Device and method for communicating teletype information in a vehicle communication system

• US 20040185800A1
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Van Bosch, James A., Brey, Thomas A., DʼAvello, Robert F.
• Granted Patent: US 6,983,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/99
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence

Abstract

A communication system and method for transmitting and receiving teletype information in a vehicle (20). The communication system (22) includes an external interface (24) and a communication control unit (26). The external interface (24), embedded in the vehicle (20), is capable of receiving a first set of teletype signals from a portable TTY terminal (50) and capable of sending a second set of teletype signal to the portable TTY terminal (50). The communication control unit (26), also embedded in the vehicle (20), is connected to the external interface (24) and comprises a controller (36) and a transceiver (34). The transceiver (34) is capable of transmitting messages over a wireless communication link (A) that contain information from the first set of teletype signals. The transceiver (34) is also capable of receiving messages over the wireless communication link (A) that contain information for the second set of teletype signals.

Claims

1. A communication system in a vehicle, the communication system comprising:

an external interface embedded in the vehicle for receiving a first set of teletype signals from a portable TTY terminal and for sending a second set of teletype signals to the portable TTY terminal; and

a communication control unit embedded in the vehicle that is connected to the external interface, the communication control unit having a controller and a transceiver, the transceiver capable of transmitting messages over a wireless communication link that contain information from the first set of teletype signals, the transceiver further capable of receiving messages over the wireless communication link that contain information for the second set of teletype signals.

2. The communication system in claim 1, wherein the external interface is configured to receive a connector of a removable communication cord, the connector having first audio contact, a second audio contact, and a ground contact.

3. The communication system in claim 2, wherein the connector further has a control contact, the control contact permitting the controller in the communication control unit to at least receive control information from the portable TTY terminal or send control info to the portable TTY terminal.

4. The communication system in claim 2 further comprising a modem that is connected between the controller in the communication control unit and the external interface, the modem permitting the controller in the communication control unit to at least receive control information from the portable TTY terminal or send control information to the portable TTY terminal.

5. The communication system in claim 1, wherein the TTY terminal has a mode switch, the mode switch allowing a user to operate the TTY terminal in at least a normal teletype mode, a voice carry over mode, and a hearing carry over mode.

6. The communication system in claim 5 wherein the portable TTY terminal has at least a keypad and a display, the operation of the TTY terminal in the normal teletype mode allows the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

7. The communication system in claim 5 wherein the portable TTY terminal has at least a microphone and a display, the operation of the TTY terminal in the voice carry over mode allows the user to provide audio information through the microphone of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

8. The communication system in claim 5 wherein the portable TTY terminal has at least a keypad and a speaker, the operation of the TTY terminal in the hearing carry over mode allows the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive audio information through the speaker of the portable TTY terminal.

9. The communication system in claim 1 wherein the external interface may further receive the first set of teletype signals from a TTY terminal accessory and may further send the second set of teletype signals to the TTY terminal accessory.

10. The communication system in claim 9 wherein the TTY terminal accessory is a portable cellular phone.

11. The communication system in claim 9, wherein the TTY terminal accessory has a mode switch, the mode switch allowing a user to operate the communication system in at least a normal teletype mode, a voice carry over mode, and a hearing carry over mode.

12. The communication system in claim 11 wherein the TTY terminal accessory is connected between the communication system in the vehicle and the portable TTY terminal, the portable TTY terminal having at least a keypad and a display, the operation of the communication system in the normal teletype mode allows the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

13. The communication system in claim 11 wherein the TTY terminal accessory is connected between the communication system in the vehicle and the portable TTY terminal, the portable TTY terminal having at least a display, the TTY terminal accessory having at least a microphone, the operation of the communication system in the voice carry over mode allows the user to provide audio information through the microphone of the TTY terminal accessory and allows the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

14. The communication system in claim 11 wherein the TTY terminal accessory is connected between the communication system in the vehicle and the portable TTY terminal, the portable TTY terminal having at least a keypad, the TTY terminal accessory having at least a speaker, the operation of the communication system in the hearing carry over mode allows the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive audio information through the speaker of the TTY terminal accessory.

15. The communication system in claim 1 further comprising a mode switch that is embedded in the vehicle, the mode switch allowing a user to operate the communication system in at least a normal teletype mode, a voice carry over mode, and a hearing carry over mode.

