MOBILE DEVICE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application number 61 /799,068 filed on March 15, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1 . Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for communication with mobile devices and more specifically to systems and methods for communication with mobile devices located within a vehicle.

2. Description of Related Technology

[0003] Vehicles, such as automobiles, typically have a plethora of input devices that are physically controlled by the operator of the vehicle. For example, the input devices may be physical inputs, such as buttons, knobs, switches, or some combination thereof. Input devices may also include inputs that are responsive to touch.

[0004] For example, a number of vehicles have displays mounted inside the vehicle. These displays also function as a touch screen. The display will display a visual button and the operator can actuate the visual button by placing their finger in contact with the display device in the location of the visual button. The touch screen then receives this input and then sends the appropriate signals to a processor which then activates whatever system was selected on the touchscreen. While touchscreens are found in current automobiles, the touchscreens themselves can be costly, especially when incorporated in systems that have physical controls, such as buttons, knobs, or switches.

SUMMARY

[0005] A system for communication with a mobile device having an input device has a processor, a display, and a network communication. The display and the network communication device are both in communication with the processor.

[0006] The processor is configured to establish communication with the mobile device via the network communication device. The processor is also configured to display on the display device information from either a memory in communication with the processor or a memory in communication with the mobile device.

[0007] In other words, the processor can display information from a memory of the processor found in a vehicle or from the memory of the mobile device. For example, the processor could display a list of songs found in the memory of the mobile device on the display but could also display information related to vehicle information, such as HVAC data, found in a memory in communication with the processor.

[0008] The processor is also configured to receive input signals from the input device of the mobile device and control systems of the vehicle in communication with processor based on the input signals from the input device of the mobile device. By using the input device of the mobile device to control systems of the vehicle, fewer vehicle based input devices would be needed, reducing costs of producing the vehicle.

[0009] Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art after a review of the following description, with reference to the drawings and claims that are appended to and form a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle having a system for vehicle communication with a mobile device;

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a more detailed view of the mobile device of Figure 1 ;

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of the system for vehicle communication with a mobile device of Figure 1 ;

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates an interior of the vehicle having a system for vehicle communication with the mobile device of Figure 1 ;

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates another view of the interior of the vehicle having a system for vehicle communication with the mobile device of Figure 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring to Figure 1 , a vehicle 10 is shown having a system for vehicle communication 12 to communicate with a mobile device 14. The vehicle 10 may be any one of a number of different vehicles. For example, the vehicle 10 may be an automobile, such as a passenger car, sport utility vehicle, or a light truck.

However, it should be understood that the vehicle 10 may be any one of a number of different vehicles for transporting persons between two different points. For example, the vehicle 10 may also be a heavy duty truck, tractor trailer, boat, or an airplane.

[0016] The mobile device 14 may be a mobile phone or tablet device. For example, if the mobile device 14 is a mobile phone, the mobile phone may be an iPhone from Apple, Inc. or a Galaxy S4 sold by Samsung Electronics, Inc. The mobile device 14 may also be a tablet device, such as the iPad from Apple, Inc. Further, the mobile device may be any one of a number of different mobile devices that has a touchscreen that is capable of communicating with the system 12. For example, the mobile device could also be a portable vehicle navigation system. Additionally, it should be understood that the mobile device may be in communication with an outside point of interest 15 using a wireless network 17, such as IEEE 802.1 1 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.15 (Bluetooth), near filed communication (NFC) or cellular networks.

[0017] Referring to Figure 2, a more detailed description of the mobile device is given. As stated before, the mobile device 14 may be any one of a number of different mobile devices. For example, the mobile device 14 may be a mobile phone, tablet device, or any other device having a touchscreen, such as a portable vehicle navigation system. Here, the mobile device 14 has a display area 16. The display area 16 is capable of displaying any one of a number of different images or textual graphics from a memory or memories of the mobile device 14. Generally, the memory or memories of the mobile device 14 are solid state, but any device capable of storing data could be utilized, including magnetic and optical storage device.

[0018] Additionally, the display 16 also has a touchpad 18. Essentially, the touchpad 18 acts as an input device allowing a user to provide touchscreen inputs to the mobile device 14. The mobile device 14 may also have one or more physical buttons 20. Further, the mobile device 14 may also have a port 22. The port 22 can be utilized to transmit information to and from the mobile device 14, but can also be utilized to act as a charging input for the mobile device 14. In other words, when the port 22 is appropriately connected to a charging device, the port 22 acts as a conduit for charging the battery located within the mobile device 14.

