Connection of personal terminals to the communication system of a motor vehicle

• US 8,793,050 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2007
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Weinmann, Ulrich, Weiss, Jens-Peter, Stauner, Thomas, Manthey, Wolfram
• Primary Examiner(s): MAWARI, REDHWAN K
• Application Number:
  US11/943,305
• Publication Number:
  US 20080133084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,443 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/137 Jog-dials
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1446 Touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/566 Mobile devices displaying vehicle information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/573 Mobile devices controlling vehicle functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/589 Wireless data transfers
• 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 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/81 for controlling displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6083 by interfacing with the vehicle audio system

Abstract

A communication system of a motor vehicle is provided. The communication system includes a vehicle operating unit, a vehicle output unit, and an interface computer. The interface computer is connected to the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit. The interface computer is implemented for the purpose of connecting a mobile terminal to the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit such that information from the mobile terminal is displayable on the vehicle output unit and the mobile terminal is operable via the vehicle operating unit.

Claims

1. A communication system of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle operating unit;

a vehicle output unit; and

an interface computer, which is connected to the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit,

wherein the interface computer is implemented to connect a mobile terminal to the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit such that information from the mobile terminal is displayable on the vehicle output unit and the mobile terminal is operable via the vehicle operating unit,

wherein the interface computer controls communication between the mobile terminal, the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit, based upon vehicle status information received from a vehicle system disposed in the vehicle, and

wherein the vehicle operating unit comprises a touch screen and an ergocommander having a structure that provides clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, horizontal and vertical displacement as a joystick, and vertical depression as a button.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle operating unit includes a keyboard and a mouse.

3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle output unit includes a haptic output unit.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface computer is implemented to connect at least one of a mobile computer, a telecommunication terminal, and a data memory to the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit.

5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface computer includes at least one of a first interface for wired communication with the mobile terminal and a second interface for wireless communication with the mobile terminal.

6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein a vehicle system bus is provided, which is connected to the interface computer.

7. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein the interface computer receives information about the vehicle status from the vehicle system bus.

8. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface computer has an access protection, so that the mobile terminal may only access authorized vehicle functions.

9. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface computer comprises a central computing unit of the vehicle.

10. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle output unit includes a haptic output unit.

11. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the interface computer is implemented to connect at least one of a mobile computer, a telecommunication terminal, and a data memory to the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit.

12. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the interface computer is implemented to connect at least one of a mobile computer, a telecommunication terminal, and a data memory to the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit.

13. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the interface computer includes at least one of a first interface for wired communication with the mobile terminal and a second interface for wireless communication with the mobile terminal.

14. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the interface computer includes at least one of a first interface for wired communication with the mobile terminal and a second interface for wireless communication with the mobile terminal.

15. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein a vehicle system bus is provided, which is connected to the interface computer.

16. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the interface computer has an access protection, so that the mobile terminal may only access authorized vehicle functions.

17. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the interface computer comprises a central computing unit of the vehicle.

18. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein operation of the mobile terminal is suspended when the vehicle status information indicates that a predetermined value is exceeded.

19. The communication system according to claim 18, wherein the predetermined value is a vehicle speed.