when the cumulative measure exceeds a predetermined value;

a device for monitoring a distance between the vehicle and the at least one service provider after selection thereof to determine whether the vehicle is in proximity of the selected service provider; and

an interface for suggesting to a user to use the selected service provider for servicing the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle is in proximity of the selected service provider.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the component includes an engine.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein data concerning a location of the selected service provider is supplied to a navigation apparatus for providing directions to reach the location.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein information about the selected service provider is provided via audio media.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the interface includes a display element, and information about the selected service provider is provided on the display element.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one service provider is selected amongst a plurality of service providers, and the at least one service provider is the closest to a current location of the vehicle of all of the plurality of service providers.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising a memory for storing data concerning locations of the plurality of service providers.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the data includes GPS data.

19. The system of claim 11 wherein the measure includes an RPM measure.

20. A method for use in a system in a vehicle comprising:

determining a measure of performance of a component of the vehicle;

adding the measure to a cumulative measure;

determining whether the cumulative measure exceeds a predetermined value;

monitoring a distance between the vehicle and at least one service provider after the cumulative measure exceeds the predetermined value; and

suggesting to a user to use the at least one service provider for servicing the vehicle when the monitored distance is smaller than a predetermined distance.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising providing directions to reach a location of the at least one service provider.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein information concerning the at least one service provider is supplied to the user via audio media.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein information concerning the at least one service provider is communicated to the user visually.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the service provider is selected amongst a plurality of service providers, and the at least one service provider is the closest to a current location of the vehicle of all of the plurality of service providers.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising storing information concerning locations of the plurality of service providers.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the information includes GPS information.

27. The method of claim 20 wherein the component includes an engine.

28. The method of claim 20 wherein the measure includes an RPM measure.

29. A method for use in a system in a vehicle comprising:

determining a measure of performance of a component of the vehicle;

adding the measure to a cumulative measure;

determining whether the cumulative measure exceeds a predetermined value;

selecting at least one service provider when the cumulative measure exceeds the predetermined value;

monitoring a distance between the vehicle and the at least one service provider after selection thereof to determine whether the vehicle is in proximity of the selected service provider; and

suggesting to a user to use the selected service provider for servicing the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle is in proximity of the selected service provider.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the component includes an engine.

31. The method of claim 29 data concerning a location of the selected service provider is supplied to a navigation apparatus for providing directions to reach the location.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein information about the selected service provider is provided via audio media.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein information about the selected service provider is visually provided.

34. The method of claim 29 wherein the at least one service provider is selected amongst a plurality of service providers, and the at least one service provider is the closest to a current location of the vehicle of all of the plurality of service providers.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising storing data concerning locations of the plurality of service providers.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the data includes GPS data.

37. The method of claim 29 wherein the measure includes a RPM measure.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2015
From: AMERICAN CALCAR, INC.
To: TALKING QUICK TIPS, INC.
Reel/Frame 034857/0900 →