[0019] Referring to Figure 3, a more detailed illustration of the system 12 is shown. As its primary components the system 12 includes a processor 24, a display 26 in communication with the processor 24, a network communication device 28 in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the processor 32. The system 12 may also include at least one motion sensor 30 in communication with the processor. As stated previously, the system 12 is typically found in a vehicle 10. As such, the display 26 may be a dashboard type display typically found in automobiles. These dashboard type displays may provide information to the occupant of the vehicle 10.

[0020] The network communication device 28 may be one of any number of different network communication devices. The purpose of the network communication device 28 is to communicate with the mobile device 14. As such, any one of a number of different communication protocols can be utilized to communicate with the mobile device 14. For example, the mobile device 14 and network communication device 28 may communicate to each other via a wired connection, such as USB. However, it should also be understood that the mobile device 14 and the network communication device 28 may also communicate to each other via a wireless connection. These wireless transmission protocols may include protocols such as IEEE 802.1 1 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.15 (Bluetooth), or variants thereof, or any other suitable wireless transmission protocol. Further, any suitable communication standard, either wired or wireless, may be utilized.

[0021] The display device 26 is capable of displaying any one of a number of different images or textual graphics from a memory or memories of the mobile device 14 or the memory 32 of the processor 14.

[0022] The processor 24 may be a single microprocessor or could be a plurality of processor spread across a single system or even multiple systems. The processor 24 is configured to establish communication with the mobile device 14 via the network communication device 28. The processor 24 is also configured to display on the display device 26 information from either a memory 32 in communication with the processor 24 or from the mobile device 14.

[0023] For example, the display 26 may display information from the memory 32, which could include any one of a number of different vehicle systems. For example, the display device could be displaying vehicle navigation information, vehicle systems data, such as fuel, vehicle speed, or other vehicle systems related information. Additionally, the display device 26 could also display information from the mobile device 14, which could include vehicle navigation data originating from the mobile device 14 or media files, such as music files, located in the memory of the mobile device 14.

[0024] The processor 24 is also configured to receive input signals from the input device 18 of the mobile device 14. As previously mentioned, the input device 18 may be a touchscreen. Inputs from the touchscreen 18 can then be sent to the processor 24 via the network communication device 28. The processor 24, after receiving inputs from the touchscreen 18, is then configured to control systems of the vehicle in communication with the processor based on the input signals from the input device 18 of the mobile device 14.

[0025] For example, the occupant of the vehicle 10, using the touchscreen 18 controls various vehicle systems of the vehicle 10. For example, the touchscreen 18 could be utilized to control the radio, HVAC systems, or other vehicle related systems of the vehicle 10. By so doing, the manufacturer of the vehicle can then avoid building a vehicle with additional controls and save these costs and then rely on the occupant of the vehicle to provide an input when utilizing their mobile device 14.

[0026] Also shown in Figure 3 is a charging device 34. The charging device 34 may charge the mobile device 14 via a cable connection 36, but the charging device 34 may also charge the mobile device 14 for any one of a number of different suitable energy transfer methodologies, including inductive coupling, which does not require a direct electrical contact between the charging device 34 and the mobile device 14.

[0027] For example, if a wired connection is used, a wire 36 can be connected to the port 22 of the mobile device 14 providing electricity from the charging device 24. The wire 36 could be a USB or other connector type that can provide electricity to charge a battery of the mobile device but could also place the mobile device 14 in communication with the network communication device 28.

[0028] Further, the at least one motion sensor 30 is also in communication with the processor 24. The at least one motion sensor 30 can be used to receive hand gestures from an occupant of the vehicle 10, so as to provide inputs to the processor 24. These inputs can be used to then control a variety of different vehicle systems. If the mobile device 14 is equipped with a motion sensor, the motion sensor of the mobile device 14 could also be used.

