Patent ID: 8326486
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: B60R,G06F,H04M

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for remotely controlling operation of a user application program executable in a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: providing a server computer located remotely from a motor vehicle and having access to wireless communications for exchanging information with the motor vehicle; storing a digital configuration file in a datastore accessible to the server, the configuration file including parameters for remotely controlling access to user interface resources of a head unit of the motor vehicle; wherein the stored parameters are each specific to a particular user application program executable in the motor vehicle; receiving at the server a wirelessly transmitted request message from the motor vehicle, the request message including an identifier of the motor vehicle, and data for identifying a user application program executable in the motor vehicle; identifying a user application program based on the data in the request message; accessing the stored configuration file parameters to select parameters specific to the identified user application program; and wirelessly transmitting a control message to the motor vehicle in response to the request message, the control message indicating, for the identified user application program, which user interface resources of the head unit of the motor vehicle are permitted, or conversely are not permitted, to be utilized by the user application program, based on the selected parameters stored in the configuration file; in the motor vehicle, establishing a communicative coupling between a user's mobile wireless device and the motor vehicle head unit; and in the motor vehicle head unit, receiving data via the communicative coupling for identifying user application programs stored on the user's wireless device; and wherein the data sent to the server in the request message for identifying a user application program includes data identifying at least one of the application programs stored on the user's wireless device, so that the control message indicates which user interface resources of the head unit of the motor vehicle are permitted, or conversely are not permitted, to be utilized by the identified user application program stored on the user's wireless device.