GB2502589A

GB2502589A - Preventing mobile device from entering sleep mode whilst interfaced with in-vehicle apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2502589A
Application number: GB1209718.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kurt Dusterhoff; David Blanc
Original assignee: Denso Corp
Current assignee: Denso Corp
Priority date: 2012-05-31
Filing date: 2012-05-31
Publication date: 2013-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-31
Also published as: GB2502589B; DE112013002743T5; GB201209718D0; WO2013179633A1

Abstract

An in-vehicle apparatus is described. The in-vehicle apparatus comprising: a transceiver operable to communicate to and from a mobile device and to establish a connection with the mobile device; and a control unit operable to generate a control signal for the mobile device to prevent the mobile device entering an inactive state; wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit the control signal to the mobile device. The transceiver may prevent the mobile device from entering an inactive state by transmitting S2 a control signal just before the device is due to enter that state, may transmit S4 a control signal which alters the power saving settings of the mobile device and may transmit a control signal S6 which unlocks a password protected sleep mode. Unlocking of the password protected sleep mode may be achieved through voice recognition of the user uttering the password. Power saving settings may be altered by simulation user selection of the settings menu. The mobile device may be a smartphone, PDA, portable music player or any other portable electronic device capable of interfacing with the in-vehicle apparatus.

Description

METHOD FOR AN IN-VEHICLE APPARATUS, AN IN-VEHICLE

APPARATUS AND A VEHICLE

INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to a method for an in-vehicle apparatus, an in-vehicle apparatus and a vehicle.

Vehicles may allow a user to connect or pair their mobile device, e.g., a mobile phone, with an in-vehicle device to allow the user to gain access to the mobile device via the in-vehicle device. For example, the user is able to make calls from their mobile phone, which is controlled by the, in-vehicle device. Furthermore, some vehicles are fitted with hands-free systems that allow the user to use their mobile phone while driving without having to remove their hands from the controls of the vehic!e. Additionally, other devices may be" connected to the in-vehicle device, for example, a mobile device that allows the user to play-back music stored on the mobile device through the vehicle's sound system. The user may also be able to control the mobile device using the in-vehicle device.

JP 2003-244343 describes an in-vehicle device that displays a display screen of a mobile device on the screen of the in-vehicle device, when the mobile device is connected to an in-vehicle device. For example, a portable terminal such as a cellular phone and an in-vehicle device such as a vehicle navigation system are connected. After detecting the connection between the portable terminal and the in-vehicle device, a control unit of the cellular phone supplies display data to be displayed on its screen to the in-vehicle device. A control unit of the in-vehicle device displays on a screen the display data supplied from the portable terminal.

SUMMARY

Particular aspects and embodiments are set out in the accompanying claims.

Viewed from a first aspect, there can be provided an approach that allows an in vehicle device to detect and/or control whether a connected mobile device enters, leaves or remains in in a sleep or lock mode.

Viewed from another aspect there can be provided an in-vehicle apparatus comprising: a transceiver operable to communicate to and from a mobile device and to establish a connection with the mobile device; and a control unit operable to generate a control signal for the mobile device to prevent the mobile device entering an inactive state; wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit the control signal to the mobile device. Thereby a connected device can be managed to prevent an inactive state from being commenced.

In some examples the control signal comprises one or more of: instructions to modify the mobile device settings to deactivate a reduced-functionality mode of the mobile device; instructions to modify the mobile device settings to deactivate a password-protection mode of the mobile device; and data to unlock the mobile device, which data can optionally be password data. Thus a variety of options are available for controlling entry into a reduced functionality or inactive state depending upon a required outcome and the configuration of the connected device.

In some examples the control unit comprises a voice command unit operable to generate command data in response to a received voice command, wherein the control unit generates the password data based on the command data. Thus where a password is required to prevent entry into or to achieve exit from an inactive state, this can be obtained verbally from a vehicle user to avoid causing a driver's hands to leave the vehicle controls.

