Abstract:
A vehicle control system that contains a control module configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile device to upload and download user specific settings that may be stored on the mobile device. The mobile device may also be configured to enable the ignition system once the vehicle authenticates the mobile device and remote keyless entry system. The memory of the mobile device is read and write capable, allowing for data to be used by the control module in conjunction with several automobile systems, and allowing for data to be transferred from said systems to the portable memory device by the control module, thus facilitating vehicle operation.

Description:
FIELD 
     This present invention relates to the field of smartphones interfacing and communicating with a desired vehicle, more specifically this invention relates a smartphone storing specific user settings, communicating that to a vehicle and providing an interface to control the vehicle using the smartphone. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The world of smartphone technology is changing and innovating rapidly every day. Not only is device computing power and memory increasing exponentially, access to the Internet is now, for all practical purposes, omnipresent. If a Wi-Fi hotspot is not within range, a cell tower usually is. Recent developments with the “cloud” technology have made smartphones an infinite resource for both personalized storage and computing power. 
     Automobiles have devices that are personalized for the comfort, convenience, and safety of the vehicle occupant. Examples of vehicle devices that can be personalized include a seat having an adjustable seat position, a mirror having an adjustable position, and a climate control system having various preferred settings such as a preferred temperature; however these features are stored in the vehicle and not truly personalized to a specific user. 
     Modern vehicles are also equipped with remote keyless entry (RKE) systems and have been available for many years. A key fob is equipped with pushbuttons that, when depressed, cause a RKE transmitter in the key fob to transmit a short range signal to the RKE system in the vehicle which validates the signal and decodes the particular vehicle function to be executed while sending a signal to the particular vehicle system to effect the desired function control. 
     Generally, a key fob allows the user to lock and unlock the vehicle doors, open the vehicle trunk, and sound a vehicle alarm or horn in an emergency. Recent trends in remote vehicle access and control continue to expand beyond the basic short-range, unidirectional remote keyless entry systems toward longer range, bidirectional communication systems or smart fobs, which have many features, including vehicle access, keyless engine start and communication with a smartphone. 
     It would be desirable to provide an enhanced vehicle control system which provides an interface to a user&#39;s portable devices, such as cellular phones, smartphones, and tablet computers, etc. that is authenticated with a vehicles specific key fob. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the preferred embodiment, the vehicle operation system of a vehicle, utilizes a control module that can electronically communicate to all features and electronic components of the vehicle. The control module is connected to a transponder to wirelessly transmit and receive data. The vehicle control module is also connected to the remote keyless entry system which has an antenna that wirelessly communicates with a key fob. Additionally, a mobile device that contains memory and also an antenna to send and receive data may be able to communicate with the vehicle control module wirelessly. The vehicle control module is connected to the ignition system that is used to start and stop the engine of the vehicle. The mobile device is configured to communicate with the control module and the control module allows the mobile device, once authenticated with the key fob, to control the ignition system. The vehicle also contains a near field communication pad; this pad can wirelessly charge the battery of the mobile device. The vehicle may also contain adjustable features, such as a driver seat, a passenger seat, a HVAC system, a infotainment system, a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, a side view mirror, all of which are connected to the control module. The vehicle control module wirelessly communicates the user settings of the adjustable features to the mobile device and the settings may be stored in the mobile device memory when the vehicle shuts off. The mobile device then can send the saved data to the vehicle control module once the user starts the vehicle, and the vehicle control module will prompt the adjustable components to conform to the saved user settings. The wireless transmission between the mobile device and the vehicle control module can be of near field communication or blue tooth. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmented perspective view of an automotive vehicle showing a portion of the passenger space; 
         FIG. 2  is block diagram of the electronic communication; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front view of a mobile device; 
         FIG. 3B  is a rear view of the mobile device; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of the operation of the system; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of the operation of the system; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of the operation of the system; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of the operation of the system; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of the operation of the system; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of the operation of the system; 
