Methods for realizing an in-vehicle ringtone

• US 20070277193A1
• Filed: 05/25/2006
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Mannikka, Matthew R., Levitt, Blain F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,027,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations

Abstract

A method of acquiring a preferred ringtone for a telematics unit in a vehicle includes indicating, via a user interface panel in communication with the telematics unit, that an audio emission is related to the preferred ringtone. The audio emission emanates from a vehicle audio system operatively disposed in the vehicle. The method further includes transmitting the preferred ringtone to the vehicle via the telematics unit. The preferred ringtone notifies a user of an incoming communication.

Claims

1. A method of acquiring a preferred ringtone for a telematics unit in a vehicle, the method comprising:

indicating, via a user interface panel in communication with the telematics unit, that an audio emission is related to the preferred ringtone, the audio emission emanating from a vehicle audio system operatively disposed in the vehicle; and

transmitting the preferred ringtone to the vehicle via the telematics unit, the preferred ringtone adapted to notify a user of an incoming communication.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a notice, via at least one of the vehicle audio system or the user interface panel, indicating availability of the preferred ringtone related to the audio emission.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the indicating occurs substantially simultaneously with the audio emission.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the audio emission is selected from a song, talk radio, advertisement, news, and weather.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface panel is in operative communication with a user interface, the user interface including an Internet-enabled program.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the user interface is voice actuated.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein indicating the preferred ringtone comprises:

requesting a desired ringtone; and

assessing availability of the desired ringtone;

wherein

if the desired ringtone is available, then the desired ringtone becomes the preferred ringtone; and

if the desired ringtone is not available, then one or more ringtones are presented, and the method further includes selecting the preferred ringtone from the one or more ringtones presented.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein assessing availability includes comparing at least one of the desired ringtone or the one or more ringtones with a catalog of ringtones.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the one or more ringtones are related to the desired ringtone.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein indicating the preferred ringtone comprises:

requesting a desired ringtone;

analyzing a catalog of ringtones for a related alternative ringtone, the catalog of ringtones in communication with the telematics unit;

assessing availability of at least one of the desired ringtone or the related alternative ringtone;

compiling a list of available ringtones; and

selecting the preferred ringtone from the list of available ringtones.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the preferred ringtone is a sample of the audio emission.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein indicating the preferred ringtone is accomplished by inputting a request to the user interface panel via at least one of a button, a switch, a keyboard, a microphone, or combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein indicating the preferred ringtone includes identifying at least one of an audio emission title or an audio emission artist.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein indicating the preferred ringtone includes interfacing the telematics unit with at least one of satellite receivers, radio data services, or combinations thereof.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein transmitting the preferred ringtone is accomplished by at least one of the satellite receivers transmitting, to the telematics unit, at least one of an audio emission title or an audio emission artist relating to the preferred ringtone.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the preferred ringtone is transmitted to the vehicle from a service provider.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the preferred ringtone is transmitted to the vehicle from a media provider.

18. A method of selecting a ringtone for an in-vehicle telematics unit, comprising:

receiving a signal containing an audio broadcast in a receiver in a vehicle, wherein the signal includes at least one datum indicating an available downloadable ringtone corresponding to content of the audio broadcast;

playing audio from the audio broadcast in the vehicle;

receiving, via the telematics unit, a user input in response to the audio broadcast;

responsive to the user input, downloading the downloadable ringtone to the vehicle; and

setting the downloaded ringtone as an audible indication of at least one incoming call.

19. A system for selecting a ringtone for an in-vehicle telematics unit, the system comprising:

a receiver operatively disposed in the vehicle, the receiver configured to receive a signal containing an audio broadcast;

a notification system operatively connected to the receiver and configured to indicate an available downloadable ringtone for the telematics unit, the available downloadable ringtone corresponding to content of the audio broadcast;

a two-way radio frequency communication system in communication with the telematics unit; and

an input system configured to receive indication from a user of selection of the available downloadable ringtone, the input system configured to cause transmission of a signal corresponding to the user'"'"'s selection via the two-way radio frequency communication system to a service provider;

wherein the telematics unit is configured to receive from the service provider the available downloadable ringtone and to set the received ringtone as an audible indication of at least one incoming call.