HANDOFF FROM PUBLIC TO PRIVATE MODE FOR COMMUNICATIONS

• US 20110212748A1
• Filed: 02/26/2010
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Pop, David P., Hansen, Cody R., Highstrom, Matthew M., Gellatly, Andrew W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,825,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface

Abstract

An automobile communication system includes an outgoing communication controller that receives a communication from a first input source in a first operating mode and a second input source in a second operating mode. The system also includes an input selector that selects the first input source in the first mode and the second input source in the second mode and a mode selector operable by an automobile passenger that determines the operating mode. The system also includes an incoming communication controller that receives an incoming communication from a cellular phone and an output selector that provides an output of the incoming communication controller to a first output device in the first operating mode and to the second output device in the second mode.

Claims

1. An automobile communication system comprising:

an outgoing communication controller that receives a communication from a first input source in a first operating mode and a second input source in a second operating mode;

an input selector that selects the first input source in the first operating mode and the second input source in the second operating mode;

a mode selector operable by an automobile passenger that determines the operating mode;

an incoming communication controller that receives an incoming communication from a cellular phone;

an output selector that provides an output of the incoming communication controller to a first output device in the first operating mode and to the second output device in the second mode.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first input source is a microphone.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second input source and the second output device collectively form is a wireless headset.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first output device is an automobile speaker and the first input source is a microphone secured in the automobile.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a personal area network (PAN) receiver coupled between the second input source and the outgoing communication controller and between a cellular phone and the incoming communication controller.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a PAN transmitter coupled between the outgoing communication controller and the cellular phone and between the incoming communication controller and the second input source.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

the cellular phone.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the PAN transmitter is a Bluetooth transmitter and the PAN receiver is a Bluetooth receiver.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the incoming communication is provided to a single occupant of the car in the second mode.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone; and

automobile speakers.

11. A method of switching from a handsfree public call to a handsfree private call in an automobile having a personal area network (PAN), the method comprising:

pairing a headset and a handset to the personal area network;

allowing a telephone call to begin in a handsfree public mode wherein incoming communications are replayed on an automobile speaker;

receiving an indication to change to a handsfree private mode; and

continuing the telephone call in a handsfree private mode wherein incoming communications are replayed on the headset.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the personal area network is formed by a management module that includes a PAN receiver and a PAN transmitter.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein continuing includes receiving outgoing communications from the headset.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein allowing includes receiving outgoing communications from a microphone located in the automobile.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving does not include receiving any indication that a user manipulated the handset.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

re-allowing, after continuing, the telephone call to continue in the handsfree public mode wherein incoming communications are replayed on an automobile speaker.