Method and apparatus for vehicle process emulation and configuration on a mobile platform

• US 8,694,203 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2011
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Chen, Yifan, Strumolo, Gary Steven, Filev, Dimitar Petrov, Greenberg, Jeffrey Allen, Gusikhin, Oleg Yurievitch, MacNeille, Perry Robinson, Tonshal, Basavaraj, Prasad, Krishnaswamy Venkatesh, Aldighieri, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUTLER, RODNEY ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US13/229,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20130066518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/2, 701/36, 236/50, 236/51, 236/52
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A computer-implemented method includes providing an interface on a wireless device corresponding to an interface for vehicle infotainment system control. The method also includes providing simulated functionality of controls on the interface, such that activation of a control informs a user of what would occur if the control were activated on a vehicle interface. Further, the method includes saving at least one user setting input into the interface. The method additionally includes transferring the saved setting to a vehicle computing system (VCS) for use in infotainment system control when the wireless device is in communication with the VCS.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

providing a wireless device mobile interface corresponding to a vehicle infotainment system control interface;

providing simulated control functionality on the mobile interface, such that control activation informs a user what would occur if the control were activated on a vehicle interface;

saving at least one user setting input into the mobile interface; and

transferring the saved setting to a vehicle computing system (VCS) for use in infotainment system control.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulated functionality includes a visual display of vehicle system response.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulated functionality includes a textual output describing vehicle system response.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulated functionality includes a audio output describing vehicle system response.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile interface includes an entertainment system interface.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a user setting includes preset radio stations.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile interface includes an HVAC interface.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a user setting includes a preferred vehicle temperature.

9. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to execute the method comprising:

providing a mobile interface on a wireless device including the processor, corresponding to an interface for vehicle infotainment system control;

providing simulated functionality of controls on the mobile interface, such that activation of a control informs a user of what would occur if the control were activated on a vehicle interface;

saving at least one user setting input into the storage medium of the wireless device; and

transferring the saved setting to a vehicle computing system (VCS) for use in infotainment system control when the wireless device is in communication with the VCS.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the simulated functionality includes a visual display of vehicle system response.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the simulated functionality includes a textual output describing vehicle system response.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the simulated functionality includes a audio output describing vehicle system response.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the mobile interface includes an entertainment system interface.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the mobile interface includes an HVAC interface.