         FIG. 10  is a close up view of the center console and two mobile devices; 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  shows an interior of a vehicle  10 . The vehicle  10  has a number of devices including a driver&#39;s seat  12  for the driver of the vehicle  10  to occupy; a steering wheel  14  for controlling the direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving, a brake pedal  16  for decelerating or stopping the vehicle, and an accelerator pedal  18  for accelerating the vehicle. The driver&#39;s seat  12  has an adjustable position so the position of the seat  12  within the interior can be adjusted in accordance with a preference of the user. The position of seat  12  may be adjusted using a seat position control  20 . The adjustable aspect of the seat may include moving the seat forward, back, up, down, or tilting the backrest portion of the seat. The passenger seat  23  also contains an adjustable position so the position of the seat can be adjusted in accordance with a preference of a passenger of the vehicle. The steering wheel  14  may have an adjustable position so the position of the steering wheel can be adjusted in accordance with a preference of the user. If adjustable, the position of steering wheel  14  may be adjusted using a steering wheel position control  24 . The adjustable aspect of the steering wheel may include tilting the steering wheel up or down, or telescoping the steering wheel in or out. The brake pedal  16  and accelerator pedal  18  may have adjustable positions so the distance from the user to the pedals can be adjusted in accordance with a preference of the user. If adjustable, the position of the pedals may be adjusted using a pedal position control  26 . The adjustable aspect of the pedals may be to move the pedals closer to or further from the seat  12 . The vehicle  10  also has a mirror  28  to assist the user in observing an area alongside or behind the vehicle. The mirror  28  has an adjustable position so the area observed can be adjusted in accordance with a preference of the user. The position of the mirror  28  may be adjusted using a mirror position control  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the vehicle  10  also has a vehicle control module  32  coupled to one or more of the adjustable vehicle devices such as the seat  12 , the steering wheel  14 , the brake pedal  16 , the accelerator pedal  18 , and the mirror  28 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The vehicle control module  32  may include several interconnected components such as a memory component, a logic component, and an input/output component, or the control module  32  may be a commercially available single-chip microprocessor. The coupling may be provided by individual wires between the control module  32  and each vehicle device, or may be provided by a shared communications bus, or local interconnect protocol, or controller area network, as a non-limiting example. The control module  32  is adapted to adjust or personalize the one or more of the adjustable vehicle devices in accordance with personalization data  22  received by the control module  32 . The vehicle may further have a heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system operated using a HVAC control  36  that includes a cabin temperature setting for assisting the user with controlling the temperature of the vehicle interior. Also an entertainment or infotainment system having an entertainment control  38  for adjusting an entertainment setting such as a preferred broadcasting station. The user may adjust these systems manually through the controls coupled to the respective systems. The control module  32  may be coupled to the HVAC system or the entertainment system and the personalization data  22  may include corresponding personal preferences for the cabin temperature setting and the entertainment setting. 
     The vehicle may also be equipped a remote keyless entry (RKE) system. The RKE system authenticates portable units  40  also known as key fobs or smart keys, and performs a door lock control, a door unlock control, an engine starting control and the like based on an authentication result. Specifically, the authentication of the key fob  40  is performed by transmitting radio waves  42  from the key fob  40  to antennas  44 , which is disposed inside the vehicle and connected to the vehicle control module  32  which determines authenticates the key fob  40  and also determines what function to perform based on user input. It is appreciated in the art that the RKE system can be an active system or passive system, known in the art as Passive Entry Passive Start system (PEPS). The active system requires a user input to unlock, lock or start vehicle, wherein a passive system is based on proximity and the unlock function will perform automatically when the vehicle user is close to the vehicle. The PEPS system functions similar to the standard RKE system, but upon authentication of the key fob  40 , the vehicle control module, through a low frequency (LF) antenna  47 , may send a authentication signal to the key fob  40 . It can also be appreciated that the PEPS system allows the user to start the vehicle by push bottom, rather than inserting a key into the ignition and turning it to start the vehicle. The key fob  40  is authenticated wirelessly, and the vehicle control module allows for the user input push starting the vehicle. 
