System and method of synchronizing an in-vehicle control system with a remote source

Abstract

The present application relates to an in-vehicle control system for synchronizing files with a remote source. The remote source includes a storage device configured to store a first file. The system includes a communications device capable of establishing a wireless communication link with the remote source. The communications device is configured to send, receive, or both send and receive files to and/or from the remote source. The system further includes a memory device configured to store a second file. The system yet further includes a data processing device coupled to the communications device, the data processing device configured to perform a comparison of the first file of the remote source and the second file of the memory device, wherein the data processing device is further configured to synchronize the file of the remote source and the file of the in-vehicle control system based on the comparison.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for synchronizing the data files of an in-vehicle control system with a remote source, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a synchronization command from a wireless portable device, wherein the synchronization command is received by a signal receiver;   activating the in-vehicle control system from a powered-down state to a powered-up state;   establishing a wireless data communication link between the in-vehicle control system and the remote source; and   synchronizing at least one data file between the in-vehicle control system and the remote source via the wireless data communication link.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 terminating the wireless data communication link between the in-vehicle control system and the remote source; and   causing the in-vehicle control system to enter a reduced power state once the data communications link is terminated.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the signal receiver is coupled to the vehicle data bus. 
     
     
         18 . A method for synchronizing the data files of a remote source with an in-vehicle control system, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a synchronization command to an in-vehicle control system via an input device mounted to the vehicle and communicably coupled to the in-vehicle control system;   establishing a wireless communication link between the remote source and the in-vehicle control system; and   synchronizing a plurality of data files stored in the remote source with a plurality of data files stored in the in-vehicle control system.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the input device is a microphone configured to receive voice from a vehicle occupant, wherein the method further comprises using speech recognition to determine the synchronization command from a signal representing the voice received at the microphone. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method further includes providing a graphical user interface via an output display coupled to the in-vehicle control system. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the method further includes executing a plurality of user transfer commands using the in-vehicle control system, wherein the commands are input via the in-vehicle control system. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein user transfer commands include commands for managing the data files of the remote source. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein user transfer commands include commands for browsing the contents of the remote source.