Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for personal electronic access to voice communication, audio entertainment, and automotive functions. The apparatus comprises an integrated key artifact, comprising a physically and, optionally, electronically integrated combination of an electronic device for accessing automotive functions, an electronic voice communication device, and an electronic device for producing music from data files. An exemplary integrated key artifact comprises a physically and electronically integrated cell phone, MP3 player, and electronic key fob.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to electronic devices for accessing automotive functions, known as key artifacts, and more particularly relates to a combination of a key artifact with voice communications and music player functions.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Electronic door keys for automobiles, also known as remote control door keys, electronic key fobs, or electronic key artifacts, are known in the art. Electronic key artifacts allow electronic push-button door opening within a predetermined distance from the automobile. Electronic key artifacts for automobiles are conventionally in the form of key fobs having trunk and door opening and locking buttons, as well as a panic button used to set off a car alarm. Electronic key fobs download coded commands via infrared (IR) emission or radio transmission to receivers in an automobile, where the commands are translated into appropriate actuator signals to implement the commands. Throughout this document, references made to IR downlinks should be understood to include radio downlinks, where appropriate.  
         [0003]     Electronic remote engine starters are also known in the art. Remote engine starters allow the possessor of the remote engine starter to start the engine and heater or air conditioning unit of a vehicle, with or without unlocking the vehicle. The user of a remote engine starter can later enter the thermally comfortable vehicle with a completely warmed-up engine. Automobiles adapted to be used with electronic door keys and remote engine starters are known in the art.  
         [0004]     Personal data assistants, or PDAs, are known in the art. Some PDAs have infrared communication facilities that allow them to transfer data to other, similarly equipped PDAs. PDAs can be programmed with software to perform a limited set of other functions. For example, software is available to permit use of infrared-equipped PDAs to remotely control television sets. Some PDAs function with a camera which stores digital images in the PDA. PDAs conventionally have a manual input facility comprising a touch-sensitive screen, as well as conventional push buttons. PDAs may provide wireless internet access.  
         [0005]     Cellular telephones, or cell phones, are known in the art, ranging from phones for localized networks to Iridium phones with world-wide satellite-based relay antenna systems. Some cell phones can be equipped with digital cameras and internet access and can connect wirelessly to the internet to transfer photographs and other data. Cell phones may also provide programmable and downloadable features, such as games or other PDA-like functions. Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers have been incorporated in cell phones that can send the callers coordinates to the called party. For example, a person making a 911 call with a GPS-equipped cell phone may automatically transfer his GPS coordinates to the emergency dispatch center as inaudible data. Some cell phones allow “hands free” operation through the use of headsets and/or voice commands.  
         [0006]     MP3 players are known in the art. MP3 players are electronic devices for playing music or other sounds from computer data files written in the MP3 format. The advantage of an MP3 player over compact disk players is that MP3 player require no high-precision spinning parts, so size, weight, and energy consumption are reduced. MP3 players read data from computer memory and create sound based upon the data read. Memory may be in the form of temporarily inserted “memory sticks,” which are memory modules adapted to customized connectors. MP3 players can be quite small. MP3 recorders are also known in the art.  
         [0007]     The above give some examples of the plethora of electronic devices that are currently on the market. Consumers desire more capability with less carry weight and less complexity of use.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, it is desirable to combine features of personal electronic devices into one convenient device. In addition, it is desirable to avoid combinations which might have usage conflicts. It is also desirable to combine electronic devices which have similar or overlapping areas of use. For example, it is desirable to combine electronic devices that would normally be carried on the person. It is also desirable to simplify the complexity of use. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     According to a broad aspect of the invention, there is provided an integrated key artifact for controlling certain automobile functions. A cellular telephone has an electronic device integrated therewith that includes a plurality of actuators for controlling the automotive functions. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and  
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  shows an exemplary embodiment of an integrated key artifact;  
         [0012]      FIG. 1B  shows an exemplary embodiment of an attachment to an integrated key artifact.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2A  shows the exemplary embodiment of an integrated key artifact in a closed position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2B  shows the exemplary embodiment of an integrated key artifact in a closed position from a different perspective than  FIG. 2A .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of shared components of an exemplary embodiment of a key artifact;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4A  shows a portion of an exemplary automobile including adaptations to an exemplary integrated key artifact;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4B  shows a detail of portion of an exemplary automobile including adaptations to an exemplary integrated key artifact; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a block diagram of exemplary automotive functions accessible by the integrated key artifact. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1A  shows exemplary integrated key artifact  100  in a conventional flip phone open position, with base  106  flexibly attached to lid  102 . Lid  102  comprises display screen  104  and at least one speaker  110 . Base  106  comprises two manual input facilities, key pad  109  and navigation pad  108 , as well as at least one microphone  112  and earpiece connection port  114 . Navigation pad  108  may be similar in function to a joystick and interacts with a menu on display screen  104 . Other types of cursor-control devices are also contemplated.  
