Dual path in-vehicle communication

• US 9,173,238 B1
• Filed: 02/15/2013
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Bloomcamp, Eric Michael, Medhat, Khalid Mohamed, Werner, Shane Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Sabouri, Mazda
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zhang, Edward
• Application Number:
  US13/769,268
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569.2, 455/575.9, 455/99, 455/152.1, 455/345
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier

Abstract

Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for receiving communication on a head unit, wherein the communication may be sent to a mobile device coupled to the head unit. The head unit may be enabled to receive communication sent to the mobile device by an application on the head unit, wherein the application may communicate with the network in communication with the mobile device. The head unit may be operable to receive communication sent to a plurality of mobile devices, wherein the head unit may prioritize the received communication. Communication sent to the mobile device and/or head unit may comprise calls, messages, emails, and/or data.

Claims

1. A method for enabling an application of an in-vehicle head unit comprising:

coupling a plurality of mobile devices to the head unit of a vehicle;

initiating an application, wherein the application is executed by the head unit of the vehicle;

for each mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, dual-registering a number corresponding to the mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices with both the mobile device and the head unit by sending a message to a network server defining an association between the head unit and the mobile device;

in response to the dual registering and based on a user preference that a communication directed to the number associated with the mobile device be directed to both the mobile device and the head unit, receiving, by both the mobile device and the head unit, a communication directed to the number associated with the mobile device;

distinguishing priority for communications associated with the plurality of mobile devices that are received by the head unit;

uncoupling a first mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices from the head unit of the vehicle; and

receiving, by both the first mobile device and the head unit, an incoming communication directed to a number associated with the first mobile device, wherein the first mobile device is not coupled to the head unit when the incoming communication is received by the head unit.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of mobile devices and the head unit are coupled via Bluetooth.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein a user of one of the plurality of mobile devices chooses how to access the communication.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the user chooses to automatically receive communication on the head unit.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein distinguishing priority for the plurality of mobile devices is completed based on the order that each of the plurality of mobile devices is coupled with the head unit.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein distinguishing priority for the plurality of mobile devices is completed based on user input.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the head unit comprises a user interface and user input is completed using the user interface.

8. A method for operating an application of an in-vehicle head unit comprising:

coupling at least one mobile device to the head unit of a vehicle;

initiating an application, wherein the application is executed by the head unit of the vehicle;

storing on the head unit information associated with the at least one mobile device;

uncoupling the at least one mobile device from the head unit; and

enabling the head unit to receive a communication sent to the at least one mobile device by sending a message to a network server defining an association between the head unit and the at least one mobile device using the information stored on the head unit, wherein the communication directed to the number associated with the at least one mobile device is directed to both the at least one mobile device and the head unit, and wherein the at least one mobile device is not coupled to the head unit when the communication is received by the head unit.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one mobile device is uncoupled from the head unit because the at least one mobile device is not located within the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein a user chooses to automatically receive communication on the head unit and not on the at least one mobile device.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one mobile device is uncoupled from the head unit because the at least one mobile device does not have enough battery to receive communication.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein a user chooses to automatically receive communication on the head unit and not on the at least one mobile device.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein enabling the head unit to receive communication directed to the number associated with the at least one mobile device is completed using a user interface.

14. A method for operating an application of an in-vehicle head unit comprising:

detecting at least one mobile device by the head unit of a vehicle;

initiating an application, wherein the application is executed by the head unit of the vehicle;

dual-registering a number corresponding to the at least one mobile device with both the at least one mobile device and the head unit by sending a message to a network server defining an association between the head unit and the at least one mobile device using the information stored on the head unit;

in response to the dual registering and based on a user preference that a communication directed to the number associated with the at least one mobile device be directed to both the at least one mobile device and the head unit, receiving, by both the at least one mobile device and the head unit, a communication directed to the number associated with the at least one mobile device;

uncoupling the at least one mobile device from the head unit of the vehicle; and

receiving, by both the at least one mobile device and the head unit, an incoming communication directed to a number associated with the at least one mobile device, wherein the at least one mobile device is not coupled to the head unit when the incoming communication is received by the head unit.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the communication comprises one or more of calls, messages, emails, or data sent to the at least one mobile device.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the at least one mobile device comprises a plurality of mobile devices.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising distinguishing priority for communications directed to the at least one mobile device that is received by the head unit.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein initiating the application occurs when the ignition of the vehicle is turned on.