In some examples the control signal resembles a mobile device control signal that would be received from an input unit of the mobile device. This can optionally take the form of a control signal resembling a key-press signal of the mobile device; or a control signal resembling a cursor-movement signal to perform a movement of a cursor on a display of the mobile device.

In the example of a cursor movement signal, the cursor-movement signal can control a cursor to move along the edge of the mobile device display andlor coordinate data for positioning a cursor at a predetermined location on the display of the mobile device. Thus the system can provide an input that replicates an existing input channel for the device.

In some examples the control signal is transmitted to the mobile device a predetermined time after a user instruction is received by the in-vehicle apparatus and/or transmitted periodically to the mobile device. Thus the system can accommodate a time-out interval of the mobile device.

In some examples the control unit is operable to initiate a connection with the mobile device and the transceiver is operable to transmit the control signal to the mobile device after a predetermined time has lapsed. Thus the system can commence a connection with the mobile device and can cause an inactive state to be avoided in the existence of a time-out interval of the mobile devica Viewed from another aspect there can be provided a vehicle comprising the above in-vehicle apparatut Viewed from a further aspect there can be provided a method for an in-vehicle apparatus comprising the steps of: establishing a communication connection with the mobile device; generating a control signal for the mobile device to prevent the mobile device entering an inactive state; and transmitting the control signal to the mobile device. Thereby a connected device can be managed to prevent an inactive state from being commenced Viewed from another aspect, there can be provided a computer program, optionally borne by a storage medium, comprising computer readable instructions which when executed by a programmable device cause the performance of the above method and/or cause the programmable device to become configured as the above apparatus.

Further feature combinations provided by the present teachings will be understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying figures

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present teachings will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings in which like numerals reflect like elements: Figure 1 illustrates schematically the interior dash of a vehicle; Figure 2 illustrates schematically an in-vehicle apparatus and a mobile device; Figure 3 illustrates an example process flow performed by the in-vehicle apparatus; and Figure 4 illustrates the process performed by the mobile device in response to receiving password data from the in-vehicle apparatus.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail.

It should be understood however that drawings and detailed description attached hereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed but rather the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a part of the interior 1 of a vehicle according to one example. In this example the dashboard of a vehicle is illustrated in the figure, but it will be appreciated that other parts of the vehicle that include an in-vehicle apparatus may also be used. For example, an in-vehicle apparatus may be installed in the head rest of either or both of the fronts seats of a vehicle1 viewable by passengers seated in the rear of the vehicle.

The interior part I of the vehicle includes an in-vehicle apparatus 2. The in-vehicle apparatus 2 in this example is a display capable of displaying content received from a connected device 4. The display 4 may also include other functionality, for example satellite navigation unit or sat-nay, entertainment controls (e.g., volume, track, skip, pause), or vehicle system control. The in-vehicle apparatus 2 includes a display 10 for displaying the content received from a connected device 4, and if the apparatus includes such functionality, displaying information regarding route planning and information related to the vehicle. In this example, the display is a liquid crystal display or LCD, but other display technologies may be used, e.g., a light-emitting diode display or an electroluminescent display.

Figure 1 also illustrates a mobile device 4 that is in communication with the in-vehicle apparatus 2. The mobile device 4 in this example is a mobile telephone or mobile phone.

However, the mobile device 4 may also include a portable music player or other portable or mobile electronic device capable of interfacing with the in-vehicle apparatus 2. The communication between the in-vehicle apparatus and the mobile device is two-way.

The mobile device 4 in this example is not part of the vehicle or the in-vehicle apparatus 2. The mobile device 4 is in communication with the invehicle apparatus 2 using a wired or wireless connection. For example, the mobile device 4 may be connected to the in-vehicle apparatus 2 using a USB connection. Further examples, include wired or wireless connections using Bluetooth, 1EEE1394, IEEE8O2.11 or ZigBee, but the connection is not limited to these examples. The mobile device 4 includes a display 6 and a keypad 8. It will be appreciated that the keypad 8 may be part of the display 6 in the form of a touch screen. The display 6 of the mobile device 4 is an LCD, but other display technologies may be used, e.g., a light-emitting diode display or an electroluminescent display.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and the mobile device 4.

