`
`(12) United States Patent
`Tan et al.
`
`(to) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,574,531 B2
`Jun. 3, 2003
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`PROVIDING INFORMATION TO AN
`OCCUPANT OF A VEHICLE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Adrian Ken-min Tan, Farmington, MI
`(US); Colleen Serafin, Ann Arbor, MI
`(US); John Thomas Kosinski, II, River
`Rouge, MI (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.,
`Dearborn, MI (US)
`
`( * )
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 09/915,124
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 25, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2003/0023350 Al Jan. 30, 2003
`
`(Under 37 CFR 1.47)
`
`(51) Int. C1.7
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
` GO6F 17/00; B60Q 1/00
` 701/1; 701/211; 340/825.5;
`345/204
` 701/1, 200, 210,
`(58) Field of Search
`701/211; 340/990, 995, 825.49, 825.5; 345/717,
`718, 204, 5
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,121,112 A * 6/1992 Nakadozono
`5,732,368 A
`3/1998 Knoll et al.
`5/1998 Morimoto et al.
`5,757,359 A
`
`307/10.1
`701/1
`345/156
`
`rz l
`
`VEHICLE MOTION
`SENSOR
`
`5,764,139 A * 6/1998 Nojima et al.
`5,949,345 A
`9/1999 Beckert et al.
`6,029,110 A
`2/2000 Zuber et al.
`6,157,297 A * 12/2000 Nakai
`6,181,996 B1 * 1/2001 Chou et al.
`6,256,558 B1 * 7/2001 Sugiura et al.
`6,266,589 B1 * 7/2001 Boies et al.
`6,415,224 B1 * 7/2002 Wako et al.
`
`340/438
`340/815.41
`701/200
`340/461
`340/439
`340/529
`701/1
`701/208
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`EP
`
`197 15 325 Al
`0 672 892 Al
`
`10/1998
`4/1995
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Derwent English Abstract for German Application 197 15
`325 Al.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Tan Q. Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Brinks Hofer Gilson &
`Lione
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A vehicle computer system and method of providing infor-
`mation to an occupant of a vehicle that minimizes complete
`feature lock out are provided. The operating system of the
`computer is adapted to selectively display full and limited
`functionality versions of a particular screen, preferably
`based on whether the vehicle is in motion. A text-to-speech
`engine can automatically generate audio based on a particu-
`lar screen once motion is detected. The availability of a
`limited functionality version of the screen and audio, either
`independently or together, allow a vehicle occupant to
`retrieve information from the computer system without
`distraction.
`
`22 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
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`Jun. 3, 2003
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`Jun. 3, 2003
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`
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`US 6,574,531 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`PROVIDING INFORMATION TO AN
`OCCUPANT OF A VEHICLE
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses
`for providing various types of information to one or more
`occupants of a motor vehicle.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`generating audio through the text to speech engine based on
`the text of the full functionality version of the screen while
`the vehicle is in motion.
`The present invention also provides a method of provid-
`ing information to an occupant of a vehicle. In a preferred
`embodiment, the method comprises providing a vehicle
`computer system in accordance with the present invention,
`receiving input from an occupant, determining whether the
`vehicle is in motion, displaying an appropriate screen on the
`10 output, and automatically generating audio through the text
`to speech engine based on the current screen if the vehicle
`is in motion.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle computer system
`incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`tion.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a full functionality version
`20 of an Internet news screen in accordance with the present
`invention.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic of a limited functionality version of
`an Internet news screen in accordance with the present
`invention.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic of a common screen in accordance
`with the present invention.
`
`25
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Vehicle computer systems frequently contain an output
`for displaying information to an occupant of the vehicle.
`Also, these systems typically allow for interaction, via an 15
`input, with the occupant that affects the information dis-
`played on the output. For example, by pressing one or more
`input keys, an occupant may navigate through a menu
`structure in a navigation program in order to display a
`desired map on an output screen.
