Apparatus and method for mobile communications

• US 6,807,435 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 10/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Yamashita, Osamu
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ferguson, Keith
• Application Number:
  US09/785,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20010011033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,337 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432.1, 455/436, 455/441, 455/422.1, 455/517, 455/403, 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/444, 455/443, 455/449, 455/421, 455/550.1, 455/552, 455/345, 455/346, 455/351, 455/74, 455/74.1, 455/462, 455/465, 455/575, 379/433.01, 379/433.05
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• 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 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0296 switching to a backup power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Connection of a car adapter or a car battery in an automobile to a portable radio communication apparatus is detected; communication with a communication system not warranting communication during fast transit is forbidden; and switching over to a communication system warranting it is accomplished.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus, comprising:

a first radio communication section which is inappropriate for communication in an automotive environment;

a second radio communication section which is appropriate for communication in the automotive environment;

a connector that is connectable to a car battery or a car adapter;

a detector that detects said connector is connected with the car battery or the car adapter and outputs a detection signal as the result; and

a controller that gives priority to said second radio communication section when said detector outputs the detection signal.

2. A communication apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller forbids that said first radio communication section is used when the detection signal is output from said detector before call initiation or arrival takes place with said first radio communication section.

3. A communication apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a notification unit that generates an alarm when the detection signal is output from said detector during communication with said first radio communication section.

4. A method for communication by a mobile communication apparatus capable of communicating with first and second communication system, the first communication system being inappropriate for communication in automotive environment and the second communication system being appropriate for communication in automotive environment, the method comprising:

detecting a state wherein the mobile communication apparatus can be used in automotive environment;

giving priority to communication with the second communication system when the state is detected; and

connecting the mobile communication apparatus with a car battery or a car adapter,

wherein the state is detected when the mobile communication apparatus is connected with the car battery of the car adapter.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising forbidding the mobile communication apparatus communicating with the first communication system when the state is detected before call initiation or arrival takes place with the first communication system.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising generating an alarm when the state is detected during communication with the first communication system.