Wireless user interface extension

• US 20030003892A1
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Makinen, Rauno
• Granted Patent: US 7,437,183 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/345
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A car hands-free unit (HFU 140) with a Low-Power Radio-Frequency (LPRF) module 141 (typically a Bluetooth module) configured to receive an identifier 134 from a car key 133. Different drivers are provided with different car keys 133. When receiving the identifier 134 first time, the HFU stores trusted data to pair with a driver'"'"'s phone. Thereafter, the HFU automatically connects to the driver'"'"'s phone when the same car key 133 is used. The hands-free unit typically comprises a microphone and a loudspeaker, and can also have a display and/or a camera. In operation the HFU provides automatic link 160 with a compliant LPRF enabled mobile phone without need to touch the mobile phone, allowing its use even when the mobile phone is placed in a boot of a car 101.

Claims

1. A method of extending a user interface of a mobile communication device by means of a user interface extension device which is configured for vehicle use, the mobile communication device and the user interface extension device communicating over a wireless link, the method comprising the steps of:

storing, accessible to the user interface extension device, trusted relationship information for connecting to the mobile communication device over the wireless link;

obtaining an authorisation code to use a vehicle;

obtaining an identifier having a common source as the authorisation code;

identifying by the identifier a particular mobile communication device; and

using the identifier to establish the wireless link between the user interface extension device and a particular mobile communication device.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the trusted relationship information corresponding to the identifier.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of using the trusted relationship information corresponding to the identifier to connect the user interface extension device with the particular mobile communication device.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising keeping a database comprising the trusted relationship information and the corresponding identifier.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of detecting a pairing request from the mobile communication device within the radio coverage of the user interface extension device.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user interface extension device further comprises a memory and said associating the trusted relationship information with the identifier further comprising a sub-step of storing trusted relationship information in the memory.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said trusted relationship information is suitable for use in a pairing process conforming to the Bluetooth standard.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user interface extension device further comprises at least one of a loudspeaker, a microphone, a display, an electronic image capturing device and a speech synthesising device.

9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising deriving the authorisation code from a physical entity, the physical entity being selected from a group consisting of:

mechanical key, an electronic key, a retinal pattern of a user, a finger print of a user, and the voice of a user.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically transferring user interface operation from the user interface extension device to the particular mobile communication device in response to detecting the authorisation code becoming inaccessible to the vehicle.

11. A user interface extension device for extending a user interface of a mobile communication device, comprising:

a wireless transceiver for providing a wireless link between the user interface extension device and the mobile communication device;

at least one user interface element for providing the mobile communication device with an extended user interface;

a memory for storing trusted relationship information for connecting to the mobile communication device over the wireless link; and

a port for receiving an identifier having a common source as an authorisation code to use a vehicle, the identifier identifying a particular mobile communication device;

wherein the wireless transceiver has been configured to establish the wireless link between the user interface extension device and a particular mobile communication device by using the identifier.

12. A system comprising:

a mobile communication device comprising a wireless transceiver for forming a wireless link;

a user interface extension device comprising a wireless transceiver for providing a wireless link between the user interface extension device and the mobile communication device and at least one user interface element for providing the mobile communication device with an extended user interface;

a memory for storing, accessible to the user interface extension device, trusted relationship information for connecting the user interface extension device to the mobile communication device over the wireless link; and

a port for receiving an identifier having a common source as an authorisation code to use a vehicle, the identifier identifying a particular mobile communication device;

wherein the wireless transceiver has been configured to establish the wireless link between the user interface extension device and a particular mobile communication device by using the identifier.

13. A vehicle comprising:

a user interface extension device configured for vehicle use;

a wireless transceiver for providing a wireless link between the user interface extension device and a mobile communication device;

at least one user interface element for providing the mobile communication device with an extended user interface;

a memory for storing, accessible to the user interface extension device, trusted relationship information for connecting the user interface extension device to the mobile communication device over the wireless link;

an authentication code verification means for checking validity of an authentication code to restrain unauthorised use of the vehicle without a valid authentication code; and

means for providing the user interface extension device with an identifier having a common source as the authorisation code;

wherein the wireless transceiver has been configured to establish the wireless link between the user interface extension device and a particular mobile communication device, by using the identifier.

14. A computer executable program to control a user interface extension device configured for vehicle use, for extending a user interface of a mobile communication device, comprising:

computer executable program code for causing the user interface extension device to provide a wireless link between the user interface extension device and the mobile communication device;

computer executable program code for causing the user interface extension device to provide the mobile communication device with an extended user interface;

computer executable program code for causing the user interface extension device to store trusted relationship information for connecting to the mobile communication device over the wireless link;

computer executable program code for causing the user interface extension device to receive an identifier having a common source as an authorisation code to use a vehicle, the identifier identifying a particular mobile communication device; and

computer executable program code for causing the user interface extension device to establish the wireless link between the user interface extension device and a particular mobile communication device by using the identifier.