Removable, configurable vehicle console

Abstract

Methods and systems for a removable, configurable vehicle console are provided. Specifically, a configurable console may comprise one or more displays that are capable of receiving input from a user. At least one of these displays may be removed from the console of a vehicle and operated as a stand-alone computing platform. Moreover, it is anticipated that each one or more of the displays of the console may be configured to present a plurality of custom applications that, when manipulated by at least one user, are adapted to control functions associated with a vehicle and/or associated peripheral devices.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of configuring a vehicle control system graphical user interface (“GUI”) of a console device, comprising:
 detecting, by a processor, a first state of the console device, wherein the first state of the console device is one of attached to or removed from a vehicle-mounted position on a vehicle; 
 displaying a plurality of applications in a first presentation layout on the GUI of the console device in the first state; 
 determining whether an application of the plurality of applications is associated with an essential application indication; 
 storing, in memory, the first state of the console device and the first presentation layout associated with the first state; 
 detecting, by a processor, a second state of the console device, wherein the second state of the console device is different from the first state of the console device, and wherein the second state of the console device is the other of attached to or removed from the vehicle-mounted position; 
 referring, by a processor, to stored rules to determine whether to change the first presentation layout of the console device based on the detected second state of the console device; and 
 determining, whether to transfer the display of the application to another console device GUI when the application is associated with the essential application indication. 
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the stored rules comprise directions to maintain the first presentation layout of the console device when the second state of the console device is detected. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 querying, upon detecting the second state of the console device, a user with an option to change the first presentation layout to a second presentation layout;   receiving input from the user, wherein the input corresponds to a decision to change or maintain the first presentation layout; and   sending, by a processor, a command that represents the decision to change or maintain the first presentation layout.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 displaying, at a first time, a plurality of applications in the first presentation layout on a GUI, wherein the plurality of applications are configured to communicate with vehicle functions that are associated with each application;   receiving a first input at the GUI, wherein the first input corresponds to an instruction to alter the first presentation layout to a second presentation layout, wherein the first presentation layout corresponds to a first position and behavior of each application of the displayed plurality of applications on the GUI and the second presentation layout is different from the first presentation layout;   selecting, by a processor, the second presentation layout to display on the GUI;   sending, by a processor, a command to display the second presentation layout on the GUI; and   displaying, at a second time, the second presentation layout on the GUI.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 receiving a second input at the GUI, wherein the second input manipulates at least one control associated with at least one application of the plurality of applications;   determining, by a processor, a vehicle function to control based on the second input; and   controlling the determined vehicle function based on the second input.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the stored rules comprise directions to change the first presentation layout of the console device to a second presentation layout when the second state of the console device is detected. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the second presentation layout is configured to operate as a stand-alone computing device. 
     
     
         28 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, perform the method comprising:
 detecting, by a processor, a first state of the console device, wherein the first state of the console device is one of attached to or removed from a vehicle-mounted position on a vehicle;   displaying a plurality of applications in a first presentation layout on the GUI of the console device in the first state;   determining whether an application of the plurality of applications is associated with an essential application indication;   storing, in memory, the first state of the console device and a first presentation layout associated with the first state;   detecting, by a processor, a second state of the console device, wherein the second state of the console device is different from the first state of the console device;   referring, by a processor, to stored rules to determine whether to change the first presentation layout of the console device based on the detected second state of the console device; and   determining, whether to transfer the display of the application to another console device GUI when the application is associated with the essential application indication.   
     
     
         29 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the stored rules comprise directions to maintain the first presentation layout of the console device when the second state of the console device is detected. 
     
     
         30 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 28 , the method further comprising:
 querying, upon detecting the second state of the console device, a user with an option to change the first presentation layout to a second presentation layout;   receiving input from the user, wherein the input corresponds to a decision to change or maintain the first presentation layout; and   sending, by a processor, a command that represents the decision to change or maintain the first presentation layout.   
     
     
         31 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 29 , the method further comprising:
 displaying, at a first time, the plurality of applications in the first presentation layout on the GUI, wherein the plurality of applications are configured to communicate with vehicle functions that are associated with each application;   receiving a first input at the GUI, wherein the first input corresponds to an instruction to alter the first presentation layout to a second presentation layout, wherein the first presentation layout corresponds to a first position and behavior of each application of the displayed plurality of applications on the GUI and the second presentation layout is different from the first presentation layout;   selecting, by a processor, the second presentation layout to display on the GUI;   sending, by a processor, a command to display the second presentation layout on the GUI; and   displaying, at a second time, the second presentation layout on the GUI.   
     
     
         32 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 31 , the method further comprising:
 receiving a second input at the GUI, wherein the second input manipulates at least one control associated with at least one application of the plurality of applications;   determining, by a processor, a vehicle function to control based on the second input; and   controlling the determined vehicle function based on the second input.   
     
     
         33 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the stored rules comprise directions to change the first presentation layout of the console device to a second presentation layout when the second state of the console device is detected. 
     
     
         34 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the second presentation layout is configured to operate as a stand-alone computing device. 
     
     
         35 . A removable, configurable console device for displaying and interacting with a plurality of user-controllable vehicle applications, comprising:
 a graphical user interface (“GUI”) including a touch sensitive display;   an input/output port, wherein the input/output port is configured to send and receive signals between the console device and a plurality of devices associated with a vehicle;   at least one engagement feature, wherein the at least one engagement feature is configured to selectively connect the console device to a vehicle-mounted position on the vehicle; and   a switch element configured to detect a state of the console device, wherein the state of the console device is one of attached to or removed from the vehicle-mounted position;   a processor; and   a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor perform the method comprising:   detecting, by a processor, a first state of the console device, wherein the first state of the console device is one of attached to or removed from the vehicle-mounted position;   displaying a plurality of applications in a first presentation layout on the GUI of the console device in the first state;   determining whether an application of the plurality of applications is associated with an essential application indication;   storing, in memory, the first state of the console device and a first presentation layout associated with the first state;   detecting, by a processor, a second state of the console device, wherein the second state of the console device is different from the first state of the console device;   referring, by a processor, to stored rules to determine whether to change the first presentation layout of the console device based on the detected second state of the console device; and   determining, whether to transfer the display of the application to another console device GUI when the application is associated with the essential application indication.   
     
     
         36 . The console device of  claim 35 , wherein the application is associated with the essential application indication and is identified as the essential application indication by an icon displayed adjacent to the application. 
     
     
         37 . The console device of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 a power supply.   
     
     
         38 . The console device of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 a tether, wherein the tether connects the console device to at least one of a vehicle mount and the vehicle.   
     
     
         39 . The console device of  claim 38 , wherein the tether is configured to supply at least one of power, communications, and physical connection to the console device. 
     
     
         40 . The console device of  claim 35 , wherein one of the plurality of devices associated with the vehicle is a phone.