Intelligent portable phone with dual mode operation for automobile use

• US 6,697,638 B1
• Filed: 10/29/1999
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd. (Xiaomi Corp.)
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Larsson, Torbjorn, Green, Jr., Donald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOBUTKA, PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US09/430,690
• Time in Patent Office: 1,579 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41, 455/11.1, 455/7, 455/552, 455/553, 455/556, 455/575, 455/88, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/553.1, 455/556.1
• US Class Current: 455/553.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A system for operating a cellular phone using Bluetooth with a car kit is described. The Bluetooth protocol is used to communicate between the cellular phone and the car kit. A communication can be established between the cellular phone and the said car kit. In one mode, the car kit can be made to assume the identity of the cellular phone and transmit as if it were the cellular phone itself. In another mode, the car kit can become a hands-free set for the cellular phone which communicates with the cellular phone via Bluetooth.

Claims

1. A portable phone device comprising:

a first portable phone housing, having a user interface, at least a microphone and speaker, and a cellular transceiver therein, said cellular transceiver operable to transmit signals from said microphone to a cellular network and receive signals from said cellular network and couple them to said speaker, and also having therein a second transceiver, operating to consume a lower power than said cellular transceiver, said second transceiver having a unique device address which uniquely identifies said second transceiver from other transceivers, operating in a multiple access system using time slots over a spread spectrum protocol (X), said second transceiver enabling operation with a remote device which changes a mode of operation of said telephone to a changed mode of operation;

wherein

said user interface on said portable telephone includes an initiation button which is actuated to initiate a communication using said second transceiver.

2. A portable phone device comprising:

a first portable phone housing, having a user interface, at least a microphone and speaker, and a cellular transceiver therein, said cellular transceiver operable to transmit signals from said microphone to a cellular network and receive signals from said cellular network and couple them to said speaker, and also having therein a second transceiver, operating to consume a lower power than said cellular transceiver, said second transceiver having a unique device address which uniquely identifies said second transceiver from other transceivers, operating in a multiple access system using time slots over a spread spectrum protocol (X), said second transceiver enabling operation with a remote device which changes a mode of operation of said telephone to a changed mode of operation;

wherein

said remote includes a vehicle-mounted device, said vehicle-mounted device also including another transceiver which having a unique device address which uniquely identifies said another transceiver from other transceivers, operating in a multiple access system using time slots over a spread spectrum protocol and which communicates with said second transceiver in said telephone; and

said vehicle mounted station monitors for an event indicating that a user is present.

3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said vehicle mounted station sends inquiries based on detecting said event.

4. A portable phone device comprising:

a first portable phone housing, having a user interface, at least a microphone and speaker, and a cellular transceiver therein, said cellular transceiver operable to transmit signals from said microphone to a cellular network and receive signals from said cellular network and couple them to said speaker, and also having therein a second transceiver, operating to consume a lower power than said cellular transceiver, said second transceiver having a unique device address which uniquely identifies said second transceiver from other transceivers, operating in a multiple access system using time slots over a spread spectrum protocol (X), said second transceiver enabling operation with a remote device which changes a mode of operation of said telephone to a changed mode of operation;

wherein

said transceiver responds only to requests which include a unique address of said portable telephone.

5. A method of communicating, comprising:

using a portable handset to communicate over a cellular network;

also using said portable handset to communicate with a remote station using a second protocol, such that said remote station and said handset contact one another using said second protocol; and

after said remote station and said handset contact one another, at least one operation of said cellular phone being carried out by said portable station;

wherein

said at least one function is a cellular transmission function;

said portable unit emulates an identity of said cellular phone; and

said transmitting comprises establishing in advance, information indicative of said identity, indicating that said phone is present, and, when said phone is indicated as present, using said identity.

6. A method as in claim 5, further comprising storing said identity.

7. A method of communicating, comprising:

using a portable handset to communicate over a cellular network;

also using said portable handset to communicate with a remote station using a second protocol, such that said remote station and said handset contact one another using said second protocol;

after said remote station and said handset contact one another, at least one operation of said cellular phone being carried out by said portable station; and

determining an event indicative of a user being in the automobile, and

sending a poll only when said event is detected;

wherein

said connection includes a poll being sent by said remote unit.

8. A method of communicating, comprising:

using a portable handset to communicate over a cellular network;

also using said portable handset to communicate with a remote station using a second protocol, such that said remote station and said handset contact one another using said second protocol;

after said remote station and said handset contact one another, at least one operation of said cellular phone being carried out by said portable station; and

storing a list of allowed devices, wherein only devices on said allowed list are accepted when responding to said poll;

wherein

said connection includes a poll being sent by said remote unit.

9. A method of communicating, comprising:

using a portable handset to communicate over a cellular network;

also using said portable handset to communicate with a remote station using a second protocol, such that said remote station and said handset contact one another using said second protocol; and

after said remote station and said handset contact one another, at least one operation of said cellular phone being carried out by said portable station;

wherein

said communicating comprises paging only a plurality of specific addresses;

said communicating comprises determining a specified event indicative of a user being in the vehicle;

beginning sending said polls responsive to said specified event; and

said event is a detection of a user entering an automobile.