Systems, devices and methods for vehicles

Abstract

A system controls use of a mobile device in a vehicle where the mobile device includes, a hands-on user interface and a wireless communication interface. The system includes a docking station that couples to the mobile device using a hardwired connection, and a controller that couples to the docking station and a vehicle-start system. The hands-on interface is inaccessible with the mobile device received in the docking station. The system allows operation of the vehicle with the mobile device coupled to the docking station via the hardwired connection and prevents a vehicle start when the mobile device is not coupled to the docking station. The wireless communication interface is operational with the mobile device coupled to the docking station via the hardwired connection, and the controller permits, once the vehicle is started, a continued operation of the vehicle following removal of the mobile device from the docking station.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of controlling use of a mobile device in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a docking station configured to receive the mobile device, the mobile device comprising a hands-on interface and a wireless communication interface, the method comprising:
 receiving the mobile device with the docking station via a hardwired connection, wherein the hands-on interface is inaccessible with the mobile device received by the docking station and the wireless communication interface remains operational with the mobile device received by the docking station;
 if the mobile device received by the docking station is an authorized mobile device:
 allowing the vehicle to start; and 
 
 if the mobile device received by the docking station is an unauthorized mobile device;
 preventing the vehicle from starting; and 
 
   permitting, once the vehicle is started, a continued operation of the vehicle following an uncoupling of the mobile device from the hardwired connection with the docking station.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising authenticating a mobile-device ID communicated from the mobile device to determine whether the mobile device coupled to the docking station is the authorized mobile device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising authenticating the mobile-device ID using a USB serial number associated with the mobile device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising saving a record of a removal of the mobile device from the docking station with the vehicle operating. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising preventing a re-starting of the vehicle when the record comprises an identification of the removal of the mobile device from the docking station with the vehicle operating. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising permitting the re-starting of the vehicle following entry of a code that permits operation of the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising receiving the code via a user interface included in the docking station. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising determining whether the mobile device is received by the docking station using a sensor included in the docking station. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising determining, subsequent to the starting of the vehicle, whether the mobile device remains coupled to the docking station by monitoring a status of a USB connection of the mobile device and the docking station. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the act of determining includes an act of receiving an ID associated with the authorized mobile device. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising authenticating the mobile device by comparing the ID associated with the authorized mobile device with a mobile-device ID communicated from the mobile device coupled to the docking station. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising periodically polling the mobile device for the mobile-device ID to confirm that the mobile device remains in the docking station while the vehicle is operating. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising generating an audible alarm in the vehicle following a removal of the mobile device from the docking station while the vehicle is operating.