Telematics service buttons integrated with infotainment system using an uninterrupted power supply with optmized consumption
An in-vehicle system is described that initiates a telematics service call via a touch-based user interface. The in-vehicle system includes a telematics unit that supports communications relating to telematics services, an infotainment center, and a touchscreen interface configured to present user-selectable controls for invoking services provided by the infotainment center and the telematics unit. The system further comprises a backup battery configured to supply power, during a disruption of power supply from a primary power supply, to: the touchscreen interface, the telematics unit, and a microphone/speaker providing bi-directional audio communications with providers of telematics services. The system furthermore includes a backup battery mode control configured to sense a disruption of power provided by the primary power supply. In response to the disruption, the mode control activates a low-power operating mode for the touchscreen interface.
1. A system incorporated within a vehicle, the system being configured to initiate a telematics service call via a touch-based user interface, the system comprising:
a telematics system configured to support communications relating to telematics services;
an infotainment center;
a touchscreen interface configured to present user-selectable controls for invoking services provided by:
the infotainment center, and
the telematics system;
a backup battery configured to supply power, during a disruption of power supply from a primary power supply, to:
the touchscreen interface,
the telematics system, and
a microphone and a speaker providing bi-directional audio communications with providers of telematics services; and
a backup battery mode control processor configured for:
sensing a disruption of power provided by the primary power supply, and
activating, in response to the sensing, a low-power operating mode for the touchscreen interface;
wherein:
the touchscreen interface includes one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons by which a vehicle occupant requests telematics services, including an emergency call service, in an event of an emergency;
the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons remain active during a disruption in power;
the processor is configured to provide instructions for the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons to remain active, while a remainder of the touchscreen interface is deactivated, during the low-power operating mode;
the processor is configured to, while in the low-power operating mode, power only a portion of a display of the touchscreen interface that produces visible images of the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons, while not powering the remainder of the touchscreen interface;
the processor is configured to, while in the low-power operating mode, energize only pixels of a portion of a display of the touchscreen interface that produces visible images of the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons, while not energizing pixels of the remainder of the touchscreen interface; and
the touchscreen interface uses a matrix of individually-switched self-illuminating diodes that are controllable to emit light without the use of a master backlight, and wherein the processor is configured to, while in the low-power operating mode, energize only pixels formed by triads associated with the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons, while leaving the remainder of the touchscreen interface unpowered.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is configured to display, via a home screen display interface for the touchscreen interface, a user-selectable control for invoking the services provided by the telematics system, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the user-selectable control, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons, occupies a minority portion of the home display screen display interface, and wherein the user-selectable control occupies a position along an edge of the home screen display interface; and wherein a non-overlapping majority portion of the home screen display interface displays infotainment service controls, and non-emergency infotainment services are turned off, while the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons pertaining to the emergency call service remain on, during the disruption in power.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein the system is configured to display, via an overlay on a child screen display interface for the touchscreen interface, the user-selectable control for invoking the services provided by the telematics system, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons; wherein the system is configured to display the user-selectable control, for invoking the services provided by the telematics system, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons, in response to sensing a touch on the touchscreen interface while displaying the child screen display interface, and wherein the display of the user-selectable control continues until a triggering event occurs.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the triggering event is expiration of a timed period corresponding to the display of the user-selectable control.
6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the triggering event is sending a further touch on the touchscreen interface outside the user-selectable control.
7. The system of claim 4 wherein the touchscreen interface incorporates an active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display technology capable of operating in a low power state mode and in a minority of a full display area of the touchscreen interface to display the user-selectable control for invoking the services provided by the telematics system, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons.
8. The system of claim 4 wherein the touchscreen interface incorporates an LCD display technology capable of operating in a low power state mode where a backlight and a display are active only in a minority of a full display area of the touchscreen interface to display the user-selectable control for invoking the services provided by the telematics system, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons.
9. The system of claim 4 wherein the user-selectable control overlay, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons, occupies a minority portion of the child screen display interface, and wherein the overlay occupies a position along an edge of the child screen display interface.
10. The system of claim 2 wherein the system is configured to display and allow the user-selectable control for invoking the services provided by the telematics system, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons, without the keys and while the vehicle is in OFF power mode.
11. The system of claim 2 wherein the system is configured to display, via an overlay on a child screen display interface for the touchscreen interface, the user-selectable control for invoking the services provided by the telematics system, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons; wherein the system is configured to display the user-selectable control, for invoking the services provided by the telematics system, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons, in response to sensing a touch on the touchscreen interface while displaying the child screen display interface, and wherein the display of the user-selectable control continues until a triggering event occurs, wherein the triggering event comprises a vehicle collision.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the backup battery is configured to power the telematics system and the touchscreen interface to initiate the telematics service call via the touch-based user interface, specifically, via the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons, after losing access to power supplied from the primary power supply.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the touchscreen interface supports selectively powering portions of a display interface for the touchscreen interface, and wherein, while operating in the low-power operating mode, the system selectively powers only a portion of the display interface including the user-selectable telematics control for invoking the services provided by the telematics system, namely, the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons, thereby reducing power consumption by the touchscreen interface while ensuring continuous access to the user-selectable telematics control.
14. The system of claim 1 wherein, during a disruption of power supply from the primary power supply, the microphone and vehicle audio system is available to the telematics services.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons comprises three user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons for making a call.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the three user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons comprise:
a first user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft button for making an emergency call;
a second user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft button for speaking with a call center advisor; and
a third user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft button for initiating a hands-free wireless call.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons remain active in the event of a vehicle collision.
18. A system incorporated within a vehicle, the system being configured to initiate a telematics service call via a touch-based user interface, the system comprising:
a telematics system configured to support communications relating to telematics services;
an infotainment center;
a touchscreen interface configured to present user-selectable controls for invoking services provided by:
the infotainment center, and
the telematics system;
a backup battery configured to supply power, during a disruption of power supply from a primary power supply, to:
the touchscreen interface,
the telematics system, and
a microphone and a speaker providing bi-directional audio communications with providers of telematics services; and
a backup battery mode control processor configured for:
sensing a disruption of power provided by the primary power supply, and
activating, in response to the sensing, a low-power operating mode for the touchscreen interface;
wherein:
the touchscreen interface includes one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons by which a vehicle occupant requests telematics services, including an emergency call service, in an event of an emergency;
the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons remain active during a disruption in power;
the processor is configured to provide instructions for the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons to remain active, while a remainder of the touchscreen interface is deactivated, during the low-power operating mode;
the system is configured to display, via a home screen display interface for the touchscreen interface, a user-selectable control for invoking the services provided by the telematics system, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons; and
the user-selectable control, including the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons, occupies a minority portion of the home display screen display interface, and wherein the user-selectable control occupies a position along an edge of the home screen display interface; and wherein a non-overlapping majority portion of the home screen display interface displays infotainment service controls, and non-emergency infotainment services are turned off, while the one or more user-selectable graphical touch-screen soft buttons pertaining to the emergency call service remain on, during the disruption in power.