The in-vehicle apparatus 2 includes a display unit 10, a memory 16, a communication unit 18 and a control unit 20. The communication unit 18 may also be referred to as a transceiver for transferring data to and from the mobile device 4. The memory 16 is in the form of a ROM and RAM, but may be any form of solid state memory or drive. For example, the memory may be in the form of a removable flash drive or a hard-disc drive. The display unit or display 10 includes a display screen 12, for example an LCD, and a touch-screen or touch panel 14 in the form of a capacitive touch panel, for example, that is overlaid on the display screen 12. The touch screen may also be provided using alternative technologies, for example, resistive or infrared technologies.

It will be appreciated that a control panel may be used that is separate from the display screen 10, for example, the in-vehicle apparatus 2 may include a separate control panel including a number of push buttons allowing user control of the in-vehicle apparatus 2. The input unit may also include a rotary type control, jockey-wheel or other directional control device.

The communication unit or transceiver 18 includes hardware and software to allow the in-vehicle apparatus 2 to communicate with the mobile device 4. In this example, the communication unit 18 uses a wired connection using a USB connection on each of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and the mobile device 4. It will be appreciated that when the mobile device 4 is connect to the in-vehicle apparatus using a USB connection on the in-vehicle apparatus, a communication channel is established using known techniques. Any software used by the communication unit 18 is stored within a ROM (not shown) of the communication unit 18, but may also be stored in the ROM part of the memory 16 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2. As described above, the communication between the mobile device 4 and the in-vehicle apparatus 2 may also be implemented using other forms of wired or wireless connection.

The control unit 20 provides the control of the elements of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and is in communication with the memory 16, the display 10 and the transceiver 18. The control unit 20 also receives vehicle related information from a communication bus 22 of the vehicle, e.g., vehicle speed information, vehicle temperature data or tachometer data.

The mobile device 4 includes a display unit 24, a memory 26, a communication unit or transceiver 28 and a control unit 30. The memory 26 is in the form of a ROM and RAM, but may be any form of solid state memory or drive. For example, the memory may be in the form of a removable flash drive or a hard-disc drive. The display unit 24 includes the display screen 6, for example an LCD, and a touch panel 8 in the form of a capacitive touch panel, for example.

The touch panel may be overlaid on the display screen 6 or may be arranged on a separate part of the mobile device. The touch screen may also be provided using alternative technologies, for example, resistive or infrared technologies.

It will be appreciated that control of, the mobile device 4 may be affected using a separate control panel including a number of push buttons allowing user control of the mobile device 4. The input unit may also include a rotary type control, jockey-wheel or other directional control device.

The communication unit or transceiver 28 includes hardware and software to allow the mobile device 4 to communicate with the in-vehicle apparatus 2. In this example, the transceiver 28 uses USO to communicate with the in-vehicle apparatus 2. Any software used by the transceiver 28 is stored within a RUM (not shown) of the communication unit 28, but may also be stored in the ROM part of the memory 26 of the mobile device 4. As described above, the communication between the mobile device 4 and the in-vehicle apparatus 2 may also be implemented using other forms of wired or wireless connection.

The mobile device 4 in this example is a mobile phone. However, it may also be a mobile tablet pc, or music device, for example, which may or may not include a telephone capability. Nevertheless, it will be appreciated that those aspects of the mobile device that are not related to the present teachings are not described, but it will be understood that these are implemented using known techniques.

The control unit 30 provides the control of the elements of the mobile device 4 and is in communication with the memory 26, the display 24 and the communication unit 28. For example, the control unit 30 may receive a control signal from a user on from the input device 8 to launch an application. The control unit 30 will control the display screen 6 to display the launched application.

As previously described, the mobile device 4 and the invehicle apparatus 2 communicates via connection 32. More specifically, the communication unit 28 of the mobile device 4 communicates with the communication unit 18 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2.

