U.S. patent application number 14/054737 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-13 for customized instrument evaluation and ordering tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to PACCAR INC. The applicant listed for this patent is Paul Stephen Crowe, Christopher Tarte. Invention is credited to Paul Stephen Crowe, Christopher Tarte.
Application Number | 20140046468 14/054737 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44477179 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140046468 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tarte; Christopher ; et
al. |
February 13, 2014 |
Customized Instrument Evaluation and Ordering Tool
Abstract
A tool is provided to allow a user to customize the components
of a vehicle instrument panel from an Internet-enabled Web site. A
user can navigate to a Web site and select a vehicle for
configuration. From the Web site, input may be obtained regarding
the components and appearance of an instrument panel such as
selecting particular types of components (e.g., display panels,
gauges, etc.) and arranging where the selected components are to be
located. The input generated by a user is translated into a build
specification for assembling the instrument panel at the
manufacturer. Accordingly, the system and method serve as an
interface between the Web site that obtains user configuration data
and a manufacturer's system that manages assembly of the
vehicle.
Inventors: |
Tarte; Christopher;
(Roanoke, TX) ; Crowe; Paul Stephen; (Aubrey,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tarte; Christopher
Crowe; Paul Stephen |
Roanoke
Aubrey |
TX
TX |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PACCAR INC
Bellevue
WA
|
Family ID: |
44477179 |
Appl. No.: |
14/054737 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12711054 |
Feb 23, 2010 |
8577487 |
|
|
14054737 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20130101;
G06F 2111/20 20200101; G06Q 30/06 20130101; G06Q 30/0621 20130101;
G06Q 30/0641 20130101; G06F 30/15 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/97 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Claims
1. A method implemented in computer-executable instructions for
configuring an instrument panel based on received user input, the
method comprising: receiving input from a user regarding desired
configurations of an instrument panel of a vehicle; generating a
visual representation of the instrument panel based on the received
input; causing the generated visual representation of the
instrument panel to be rendered on the remote computing device;
receiving from the user a review regarding the visual
representation of the instrument panel; and if the review is
satisfactory: generating a build order that is designed to be used
for assembling the instrument panel that corresponds to the
generated visual representation, wherein the build order identifies
instruments that will be displayed on the instrument panel and
specifies characteristics and locations of the identified
instruments; and providing the build order to a manufacturer system
that includes an assembly application configured to assemble the
instrument panel in accordance with the build order.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: if the review is not
satisfactory: receiving, from the user, input to change the
configuration of the instrument panel; updating the visual
representation of the instrument panel based on the input to change
the configuration of the instrument panel; and causing the updating
visual representation of the instrument panel to be rendered on the
remote computing device.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the build order identifies the
instruments, including the at least one hardware instrument to
assemble into the instrument panel, and the at least one virtual
instrument to be displayed on the instrument panel.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the build order specifies
characteristics and placements of the identified instruments.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the assembly application is
operable to correlate the build order with the instrument panel to
be installed in the vehicle.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining information
about configurable attributes of the instrument panel for the
vehicle; and presenting the obtained information about available
configurations of an instrument to the user to assist the user in
customizing the configuration.
7. A system for facilitating a configuration service between a user
and a manufacturer of a vehicle over a communication network, the
system comprising: a memory component for storing information about
vehicles and information about an instrument panel of each vehicle;
a user interface component configured to obtain input from a user
and render a graphical display in a Web page; and a configuration
component operable to: generate a visual representation of an
instrument panel based on the obtained input, wherein the obtained
input is the desired configuration of the instrument panel; cause
the user interface component to render the generated visual
representation of the instrument panel on the remote computing
device, wherein the user interface component is further configured
to receive from the user a review regarding the visual
representation of the instrument panel; and determine whether the
user's review is satisfactory: if the user's review is
satisfactory: generate a build order that is designed to be used
for assembling the instrument panel that corresponds to the
generated visual representation, wherein the build order identifies
instruments that will be displayed on the instrument panel and
specifies characteristics and locations of the identified
instruments; and provide the build order to a manufacturer system,
the build order including an assembly application that is
configured to assemble the instrument panel in accordance with the
build order.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein if the user's review is not
satisfactory, the configuration component is operative to: receive,
from the user, input to change the configuration of the instrument
panel; update the visual representation of the instrument panel
based on the input to change the configuration of the instrument
panel; and cause the updated visual representation of the
instrument panel to be rendered on the remote computing device.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the instrument panel includes at
least one hardware instrument and at least one virtual instrument.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/711,054, filed Feb. 23, 2010, the disclosure of which
is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the increased popularity of the Internet, network-based
product ordering services, e.g., Web sites that enable people to
place an order or make purchases online, have become increasingly
accepted and popular. In that regard, some Web sites allow a user
to select a desired configuration for a product from a
predetermined set of configurations before purchasing the product.
