SMART PHONE CASE

• US 20140342668A1
• Filed: 05/16/2013
• Published: 11/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kyomitsu, Tatsuya
• Application Number:
  US13/895,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20140342668A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules

Abstract

Systems and methods that facilitate communication between a smart device and a vehicle are discussed. One such system can include a smart device case that can house the smart device and can include a receptacle. The system can also include a key fob associated with the vehicle that can couple with the receptacle and can establish a communications link with the smart device. Additionally, the system can include mobile application software that can translate one or more user inputs received via the smart phones into a command. The mobile application software can transmit the command to the key fob via the communications link, and the key fob can relays the command to the vehicle in order to control at least one system of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system that facilitates communication between a user device and a vehicle, comprising:

a device case that houses the user device, wherein the device case has a receptacle;

a key fob associated with the vehicle that couples with the receptacle, wherein the key fob establishes a communications link with the user device; and

a mobile application software that translates at least one input received via the user device into a command, wherein the mobile application software transmits the command to the key fob via the communications link,

wherein the key fob relays the command to the vehicle, wherein the command controls at least one system of the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one input comprises a voice input, a motion input, a touch input, or a text input.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications link comprises a near field communication link.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the user device is a smart phone.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile application software translates the at least one input based on at least one user setting.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the command controls at least a climate control system of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the command controls at least a set of lights associated with the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the command controls at least a media system of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile application software translates the at least one input into the command based on data associated with a second application of the smart device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile application software is associated with a user account that maintains a plurality of user settings.

11. A method of facilitating communication between a user device and a vehicle, comprising:

housing the user device in a device case that comprises a receptacle;

coupling a key fob with the receptacle, wherein the key fob is associated with the vehicle;

establishing a communications link between the user device and the key fob;

receiving at least one input;

translating the at least one input into a command;

transmitting the command to the key fob; and

relaying the command from the key fob to the vehicle to control at least one system of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the at least one input comprises receiving a voice input, a motion input, a touch input, or a text input.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein establishing the communications link comprises establishing a near field communication link.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein translating the at least one input is based on one or more user settings.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein relaying the command comprises controlling at least a climate control system of the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein relaying the command comprises controlling at least a set of lights of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein relaying the command comprises controlling at least a media system of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein translating the at least one input into the command is based on data associated with a second application of the smart device.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein relaying the command comprises controlling at least an ignition system of the vehicle.

20. A system that facilitates communication between a user device and a vehicle, comprising:

means for housing the user device;

means for establishing a communications link with the smart device, wherein the means for establishing a communications link are coupled with the means for housing; and

means for translating at least one input received via the smart device into a command, wherein the means for translating transmits the command to the means for establishing,

wherein the means for establishing relays the command to the vehicle to control at least one system of the vehicle.