BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mobile communication devices must sometimes be operated while the user is engaged in another activity that occupies his hands and/or eyes. A common example is the use of mobile (cellular) phones while driving. Mobile phones are wireless transceivers that provide mobile communication via a network of base stations. As the user travels, the communication link is handed off from one base station to the next. The network of base stations makes it possible to conduct a call while traveling in a vehicle.

The mobile phone is designed for portability, therefore it is small enough to be held in one hand or carried in a pocket or travel bag. The user converses via a microphone and speaker, which are built into the phone or via a headset or other external device. The user operates the phone by pressing controls, typically buttons, on the phone. Operations including dialing ; number storage, recall and display ; and other telephone services. Typically a stationary user will hold the phone in one hand while operating it with the other, looking at the phone to see which button to press and to view the phone's display.

When the user is driving, it becomes dangerous to operate the phone since he needs to use his hands and eyes to drive. To operate the phone the driver has to use one hand to hold it and one hand to press the controls or he puts it down next to himself and uses one hand to press the controls. The latter case is particularly inconvenient since the phone is out of his field of vision and since it is not fixed it tends to move around, making it take longer

for the driver to locate it when he needs to view the display or press a control.

A partial solution was found by providing a holder attached to the dashboard. During the drive, the phone is kept in the holder. The holder fixes the phone, enabling the user to press the buttons with only one hand. The holder also ensures that the phone is close to the driver's field of vision and in a known location, enabling him to take in the display more rapidly and to find the button he needs faster. However the user still needs to remove a hand from the steering wheel to operate the phone and to glance at the phone to view the display.

Since safe driving demands two hands and full visual contact with the surroundings, the user is exposed to a higher likelihood of an accident when he uses his hands or his eyes with the phone.

This danger is increased during difficult driving conditions, such as a bumpy road or heavy traffic, when it is more difficult for the driver to locate the correct phone controls and display. This lengthens the period of time during which the driver's hands and eyes are occupied with the phone.

Both the display and the control buttons are kept small to keep the phone mobile. This makes the driver's job harder, since both are farther from him than they are when he uses the phone normally. Also, the driver's eyes must compensate for the difference between the external illumination and that of the vehicle interior and refocus from the extended field of vision in front of him to the restricted field comprising the phone and dashboard. These demands on the driver's eyes cause fatigue and result in a delay while the driver's eyes adjust from road to phone and back to road, sometimes several times during a single call. These delays still further increase the likelihood of an accident.

Attempts have been made to use voice recognition technology as a means for reducing or eliminating the need for the driver to use his hands and eyes to operate the cellular phone. The goal of voice recognition is to enable the driver to operate the phone merely by speaking commands, which the phone is able to interpret and execute. Thus far, voice recognition technology

has not proven to be a viable solution for the following reasons: It requires the user to memorize a list of commands.

Incorrect recognition of numbers and commands can result in misdialing or other unsuccessful operations.

Dialing and other operations take longer to perform.

* Not all operations are supported by the voice recognition system.

Another possible solution would be a heads-up display, similar to those used by military pilots. The heads-up display projects user interface information directly onto the pilot's visor, enabling him to keep his eyes on his other instruments and the sky around him. While it is not practical for a driver to wear a heads-up display, it would be desirable to put the controls and display within his line of vision.

Another problem related to the use of a mobile phone in a vehicle occurs when a driver needs to enter information received during a call. An example of such information is a telephone number spoken by another party to the call or played back by an answering service. The driver is required to record the information temporarily, such as, by jotting it down on a piece of paper. Once the call has been completed, the driver then enters the information into the phone. This process causes two distractions: when the driver is recording the information and when he is entering it into the phone after the call. It would be desirable to enable the caller to enter the information directly, without the intermediate stage of recording it until the call is completed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary interface for a mobile communication device aimed at providing convenient and secure interface means for operating a mobile communication device. in particular it is an object of the present invention to provide such interface suitable for use by a driver driving a vehicle, allowing convenient