For example, a user can purchase, over the Internet, a customized
car by selecting a specific model, color, or interior/exterior
options. Typically, a vehicle manufacturer does not allow a
customer to change most of the attributes of an instrument panel in
the vehicle.
[0003] An instrument panel provides a variety of functions within a
vehicle. Gauges mounted within the panel are the primary interface
between the vehicle operator and the vehicle. Typically in a
vehicle, a factory installed instrument panel is designed to
present a particular arrangement, e.g., a cluster of gauge-type
instruments or digitized (virtual) instruments in a pre-set design.
Thus, when a user wants to have a customized instrument panel, the
user may have to hire a third party company that specializes in
replacing the factory installed instrument panel with the
customized one. However, replacing an existing instrument panel of
a vehicle with the customized instrument panel can be costly and a
waste of time and resources. Further, such customization, including
hiring a third party company, has inherent limits and risks as
well, such as the likelihood of incorrect gauge calibration.
Typically, virtual type instruments, such as LCD virtual gauge
instruments, are hard to replace with gauge-type instruments or
vice versa. Moreover, there is no tool that allows the user to
visually review or evaluate the customized instrument panel before
the customized instrument panel is manufactured and installed on
the vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to
be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
[0005] A system and method are provided to allow a user to
customize the components of a vehicle instrument panel from an
Internet-enabled Web site. A user may navigate to a Web site and
select a vehicle for configuration. From the Web site, input may be
obtained regarding the components and appearance of an instrument
panel. For example, a user may generate input to select particular
types of components (e.g., display panels, gauges, etc.) and
arrange where the selected components are to be located. Moreover,
a user is allowed to specify a type of instrument panel, such as
mechanical, virtual, or mixed instrument panel. In one aspect, the
input generated by a user is translated into a build specification
for assembling the instrument panel at the manufacturer. In another
aspect, the system and method display a visual representation of
the instrument panel based on the received user input. The user can
add, delete or modify the instrument panel after reviewing and
evaluating the displayed visual representation of the instrument
panel.
[0006] In accordance with an aspect of an embodiment, a system is
provided for facilitating a configuration service of an instrument
panel. The system comprises a memory component for storing
information about vehicles and information about an instrument
panel of each vehicle and a computing device that is
communicatively connected with the memory component. The computing
device is operative to obtain information about configurable
attributes of an instrument panel for a vehicle, wherein a user of
a remote computing device selects the vehicle for customizing
thereof and receives input from the user regarding a desired
configuration of the instrument panel that includes at least one
hardware instrument and at least one virtual instrument, wherein
the input from the user is directed to the configurable attributes.
The computing device is further operative to generate a visual
representation of the instrument panel based on the received input,
to render the generated visual representation of the instrument
panel on the remote computing device, to generate a build
specification that is designed to be used by a manufacturer for
assembling an instrument panel that corresponds to the generated
visual representation and to provide the build specification to a
manufacturer system. In one aspect, the rendered visual
representation of the instrument panel includes depictions of the
hardware and virtual instruments.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of an embodiment, a method
implemented in computer-executable instructions is provided for
configuring an instrument panel based on received user input. The
method comprises receiving input from a user regarding desired
configurations of an instrument panel of a vehicle, generating a
visual representation of the instrument panel based on the received
input, causing the generated visual representation of the
instrument panel to be rendered on the remote computing device and
receiving from the user a review regarding the visual
representation of the instrument panel. If the review is
satisfactory, a build order is generated that is designed to be
used for assembling the instrument panel that corresponds to the
generated visual representation. The build order identifies
instruments that will be displayed on the instrument panel and
specifies characteristics and locations of the identified
instruments. The build order is provided to a manufacturer system
that includes an assembly application configured to assemble the
instrument panel in accordance with the build order.
[0008] In accordance with yet another aspect of an embodiment, a
system is provided for facilitating a configuration service between
a user and a manufacturer of a vehicle over a communication
network. The system comprises a memory component for storing
information about vehicles and information about an instrument
panel of each vehicle, a user interface component configured to
obtain input from a user and render a graphical display in a Web
page and a configuration component. The configuration component is
operable to generate a visual representation of an instrument panel
based on the obtained input, wherein the obtained input is the
desired configuration of the instrument panel, to cause the user
interface component to render the generated visual representation
of the instrument panel on the remote computing device, wherein the
user interface component is further configured to receive from the
user a review regarding the visual representation of the instrument
panel and to determine whether the user's review is satisfactory.
If the user's review is satisfactory, the configuration component
generates a build order that is designed to be used for assembling
the instrument panel that corresponds to the generated visual
representation and provide the build order to a manufacturer
system. The build order identifies instruments that will be
displayed on the instrument panel and specifies characteristics and
locations of the identified instruments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a pictorial depiction of an exemplary system
architecture that illustrates components suitable for implementing
aspects of the disclosed subject matter;
[0011] FIGS. 2A-2E and 3A-3C are exemplary graphic user interfaces
where a user can customize and evaluate the configuration of an
instrument panel in accordance with additional embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for customizing and
evaluating configuration of the instrument panel in accordance with
additional embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings where like numerals reference like elements
is intended as a description of various embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only
embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is
provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The
illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms
disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein may be
interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in
order to achieve the same or substantially similar result.
[0014] Prior to discussing the details of the systems and methods
for proving a tool to allow a user to customize and visually
evaluate an instrument panel of a vehicle prior to purchase the
vehicle, it should be understood that several sections of the
following description are presented largely in terms of logic and
operations that may be performed by conventional components. These
components, which may be grouped in a single location or
distributed over a wide area, generally include processors, memory,
storage devices, display panels, input devices, etc. In
circumstances where the components are distributed, the components
are accessible to each other via communication links. The following
description provides examples of the systems and methods that
facilitate various services for a user to customize the
configuration of an instrument panel of a vehicle and visually
evaluate the user's customized configuration over the communication
networks.
[0015] FIG. 1 and the following discussion is intended to provide a
brief, general description of an exemplary system environment 100
for implementing aspects of the disclosed subject matter. The
system environment 100 of FIG. 1 includes a service system 120 and
one or more remote devices for users, such as user devices 110, by
which a user (not shown) can interact with the service system 120.
The user devices 110 communicate with the service system 120 via a
communication network 106, such as the
[0016] Internet. The user devices 110 are typically computing
devices including a variety of configurations or forms such as, but
not limited to, laptop or tablet computers, personal computers,
personal digital assistants (PDAs), hybrid PDA/mobile phones,
mobile phones, workstations, personal media players, and the
like.
[0017] In FIG. 1, the service system 120 may comprise one or
multiple servers or discrete components to provide configuration
and purchasing services to the users. In one embodiment, a service
system 120 includes one or more memory component 126, a
configuration component 122, and a user interface component 124,
etc. The memory component 126 may include databases for storing
information relevant to the configuration and purchasing services
provided by the service system 120. For example, the database
stores information such as the user profile, vehicle catalogs,
customizable attributes of each vehicle, a manufacturer of a
vehicle, customizable attributes of an instrument panel, etc. It is
noted that the term "vehicle", as used herein, generally refers to
any type of vehicle, including a truck, an automobile, boat,
Recreational Vehicle ("RV"), vessel, etc., that can be used to
implement aspects of the present disclosure.
[0018] As will be well appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the
art, the memory component 126 depicted in FIG. 1 is one example of
computer-readable media suited to storing data and program modules
for implementing aspects of described embodiments. As used herein,
the term "computer-readable media" includes volatile and
non-volatile and removable and non-removable memory, implemented in
any method or technology capable of storing information, such as
computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules,
or other data. By way of example, computer-readable media include,
but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other
memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other
optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic
disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium
that can be used to store the desired information for access by the
processor of the service system.
[0019] The user interface component 124 may be configured to
display a graphic user interface (GUI) on the remote user device
110 to interact with a user of the remote user device 110. In an
illustrative embodiment, the user interface component 124
represents the front-end of a stand-alone application, such as a
Web browser. Alternatively, the user interface component 124 can be
integrated with one or more software applications. As will be
described in more detail below, the configuration component 122 is
configured to process user input received through the user
interface component 124 and to generate a representation of an
instrument panel for a vehicle, a build specification for the
instrument panel, and the like.
[0020] In the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the
system environment 100 includes one or more vehicle manufacturers
that are responsible for manufacturing and providing a vehicle
based on a user order and/or a build specification from the service
system 120. As will be described in detail below, the service
system 120 may be configured to generate a file having data that
describes a build specification based on user input. The data file
created may be transmitted to the vehicle manufacturer and
automatically loaded into a vehicle build queue for configuring the
vehicle in accordance with the build specification.
[0021] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
service system 120, a vehicle manufacturer 130, and a remote device
110 for a user will include many more components than those
depicted in FIG. 1. However, it is not necessary that all of these
generally conventional components be shown or described.
[0022] FIGS. 2A-2E and 3A-3C illustrate exemplary graphic user
interfaces (GUIs) where a user can customize configuration of an
instrument panel in accordance with additional embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in
FIG. 2A, the service system 120 (i.e., the user interface component
124 in FIG. 1) displays a GUI 200 on a screen of the user device
110, in which the user is prompted to choose a particular vehicle
for customizing the configuration of an instrument panel. In that
regard, the GUI 200 may provide several visual indicators
representing menus, such as vehicle menu 242, interior option menu
244, color menu 246, and instrument panel configuration menu 248,
each providing available choices about a particular attribute of
the vehicle.
[0023] As will be appreciated, a particular vehicle may include
predetermined components that are customizable by a user when
ordering the vehicle over the network. In this regard, the
manufacturer of the vehicle may provide the service system 120 with
a vehicle catalog, including information necessary to facilitate
configuration and/or ordering services. The service system 120
processes the information obtained from the manufacturer in order
that the information can be easily used for configuration services.
In this regard, the provided and processed information may be
stored in the database of the service system 120.
[0024] In this embodiment, as the user identifies a particular
vehicle of interest for a customization service, the service system
120 further prompts the user to select other attributes of the
vehicle. By way of example, assume that the user has selected a
particular vehicle, such as "MODEL 332" for the vehicle of their
interest, as shown in FIG. 2A. In response to the user's input, the
service system 120 obtains the customizable attributes of the
vehicle of interest, including, but not limited to, color,
interior/exterior, and instrument panel options available for the
"MODEL 332" vehicle.
[0025] As will be described in further detail below, the service
system 120 allows the user to start a configuration service for an
instrument panel of the vehicle. As discussed above, there are
several types of instrument panels that can be available for the
vehicle, such as a mechanical instrument panel with hardware
components, a virtual instrument panel with visual image elements
representing gauges or warning indicators, or a mixed instrument
panel with some hardware components and some visual image
elements.
[0026] As each type of instrument panel includes different
components and attributes to be customized, the GUI prompts the
user to select a desired type of instrument panel to start a
configuration service for an instrument panel. As shown in FIG. 2A,
in this example, the user selects "Model 332" from the vehicle menu
242, "Default" from the interior option menu 244, "Green" from the
color menu 246, and "Mechanical Panel" from the instrument panel
configuration menu 248.
[0027] FIGS. 2B-2E illustrate GUIs 200 where a user can customize
the configuration of a mechanical instrument panel. A default
instrument panel 202 is initially depicted to assist a user to
customize various components of the instrument panel. The GUI 200
provides "PREVIOUS" button 204 and "NEXT" button 206 so that the
user can go back to the previous screen of the GUI 200 or move to
the next screen of the GUI 200. In the exemplary embodiments
depicted in FIGS. 2B-2E, a user can customize several attributes of
the default instrument panel 202, including, but not limited to,
"Panel Hardware" 212, "Color" 214, "Material" 216, "Finish" 218,
and the like.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2B, the GUI 200 may present to the user a
set of predetermined materials, such as "SOLID" 222, "WOODGRAIN"
224, and "GRAPHITE" 226, available for the instrument panel cover.
Likewise, the GUI 200 may present to the user a set of
predetermined colors, such as "SILVER" 232, "WHITE" 234, and
"BLACK" 236, available for the instrument panel cover, as depicted
in FIG. 2C. In some embodiments, the user can select a desired
layout of the instrument panel. As shown in FIG. 2D, a set of
predetermined layouts, such as "LAYOUT A" 252, "LAYOUT B" 254, and
"LAYOUT C" 256 of instrument panels may be presented in the GUI 200
for configuration of the instrument panel.
[0029] Although it is not shown, the user can add or remove a
particular hardware component into/from the displayed instrument
panel 202. Further, the user can change the appearance of the
hardware component face or accessories. In that regard, the user
can customize some characteristics of the hardware components, such
as a gauge face, gauge mounting cup, desired gauges, etc., that are
to be installed on the selected layout.
[0030] In one aspect, after the user finishes customizing the
configuration of the instrument panel, the user has an option to
review and evaluate before manufacturing of the instrument panel.
In that regard, an image of the instrument panel may be simulated
in accordance with the user's configuration, which may be presented
to the user. In response to presentation of the simulated
instrument panel, the user can examine and review the final product
look of the configuration. The user can then decide whether or not
to proceed with manufacturing the instrument panel based on the
configuration.
[0031] FIG. 2E includes an exemplary GUI 260 depicting the
simulated image 270 of the final-product-to-be of the instrument
panel, based on the user's configuration. In the exemplary GUI 260,
the simulated image 270 is rendered based on the desired
configuration of the instrument panel including the "graphite
material," "silver color," "smooth finish," and "default layout"
attribute values. In some embodiments, a brief summary 266 of the
user's configurations may be also provided. The user reviews the
simulated image to see and feel if the configuration would result
in what the user wants. After the review and evaluation of the
simulated image 270, if it is not satisfactory, the user can
restart the configuration service with the service system 120 by
pressing the "START OVER" button 262. Alternatively, the user can
choose to change some attributes of the instrument panel
represented in the simulated image. In that regard, the service
system 120 may instantaneously store the user's inputs regarding
the configuration so that the user can stop their configuration
service anytime and resume the configuration service later without
the need to provide previously entered user inputs again.
[0032] If the review and evaluation of the simulated image is
satisfactory, the user may finalize and submit the configuration by
indicating to place an order for the vehicle with the simulated
instrument panel installed. Upon receipt of a user's indication to
finalize, the service system 120 may create a build specification
for the instrument panel based on the submitted configuration and
forward the build specification to the manufacturer of the vehicle.
The selected attributes of the vehicle, such as model number,
color, horse power, etc., are also forwarded to the manufacturer.
In the exemplary screen depicted in FIG. 2E, the user can press the
"SUBMIT" button 264 to finalize the configuration.
[0033] In some instances, a user may choose to have a virtual
instrument panel installed in a vehicle. As will be well
understood, the virtual instrument panel consists of virtual image
elements representing gauges, warning indicators, etc., that convey
information about specific vehicle conditions. In one aspect, when
the virtual or mixed instrument panel is selected, the visual
characteristics and attributes (e.g., size, location, color, etc.)
of the virtual image elements may be configured through a
configuration service provided by the service system 120. Similar
to the configuration services for the mechanical instrument panel,
the user is allowed to select particular types of visual image
elements and arrange where each of the selected virtual image
elements will be located.
[0034] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate GUIs 300 where a user can customize
the configuration of a virtual instrument panel in accordance with
additional embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. A default
instrument panel 302 is initially depicted to assist a user to
customize various components of the instrument panel. Generally,
the default virtual instrument panel 302 has been predefined by a
manufacturer and such default virtual instrument panel information
is provided from a manufacturer and then properly stored in the
database. Within the GUI 300, the user can add, delete, and modify
visual image elements to/from the default virtual instrument panel
302 to achieve their desired configuration. In that regard, the GUI
300 may include several menu options, for example, "EDIT" menu
option 332, "ADD NEW" menu option 334, "DONE" menu option 336.
[0035] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A, the default
virtual instrument panel 302 may include the visual image elements
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318 that represent a variety of
gauges that are customizable, including, but not limited to, a
speedometer, tachometer, headlight indicator, oil pressure gauge,
fuel gauge, temperature gauge, voltmeter, turn signal indicator,
cruise control indicator, fuel economy indicator, and a navigation
indicator, among others. The default instrument panel 302 may
include the visual image elements in a default size and location
with a default background color. FIG. 3B depicts the GUI 300 where
the user can change the background color of the default instrument
panel 302.
[0036] In addition or alternatively, the service system 120 allows
a user to change the characteristics/attributes of a visual image
element that represents a particular gauge. If a user selects to
change the appearance of a particular visual image element, for
example wanting to have an enlarged tachometer, the user can
interact with the GUI to enlarge the visual image element 312
representing a tachometer. In this regard, the user can click the
image elements 312 representing the tachometer using a pointing
device such as a mouse and then change the size of it by dragging
the selected image to a desired size. In addition or alternatively,
the user can manually enter the desired attribute values. By way of
example only, a user presses the "EDIT" menu option 332 provided in
the GUI 300 in FIGS. 3A-3C, and the GUI 300 may display several
names of virtual image elements that are currently included in the
default panel. The user selects a name of a particular virtual
image element, and the GUI 300 then may prompt the user to input
the desired attributes for the selected gauge display. The user can
manually provide to the service system 120 information regarding
the width, length, color, or the like.
[0037] Upon any changes made by the user, the representation of the
updated virtual image element may be shown on the virtual panel so
that the user can review and evaluate the changes in the virtual
image element. FIG. 3C shows the appearance and location of the
visual image element 318 and the locations of various visual image
elements (e.g., 306, 310, 312, 316) have been changed from the
default virtual panel 302 depicted in FIG. 3B. Further, a user
removed visual image element 314 and added new visual image
elements (e.g., element 324 (showing "N" and "73.degree."), element
305 (showing "Radio)) in the space where virtual element 318 was
previously placed.
[0038] Similar to the mechanical panel, the service system 120 may
instantaneously store the user's inputs regarding the
configurations so that the user can stop their configuration
service at any time and resume the configuration service later
without having to provide previously entered user inputs again.
[0039] If the currently displayed virtual panel is satisfactory,
the user can finalize and submit the configuration to the service
system 120. In the GUI of FIG. 3C, the user can press the "SUBMIT"
button 354 to finalize the configuration. Upon receipt of the
user's request to finalize, the service system 120 may create a
build specification for the instrument panel based on the
configuration and forward the build specification to the
manufacturer of the vehicle. The selected attributes of the
vehicle, such as model number, color, horse power, etc., are also
forwarded to the manufacturer.
[0040] In some instances, a user wants to have a mixed type
instrument panel that includes at least one hardware component and
at least one visual image element. By way of example only, with
reference back to FIG. 2A, the mechanical instrument panel can
includes a visual display window 250 where some virtual image
elements can be displayed along with the hardware components. As
with customizing the virtual instrument panel, a user can select
each virtual image element to be displayed in the visual display
window 250 and customize the visual display window 250 through the
configuration service discussed above in connection with FIGS.
3A-3C.
[0041] In one embodiment, the service system 120 may provide a GUI
displaying a default visual display window that has been
predetermined for the selected vehicle, to assist a user in
customizing the virtual portion of the instrument panel. As will be
appreciated, the GUI is provided so that the service system 120 can
interact with the user when receiving user inputs regarding
configurations. Likewise, the mechanical portion of the panel can
be customized in a manner similar to that discussed in connection
with FIGS. 2A-2E. In this way, the instrument panel may include a
combination of hardware components and virtual instrument
components that are customizable, including, but not limited to, a
speedometer, tachometer, headlight indicator, oil pressure gauge,
fuel gauge, temperature gauge, voltmeter, turn signal indicator,
cruise control indicator, fuel economy indicator, and a navigation
indicator, among others.
[0042] In one aspect, the service system 120 may store the user's
inputs regarding the configurations so that the user can stop their
configuration service anytime and resume the configuration service
later without providing previously entered user inputs again. After
the user finishes customizing the configuration of the mixed-type
instrument panel, the user has an option to review and evaluate the
instrument panel prior to manufacturing of the instrument panel. In
that regard, the service system 120 simulates an image of the
instrument panel including a mechanical portion and a virtual
portion in accordance with the user's configuration, which may be
presented to the user.
[0043] In response to the presentation of the simulated instrument
panel, the user can examine and evaluate the final product look of
the configuration. The user can then decide whether or not to move
forward with manufacturing the panel based on the
configuration.
[0044] It is noted that the screen displays and examples described
in FIGS. 2A-2E and 3A-3C are discussed only for exemplary purposes.