         [0021]     For cell phone operations, embodiment  100  may be employed in a conventional manual manner such as pressing keys on keypad  109  to input a phone number and execute the call. A second conventional manual method may be used, wherein a pre-stored number may be selected from a menu on screen  104  using the navigation pad  108  and a button which is pushed to initiate the call. As a third alternative, cell phone functions may be accessed in a “hands free” manner using voice controls activated by speaking commands into microphone  112 . The spoken commands may be translated into signals in a voice command processor and used to actuate cell phone functions or other functions. Headphones  126  ( FIG. 1B ) may be connected at port  114  using plug  120 . Headphones  126  may be used for private listening, either to phone calls or to an integrated MP3 player. The MPs player translates computer data files into sound. The MP3 player may be located within base  106  or lid  102  and share the use of speakers  110  with the cell phone. A menu on display screen  104  may also be used to select MP3 files for play, using the navigation pad. The headphones 126  may have inline controls  122  for MP3 play.  
         [0022]     In an alternative embodiment, display screen  104  comprises a touch-sensitive display screen  104  and a stylus for activating menus and selecting items from menus. In another alternative embodiment, a hybrid voice-controlled menu system may be employed, wherein menus on screen  104  change and items may be selected in response to voice commands. The menu names may comprise the word that is the verbal command to open them, and each item may be represented on a menu by an item selection command word. A single display screen  102  may be used for displaying menus and other information relating to telephonic, MP3, and automotive control functions.  
         [0023]     In an alternate physical configuration, microphone  112  may be located on the end of base  106 , proximate the illustrated position in  FIG. 1A , rather than on the closable surface of base  106 . In an alternate physical configuration, speaker  110  may be located on base  106 , proximate the flexible connection to the lid  102 . Lid  102  may have an opening to allow access to the speaker  110  when lid  102  is closed. (See  FIG. 2A ).  
         [0024]      FIG. 2A  shows the integrated key artifact  100  in a closed position. A flexible connector  206  allows base  106  and lid  102  to meet along an edge seam  210 . The outside surface of the lid  102  may comprises a set of key fob buttons  202  for remotely locking and unlocking an automobile, opening the trunk, activating a car alarm and/or similar binary automotive control functions. Pressing a key fob button  202  may cause a uniquely coded infrared light (IR) or radio signal to be sent through emitter window  208  to a receiver on an automobile, the received signal initiating the desired response. In some embodiments, the set of key fob buttons  202  may also include buttons for starting and stopping the engine, turning the air conditioner on or off, or turning the heater on or off. In a variation of that embodiment enabling remote control from greater distances, the automobile is equipped with an integral cell phone, and the signals may be sent via the cell phone portion of the integrated key artifact  100  to the integrated cell phone in the automobile, which transfers the signal to the appropriate actuator to act responsively to the received signal. In an alternate embodiment, automotive function commands originate as voice commands into microphone  112 , are processed into automotive function commands, or signals, within integrated key artifact  100 , and are then sent to the automobile either telephonically or through the IR or radio emitter  208  ( FIG. 2A ). In some alternate embodiments, any function of the integrated key artifact  100  may be initiated by voice command.  