access and operation by the driver while at the same time reducing the risk of diverting the driver's attention and vision from the road.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such interface with large enough controls and display (larger than conventional mobile communication devices such as mobile phones), positioned within the driver's normal field of vision, when occupied with driving.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary interface for a mobile communication device that is fixed in a known location within the driver's reach.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such an auxiliary interface with a user interface panel that is essentially transparent, so as to minimize the obstruction to the driver's view of the road.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such an auxiliary interface with a user interface panel that is completely, or in large part, a pixel-based touch screen, such that the controls and display are flexible and can be modified or programmed on-the-fly.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention there is provided an independent processing capability that supplements the portable communication device's processing capability.

There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an auxiliary interface to a mobile communication device designed for a driver's use in a vehicle, said device comprising: a user interface panel comprising display means and control means, said user interface panel positioned within the driver's field of vision when looking ahead; a control unit adapted to communicate with the mobile communication device and with said user interface panel so as to enable the driver to control the mobile communication device by inputting commands via said user interface panel and view display output from the mobile communication device on said display means;

whereby the driver may operate the mobile communication device via said user interface panel with minimum interference with the driving.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication device is a mobile phone.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said user interface panel is mounted on the vehicle's windshield.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said user interface panel is mounted on the upper portion of the windshield.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said user interface panel is essentially transparent.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said user interface panel is large enough to allow the driver to operate it safely and easily.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said user interface panel is mounted on the vehicle's dashboard.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said user interface panel is provided with a pop-up mechanism allowing the user interface panel to be switched between two positions, the first position being folded down and the second position being upright.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user interface panel is hinged mounted on a base.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said display means is a liquid-crystal display (LCD).

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said user interface panel is supplied power from said

control unit.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said user interface panel is implemented on a touch- sensitive, pixel-based medium.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the content, size, appearance, function, and location of both said display means and said control means are programmable.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said control unit is supplied power from the vehicle's electrical system.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said control means on said user interface panel is a touch- sensitive panel juxtaposed over a layer of control images or icons.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said user interface panel is provided with illuminating means.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said illuminating means is user activated.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said control unit comprises a display interface adapted to communicate with the display means of the user interface panel, control interface adapted to communicate with the control means of the user interface panel, and a processing unit for controlling the operation of the device.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said control unit is provided with memory means for storing data and adapted to facilitate recalling said data and displaying it on said display means.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said memory means is a non-volatile memory for retaining

said data when power to said control unit is shut down.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said control unit is provided with a voltage adapter for adapting power supplied to the device.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said control means includes a control for selecting the operation mode of said user interface panel and said control unit.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device is adapted to operate in an online mode wherein which said output from said control means goes to said mobile communication device and display output from said mobile communication device goes to said display means, whereby said user interface panel assumes the functions of said mobile communication device's operation controls and display.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device is adapted to operate in an independent mode wherein output from said control means goes to said control unit and display output from said control unit goes to said display means, whereby said user interface panel interacts with said control unit independent of said mobile communications device.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device is adapted to operate in an upload/download mode wherein said control means controls data communication between said control unit and said mobile communication device.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said user interface panel has a microphone, which performs the function of said mobile communication device's microphone.

Finally, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user interface panel has a speaker, which performs the function of said mobile communication device's speaker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In order to better understand the present invention, and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are provided and referenced hereafter. It should be noted that the Figures are given as examples only and in no way limit the scope of the invention as defined in the appended Claims.

Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an auxiliary interface to a portable communication device in accordance with a preferred embodiment; Figure 2 is a block diagram of an auxiliary interface to a portable communication device in accordance with a preferred embodiment with a microphone integrated into the user interface panel of the mobile phone operation device components; Figure 3 illustrates a view of an auxiliary interface to a portable communication device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the user interface mounted on the windshield of a vehicle.

Figure 4 illustrates a view of an auxiliary interface to a portable communication device in accordance to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the user interface mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle.

