Patent US6201540B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6201540B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Graphical interface components for in-dash automotive accessories
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 1998-01-07
•
Granted: 2001-03-13
•
Expires: 2018-01-07
Abstract
Abstract An automobile computer system having a computer that runs an open platform operating system configured to support multiple applications, including applications that can be installed by a user. The system includes an operator interface that is mountable for viewing by an operator of an automobile. A plurality of application icons are scrollable across the visual operator interface by a user. The application icons correspond to applications supported by the operating system. The operator interface has a fixed focus position, wherein any application icon that is scrolled to the fixed focus position becomes focused and can be activated to select the application corresponding to the focused application icon. In some cases, icons are activated by leaving them focused for a predetermined timeout period. The system also includes a visual control that is available to application programs. The control includes any specified combination of items of the following types: (a) an edit item having a variable that is editable in response to a user select command; (b) an adjustable item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands; (c) a selection item that opens a secondary control in response to a user select command; and (d) a combination item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands, the combination item opening a secondary control in response to a user selection command.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Gallup
- 👤 Steven P. Masters
- 👤 Bob McKenzie
- 👤 Benjamin N. Rabelos
- 👤 William Vong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/023; B60R16/0231; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/10; B60K35/20; B60K35/21; B60K35/22; B60K35/28; B60K35/60; B60K35/80; B60K35/81; G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/445; B60K2360/00; B60K2360/11; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965; Y10S715/97
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An automobile computer accessory comprising: a computer; an operating system executable by the computer, to support multiple user-installable applications each of which having a corresponding application icon; and an operator interface, coupled to the computer, that is mountable for viewing by an operator of an automobile to display the application icons, the operator interface having a fixed focus position, wherein any application icon that is scrolled by a user to the fixed focus position becomes focused, the focused application icon being activateable to select the application corresponding to the focused application icon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An automobile computer accessory comprising: a computer; an operating system executable by the computer, to support multiple user-installable applications each of which having a corresponding application icon; and an operator interface, coupled to the computer, that is mountable for viewing by an operator of an automobile to display the application icons, the operator interface having a fixed focus position, wherein any application icon that is scrolled by a user to the fixed focus position becomes focused, the focused application icon being activateable to select the application corresponding to the focused application icon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a start key that initiates the operator interface and scrolls through the application icons of the operator interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a start key that initiates the operator interface and scrolls through the application icons of the operator interface; a plurality of directional navigation keys that scroll through the application icons in different directions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a start key that initiates the operator interface and scrolls through the application icons of the operator interface; a plurality of directional navigation keys that scroll through the application icons in different directions; wherein leaving the focus on a particular icon for a predetermined timeout activates the focused icon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of shortcut keys on the operator interface, the shortcut keys corresponding to respective ones of the application icons, wherein a particular shortcut key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a start key and a plurality of shortcut keys on the operator interface, the shortcut keys corresponding to respective ones of the application icons, wherein pressing the start key followed by a particular shortcut key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a start key that initiates the operator interface and scrolls through the application icons of the operator interface; wherein leaving the focus on a particular icon for a predetermined timeout activates the focused icon; a plurality of shortcut keys on the operator interface, the shortcut keys corresponding to respective ones of the application icons; wherein pressing the start key followed by a particular shortcut key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application without waiting for the predetermined timeout.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a start key that initiates the operator interface and scrolls through the application icons of the operator interface; a plurality of directional navigation keys that scroll through the application icons in different directions; wherein leaving the focus on a particular icon for a predetermined timeout activates the focused icon; a plurality of shortcut keys on the operator interface, the shortcut keys corresponding to respective ones of the application icons; wherein pressing the start key followed by a particular shortcut key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application without waiting for the predetermined timeout.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a start key that scrolls through the application icons; a plurality of shortcut keys on the operator interface, the shortcut keys corresponding to respective ones of the application icons; wherein pressing the start key followed by a particular shortcut key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a start key that scrolls through the application icons; a plurality of numeric shortcut keys on the operator interface, the numeric shortcut keys corresponding to respective ones of the application icons; wherein pressing the start key followed by a particular shortcut key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application; and wherein the operator interface indicates which numeric shortcut key corresponds to a particular application icon whenever that application icon is focused.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of shortcut keys on the operator interface, the shortcut keys corresponding to respective ones of the application icons, wherein a particular shortcut key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application; wherein the operator interface allows the user to establish the correspondence between shortcut keys and application icons.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of numeric shortcut keys on the operator interface, the shortcut keys corresponding to respective ones of the application icons, wherein a particular shortcut key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application; the application icons being ordered on the operator interface in accordance with their numeric shortcut keys.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , wherein the application icons are scrollable across the operator interface in a sequentially repetitive fashion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of numeric shortcut keys on the operator interface, the shortcut keys corresponding to respective ones of the application icons, wherein a particular shortcut key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application; and the application icons being scrollable across the operator interface in a sequentially repetitive fashion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fixed focus position is centered relative to any visible application icons.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , wherein the operator interface indicates focus by a changed color of the focused application icon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , wherein the operator interface displays a textual name of the application corresponding to the currently focused application icon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a general status enunciator that is presented by the operator interface when one of the application programs has information for presentation to the user.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a general status enunciator that is presented by the operator interface when one of the application programs has information for presentation to the user; an application-specific status enunciator that is presented in conjunction with said one of the application programs that has information for presentation to the user.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , wherein the focused application icon is activateable by a key and by a voice command.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automobile computer accessory as recited in claim 1 , wherein: the focused application icon is activateable by a voice command; and the operator interface textually displays voice command corresponding to the currently focused application icon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
213 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory, comprising: one or more audio entertainment applications; one or more navigational applications; one or more system utility applications; an operator interface that is mountable for viewing by an operator of an automobile; a plurality of application icons that are scrollable on the visual operator interface by a user, the application icons corresponding to different ones of the applications; the operator interface having a fixed focus position that is centered relative to any visible application icons, wherein any application icon that is scrolled to the fixed focus position becomes focused; wherein the operator interface indicates focus by a change color of the focused application icon; the operator interface having a plurality of keys, including a start key, a selection key, a plurality of directional navigation keys, and a plurality of numeric keys; wherein the selection key activates the focused application icon to select the application corresponding to the focused application icon; wherein the start key scrolls through the application icons; wherein the directional navigation keys scroll through the application icons in different directions; wherein the numeric keys correspond to respective ones of the application icons; and wherein pressing the start key followed by a particular numeric key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
213 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory, comprising: one or more audio entertainment applications; one or more navigational applications; one or more system utility applications; an operator interface that is mountable for viewing by an operator of an automobile; a plurality of application icons that are scrollable on the visual operator interface by a user, the application icons corresponding to different ones of the applications; the operator interface having a fixed focus position that is centered relative to any visible application icons, wherein any application icon that is scrolled to the fixed focus position becomes focused; wherein the operator interface indicates focus by a change color of the focused application icon; the operator interface having a plurality of keys, including a start key, a selection key, a plurality of directional navigation keys, and a plurality of numeric keys; wherein the selection key activates the focused application icon to select the application corresponding to the focused application icon; wherein the start key scrolls through the application icons; wherein the directional navigation keys scroll through the application icons in different directions; wherein the numeric keys correspond to respective ones of the application icons; and wherein pressing the start key followed by a particular numeric key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 22 , wherein the operator interface indicates which numeric shortcut key corresponds to a particular application icon whenever that application icon is focused.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 22 , wherein leaving the focus on a particular application icon for a predetermined timeout activates the focused icon.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
50 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 22 , wherein: leaving the focus on a particular application icon for a predetermined timeout activates the focused icon; pressing a numeric key activates the corresponding application icon to select the corresponding application without waiting for the predetermined timeout.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 22 , wherein the operator interface allows the user to establish the correspondence between numeric keys and application icons.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 22 , wherein the application icons are ordered on the operator interface in accordance with their corresponding numeric keys.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 22 , wherein the operator interface displays a textual name of the application corresponding to the currently focused application icon.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
63 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 22 , further comprising: a general status enunciator that is presented by the operator interface when one of the application programs has information for presentation to the user; an application-specific status enunciator that is presented in conjunction with said one of the application programs that has information for presentation to the user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 22 , wherein the focused application icon is activateable by a voice command.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 22 , wherein: the focused application icon is activateable by a voice command; and the operator interface textually displays voice command corresponding to the currently focused application icon.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer-readable storage medium having instructions for implementing an operator interface in an automotive accessory, the instructions being executable to perform steps comprising: scrolling a plurality of application icons in response to user scroll commands, wherein the application icons correspond to different applications in the automotive accessory; focusing on any application icon that is scrolled to a fixed focus position; and activating the application corresponding to the focused application icon in response to a user selection command.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer-readable storage medium having instructions for implementing an operator interface in an automotive accessory, the instructions being executable to perform steps comprising: scrolling a plurality of application icons in response to user scroll commands, wherein the application icons correspond to different applications in the automotive accessory; focusing on any application icon that is scrolled to a fixed focus position; and activating the application corresponding to the focused application icon in response to a user selection command.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 32 , wherein the scrolling step includes interpreting a start key as a user scroll command.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 32 , wherein the scrolling step comprises interpreting a start key and directional navigation keys as user scroll commands.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 32 , wherein the activating step comprises interpreting a selection key as a user selection command.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 32 , wherein the activating step comprises automatically activating the application when the focused application icon remains focused for a predetermined timeout period.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 32 , wherein the activating step comprises activating an application in response to a user pressing a shortcut key corresponding to the application.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 32 , wherein the steps further comprise allowing a user to establish the correspondence between shortcut keys and application icons.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
212 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory, comprising: an operating system having interfaces that are exposed for use by application programs; a plurality of application programs supervised by the operating system; an operator interface that is mountable for viewing by an operator of an automobile, the operating interface being of a limited size; the operating system having a control interface that is exposed for use by application programs, the control interface having functions that are callable to create and use a visual control for display and entry of parameters; the visual control having a plurality of items that are vertically scrollable through a fixed focus position; and the visual control being configurable to contain any one or more of the following types of items: an edit item having a variable that is editable in response to a user select command; an adjustable item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands; a selection item that opens a secondary control in response to a user select command; and a combination item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands, the combination item opening a secondary control in response to a user selection command.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
