Automatic call forwarding to in-vehicle telematics system

• US 9,161,189 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2006
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Lorello, Timothy J., Hamilton, Elliott
• Primary Examiner(s): VIANA DI PRISCO, GERMAN
• Application Number:
  US11/580,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20070086579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,284 Days
• Field of Search: 455/445
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1091 Fixed mobile conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2094 Proximity
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42263 where the same subscriber uses different terminals, i.e. nomadism
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/28 Number portability ; Network address portability

Abstract

Cell phone calls are automatically call forwarded to an in-vehicle telematics system when a driver using the cell phone is in their vehicle. Presence of the driver may be detected, e.g., by detection of a key in the ignition and presumption that the driver is in the vehicle while the key is in the ignition. The in-vehicle telematics unit signals that its driver is present. A phone number lookup is performed, e.g., by a third party database service associating cell phone number and wireless carrier with a telematics phone number of the drivers vehicle. A call forwarding request is then made between the telematics network to the relevant wireless carrier providing service to the driver'"'"'s cell phone. The correct wireless carrier network is contacted, and a call forward is established to the telematics system of the driver'"'"'s vehicle. When the driver leaves the vehicle, the call forwarding is terminated.

Claims

1. Apparatus to automatically force transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device, comprising:

an ignition sensor to detect activation of a vehicle ignition; and

an in-vehicle telematics unit to trigger initiation without user confirmation from a given wireless device within said vehicle that is not linked with an in-vehicle telematics unit, when said vehicle ignition activation is detected, of a wireless message for communication from said in-vehicle telematics unit to a telematics center, said wireless message requesting said telematics center to initiate call forwarding of all future calls intended for said wireless device within said vehicle instead be forwarded to said in-vehicle telematics unit;

wherein said wireless message is transmitted to said telematics center by said in-vehicle telematics unit of said vehicle; and

whereby said wireless device does not control said initiation of said call forwarding.

2. The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an occupant recognition module to detect an occupant when said vehicle is in an operating condition.

3. The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to claim 1, wherein:

said wireless device is a cell phone.

4. The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to claim 1, wherein:

said ignition sensor detects a presence of an occupant within said vehicle when a key associated with said occupant is inserted in said vehicle ignition.

5. The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to claim 4, wherein:

said key is unique to one of a plurality of frequent occupants of said vehicle.

6. The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to claim 5, wherein:

said plurality of frequent occupants is two, such that said key detects a presence of either of two frequent occupants of said vehicle.

7. The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a short range radio frequency communication module in said vehicle to detect a presence of an occupant within said vehicle when said wireless device associated with said occupant communicates with said short range radio frequency communication module.

8. The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to claim 7, wherein:

said short range radio frequency communication module is a piconet communication module.

9. A method of automatically forcing establishment of a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device, comprising:

detecting activation of a vehicle ignition; and

triggering initiation without user confirmation from a given wireless device within said vehicle that is not linked with an in-vehicle telematics unit, when said vehicle ignition activation is detected, of a wireless message for communication from said in-vehicle telematics unit to a telematics center, said wireless message requesting said telematics center to initiate call forwarding of all future calls intended for said wireless device within said vehicle instead be forwarded to said in-vehicle telematics unit;

wherein said wireless message is transmitted to said telematics center by said in-vehicle telematics unit of said vehicle; and

whereby said wireless device does not control said initiation of said call forwarding.

10. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 9, further comprising:

performing a lookup of at least one phone number to be call forwarded when said occupant is detected present in said vehicle.

11. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 10, wherein:

said lookup is performed by a third party database service.

12. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 10, wherein:

results of said lookup are transmitted via a signaling system No. 7 (SS7) protocol.

13. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 10, wherein:

results of said lookup are transmitted via an Internet Protocol (IP).

14. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 13, wherein:

results of said lookup are transmitted via a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).

15. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 9, further comprising:

detecting an operating condition of said vehicle.

16. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 15, further comprising:

ending said established call transfer upon detection of said vehicle no longer being in said operating condition.

17. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 9, wherein:

said presence of said occupant is detected by an ignition to said vehicle.

18. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 17, wherein:

said ignition detects a presence of a key associated with said occupant inserted in said ignition.

19. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 9, further comprising:

ending said established call transfer upon detection of said occupant not being present in said vehicle.

20. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 9, wherein:

said wireless device is a cell phone.

21. The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to claim 9, wherein:

said telematics unit is mounted in said vehicle at a time of manufacture of said vehicle.