GB2504455A

GB2504455A - Controlling the display of a mobile device connected to an in-vehicle apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2504455A
Application number: GB1209716.8A
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: 2014-02-05
Also published as: GB201209716D0; WO2013179635A1

Abstract

An in-vehicle apparatus comprises a transceiver operable to transfer data to and from a mobile device, a display operable to display data representing a display of the mobile device and a control unit operable to detect a user selection on the in-vehicle apparatus and generate a control signal to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on the user selection. The transceiver is operable to transmit the control signal to the mobile device. The user selection may be effected via soft button which may be displayed on the display of the in-vehicle apparatus. The control signal may control the mobile device display and/or backlight of the display between and active and inactive state. 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 vehicle. 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 of a mobile device on the screen of the in-vehicle device, when the mobile device is connected 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 of the in-vehicle device the display data supplied from the portable terminal. Furthermore, the control unit of the in-vehicle device may set the screen of the portable terminal to a non-display mode when it is determined that the portable terminal is connected with. the display apparatus.

However, some types of mobile device are not provided with a hardware or physical switch on the device for controlling the display between on or off state. Furthermore, if the display of the mobile device is not displayed because it is connected to an in-vehicle device, it is not possible to use any soft-keys on the screen of the mobile device to switch between the display states of the mobile device.

SUMMARY

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

Viewed from a first aspect, there can be provided an approach in which a display state of a connected mobile device can be controlled from a vehicle with which the mobile device is connected.

Viewed from another aspect there can be provided an in-vehicle apparatus comprising: a transceiver operable to transfer data to and from a mobile device; a display operable to display data representing a display of the mobile device; and a control unit operable to detect a user selection on the in-vehicle apparatus and generate a control signal to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on the user selection, wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit the control signal to the mobile device. Thereby an appropriate display and/or power usage mode can be remotely selected by a user.

In some embodiments the in-vehicle apparatus comprises a user input unit in communication with the control unit and wherein the user selection is based on an operation of the user input unit. Thus a convenient user interface can be provided.

In some embodiments the user selection is based on a soft-key generated by the control unit and displayed on the in-vehicle display. Thus a non-dedicated interface may be provided such that alternative functions may use the same interface at a different time.

In some embodiments the soft-key is located in proximity to a display area on the in-vehicle apparatus used to display the display of the mobile device. Thus a logical interface may be provided.

In some embodiments the control signal comprises instructions to control a backlight of the mobile device between an active and inactive state and or to control a display of the mobile device between an active and inactive state. Thus an appropriate display status may be selected.

In some embodiments the control signal generated by the control unit comprises control data to retain the user selected state of the display of the mobile device when data is transmitted to the mobile device to control an application of the mobile device. Thus a subsequent change of state can be avoided following a remote interaction with the mobile device that would normally be expected to cause a change of state Viewed from a further aspect there can be provided a mobile device comprising: a transceiver operable to transfer data to and receive a control signal from an in-vehicle apparatus according aspects of the invention to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on a user selection; a display operable to display data; and a control unit operable to control the state of the display between an active and inactive state based on the received control signal.

Thus a desired display and/or power usage mode can be remotely controlled by an in-vehicle user.

Viewed from another aspect there can be provided a vehicle comprising an in-vehicle apparatus as set out above.

Viewed from a further aspect there can be provided a method for an in-vehicle apparatus comprising the steps of: establishing a communication channel with a mobile device to allow data to be transferred to and from the mobile device; displaying data representing a display of the mobile device on a display of the in-vehicle apparatus; detecting a user selection on the in-vehicle apparatus; generating a control signal to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on the user selection; and transmitting the control signal to the mobile device.

Thus a desired display and/or power usage mode can be remotely controlled by an in-vehicle user Viewed from a further aspect there can be provided a method for a mobile device comprising the steps of: establishing a communication channel with an in-vehicle apparatus; receiving a control signal transmitted according to the above method to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on a user selection; and controlling the state of a display of the mobile device between an active and inactive stated based on the received control signal.

Viewed from another aspect there can be provided a computer program product optionally borne by a storage medium comprising computer readable instructions which when executed cause a programmable computing device to perform the above method or 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 a process flow performed by the in-vehicle apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Figures 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate schematically the in-vehicle apparatus and a mobile device with the mobile device in different display states.