         [0025]     In either a closed or open position of the lid  102 , integrated key artifact  100  may activate an external display  204  which provides information to the user. In some embodiments, particular messages may be accompanied by audible clues from speaker  110 . For example, a low battery warning may be accompanied by an alarming sound. For further example, an incoming call may be accompanied by a unique sound or by muting the MP3 player, if in use. It is preferred to have the external display configured to be readable when the integrated key artifact  100  is standing on its flexibly connected end  220  ( FIG. 2B ).  
         [0026]     MP3 operation may be accomplished by selecting an MP3 menu and then selecting a playable file from that menu. The files may be stored in dedicated or shared memory within the integrated key artifact. The memory may be fixed or removable. The sounds produced by the MP3 portion of the integrated key artifact  100  may be produced in speakers  110 , or in headphones  126 , or in other speakers connected to the integrated key artifact  100 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows sharable resources within an exemplary embodiment of the integrated key artifact  300 . Cell phone  302  is the only one of the three integrated devices  302 ,  304 , and  306  which, standing alone, requires a voice input component  112  ( FIG. 1A ). Voice input component  112  ( FIG. 1A ), or microphone  112  ( FIG. 1A ), is the entryway for telephone conversations and other voice functions. Other voice functions may include voice-activated, or voice-controlled, functions, as with “hands free” cell phone operation or voice-activated key fob functions (lock, unlock, open trunk, locate car, and panic) or additional voice-activated automotive functions (i.e., heater on/off, air conditioner on/off, check location). In an alternate embodiment additionally having an MP3 recorder, the integrated key artifact  300  permits recording of MP3 files from voice input using microphone  112  ( FIG. 1A ). In a variation of this embodiment, MP3 files may be recorded from telephone conversations. In a variant of the conversation recording embodiment, the conversation may first be recorded in a non-MP3 format, and then translated into MP3 format automatically or on command. The extensive memory  322  associated with MP3 players  304  may be ideal for providing electronic recording of telephone conversations.  
         [0028]     Cell phone  302  manual input facilities  312  are typically more extensive than MP3 player  304  manual input facilities or car key artifact  306  manual input facilities. Accordingly, the telephone keypad  109  may be shared with the MP3 player  304  and the car key artifact  306 . In some embodiments, key fob buttons  202  may be duplicated on key pad  109  using dedicated or multi-function keys. In another embodiment, key fob buttons  202  are on keypad  109 . MP3 player  304  control keys may be dedicated or multi-function keys on key pad  109 . In a particular embodiment, pressing the car alarm key fob button, “panic” key, or other designated button may activate MP3 recording. In some embodiments, manual input  312  may be by navigation pad  108  or by a stylus on a touch-sensitive display screen  104 . Other manual input devices are also contemplated.  
         [0029]     The wireless communications link  314  may handle voice signals for the cellular telephone  302  functions as well as data, including internet access, for any PDA-like functions included within cell phone  302  functions. In some embodiments, the MP3 player  304  may send and receive MP3 files over the wireless communications link  314 . In some embodiments, pressing the “panic” key of the key fob buttons  202  of the car key artifact  306 , or other designated key, may initiate a 911 call and send sound collected by microphone  112  over the telephone line. In an embodiment having a GPS receiver also integrated into the cell phone, the GPS coordinates of the caller may also be sent or recorded. In some embodiments, wireless communications link  314  may complete a call to a cell phone integral to the automobile to activate key fob functions and/or additional automotive functions. In an embodiment, the cell phone integral to the automobile, or an element thereof, may be integral to the engine ignition control electronics, and operable to enable or disable the engine via a phone call.  
         [0030]     The visual display  316  may include display screen  104 , external display  204 , and other visual status indicators, such as a light indicating the power is on. Car key artifacts  306 , or key fobs  306 , conventionally have one or no visual display features. MP3 players  304  conventionally have less visual display  316  capability than cell phones  302 . Accordingly, the visual display  316  of the cell phone  302  is shared by the MP3 player and, optionally, by the car key artifact  306 . In some embodiments, MP3 player  304  displays are selected from a menu on display screen  104  and MP3 player  304  functions are presented as menu items selected and monitored from screen  104 . In some embodiments, key fob functions are presented as menu items and selected and monitored from menus displayed on screen  104 . External display  204  may be shared between functions. For example, external display  204  may show the name of an MP3 file being played, the caller ID of a person calling the cell phone  302 , or the last key fob button  202  pushed. External display  204  is configured to be visible when a flip-phone embodiment  100  of the cellular telephone is closed. In some embodiments, the external display  204  is dedicated to one or two functions only. Cellular telephones other than flip phones may be integrated into an integrated key artifact.  
