Vehicle and method of controlling connection of mobile device with vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for "vehicle device management" providing methods and systems for managing mobile devices for connection with a vehicle. A processor is configured to determine whether a mobile device is within a predetermined distance of a vehicle based on a comparison between first geographic data of the mobile device and second geographic data of the vehicle. In response to determining that the mobile device is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle based on the comparison, the processor is configured to enable a Bluetooth function on the mobile device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to managing devices for connectivity with a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles and mobile devices often include Bluetooth technology for communicating with each other. This technology allows a driver to use a mobile device hands-free while driving, such as by interacting with controls integrated with the vehicle. Mobile devices are typically configured so that Bluetooth functionality can be manually enabled and disabled. While enabling Bluetooth functionality on a mobile device allows for connectivity with a vehicle, enabling Bluetooth also draws additional power from the mobile device's battery and thus requires more frequent charging of the mobile device. SUMMARY

[0003] In an example embodiment, a system includes a processor configured to identify whether a mobile device is within a predetermined distance of a vehicle based on a comparison between first geographic data of the mobile device and second geographic data of the vehicle. In response to determining that the mobile device is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle based on the comparison, the processor is configured to enable Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device.

[0004] In another example embodiment, a system includes a processor configured to identify whether a mobile device is within a predetermined distance of a vehicle and moving toward the vehicle based on a comparison between first geographic data of the mobile device and second geographic data of the vehicle. In response to determining that the mobile device is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle and moving toward the vehicle based on the comparison, the processor is configured to enable Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device.

[0005] In another example embodiment, a method includes identifying, by a processor, that a mobile device is within a predetermined distance of a vehicle based on a comparison between first geographic data of the mobile device and second geographic data of the vehicle. In response to identifying that the mobile device is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle based on the comparison, the method includes enabling, by the processor, Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 An example system for managing mobile devices for connectivity with a vehicle is shown.

[0007] Figure 2 An example computing platform that can be used in the example system of Figure 1 is shown.

[0008] Figure 3 An example process for managing mobile devices for connectivity with a vehicle is shown, which can be performed by a processor of Figure 1An exemplary system performs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] In accordance with the requirements of the application, detailed embodiments thereof are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the application, which can take different forms and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; and some features can be exaggerated or minimized in order to show specific details. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the application in a variety of way.

[0010] Figure 1 An exemplary system 100 for managing mobile devices for connection with a vehicle is provided. The system 100 can include a vehicle 102, a mobile device 104 (such as a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, and / or a personal computer organizer), and a smart wearable device 106 (such as a smart watch and / or a fitness tracker). Each of these system components can communicate with one or more of the other components through a network 110. The network 110 can include one or more interconnected communication networks, such as one or more of the Internet, a cable television distribution network, a satellite link network, a local area network, a wide area network, and a telephone network. Each of these system components can also communicate directly with one or more of the other components when within communication range, such as via radio frequency ("RF") technology. The system 100 can also include a vehicle key 108 that is capable of communicating directly with the vehicle 102 when within communication range.

[0011] The vehicle 102 can be configured to provide several in-vehicle services, such as a hands-free phone service, via a Bluetooth connection established between the vehicle 102 and the mobile device 104. For example, the vehicle 102 can include integrated controls for controlling the mobile device 104 through the Bluetooth connection without directly interacting with it, and can include integrated microphones and speakers for making phone calls through the Bluetooth connection. As another example, the vehicle 102 can retrieve audio files, including music, from the mobile device 104 through the Bluetooth connection, and can play such files through the speakers of the vehicle 102.

[0012] The mobile device 104 can be configured to allow a user to manually disable wireless functionality, such as Bluetooth functionality, when not in use. When disabled, a wireless transceiver supporting wireless functionality is inactive and draws little or almost no power from the mobile device 104. Thus, after exiting the vehicle 102, a user can disable the Bluetooth functionality on his or her mobile device 104 to conserve battery power. However, the user can forget to enable the Bluetooth functionality before operating the vehicle 102 again, which can prevent the vehicle 102 from providing the in-vehicle services described above. Thus, the user can create a dangerous situation by attempting to interact with the mobile device 104, such as answering a call or enabling the Bluetooth functionality, while the vehicle 102 is in operation. Furthermore, when the user stops operating the vehicle 102, the user can forget to turn off the Bluetooth functionality, which can unnecessarily drain the battery of the mobile device 104. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein relate to automatically enabling and disabling the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104 with respect to the vehicle 102 without user interaction.

[0013] The vehicle 102 can include various types of cars, cross-over utility vehicles (CUVs), sport utility vehicles (SUVs), trucks, recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, airplanes, or other mobile machines for transporting people or cargo. In many cases, the vehicle 102 can be powered by an internal combustion engine. As another possibility, the vehicle 102 can be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powered by both an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, such as a series hybrid electric vehicle (SHEV), a parallel hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a parallel / series hybrid electric vehicle (PSHEV). The vehicle 102 can also be an autonomous vehicle (AV). As the type and configuration of the vehicle 102 can vary, the performance of the vehicle 102 can correspondingly vary. For example, different vehicles 102 can have different performance in terms of passenger capacity, towing and carrying capacity, and storage capacity. For title, inventory, and other purposes, the vehicle 102 can be associated with and include on it a unique identifier, such as a vehicle identification number ("VIN").

