IN-VEHICLE MULTIMEDIA UNIT WITH INTERFACE FOR PORTABLE DEVICE

• US 20140368475A1
• Filed: 06/11/2014
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: SPAHL, Robert, CHENNELLS, Gareth
• Application Number:
  US14/302,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20140368475A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/70 specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

An in-vehicle multimedia unit for a motor vehicle having an interface for a portable multimedia appliance (such as a smartphone, MP3 player or tablet PC), wherein all the multimedia functions and contents are provided solely by the portable appliance. Also a method for providing multimedia functions and content in a motor vehicle having an in-vehicle multimedia unit.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle multimedia unit for a motor vehicle comprising an interface for a portable multimedia appliance, wherein all multimedia functions and contents are provided solely by the portable multimedia appliance.

2. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 1, comprising interfaces for output, input and/or power supply.

3. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle multimedia uses the display of the portable multimedia appliance.

4. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 1, wherein a single user control is provided in the motor vehicle.

5. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 4, wherein the user control is a rotary pushbutton.

6. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 4, wherein the user control comprises illumination, the color of which can be altered.

7. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 1, wherein communication with the portable multimedia appliance is initiated by means of a near field communication interface.

8. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 1, wherein communication with the portable multimedia appliance is by means of a wireless interface.

9. A method for providing multimedia functions and contents in a motor vehicle having a in-vehicle multimedia unit, particularly a in-vehicle multimedia unit of one of the preceding claims, wherein all the multimedia functions and contents are provided solely by a portable multimedia appliance, and the in-vehicle multimedia unit is provided with an interface for the portable multimedia appliance for the purpose of connecting the latter.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the in-vehicle multimedia unit in the motor vehicle merely has interfaces for output, input and/or power supply for the connected portable multimedia appliance.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the coupling of the in-vehicle multimedia unit to the portable multimedia appliance is initiated by means of near field communication interfaces.