         [0031]     The IR downlink  330  is unique to the car key artifact  306  and may be accessed by the cell phone  302  to downlink data to PDAs or similarly equipped devices. For example, a phone conversation could be IR downlinked into a PDA or laptop computer for storage. Similarly, the MP3 player  304  may IR downlink a music file or other recording to a PDA or laptop computer. IR downlink  330  may download command sequences to be stored onboard the automobile and executed later. For example, a driver who gets off work in Phoenix, Ariz. at 5 p.m. may store a command sequence to turn on the engine and air conditioner at 4:45 p.m. As discussed above, in some embodiments IR downlink  330  may be radio downlink  330 .  
         [0032]     Key fob buttons  202  may be unique to the car key artifact  306 . As discussed above, they may be shared, in various embodiments, to initiate phone calls and MP3 recording.  
         [0033]     The audio system  324  of an MP3 player  304  will generally be superior to that of a cellular telephone  302 , so it is preferred to share that audio system  324  with the cell phone  302  and, optionally, with the car key artifact  306 . Audible outputs of the cell phone  302  may be routed to speaker  110  through the MP3 player&#39;s audio system  324 , thereby muting the MP3 player during phone calls. Likewise, audible indicators may be generated for key fob button  202  operations and piped through the MP3 player  304  audio system  324 .  
         [0034]     MP3 players  304  conventionally have more memory  322  than cell phones  302 . In some embodiments, MP3 player  304  memory  322  may be removable. In such embodiments, the cell phone and key fob may have dedicated memories in addition to making shared use of MP3 player  304  memory  322 . In some other embodiments, all memory is fixed and only the MP3 player  304  memory  322  is shared. In yet some other embodiments, all memory  322  is shared MP3 player  304  memory  322 .  
         [0035]     The electronic connector  320  for MP3 player  320  may be shared by the cell phone  302  and car key artifact  306 . The connector  320  may comprise a universal serial bus (USB) connector  320  originally used for downloading and uploading MP3 files from a personal computer. Cell phones  302  conventionally have electronic connectors for recharging batteries and for data transfer, including encoding and programming the cell phone. The data transfer requirements may be met using the USB connector  320 . In some embodiments, the original cell phone connector may be retained, and the USB connector  320  may be added. In an embodiment, a plurality of electronic connectors  320  are configured to be simultaneously engaged. In an alternate embodiment, one or more electronic connectors  114  ( FIG. 1 ) may not be simultaneously engaged. Car key artifacts  306  typically have no electronic connectors  320 . In many embodiments, the battery, or other power source, which powers the integrated key artifact  300  will be shared by all components  302 ,  304 , and  306 . Accordingly, the recharging connector may be shared by all components  302 ,  304 , and  306  of the integrated key artifact  300 . In embodiments with the capability to reprogram key fob button  202  functions, the data transfer connector may be shared with car key artifact  306 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 4A  shows an exemplary integrated key artifact  100  in use in automobile  400 . In most embodiments, automobile  400  may be adapted to receive integrated key artifact  100  in a receptacle  402  ( FIG. 4B ) in a console, dashboard, or similarly convenient location within automobile  400 . Integrated key artifact  100  may be received in receptacle  402  in a closed position of the integrated key artifact  100  (see  FIG. 2A ). The bottom of the receptacle may comprise one or more electronic connectors adapted to mate with electronic connectors  320  on the end  220  ( FIG. 2B ) of the integrated key artifact  100  when the integrated key artifact  100  is received in receptacle  402 .  