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 a first 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 vehicle, 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 The in-vehicle apparatus 2 may also include other functionality, for example satellite navigation unit or sat-nay, entertainment controls (e.g., volume, hack, 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 in-vehicle 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 an in-vehicle apparatus 2 and 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-disk 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.

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 k 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 pad 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 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 B 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.

It will be appreciated that control of the mobile device 4 may be effected 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 USB to communicate with the in-vehicle apparatus 2. Any software used by the transceiver 28 is stored within a ROM (not shown) of the communication unit 2B, 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 mobUe 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 aspects of the invention 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 in-vehicle 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 (VNC) 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 approaches may be used instead of VNC such as X Window System (or Xli) or a terminal mode system such as MirrorLink.

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 to control the display of applications executed on the mobile device 4 on the display screen 12 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2. The flow chart in Figure 3 is now described in combination with the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and mobile device 4 schematically illustrated in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C.

In step Si, a communication channel 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, the control unit 30 of the mobile device 4 will search for devices in the vicinity and prompt a user to select a device to connect to. The user selects the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and a two-way communication channel between the mobile device 4 and the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is established. During the process of establishing a connection device identifications are transferred between the two devices. These identifications are stored in the respective memories 16, 26 of the mobile device 4 and the in-vehicle apparatus 2.

In step 52, the content or part of the content of the display of the mobile device 4 is displayed on the display screen 10 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2. This is performed using VNC as described above, such that data is transmitted from the mobile device 4 that represents the content or part of the content of the display of the mobile device 4 to the invehicle apparatus 2 using the established communication link 32.

In step 53, a soft-key is displayed on the display screen 10 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 by the control unit 20. A soft-key is used in this example, since the control of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 of this example is primarily performed using a touch screen. The term soft-key is used to describe a software button or key that is displayed on the screen, which when selected by a user touching the display 12 (and thus the touch screen 14) at the soft-key's location, the soft-key is selected, In this example the soft-key is located adjacent the displayed part of the mobile device 4 display. However, the soft-key may be position anywhere on the display 10 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2. In some examples, a border surrounding the image representing the display of the mobile device 4 can be used as the soft-key such that the user is able to select the soft-key by selecting the boarder of the display image.

In step 54, the state of the soft-key displayed on the screen 10 of the in-vehicle apparatus is monitored by the control unit 20. If the state of the soft-key remains unselected or in an "oW-state, the control unit 20 of the in-vehicle apparatus continues to monitor the state of the soft-key. If a user selects the soft-key, the control unit detects a change in the state of the soft-key and the process goes to step S5.

In step 55, the control unit generates a control signal for the mobile device 4 to change the state of the display 6 of the mobile device 4. The control signal in this example is a signal that when received and processed by the mobile device 4, disables the screen and a backlight of the mobile device. However, it will be appreciated that the signal may be to disable one or other of the backlight or the screen 6.

In step 56, the generated signal is transmitted to the mobile device 4 by the control unit 20, via the transceiver 18 using the established connection 32.

Figures 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate some examples of the method described in conjunction with Figure 3.

Figure 4A illustrates schematically the mobile device 4 and the in-vehicle apparatus 2 after the connection 32 has been established. The display 12 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is displaying an image 40 which is the same as the image displayed on the mobile device 4. The backlight 44 of the mobile device is also illuminateft The display 12 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 includes a soft-key 42 that is displayed by the control unit 20 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2.

When a user selects the soft-key 42, a signal is generated by the control unit 20 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 and is transmitted to the mobile device 4 via connection 32 by the transceiver ift That is to say that the user's selection is detected on the input or touch panel 14 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 by control unit 20.

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 determines the nature of the signal and controls the mobile device 4 based on the received control signal. In this example, the control signal disables the backlight 44 of the mobile device 4, as illustrated in Figure 4B.

The control unit 30 directly controls the settings of the mobile device 4. Alternatively, the mobile device 4 may have stored thereon an application, which receives the control signals to control the display of 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 process.