`To prevent a driver of a vehicle from interacting with
`these computer systems while the vehicle is in motion, a
`"lock out" feature can be employed. Typically, these features
`disable the entire computer system, thereby preventing all
`interaction by the driver while the vehicle is in motion. This
`complete disabling of the system is undesirable, however,
`because it bars access to all information, even that which
`requires only a minimal level of interaction by the driver.
`Initial attempts at providing a limited level of access to
`information while driving have been made. For example,
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,345 to Beckert, et al., for DISPLAYING
`COMPUTER INFORMATION TO A DRIVER OF A
`VEHICLE describes a vehicle computer system that allows
`applications to distinguish between driving and non-driving
`related information, and subsequently allows the display of
`only driving related information while the vehicle is in
`motion. Unfortunately, the system completely locks out all
`functions not related to driving, such as displaying enter-
`tainment related media and information.
`
`30
`
`3 5
`
`The following description of preferred embodiments of
`the invention provides examples of the present invention.
`The embodiments discussed herein are merely exemplary in
`nature, and are not intended to limit the scope of the
`invention in any manner. Rather, the description of these
`preferred embodiments serves to enable a person of ordinary
`skill in the relevant art to make and use the present inven-
`tion.
`FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle computer system 10 that
`40 incorporates a preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`tion. The vehicle computer system 10 can be any device
`capable of receiving input from an occupant of the vehicle
`and displaying or otherwise outputting information.
`Examples of vehicle computer systems suitable for use with
`45 the present invention include radios, integrated mobile
`phones, and integrated personal computers. The present
`invention is particularly well-suited for incorporation into
`navigational computers that allow an occupant of the vehicle
`to input an address or location to be mapped and displayed
`50 by the computer. Also, the present invention is particularly
`well-suited for incorporation into systems that interact with
`external computer networks, such as the Internet, to retrieve
`information of interest to an occupant of the vehicle, such as
`news stories and/or electronic mail. Other examples of
`55 vehicle computer systems include televisions, video display
`terminals, and entertainment systems.
`The vehicle computer system 10 includes input means
`that allow an occupant of the vehicle to input information
`into the system 10. As illustrated in the figure, typical
`60 systems include various buttons 12 that allow an occupant of
`the vehicle to input information, such as a destination
`address or location, or to select a particular function of the
`system 10. Other suitable forms of input means include
`dials, switches, keyboards, and joysticks.
`The system 10 also includes output means adapted to
`display information to an occupant of the vehicle. A suitable
`example of output means for use in the present invention is
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a vehicle computer system
`that communicates information of various types to an occu-
`pant of the vehicle even while the vehicle is in motion. The
`system allows a computer application to designate alternate
`versions of screens, or views of particular information items,
`for displaying on an output. The system selectively displays
`one of the versions during vehicle movement and the other
`version while the vehicle is at rest. For a particular screen,
`one version is preferably a full functionality version, which
`contains all information (e.g., full text of an Internet news
`story) or available actions (e.g., a fully active menu) asso-
`ciated with the screen, while a second version is preferably
`a limited functionality version containing only a summary of
`the information (e.g., a portion of the title of an Internet
`news story) or a limited number of available actions (e.g., a
`menu with disabled options). The limited functionality ver-
`sion of the screen allows for quick retrieval of visual
`information related to the information contained in the full
`functionality version of the screen without distracting the
`driver.
`The vehicle computer system may also include a text to
`speech engine adapted to generate audio related to informa-
`tion displayed on the output of the device. A preferred
`embodiment of the invention displays a limited functionality
`version of a particular screen and automatically begins
`
`65
`
`FORD EX. 1025, p. 4
`
`
`
`US 6,574,531 B2
`
`3
`a display screen 14. The display screen 14 is preferably an
`LCD screen, but may comprise any suitable type of display
`that is capable of projecting information to one or more
`occupants of the vehicle.
