OCCUPANT INTERACTION WITH VEHICLE SYSTEM USING BROUGHT-IN DEVICES

• US 20140163771A1
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Demeniuk, Christopher Joseph
• Application Number:
  US13/709,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20140163771A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/563 Vehicle displaying mobile device information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/589 Wireless data transfers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/563 Vehicle displaying mobile device information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/656 the user being a passenger
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

In a first illustrative embodiment, a computer readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed by a processor is configure to establish communication with at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices connected to a vehicle computing system. The processor may receive input identifying a connected device as a non-driver handheld computing device. Once connected to the vehicle-based computing system, the processor may allow the non-driver handheld computing device to control infotainment features and functions. The non-driver handheld computing device control of certain features may be represented to other occupants in the vehicle with updates being shown on a core controls display usually located in the center stack of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, configure the processor to:

establish a communication connection with at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices within a vehicle;

receive input identifying a connected device as a non-driver handheld computing device; and

enable infotainment control from the non-driver handheld computing device.

2. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1 additionally storing instructions to configure the processor to output information, representing at least a portion of infotainment control input from the non-driver handheld computing device, to a vehicle display.

3. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1 additionally storing instructions to configure the processor to communicate data received from the non-driver handheld computing device to at least one other handheld computing device connected to the processor.

4. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1 additionally comprising instructions to the handheld computing device to provide navigation display controls.

5. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1 wherein the processor communicates with the non-driver handheld computing device through a wireless connection.

6. The computer readable storage medium of claim 5 wherein the wireless connection is Bluetooth technology.

7. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1 additionally storing instructions to configure the processor to determine priority between the plurality of handheld computing devices.

8. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1 additionally storing instructions for receiving a playlist from the non-driver handheld computing device.

9. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1 storing instructions for transmitting a playlist to the non-driver handheld computing device.

10. A vehicle navigation system comprising:

a vehicle navigation display; and

one or more processors configured to;

connect with one or more handheld computing devices;

receive navigation input signals from the handheld computing device;

control navigation functions based on the navigation input signals;

output on a vehicle display navigation information reflecting the control of the navigation functions.

11. The vehicle navigation system of claim 10 additionally configured to output navigation display controls to the handheld computing device.

12. The vehicle navigation system of claim 10 wherein the control navigation functions include selecting a point of interest.

13. The vehicle navigation system of claim 10 wherein the processor connects to the one or more handheld computing devices using a wireless connection.

14. The vehicle navigation system of claim 10 wherein the navigation input signals include destination data.

15. The vehicle navigation system of claim 10 wherein the vehicle navigation display is locked for destination data.

16. The vehicle navigation system of claim 10 wherein the vehicle navigation display is an LCD touchscreen.

17. A computer-implemented method for providing control of vehicle systems using one or more connected handheld computing devices, comprising:

establishing communication with at least one handheld computing device within a vehicle;

identifying a connected device as a non-driver handheld computing device; and

enabling infotainment control from the non-driver handheld computing device.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the non-driver handheld computing device is connected by USB.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the non-driver handheld computing device is connected by wireless communication.

20. The method of claim 17 additionally comprising transmitting a playlist from the vehicle to the non-driver handheld computing device.