Patent Application
20050277438
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and
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.
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 (
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.
In an alternate physical configuration, microphone 112 may be located on the end of base 106, proximate the illustrated position in
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 (
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'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.
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.
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 (
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Referring to
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.
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.