`Preferably, the input and output means of the system 10
`comprise structurally distinct devices, i.e., the system 10
`preferably includes an input device and a separate output
`device. Alternatively, the input and output means may be
`combined into a single device or component. For example,
`the system may include a touch sensitive display screen that
`allows the output portion of the device to also serve as an
`input device. Of course, a combination of these alternatives
`can also be employed.
`The vehicle computer system 10 includes electronics 16
`appropriate for the type of system. For example, a naviga-
`tional computer typically includes hardware suitable for
`reading stored data, such as CD ROMS, as well as electron-
`ics for resolving the position of the vehicle relative to the
`earth, such as GPS receivers, etc. The electronics may also
`include modems, network interfaces, or other communica-
`tive means that allow the system 10 to interact with and
`retrieve information from external networks, such as the
`Internet.
`The electronics 16 include a computer processor 18 that
`is capable of executing various types of software programs.
`Essentially any suitable computer processor can be incor-
`porated into the system 10 of the present invention. In any
`given embodiment, the processor chosen will depend on the
`computing needs, e.g., power and speed, of the overall
`system. Also, the electronics 16 preferably include one or
`more application programs 20. The application programs 20
`preferably comprise software built into the electronics 16 of
`the system 10. Alternatively, the application programs 20
`may be supplied to the system 10 via some type of tempo-
`rary or removable memory, such as floppy disks, CD ROMs,
`smart memory cards, PCMCIA cards, or hard drives.
`Electronics 16 also preferably include an operating sys-
`tem 22 adapted to interact with the application programs 20.
`The interaction between the operating system 22 and appli-
`cation programs 20 includes common computer functions
`between an operating system and a software application,
`such as launching application programs, controlling the
`visual interface of the application program, and exiting the
`application program.
`Preferably, electronics 16 also include a text to speech
`engine 24. The text to speech engine 24 preferably com-
`prises a computer program capable of translating textual
`information to audio information. Preferably, the text to
`speech engine 24 is adapted to translate textual information
`into a language, such as English, understandable to an
`occupant of the vehicle. Also preferable, the text to speech
`engine 24 is adapted to receive audio input from an occupant
`of the vehicle and to translate such input into data that can
`be acted upon by an application program 20 or the operating
`system 22.
`To facilitate interaction between an occupant of the
`vehicle and the text to speech engine 24, the vehicle com-
`puter system 10 preferably includes a microphone 26 and
`one or more speakers 28. The microphone 26 is preferably
`positioned within the vehicle cockpit such that it is able to
`receive verbal commands from an occupant situated within
`the cockpit. Likewise, the speakers 28 are preferably posi-
`tioned within the vehicle cockpit such that they are able to
`convey audio information to an occupant situated within the
`cockpit.
`The application programs 20 preferably provide alternate
`versions of various screens, or collections of visual infor-
`
`10
`
`3
`
`4
`mation. The alternate versions of the screens provide two
`visually distinct representations of information associated
`with a particular file.
`The system 10 also preferably includes one or more
`5 sensors 21 capable of determining whether the vehicle is in
`motion. The sensors 21 are preferably associated with the
`axles, wheels, speedometer, parking brake or any other
`component of the vehicle that indicates vehicle motion or
`lack thereof.
`In a preferred embodiment, one application program 20
`comprises an Internet news retrieval program. For one or
`more news articles, the program provides two alternate
`versions of a screen associated with an article. FIG. 2
`illustrates the first version, or full functionality version 30,
`15 of the screen. As shown in the figure, the full functionality
`version 30 displays complete information for common fea-
`tures of the system, such as the clock 32, weather summary
`34, and voice mail indicator 36. Also, in the content window
`38, the full functionality version 30 displays the complete
`20 contents of the news article. Preferably, the full functionality
`version 30 displays at least the following information: a
`news category 40, total number of articles in the category 42,
`dateline of the story 44, full title of the story 46, full text of
`the story 48, active scroll bar 50 for navigating through the
`25 story, active touch buttons 52 for triggering system
`functions, and an active directional navigator 54.
