METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENHANCE NAVIGATION USER EXPERIENCE FOR A SMART PHONE DEVICE

• US 20110143726A1
• Filed: 12/11/2009
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: de Silva, Andrew S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,224,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions

Abstract

This invention relates to a smart phone device integrated with a navigation system. More specifically, this invention is related to an apparatus and method to divert navigation guidance provided by the smart phone when an incoming call occurs to provide the user uninterrupted route guidance. In one aspect of the present invention, a communication system is integrated with the smart phone to divert the route guidance to a vehicle audio system or display screen when there is an incoming call. The communication system can also be integrated with a cradle, a haptic commander or a radio head unit, which can be communicatively connected with the smart phone and the vehicle, such that when the incoming call occurs, the route guidance can be transmitted from the smart phone to the vehicle audio system or display screen through the cradle, the haptic commander or the radio head unit. Furthermore, the communication system can continuously track the vehicle location, when the call is ended, a navigation system in the smart phone can be restarted to provide the driver the latest vehicle location and necessary route guidance.

Claims

1. A communication system for providing uninterrupted route guidance to a smart phone user in a vehicle comprises:

a memory device stores at least a portion of route guidance provided by a navigation system of a smart phone;

a communication unit;

wherein when an incoming call occurs, the communication unit receives instructions from the smart phone to transmit the route guidance stored in the memory device to a vehicle audio system or display screen.

2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the communication system further comprises a vehicle location detecting unit to continuously track the vehicle position after the incoming call occurs, such that when the call is ended, the navigation system is resumed to provide the user the latest vehicle location and necessary route guidance.

3. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the communication system is integrated in the smart phone.

4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the communication system is integrated in a cradle where the smart phone is docked, and when the incoming call occurs, the communication system in said cradle is triggered to divert the route guidance from the smart phone to the vehicle audio system or the display screen.

5. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the communication system is integrated in a haptic commander which is communicatively connected with the smart phone, and when the incoming call occurs, the communication system in said haptic commander is triggered to divert the route guidance from the smart phone to the vehicle audio system or the display screen.

6. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the communication system is integrated in a radio head unit which is communicatively connected with the smart phone, and when the incoming call occurs, the communication system in said radio head unit is triggered to display the route guidance thereon, or divert the route guidance to the vehicle audio system.

7. The communication system of claim 4, 5, or 6, wherein the communication system is connected directly or wirelessly to the vehicle audio system or the display screen.

8. A method for providing uninterrupted route guidance to a smart phone user in a vehicle comprises the steps of:

displaying route guidance on a smart phone;

detecting whether there is an incoming phone call;

storing at least a portion of the route guidance;

diverting the stored route guidance to an audio system or a display screen in the vehicle when an incoming call occurs; and

providing the route guidance to the user from either the audio system or the display screen in the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of diverting the stored route guidance to an audio system or a display screen in the vehicle further comprises the steps of:

connecting a cradle to the vehicle;

docking the smart phone to the cradle; and

transmitting route guidance information from the cradle to the audio system or display screen in the vehicle,

wherein the route guidance is either wirelessly transmitted from the cradle, or the cradle is directly connected to the audio system or display screen in the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of diverting the stored route guidance to an audio system or a display screen in the vehicle further comprises the steps of:

connecting the smart phone to a haptic commander;

connecting the haptic commander to the vehicle; and

transmitting route guidance information from the haptic commander to the audio system or display screen in the vehicle,

wherein the route guidance is either wirelessly transmitted from the haptic commander, or the haptic commander is directly connected to the audio system or display screen in the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprises a step of continuously tracking the location of the vehicle, such that when the call is ended, a navigation system is resumed to provide the user the latest vehicle location and necessary route guidance.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of continuously tracking the location of the vehicle further comprises a step of refreshing the route guidance according to the vehicle'"'"'s current position.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of storing the route guidance when there is an incoming call comprises a step of updating a memory device after completing each maneuver in the route guidance.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of diverting the stored route guidance to an audio system or a display screen in the vehicle further comprises the steps of:

connecting the smart phone to a radio head unit; and

transmitting the route guidance from the smart phone to the radio head unit in the vehicle,

wherein the route guidance is either wirelessly transmitted from the smart phone, or the smart phone is directly connected to the audio system or display screen in the vehicle.

15. A smart phone device for providing uninterrupted route guidance to a user in a vehicle comprises:

a memory device;

a transceiver including an antenna;

a call control unit; and

a navigation system,

wherein the memory device stores at least a portion of route guidance provided by the navigation system, and when the transceiver receives an incoming phone call, the call control unit diverts the route guidance to a vehicle audio system or display screen.

16. The smart phone device of claim 15, wherein the navigation system continuously track the vehicle position after the incoming call occurs, such that when the call is ended, the navigation system is resumed to provide the user the latest vehicle location and necessary route guidance.

17. The smart phone device of claim 15, wherein the call control unit further comprises a wireless communication unit to wirelessly transmit the route guidance to the vehicle audio system or display screen.

18. The smart phone device of claim 15, wherein the call control unit is configured to provide a waiting notice to a caller until the route guidance prompt is complete.

19. The smart phone device of claim 17, wherein the call control unit is adapted to wirelessly transmit the route guidance to either a cradle or a haptic commander, then to the vehicle audio system or display screen.

20. The smart phone device of claim 17, wherein the call control unit is adapted to wirelessly transmit the route guidance to a radio head unit to display said route guidance.