Apparatus and method for interfacing with a mobile device

A system, comprising:

• a first wireless interface device for wirelessly communicating with a first mobile device to receive identification information associated with the first mobile device, the first wireless interface device being associated with a first zone of an interior of a vehicle;
• a first output device associated with the first zone;
• a first data interface device for data communications with the first mobile device;
• a controller arranged to receive the identification information associated with the first mobile device, to associate the first mobile device with the first zone and to direct data received from the first mobile device via the first data interface device to the first output device;
• a second wireless interface device for wirelessly communicating with a second mobile device to receive identification information associated with the second mobile device, the second wireless interface device being associated with a second zone of the interior of the vehicle;
• a second output device associated with the second zone;
• and
• a second data interface device for data communications with the second mobile device;
• wherein the controller is arranged to receive the identification information associated with the second mobile device, to associate the second mobile device with the second zone and to direct data received from the second mobile device via the second interface device to the second output device.

A controller, comprising:

• at least one input device configured to
• receive identification information associated with a first mobile device from a first wireless interface device associated with a first zone of an interior of a vehicle;
• receive data from the first mobile device from a first data interface device;
• receive identification information associated with a second mobile device from a second wireless interface device associated with a second zone of the interior of the vehicle, and
• receive data from the second mobile device from a second data interface device;
• and
• a processor configured to
• determine an association of the first mobile device with the first zone,
• direct data received from the first mobile device via the first data interface device to a first output device associated with the first zone,
• associate the second mobile device with the second zone, and
• direct data received from the second mobile device via the second data interface device to a second output device associated with the second zone.

A method of communicating with a mobile device, the method comprising:

• receiving identification information associated with a first mobile device from a first wireless interface device configured to wirelessly communicate with the first mobile device, the first wireless interface device being associated with a first zone of an interior of a vehicle;
• associating the first mobile device with the first zone;
• receiving data, via a first data interface device, from the first mobile device;
• directing the data received from the first mobile device via the first data interface device to a first output device associated with the first zone;
• receiving identification information associated with a second mobile device from a second wireless interface device configured to wirelessly communicate with the second mobile device, the second wireless interface device being associated with a second zone of the interior of the vehicle;
• associating the second mobile device with the second zone;
• receiving data, via a second data interface device, from the second mobile device;
• and
• directing the data received from the second mobile device via the second data interface device to a second output device associated with the second zone.