`The full functionality version 30 preferably allows access
`to all features and functions of the system 10, operating
`system 22, and application programs 20. Thus, in the
`example shown in the figure, the occupant of the vehicle can
`read the entire text of the news story associated with the
`screen by scrolling through the text 48, when the operating
`system 20 displays the full functionality version 30.
`FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate version, a limited function-
`ality version 130, of the screen illustrated in FIG. 2. Like
`reference numbers in FIG. 3 refer to similar features illus-
`trated in FIG. 2.
`As shown in the figure, the limited functionality version
`40 130 displays the system functions, such as the clock 132, the
`weather summary 134, and the voice mail indicator 136.
`These features are characterized by small pieces of visual
`information, such as digits, words or icons, that allow for
`quick retrieval of information. As such, these types of
`45 features are preferably included in both the full 30 and
`limited 130 functionality versions of the screen.
`The content window 138 of the limited functionality
`version 130 preferably contains abbreviated or truncated
`versions of some of the information presented in the full
`so functionality version. For example, the figure illustrates a
`limited functionality version 130 that only includes a brief
`category name 140 and a brief title 146. Preferably, these
`items are displayed in a larger font, allowing for quick
`retrieval of the information displayed on the screen. As
`55 shown in the figure, the interactive features of the screen are
`preferable inactivated, such as the scroll bar 150, touch
`button 152, and directional navigator 154. One or more
`touch button 152a may remain active to allow the triggering
`of a feature that requires minimal interaction with the
`60 system, such as the text-to-speech engine.
`The system also preferably includes a common screen for
`displaying on the output when a limited functionality ver-
`sion of the screen is not available. The common screen is
`preferably independent of the application programs, and it is
`65 particularly preferred that the operating system provide the
`common screen. FIG. 4 illustrates a suitable common screen
`230. Again, like reference numbers in FIG. 4 refer to similar
`
`35
`
`FORD EX. 1025, p. 5
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`US 6,574,531 B2
`
`5
`features shown in the other figures. The common screen 230
`preferably provides notice 256 to an occupant of the vehicle
`that they have reached a point at which a limited function-
`ality version of the screen is not available. Also preferably,
`the common screen includes a notice 258 as to how to return
`to the last available limited functionality version in the
`hierarchy of the menu or program structure.
`The present invention also provides a method of provid-
`ing information to an occupant of a vehicle. Preferably, the
`method comprises providing a vehicle computer system in
`accordance with the present invention, receiving informa-
`tion from an input of the system (e.g., the activation of a
`particular button), and selectively displaying the full and
`limited functionality version of a particular screen on the
`output of the system.
`Preferably, the operating system selectively chooses
`which version of the screen to display based on whether the
`vehicle is in motion. The operating system can receive data
`related to vehicle motion from a motion sensor placed
`appropriately in the vehicle, as described above. Based on
`this data, the operating system preferably chooses between
`the two alternate versions of the screen. In the preferred
`method, the operating system displays the full functionality
`version of the screen if the vehicle is not in motion, giving
`an occupant of the vehicle access to all information associ-
`ated with the screen. However, if the vehicle is in motion,
`the operating system displays the limited functionality ver-
`sion of the screen. This method restricts the ability of a
`vehicle occupant to interact with the computer system, but
`avoids complete lock-out of features. Of course, the appli-
`cation and/or computer processor can select the appropriate
`screen based on vehicle motion, if appropriate.
`It is preferred that the sensor continually monitor for
`motion of the vehicle. This continuous monitoring allows
`the operating system to switch from the full functionality
`version of the screen to the limited functionality version as
`soon as vehicle motion is detected. Alternatively, the sensor
`can monitor the motion of the vehicle at a regular or
`intermittent interval.
