In-vehicle apparatus, cellular phone device, and method for controlling communication therebetween

• US 8,254,900 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2009
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Azuma, Kazuyoshi, Miyake, Kenji, Saitoh, Souichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Hu, Jinsong
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nealon, William
• Application Number:
  US12/590,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20100151833A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface

Abstract

A communication unit communicates with a cellular phone device simultaneously using a handsfree communication protocol for handsfree communication and a mail transfer protocol for mail transfer. The cellular phone device is selectively in one of: i) a handsfree communication state where voice is transmitted via voice units of the in-vehicle apparatus when opening a voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus using the handsfree communication protocol; and ii) a handset communication state where voice is transmitted via voice units of the cellular phone when closing the voice path. The control unit notifies an incoming mail in a normal manner when the cellular phone device is in the handsfree communication state. Alternatively, the control unit notifies an incoming mail such that an occupant other than a user hardly notices an incoming mail when the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle apparatus having a handsfree function, the in-vehicle apparatus comprising:

a communication unit configured to communicate with a cellular phone device simultaneously using a handsfree communication protocol for handsfree communication and a mail transfer protocol for mail transfer, the cellular phone device being selectively in one of;

i) a handsfree communication state where outgoing voice inputted via a voice input unit of the in-vehicle apparatus is transmitted to a counterpart, and incoming voice transmitted from the counterpart is outputted via a voice output unit of the in-vehicle apparatus when opening a voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus and when communicating with the in-vehicle apparatus using the handsfree communication protocol; and

ii) a handset communication state where outgoing voice inputted via a voice input unit of the cellular phone device is transmitted to the counterpart, and incoming voice transmitted from the counterpart is outputted via a voice output unit of the cellular phone device when closing the voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus,

an incoming mail determination unit configured to determine whether the cellular phone device, which communicates with the communication unit using the mail transfer protocol, receives incoming mail;

a condition determination unit configured to determine whether the cellular phone device, which communicates with the communication unit using the handsfree communication protocol, is in one of the handsfree communication state and the handset communication state; and

a control unit;

configured to perform notice of incoming mail for notifying a user of the incoming mail in a handsfree mode in a condition where;

i) the incoming mail determination unit determines that the cellular phone device, which communicates with the communication unit using the mail transfer protocol, receives the incoming mail; and

ii) the condition determination unit determines that the cellular phone device is in the handsfree communication state, and

configured to perform the notice of incoming mail for notifying a user of the incoming mail in a handset mode, such that an occupant other than a user is less likely to notice the incoming mail as compared with the notice given in the handsfree mode, by causing a display unit of the in-vehicle apparatus to display a notice of incoming mail screen, without causing the voice output unit of the in-vehicle apparatus to output a notice of incoming mail sound, in a condition where;

i) the incoming mail determination unit determines that the cellular phone device, which communicates with the communication unit using the mail transfer protocol, receives the incoming mail; and

ii) the condition determination unit determines that the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state.

2. The in-vehicle apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the voice output unit of the in-vehicle apparatus outputs notice of incoming mail sound at a first sound volume level when the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state,

the voice output unit of the in-vehicle apparatus outputs notice of incoming mail sound at a second sound volume level when the cellular phone device is in the stand-by state, and

the control unit is configured to set the first sound volume level to be smaller than the second sound volume level.

3. An in-vehicle apparatus having a handsfree function, the in-vehicle apparatus comprising:

a communication unit configured to communicate with a cellular phone device simultaneously using a handsfree communication protocol for handsfree communication and a mail transfer protocol for mail transfer, the cellular phone device being selectively in one of;

i) a handsfree communication state where outgoing voice inputted via a voice input unit of the in-vehicle apparatus is transmitted to a counterpart, and incoming voice transmitted from the counterpart is outputted via a voice output unit of the in-vehicle apparatus when opening a voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus and when communicating with the in-vehicle apparatus using the handsfree communication protocol; and

ii) a handset communication state where outgoing voice inputted via a voice input unit of the cellular phone device is transmitted to the counterpart, and incoming voice transmitted from the counterpart is outputted via a voice output unit of the cellular phone device when closing the voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus,

an incoming mail determination unit configured to determine whether the cellular phone device, which communicates with the communication unit using the mail transfer protocol, receives incoming mail;

a condition determination unit configured to determine whether the cellular phone device, which communicates with the communication unit using the handsfree communication protocol, is in one of the handsfree communication state and the handset communication state; and

a control unit;

configured to perform notice of incoming mail for notifying a user of incoming mail in a condition where;

i) the incoming mail determination unit determines that the cellular phone device, which communicates with the communication unit using the mail transfer protocol, receives the incoming mail; and

ii) the condition determination unit determines that the cellular phone device is in the handsfree communication state, and

configured not to perform notice of incoming mail for notifying a user of the incoming mail in a condition where;

i) the incoming mail determination unit determines that the cellular phone device, which communicates with the communication unit using the mail transfer protocol, receives the incoming mail; and

ii) the condition determination unit determines that the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state.

