Handsfree apparatus and handsfree system

• US 20090082070A1
• Filed: 09/16/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Abeta, Takehiro
• Granted Patent: US 8,019,392 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/569.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

A handsfree system includes a handsfree apparatus and a phone. The handsfree apparatus has a database including a primary control program and a model-specific program. The primary control program enables the handsfree phone call when coupled with the phone. The model-specific program is operated to resolve a model-dependent constraint by being incorporated in the primary control program. The model-dependent constraint arises when coupled with the phone. The model-specific program is associated with phone model information and program specification information to specify the model-specific program independent of the phone model information. Phone model information and program specification information are acquired from a phone coupled with the handsfree apparatus. Model-specific program corresponding to the acquired program specification information is retrieved from the database when the acquired phone model information is not included in the database. The retrieved model-specific program is executed by incorporating in the primary control program.

Claims

1. A handsfree apparatus coupled with a phone and allowing a handsfree phone call via the phone, the handsfree apparatus comprising:

a storage medium having a database including a primary control program and a model-specific program,

the primary control program being stored in a predetermined storage area for enabling the handsfree phone call when coupled with the phone,

the model-specific program being stored separately from the primary control program and operated to resolve a model-dependent constraint by being incorporated in the primary control program,

the model-dependent constraint arising when coupled with the phone,

the model-specific program being associated with phone model information,

the model-specific program being associated with program specification information to specify the model-specific program independent of the phone model information;

a phone information acquisition means for acquiring phone model information and program specification information when coupled with a phone;

a model-specific program retrieval means for retrieving model-specific program corresponding to the acquired program specification information from the database when the acquired phone model information is not included in the database; and

a program execution means for executing the retrieved model-specific program by incorporating in the primary control program.

2. The handsfree apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the phone information acquisition means is configured to acquire both the phone model information and the program specification information collectively;

the model-specific program retrieval means is configured to determine whether the acquired phone model information is included in the database; and

the model-specific program retrieval means is configured to retrieve the model-specific program corresponding to the acquired program specification information from the database when it is determined that the acquired phone model information is not included in the database.

3. The handsfree apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a phone information registration means for registering, with the database, phone information including the acquired phone model information when the acquired model information is not included in the database.

4. The handsfree apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program specification information is inputted in the phone.

5. The handsfree apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a message output means for outputting a message which requires an input of program specification information when the acquired model information is not included in the database.

6. The handsfree apparatus according to claim 1,

being coupled with the phone by a Bluetooth communication protocol.

7. A handsfree system including a handsfree apparatus and a phone coupled with the handsfree apparatus and allowing a handsfree phone call,

the handsfree apparatus comprising:

a storage medium having a database including a primary control program and a model-specific program,

the primary control program enabling the handsfree phone call when coupled with the phone,

the model-specific program being operated to resolve a model-dependent constraint by being incorporated in the primary control program,

the model-dependent constraint arising in the handsfree apparatus when coupled with the phone,

the model-specific program being associated with phone model information,

the model-specific program being associated with program specification information to specify the model-specific program independent of the phone model information;

a phone information acquisition means for acquiring phone model information and program specification information when coupled with a phone;

a model-specific program retrieval means for retrieving model-specific program corresponding to the acquired program specification information from the database when the acquired phone model information is not included in the database; and

a program execution means for executing the retrieved model-specific program by incorporating in the primary control program.

8. The handsfree system according to claim 7, wherein

the phone comprises a program specification information input means for inputting the program specification information.

9. A method for resolving model-related constraint in a handsfree system including a handsfree apparatus and a phone coupled with the handsfree apparatus for a handsfree phone call,

the handsfree apparatus having a database including a primary control program and a model-specific program,

the primary control program enabling the handsfree phone call,

the model-specific program being operated to resolve a model-dependent constraint by being incorporated in the primary control program,

the model-dependent constraint arising in the handsfree apparatus when coupled with the phone,

the model-specific program being associated with (i) phone model information and (ii) program specification information, which specifies the model-specific program independent of the phone model information,

the method comprising:

acquiring phone model information and program specification information from a phone coupled with the handsfree apparatus;

retrieving model-specific program corresponding to the acquired program specification information from the database when the acquired phone model information is not included in the database; and

executing the retrieved model-specific program by incorporating in the primary control program.