       FIG. 1  additionally shows a mobile device  46 , which may be a cell phone or smart phone, or tablet by way of non-liming example, that is shown in more detail in  FIG. 3 . The mobile device  46  has an internal memory device  48  for storing the personalization data  22  of a user for a vehicle device, and a near field communications (NFC) transponder  50  coupled to the memory and configured to transmit the personalization data  22 . The cell phone also contains a battery to provide power to the cell phone while mobile (not shown). An NFC transponder is a known, commercially available, short-range wireless communication transponder that communicates with another NFC transponder for transferring data. The communications range between NFC transponders is normally less than one meter and sometimes limited to less than a few centimeters. The mobile device may also contain a blue tooth transceiver  52  for communication by blue tooth. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  10  includes a NFC transponder  54  incorporated in what is known in the art as a NFC pad  56 , which is located in the center console  58  of the vehicle  10 . It is understood in the art that the NFC pad  56  not only can be a location for a mobile device to communicate wirelessly through NFC transponders; it also can charge a mobile devices battery wirelessly through inductance, by way of a non-limiting example. It is also known in the art that a cell phone may also be equipped with a blue tooth transceiver  52 . The blue tooth transceiver  52  can wireless communicate with a hands free device that can be placed in a user&#39;s ear (not shown), it can also communicate with a corresponding blue tooth module  60  in the vehicle  10  that would allow the user to use the mobile device  46  functions through a hands free speakerphone function in the vehicle (not shown). The blue tooth module  60  in the vehicle  10  is configured to transmit and receive data. The blue tooth wireless communication may also allow another mode of wireless personalized data  22  communication with the vehicle  10 . The current embodiment allows for key fob  40 , and once registered, the mobile device  46  to be authenticated allowing for the downloading of personalized data from the mobile device  46  to vehicle  10 , and allow some features of the vehicle to initiated by indicating the function on the cellphone, like starting the engine by way of non-limiting example. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , is a block diagram of the communication between the vehicles control module  32  which may be configured to authenticate key fob  40  and to receive the personalization data  22  from the authenticated mobile device  46  either by NFC or blue tooth communication, whereby personalization data  22  is downloaded from the mobile device  46  to the vehicle  10 . As used herein, downloading of personalization data  22  includes when the personalization data is recalled from the memory  48  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), it is then transmitted by either the NFC  50  or blue tooth transceiver  52 , and received by the vehicle  10  NFC transponder  45  or blue tooth module  60 . The personalization data  22  is downloaded from the mobile device  46  to the vehicle  10  over a communication path  70 . Mobile devices  46  tend to be personal items used by a single user, so mobile devices  46  can be useful for storing personalization data  22  for a vehicle  10 . It is known in the art that vehicles have memory for storing personalization data, but when personalization data is stored in the vehicle, it is not readily transportable to another vehicle additionally it is an added cost to a vehicle to have extra memory storage of user&#39;s personal settings. By storing the personalization data  22  in mobile device  46 , the personalization data  22  is readily downloaded to the vehicle  10 , or any other vehicle the user may occupy. Additionally, having the vehicle control module  32  authenticate the key fob  40  before allowing the personal data  22  to be downloaded to the vehicle  10  from the mobile device  46  ensures a level of security to allow for added features like starting the engine by way of non-limiting example. The control module  32  is coupled to the vehicle NFC transponder  45  or blue tooth module  60  to input the received personalization data  22  and adapted to personalize vehicle devices to preferred settings in accordance with the received personalization data by adjusting the vehicle devices. 
     It can be appreciated that the personalization data  22 , when prompted, is uploaded from the vehicle  10  to the cell phone  46 . As used herein, uploading personalization data  22  includes when personalization data  22  is output by the vehicle control module  32 , transferred to the vehicle NFC transponder  45  or blue tooth module  60 , and transferred wirelessly and stored in mobile device memory  48 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram depicting coupling between the control module  32  and adjustable devices including the seat  12 , the mirror  28 , the steering wheel  14 , the brake pedal  16 , the acceleration pedal  18 , the HVAC  36 , and the infotainment controller  38 . The coupling may be supplied by wires or may be a communications bus where multiple vehicle devices communicate over the communications bus, the utilization of a media oriented system transport (MOST) driver or a controller area network bus could be used by way of non-limiting example. The arrow at each end of the lines depicting the coupling indicates that data is communicated in both directions. For example, data can be communicated from the control module  32  to the seat  12  for adjusting the position of the seat  12 , or data can be communicated from the seat  12  to the control module  32  for indicating the present position of the seat  12 . The control module  32  is also coupled to the vehicle NFC transponder  45  or blue tooth module  60  and the arrows at each end of the line depicting the coupling indicate that data is communicated or transferred from the vehicle NFC transponder  45  to the vehicle control module  32  and from the vehicle control module  32  to the vehicle NFC transponder  45 , by way of non-limiting example. The vehicle control module  32  is also coupled to the power mode relay  79  and with the engine control module (ECM)  80 , which can start and stop engine, through the ignition system  82 . If the user wishes to start the vehicle  10 , the control module will indicated to the power mode relay, which will prompt the ECM  80  to initiate the ignition system  82  of the vehicle  10 . It is known in the art that the brake pedal  16  needs to be depressed in order for the engine (not shown) to be started, in a typical PEPS system, if the user does not press the brake pedal  16 , but pushes the start/stop button (not shown) the power mode relay will not start the engine but will allow for the accessory electronics to function. 