         [0037]     Automobile  400  comprises a visual display  406 , which may be a computer-generated visual display. In an embodiment, integrated key artifact  100  uses visual display  406  for presenting information which would be displayed on display screen  104  when the integrated key artifact  100  is in an open position (See  FIG. 1A ). In an alternate embodiment, automobile  400  comprises a dedicated display screen  404  associated with receptacle  402  for displaying the data from display screen  104 . Automobile  400  may comprise an audio system comprising a speaker  408 . In many embodiments, sound signals in the integrated key artifact  100  are routed through electronic connectors  320  and into the automotive audio system to speaker  408 . The sound signals may originate from any of the devices  302 ,  304 , or  306  ( FIG. 3 ) of the integrated key artifact  100 .  
         [0038]     Automobile  400  comprises a start pushbutton  410  which may be enabled by a security code within the integrated key artifact  100 . In an embodiment, the integrated key artifact  100  is used to initiate a telephone call from any distance to a cellular telephone integrated into the automobile  400 , download the security code to the automobile, and download a commend to start the engine. The cellular telephone integrated into automobile  400  comprises exemplary elements of a wireless communication link between the integrated key artifact  100  and automobile  400 . In some embodiments, the security code may be downloaded automatically when the integrated key artifact  100  is inserted into receptacle  402 . In some embodiments, the automobile will start when pushbutton  410  is pushed or when an appropriate voice command is given through microphone  112  of the integrated key artifact  100  in the receptacle  402 . In a particular embodiment, the integrated car key artifact  100  comprises voice recognition devices.  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary set of automotive systems that may be controlled or influenced by the exemplary integrated key artifact  500 . Integrated key artifact  500  comprises electronic key artifact  502 , cell phone  508 , and MP3 player  510  connected by communication links  504 - 506 . Starter  512 , door locks  514 , and trunk lock  516  are conventionally controlled by the electronic key artifact  502  over IR downlinks  530 ,  532 , and  534 , respectively. In an embodiment, additional binary functions (on-off, locked-unlocked, open-closed) may be added to electronic key artifact  502  functions, such as remotely operating the air conditioner  522  or heater  524  over IR downlinks  536  and  538 , respectively.  
         [0040]     Modem automobiles comprise a number of sensors  518  and actuators  520  beyond those inherent in key fob functions (i.e., door lock actuators and door lock sensors), some of which may provide inputs to computers, such as engine ignition controllers, within the automobile  400 . In an embodiment, automobile  400  may be configured to transfer data from these additional sensors  518  and actuators  520  over links  540  and  542 , respectively, to the integrated key artifact  500 . The data thus transferred may be analyzed by a program within integrated key artifact  100  to predict servicing requirements or to initiate alarms.  
         [0041]     The car display system  526  and car audio system  528  may be slaved to the cell phone  508  component of the integrated key artifact  100  using links  544  and  546 , respectively. The car display system  526  and car audio system  528  may be slaved to the MP3 player  510  component of the integrated key artifact  100  using links  548  and  550 , respectively. In some embodiments, the car display system  526  may be slaved to a cellular phone having a voice interpretation and printing function for the hearing impaired, while the MP3 player  510  uses the car audio system  528  to amuse passengers.  
         [0042]     In a particular embodiment, link  504  maybe used to transfer a voice command, received and translated into a command format in the cell phone  508 , to the electronic key artifact  502  for use in controlling, for example, the starter  512 . Likewise, MP3 player functions may be controlled with commands formatted from voice data in the cell phone  508  and transferred over link  505  to the MP3 player. In some embodiments, all functions of the integrated key artifact  500  may be voice activated.  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 5 , a lid  102  to a cellular phone may be integrated with a programmable key fob  502  and sold as an accessory to the cell phone  508 . The integrated key fob  502  may be programmed by the consumer in a simplified version of the method used to program TV remote control devices. For example, the integrated key fob  502  is placed in a programmable mode via activation of a switch, a particular button is pressed on the integrated key fob  502  to indicate what button is to be programmed, and the corresponding button on the original key fob is pressed to downlink the code for that button into the integrated programmable key fob  502 .  
         [0044]     To maximize consumer convenience, the integrated key artifact  100  should be wearable technology. In an embodiment, the integrated key artifact  100  may attach by clips, as are known in the art of cell phone clips, to a belt or purse.  
         [0045]     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.