`Also preferably, the operating system automatically ini-
`tiates the generation of audio, through the text-to-speech
`engine, based on the information associated with the screen
`currently being displayed as soon as the sensor detects
`motion of the vehicle. This allows an occupant of the vehicle
`to view the limited functionality version of the screen to gain
`a summary of the information, and to listen to audio based
`on the complete information associated with the screen. As
`indicated above, it is preferred that this generation of audio
`be initiated automatically upon detection of vehicle motion.
`Alternatively, an occupant of the vehicle can manually
`initiate generation of audio by activating an appropriate
`function key on the input while the limited functionality
`version of the screen is displayed on the output (see, for
`example, FIG. 3).
`Also preferable, the method includes displaying a com-
`mon screen whenever the operating system chooses to
`display a limited functionality version but the application
`program does not provide such a version of the appropriate
`screen. Preferably, the common screen is provided by the
`operating system itself and includes a notice to the effect that
`a limited functionality version is not available.
`The foregoing disclosure is the best mode devised by the
`inventors for practicing the invention. It is apparent,
`however, that several variations in the method and apparatus
`in accordance with the present invention may be conceivable
`to one skilled in the art. Inasmuch as the foregoing disclo-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`2
`
`25
`
`6
`sure is intended to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to
`practice the instant invention, it should not be construed to
`be limited thereby, but should be construed to include such
`aforementioned variations. As such, the present invention
`5 should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the
`appended claims.
`We claim:
`1. A method of providing information to an occupant of a
`vehicle, comprising:
`providing a vehicle computer system including a
`processor, an input, an output, one or more applications
`adapted to provide screens for display on the output, at
`least one of the screens having a full functionality
`version and a limited functionality version, and an
`operating system adapted to execute the application and
`selectively allow the display of the full functionality
`and limited functionality versions of the screen on the
`output;
`receiving information from the input;
`selectively displaying the full functionality and limited
`functionality versions of the screen on the output; and
`broadcasting an audio communication to the vehicle occu-
`pant based on the information included on the selected
`version of the screen.
`2. The method in accordance with claim 1, further com-
`prising providing a common screen and displaying the
`common screen on the output if there is no limited func-
`tionality version of the screen associated with the informa-
`30 tion received from the input.
`3. The method in accordance with claim 1, further com-
`prising determining whether said vehicle is in motion and
`wherein selectively displaying the full functionality and
`limited functionality versions of the screen comprises dis-
`35 playing the full functionality version of the screen associated
`with the information received from the input on the output
`if the vehicle is not in motion and displaying the limited
`functionality version of the screen associated with the infor-
`mation received from the input on the output if the vehicle
`40 is in motion.
`4. The method in accordance with claim 3, wherein
`determining whether said vehicle is in motion is conducted
`by a sensor at a regular interval.
`5. The method in accordance with claim 3, wherein
`45 determining whether said vehicle is in motion is conducted
`continually.
`6. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
`limited functionality version of the screen comprises a menu
`structure adapted to indicate that lower selections in the
`structure not having a limited functionality version of the
`screen corresponding to the selection are disabled.
`7. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
`limited functionality version of the screen includes a sum-
`mary of the information contained in the full functionality
`55 version of the screen.
`8. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the
`summary includes at least a portion of a title associated with
`the information contained in the full functionality version of
`the screen.
`9. The method in accordance with claim 1, further com-
`prising determining whether said vehicle is in motion, and
`generating audio through a text to speech engine occurs
`automatically when said vehicle is in motion.