[0014] The vehicle 102 can include an automatic Bluetooth trigger ("ABT") system 112 configured to perform functions that support the processes described herein. Thus, the ABT system 112 can be configured to automatically enable and disable Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104 upon one or more events. For example, in some embodiments, the ABT system 112 can be configured to identify whether the mobile device 104 is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle 102 based on a comparison between geographic data of the mobile device 104 and geographic data of the vehicle 102. In response to determining that the mobile device 104 is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle 102, the ABT system 112 can be configured to automatically enable Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104, such as by causing the vehicle 102 to send a corresponding signal to the mobile device 104 through the network 110. Other examples are described below.

[0015] The ABT system 112 can be configured to communicate with other vehicle 102 components via one or more in-vehicle networks 114. The in-vehicle networks 114 can include one or more of a vehicle controller area network ("CAN"), an Ethernet, and a media oriented systems transport ("MOST") network. The other vehicle 102 components can include one or more of a telematics control unit ("TCU") 116, a wired input / output ("I / O") interface 118, various vehicle ECUs 120, and a human-machine interface ("HMI") 122. Each vehicle 102 component can be implemented via hardware, software, or both.

[0016] The TCU 116 can provide one or more machine interfaces that operatively and wirelessly couple the vehicle 102 to other devices and systems, such as other system 100 components and the network 110. The vehicle 102 components can communicate wirelessly with devices and systems that are remote from and / or not integrated with the vehicle 102 via the TCU 116.

[0017] The TCU 116 can include one or more embedded modems 124. Each embedded modem 124 can include one or more cellular modems configured to facilitate communication between the vehicle 102 and other system 100 components over the network 110. The cellular modems can be configured to connect with and communicate over the network 110 via one or more cellular networks to which the modem subscribes. For example, the network 110 can include the Internet, and the vehicle 102 can communicate with other system 100 components over the Internet via a cellular modem connected to a cellular data network. As another example, the network 110 can include a telephone network, and the vehicle 102 can communicate with other system 100 components over the telephone network via a cellular modem wirelessly connected to a cellular voice network.

[0018] The TCU 116 can also include wireless transceivers 126. The wireless transceivers 126 can be configured to facilitate direct wireless communication between the vehicle 102 and other system 100 components that are local to (e.g., within wireless communication range of) the wireless transceivers 126 of the vehicle 102. The wireless transceivers 126 can be configured to directly connect with and communicate with a corresponding wireless transceiver of another system 100 component. Various wireless transceivers 126 can have different communication ranges depending on the wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) and features implemented by the wireless transceivers 126 (e.g., remote unlock, passive entry, hands-free phone service). In some embodiments, a system 100 component can only be within wireless communication range of a wireless transceiver 126 if the wireless transceiver 126 receives a signal from the system 100 component of at least a certain signal strength, as indicated by a received signal strength indication (“RSSI”) measurement made by the vehicle 102. Different wireless technologies and different wireless features can require different minimum RSSI measurements, such as depending on how close to the vehicle 102 a system 100 component needs to be to be considered within a communication range in which a given wireless feature is to be enabled. The stronger the RSSI measurement, the closer the mobile device 104 can be to the vehicle 102. The minimum RSSI measurements can be determined and pre-stored in the vehicle 102.

[0019] The wireless transceivers 126 can communicate via RF transmissions. As some non-limiting examples, the wireless transceivers 126 can include a Bluetooth transceiver 128 and a further wireless transceiver 130, which can include one or more of a Wi-Fi transceiver, a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) transceiver, a near-field communication (“NFC”) transceiver, a keyless entry transceiver, and a smart key transceiver.

[0020] The TCU 116 can also include a global positioning satellite ("GPS") module 132. The GPS module 132 can be configured to identify geographic data of the vehicle 102, such as via communication with satellites. The vehicle geographic data can include a current latitude and longitude of the vehicle 102, and can include a current address of the vehicle 102. The GPS module 132 can be configured to provide the geographic data to another vehicle 102 component, such as the ABT system 112, automatically or upon request.

[0021] The wired I / O interface 118 can provide one or more machine interfaces that operably couple the vehicle 102 to other devices and systems local to the vehicle 102 (e.g., within wired range thereof), such as other system 100 components. Thus, other vehicle 102 components can communicate with other devices and systems that are remote from and / or not integrated with the vehicle 102 via the wired I / O interface 118. The wired I / O interface 118 can include a universal serial bus ("USB") interface 134 and an auxiliary ("AUX") interface 136. The AUX interface 136 can be configured to receive audio from a connected device, such as the mobile device 104, for transmission through a speaker of the vehicle 102. The USB interface 134 can be configured for more complex communication. For example, the vehicle 102 can communicate with the mobile device 104 via the USB interface 134 to control the mobile device 104, to implement in-vehicle services facilitated by the mobile device 104 (e.g., hands-free phone, navigation, music, in-vehicle applications), and / or to access the network 110 via a cellular or Wi-Fi internet connection of the mobile device 104.

