IN-VEHICLE HANDSFREE APPARATUS AND DATA TRANSFER METHOD

• US 20100062714A1
• Filed: 12/07/2007
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Ozaki, Takahisa
• Granted Patent: US 8,606,335 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.300
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2746 Sorting, e.g. according to history or frequency of use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs logging of telephone numbers H04M1/56, H04M1/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices

Abstract

An in-vehicle navigation apparatus with a handsfree function establishes a Bluetooth communication link with a cellular phone. When receiving from the cellular phone outgoing call history data and incoming call history data, which were stored in the cellular phone before establishing the Bluetooth communication link, the in-vehicle navigation apparatus stores, in a work memory, the received outgoing call history data and the received incoming call history data, equally to, of the navigation apparatus itself, outgoing call history data and incoming call history data. An outgoing call operation then becomes possible using outgoing call history data and incoming call history data, which are stored in the work memory.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle handsfree apparatus allowing a handsfree phone call by establishing a connection with a cellular phone, which stores outgoing call history data indicating a destination telephone number to which a phone call was transmitted,

the handsfree apparatus comprising:

a control means for

communicating with the cellular phone with a transfer protocol for realizing transfer of the outgoing call history data stored in the cellular phone before establishing the connection for the handsfree phone call,

receiving the outgoing call history data from the cellular phone, disconnecting, after the receiving, the communication using the transfer protocol, and

connecting communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after disconnecting the communication using the transfer protocol; and

an outgoing call history data storage means for storing the received outgoing call history data.

2. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the control means includes a determination means for determining whether the cellular phone is performing a phone call by connecting an initial communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone prior to the communication using the transfer protocol;

when it is determined by the determination means that the phone call is being performed, the control means maintains the initial communication using the handsfree protocol; and

when it is determined by the determination means that the phone call is completed, the control means connects a communication using the transfer protocol after disconnecting the maintained initial communication using the handsfree protocol.

3. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

the control means receives, of the cellular phone, a communication state, which is notified of via the communication using the handsfree protocol, by connecting the initial communication prior to the communication using the transfer protocol; and

the determination means determines whether the communication state of the cellular phone is during performing a phone call.

4. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

when prior to the communication using the transfer protocol, it is determined by the determination means that the phone call is not being performed, the control means disconnects the initial communication using the handsfree protocol and then connects a communication using the transfer protocol.

5. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a display means for displaying the outgoing call history data;

an operation means for performing an outgoing call instruction to the cellular phone; and

a display control means for causing the display means to display self outgoing call history data indicating the telephone number of the destination in the outgoing call instruction as being newer in an outgoing call date and time than the outgoing call history data when a display demand of the outgoing call history data occurs after an outgoing call instruction is performed by the operation means in the communication state using the handsfree protocol for realizing the handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after disconnecting the communication using the transfer protocol.

6. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the outgoing call history data includes multiple data items, which have outgoing call date and time data which indicate individual outgoing call dates and times; and

when the display control means causes the display means to display the multiple data items, the display control means causes the display means to display while displaying, in order of outgoing call date and time, the self outgoing call history data as being newer in outgoing call date and time than the multiple data items.

7. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the outgoing call history data is transmitted from the cellular phone in such a format that an order of outgoing calls is identifiable;

and the display control means causes the display means to display the outgoing call history data in an order of outgoing calls according to the format instead of using the received outgoing call date and time data in order to determine a display order.

8. An in-vehicle handsfree apparatus allowing a handsfree phone call by establishing a wireless connection with a cellular phone, which stores outgoing call history data indicating a destination telephone number to which a telephone call is transmitted,

the handsfree apparatus comprising:

a transfer protocol control means for performing a communication using a transfer protocol for realizing transfer of the outgoing call history data stored in the cellular phone prior to the connection for the handsfree phone call when the cellular phone exists in a wireless connection area;

an outgoing call history data reception means for receiving outgoing call history data from the cellular phone via the communication using the transfer protocol;

a transfer protocol disconnection means for disconnecting the connected communication using the transfer protocol after receiving the outgoing call history data;

a handsfree protocol control means for connecting automatically communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after disconnecting the connected communication using the transfer protocol; and

an outgoing call history data storage means for storing the outgoing call data which is received.

9. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

an initial handsfree protocol communication means for connecting automatically an initial communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone prior to the communication using the transfer protocol;

a determination means for determining whether the cellular phone is during performing a phone call; and

a communication maintenance means for maintaining the initial communication using the handsfree protocol when it is determined by the determination means that the phone call is being performed,

wherein when it is determined by the determination means that the phone call is completed, the transfer protocol control means connects a communication using the transfer protocol after disconnecting the maintained initial communication using the handsfree protocol.

10. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:

the initial handsfree protocol communication means receives, of the cellular phone, a communication state, which is notified of, via the communication using the handsfree protocol by connecting the initial communication prior to the communication using the transfer protocol; and

the determination means determines whether the communication state of the cellular phone is during performing a phone call.

11. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 9, wherein

when it is determined, prior to the communication using the transfer protocol, by the determination means, that the phone call is not being performed, the transfer protocol control means disconnects the initial communication using the handsfree protocol and then connects a communication using the transfer protocol.

12. An in-vehicle handsfree apparatus allowing a handsfree phone call by establishing a connection with a cellular phone, which stores incoming call history data indicating a source telephone number from which a phone call is transmitted,

the handsfree apparatus comprising:

a control means for communicating with the cellular phone using a transfer protocol for realizing transfer of the incoming call history data stored in the cellular phone before establishing the connection for the handsfree phone call, receiving the incoming call history data from the cellular phone, disconnecting, after receiving the incoming call history data, the communication using the transfer protocol, and connecting communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after disconnecting the communication using the transfer protocol; and

an incoming call history data storage means stores incoming call history data which is received.

13. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 12, wherein:

the control means includes a determination means for determining whether the cellular phone is performing a phone call by connecting an initial communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone prior to the communication using the transfer protocol;

when it is determined by the determination means that the phone call is being performed, the control means maintains the initial communication using the handsfree protocol; and

when it is determined by the determination means that the phone call is completed, the control means connects a communication using the transfer protocol after disconnecting the maintained initial communication using the handsfree protocol.

14. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 13;

wherein;

the control means receives, of the cellular phone, a communication state, which is notified of, via the communication using the handsfree protocol, by connecting the initial communication using the handsfree protocol prior to the communication using the transfer protocol; and

the determination means determines whether the communication state of the cellular phone is during performing a phone call.

15. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 13, wherein

when it is determined, prior to the communication using the transfer protocol, by the determination means that the phone call is not being performed, the control means disconnects the initial communication using the handsfree protocol and then connects a communication using the transfer protocol.

16. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:

a display means for displaying the incoming call history data; and

a display control means for

receiving, of the incoming call, a source telephone number, which is notified of via the communication using the handsfree protocol, as new incoming call history data, when the cellular phone receives a new incoming call, in the communication state using the handsfree protocol for realizing the handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after disconnecting the communication using the transfer protocol, and

causing the display means to display the new incoming call history data as being newer in incoming call date and time than the incoming call history data when a display demand of the new incoming call history data occurs after receiving the incoming call history data.

17. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 16, wherein:

the incoming call history data includes multiple data items, which have reception date and time data which indicate individual incoming call dates and times; and

when the display control means causes the display means to display the multiple data items, the display control means causes the display means to display while displaying in an order of incoming call date and time, the new incoming call history data as being newer in incoming call date and time than the multiple data items.

18. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 17;

wherein;

the incoming call history data is transmitted from the cellular phone in such a format that an order of incoming calls is identifiable; and

the display control means causes the display means to display in an order of incoming calls according to the format instead of using the received incoming call date and time data in order to determine a display order.

