Mobile interface and system for controlling vehicle functions

• US 8,682,503 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2010
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Bosch, Ralf, Rombach, Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): NELSON, SARA J
• Application Number:
  US12/958,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20110137490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 701 36- 49, 701/31.4, 701/32.6, 713/150, 713/166, 713/162
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A mobile interface for controlling a plurality of vehicle functions in a motor vehicle using a controller connected to the vehicle, having a wireless data interchange with a controller, an input apparatus, and an energy store. By virtue of the wireless data interchange being connected to a data processing unit integrated in the mobile interface and which is designed to apply at least one cryptological method, a greater scope of functions becomes possible that can also include control of safety-relevant vehicle functions.

Claims

1. A mobile interface for controlling a plurality of vehicle functions in a motor vehicle using a first controller which is connected to the vehicle, comprising:

a data processing unit integrated in the mobile interface and configured to apply at least one cryptological method;

a wireless data interchange apparatus with a second controller connected to the data processing unit configured to communicate with the first controller;

an input apparatus configured to provide an input to the data processing unit; and

an energy store configured to provide power to at least the data processing unit,

wherein the mobile interface is configured to use a plurality of different cryptological methods, wherein the cryptological methods comprise both symmetric and asymmetric methods, and

wherein a selection of one of the plural cryptological methods used for transmitting a particular data record is dependent on the particular data record.

2. The interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile interface further comprises an integrated display apparatus coupled to the data processing unit.

3. The interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile interface further comprises a memory coupled to the data processing unit.

4. The interface as claimed in claim 3, wherein the data processing unit is connected to at least one safety apparatus configured as at least one of a housing protection unit, a smart card controller, a fingerprint detector, and an iris scanner.

5. The interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data processing unit is configured to transmit control commands for at least one further apparatus connected to the vehicle using the wireless data interchange apparatus.

6. The interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless data interchange apparatus is configured for automatic deactivation during a driving mode.

7. The interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the cryptological methods is used exclusively to transmit control commands for operating a vehicle locking system.

8. The interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data processing unit is configured to at least one of actuate and activate functions of an onboard computer and to undertake functions of the onboard computer.

9. The interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile interface is configured as one of a mobile telephone and a PDA.

10. The interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data processing is coupled to an interface unit for at least one of reading and writing to at least one of cards and mobile storage media.

11. The interface as claimed in claim 10, wherein the interface unit is configured as a reading unit for reading driver cards.

12. The interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface is configured for keyless identification.

13. A system for the mobile actuation of vehicle functions comprising:

an interface comprising;

a data processing unit integrated in the mobile interface and configured to apply at least one cryptological method;

a wireless data interchange apparatus with a second controller connected to the data processing unit configured to communicate with the first controller;

an input apparatus configured to provide an input to the data processing unit; and

an energy store configured to provide power to at least the data processing unit; and

a controller connected to the vehicle configured for data interchange with the interface using a cryptological method configured to output control signals to target appliances based on operation of the interface,

wherein the controller is configured to use a plurality of different cryptological methods, wherein the cryptological methods comprise both symmetric and asymmetric methods, and

wherein a selection of one of the plural cryptological methods used for transmitting a particular data record is dependent on the particular data record.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the controller is configured as at least one of an instrument and a tachograph, wherein the at least one of the instrument and the tachograph are advantageously part of a combination appliance.

15. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the system further comprises

a docking station configured as one of an instrument, a tachograph, and the controller.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the docking station and the interface are designed for connection to one another by at least one of a cable and a plug connection.

17. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the system contains at least two interfaces.

18. A mobile interface for controlling a plurality of vehicle functions in a motor vehicle using a first controller which is connected to the vehicle, comprising:

a data processing unit integrated in the mobile interface and configured to apply at least one cryptological method;

a wireless data interchange apparatus with a second controller connected to the data processing unit configured to communicate with the first controller;

an input apparatus configured to provide an input to the data processing unit; and

an energy store configured to provide power to at least the data processing unit,

wherein the mobile interface is configured to use a plurality of different cryptological methods, and

wherein a selection of one of the plural cryptological methods used for transmitting a particular data record is dependent on the particular data record,

wherein the data processing unit is configured to use at least one cryptological method separately to transmit control commands for operating a locking system of the motor vehicle.