[0022] The vehicle ECUs 120 can be configured to monitor and manage various functions of the vehicle 102 under power of the vehicle 102 battery and / or drivetrain. The vehicle ECUs 120 can include, but are not limited to: a powertrain controller configured to monitor and manage engine operating components; a body controller configured to monitor and manage various power control functions, such as exterior lighting, interior lighting, keyless entry, remote start, and access point status verification; a radio transceiver controller configured to communicate with a key fob, mobile device, or other local vehicle 102 device; an entertainment controller configured to support voice commands and Bluetooth interfaces with a driver and a device carried by the driver, such as the mobile device 104; and a climate management controller configured to monitor and manage heating and cooling system components (e.g., compressor clutch, blower fan, temperature sensors, etc.).

[0023] The HMI 122 can facilitate interaction by the occupant with the vehicle 102, or more specifically, with components of the vehicle 102. The HMI 122 can receive input from and output information to the user. The HMI 122 can include input devices and controls, such as a touchscreen, an alphanumeric keypad, a pointing device, a keyboard, buttons, control knobs, and a microphone, which are capable of accepting commands or input from the user to invoke functions of components of the vehicle 102. For example, the HMI 122 can include steering wheel audio buttons, push-to-talk buttons, instrument cluster controls, etc. The HMI 122 can also include a video or alphanumeric display, a speaker, and any other suitable audio and visual indicators capable of providing data to the user. For example, the HMI 122 can include a head unit display included in a center console area of a cabin of the vehicle 102 and / or a screen of an instrument cluster of the vehicle 102.

[0024] While Figure 1 The example system 100 is shown in FIG. 1, but the example is not intended to be limiting. Indeed, the system 100 can have more or fewer components and can use alternative components and / or implementations. For example, in addition to or alternatively from communicating via the in-vehicle network 114, two or more vehicle 102 components can be directly connected. As an example, the vehicle ECUs 120 can be directly connected to one or more components of the TCU 116 to support functionality of the vehicle ECUs 120 (e.g., each of a body controller, a radio transceiver controller, and / or an entertainment controller can be directly connected to one or more of the wireless transceivers 126 to support functionality of the controller). As a further example, one or more of the vehicle 102 components can be directly connected to the HMI 122 to enable a user to interact with the vehicle 102 components.

[0025] Referring to Figure 2As described above, the vehicle 102 can include one or more computing platforms 150 connected to the in-vehicle network 114 as part of the vehicle 102 to implement the vehicle 102 components. The one or more computing platforms 150 of the vehicle 102 can be embedded in the vehicle 102 such that they are not readily detachable and / or removable from the vehicle 102 whenever the vehicle 102 is turned off (e.g., not bringing a driver’s mobile device 104 into the cabin of the vehicle 102). Each of the vehicle 102 components described above can be implemented by a different computing platform 150 connected to the in-vehicle network 114. Alternatively, two or more of the vehicle 102 components can share hardware, firmware, and software such that a single computing platform 150 connected to the in-vehicle network 114 includes two or more vehicle 102 components. As another example, one or more vehicle 102 components can be distributed across the same group of computing platforms 150. The mobile device 104, the smart wearable device 106, and the vehicle key 108 likewise can each include one or more computing platforms 150 for implementing their functionality.

[0026] A given computing platform 150 of the system 100 can include one or more of a processor 152, a memory 154, a non-volatile storage device 156, an HMI 158, and an input / output (“I / O”) interface 160 in communication with one another by one or more computer buses 161. The processor 152 can include one or more devices selected from a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a central processing unit, a field programmable gate array, a programmable logic device, a state machine, a logic circuit, an analog circuit, a digital circuit, or any other device capable of manipulating signals (analog or digital) based on instructions resident in the memory 154. The memory 154 can include a single memory device or multiple memory devices, including but not limited to random access memory (“RAM”), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static random access memory (“SRAM”), dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”), flash memory, cache memory, or any other device capable of storing information. The non-volatile storage device 156 can include one or more persistent data storage devices, such as a hard drive, an optical drive, a tape drive, a non-volatile solid-state device, or any other device capable of persistently storing information.

[0027] The processor 152 can operate under the control of computer-executable instructions embodied in an operating system ("O / S") 162 that resides in the non-volatile storage 156 and is read into the memory 154. The O / S 162 can manage computer resources such that computer-executable instructions embodied in one or more software applications 164 that reside in the non-volatile storage 156 can be read into the memory 154 and executed by the processor 152. Alternatively, the processor 152 can execute the applications 164 directly, in which case the O / S 162 can be omitted. The computer-executable instructions can be compiled or interpreted, as can be desired, from various computer languages and / or technologies, including, but not limited to, and singly or in combination: Java, C, C++, C#, Objective C, Fortran, Pascal, Java Script, Python, Perl, and PL / SQL. The computer-executable instructions of the O / S 162 and the applications 164, when executed by the processor 152, can cause the processor 152 to perform the functions of the components described herein (e.g., vehicle 102 components, system 100 components). For example, in executing the applications 164, the processor 152 can perform the functions of the ABT system 112, the vehicle ECU 120, the mobile device 104, the smart wearable device 106, or the vehicle key 108.