4. The in-vehicle apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein the control unit is configured to perform notice of incoming mail to a user in a condition where the condition determination unit determines that a state of the cellular phone device changes from the handset communication state to the handsfree communication state subsequent to:

i) the incoming mail determination unit determines that the cellular phone device, which communicates with the communication unit using the mail transfer protocol, receives the incoming mail; and

ii) the condition determination unit determines that the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state.

5. The in-vehicle apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein the condition determination unit is configured to determine whether the cellular phone device is in one of:

i) the handsfree communication state where the cellular phone device communicates with the communication unit using the handsfree communication protocol;

ii) the handset communication state; and

iii) a stand-by state where the cellular phone device waits an incoming call,

the control unit is configured to perform the notice of incoming mail to a user when the condition determination unit determines that a state of the cellular phone device changes from the handset communication state to the stand-by state subsequent to;

i) the incoming mail determination unit determines that the cellular phone device, which communicates with the communication unit using the mail transfer protocol, receives the incoming mail; and

ii) the condition determination unit determines that the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state.

6. The in-vehicle apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein the voice output unit of the in-vehicle apparatus outputs notice of incoming mail sound at a first sound volume level when the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state,

the voice output unit of the in-vehicle apparatus outputs notice of incoming mail sound at a second sound volume level when the cellular phone device is in the stand-by state, and

the control unit is configured to set the first sound volume level to be smaller than the second sound volume level.

7. A cellular phone device configured to communicate with an in-vehicle apparatus having a handsfree function simultaneously using a handsfree communication protocol for handsfree communication and a mail transfer protocol for mail transfer, wherein the cellular phone device being selectively in one of:

i) a handsfree communication state where outgoing voice inputted via a voice input unit of the in-vehicle apparatus is transmitted to a counterpart and incoming voice transmitted from the counterpart is outputted via a voice output unit of the in-vehicle apparatus when opening a voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus and when communicating with the in-vehicle apparatus using a handsfree communication protocol; and

ii) a handset communication state where outgoing voice inputted via a voice input unit of the cellular phone device is transmitted to the counterpart, and incoming voice transmitted from the counterpart is outputted via a voice output unit of the cellular phone device when closing the voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus,

wherein in a condition where the cellular phone device communicates with the in-vehicle apparatus simultaneously using the handsfree communication protocol and the mail transfer protocol;

i) the cellular phone device sends notice of incoming mail to the in-vehicle apparatus when the cellular phone device is in the handsfree communication state and when the cellular phone device receives incoming mail; and

ii) the cellular phone device does not send notice of the incoming mail to the in-vehicle apparatus when the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state and when the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail.

14. The cellular phone device according to claim 7,

wherein in a condition where the cellular phone device communicates with the in-vehicle apparatus simultaneously using the handsfree communication protocol and the mail transfer protocol:

i) the cellular phone device sends the notice of incoming mail to the in-vehicle apparatus on determination that the cellular phone device is in the handsfree communication state and on determination that the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail; and

ii) the cellular phone device does not send the notice of incoming mail to the in-vehicle apparatus on determination that the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state and on determination that the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail.

8. A method for controlling communication between an in-vehicle apparatus and a cellular phone device, the method comprising:

communicating the in-vehicle apparatus with the cellular phone device simultaneously using a handsfree communication protocol for handsfree communication and a mail transfer protocol for mail transfer;

determining whether the cellular phone device is in one of;

i) a handsfree communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the in-vehicle apparatus when opening a voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus and communicating with the in-vehicle apparatus using the handsfree communication protocol; and

ii) a handset communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the cellular phone device when closing the voice path;

determining whether the cellular phone device receives incoming mail;

notifying a user of the incoming mail in a handsfree mode in response to determination that the cellular phone device is in the handsfree communication state and determination that the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail; and

notifying a user of the incoming mail in a handset mode in response to determination that the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state and determination that the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail, such that an occupant other than a user is less likely to notice the incoming mail as compared with the notice received in the handsfree mode, by causing a display unit of the in-vehicle apparatus to display a notice of incoming mail screen, without causing a voice output unit of the in-vehicle apparatus to output a notice of incoming, mail sound.

9. A method for controlling communication between an in-vehicle apparatus and a cellular phone device, the method comprising:

communicating the in-vehicle apparatus with the cellular phone device simultaneously using a handsfree communication protocol for handsfree communication and a mail transfer protocol for mail transfer;

determining whether the cellular phone device is in one of;

i) a handsfree communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the in-vehicle apparatus when opening a voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus and communicating with the in-vehicle apparatus using the handsfree communication protocol; and

ii) a handset communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the cellular phone device when closing the voice path;

determining whether the cellular phone device receives an incoming mail;

notifying a user of the incoming mail in response to determination that the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail and determination that the cellular phone device is in the handsfree communication state; and

not notifying a user of the incoming mail in response to determination that the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail and determination that the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state.

10. A method for controlling communication between a cellular phone device and an in-vehicle apparatus, the method comprising:

communicating the cellular phone device with the in-vehicle apparatus simultaneously using a handsfree communication protocol for handsfree communication and a data transfer protocol for data transfer;

sending notice of incoming mail from the cellular phone device to the in-vehicle apparatus when the cellular phone device receives incoming mail and when the cellular phone device is in a handsfree communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the in-vehicle apparatus when opening a voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus and communicating with the in-vehicle apparatus using the handsfree communication protocol; and

not sending the notice of incoming mail from the cellular phone device to the in-vehicle apparatus when the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail and when the cellular phone device is in a handset communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the cellular phone device when closing the voice path.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions being executed by a computer, the instructions including a method for controlling communication between an in-vehicle apparatus and a cellular phone device, the method comprising:

communicating the in-vehicle apparatus with the cellular phone device simultaneously using a handsfree communication protocol for handsfree communication and a mail transfer protocol for mail transfer;

determining whether the cellular phone device is in one of;

i) a handsfree communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the in-vehicle apparatus when opening a voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus and communicating with the in-vehicle apparatus using the handsfree communication protocol; and

ii) a handset communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the cellular phone device when closing the voice path;

determining whether the cellular phone device receives incoming mail;

notifying a user of incoming mail in a handsfree mode in response to determination that the cellular phone device is in the handsfree communication state and determination that the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail; and

notifying a user of the incoming mail in a handset mode in response to determination that the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state and determination that the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail, such that an occupant other than a user is less likely to notice the incoming mail as compared with the notice given in the handsfree mode, by causing a display unit of the in-vehicle apparatus to display a notice of incoming mail screen, without causing a voice output unit of the in-vehicle apparatus to output a notice of incoming mail sound.

12. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions being executed by a computer, the instructions including a method for controlling communication between an in-vehicle apparatus and a cellular phone device, the method comprising:

communicating the in-vehicle apparatus with the cellular phone device simultaneously using a handsfree communication protocol for handsfree communication and a mail transfer protocol for mail transfer;

determining whether the cellular phone device is in one of;

i) a handsfree communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the in-vehicle apparatus when opening a voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus and communicating with the in-vehicle apparatus using the handsfree communication protocol; and

ii) a handset communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the cellular phone device when closing the voice path;

determining whether the cellular phone device receives incoming mail;

notifying a user of the incoming mail in response to determination that the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail and determination that the cellular phone device is in the handsfree communication state; and

not notifying a user of the incoming mail in response to determination that the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail and determination that the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions being executed by a computer, the instructions including a method for controlling communication between a cellular phone device and an in-vehicle apparatus, the method comprising:

communicating the cellular phone device with the in-vehicle apparatus simultaneously using a handsfree communication protocol for handsfree communication and a data transfer protocol for data transfer;

sending notice of incoming mail from the cellular phone device to the in-vehicle apparatus when the cellular phone device receives incoming mail and when the cellular phone device is in a handsfree communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the in-vehicle apparatus when opening a voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus and communicating with the in-vehicle apparatus using the handsfree communication protocol; and

not sending the notice of incoming mail from the cellular phone device to the in-vehicle apparatus when the cellular phone device receives the incoming mail and when the cellular phone device is in a handset communication state where outgoing and incoming voice is transmitted via input and output units of the cellular phone device when closing the voice path.