Use of phone - UART multiplexer to create low software overhead external access to internal data modem with wireless communications and phone

• US 20030118055A1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Williams, Gregory H., Fecher, Dana B., Milne, Gregory J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,130,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/493
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A data processing method includes, at an external computer, originating a ready control signal and, at a host, receiving the ready control signal. In response to the ready control signal, a control signal is produced by the host. In response to the control signal, a switch selectively couples one of the host and the first computer to a telecommunication device.

Claims

1. A data processing apparatus configured for operation in conjunction with an external computer selectively originating a ready control signal, the data processing apparatus comprising:

a host configured to receive the ready control signal and produce a control signal in response thereto;

a telecommunication device; and

a switch circuit which selectively couples one of the host and the external computer to the telecommunication device in response to the control signal from the host.

2. The data processing system of claim 1 wherein the host is configured to:

generate the control signal for coupling the external computer to the telecommunication device in response to receipt of the ready control signal; and

generate the control signal for coupling the host to the telecommunication device in response to absence of the ready control signal.

3. The data processing system of claim 1 wherein the switch circuit comprises:

a first switch to couple one of a data output of the external computer and an output of the host with an input of the telecommunication device; and

a second switch to couple one of an output of the host and an output of the telecommunication device with an input of the external computer.

4. The data processing system of claim 1 further comprising:

a connector to detachably couple the external computer and the switch circuit.

5. The data processing system of claim 1 further comprising:

a first host serial communication circuit to couple the host with the switch circuit and the external computer; and

a second host serial communication circuit to couple the host with the switch circuit and the telecommunication device.

6. The data processing system of claim 1 wherein the telecommunication device comprises a radiotelephone.

7. The data processing system of claim 6 wherein the telecommunication device comprises a cellular telephone.

8. The data processing system of claim 6 wherein the telecommunication device comprises a satellite telephone.

9. An in-vehicle data system comprising:

a vehicle telecommunication device for two-way voice and data communication between the vehicle and a remote telecommunication device;

a connector configured to detachably couple with an external computer, the external computer selectively providing a ready control signal to the connector;

a host processor including;

a second communication port having an input coupled with the vehicle telecommunication device and an output, and

a first communication port having an input coupled with the connector and configured to receive the ready control signal and an output; and

a switch circuit responsive to a control signal from the host processor for coupling the connector to one of the output of the first communication port and the input of the second communication port and for coupling the vehicle telecommunication device to one of the output of the second communication port and the connector.

10. The in-vehicle data system of claim 9 wherein the first port comprises a first host serial communication circuit.

11. The in-vehicle data system of claim 10 wherein the second port comprises a second host serial communication circuit.

12. The in-vehicle data system of claim 11 wherein the first host serial communication circuit and the second host serial communication circuit communicate with the radio and the external computer according to a predetermined serial communication protocol.

13. The in-vehicle data system of claim 9 wherein the vehicle comprises an automobile.

14. The in-vehicle data system of claim 9 wherein the vehicle telecommunication device comprises a radio.

15. The in-vehicle data system of claim 14 wherein the vehicle telecommunication device comprises a radiotelephone.

16. The in-vehicle data system of claim 14 wherein the vehicle telecommunication device comprises a satellite telephone.

17. A data processing method for an in-vehicle information system, the information system including a host, a radio and a detachable external computer, the method comprising:

detecting a ready control signal from the external computer;

in response to the ready control signal, coupling the external computer to the radio for two-way radio communication with a remote radio;

in response to absence of the ready control signal, coupling the host to the radio for two-way radio communication with a remote radio; and

in response to a predetermined event, decoupling the external computer from the radio and coupling the host to the radio for two-way radio communication with a remote radio.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein coupling the external computer to the radio comprises:

providing a switch control signal to a switch circuit; and

in response to the switch control signal, completing an electrical path through the switch circuit between the external computer and the radio.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein coupling the host to the radio comprises:

providing the switch control signal to the switch circuit; and

in response to the switch control signal, completing an electrical path through the switch circuit between the host and the radio.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the predetermined event comprises an emergency condition of the vehicle detected by the information system.

21. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

determining a priority among one or more events associated with the vehicle;

detecting an event;

if the external computer is engaged in two-way radio communication with a remote radio, comparing priority of the detected event with a priority for the two-way communication; and

interrupting the two-way communication according to the priority comparison.

22. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

communicating among the host, the radio and the external computer according to a serial data communications standard.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the serial data communications standard comprises RS-232.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

providing necessary control signals according to the serial data communications standard to terminate an existing two-way radio communication when decoupling the external computer and to initiate a new two-way radio communication when coupling the host.

25. A data processing method comprising:

at a first computer, originating a ready control signal;

at a host, receiving the ready control signal and in response producing a control signal;

selectively coupling one of the host and the first computer to a telecommunication device in response to the control signal from the host.

26. The data processing method of claim 25 further comprising:

generating the control signal to couple the first computer to the telecommunication device in response to receiving the ready control signal; and

generating the control signal to couple the host to the telecommunication device in response to absence of the ready control signal.

27. A data processing method for an in-vehicle information system, the information system including a host, a telecommunication device, a switching circuit and a detachable external computer, the method comprising:

connecting the detachable external computer through the switch circuit to the host and the telecommunication device;

transmitting a predetermined code from the detachable external computer to the host; and

at the host, detecting the predetermined code and actuating the switch circuit to initiate communication between the detachable external computer and the host.

30. The data processing method of claim 27 wherein connecting the detachable external computer comprises:

engaging a dash-mounted connector of the vehicle.

28. The data processing method of claim 28 further comprising:

in response to connecting the detachable external computer, automatically coupling the detachable external computer and the telecommunication device for electrical communication.

29. The data processing method of claim 28 further comprising:

at the host, monitoring all data exchanged between the detachable external computer and the telecommunication device; and

comparing data from the detachable external computer with the predetermined code.