System and method for promoting connectivity between a mobile communication device and a vehicle touch screen

An in-vehicle device for use with a Mobile Communication Device (MCD) in a vehicle that displays a first image on a MCD screen, for use with a vehicle screen in the vehicle for displaying images to a user, for use with a vehicle bus connecting multiple Electronic Control Units (ECUs) in the vehicle, and for use with a vehicle media computer in the vehicle for providing a second image, the device comprising:

• a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program and a processor for executing the program;
• a switching unit coupled to be controlled by the processor, the switching unit is further coupled for passing first video data received from the MCD to the vehicle screen for displaying the first video data on the vehicle screen, and the switching unit is further coupled for passing second video data received from the vehicle media computer to the vehicle screen for displaying the second video data on the vehicle screen;
• and
• an enclosure housing the switching unit, the processor, and the non-transitory computer readable medium,
• wherein each of the vehicle screen and the vehicle media computer is external to, and housed in an enclosure that is distinct and separate from, the enclosure,
• wherein the device is configured for connecting to the MCD for receiving data from, and transmitting data to, the MCD, for connecting to the vehicle screen for transmitting second data to be displayed on the vehicle screen, for connecting to the vehicle bus for intercepting and receiving first data carried over the vehicle bus, and for connecting to the vehicle media computer for receiving video data therefrom,
• wherein the device is operative to transmit the first data to the vehicle screen for displaying the first data on the vehicle screen,
• wherein the device comprises a video processor operative for format or resolution conversion of a video signal,
• wherein the vehicle bus comprises a transmission bus, an airbags bus, an Antilock Braking System (ABS) bus, a cruise control bus, an electric power steering bus, a media bus, a windows bus, a doors bus, or a mirror adjustment bus,
• wherein the device is connectable to the vehicle screen for coupling to the processor for displaying thereon driving or vehicle data, and
• wherein the device is further operative for connecting to an additional vehicle bus for intercepting and receiving third data carried over the additional vehicle bus, and wherein the device is further operative for transmitting the third data for displaying on the vehicle screen.