Figure 5A illustrates a view of an auxiliary interface to a portable communication device in accordance to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the user interface mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle and in operating position.

Figure 5B illustrates a view of an auxiliary interface to a portable communication device in accordance to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the user interface mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle and in storage position.

Figure 6A illustrates a view of an alternative user interface panel where both the display and the controls are implemented on a touch-sensitive,

pixel-based medium, such that the content, size, and location of both the display and the controls can be software modified, forming a user interface to a portable communication device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6B illustrates a view of an alternative user interface panel as in Figure 6A after the display and the controls have changed in response to a user selection, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is provided a device for hands-free operation of a mobile communication instrument. The device is an interface to the instrument's display and operation functions that is suited to an environment where the user's hands and/or eyes are occupied with other activities.

The user interface of a mobile communication device is of limited size due to the demands of portability. While this limitation can be acceptable in a controlled environment, it becomes inconvenient if not dangerous when the user is simultaneously engaged in another activity requiring the use of his hands and/or eyes. Therefore, the object of the current invention is to provide a second user interface that facilitates the use of the mobile communication device while the hands and/or eyes are engaged. The second user interface is made physically separate from the mobile communication device and communicates with the mobile communication device.

The advantages that the second user interface provides include : -larger display and buttons than those of the communication device; -more convenient use of the display and buttons by implementing them on a pixel-based, touch screen, where their characteristics can be software modified on the fly ; -installation within the user's field of view or at least closer than the

mobile communication device; -fixed installation in a known location -transparency for minimum obstruction of the user's field of view; -independent processing capability that supplements the mobile communication device's processing capability (optional embodiment).

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

The present invention requires that a mobile phone cooperating with the system disclosed herein be provided with a data communication port that facilitates exporting display and command capabilities and other optional features, such as audio input and output (microphone and speaker), to an external device. The present invention does not provide a solution for this requirement.

Reference is now made to Figure 1 illustrating an auxiliary interface to a mobile communication device, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which enables a driver of a vehicle to operate a mobile phone safely and conveniently. The auxiliary interface to a mobile communication device comprises a mobile phone 14 mounted on a dashboard holder connected via a data link to a control unit 13 which is connected via power and data links to a user interface panel 10.

The mobile phone in Figure 1 is held in a vehicle's dashboard holder 15 although this is not a requirement. It may be possible to connect the system of the present invention to a mobile phone that is not mounted on such holder as long as it communicates with the system providing the capabilities stated above. While this embodiment retains the speaker and microphone that are built-in to the phone, these functions can equally be performed by a third party device, such as external speaker and/or microphone 21 or a microphone and speaker 25 integrated into the user interface panel 10 (see Figure 2).

The control unit 13 and the user interface panel 10 are supplied from one of several possible power sources. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1

the control unit is supplied by a connection from the vehicle's electrical system 26 to the control unit's voltage adapter 24 and the user interface panel is supplied from the control unit. Alternative supply means are the mobile phone, an internal battery, a supply from the vehicle to the mobile phone, or other means familiar to one skilled in the art.

In this embodiment the data communication links are wires but they can also be wireless. The control unit and any signal or supply wires are installed with standard methods known to one skilled in the art, such as by fixing the control unit underneath the dashboard and adhering the wires to the dashboard and driver-windshield pillar.

The user interface panel 10 is an essentially transparent panel, large enough to allow the driver to operate it safely and easily, comprising two elements : a display 11 and controls 12. The controls include dialing keys, function keys, and the like. The display means can be a liquid-crystal display (LCD) such as display 11 shown in Figure 1, or other display means familiar to one skilled in the art. The display interfaces to the control unit processor 30 via the display interface 20. The controls can be implemented as a transparent touch-sensitive panel juxtaposed over a layer of control images or icons, such as those used in personal digital assistants and personal computers, or other means familiar to one skilled in the art. Figure 6A is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the user interface panel 10 is implemented in whole, or in part, as a pixel-based, touch-sensitive medium, such as used in PDAs (for example : 3COM Corporation's Palm Pilots), wherein the controls 12 and the display 11 can be modified on the fly by the control unit processor 30. Figure 6B is another view of such an implementation of the user interface panel 10, this time showing that the controls and display have changed to suit the task that the user has selected.

In the case illustrated in Figure 7, the user had selected a task that required text entry controls and an alpha-numeric display. An example of such a task would be adding a telephone number to a virtual address book in the memory area of the mobile phone 14.

The controls interface to the control unit processor 30 via the control

interface 22. The control unit processor 30 has a memory 28 for storing and retrieving data. The processor can also be provided with nonvolatile memory for retaining information after power is shut off. This memory can be used to retain numbers and other information, such as telephone numbers, addresses and the like.

The user interface panel elements can be illuminated. The illumination can be triggered in a number of ways, such as: upon user contact, upon vehicle ignition, upon connection to the phone, upon phone activation, upon an incoming call, or any other way known to one skilled in the art. The illumination can take the form of backlighting, such as is used in vehicle control panels, low intensity top lighting (numeral 23 in Figure 1), such as is used for Exit signs in darkened theaters, or any other way known to one skilled in the art.

Figure 2 illustrates a slightly modified version of the auxiliary interface for mobile communication device shown in Figure 1. In the modified embodiment of Figure 2, a microphone 25 is installed on the user interface panel 10., corresponding to the original microphone of the mobile communication device.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the user interface panel 10 is mounted on the windshield 40, preferably on the upper portion of the windshield on the driver's side, for the use of a driver sitting in the driver's seat 46, and holding the steering wheel 44. The goal of the windshield mounting is for the user interface panel to be directly in the driver's line of vision (similar to the effect of a heads-up display) and for the controls to be within easy reach.

In the current embodiment the user interface panel is adhered directly to the interior surface of the windshield. Alternative means for installing the user interface panel include making it a retractable element that retracts into an adjacent structural element when not in use or other known methods.

Figure 4 illustrates a view of an auxiliary interface to a portable communication device in accordance to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the user interface mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle.

Figure 5A illustrates a view of an auxiliary interface to a portable communication device in accordance to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the user interface mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle and in operating position.

Figure 5B illustrates a view of an auxiliary interface to a portable communication device in accordance to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the user interface mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle and in storage position.

Figure 4 shows an alternative installation of the user interface panel, wherein it is mounted on top of the dashboard 42. The dashboard mounting can be either of two types: permanent or fold-down. In permanent mounting the user interface panel is permanently mounted at the proper operating angle.

In fold-down mounting (see also Figures 5A and 5B), the user-interface panel 10 is hinge-mounted 52 on a base 50, which is permanently attached on dashboard 42. The panel may switch between two positions, the initial position being folded down (Figure 5B) so as not to obstruct the driver's view when not in use, and the second position being upright, wherein the driver can access the panel and operate it. The pane preferably has a press-activated latch. When not in use, the user interface panel lies flat on the top of the dashboard. When the user presses on the user interface panel, the latch is released and the user interface panel pops up into operating position. When the user pushes the panel back down, the! atch catches and the user interface panel lies flat. Fold-down mounting has the advantage of removing the user interface panel from the user's field of view when the user interface panel is not in use.

The user interface panel has three operation modes, determined by a control on the panel. The modes are as follows : 1. Regular mode-Displays phone display output received via the control unit and sends control activation signals via the control unit to the phone. The user both operates the phone and views the phone's

display via the user interface panel.

2. Independent mode-Displays control unit output, sends control activation signals to the control unit for processing and storage. For example, the user can input numbers as he hears them during a telephone call.

3. Upload/download mode-Uploads and downloads information between the control unit and the phone. For example, the user can upload numbers that he recorded in independent mode.

It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope as covered by the following Claims.

It should also be clear that a person in the art, after reading the present specification could make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the following Claims.