Figure 4C shows an alternative example in which the control signal disables the display 6 and the backlight 44 of the mobile device.

Once the user has selected to alter the state of the display of the mobile device 4, for example to disable the display 6 and the backlight 44, a different soft-key may be presented to the user to change the state of the display of the mobile device 2 to enable the display 6 and the backlight 44.

Thus a user is able to control the state of the display of the mobile device 4. Such a approach may be appropriate where no such user control is provided by the mobile device 4.

Such an approach may also be appropriate where to activate such a function directly with the mobile device would entail physical interaction with the mobile device which could be distracting for a vehicle driver or difficult to perform due to the location of the mobile device in the vehicle.

In a further example, when the mobile device 4 and the in-vehicle apparatus establish a connection the in-vehicle apparatus 2 or the mobile device 4 may display a request to the user to set the state of the display. In this embodiment, the user may wish to disable the display 6 and the backhght 44 of the mobile device 4 when the connection 32 is established. If the display 6 and the backlight 44 are disabled when the connection 32 is established, the mobile device may retain the state of the display 6 and the backlight 44 unless a signal is received from the in-vehicle apparatus 2 to change this state. Alternatively, the in-vehicle apparatus may periodically transmit a signal to disable to the backlight 44 and the display 6 of the mobile device 4, such that even if the mobile device 4 is controlled by a signal received from the in-vehicle apparatus 2, which may reactivate the display 6 and the backlight 44 of the mobile device 4, the display 6 and the backlight 44 of the mobile device 4 remain inactive. Rather than periodically transmitting a control signal to control the state of the display of the mobile device 4, the in-vehicle apparatus 2 may transmit a signal conveying the required state of the display every time any other control signal is transmitted to the mobile device 4. For example, if the in-vehicle apparatus 4 transmits a signal to move a cursor on the display 6 of the mobile device 4, this may reactivate the display 6 andtor backlight 44 of the mobile device 4. However, according to the present example, a signal to retain the disabled state of the display 6 is also transmitted with the cursor-control signal such that the display is not reactivated when the cursor is moved on the display 10 of the mobile device 4.

Furthermore, once a signal is received from the in-vehicle apparatus 2 to disable the backlight 44 and the display 6 of the mobile device 4, the mobile device 4 may be programmed, using an application loaded on the mobile deice 4, for example, to remain in this state (i.e., a state with the backlight and screen disabled) until the connection between the mobile device 4 and the in-vehicle apparatus 2 is lost or broken, or if a contrary signal is received from the in-vehicle apparatus 2.

In another example, a message is displayed on the screen 10 of the in-vehicle apparatus 2 that informs the user that he or she may alter the state of the display by pressing a specified button or combination of buttons.

In another example, the in-vehicle apparatus 4 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 4 controls the mobile device to enter the device settings and disable the backlight, for example. 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 resemble a number of key presses on the mobile device 4.