According to one example the in-vehicle apparatus 2 receives data from the mobile device 4 related to data displayed on the display screen 6 of the mobile device 4. Furthermore, control signals from the control unit 20 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 are transmitted to and received from the control unit 30 of the mobile device 4 via the established communication channel 32.

In this example, a Virtual Network Computing (\INC) type connection is used to allow the in-vehicle apparatus 2 to transmit control signals via connection 32 to the mobile device 2 and to allow the display or parts thereof of the mobile device 2 to be reproduced on the display screen 12 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2. It will be appreciated that other protocols may be used instead of VNC such as X Window System (or Xli) or a terminal mode system such as MirrorLinkTM.

If the mobile device 4 includes a map or route planning application, the user may wish to display this on the display screen 12 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2. A further example may be a video player application available on the mobile device 4 that the user may wish to be displayed on the display screen 12 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2. By way of example it is assumed that a route planner application and a video player application, when executed on the mobile device 4 can be displayed on the screen 12 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2.

Figure 3 is a flow chart of a process performed by the control unit 20 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 to control the mobile device 4 to prevent the mobile device entering an inactive state.

In step Si, a communication channel or connection 32 is established between the mobile device 4 and the in-vehicle apparatus 2. This is performed in a typical manner known to those skilled in the art. For example, once the mobile device 4 is connected to the in-vehicle apparatus 2, a connection will be established and identification information is shared over the communication channel 32. The in-vehicle apparatus may also display a user selection screen to allow the user to acknowledge or select to display the contents of the mobile device 4 display on the display 10 of the in-vehicle apparatus 4. The identification data are stored in the respective memories 16, 26 of the mobile device 4 and the in-vehicle apparatus 2 In step S2, a control signal for the mobile device 4 is generated by the control unit 20 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2. The control signal controls the mobile device 4 to prevent an inactive or sleep state being entered.

In step 33, the control unit 20 of the in-vehicle apparatus waits for a specified time before transmitting the control signal to the mobile device 4. The specified time can range from zero (i.e. the control signal is transmitted once it is generated without any delay) to 10 minutes for example. However, it will be appreciated that other times may be used, for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 minutes or other times delays that may typically be used for mobile devices before entering sleep or inactive states. The specified delay time begins from when the communication connection between the mobile device 4 and the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is established.

If it is determined that the specified time has not elapsed since the connection was established, the control unit 20 continues to monitor the elapsed time. If it is determined that the specified time has elapsed since the connection was established, the control unit 20 goes to step 34.

In step 34, the control signal is transmitted to the mobile device 4 via connection 32 by the transceiver 18. The mobile device 4 receives the control signal from the in-vehicle apparatus 2 by the transceiver 28, which is received by the control unit 30 of the mobile device 4. The control unit 30 determines the nature of the signal and controls the mobile device 4 based on the received control signal.

The control unit 30 directly controls the settings of the mobile device 4. That is to say that the control unit 30 of the mobile device 4 interprets the received control signal and performs an action in accordance with the control signal. Alternatively, the mobile device 4 may have stored thereon an application, which receives the control signals to control the mobile device 4.

The application may be pre-installed on the mobile device 4 from an application vender or may be installed by the in-vehicle apparatus 2 as part of the connection proces& In this example, the control signal comprises instructions to modify settings of the mobile device 4 to deactivate a sleep or reduced functionality mode. That is to say that the control unit of the mobile device 4 receives the control signal and changes the settings of the mobile device 4 based on the instruction contained within the control signal. In this example, the control unit 30 directly changes the settings of the mobile device 4 to disable a sleep mode of the mobile device 4. Therefore, while the device is in communication with the in-vehicle apparatus it will not enter a sleep mode. It is noted that the reduced functionality or sleep mode is one where the screen is disabled to save power. Furthermore, the user may be unable to control the mobile device 4 unless a password is first entered.

The control unit 20 may perform the optional steps S5 and S6 described below.