[0029] The system 12 may also be used to access systems outside of the vehicle. For example, the mobile device 14 may permit interaction at various drive- up points of interest 15, such as a coffee shop service window, an ATM machine, or a fast food service window. Through the interface of the touchscreen 18 on the mobile device 14, the occupant of the vehicle may purchase and pay for services or products, conduct business such as banking, bill payment or pharmacy prescription submissions, through applications resident on the mobile device 14. In these instances the display screen 26 of the system 12 may merely replicate display information that would otherwise be displayed on the mobile device 14. In this way, the occupant may more readily view the information related to the transaction while remaining in control the vehicle without being further distracted.

[0030] Referring to Figure 4, an interior 36 of the vehicle 10 is shown. Located within the interior 36 there is a gear shifter 38 for selecting different transmission selections. Located just below the gear shifter 38 is a cradle 40. The cradle 40 may have a plurality of motion sensors 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d located approximate to the cradle 40. The motion sensors 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d can be used to receive hand gestures from an occupant of the vehicle 10, so as to provide inputs to the processor 24. These inputs can be used to then control a variety of different vehicle systems. As stated before, If the mobile device 14 is equipped with a motion sensor, the motion sensor of the mobile device 14 could also be used. It 40 the entire time.

[0031] Also shown is the mobile device 14. In this situation, the user 41 can place the mobile device within the cradle 40. The cradle 40 also has a charging contact 42 that is configured to connect to the port 22. The charging contact 42 is in communication with the charger 34 and when the mobile device 14 is placed in the cradle 40, the battery of the mobile device 14 will be charged via the charging contact 42 with the charging device 44. The charging contact may also be in communication with the network device 28, so as to allow the mobile device 14 to communicate with the processor 24 via a wired connection.

[0032] Here, the motion sensors 30a-30d act as a way of providing inputs from the user 41 by measuring hand movements of the user 41 and then providing them to the processor 24 of Figure 3. There, the processor 24 of Figure 3 can then display any one of a number of different display items on the display 26 based on hand motions received from the motion detectors 30a-30d or even control a variety of different vehicle systems

[0033] Referring to Figure 5, another view of the interior 36 of the automobile is shown. Here, the mobile device 14 is located within the cradle 40. The cradle 40 is located in the center console located between passengers 44 and 46. A gear shift changing device 38 is also located in the center consul between the passengers 44 and 46. Here, the passenger 44 can provide inputs to the touchscreen 18 of the mobile device 14 by simply touching the touchscreen 18 of the mobile device 14. As stated previously, these inputs are then provided to the processor 24 which can then display information on the display 26 that can be presented to the occupant 44 and/or occupant 46. This allows the occupant 44 to select between various systems including the HVAC system, navigation system, or entertainment system, through contact with the touchscreen 18 of the mobile device 14.

[0034] As such, the mobile device 14 may be more economically located within the vehicle for manipulation by an occupant of the vehicle, instead of reaching up to vehicles display screen, which may be located in a high position in the vehcle. As shown in figure 5, the mobile device 14 may be placed by the user on a center console 39 positioned between the front seats of the vehicle. In this way, an occupant 45 or 46 of the vehicle can easily and comfortably reach and manipulate the screen of the mobile device 14 without re-orienting their body in the vehicle seat. This is particularly beneficial for the driver of the vehicle. Alternatively, the mobile device 14 may be positioned wherever it is most convenient and beneficial to the occupant of the vehicle.

[0035] Similar to the above illustrative examples, all of the various systems of the vehicle 14 could be accessed in the same manner, including without limitation a vehicle navigation system, the vehicle's entertainment system including control of rear seat display screens within the vehicle, vehicle information systems relating to vehicle mileage, fuel economy, maintenance and other information, driver preferences relating to seat and mirror positions, temperature control preferences and other systems. Alternatively, system 12 can display systems and applications present on the mobile device 14 through the vehicles display screen 26. In this manner, and occupant 44 or 46 of the vehicle 10 may be able to access user, photos, contacts, calendars, weather data, navigation data and other applications through the infotainment system. Even further, infotainment system could retrieve data from the mobile phone and redirect it for display on other display screens within the vehicle. For example, the system 12 could retrieve video data, such as a movie, from the mobile device and cause the video data to be displayed on one or more a rear seat display screens for watching by occupants of the rear seat of the vehicle.

[0036] As a person skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the above description is meant as an illustration of implementation of the principles this invention. This description is not intended to limit the scope or application of this invention in that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change, without departing from the spirit of this invention, as defined in the following claims.