[0028] One or more databases 166 can reside on the non-volatile storage 156 and can be used to collect and organize data used by the various systems and modules described herein. The databases 166 can include data and supporting data structures that store and organize the data. The databases 166 can be arranged in any database organization or structure, including, but not limited to, a relational database, a hierarchical database, a network database, or a combination thereof. A database management system, in the form of a computer software application executing as instructions on the processor 152, can be used to access information or data stored in records of the databases 166 in response to queries, which can be dynamically determined and executed by the O / S 162, the applications 164, or one or more modules.

[0029] The HMI 158 can be operatively coupled to the processor 152 of the computing platform 150 in a known manner to allow a user to directly interact with the computing platform 150. The HMI 158 can include the HMI 122 Figure 1), or may include one or more components similar to one or more components of HMI 122. For example, HMI 158 may include a video or alphanumeric display, a touch screen, speakers, and any other suitable audio and visual indicators capable of providing data to a user. HMI 158 may also include input devices and controls, such as an alphanumeric keyboard, a pointing device, a keyboard, buttons, control knobs, a microphone, etc., which are capable of accepting commands or input from a user and transmitting the input to the processor 152.

[0030] The I / O interface 160 may provide one or more machine interfaces that operably couple the processor 152 to other devices and systems, such as a network 170 or one or more external resources 172. The network 170 may include one or more in-vehicle networks 114 ( Figure 1 ), and may include network 110 ( Figure 1 ). External resources 172 may include, but are not limited to, servers, databases, mass storage devices, peripheral devices, cloud-based network services, or any other suitable computer resources that can be used by computing platform 150. For example, external resources 172 may include vehicle 102 components implemented by a different computing platform 150 or another system 100 component. Thus, applications 164 can work in conjunction with network 170 and external resources 172 by communicating via I / O interface 160 to provide various components, features, functions, applications, processes, or modules that comprise embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] I / O interface 160 may include a modem 174, which may include or be similar to embedded modem 124 ( Figure 1 ). Thus, the modem 174 may be a cellular modem configured to connect to the network 170 via a cellular network. The I / O interface 160 may also include a GPS module 184. The GPS module 184 may include the GPS module 132 ( Figure 1 ) or similar to the GPS module 132 ( Figure 1 ). Thus, GPS module 184 can be configured to identify geographic data for computing platform 150, such as via communication with a satellite. GPS module 184 can be configured to automatically or upon request provide the geographic data to another computing platform 150 component, such as to processor 152 for use by executing application 164.

[0032] The I / O interface 160 can also include a wireless transceiver 176 and / or a wired I / O interface 182. The vehicle 102 and other system 100 components can include corresponding wireless transceivers 176 and / or wired I / O interfaces 182 that utilize similar communication protocols to enable direct communication between the vehicle 102 and other system 100 components. For example, the wireless transceiver 176 can include one or more components of the vehicle 102 wireless transceiver 126 Figure 1 ), such as when the wireless transceiver 176 is of the vehicle 102, and can include one or more components corresponding to one or more components of the vehicle 102 wireless transceiver 126, such as when the wireless transceiver 176 is of another system 100 component. The wired I / O interface 182 can similarly include one or more components of the vehicle 102 wired I / O interface 118 Figure 1 ), and can include one or more components corresponding to one or more components of the vehicle 102 wired I / O interface 118.

[0033] The wireless transceiver 176 can include a Bluetooth transceiver 178, which can include or can correspond to the vehicle 102 Bluetooth transceiver 128 Figure 1 ), and can include additional wireless transceivers 180, which can include or can correspond to one or more of the vehicle 102 additional wireless transceivers 130 Figure 1 ). As an example of communicating between system 100 components via the wireless transceiver 176, the mobile device 104 Bluetooth transceiver 178 can form a connection with the vehicle 102 Bluetooth transceiver 128 when the mobile device 104 Bluetooth transceiver 178 is enabled and within communication range of the vehicle 102 Bluetooth transceiver 128. This connection can allow a user to control and access the mobile device 104 via the vehicle 102 HMI 122, which can enable in-vehicle services such as hands-free phone service, streaming music from the mobile device 104, navigation using data from the mobile device 104, and in-vehicle applications operating via data from the mobile device 104. In some embodiments, the vehicle 102 components can access the network 110 via the mobile device 104 cellular or internet connection (e.g., via the mobile device 104 modem 174 or Wi-Fi transceiver).

[0034] As another example, when the mobile device 104, smart wearable device 106, and / or vehicle key 108 enters the communication range of the keyless entry or smart key transceiver of the vehicle 102, the corresponding additional wireless transceiver 180 of the nearby device can automatically or based on user input (e.g., button selection on the device) transmit a predetermined code to the vehicle 102. If the transmitted code matches a code stored in the non-volatile storage device 156 of the vehicle 102, such as in one of the vehicle ECUs 120 (e.g., the body controller), the vehicle ECU 120 can be configured to unlock or start the vehicle automatically or based on additional user input (e.g., push-button start).