19. An in-vehicle handsfree apparatus allowing a handsfree phone call by establishing a wireless connection with a cellular phone, which stores incoming call history data indicating a source telephone number from which a phone call is transmitted,

the handsfree apparatus comprising:

a transfer protocol control means for performing a communication using the transfer protocol for realizing transfer of the incoming call history data stored in the cellular phone prior to the connection for the handsfree phone call when the cellular phone exists in a wireless connection area;

an incoming call history data reception means for receiving incoming call history data from the cellular phone via the communication using the transfer protocol;

a transfer protocol disconnection means for disconnecting the connected communication using the transfer protocol after receiving the incoming call history data;

a handsfree protocol control means for connecting automatically communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after disconnecting the communication using the transfer protocol; and

an incoming call history data storage means for storing the incoming call history data which is received.

20. The handsfree apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising:

an initial handsfree protocol control means for connecting automatically an initial communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone prior to the communication using the transfer protocol;

a determination means for determining whether the cellular phone is during performing a phone call; and

a communication maintenance means for maintaining a wireless communication using the handsfree protocol when it is determined by the determination means that the phone call is being performed, wherein when it is determined by the determination means that the phone call is completed, the transfer protocol control means connects a communication using the transfer protocol after disconnecting the initial communication using the handsfree protocol presently.

21. The handsfree apparatus according to claim 20, wherein:

the initial handsfree protocol means receives, of the cellular phone, a communication state, which is notified of by the communication using the handsfree protocol, by connecting the initial communication prior to the communication using the transfer protocol; and

the determination means determines whether the communication state of the cellular phone is during performing a phone call.

22. The handsfree apparatus according to claim 20, wherein

when it is determined, prior to the communication using the transfer protocol, by the determination means, that the phone call is not being performed, the transfer protocol control means disconnects the initial communication using the handsfree protocol and then connects a communication using the transfer protocol.

23. An in-vehicle handsfree apparatus allowing a handsfree phone call by establishing a wireless connection with a cellular phone, which stores incoming call history data indicating a source telephone number of an incoming call, outgoing call history data indicating a destination telephone number of an outgoing call, and phone book data in which a telephone number and a registration name corresponding to the telephone number are registered,

the handsfree apparatus comprising:

a transfer protocol control means for performing a communication using the transfer protocol for realizing transfer of the incoming call history data, the outgoing call history data, and the phone book data stored in the cellular phone prior to the connection for the handsfree phone call when the cellular phone exists in a wireless connection area;

a data reception means for receiving incoming call history data, outgoing call history data, and phone book data from the cellular phone via the communication using the transfer protocol;

a transfer protocol disconnection means for disconnecting the connected communication using the transfer protocol after the receiving;

a handsfree protocol control means for connecting automatically communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after the disconnecting; and

a data storage means for storing the outgoing call history data, the incoming call history data, and the phone book data, which are received.

24. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 23, wherein

the outgoing call history data and the incoming call history data are transmitted earlier than the phone book data.

25. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising:

an initial handsfree protocol communication means for connecting automatically an initial communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone prior to the communication using the transfer protocol;

a determination means for determining whether the cellular phone is during performing a phone call; and

a communication maintenance means for maintaining the initial communication using the handsfree protocol when it is determined by the determination means that the phone call is being performed,

wherein when it is determined by the determination means that the phone call is completed, the transfer protocol control means connects a communication using the transfer protocol after disconnecting the maintained initial communication using the handsfree protocol.

26. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 25,

the initial handsfree protocol communication means receives, of the cellular phone, a communication state, which is notified of via the communication using the handsfree protocol, by connecting the initial communication prior to the communication using the transfer protocol;

and

the determination means determines whether the communication state of the cellular phone is during performing a phone call.

27. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 25, wherein

when it is determined, prior to the communication using the transfer protocol, by the determination means that the phone call is not being performed, the transfer protocol control means disconnects the initial communication using the handsfree protocol and then connects a communication using the transfer protocol.

28. The in-vehicle handsfree apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising:

a phone book transfer setting means for setting up either affirmation or negation of a transfer of the phone book data; and

a data transfer designation means for transferring only the outgoing call history data and incoming call history data when the phone book transfer setting means does not set up the negation of the transfer.

