Hands-Free, Eyes-Free Mobile Device for In-Car Use

• US 20120052907A1
• Filed: 08/30/2010
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sensory Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sensory Incorporated
• Inventors: Mozer, Todd F., Gilbreath, James C.
• Application Number:
  US12/871,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20120052907A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• 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 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/74 with voice recognition means
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/026 using orientation information, e.g. compass
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method determines an event at a mobile device and a movement value for a speed of movement of the mobile device based on the event. The movement value is compared to a threshold. If the movement value has passed the threshold, the method enables a mode such that the mobile device is configured to announce information to a user of the mobile device and configured to receive an audible command from the user of the mobile device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining an event at a mobile device;

determining a movement value for a speed of movement of the mobile device based on the event;

comparing the movement value to a threshold; and

if the movement value has passed the threshold, enabling a mode such that the mobile device is configured to announce information to a user of the mobile device and configured to receive an audible command from the user of the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the movement value comprises determining the movement value using a global positioning satellite (GPS) sensor in the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode comprises a hands-free, eyes-free mode that allows the user to operate the mobile device without touching or looking at the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the hands-free, eyes-free mode announces information normally displayed on a screen of the mobile device and receives audible commands instead of physical selections from the user on the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the event comprises a telephone call, the method further comprising:

if the movement value has passed the threshold, providing an audible output announcing the telephone call.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising overriding a volume setting in the mobile device to increase speaker volume to provide the audible output.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving a voice command from the user to answer the telephone call; and

automatically answering the telephone call.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising automatically activating a speaker of the mobile device for the telephone call.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the telephone call comprises a first telephone call, the method further comprising:

receiving a second telephone call;

disabling a microphone of the mobile device;

outputting a second audible output announcing the second telephone call; and

receiving a command from the user for handling of the second telephone call.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a voice trigger phrase configured to activate the mobile device to receive voice commands; and

enabling the mobile device to receive the voice commands.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the event comprises receiving an activation of the mode for monitoring the movement of the mobile device.

12. A computer-readable storage medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method, the method comprising:

determining an event at a mobile device;

determining a movement value for a speed of movement of the mobile device based on the event;

comparing the movement value to a threshold; and

if the movement value has passed the threshold, enabling a mode such that the mobile device is configured to announce information to a user of the mobile device and configured to receive an audible command from the user of the mobile device.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein determining the movement value comprises determining the movement value using a global positioning satellite (GPS) sensor in the mobile device.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the movement monitoring mode comprises a hands-free, eyes-free mode that allows the user to operate the mobile device without touching or looking at the mobile device.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the hands-free, eyes-free mode announces information normally displayed on a screen of the mobile device and receives audible commands instead of physical selections from the user on the mobile device.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the event comprises a telephone call, the method further comprising:

if the movement value has passed the threshold, providing an audible output announcing the telephone call.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving a voice command from the user to answer the telephone call; and

automatically answering the telephone call

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, further comprising activating a speaker of the mobile device for the telephone call.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving a voice trigger phrase configured to activate the mobile device to receive voice commands; and

enabling the mobile device to receive the voice commands.

20. An apparatus comprising:

one or more computer processors; and

a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to perform a method, the method comprising;

determining an event at a mobile device;

determining a movement value for a speed of movement of the mobile device based on the event;

comparing the movement value to a threshold; and

if the movement value has passed the threshold, enabling a mode such that the mobile device is configured to announce information to a user of the mobile device and configured to receive an audible command from the user of the mobile device.