COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, IN-VEHICLE APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT

• US 20160280149A1
• Filed: 06/23/2014
• Published: 09/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: NAKANO, Yoshihisa
• Granted Patent: US 9,707,902 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/04 including near field communication means, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

A communication system includes an in-vehicle apparatus, a portable information terminal, and a communication auxiliary apparatus that assists communication between the in-vehicle apparatus and the portable information terminal. The communication auxiliary apparatus is provided in a vehicle compartment, and includes a proximity wireless I/F part and a concavity. The proximity wireless I/F part is connected to the in-vehicle apparatus, receives data transmitted from the portable information terminal by proximity wireless communication, and also transmits data received from the in-vehicle apparatus to the portable information terminal by the proximity wireless communication. The concavity holds the portable information terminal and enables the proximity wireless communication with the proximity wireless I/F part. The portable information terminal restricts executable applications when the proximity wireless communication with the proximity wireless I/F part is being performed.

Claims

1. A communication system, comprising:

an in-vehicle apparatus that is connected to a plurality of instruments of a vehicle and is mounted on the vehicle;

a portable information terminal capable of executing a plurality of applications; and

a communication auxiliary apparatus assisting communication between the in-vehicle apparatus and the portable information terminal, the communication auxiliary apparatus including (i) a communication part that is connected to the in-vehicle apparatus, and is capable of receiving data transmitted from the portable information terminal by proximity wireless communication and transmitting data from the in-vehicle apparatus to the portable information terminal by the proximity wireless communication, and (ii) a holding part that is provided in a compartment of the vehicle, holds the portable information terminal, and enables the proximity wireless communication between the portable information terminal that is held and the communication part, wherein;

the portable information terminal restricts an executable application to a predetermined application on condition that the portable information terminal is held in the holding part and is performing the proximity wireless communication with the communication part;

the portable information terminal displays an initial screen image when the portable information terminal is not performing the proximity wireless communication with the communication part; and

when the portable information terminal is performing the proximity wireless communication with the communication part,

the in-vehicle apparatus causes the portable information terminal to rewrite the initial screen image to a different initial screen image that is different from the initial screen image,

the different screen image being caused to display only the predetermined application to which the executable application is restricted.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein:

the holding part is a concavity formed on at least either an instrument panel or a dashboard of the vehicle; and

the communication part is disposed in proximity of the concavity.

3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein

the predetermined application manipulates the instruments.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein

the predetermined application is an application that displays information of the vehicle on a screen of the portable information terminal.

5. A program product that includes an instruction of causing the portable information terminal of the communication system according to claim 1 to function, the program product being stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium,

wherein:

the portable information terminal displays an initial screen image when the portable information terminal is not performing the proximity wireless communication with the communication part; and

when the portable information terminal is performing the proximity wireless communication with the communication part,

the instruction of the program product causes the portable information terminal to rewrite the initial screen image to a different initial screen image that is different from the initial screen image,

the different screen image being caused to display only the predetermined application to which the executable application is restricted.

6-8. -8. (canceled)