       FIG. 4  shows flowchart  200  for registration of the cellphone with the vehicle. The system initiates when a user places the mobile device  46  on the NFC charging pad  56 . This initiates step  204  which prompts the user, on the mobile device screen  72 , to register the mobile device with this vehicle  10 . If the user chooses to register this prompts the next step  206  in where the vehicle control module searches to authenticate the key fob  40  of the RKE system. If the user chooses not to register, the registration will stop at step  204 . The next step  208  which initiates the communication or learning sequence with the mobile device  46 , either by NFC or blue tooth or any other cipher encrypted wireless communication by way of non-limiting example. The process is complete, with step  210 , when the cellphone and vehicle learning is complete. 
       FIG. 5  shows flowchart  300 , this describes authentication of the cell phone after initial registration is complete. This flowchart would be initiated in any subsequent uses of a particular vehicle. The process is started when the user places the cellphone on the NFC pad  56 . Step  302 , the vehicle control module wirelessly searches for the appropriate key fob of the RKE system, once that key fob is authenticated step  304  authenticates the mobile device. If this mobile device is registered previously, the mobile device is authenticated,  306  and communication can commence upon authentication complete,  308 . 
       FIG. 6  shows flowchart  400  for the mobile device learning the various user preferences of the vehicle. Step  402  describes the mobile device on the wireless NFC pad  56 . Step  404  is that the mobile device  46  is previously registered and authenticated, processes described in flow chart  200  and  300 . The user initiates step  406  which is to stop the engine. The user is prompted on the mobile device screen to download the user preferences of the vehicle, step  408 , for example seat position, steering wheel position, mirror positions, HVAC settings, and infotainment settings as shown in  FIG. 2 , by way of non-limiting example. Step  410  is the user accepting or denying the downloading of the user preferences. If the user chooses the affirmative, the vehicle control module  36  will send data through wireless communication to the mobile device,  412 . The final step  414  is the mobile device  46  learning the user preferences and storing them in the internal memory  48  of the mobile device  46 . 
       FIG. 7  shows flowchart  500  for starting the engine using the mobile device interface. The system operates by placing the mobile device on the NFC pad  56 , step  502 . Step  504  is that vehicle control module  32  determines the mobile device  46  is previously registered and authenticated with key fob  40 , processes described in flow chart  200  and  300 . Vehicle control module  32  determines if user applied the brake pedal  16 , step  506 , if so, step  508  is a pop up engine start button icon is displayed on the mobile device screen  72 , if the user selects this button icon on the screen  72 , step  510 , the engine will start, step  512 . If the user does not depress the brake pedal  16  the engine start prompt will not show up on the screen, additionally if the user does not select the engine start icon, the engine can be started by conventional ways known in the art, for example key in the ignition, push button on dash board by way of non-limiting example. 
       FIG. 8  shows flowchart  600  for turning the engine off using the mobile device. The mobile device  36  is on NFC pad  56  step  602 , and has been registered and authenticated by previous processes  604 . Step  606  is if the user shifts vehicle into park, if yes, step  608  will prompt on the mobile device screen  72  an icon to stop engine. If the user presses the icon, in step  610  the engine will shut off, step  612 . If the user does not select the engine stop icon, the engine can be stopped by conventional ways known in the art, for example key in the ignition, push button on dash board by way of non-limiting example. 
       FIG. 9  shows flowchart  700  for the mobile device to request to move seat, steering, mirror and other user preferences that are stored. The first step  702  is for the user to place the mobile device  46  on the NFC pad  56  and then the vehicle control module  32  completes the authentication process, step  704 . The user is prompted by the mobile device  46 , by a button appearing on the mobile device screen  72  to upload preference data  22 , which is step  706 . Step  708 , is the user presses user preferences prompt on mobile device screen  72 . Mobile device  46  transmits wirelessly through NFC or Bluetooth as way of non-limiting example, user preference data  22 . The vehicle control module  32  downloads data, the control module then communicates to each component that has been saved, for instance the seat  12 , steering wheel  14 , pedals  16  and  18 , mirrors  28 , HVAC settings  36 , infotainment settings  38 , step  710 . The devices move to desired position, step  712 . Once the vehicle control module  32  determines all components have completed moving, step  714  is the vehicle control module  32  communicates wirelessly to the mobile device  46  completion of the tasks. 
     Additionally, the same steps can be taken for a passenger in the vehicle to adjust user preferences and have the configurations saved.  FIG. 10  displays 2 mobile devices  46  on the NFC pad  56 ; the system may be capable to communicate with two devices and allow two users to customize seat settings, HVAC settings by way of non-limiting example. 
     Alternately, the vehicle personalization system could be put in a commercial delivery truck, a construction vehicle or an aircraft, whereby the personalization data would include data for any device in the vehicles listed that can be adjusted to correspond to a preference of the user. 
     While this invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow.