Multi-character string search engine for in-vehicle information system

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method of selecting an entry in a database in an in-vehicle infotainment system. The method includes receiving a second single-character input after receiving a first single-character input, generating a multi-character search string in which the first character of the multi-character search string is the first single-character input and the second character of the multi-character search string is the second single-character input, searching a database stored in the in-vehicle infotainment system for entries that match the multi-character search string, and causing a number of entries that match the multi-character search string to be displayed by the in-vehicle infotainment system. An advantage of the disclosed embodiment is that a vehicle operator can effectively search through a large number of entries in an in-vehicle system with reduced distraction and without stopping the vehicle.