US 6,377,825 B1Granted

Hands-free wireless communication in a vehicle

AssigneeCellport Systems, Inc.

InventorsPatrick J. Kennedy, Ralph C. Poplawsky, Charles W. Spaur, Michael B. Durian, David J. Farrell

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Abstract

Wireless communications relative to a vehicle using a wireless communications device, a pocket for holding the wireless communication device and an interface module in communication with the pocket are provided. The pocket can include a processor for translating communications between the wireless communications device and the interface module. The interface module has processing capability and can communicate with different pockets and thereby different wireless communications devices. In at least one embodiment, the interface module manages voice recognition and text-to-speech commands to facilitate hands-free communications in the vehicle. The interface module can function as a communications hub involving a number of vehicle subsystems. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle subsystems are separately addressable using the interface module and/or other processing hardware/software. However, in communicating over the Internet, a vehicle IP address is utilized.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A system for communicating in a vehicle having a vehicle audio system and being able to use a first communication device and a second communication device having at least physical characteristics different from the first communication device, comprising:

a first holding assembly that can be physically and electrically connected to the first communication device and including a first holding assembly processor;
a second holding assembly that can be physically and electrically connected to the second communication device but not the first communication device and including a second holding assembly processor;
a microphone for receiving voice information;
an interface module that can communicate with each of the first and second communication devices and including at least an interface module processor and an interface module memory, said interface module involved with a number of functions when said first holding assembly is in communication with said interface module and the first communication device is physically and electrically connected to said first holding assembly including:
receiving first voice information;
converting using said interface module processor said first voice information to first digital information compatible with a common communications language used by said interface module;
sending said first digital information in said common communications language to said first holding assembly using at least a first communications bus;
translating said first digital information from said common communications language to a first communications format compatible with the first communication device using said first holding assembly processor to produce a first communication device signal;
and
providing said first communication device signal to the first communication device using said first holding assembly processor;
wherein when said second holding assembly is joined with the second communication device and second voice information is received, said second voice information is converted to second digital information compatible with said common communications language and, after sending said second digital information to said second holding assembly, said second holding assembly processor translates said second digital information from said common communications language to a second communications format compatible with the second communications device and with said second communications format not being compatible with the first communication device.

8 more elements

A method involving communications in a vehicle, comprising:

providing a first communication device for at least temporary use in the vehicle, a first holding assembly for holding said first communication device at least while said first communication device is in the vehicle and an interface module, and with said first communication device, said first holding assembly and said interface module being electrically interconnected, said first holding assembly being configured to operate with a first set of functionalities and said interface module being configured to operate with a main set of functionalities, said first communication device being configured to operate with a second set of functionalities, said main set of functionalities including said first set of functionalities and said second set of functionalities, said first set of functionalities being different from said second set of functionalities wherein one of the following exists:
(i) all of said second set of functionalities not being supported by said first set of functionalities and (ii) all of said first set of functionalities not being supported by said second set of functionalities.

A method for communicating involving an interface module having at least a first interface module processor, and a plurality of pockets including at least first and second pockets, said first and second pockets including a first pocket processor and a second pocket processor, respectively, said first pocket being used with a first telephone and said second pocket being used with a second telephone having at least physical characteristics different from the first telephone, comprising:

joining the first telephone with said first pocket;
generating a first voice command that is input to a microphone;
converting using said first interface module processor said first voice command to first digital command information in a common communications language used by said interface module;
sending said first digital command information to said first pocket using said common communications language;
translating said first digital command information from said common communications language to a first communications format compatible with the first telephone using said first pocket processor to produce a first telephone command signal;
and
providing said first telephone command signal to the first telephone using said first pocket processor;
wherein when said second pocket is joined with the second telephone and a second voice command is generated, said second voice command is converted to second digital command information in said common communications language and, after sending said second digital command information to said second pocket, said second pocket processor translates said second digital command information from said common communications language to a second communications format compatible with the second telephone and with said second communications format not being compatible with the first telephone.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/507,175Filed 18 Feb 2000
Granted: 23 Apr 2002
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

H04B 1/3877
Portable transceivers: arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
B60R 11/0241
For radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof: for telephones
H04M 1/6091
By interfacing with the vehicle audio system: including a wireless interface
B60R 2011/0071
Connection with the article: using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like