System and method for managing mobile communications

• US 7,257,427 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2003
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Diedrich, Nathaniel W., Miller, Ross C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost; William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ewart; James D.
• Application Number:
  US10/674,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20050075128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/414.3, 455/41.1, 455/79, 455/552.1, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/566, 455/569.1, 455/575.9, 455/90.1, 455/99, 455/152.1, 455/297, 455/344, 455/345, 455/346, 455/414.2, 370/328, 370/395.51, 370/912, 370/913, 379/15.02, 379/88.17, 379/93.07, 379/100.12, 379/219, 379/413.02, 701/23, 701/28, 701/29, 701/36, 701/99, 701/200, 701/201, 701/202, 701/206, 701/211, 709/218, 709/225, 709/229
• US Class Current: 455/569.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/74 with voice recognition means
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system and method for managing mobile communications is disclosed. The system and method can determine which of several systems associated with a motor vehicle is permitted to communicate with a user interface in the motor vehicle. The user interface is used to assist in facilitating communications between a user and one of the communications systems. The user interface can include a display and be connected to at least one loudspeaker. The various systems associated with the vehicle communicate with one another and determine which system can communicate with the user interface.

Claims

1. A vehicle communication system comprising:

a first communication system located in the vehicle, connected to a user interface and capable of sending information to the user interface;

the first communication system configured to communicate with a first communications network;

a second communication system located in the vehicle, connected to the user interface and capable of sending information to the user interface;

the second communications system configured to communicate with a second communications network;

the user interface comprising at least one control and a display;

the user interface being connected to at least one loudspeaker;

wherein the first communication system and the second communication system communicate with one another to resolve a conflict and determine which system can communicate with the user interface.

2. The vehicle communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication system includes provisions for sending and receiving wireless telephone calls.

3. The vehicle communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication system is configured to communicate with a wireless telephone.

4. The vehicle communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication system is configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless telephone.

5. The vehicle communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication system is configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless telephone using Bluetooth.

6. The vehicle communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication system is configured to wirelessly communicate with a microphone using Bluetooth.

7. The vehicle communication system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication system is configured to wirelessly communicate with vehicle assistance service provider.

8. The vehicle communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication system communicates with the second communication system using CAN.

9. The vehicle communication system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication system is configured to receive different types of calls from a second communication service provider and information related to the different types of calls is used to determine which system can communicate with the user interface.

10. A motor vehicle comprising:

a chassis and at least one wheel adapted to contact a road surface;

an interior including a steering wheel, dashboard and driver'"'"'s seat;

a first communication system installed in the motor vehicle and in communication with a user interface and configured to communicate with a first communication network;

a second communication system installed in the motor vehicle and in communication with the user interface and configured to communicate with a second communications network; and

wherein the first communication system communicates with the second communication system to resolve a conflict and determine which system can communicate with the user interface.

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the first communication system is engaged in an active call and wherein the second system communication receives a second call while the first communication system is engaged in the active call and wherein the active call is interrupted by the second call.

12. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the first communication system communicates with the second communication system and wherein the two communications systems, by communicating with one another, determine which communication system is given priority.

13. A motor vehicle comprising:

a chassis, at least one wheel adapted to contact a road surface, and an interior;

the interior including a steering wheel, a dashboard and a driver'"'"'s seat;

the motor vehicle further comprising;

a first communication system in communication with the motor vehicle and configured to communicate with a first communication network;

a second communication system in communication with the motor vehicle and configured to communicate with a second communications network;

wherein the first communications network is different than the second communications network; and

wherein the first communication system communicates with the second communication system to resolve a conflict and determine which system can communicate with a user interface associated with the motor vehicle.

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the first communication system is configured to receive information from a wireless telephone network.

15. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the second communication system is configured to receive information from a driver assistance network.

16. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the first communication system and the second communication system communicate with one another and determine which communication system has priority.

17. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the second communication system interrupts a call in progress on the first communication system.

18. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the second communication system retains priority over a call received by the first communication system.

19. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising a vehicle control system wherein the vehicle control system includes speech recognition and wherein the first communication system has priority over the vehicle control system.

20. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the first communication system retains priority over a call received by the second communication system.

21. A motor vehicle comprising:

a chassis, at least one wheel adapted to contact a road surface, and an interior;

the interior including a steering device and a driver'"'"'s seat;

the motor vehicle further comprising;

a first communication system disposed onboard the motor vehicle and configured to communicate with a first communication network;

a second communication system disposed onboard the motor vehicle and configured to communicate with a second communications network;

wherein the first communications network is different than the second communications network; and

wherein the first communication system communicates with the second communication system using resources located onboard the motor vehicle to resolve a conflict and determine which system can communicate with the user interface.

22. The motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the first communication system is configured to receive information from a wireless telephone network.

23. The motor vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the second communication system is configured to receive an incoming call from a second wireless telephone network.

24. The motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the second communication system is configured to receive information from a driver assistance network.

25. The motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the first communications system and the second communications system communicate with one another to determine which communication system can communicate with a user interface disposed onboard the motor vehicle.

26. The motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the second communication system interrupts a call in progress on the first communication system.

27. The motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the second communication system retains priority over an incoming call received by the first communication system and retains access to a user interface disposed onboard the motor vehicle.

28. The motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the first communication system retains priority over an incoming call received by the second communication system and retains access to a user interface disposed onboard the motor vehicle.