[0035] The wired I / O interface 182 may include or may correspond to the wired I / O interface 118 ( Figure 1 ). Thus, two or more of the system 100 components (e.g., the mobile device 104 and the vehicle 102) may include corresponding wired I / O interfaces 182 that use the same connection type to facilitate direct connection and communication between the system 100 components. The wired I / O interfaces 182 may include the vehicle 102 USB interface 134 ( Figure 3 ) or an interface corresponding to the vehicle 102 USB interface 134, and may include the vehicle 102 AUX interface 136 or an interface corresponding to the vehicle 102 AUX interface 136 ( Figure 1 The wired I / O interface 182 may also include one or more of an Ethernet interface, a CAN interface, and a MOST interface, such as for connecting and communicating through the in-vehicle network 114.

[0036] ​ 1 shows a process 300 for automatically enabling and disabling Bluetooth functionality on a mobile device 104. The process 300 may be performed by ​ The exemplary system 100 performs.

[0037] In block 302, it may be determined whether a triggering event has occurred. Generally, a triggering event may be a predetermined event that, upon occurrence of the event, causes one of the vehicle 102, the mobile device 104, or the smart wearable device 106 to enable the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104, or to determine whether the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104 should be enabled. The system 100 may be configured to detect one or several different triggering events.

[0038] The triggering event can include various interactions with the vehicle 102 that can cause the vehicle ECU 120 to transmit a signal indicative of the event to the ABT system 112. For example, a detectable triggering event can include when the vehicle 102 motor (e.g., internal combustion engine, electric motor) is turned on, which can cause the powertrain controller to transmit a corresponding signal to the ABT system 112 for event recognition. A detectable triggering event can also include when the vehicle 102 door is opened, which can cause the body controller to transmit a corresponding signal to the ABT system 112 for event recognition. A detectable triggering event can also include when the vehicle key 108 enters the communication range of the wireless transceiver 126 of the vehicle 102, such as the smart key transceiver of the vehicle 102, which can cause the wireless transceiver 126 of the vehicle 102 to form a local connection with the wireless transceiver 176 of the vehicle key 108, and can correspondingly cause the radio transceiver controller to transmit a signal to the ABT system 112 for event recognition.

[0039] In response to recognizing the occurrence of the triggering event (the “yes” branch of block 302), location data can be determined in block 304, such as by the ABT system 112, to determine whether the mobile device 104 is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle 102. For example, it can be determined whether the mobile device 104 is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle 102 based on a comparison between the location data of the mobile device 104 and the location data of the vehicle 102. The location data can include geographic data, which can include an address or a longitude and latitude value that indicates where the vehicle 102 and / or the mobile device 104 are geographically located.

[0040] For example, the ABT system 112 can be configured to transmit a request for geographic data to the mobile device 104 over the network 110 (e.g., over the internet), such as via the embedded modem 124 of the vehicle 102. In response to receiving the request, the mobile device 104 can be configured to determine its geographic data, such as by querying its GPS module 194 for GPS data of the mobile device 104, by performing cellular triangulation of the mobile device 104 modem 174, and / or by performing a geolocation lookup of the IP address assigned to the mobile device 104. The mobile device 104 can then be configured to transmit the geographic data to the ABT system 112 over the network 110 (e.g., over the internet), such as via its modem 174. The ABT system 112 can likewise be configured to determine the geographic data of the vehicle 102 by querying its GPS module 132 for GPS data, by performing cellular triangulation relative to the vehicle 102 embedded modem 124, and / or by performing a geolocation lookup of the IP address assigned to the vehicle 102.

[0041] In block 306, it can be determined, based on the determined location data, whether the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104 should be triggered, such as by the ABT system 112. In particular, the ABT system 112 can be configured to determine whether the location data indicates that the mobile device 104 is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle 102, such as by comparing the geographic data of the mobile device 104 and the geographic data of the vehicle 102. If not (the "No" branch of block 306), monitoring for another triggering event can continue, such as by the ABT system 112 (block 302).

[0042] Alternatively, if it is determined that the mobile device 104 is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle 102 (the "Yes" branch of block 306), in block 308, the Bluetooth functionality of the mobile device 104 can be automatically enabled, such as by the ABT system 112. For example, the ABT system 112 can be configured to transmit a Bluetooth on signal to the mobile device 104 over the network 110, such as via the vehicle 102 embedded modem 124. In response to receiving the signal, the mobile device 104 can be configured to automatically enable its Bluetooth transceiver 178, which can allow the mobile device 104 and the vehicle 102 to form a local connection via the vehicle 102 Bluetooth transceiver 128 and the mobile device 104 Bluetooth transceiver 178 without requiring user interaction with the mobile device 104.

[0043] Additionally or alternatively, determining the location data in block 304 can include identifying whether any of the additional wireless transceivers 180 of the mobile device 104 are within a communication range of the additional wireless transceivers 130 of the vehicle 102. In block 306, the ABT system 112 can determine whether to trigger the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104 based on whether the additional wireless transceivers 180 of the mobile device 104 are identified as being within the communication range of the additional wireless transceivers 130 of the vehicle 102. If so (the "Yes" branch of block 306), the ABT system 112 can assume that the mobile device 104 is at least within a distance of the vehicle 102 that is equal to the communication range of the receiving vehicle 102 additional wireless transceivers 130, and block 308 can be performed to turn on the Bluetooth functionality of the mobile device 104 as described above. If not (the "No" branch of block 306), monitoring for another triggering event can continue, such as by the ABT system 112 (block 302).

[0044] Alternatively, in block 304, the ABT system 112 can be configured to perform an RSSI measurement on a communication received by the further wireless transceiver 130 of the vehicle 102 from the further wireless transceiver 180 of the mobile device 104 to determine whether the further wireless transceiver 180 of the mobile device 104 is within a predetermined distance of the further wireless transceiver 130 of the vehicle 102. The stronger the RSSI measurement, the closer the mobile device 104 can be determined to be to the vehicle 102. A correlation between RSSI measurement and distance, or a minimum RSSI measurement corresponding to the predetermined distance, can be determined and pre-stored in the vehicle 102. In block 306, the ABT system 112 can determine whether to trigger the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104 by determining whether the further wireless transceiver 180 of the mobile device 104 is within the predetermined distance of the further wireless transceiver 130 of the vehicle 102 based on the RSSI measurement and the minimum RSSI or correlation stored in the vehicle 102. If so (the "yes" branch of block 306), the ABT system 112 can perform block 308, as described above, to turn on the Bluetooth functionality of the mobile device 104. If not (the "no" branch of block 306), monitoring of another triggering event can continue, such as by the ABT system 112 (block 302).

[0045] Referring again to block 302, the detectable triggering event can also include a driving motion. For example, the mobile device 104 and / or the smart wearable device 106 can be configured to determine whether the device is moving at a certain speed or accelerating faster than a predetermined threshold, such as by utilizing a GPS module 184 of the device, cellular triangulation via a modem 174 of the device, and / or an integrated accelerometer. In response to detecting a driving motion (the "yes" branch of block 302) with respect to the mobile device 104, the mobile device 104 can be configured to automatically enable its Bluetooth functionality in block 308, such as by activating its Bluetooth transceiver 178. In other words, blocks 304 and 306 can be omitted.

[0046] With respect to the smart wearable device 106, in response to detecting a driving motion ("Yes" branch of block 302), in block 304, the smart wearable device 106 can be configured to determine location data in a similar manner as the ABT system 112 described above. For example, the smart wearable device 106 can be assumed to be in the vehicle 102 and can be configured to request and / or receive geographic data from the mobile device 104 via the smart wearable device 106 modem 174 or via the smart wearable device 106 additional wireless transceiver 180 over the Internet for comparison with its own geographic data. Because the smart wearable device 106 can be assumed to be in the vehicle 102, comparing the geographic data of the smart wearable device 106 with the geographic data of the mobile device 104 can be considered as comparing the geographic data of the vehicle 102 with the geographic data of the mobile device 104. Additionally or alternatively, the smart wearable device 106 can identify whether the mobile device 104 is in communication range of the smart wearable device 106 additional wireless transceiver 180 and can make an RSSI measurement of a signal received from the mobile device 104 at the smart wearable device 106 additional wireless transceiver 180. In block 306, the smart wearable device 106 can be configured to determine whether to trigger a Bluetooth function on the mobile device 104 based on the determined location data, such as using the methods described above for the ABT system 112 (e.g., determining whether the location data indicates that the mobile device 104 is within a predetermined distance of the smart wearable device 106 and the vehicle 102).

[0047] If it is determined that the mobile device 104 is within the predetermined distance of the smart wearable device 106 ("Yes" branch of block 306), in block 308, the Bluetooth function of the mobile device 104 can be automatically activated, such as by the smart wearable device 106. For example, the smart wearable device 106 can be configured to transmit a Bluetooth on signal to the mobile device 104, such as via the smart wearable device 106 modem 174 or via the smart wearable device 106 additional wireless transceiver 180 over the Internet. In response to receiving the signal, the mobile device 104 can be configured to automatically enable its Bluetooth transceiver 178, which can allow the mobile device 104 and the vehicle 102 to form a local connection via the vehicle 102 Bluetooth transceiver 128 and the mobile device 104 Bluetooth transceiver 178 without requiring user interaction with the mobile device 104.

[0048] Referring again to block 302, the triggering event can also include when the mobile device 104 enters within a predetermined distance of the vehicle 102. For example, after the driver turns off and exits the vehicle 102, and / or after a predetermined period of time, the ABT system 112 can be configured to periodically request and / or receive geographic data from the mobile device 104, such as via the embedded modem 124 and / or over the Internet, and compare this geographic data to the geographic data of the vehicle 102 to determine when the mobile device 104 is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle 102. Additionally or alternatively, in response to the additional wireless transceiver 180 of the mobile device 104 entering the communication range of the additional wireless transceiver 130 of the vehicle 102, the ABT system 112 can be configured to determine that the mobile device 104 is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle 102. Additionally or alternatively, the ABT system 112 can be configured to utilize RSSI measurements of signals received from the additional wireless transceiver 180 of the mobile device 104 to determine when the mobile device 104 is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle 102. Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device 104 can be configured to utilize one or more methods similar to those outlined in this paragraph to determine whether the device is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle 102.

[0049] In response to determining that the mobile device 104 is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle 102 (the "Yes" branch of block 302), the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104 can be automatically triggered in block 308, such as by the vehicle 102 as described above or by the mobile device 104. In other words, blocks 304 and 306 can be omitted.

