SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECONDARY COMMUNICATION DEVICE DETECTION AND CONNECTION

• US 20100210211A1
• Filed: 02/19/2009
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Price, Donald David
• Granted Patent: US 8,391,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.300
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals

Abstract

A method and apparatus for connecting a vehicle-based computing system to a wireless device are provided. When the vehicle-based computing system is powered, it may intially connect to a wireless device. If the system moves out of the range of that device, the connection may be lost. A secondary device may be present however, and automatic connection to that device may be desired so that the vehicle-based computing system can continue to function.

Claims

1. A vehicle communication system comprising:

a computer processor in communication with a memory circuit;

a local wireless transceiver in communication with the computer processor and configured to communicate wirelessly with a first wireless device and at least a second wireless device;

wherein, if the processor determines that a communication connection between the transceiver and the first wireless device has been lost, the processor is operable to search for a signal from the first wireless device, to determine if a movement event has occurred based on the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition, and to search for a signal from the second wireless device; and

wherein, if a signal from the second wireless device is found and a signal from the first wireless device is not found, and wherein if a movement event has occurred, the processor is operable to establish a connection to the second wireless device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the search for a signal from the first wireless device occurs for a fixed period of time, and wherein the processor is operable to establish a connection to the second wireless device after the fixed period of time has passed.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the movement event comprises a vehicle transitioning from a stationary state to a moving state.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein, if the processor determines that the communication connection between the transceiver and the first wireless device has been lost, the processor is operable to instruct the storage of a movement state of the vehicle to the memory circuit.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein, after the fixed period of time has passed, the processor is operable to compare a stored movement state with a present movement state to determine if the vehicle has transitioned from a stationary state to a moving state.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein, if the processor determines that the communication connection between the transceiver and the first wireless device has been lost, the processor is operable to instruct the storage of an odometer value to the memory circuit.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein, after the fixed period of time has passed, the processor is operable to compare a present odometer value with a stored odometer value to determine how far the vehicle has traveled since the communication connection was lost.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the movement event comprises a vehicle traveling a certain distance.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein, if the processor determines that the communication connection between the transceiver and the first wireless device has been lost, the processor is operable to instruct the storage of an odometer value to the memory circuit.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein, after the fixed period of time has passed, the processor is operable to compare a present odometer value with a stored odometer value to determine how far the vehicle has traveled since the communication connection was lost.

11. A method of automatic wireless device connection between a vehicle communication system and an alternative wireless device, the vehicle communication system including a computer processor in communication with a memory circuit, and a local wireless transceiver in communication with the computer processor and configured to communicate wirelessly with a primary wireless device and the alternative wireless device, the method comprising:

determining that a communication connection between the transceiver and the primary wireless device has been lost;

searching for a signal from the primary wireless device;

determining if a movement event has occurred;

searching for a signal from the alternative wireless device; and

establishing a connection with the alternative wireless device, if a signal from the second wireless device is found and if a signal from the first wireless device is not found, and wherein if a movement event has occurred.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the searching for a signal from the primary wireless device occurs for a fixed period of time, and wherein the establishing a connection to the alternative wireless device occurs after the fixed period of time has passed.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the movement event comprises a vehicle transitioning from a stationary state to a moving state.

14. The system of claim 13, further including storing of a movement state of the vehicle to the memory circuit, if the communication connection between the transceiver and the first wireless device is determined to have been lost.

15. The system of claim 14, further including comparing a stored movement state with a present movement state to determine if the vehicle has transitioned from a stationary state to a moving state after the fixed period of time has passed.

16. The system of claim 15, further including storing an odometer value to the memory circuit, if the processor determines that the communication connection between the transceiver and the first wireless device has been lost.

17. The system of claim 16, further including comparing a present odometer value with a stored odometer value to determine how far the vehicle has traveled since the communication connection was lost.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the movement event comprises a vehicle traveling a certain distance.

19. The system of claim 18, further including:

storing an odometer value to the memory circuit, if the processor determines that the communication connection between the transceiver and the first wireless device has been lost; and

comparing a present odometer value with a stored odometer value to determine how far the vehicle has traveled since the communication connection was lost, after the fixed period of time has passed.

20. A vehicle communication system comprising:

a processor in communication with memory;

a transceiver in communication with the processor and communicable with a plurality of wireless devices;

wherein, if a communication between the transceiver and a first wireless device has been lost, the processor is operable to search for a wireless device signal and to determine if a secondary event has occurred, and wherein, if a signal from a second wireless device exists and a signal from the first wireless device does not, and if a secondary event has occurred, a connection to the secondary wireless device is established.