While the present teachings are 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 modifications, 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 compilsing: a transceiver operable to transfer data to and from a mobile device; a display operable to display data representing a display of the mobile device; and a control unit operable to detect a user selection on the in-vehicle apparatus and generate a control signal to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on the user selection, wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit the control signal to the mobile device.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle apparatus comprises a user input unit in communication with the control unit and wherein the user selection is based on an operation of the user input unit.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the user selection is based on a soft-key generated by the control unit and displayed on the in-vehicle display.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the soft-key is located in proximity to a display area on the in-vehicle apparatus used to display the display of the mobile device.
5. The apparatus of according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signal comprises instructions to control a backlight of the mobile device between an active and inactive state.
6. The apparatus of according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signal comprises instructions to control a display of the mobile device between an active and inactive state.
7. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control signal generated by the control unit comprises control data to retain the user selected state of the display of the mobile device when data is transmitted to the mobile device to control an application of the mobile device.
8. A mobile device comprising: a transceiver operable to transfer data to and receive a control signal from an in-vehicle apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on a user selection; a display operable to display data; and a control unit operable to control the state of the display between an active and Inactive state based on the received control signal.
9. A vehicle comprising an in-vehicle apparatus according to one of claims ito 7.
10. A method for an in-vehicle apparatus comprising the steps of: establishing a communication channel with a mobile device to allow data to be transferred to and from the mobile device; displaying data representing a display of the mobile device on a display of the in-vehicle apparatus; detecting a user selection on the in-vehicle apparatus; generating a control signal to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on the user selection; and transmitting the control signal to the mobile device.
ii. The method according to claim 10, wherein the user selection is based on detecting a selection on a user input unit of the in-vehicle apparatus.
12. The method according to claim 10, comprising the step of displaying a soft key on a display of the in-vehicle apparatus and detecting the user selection by detecting a selection of the soft-key.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the soft-key is displayed in proximity to a display area of the in-vehicle apparatus displaying the display of the mobile device.
14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the control signal 25: comprises instructions to control a backlight of the mobile device between an active and inactive state.
15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the control signal comprises instructions to control a display of the mobile device between an active and inactive state.
16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the control signal comprises control data to retain the user selected state of the display of the mobile device when data is transmitted to the -mobile device to control an application of the mobile device.
17. A method for a mobile device comprising the steps of: establishing a communication channel with an in-vehicle apparatus; receiving a control signal transmitted according to any one of claims 10 to 16 to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on a user selection; and controlling the state of a display of the mobile device between an active and inactive stated based on the received control signal.
18. 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 10 to 17 and/or cause the programmable device to become configured as the apparatus of any of claims ito 9.
19. A method as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. An apparatus as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21. A vehicle as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.AMENDMENTS TO CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSCLAIMS1. An in-vehicle apparatus comprising: a transceiver operable to transfer data to and from a mobile device; a display operable to display data representing a display of the mobile device; and a control unit operable to detect a user selection on the in-vehicle apparatus and generate a control signal to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on the user selection, wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit the control signal to the mobile device and wherein the control signal comprises instructions to control a backlight of the mobile device between an active and inactive state.2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle apparatus comprises a user input unit in communication with the control unit and wherein the user selection is based on an operation of the user input unit. C')3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user selection is based on a soft-key generated by the control unit and displayed on the in-vehicle display.4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the soft-key is located in proximity to a display area on the in-vehicle apparatus used to display the display of the mobile device.5. The apparatus of according to any preceding claim, wherein the control signal comprises instructions to control a display of the mobile device between an active and inactive state.6. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control signal generated by the control unit comprises control data to retain the user selected state of the display of the mobile device when data is transmitted to the mobile device to control an application of the mobile device.7. A mobile device comprising: a transceiver operable to transfer data to and receive a control signal from an in-vehicle apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on a user selection; a display operable to display data; and a control unit operable to control the state of the display between an active and inactive state based on the received control signal.8. A vehicle comprising an in-vehicle apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6.9. A method for an in-vehicle apparatus comprising the steps of: establishing a communication channel with a mobile device to allow data to be transferred to and from the mobile device; displaying data representing a display of the mobile device on a display of the in-vehicle apparatus; detecting a user selection on the in-vehicle apparatus; generating a control signal to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on the user selection; and transmitting the control signal to the mobile device wherein the control signal comprises instructions to control a backlight of the mobile device between an active and inactive state.10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the user selection is based on detecting a selection on a user input unit of the in-vehicle apparatus. C')11. The method according to claim 9, comprising the step of displaying a soft key on a display of the in-vehicle apparatus and detecting the user selection by detecting a selection of the soft-key. (112. The method according to claim 11, wherein the soft-key is displayed in proximity to a display area of the in-vehicle apparatus displaying the display of the mobile device.13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the control signal comprises instructions to control a display of the mobile device between an active and inactive state.14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the control signal comprises control data to retain the user selected state of the display of the mobile device when data is transmitted to the -mobile device to control an application of the mobile device.15. A method for a mobile device comprising the steps of: establishing a communication channel with an in-vehicle apparatus; receiving a control signal transmitted according to any one of claims 10 to 16 to change the state of a display of the mobile device based on a user selection; and controlling the state of a display of the mobile device between an active and inactive stated based on the received control signal.16. 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 9 to 15 and/or cause the programmable device to become configured as the apparatus of any of claims ito 8.17. A method as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.18. An apparatus as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.19. A vehicle as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. C') (1 r