[0050] Alternatively, in response to determining that the mobile device 104 is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle 102 (the "yes" branch of block 302), the mobile device 104 or the ABT system 112 may be configured to determine, in block 306, based on the location data determined in block 304, whether the mobile device 104 is moving toward the vehicle 102. If so, then in block 308, the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104 may be automatically triggered, as described above. For example, in block 304, the mobile device 104 or the ABT system 112 may be configured to continuously request and / or receive geographic data from another device, such as via the Internet, and in block 306, the mobile device 104 or the ABT system 112 may compare the geographic data from the other device with its own geographic data to determine whether the mobile device 104 is moving toward the vehicle 102. Additionally or alternatively, in box 304, the mobile device 104 or the ABT system 112 may perform RSSI measurements on signals received from another wireless transceiver 180 of another device, and in box 306, the mobile device 104 or the ABT system 112 may determine whether the mobile device 104 is moving toward the vehicle 102 based on identifying successively stronger RSSI measurements.

[0051] In block 310, the ABT system 112, the mobile device 104, and / or the smart wearable device 106 may determine whether a Bluetooth off event has occurred. Detectable Bluetooth off events may include one or more predetermined user interactions with the vehicle 102. For example, the ABT system 112 may be configured to recognize the occurrence of a Bluetooth off event when the vehicle 102 is turned off, when weight is removed from a vehicle 102 seat (such as the driver's seat), when the vehicle 102 is locked after the vehicle 102 is turned off, and / or when a vehicle 102 door is opened after the vehicle 102 is turned off. In response to the Bluetooth off event (the "yes" branch of block 310), in block 312, the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104 may be disabled. For example, the ABT system 112 may cause the vehicle 102 to send a Bluetooth off signal to the mobile device 104 , such as via components of the TCU 116 , including the Bluetooth transceiver 128 , which, when received by the mobile device 104 , causes the mobile device 104 to automatically disable the Bluetooth transceiver 178 of the mobile device 104 .

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, in block 310, the ABT system 112 or the mobile device 104 can be configured to determine whether the mobile device 104 is at least a predetermined distance away from the vehicle 102 and / or is moving away from the vehicle 102. For example, as with the above-described techniques, the ABT system 112 or the mobile device 104 can be configured to periodically request and / or receive geographic data from other components over the Internet or via the wireless transceivers 176 (including the Bluetooth transceivers 178 of each of the vehicle 102 and the mobile device 104), and make comparisons of the geographic data to determine whether the mobile device 104 is at least a predetermined distance away from the vehicle 102 and / or is moving away from the vehicle 102. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle 102 or the mobile device 104 can be configured to determine whether the wireless transceivers 176 of the components are no longer receiving signals from the wireless transceivers 176 of the other components, or whether the wireless transceivers 176 of the components are receiving signals from the wireless transceivers 176 of the other components with an RSSI that is less than a predetermined value, to determine whether the mobile device 104 is at least a predetermined distance away from the vehicle 102 and / or is moving away from the vehicle 102. If so (the "yes" branch of block 310), in block 312, the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104 can be disabled. For example, the ABT system 112 can cause the vehicle 102 to send a Bluetooth off signal to the mobile device 104, as described above, or the mobile device 104 can be configured to automatically initiate the disabling of the Bluetooth functionality itself.

[0053] Additionally or alternatively, in block 310, the mobile device 104 and / or the smart wearable device 106 can be configured to determine whether the device is stopped experiencing driving motion for at least a predetermined period of time. If so (the "yes" branch of block 310), in block 312, the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device 104 can be disabled. For example, the smart wearable device 106 can send a signal to the mobile device 104, such as via components of the I / O interface 160 of the smart wearable device 106 (including the Bluetooth transceiver 178), that causes the mobile device 104 to disable the Bluetooth transceiver 178 of the mobile device 104 upon receipt of the signal by the mobile device 104. Alternatively, the mobile device 104 can disable the Bluetooth functionality by causing itself to deactivate the Bluetooth transceiver 178 of the mobile device 104.

[0054] After block 312, the process 300 can return to block 302, where monitoring for triggering events can continue, such as by the ABT system 112, the mobile device 104, and / or the smart wearable device 106.

[0055] While the foregoing describes exemplary embodiments, these described embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms of the application. Rather, the words used in this specification are words of description, not limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the application.

[0056] According to the application, there is provided a system having a processor configured to, in response to a comparison between first geographic data of a mobile device and second geographic data of a vehicle, identify that the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle, enable a Bluetooth function on the mobile device.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the processor is part of the vehicle and is further configured to, in response to a user interaction with the vehicle, request the first geographic data from the mobile device over the Internet for the comparison.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the user interaction with the vehicle is turning on a motor of the vehicle.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the processor is part of the vehicle and is further configured to, in response to identifying a vehicle key within a communication range of the vehicle, request the first geographic data from the mobile device over the Internet.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the processor is part of the vehicle and is further configured to issue periodic geographic data requests to the mobile device over the Internet and, in response to the periodic geographic data requests, the vehicle receives the first geographic data.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the first geographic data comprises first GPS data and the second geographic data comprises second GPS data.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the processor is included in a smart watch and is configured to, in response to identifying a driving motion, request the first geographic data from the mobile device.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the processor is included in the mobile device.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the processor is part of the vehicle and is configured to, by transmitting a Bluetooth enable signal to the mobile device over the Internet, enable the Bluetooth function on the mobile device, wherein the mobile device is configured to automatically enable a Bluetooth transceiver of the mobile device upon receipt of the Bluetooth enable signal.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the processor is part of the vehicle and is further configured to, in response to the vehicle being turned off after the Bluetooth function on the mobile device is enabled, disable the Bluetooth function on the mobile device.

