Method and system for dynamic configuration of remote control inputs

• US 20100262929A1
• Filed: 04/08/2009
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Avery, John
• Application Number:
  US12/386,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20100262929A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/771
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/10 Automotive applications

Abstract

A control arrangement for a vehicle includes an infotainment console having a first user interface. A wireless communication device is communicatively coupled to the infotainment console and relays wireless signals between the infotainment console and a portable computing device. The infotainment console interrogates the portable computing device regarding a configuration of a second user interface belonging to the portable computing device; receives responses to the interrogation from the portable computing device; and reconfigures the first user interface to substantially replicate a layout and functions of the second user interface.

Claims

1. A control arrangement for a vehicle, comprising:

an infotainment console including a first user interface; and

a wireless communication device communicatively coupled to the infotainment console and adapted to relay wireless signals between the infotainment console and a portable computing device, wherein the infotainment console is configured to;

interrogate the portable computing device regarding a configuration of a second user interface belonging to the portable computing device;

receive responses to the interrogation from the portable computing device; and

reconfigure the first user interface to substantially replicate a layout and functions of the second user interface.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first user interface includes a touch screen display, the infotainment console being configured to reconfigure the touch screen display to replicate at least one pushbutton of the second user interface.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said wireless communication device is a radio frequency communications module.

4. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the responses include a list of control inputs supported by the portable computing device.

5. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the interrogation includes at least one query regarding a physical layout of the second user interface.

6. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the interrogation includes queries related to individual control inputs of the first user interface.

7. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first user interface includes audio speakers, the infotainment console being configured to receive audio signals from the portable computing device and relay the audio signals to the audio speakers.

8. A control method, comprising:

providing a peripheral device having a first user interface;

providing a portable computing device having a second user interface;

communicatively coupling the portable computing device to the peripheral device;

using the peripheral device to interrogate the portable computing device regarding a configuration of the second user interface;

using the peripheral device to receive responses to the interrogation from the portable computing device; and

reconfiguring the first user interface to substantially replicate a layout and functions of the second user interface.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein a wherein the first user interface includes a touch screen display, the infotainment console being configured to reconfigure the touch screen display to replicate at least one pushbutton of the second user interface.

10. The method of claim 8 comprising the further step of providing a radio frequency communications module for communicatively coupling the portable computing device to the peripheral device.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the responses include a list of control inputs supported by the portable computing device.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the interrogation includes at least one query regarding a physical layout of the second user interface.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the interrogation includes queries related to individual control inputs of the first user interface.

14. The method of claim 8 comprising the further steps of:

using the infotainment console to receive audio signals from the portable computing device; and

relaying the audio signals to audio speakers.

15. A control arrangement, comprising:

an infotainment console including a first user interface having a touch screen display; and

a communication device communicatively coupled to the infotainment console and adapted to relay signals between the infotainment console and a portable computing device, wherein the infotainment console is configured to;

interrogate the portable computing device regarding a second user interface belonging to the portable computing device;

receive responses to the interrogation from the portable computing device; and

reconfigure the first user interface to substantially replicate a layout and functions of the second user interface, the reconfiguring including replicating pushbuttons of the second user interface on the touch screen display.

16. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein the communication device comprises a wireless communication device adapted to relay wireless signals between the infotainment console and the portable computing device.

17. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein the responses include a list of control inputs supported by the portable computing device.

18. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein the interrogation includes at least one query regarding a physical layout of the second user interface.

19. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein the interrogation includes queries related to individual control inputs of the first user interface.

20. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein the first user interface includes audio speakers, the infotainment console being configured to receive audio signals from the portable computing device and relay the audio signals to the audio speakers.