INTERFACE DEVICE FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE SERVICES USING A VEHICLE AND A MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE

• US 20140256304A1
• Filed: 03/11/2013
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Frye, Mark S., Ames, Michael B., Hopper, Derek
• Granted Patent: US 9,736,669 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]

Abstract

A method and system for providing vehicle services using a vehicle and a mobile communications device includes receiving at a vehicle a wireless communication sent from an interface device physically attached to the mobile communications device; linking the interface device with one or more vehicle modules; and communicating between one or more vehicle modules and the mobile communications device via the interface device.

Claims

1. A method of providing vehicle services using a vehicle and a mobile communications device, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving at a vehicle a wireless communication sent from an interface device physically attached to the mobile communications device;

(b) linking the interface device with one or more vehicle modules; and

(c) communicating between one or more vehicle modules and the mobile communicating device via the interface device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface device comprises a housing that fits around the mobile communications device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface device is a dongle that is connected to the mobile communications device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle module is one of a list that comprises a tire pressure monitoring system, key or vehicle access authentication module, climate control module, alarm module, window lifter module, exterior or interior lighting module, or any module that communicates with a vehicle control module.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the vehicle module and the vehicle control module communicate with each other via a vehicle bus.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises, prior to step (a), the step of automatically running an application residing in the mobile communications device when the mobile communications device is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises pairing the mobile communications device to the interface device using a Bluetooth connection.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

sending at least one identifier associated with one vehicle module from the vehicle to the mobile communications device, storing the identifier at the mobile communications device, interface device, or both, obtaining the identifier from the mobile communications device, interface device, or both at the vehicle, comparing the identifier with an identifier stored at the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises:

(b1) establishing a wireless link between the mobile communications device and the vehicle via the interface device;

(b2) receiving a request at the vehicle from the mobile communications device for an identifier associated with the vehicle;

(b3) validating the request from the mobile communications device;

(b4) sending a vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device; and

(b5) programming the mobile communications device with the identifier.

10. A method of communication between a vehicle and a mobile communications device, comprising the steps of:

(a) pairing a mobile communications device with an interface device associated with the mobile communications device;

(b) linking the interface device with one or more vehicle modules; and

(c) communicating between one or more vehicle modules and the mobile communications device via the interface device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the interface device comprises a housing that fits around the mobile communications device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the interface device is a dongle that is connected to the mobile communications device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the vehicle module is one of a list that comprises a tire pressure monitoring system, key or vehicle access authentication module, climate control module, alarm module, window lifter module, exterior or interior lighting module, or any module that communicates with a vehicle control module.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises, prior to step (a), the step of automatically running an application residing in the mobile communications device when the mobile communications device is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein step (a) further comprises pairing the mobile communications device to the interface device using a Bluetooth connection.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises, the steps of:

sending at least one identifier associated with one vehicle module from the vehicle to the mobile communications device, storing the identifier at the mobile communications device, interface device, or both, obtaining the identifier from the mobile communications device, interface device, or both at the vehicle, comparing the identifier with an identifier stored at the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein step (a) further comprises:

(a1) powering up a mobile communications device and running an application residing in the mobile communications device; and

(a2) pairing the mobile communications device with an interface device enveloping the mobile communications device.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

sending at least one identifier associated with one vehicle module to the vehicle via the interface device; and

determining that the mobile communications device has been configured for communications with one or more vehicle modules via the interface device.

19. An interface device for use in wireless communication between a vehicle and a mobile communications device, comprising:

a housing; and

a wireless communication circuitry that enables the mobile communications device to communicate with the vehicle;

wherein the interface device includes a processor and computer readable memory located within the housing, the memory being accessible by the processor stores computer readable instructions, wherein the processor operates upon execution of the instructions to (a) receive a request from the mobile communications device via an application residing in the mobile communications device, and (b) send this request to the vehicle.

20. The interface device of claim 19, wherein the mobile communications device is a mobile phone and the interface device is a skin device enveloping the mobile phone.

21. The interface device of claim 19, wherein the mobile communications device is a mobile phone and the interface device is a dongle connected to the mobile phone.

22. The interface device of claim 19, wherein the interface device receives power externally from the mobile communications device or the mobile communications device receives power externally from the interface device.

23. The interface device of claim 19, wherein the interface device further comprises an internal battery that powers up the interface device.