As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, depending on
a particular vehicle and manufacturer, there are various different
attributes and values available for customizing configuration of
the instrument panel. Thus, the discussed and described screen
displays and examples should not be considered as limiting the
scope of the disclosed subject matter.
[0045] Now with reference to FIG. 4, a flow diagram will be
described that depicts one exemplary embodiment of a routine 400
for allowing customized configurations of an instrument panel in
accordance with the disclosed subject matter.
[0046] In one embodiment, the routine 400 may be implemented by the
configuration module 120 in connection with the user interface
module 130 in the service system 120 (FIG. 1). For the sake of
discussion, it is assumed that a user has selected a desired
vehicle and identified a mixed type instrument panel to be
installed in the vehicle. Subsequently, the service system obtains
information about the mixed instrument panel that is necessary to
facilitate the configuration service.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the routine 400 begins at block
402 where the routine obtains, from a database, information about
configurable attributes of an instrument panel for the selected
vehicle. In one embodiment, a default instrument panel may be
displayed on a remote device of the user. In this regard, a GUI
similar to the GUI depicted in FIGS. 2A-2E and 3A-3C may be
presented to the user to assist the user to customize the
configuration of the instrument panel.
[0048] At block 404, the routine 400 receives the user input
identifying desirable attributes of virtual image elements to be
displayed and hardware components to be included in the instrument
panel. As described above, a user can initially be presented with a
default instrument panel. The user can add, delete, or change a
visual image element and/or hardware component included in the
default instrument panel to customize the configuration. In some
embodiments, a user can start from scratch, i.e., an empty
instrument panel. The user can identify desired virtual image
elements and hardware components, their appearance, and placement
on the empty instrument panel.
[0049] At block 406, based on the user input, logic implementing
the routine 400 generates a representation of the instrument panel
that is used to present the simulated image of the instrument panel
to the user. For example, the representation of the instrument
panel that includes at least one hardware instrument and at least
one virtual instrument (visual image element) is generated. At
block 408, the generated representation of the instrument panel,
i.e., the simulated image of the instrument panel, is displayed for
the user's review and evaluation. In this regard, the service
system 120 (i.e., the user interface module 130) renders the
simulated image of the instrument panel in accordance with the
user's customized configuration.
[0050] At a decision block 410, it is determined whether the user
has confirmed the configuration after reviewing and evaluating the
simulated image. If it is determined that the user does not confirm
the configuration because the configuration is not satisfactory,
the routine 400 proceeds to block 412 where the user is allowed to
modify the configuration or start a new configuration service for
the instrument panel. The routine 400 returns to block 406 and
repeats the above mentioned steps. If it is determined that the
user confirms the configuration, the routine proceeds to block 414
where it causes the service system 120 to generate a build
specification (build order) that can be used to assemble the
instrument panel in the vehicle at the manufacturer. At block 416
the build specification of the panel is forwarded to a manufacturer
of the vehicle.
[0051] By way of example, the service system 120 may be configured
to generate a file having data that describes the build
specification based on user input. The data file created may be
transmitted to the vehicle manufacturer and automatically loaded
into a vehicle build queue for configuring the vehicle in
accordance with the build specification. The data file may be in a
suitable file format to be automatically loaded into a vehicle
build queue for configuring the vehicle and/or the panel in
accordance with the customized configurations. In one embodiment,
the vehicle manufacturer's system may include an assembly
application component for assembling a customized instrument panel
based on the loaded data file. In one embodiment, the service
system 120 may forward a generated build specification about a
vehicle to the manufacturer. In one aspect, the service system 120
may serve as an interface between the Web site that obtains user
configuration data and a vehicle manufacturer's system that manages
assembly of the vehicle. After forwarding the build specification
at 416, the routine 400 completes at block 418.
[0052] It should be well understood that the routine 400 described
above with reference to FIG. 4 does not show all of the functions
performed when a user customizes configuration of an instrument
panel. Instead, the routine 400 describes exemplary embodiments of
the disclosed subject matter, such as the process of configuration
of a mixed type instrument panel. It is noted that similar steps
can be implemented to configure a mechanical or a virtual
instrument panel. Those skilled in the art and others will
recognize that some functions may be performed in a different
order, omitted/added, or otherwise varied without departing from
the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0053] While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and
described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made
therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
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