SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING WIRELESS DEVICES TO A VEHICLE

• US 20040264387A1
• Filed: 06/24/2003
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Gibeau, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,079,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

The present invention relates to connecting a wireless device carried by an individual to a vehicle network by providing a hands-free means for notifying a vehicle module of the presence of a wireless device. In response to the notification, the vehicle module can connect the wireless device to the vehicle network through a wireless link.

Claims

1. A system for use in a vehicle for connecting a wireless device carried by an individual to a vehicle network, the system comprising:

a hands-free sensor for generating a sensor signal indicating the individual is positioned within a predefined distance relative to the vehicle; and

a module enabled based on the sensor signal for determining whether the individual is carrying the wireless device and for connecting the wireless device carried by the individual to the vehicle network.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising the module being configured to interpret the sensor signal to determine whether the individual desires to sit in the vehicle and whether the individual desires to exit the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising the module being a Bluetooth enabled module configured to create a wireless link between the Bluetooth enabled module and the wireless device for connecting the wireless device to the vehicle network when the individual is carrying the wireless device and desires to sit in the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising the Bluetooth enabled module being configured to transfer an audio component of a phone conversation being conducted using the wireless device through the wireless link and to the vehicle network for continuing the phone conversation in the vehicle using a speakers module and a microphone module connected to the vehicle network.

5. The system of claim 2 further comprising the module being a Bluetooth enabled module configured to create a wireless link between the Bluetooth enabled module and the wireless device for connecting the wireless device to the vehicle network when the individual desires to sit in the vehicle and for disconnecting an established wireless link when the individual desires to exit the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising the Bluetooth enabled module being configured for transferring an audio component of a phone conversation from the vehicle network to the wireless module for continuing the phone conversation using the wireless device when the wireless link is disconnected.

7. The system of claim 2 further comprising the hands-free sensor being a door switch.

8. The system of claim 2 further comprising the hands-free sensor being a motion detector.

9. The system of claim 2 further comprising the hands-free sensor being a seat weight sensor.

10. A method for use in a vehicle for connecting a wireless device carried by an individual to a vehicle network, the method comprising:

configuring a module to be enabled based on a hands-free sensor signal for determining whether the individual is within a predefined distance relative to the vehicle; and

configuring the module for determining whether the individual is carrying the wireless device and for connecting the wireless device determined to be carried by the individual to the vehicle network.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising configuring a hands-free sensor for generating the hands-free sensor signal for indicating the individual is positioned within the predefined distance relative to the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising configuring the module to interpret the sensor signal to determine whether the individual desires to sit in the vehicle and whether the individual desires to exit the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising configuring the module for executing Bluetooth protocol for creating a wireless link between the module and the wireless device for connecting the wireless device to the vehicle network when the individual is carrying the wireless device and desires to sit in the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising configuring the module for using the wireless link for transferring an audio component of a phone conversation being conducted using the wireless device to the vehicle network for continuing the phone conversation in the vehicle using a speakers module and a microphone module connected to the vehicle network.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising configuring the module for disconnecting the wireless link when the individual desires to exit the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising configuring the module for transferring an audio component of a phone conversation from the vehicle network to the wireless device for continuing the phone conversation using the wireless device when the wireless link is disconnected.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising configuring a door switch for generating the hands-free signal.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising configuring a motion detector for generating the hands-free signal.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising configuring a seat weight sensor for generating the hands-free signal.

20. A system for use with a vehicle for connecting a Bluetooth enabled wireless phone carried by an individual to a vehicle network, the system comprising:

a door sensor for generating a door open signal indicating the opening of a vehicle door;

a module connected to the vehicle network and receiving the door open signal through the vehicle network, wherein the module determines whether the individual is conducting a phone conversation using the wireless phone by transmitting a wireless inquiry signal to the phone upon receipt of the door open signal;

a Bluetooth wireless link between the module and the Bluetooth enabled wireless phone, wherein the wireless link is provided by the module in response to the module receiving the door open signal and determining the individual is conducting the phone conversation with the wireless phone; and

a speaker module and a microphone module connected to the vehicle network, wherein an audio component of the phone conversation is transferred through the wireless link to the vehicle network for continuing the phone conversation within the vehicle through the speakers module and the microphone module.