Method and apparatus for complementing an instrument panel by utilizing augmented reality

Abstract

An approach is provided for complementing various devices and/or instruments by utilizing augmented reality and providing an adaptive user interface to a user at a user device. A user device determines one or more information items associated with at least one instrument panel of at least one vehicle. Then the user device determines one or more representations of the one or more information items and causes, at least in part, a presentation of the one or more information items at the user device, wherein the user device may complement and/or may be substituted for the at least one instrument panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 determining, at an electronic device, one or more information items associated with an instrument panel of a vehicle, wherein the electronic device is distinct from the instrument panel and complements the instrument panel,   receiving one or more real time images at the electronic device from around the vehicle from one or more cameras of the vehicle; and   causing one or more presentations of the one or more information items at the electronic device augmenting a presentation of the one of the real time images.   
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 processing the one or more information items to determine priority information,   wherein the one or more presentations of the one or more information items at the electronic device is based on the priority information.   
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more information items are received via one or more communication links to one or more sensors associated with the vehicle, one or more service providers, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more information items are determined via one or more optical sensors, one or more audio sensors, or a combination thereof on the electronic device. 
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining at the electronic device, one or more inaccuracies in the one or more information items; and   updating the priority information based on the one or more inaccuracies.   
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 5 , further comprising further comprising:
 determining one or more sensors associated with the one or more inaccuracies;   presenting one or more notifications via a user interface at the electronic device indicative of the one or more inaccuracies; and   determining one or more user inputs via the user interface;   wherein the updating is based on the one or more user inputs.   
     
     
         7 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more presentations of the one or more information items at the electronic device is based on one or more user preferences, one or more user histories, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 configuring a display area on the electronic device based on the one or more priorities, one or more information types, the on one or more user preferences, the one or more user histories, the one or more inaccuracies, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         9 . A method of  claim 8 , wherein the configuration of the display area on the electronic device, the one or more presentations of the one or more information items at the electronic device, or a combination thereof is based on a type of the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . A method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 storing the one or more information items, the configuration of the display area, information of the vehicle, or a combination thereof at the electronic device.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,   the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,   determine a placement of an electronic device positioned on a front of an instrument panel of a vehicle and determined to substitute for the instrument panel, where in the electronic device is distinct from the instrument panel,   determine one or more information items associated with an instrument panel of a vehicle,   receive one or more real time images at the electronic device from around the vehicle from one or more cameras of the vehicle; and   cause one or more presentations of the one or more information items at the electronic device augmenting a presentation of the one of the real time images.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 process the one or more information items to determine priority information,   wherein the one or more presentations of the one or more information items at the electronic device is based on the priority information.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more information items are received via one or more communication links to one or more sensors associated with the vehicle, one or more service providers, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more information items are determined via one or more optical sensors, one or more audio sensors, or a combination thereof on the electronic device. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 determine, at the electronic device, one or more inaccuracies in the one or more information items; and   cause an update to the priority information based on the one or more inaccuracies.   
     
     
         16 . An apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 determine one or more sensors associated with the one or more inaccuracies;   cause a presentation of one or more notifications via a user interface at the electronic device indicative of the one or more inaccuracies;   determine one or more user inputs via the user interface; and   cause the update based on the one or more user inputs.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more presentations of the one or more information items at the electronic device is based on one or more user preferences, one or more user histories, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 cause a configuration of a display area on the electronic device based on the one or more priorities, one or more information types, the on one or more user preferences, the one or more user histories, the one or more inaccuracies, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the configuration of the display area on the electronic device, the one or more presentations of the one or more information items at the electronic device, or a combination thereof is based on a type of the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 cause a storing of the one or more information items, the configuration of the display area.