212 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory, comprising: an operating system having interfaces that are exposed for use by application programs; a plurality of application programs supervised by the operating system; an operator interface that is mountable for viewing by an operator of an automobile, the operating interface being of a limited size; the operating system having a control interface that is exposed for use by application programs, the control interface having functions that are callable to create and use a visual control for display and entry of parameters; the visual control having a plurality of items that are vertically scrollable through a fixed focus position; and the visual control being configurable to contain any one or more of the following types of items: an edit item having a variable that is editable in response to a user select command; an adjustable item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands; a selection item that opens a secondary control in response to a user select command; and a combination item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands, the combination item opening a secondary control in response to a user selection command.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 39 , wherein the edit item is editable through the use of a spinner control that is opened in response to the user select command.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 39 , wherein the visual control indicates the focus position by ballooning any text within the focused item.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
49 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 39 , the operator interface having vertical and horizontal navigational keys, wherein the vertical navigational keys scroll the plurality of items in the visual control and a user makes the user adjustment commands with the horizontal navigational keys.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 39 , wherein the user select command comprises a key activation.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 39 , wherein the user select command comprises a voice command.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
35 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 39 , wherein the visual control is configurable to be associated with a graphics image that changes to illustrate values of the item variables.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 39 , wherein the visual control is configurable to be associated with a visual graph that changes to illustrate values of the item variables.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
32 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 39 , wherein the visual control includes an indicator graphic along with any focused selection item and any focused combination item.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
32 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 39 , wherein the visual control includes an indicator graphic along with any focused adjustable item and any focused combination item.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
52 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 39 , wherein: the visual control includes a first indicator graphic along with any focused selection item and any focused combination item; the visual control includes a second indicator graphic along with any focused adjustable item and any focused combination item.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
An in-dash automotive entertainment and computer accessory as recited in claim 39 , wherein each item is configurable by an application program to include an indicator graphic that graphically indicates a property of the item.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
178 words
A computer readable medium comprising instructions that implement an operating system for an automotive computing platform, the instructions defining an application program interface to the operating system having functions that are callable by an application program to create and use a visual control for display and entry of parameters, the visual control having a plurality of items that are vertically scrollable through a fixed focus position, the visual control being configurable by the application program through the application programming interface to contain any one or more of the following items: an edit item having a variable that is editable in response to a user select command; an adjustable item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands; a selection item that opens a secondary control in response to a user select command; and a combination item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands, the combination item opening a secondary control in response to a user selection command.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
178 words
A computer readable medium comprising instructions that implement an operating system for an automotive computing platform, the instructions defining an application program interface to the operating system having functions that are callable by an application program to create and use a visual control for display and entry of parameters, the visual control having a plurality of items that are vertically scrollable through a fixed focus position, the visual control being configurable by the application program through the application programming interface to contain any one or more of the following items: an edit item having a variable that is editable in response to a user select command; an adjustable item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands; a selection item that opens a secondary control in response to a user select command; and a combination item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands, the combination item opening a secondary control in response to a user selection command.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer readable medium as recited in claim 51 , wherein the edit item is editable through the use of a spinner control.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer readable medium as recited in claim 51 , wherein the visual control indicates the focus position by ballooning any text within the focused item.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
A computer readable medium as recited in claim 51 , wherein a user makes the user adjustment commands with horizontal navigational keys.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer readable medium as recited in claim 51 , wherein the user select command comprises a key activation.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer readable medium as recited in claim 51 , wherein the user select command comprises a voice command.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer readable medium as recited in claim 51 , wherein the visual control is configurable to be associated with a graphics image that changes to illustrate values of the item variables.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer readable medium as recited in claim 51 , wherein the visual control is configurable to be associated with a visual graph that changes to illustrate values of the item variables.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer readable medium as recited in claim 51 , wherein the visual control includes an indicator graphic along with any focused selection item and any focused combination item.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer readable medium as recited in claim 51 , wherein the visual control includes an indicator graphic along with any focused adjustable item and any focused combination item.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
49 words
A computer readable medium as recited in claim 51 , wherein: the visual control includes a first indicator graphic along with any focused selection item and any focused combination item; the visual control includes a second indicator graphic along with any focused adjustable item and any focused combination item.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer readable medium as recited in claim 51 , wherein each item is configurable by an application program to include an indicator graphic that graphically indicates a property of the item.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4731769A
Cited
US4809177A
Cited
US5404443A
Cited
US5089826A
Cited
US5063513A
Cited
US5828360A
Cited
US5363481A
Cited
US5706448A
Cited
US5781872A
Cited
EP0686525A1
Cited
US5555172A
Cited
US5694562A
Cited
US5798760A
Cited
US5687331A
Cited
WO1997013657A1
Cited
DE29611386U1
Cited
US5821935A
Cited
US5859642A
Cited
US5821631A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-12 | 2004-09-11 | 2005-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-12 | 2008-09-11 | 2009-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-12 | 2012-09-11 | 2013-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |