Selective alert processing

• US 8,559,932 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2010
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Elliott, Doron M., Hernandez, Ivette
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, David Q
• Application Number:
  US12/972,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20120157069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/420, 340/439, 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

A computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a vehicle computing system, a notification that an incoming communication is being sent to a wireless device in communication with the vehicle computing system. The method also includes determining that a do not disturb function is active in the vehicle computing system and blocking a notification to a driver regarding the incoming communication. Finally, this method includes sending a command from the vehicle computing system to the wireless device to silence any notification that the wireless device provides in conjunction with the incoming communication.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, at a vehicle computing system (VCS), notification of incoming communication on a wireless device communicating with the VCS;

determining that a VCS do-not-disturb function is active;

blocking an incoming communication driver notification;

sending a command from the VCS to the wireless device to silence device notification relating to the incoming communication; and

reporting a stored list of blocked communications when the do-not-disturb function is switched from active to inactive.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the incoming communication is a phone call.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the incoming communication is a text message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the incoming communication is an email message.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the incoming communication is an instant message.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the blocking includes electing not to transmit a notification.

7. A vehicle computing system comprising:

a processor, operable to execute one or more logic processes; and

a storage device, in communication with the processor and operable to relay one or more logic processes stored therein to the processor, the storage device including;

at least one receiving process to receive a notification that an incoming communication is being sent to a wireless device in communication with the processor;

at least one determining process to determine that a do not disturb routine is active in the processor;

at least one blocking process to block a notification to a driver regarding the incoming communication; and

at least one silencing process to send a command from the processor to the wireless device to silence any notification that the wireless device provides in conjunction with the incoming communication;

at least one storing process to store a list of blocked communications; and

at least one reporting process to report the list of blocked communications when a do-not-disturb function is switched from active to inactive.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the incoming communication is a phone call.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the incoming communication is a text message.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the incoming communication is an email message.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the incoming communication is an instant message.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the blocking includes electing not to transmit a notification.