Granted Patent B2

US 7,266,434 · App. 10/704,076 · Granted Sep 4, 2007

Abstract

Claims (25)

1. An interactive system for customizing at least one operational feature on a vehicle by an operator from within the vehicle, said system comprising:

a personalization master for automatically determining operator identity and transmitting a corresponding operator identification signal;

a trip stem for receiving operator selection data within the vehicle;

a message generating device comprising a storage device for storing information, a sound generating device for generating a plurality of audible operator recognizable comments in response to and coordinated with said operator selection data, and a display device responsive to the operator selection data, said comments for assisting said operator in the customization of said at least one operational feature; and

a processor coupled to said personalization master, said trip stem and said message generating device for receiving the operator identification signal, recalling a plurality of settings associated with the operator identity, recognizing said operator selection data, and directing said message generating device to generate selected ones of said audible operator recognizable comments.

2. An interactive system according to claim 1 wherein said storage device comprises a compact disc player and wherein said information is stored on a compact disc.

3. An interactive system according to claim 1 wherein said sound generating device comprises at least one speaker.

4. An interactive system according to claim 1 wherein said trip stem further comprises controls of said vehicle's onboard entertainment center.

5. An interactive system according to claim 1 wherein said trip stem further comprises controls of a Driver Information Center.

6. An interactive system according to claim 1 wherein said trip stem comprises control associated with said at least one operational feature of the automobile.

7. A method for customizing at least one operational feature of an automotive vehicle from within the vehicle, said method comprising:

determining an operator's identity and automatically transmitting a corresponding operator identification signal to a processor via a personalization master;

inserting a media storage device containing a plurality of operator recognizable comments into a media player;

inputting operator data via a trip stem within the vehicle and displaying information responsive thereto;

processing said operator identification signal and said operator data in said processor, wherein said processor is coupled to said personalization master, said trip stem and said media storage device;

recalling a plurality of settings associated with the operator;

selecting at least one audible operator recognizable comment from said plurality of operator recognizable comments in response to said operator data; and

generating said at least one operator recognizable comment via a message generating means coupled to said media player such that said operator recognizable comment is coordinated with the step of inputting operator data.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein said inserting comprises inserting a compact disc into a compact disc player.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said message generating means comprises at least one speaker.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said message generating means further comprises a display and said generating further comprises generating a graphical comment.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said inputting further comprises manipulating vehicle control elements.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said inputting further comprises manipulating controls of a Driver Information Center.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein said inputting further comprises manipulating controls of an onboard entertainment system.

14. A method according to claim 11 wherein said inputting further comprises manipulating controls associated specifically with said operation features.

Assignments (13)