Interactive vehicle window display system with vehicle function control

Abstract

A system for a vehicle includes an interactive display subsystem operable to generate output for display on a vehicle window, the display visible from inside the vehicle, outside the vehicle, or both. The system also includes a control subsystem operable to enable a user to control at least one vehicle function through the interactive display subsystem. A method of controlling a vehicle function includes receiving instructions for controlling the vehicle function through an interactive display subsystem operable to generate output for display on a vehicle window and executing the instructions using a control subsystem.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for a vehicle, comprising:
 an interactive display subsystem operable to generate output for display on a vehicle window; and   a control subsystem operable to enable a user to control at least one vehicle function through the interactive display subsystem.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle function is a navigation function. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle function is an audio/video function. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle function is a climate control function. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle function is an internet access function. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the interactive display subsystem comprises motion sensors. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a vehicle head unit in communication with the interactive display subsystem. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a user location subsystem operable to detect a location of the user and in communication with the control subsystem, the control subsystem further operable to control user access to a vehicle head unit based on the location of the user.   
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a user identification subsystem operable to identify the user and in communication with the control subsystem, the control subsystem further operable to control user access to a vehicle head unit based on the identity of the user.   
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the user identification subsystem includes one or more user profiles, each user profile associated with at least one user. 
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein each user profile includes user access information. 
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the user access information indicates full access or restricted access. 
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the user access information is based on both the user location and the identity of the user. 
     
     
         14 . A method of controlling a vehicle function, comprising:
 receiving instructions for controlling the vehicle function through an interactive display subsystem operable to generate output for display on a vehicle window; and   executing the instructions using a control subsystem.   
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 determining a user location; and   regulating user access to controlling the vehicle function based on the user location.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 determining a user identity; and   regulating user access to controlling the vehicle function based on the user identity.   
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the vehicle function is a navigation function. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the vehicle function is an audio/video function. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the vehicle function is a climate control function. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the vehicle function is an internet access function. 
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the interactive display subsystem comprises an interactive touch screen with touch sensors. 
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the interactive display subsystem comprises a projection display. 
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the interactive display subsystem comprises motion sensors. 
     
     
         24 . A system for a vehicle, comprising:
 an interactive display subsystem including a projection display, the interactive display subsystem operable to enable a vehicle rear-seat passenger to control at least one vehicle function.