Virtual Smart Phone

• US 20170269831A1
• Filed: 05/31/2017
• Published: 09/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KCG Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: KCG Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Kildevaeld, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,394,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6083 by interfacing with the vehicle audio system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention, a virtual phone is provided which includes a touch screen mounted on an enclosure that includes a processor, memory, wireless communication port, and a power port. The virtual phone further includes a software application executing on the processor to control image display on the touch screen and emulate features of a handheld device presented in the image in response to a user touching a presented feature. The virtual phone further includes a configuration of a user-specific handheld device that is derived from the user-specific handheld device is stored in a memory that is accessible to the processor; wherein the virtual phone presents a visual representation of the user-specific handheld device on the touch screen based on the configuration.

Claims

1-3. -3. (canceled)

4. A method of interacting with features of a handheld device through an automobile, comprising:

receiving at a processor in an automobile information representative of a plurality of features of a handheld device;

displaying a visual representation of the plurality of features of the handheld device on a screen in the automobile; and

facilitating interaction with the plurality of features of the handheld device through an interactive element in the automobile,

wherein the interactive element is configured to allow access to the plurality of features of the handheld device through the visual representation of the plurality of features displayed on the screen, and

wherein the plurality of features comprise at least two of volume control, messages, phone call, email, internet browser, music player, calendar, Global Positioning System, contacts, and maps.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein interaction with the plurality of features is facilitated independent of access to the handheld device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of features are a music player and phone call.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the screen is a touch screen.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the interactive element is the touch screen.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the interactive element is a button.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein the interactive element is selected from the group consisting of a remote control, a mouse, a touch pad, and a track ball.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein the interactive element is a microphone configured to receive voice commands.

12. The method of claim 4, further comprising synchronizing data on the handheld device and the automobile.

13. The method of claim 4, wherein the handheld device and the automobile are communicatively coupled via a wired or wireless connection.

14. A method of accessing features of a handheld device through an automobile, comprising:

receiving at a processor in an automobile information representative of a plurality of features of a handheld device;

displaying a visual representation of the plurality of features of the handheld device on a screen in the automobile; and

facilitating access to the plurality of features of the handheld device through an interactive element in the automobile,

wherein the interactive element is configured to allow access to the plurality of features of the handheld device through the visual representation of the plurality of features displayed on the screen, and

wherein the plurality of features comprise at least two of volume control, messages, phone call, email, internet browser, music player, calendar, Global Positioning System, contacts, and maps.

15. The method of claim 14, access to the plurality of features is facilitated independent of access to the handheld device.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of features are a music player and phone call.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the screen is a touch screen.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the interactive element is the touch screen.

19. The method of claim 14, the interactive element is a button.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the interactive element is selected from the group consisting of a remote control, a mouse, a touch pad, and a track ball.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the interactive element is a microphone configured to receive voice commands.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising synchronizing data on the handheld device and the automobile.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the handheld device is communicatively coupled to the automobile via a wired or wireless connection.