[0066] According to embodiments, the processor is further configured to disable the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device in response to identifying that the mobile device is at least a predetermined distance away from the vehicle based on a comparison between third geographic data of the mobile device and fourth geographic data of the vehicle, each geographic data identified after the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device is enabled.

[0067] According to the present invention, there is provided a system having a processor configured to enable a Bluetooth functionality on a mobile device in response to identifying that the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of a vehicle and moving towards the vehicle based on a comparison between first geographic data of the mobile device and second geographic data of the vehicle.

[0068] According to embodiments, the processor is part of the vehicle and is further configured to issue a plurality of periodic geographic data requests to the mobile device over the Internet and in response to the periodic geographic data requests, the vehicle receives the first geographic data.

[0069] According to embodiments, the processor is comprised in the mobile device.

[0070] According to embodiments, the processor is part of the vehicle and is configured to enable the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device by transmitting a Bluetooth enable signal to the mobile device over the Internet, wherein upon receipt of the Bluetooth enable signal, the mobile device is configured to automatically enable a Bluetooth transceiver of the mobile device.

[0071] According to embodiments, the processor is part of the vehicle and is further configured to disable the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device in response to the vehicle being turned off after the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device is enabled.

[0072] According to the present invention, there is provided a method in which a processor enables a Bluetooth functionality on a mobile device in response to identifying that the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of a vehicle based on a comparison between first geographic data of the mobile device and second geographic data of the vehicle.

[0073] According to embodiments, the processor is part of the vehicle and further comprises requesting the first geographic data from the mobile device over the Internet in response to a user interaction with the vehicle.

[0074] According to embodiments, the processor is comprised in a smart watch and further comprises requesting the first geographic data from the mobile device in response to identifying a driving motion.

[0075] According to embodiments, the present invention further features disabling the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device in response to the vehicle being turned off after the Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device is enabled.

Claims

1. A means of transport, comprising: The processor is configured to: periodically receiving first geographic data indicating a location of the mobile device from the mobile device via a cellular network; comparing the first geographic data to second geographic data indicating a location of the vehicle; In response to determining that the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle and moving toward the vehicle based on a comparison between the first geographic data of the mobile device and the second geographic data of the vehicle, a Bluetooth enable signal is sent to the mobile device via a cellular network to enable Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to request the first geographic data from the mobile device over a cellular network in response to a user interaction with the vehicle for the comparison.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: The user interaction with the vehicle is turning on a motor of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to request the first geographic data from the mobile device over a cellular network in response to identifying a vehicle key within communication range of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The first geographic data includes first GPS data, and the second geographic data includes second GPS data.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to: determining whether the vehicle is turned off after the Bluetooth function on the mobile device is enabled; In response to determining that the vehicle is turned off, a Bluetooth deactivation signal is sent to the mobile device via Bluetooth to instruct the mobile device to deactivate a Bluetooth function.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: When the mobile device receives the Bluetooth activation signal, the mobile device is configured to automatically activate a Bluetooth transceiver of the mobile device.

8. A system for a vehicle, comprising: The processor is configured to: in response to periodically receiving first geographic data indicative of a location of the mobile device from the mobile device via the cellular network, comparing the first geographic data with second geographic data indicative of a location of the vehicle; In response to determining that the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of and moving toward the vehicle based on a comparison between the first geographic data and the second geographic data, a Bluetooth enablement signal is sent to the mobile device via a cellular network to enable Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein: The processor is further configured to issue a plurality of periodic geographic data requests to the mobile device over a cellular network, and the first geographic data is received by the processor in response to the periodic geographic data requests.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein: When the mobile device receives the Bluetooth activation signal, the mobile device is configured to automatically activate a Bluetooth transceiver of the mobile device.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein The processor is further configured to, after enabling the Bluetooth function on the mobile device, send a Bluetooth deactivation signal to the mobile device via a Bluetooth connection to deactivate the Bluetooth function on the mobile device in response to the vehicle being turned off.

12. A method for controlling a connection between a mobile device and a vehicle, comprising: The vehicle's processor performs the following operations: comparing first geographic data of a mobile device periodically received from the mobile device via a cellular network with second geographic data of the vehicle; In response to identifying that the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle and moving toward the vehicle based on a comparison between the first geographic data of the mobile device and the second geographic data of the vehicle, the Bluetooth function on the mobile device is enabled by sending a Bluetooth enablement signal to the mobile device via a cellular network.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: The first geographic data is requested from the mobile device over a cellular network by a processor of the vehicle in response to a user interaction with the vehicle.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: After enabling the Bluetooth function on the mobile device, a Bluetooth deactivation signal is sent by the processor of the vehicle to the mobile device via the Bluetooth connection to deactivate the Bluetooth function on the mobile device in response to detecting that the vehicle is turned off.

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