Patent ID: 8195145

Claim:
A user interface apparatus for remote control of a telephone, comprising: a user interface unit; input means configured to input telephone control signals; a display for outputting visual information, communications means configured for short distance wireless data or signal communication with the telephone; circuitry configured to convey input telephone control signals and display control signals between the user interface unit and the telephone by means of the short distance wireless signal communication means; wherein the circuitry is configured to be transparent for or to imitate the signaling of the telephone for adapting the input and output signals of the user interface unit to have the same properties as corresponding signals of the telephone; and wherein an electrical connector is coupled to the circuitry and configured to connect to signal lines from peripheral equipment of a vehicle to convey signals between the telephone and the peripheral equipment of the vehicle; the user interface apparatus further comprising mechanical attachment means configured to detachably attach the user interface unit to corresponding attachment means of a holder, wherein the electrical connector is further configured to connect to a corresponding electrical connector of the holder, wherein the telephone control signals and display control signals comprise key inputs for remotely operating the telephone and wherein the user interface unit is configured to receive, interpret and present on the display visual information that is received from the telephone so as to imitate the signaling, electromechanical and logical properties of the telephone via the display control signal that comprises visual feedback from the telephone unit via the user interface that imitates the signaling, electromechanical and logical properties of the telephone.