Systems, Devices and Methods for Vehicles

• US 20130151111A1
• Filed: 12/11/2012
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clay Skelton
• Original Assignee: Clay Skelton
• Inventors: Skelton, Clay
• Granted Patent: US 9,283,931 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/99
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/02 electric constitutive elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00

Abstract

A system controls use of a mobile device in a vehicle where the mobile device includes, a hands-on user interface and a wireless communication interface. The system includes a docking station that couples to the mobile device using a hardwired connection, and a controller that couples to the docking station and a vehicle-start system. The hands-on interface is inaccessible with the mobile device received in the docking station. The system allows operation of the vehicle with the mobile device coupled to the docking station via the hardwired connection and prevents a vehicle start when the mobile device is not coupled to the docking station. The wireless communication interface is operational with the mobile device coupled to the docking station via the hardwired connection, and the controller permits, once the vehicle is started, a continued operation of the vehicle following removal of the mobile device from the docking station.

Claims

1. A system configured to control use of a mobile device in a vehicle, the mobile device comprising a hands-on user interface and a wireless communication interface, the system comprising:

a docking station configured to receive the mobile device and to couple to the mobile device using a hardwired connection, wherein the hands-on interface is inaccessible with the mobile device received in the docking station and the wireless communication interface remains operational with the mobile device coupled to the docking station through the hardwired connection; and

a controller configured to couple to the docking station and a vehicle-start system, the controller configured to allow operation of the vehicle with the mobile device coupled to the docking station via the hardwired connection and to prevent a vehicle start when the mobile device is not coupled to the docking station via the hardwired connection, wherein the controller is configured to permit, once the vehicle is started, a continued operation of the vehicle following removal of the mobile device from the docking station.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to allow the vehicle to be started following receipt, from the mobile device via the hardwired connection, of information that uniquely identifies the mobile device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the mobile device includes a mobile phone, and

wherein the information includes at least one of a SIM number, an IMEI number and a USB serial number.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a memory, and

wherein the controller is configured to save a record in the memory in response to a removal of the mobile device from the docking station with the vehicle operating.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the system is configured to not permit a re-starting of the vehicle when the memory includes the record of the removal of the mobile device from the docking station with the vehicle operating.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein, following the record of the removal of the mobile device from the docking station of an operating vehicle, the system is configured to permit re-starting out the vehicle following entry of a code associated with an authorization to operate the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the docking station comprises a user interface, and

wherein the user interface is configured for entry of the code.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the user interface comprises a keypad.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one relay coupled to the controller, the controller configured to actuate the at least one relay to prevent the vehicle from starting if the mobile device is not coupled to the docking station via the hardwired connection.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station includes at least one sensor coupled to the controller, the at least one sensor configured to detect if the mobile device is received by the docking station.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising an annunciator coupled to the controller, the controller configured to operate the annunciator to notify an operator of the vehicle when the mobile device is removed from the docking station with the vehicle operating.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the annunciator comprises an audible annunciator.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station comprises the controller and a user interface.

14. A method of controlling use of a mobile device in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a docking station configured to receive the mobile device, the mobile device comprising a hands-on interface and a wireless communication interface, the method comprising:

receiving the mobile device with the docking station via a hardwired connection, wherein the hands-on interface is inaccessible with the mobile device received by the docking station and the wireless communication interface remains operational with the mobile device received by the docking station;

if the mobile device received by the docking station is an authorized mobile device;

allowing the vehicle to start; and

if the mobile device received by the docking station is an unauthorized mobile device;

preventing the vehicle from starting; and

permitting, once the vehicle is started, a continued operation of the vehicle following an uncoupling of the mobile device from the hardwired connection with the docking station.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising authenticating a mobile-device ID communicated from the mobile device to determine whether the mobile device coupled to the docking station is the authorized mobile device.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising authenticating the mobile-device ID using a USB serial number associated with the mobile device.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising saving a record of a removal of the mobile device from the docking station with the vehicle operating.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising preventing a re-starting of the vehicle when the record comprises an identification of the removal of the mobile device from the docking station with the vehicle operating.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising permitting the re-starting of the vehicle following entry of a code that permits operation of the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving the code via a user interface included in the docking station.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining whether the mobile device is received by the docking station using a sensor included in the docking station.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining, subsequent to the starting of the vehicle, whether the mobile device remains coupled to the docking station by monitoring a status of a USB connection of the mobile device and the docking station.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the act of determining includes an act of receiving an ID associated with the authorized mobile device.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising authenticating the mobile device by comparing the ID associated with the authorized mobile device with a mobile-device ID communicated from the mobile device coupled to the docking station.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising periodically polling the mobile device for the mobile-device ID to confirm that the mobile device remains in the docking station while the vehicle is operating.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising generating an audible alarm in the vehicle following a removal of the mobile device from the docking station while the vehicle is operating.