16. The communication system in claim 15 wherein the portable TTY terminal has at least a keypad and a display, the operation of the communication system in the normal teletype mode allows the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

17. The communication system in claim 15, wherein the communication system further comprising a microphone embedded in the vehicle and the portable TTY terminal has at least a display, the operation of the communication system in the voice carry over mode allows the user to provide audio information through the microphone of the communication system and allows the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

18. The communication system in claim 15, wherein the communication system further comprises a speaker embedded in the vehicle and the portable TTY terminal has at least a keypad, the operation of the communication system in the hearing carry over mode allows the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive audio information through the speaker of the communication system.

19. A communication system for a vehicle, the communication system comprising:

a communication control unit embedded in the vehicle;

an external interface embedded in the vehicle, the external interface connected to the communication control unit;

a removable communication cord connected to the external interface; and

a portable TTY terminal connected to the removable communication cord, the TTY terminal having a keypad and a display, the TTY terminal capable of sending a first set of teletype signals and receiving a second set of teletype signals;

wherein the communication control unit is capable of receiving the first set of teletype signals from the portable TTY terminal over the removable communication cord and capable of sending the second set of teletype signals to the portable TTY terminal over the removable communication cord.

20. The communication system in claim 19, wherein the removable communication cord includes a first audio wire, a second audio wire, and a ground wire.

21. The communication system in claim 20, wherein the removable communication cord further includes a control wire that permits the communication control unit embedded in the vehicle to at least receive control information from the portable TTY terminal or send control information to the portable TTY terminal.

22. The communication system in claim 20 further including a modem embedded in the vehicle, wherein the modem permits the communication control unit embedded in the vehicle to at least receive control information from the portable TTY terminal or send control information to the portable TTY terminal.

23. The communication system in claim 19, wherein the TTY terminal has a mode switch, the mode switch allowing a user to operate the TTY terminal in at least a normal teletype mode, a voice carry over mode, and a hearing carry over mode.

24. The communication system in claim 23 wherein the operation of the TTY terminal in the normal teletype mode allows the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

25. The communication system in claim 23 wherein the portable TTY terminal further includes a microphone, the operation of the TTY terminal in the voice carry over mode allowing the user to provide audio information through the microphone of the portable TTY terminal and allowing the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

26. The communication system in claim 23 wherein the portable TTY terminal further includes a speaker, the operation of the TTY terminal in the hearing carry over mode allowing the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allowing the user to receive audio information through the speaker of the portable TTY terminal.

27. The communication system in claim 19 further comprising a TTY terminal accessory, the TTY terminal accessory connected between the external interface embedded in the vehicle and the portable TTY terminal.

28. The communication system in claim 27 wherein the TTY terminal accessory is a portable cellular phone.

29. The communication system in claim 27, wherein the TTY terminal accessory has a mode switch, the mode switch allowing a user to operate the communication system in at least a normal teletype mode, a voice carry over mode, and a hearing carry over mode.

30. The communication system in claim 29 wherein the operation of the communication system in the normal teletype mode allows the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

31. The communication system in claim 29 wherein the TTY terminal accessory has at least a microphone, the operation of the communication system in the voice carry over mode allows the user to provide audio information through the microphone of the TTY terminal accessory and allows the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

32. The communication system in claim 29 wherein the TTY terminal accessory has at least a speaker, the operation of the communication system in the hearing carry over mode allows the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive audio information through the speaker of the TTY terminal accessory.

33. The communication system in claim 19 further comprising a mode switch that is embedded in the vehicle, the mode switch allowing a user to operate the communication system in at least a normal teletype mode, a voice carry over mode, and a hearing carry over mode.

34. The communication system in claim 33 wherein the operation of the communication system in the normal teletype mode allows the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

35. The communication system in claim 33, wherein the communication system further comprising a microphone embedded in the vehicle, the operation of the communication system in the voice carry over mode allows the user to provide audio information through the microphone of the communication system and allows the user to receive information from the second set of teletype signals through the display of the portable TTY terminal.

36. The communication system in claim 33, wherein the communication system further comprises a speaker embedded in the vehicle, the operation of the communication system in the hearing carry over mode allows the user to provide information for the first set of teletype signals through the keypad of the portable TTY terminal and allows the user to receive audio information through the speaker of the communication system.