`10. A method of providing information to an occupant of
`65 a vehicle, comprising:
`providing a vehicle computer system including a
`processor, an input, an output, a text to speech engine,
`
`s
`
`60
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`FORD EX. 1025, p. 6
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`US 6,574,531 B2
`
`7
`one or more applications adapted to provide screens for
`display on the output, at least one of the screens having
`a full functionality version and a limited functionality
`version, an operating system adapted to provide a
`common screen, to execute the application, and to
`selectively allow the display of the full functionality
`and limited functionality versions of the screen on the
`output;
`receiving information from the input;
`determining whether said vehicle is in motion;
`preventing the display of the full functionality version of
`the screen associated with the information received
`from the input on the output if the vehicle is in motion;
`displaying the limited functionality version of the screen
`associated with the information received from the input
`on the output if the vehicle is in motion;
`displaying the common screen on the output if there is no
`limited functionality version of the screen associated
`with the information received from the input; and
`automatically generating audio through the text to speech
`engine based on information associated with the screen
`currently displayed on the output when the vehicle is in
`motion.
`11. A vehicle computer system for providing information
`to a vehicle occupant, comprising:
`a processor;
`an input for activating the processor to perform certain
`functions, the input being operably connected to the
`processor;
`a display for communicating information to the vehicle
`occupant based on the input to the processor;
`a text to speech engine adapted to generate audio corre-
`sponding to the information on the display; and
`at least one software application cooperating with the
`processor and the output to provide at least one display
`screen for displaying the information on the display,
`wherein at least one of the at least one screen having a
`full functionality version and at least one other of the at
`least one screen having a limited functionality version.
`12. The vehicle computer system in accordance with
`claim 11, further comprising an operating system adapted to
`execute the at least one software application and selectively
`display the full functionality and limited functionality ver-
`sions of the screen on the display.
`13. The vehicle computer system in accordance with
`claim 12, further comprising at least one sensor for detecting
`
`5
`
`0
`
`8
`a vehicle motion and to provide information regarding the
`vehicle motion to the operating system.
`14. The vehicle computer system in accordance with
`claim 13, wherein the operating system is adapted to selec-
`tively display the full functionality and limited functionality
`versions of the screen in response to the information regard-
`ing the vehicle motion.
`15. The vehicle computer system in accordance with
`claim 14, wherein the operating system is adapted to display
`the full functionality version of the screen only if the
`information indicates that there is vehicle motion.
`16. The vehicle computer system in accordance with
`claim 12, wherein the operating system is adapted to allow
`15 the generation of audio by the text to speech engine in
`response to the information regarding the vehicle motion.
`17. The vehicle computer system in accordance with
`claim 16, wherein the sensor is adapted to continually
`determine whether said vehicle is in motion and wherein the
`20 operating system is adapted to automatically allow the
`generation of audio by the text to speech engine upon
`detection of motion of said vehicle by the sensor.
`18. The vehicle computer system in accordance with
`claim 17, wherein the operating system is further adapted to
`25 prevent the display of the full functionality version of the
`screen if the information indicates that there is no vehicle
`motion.
`19. The vehicle computer system in accordance with
`claim 18, wherein the operating system is further adapted to
`30 allow the display of the limited functionality version of the
`screen if the information indicates that there is vehicle
`motion.
`20. The vehicle computer system in accordance with
`claim 11, wherein the limited functionality version of the
`35 screen comprises a menu structure adapted to indicate that a
`lower selection in the structure not having a limited func-
`tionality version of the screen corresponding to the selection
`are disabled.
`21. The vehicle computer system in accordance with
`40 claim 11, wherein the limited functionality version of the
`screen includes a summary of the information contained in
`the full functionality version of the screen.
`22. The vehicle computer system in accordance with
`claim 21, wherein the summary includes at least a portion of
`45 a title associated with the information contained in the full
`functionality version of the screen.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`FORD EX. 1025, p. 7
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`: 6,574,531 B2
`PATENT NO.
`DATED
`: June 3, 2003
`INVENTOR(S) : Adrian Ken-min Tan et al.
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is
`hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`Title page,
`Item [75], Inventors, after "Farmington" and before "," insert -- Hills --.
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Twenty-fifth Day of November, 2003
`
`JAMES E. ROGAN
`Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`FORD EX. 1025, p. 8
`
`