Multi-choice information system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A visual display monitor of an information system of a motor vehicle is connected not only with the usual engine and vehicle instrumentation, but also with a variety of electrical equipments installed in the motor vehicle which the driver may want to activate and control from time to time. The picture screen of the monitor, preferably of the LCD, electro-luminescence or plasma type, is subdivided into a report region at the top and a region for interactive information such as instructions menus and operation results. All the functions that would otherwise be performed by individual buttons, knobs and switches of the various equipments installed in the vehicle may be simply performed by a series of easily designated choices. One input device has a ball control for directing a cursor on the screen of the monitor, a menu button and an entry button, and may be located on the steering wheel. While a particular equipment that has been selected is being controlled, the corresponding field of the monitor selected by the cursor has its light-to-dark contrast reversed, to indicate that the corresponding equipment is in the process of being adjusted or controlled. Another input device is combined with a telephone handset used for telephone calls and has a recessed alphanumeric keyboard in its back for more detailed entries into the system. The information system is built around a digital speech memory which not only provides telephone answering messages and the like but also makes possible audible outputs of the system through the radio receiver's loudspeaker so that the driver can be less dependent on visual outputs displayed on the monitor.