29. The handsfree apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising:

a manual transfer protocol instruction means for acquiring only the phone book data by executing the transfer protocol manually, wherein;

in a state where a wireless communication is being performed using a handsfree protocol by the handsfree protocol control means, a communication using the transfer protocol is executed after disconnecting the communication using the handsfree protocol when execution of the transfer protocol is demanded by the manual transfer protocol instruction means; and

the handsfree protocol control means executes a communication using the handsfree protocol automatically after the transfer of the phone book data is completed.

30. A method for transferring data from a cellular phone storing outgoing call history data indicating a designation telephone number as a destination, to which a phone call is transmitted, to an in-vehicle handsfree apparatus allowing a handsfree phone call by connecting the cellular phone and the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus,

the method comprising:

a transfer protocol connecting step of connecting a transfer protocol between the cellular phone and the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus for realizing a transfer of the outgoing call history data, which was stored in the cellular phone before the connection for the handsfree phone call;

an outgoing call history data receiving step of receiving the outgoing call history data via a communication connected at the transfer protocol connecting step;

a disconnecting step of automatically disconnecting the communication using the transfer protocol after receiving the outgoing call history data; and

a handsfree connecting step of automatically connecting communication using the handsfree protocol for realizing the handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after the disconnecting at the disconnecting step.

31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising:

an initial handsfree protocol connecting step of first connecting automatically an initial communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone before the transfer protocol connecting step;

a determining step of determining whether the cellular phone is performing a phone call by the initial communication using the handsfree protocol connected at the initial handsfree protocol connecting step;

a maintaining step of maintaining the initial communication using the handsfree protocol when it is determined at the determining step that the phone call is being performed; and

a handsfree protocol disconnecting step of disconnecting the initial communication using the handsfree protocol maintained at the maintaining step when it is determined that the phone call is completed in the determining step,

wherein after disconnecting the handsfree protocol at the handsfree protocol disconnecting step, the transfer protocol connecting step is executed.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein

the determining step includes a receiving step of receiving a communication state of the cellular phone via the initial communication using the handsfree protocol.

33. The method according to claim 31, wherein

when it is determined at the determining step that the phone call is not being performed, the transfer protocol connecting step is executed after disconnecting the initial communication using the handsfree protocol.

34. A method for transferring data from a cellular phone storing incoming call history data indicating a source telephone number as a source, from which a phone call is transmitted, to an in-vehicle handsfree apparatus allowing a handsfree phone call by connecting the cellular phone and the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus,

the method comprising:

a transfer protocol connecting step of connecting a transfer protocol between the cellular phone and the in-vehicle handsfree apparatus for realizing a transfer of the incoming call history data, which was stored in the cellular phone before the connection for the handsfree phone call;

an outgoing call history data receiving step of receiving the outgoing call history data via a communication connected at the transfer protocol connecting step;

a disconnecting step of automatically disconnecting the communication using the transfer protocol after receiving the incoming call history data; and

a handsfree connecting step of automatically connecting communication using the handsfree protocol for realizing the handsfree phone call by the cellular phone after the disconnecting at the disconnecting step.

35. The method according to claim 34, further comprising:

an initial handsfree protocol connecting step of first connecting automatically an initial communication using a handsfree protocol for realizing a handsfree phone call by the cellular phone before the transfer protocol connecting step;

a determining step of determining whether the cellular phone is performing a phone call by the initial communication using the handsfree protocol connected at the initial handsfree protocol connecting step;

a maintaining step of maintaining the initial communication using the handsfree protocol when it is determined at the determining step that the phone call is being performed; and

a handsfree protocol disconnecting step of disconnecting the initial communication using the handsfree protocol maintained at the maintaining step when it is determined that the phone call is completed in the determining step,

wherein after disconnecting the handsfree protocol at the handsfree protocol disconnecting step, the transfer protocol connecting step is executed.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein

the determining step includes a receiving step of receiving a communication state of the cellular phone via the initial communication using the handsfree protocol.

37. The method according to claim 35, wherein

when it is determined at the determining step that the phone call is not being performed, the transfer protocol connecting step is executed after disconnecting the initial communication using the handsfree protocol.