In step S5, the control unit 20 of the in-vehicle apparatus waits for a specified time before transmitting a further control signal to the mobile device 4. The specified time can range from zero (i.e. the control signal is transmitted once it is generated without any delay) to 10 minutes for example. However, it will be appreciated that other times may be used, for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 minutes or other times delays that may typically be used for mobile devices before entering a sleep or inactive states. The specified delay time begins from when the control signal is transmitted to the mobile device 4 in step S4.

In step S5, if it is determined that the specified time has not elapsed since the first control signal was transmitted to the mobile device 4, the control unit 20 continues to monitor the elapsed time. If it is determined that the specified time has elapsed since the connection was established, the control unit 20 goes to step S6.

In step S6, a further control signal is transmitted to the mobile device 4 via connection 32 by the transceiver 18. The mobile device 4 receives the further control signal from the in-vehicle apparatus 2 by the transceiver 28, which is fed to the control unit 30 of the mobile device 4. The control unit 30 determines the nature of the further control signal and controls the mobile device 4 based on the received control signal.

For example, the further control signal is data containing password data to unlock the mobile device that has entered a locked state during the time elapsed from receiving the first control signal from the in-vehicle apparatus 2. The control unit 30 passes the password data to a part of the mobile device 4 that controls the settings to unlock the mobile device.

Furthermore, the in-vehicle apparatus 2 may include a voice recognition unit (not shown) that receives voice commands and converts the voice command into instructions. It is noted that the control unit 20 may provide the voice recognition capability in conjunction with a microphone (not shown). In this example, the voice command may be a password which is converted by the voice recognition unit or the control unit 20 to text. The text-password is then used as part of the control signal for the mobile device to unlock the mobile device 4. Alternatively, the password is entered by a user using the input part 14 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2.

It will be appreciated that the first signal, and not the subsequent signal may also be an unlock instruction. Furthermore, although not shown, step S5, steps S5 and S6, or only step S6 may be repeated periodically until the connection between the mobile device 4 and the in vehicle apparatus 2 is terminated or dropped. The periodicity of sending the control signal is typically based on the mobile device 4, so as to prevent the mobile device entering a sleep or inactive state. For example, if the mobile device 4 is set to enter a sleep mode after 1 minute, the control signal is transmitted to the mobile device every 50 seconds to prevent the mobile device entering the sleep state.

Figure 4 illustrates the process performed by the mobile device 4 when password data is received from the in-vehicle apparatus 2.

In step SlO, the mobile device 4 receives data representation a voice command from the in-vehicle apparatus 2 via the established communication channel 32. In this example, the data are textual data that has been converted from a voice command in the form of a spoken password.

In step 512, the mobile device 4 determines whether or not the received password data matches a stored password, stored in the memory 26. If the received password data matches the stored password, the mobile device is unlocked in step 514.

In another example, the control signal transmitted in steps S4 and I or 56 comprises instructions to deactivate or disable a password protection on the mobile device 4. The control unit 30 of the mobile device 4 receives the control signal and changes the password settings of the mobile device 4 based on the instruction contained within the control signal. The control signal may contain instructions to deactivate a sleep mode and deactivate the password protection of the mobile device 4.

In another example, the in-vehicle apparatus sends command signals using an established VNC connection to control the mobile device to perform steps, as if the user were controlling the mobile device 4 directly. For example, the in-vehicle apparatus 2 controls the mobile device 4 to open the device settings and disable the password protection or sleep mode function. This may be in the form of controlling a cursor on the screen 6 of the mobile device 4 or may be to mimic or resembles a number of key presses on the mobile device 4.

In another example the control signal transmitted in steps 54 and / or 56 comprise instructions which when executed by the mobile device 4 cause the mobile device to move a cursor on the screen. Thus removing or waking the mobile device from a sleep mode. In this example, the in-vehicle apparatus 2 transmits one or more commands to the mobile device 4 to control a cursor of the mobile device 4. The control unit 30 receives the one or more controls signals from the in-vehicle apparatus 4 via the transceiver 28 and perfomis control of a cursor on the display 6 of the mobile device 4. The cursor control may be move left, right up down by a specified amount or may be a movement of the cursor to a particular location or co-ordinate position on the display screen 6 of the mobile device 4. Furthermore, the movement of the cursor on the screen 6 of the mobile device 4 may be along an edge of the screen 6 so as to not distract the user, since the display 6 of the mobile device 4, or part thereof, is replicated on the display 12 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2.

Furthermore, the same control signal may be repeatedly transmitted to prevent the mobile device entering sleep or lock mode, e.g. a cursor movement signal. Alternatively, if the control signal deactivates a steep mode and deactivates the password protection of the mobile device 4, it may not be necessary to continue to send control signals to the mobile device 4.

Therefore, either the mobile device is prevented from entering a steep, locked or reduced functionally modes and I or if the mobile device 4 enters one of these sleep, locked or reduced functionally modes, control signals are transmitted to the mobile device 4 to cause the mobile device 4 to come out of the sleep, locked or reduced functionally mode.