37. A method for establishing a wireless communication link between a vehicle and a remote station, the method comprising the steps of:

determining, by the vehicle, whether an occupant of the vehicle desires to establish a wireless communication link with the remote station;

establishing, by the vehicle, the wireless communication link between the vehicle and the remote station after it is determined that an occupant desires to establish the wireless communication link;

transmitting, by the remote station, a first message to the occupant of the vehicle, the first message including a voice communication;

waiting, by the remote station, for a response message from the occupant of the vehicle during a first period of time, the response message including a voice communication; and

if no response message is received from the occupant of the vehicle during the first period of time, transmitting, by the remote station, a second message to the occupant of the vehicle, the second message including teletype information.

38. The method in claim 37 wherein the step of determining whether the occupant of the vehicle desires to establish a wireless communication link with the remote station includes receiving control information from a portable TTY terminal.

39. The method in claim 37 further comprising the steps of:

receiving, by the vehicle, the second message to the occupant of the vehicle;

converting, by the vehicle, the teletype information in the second message to a set of teletype signals; and

transmitting, by the vehicle, the set of teletype signals to a portable TTY terminal.

40. The method in claim 39 further comprising the step of:

waiting, by the remote station, for a teletype response message from the occupant of the vehicle during a second period of time, the teletype response message including teletype information.

41. A method in a vehicle communication system for establishing a wireless communication link between the vehicle communication system and a remote station, the method comprising the steps of:

sending a user prompt from the vehicle communication system to a portable TTY terminal;

determining at the vehicle communication system whether a user input is received from the portable TTY terminal;

if a user input is received from the portable TTY terminal, determining whether the user input includes a dial command;

if the user input includes a dial command, establishing the wireless communication link between the vehicle communication system and the remote station.

42. The method in claim 41 further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the dial command includes a telephone number; and

if the dial command includes a telephone number, establishing the wireless communication link between the vehicle communication system and the remote station based on the telephone number included in the dial command.

43. The method in claim 41 further comprising the steps of:

determining at the vehicle communication system whether a second user input is received from the portable TTY terminal;

if a second user input is received from the portable TTY terminal, determining whether the second user input includes an end call command; and

if the second user input includes an end call command, terminating the wireless communication link between the vehicle communication system and the remote station.

44. The method in claim 41 further comprising the steps of:

determining at the vehicle communication system whether an incoming data message exists; and

if an incoming data message exists, sending the incoming data message from the vehicle communication system to the portable TTY terminal.

45. The method in claim 41 further comprising the steps of:

determining at the vehicle communication system whether an incoming call exists;

if an incoming call exists, sending a teletype message from the vehicle communication system to a portable TTY terminal notifying a user of the portable TTY terminal of the incoming call;

determining at the vehicle communication system whether a second user input is received from the portable TTY terminal;

if a second user input is received from the portable TTY terminal, determining whether the second user input includes an accept call command; and

if the second user input includes an accept call command, establishing the wireless communication link between the vehicle communication system and the remote station.

46. The method in claim 41 further comprising the steps of:

determining at the vehicle communication system whether a vehicle alert exists; and

if a vehicle alert exists, sending a teletype message from the vehicle communication system to the portable TTY terminal notifying a user of the portable TTY terminal of the vehicle alert.

47. A method in a vehicle communication system for establishing a wireless communication link between the vehicle communication system and a remote station, the method comprising the steps of:

determining at the vehicle communication system whether an incoming call exists;

if an incoming call exists, sending a teletype message from the vehicle communication system to a portable TTY terminal notifying a user of the portable TTY terminal of the incoming call;

determining at the vehicle communication system whether a user input is received from the portable TTY terminal;

if a user input is received from the portable TTY terminal, determining whether the user input includes an accept call command; and

if the user input includes an accept call command, establishing the wireless communication link between the vehicle communication system and the remote station.

48. The method in claim 47 further comprising the steps of:

determining at the vehicle communication system whether a second user input is received from the portable TTY terminal;

if a second user input is received from the portable TTY terminal, determining whether the second user input includes an end call command; and

if the second user input includes an end call command, terminating the wireless communication link between the vehicle communication system and the remote station.