While the invention is described herein by way of example for several embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modificafions, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description. As used throughout this application, the word may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning "might") rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning "must"). Similarly, the words "include", including", and "includes" mean including, but not limited to.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An in-vehicle apparatus comprising: a transceiver operable to communicate to and from a mobile device and to establish a connection with the mobile device; and a control unit operable to generate a control signal for the mobile device to prevent the mobile device entering an inactive state; wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit the control signal to the mobile device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is operable to receive image data corresponding to least a part of a screen display of a mobile device- 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control signal comprises instructions to modify the mobile device settings to deactivate a reduced-functionality mode of the mobile device.4. The apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the control signal comprises instructions to modify the mobile device settings to deactivate a password-protection mode of the mobile device.5. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signal comprises data to unlock the mobile device.6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the data is password data.7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit comprises a voice command unit operable to generate command data in response to a received voice command, wherein the control unit generates the password data based on the command data.8. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signal resembles a mobile device control signal that would be received from an input unit of the mobile device.9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control signal resembles a key-press signal of the mobile device.10. The apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control signal resembles a cursor-movement signal to perform a movement of a cursor on a display of the mobile device.Ii. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cursor-movement signal controls a cursor to move along the edge of the mobile device display.12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the cursor-movement signal comprises coordinate data for positioning a cursor at a predetermined location on the display of the mobile device.13. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signal is transmitted to the mobile device a predetermined time after a user instruction is received by the in-vehicle apparatus 14. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signal is transmitted periodically to the mobile device.15. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit is operable to initiate a connection with the mobile device and wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit the control signal to the mobile device after a predetermined time has elapsed.16. A vehicle comprising the in-vehicle apparatus according to any one of claims ito 15.17. A method for an in-vehicle apparatus comprising the steps of: establishing a communication connection with the mobile device; generating a control signal for the mobile device to prevent the mobile device entering an inactive state; and transmitting the control signal to the mobile device.18. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving image data corresponding to least a part of a screen display of a mobile device.19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the control signal comprises instructions to modify the mobile device settings to deactivate a reduced-functionality mode of the mobile device.20. The method according to claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the control signal comprises instructions to modify the mobile device settings to deactivate a password-protection mode of the mobile device 21. The method according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the control signal comprises data to unlock the mobile device.22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the data is password data.23. The method according to claim 22, comprising the steps of generating command data in response to a received voice command, and generating the password data based on the command data.24. The method according to any of claims 17 to 23, wherein the control signal resembles a mobile device control signal that would be received from an input unit of the mobile device.25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the control signal resembles a key-press signal of the mobile device.26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the control signal resembles a cursor-movement signal to perform a movement of a cursor on a display of the mobile device.27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the cursor-movement signal controls a cursor to move along the edge of the mobile device display.28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the cursor-movement signal comprises coordinate data for positioning a cursor at a predetermined location on the display of the mobile device.29. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 28, wherein the control signal is transmitted to the mobile device a predetermined time after a user instruction is received by the in-vehicle apparatus.30. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 29, wherein the control signal is transmitted periodically to the mobile device.31. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 30, comprising the steps of initiating a connection with the mobile device and transmitting the control signal to the mobile device after a predetermined time has elapsed.32. A computer program comprising computer readable instructions which when executed by a programmable device cause performance of the method according to any one of claims 17 to 31 and/or cause the programmable device to become configured as the apparatus of any of claims ito 16.33. A method as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.34. An apparatus as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.35. A vehicle as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amended claims have been filed as follows:-CLAIMS1. An in-vehicle apparatus comprising: a transceiver operable to communicate to and from a mobile device and to establish a connection with the mobile device; and a control unit operable to generate a control signal for the mobile device to prevent the mobile device entering an inactive state; wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit the control signal to the mobile device; wherein the control signal comprises instructions to modify the mobile device settings to deactivate a reduced-functionality mode of the mobile device.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is operable to receive image data corresponding to least a part of a screen display of a mobile device.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control signal comprises instructions to modify the mobile device settings to deactivate a password-protection mode of C) the mobile device.cr4-4. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signal comprises data to unlock the mobile device. (15. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data is password data.6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit comprises a voice command unit operable to generate command data in response to a received voice command, wherein the control unit generates the password data based on the command data.7. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signal resembles a mobile device control signal that would be received from an input unit of the mobile device.8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control signal resembles a key-press signal of the mobile device.9. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control signal resembles a cursor-movement signal to perform a movement of a cursor on a display of the mobile device.10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cursor-movement signal controls a cursor to move along the edge of the mobile device display.11. The apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the cursor-movement signal comprises coordinate data for positioning a cursor at a predetermined location on the display of the mobile device.12. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signal is transmitted to the mobile device a predetermined time after a user instruction is received by the in-vehicle apparatus.13. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signal is transmitted periodically to the mobile device.14. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit is operable to initiate a connection with the mobile device and wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit C') the control signal to the mobile device after a predetermined time has elapsed.15. A vehicle comprising the in-vehicle apparatus according to any one of claims ito 14.(\J 16. A method for an in-vehicle apparatus comprising the steps of: establishing a communication connection with the mobile device; generating a control signal for the mobile device to prevent the mobile device entering an inactive state; and transmitting the control signal to the mobile device; wherein the control signal comprises instructions to modify the mobile device settings to deactivate a reduced-functionality mode of the mobile device.17. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving image data corresponding to least a part of a screen display of a mobile device.18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the control signal comprises instructions to modify the mobile device settings to deactivate a password-protection mode of the mobile device 19. The method according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the control signal comprises data to unlock the mobile device.20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the data is password data.21. The method according to claim 20, comprising the steps of generating command data in response to a received voice command, and generating the password data based on the command data.22. The method according to any of claims 16 to 21, wherein the control signal resembles a mobile device control signal that would be received from an input unit of the mobile device.23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the control signal resembles a key-press signal of the mobile device.24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the control signal resembles a cursor-movement signal to perform a movement of a cursor on a display of the mobile device.C') 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the cursor-movement signal controls a cursor to move along the edge of the mobile device display.26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the cursor-movement signal comprises (\J coordinate data for positioning a cursor at a predetermined location on the display of the mobile device.27. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 26, wherein the control signal is transmitted to the mobile device a predetermined time after a user instruction is received by the in-vehicle apparatus.28. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 27, wherein the control signal is transmitted periodically to the mobile device.29. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 28, comprising the steps of initiating a connection with the mobile device and transmitting the control signal to the mobile device after a predetermined time has elapsed.30. A computer program comprising computer readable instructions which when executed by a programmable device cause performance of the method according to any one of claims 16 to 29 and/or cause the programmable device to become configured as the apparatus of any of claims ito 15.31. A method as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.32. An apparatus as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.33. A vehicle as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. C') (1 r