Abstract: A communications system for a vehicle having a foot pedal useable to control communications at a user interface in the vehicle. By controlling the user interface at least in part through activation of the foot pedal, communications in the vehicle are made more convenient and less dangerous as the user need not use his hands to operate the communications user interface. The foot pedal may perform a dedicated communications control function, or may be programmable to perform a communications control function of a user's choosing. Several foot pedals may be used, either in conjunction with a single seat, or each associated with a particular seat in the vehicle. Foot pedal communication settings may also be stored within the communications user interface for easy retrieval, and may be retrievable through entry of a user ID, such as may come from a key fob.

Abstract: An improved system and procedure for organizing communications in a vehicular wireless communication system. In one embodiment, methods and systems are disclosed for operating a communication system in a first vehicle in which a microphone or microphones are selectively enabled to preferentially pick up the voice of only a particular participant in a vehicle. In other embodiments, user IDs are associated with the speaking participants, which allows a recipient receiving the voice communications to known who in the vehicle is speaking, and to block or modify such communications if necessary.

Abstract: An improved system and procedure for using user IDs to enter a personalized communication profile into a communication user interface, and preferably a vehicle-based communication user interface. In one embodiment, the user IDs correspond to switches, which may comprises switches within the vehicle or on devices in wireless communication with the vehicle, such as a key fob. The key fob code can either constitute the user ID or can be user to retrieve it from either the vehicle's head unit or a communications server. The switch may be dedicated to inputting the user ID, or may comprise switches also serving other functions, such as seat adjustment of the vehicle. The user ID can also be loaded using a display associated with the user interface. Additionally, the user ID may also be retrieved using a voice recognition module, which allows for loading of the communication profile without the necessity of pressing switches.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively enabling communications at a user interface using a user profile. The system and methods have particular utility to communication user interfaces in vehicles but may be used with other wireless user interfaces as well. In one embodiment, a user uses his user interface to define a user profile indicative of the types of communication channels he wishes to receive. This user profile is transmitted to a communications server and is used to filter all potential channels so that the user only has access to those channels potentially of interest. User preferences specified in the user profile may be, for example, topical, commercial, weather, traffic, or emergency in nature, and can be stored for future reference. The user may also prioritize preferred or received channels so that they are given precedence at his user interface.

Abstract: A system and procedure for posting and receiving location-based messages in a wireless communication based network. The system allows messages to be posted to specified users and to be associated with a particular location for which the message is pertinent. The messages can be left when a user passes a particular location, or the user can specify the location for the message even if not present at that location. The messages can then be displayed at a user interface of the recipient either when the recipient nears that location, or they can be reviewed in advance. Such location-based messages can be left either for another user or for the same user that is posting the method. The posted and received messages can be textual, audio, video, or pictorial messages and may be superimposed on computerized maps to make association between the message and the location more meaningful. Regardless, the disclosed system and methods allow messages to be associated with particular locations of interest.

Abstract: An improved system and procedure for allowing a user to post a route to another mobile user or to himself. In one embodiment, a user engages his user interface to record and transmit the traveled route to a second user or to himself at a later time. The recipient receives the route in accordance with his user ID and other parameters specified or messages left by the initiating user. The route can be displayed on a map, in text, or audibly broadcast. In an alternative embodiment, the route can be left by a non-mobile user for the benefit of a mobile user using, for example, a home computer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for organizing communications in a vehicular wireless communication system. In one embodiment, methods and systems are disclosed for modifying communications broadcast within a vehicle. In one embodiment, the volume of the broadcast communications are scaled or modified in a manner to indicate the distance of the recipient of the communications. In another embodiment, broadcast communications are selectively broadcast through those speakers that are closest to the recipient of the communications in accordance with the angular orientation of the vehicle to the recipient. In another embodiment, the distance or angular orientation of the recipient is displayed on a user interface in the vehicle. In yet another embodiment, only the speakers are engaged in the vehicle that is nearest to the passenger that initiates the communication with the recipient.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling communications in a wireless communications network on the basis of user-specified locations or orientations, having particular utility to vehicle-based communications. Users of the network broadcast their locations and orientations (headings) to a central server. Using his user interface, a user can specify either a location or a heading and transmit the same to the server. The server will query other system users to determine which correspond to the specified locations or orientations, and the requesting user is then permitted to contact such other users. With such functionality, a given user can, for example, be enabled to communicate with other users at or near his current location, at or near some specified distant location, or that are traveling in the same direction as the user.

Abstract: A portable wireless communication device (22) and method for configuring the same when connected to a hands-free system in a vehicle (20). In one embodiment, the device (22) has an interface (36A) and a detector (70A). The interface (36A) is for connecting the wireless communication device (22) to a hands-free control unit (24) in the vehicle (20). The detector (70A) is for determining whether the interface (36A) is connected to the hands-free control unit (24) in the vehicle (20). The wireless communication device (22) may obtain vehicle information from the vehicle (20) when it is determined that the interface (36A) is connected to the hands-free control unit (24). The wireless communication device (22) also configures at least one operation of the wireless communication device (22) based on the obtained vehicle information. For example, the vehicle information may include data associated with a power loss for communicating through an external antenna (40) of the vehicle (20).

Abstract: An activation system (20, 120, 220) for establishing a voice communication through a radio system (22, 122, 222) in a vehicle. The radio system (22, 122, 222) has an audio controller and a device interface. The activation system (20, 120, 220) has a switch (28, 128, 228), a wireless communication device (26, 226), and a communication cord (36, 136, 236). The switch (28, 128, 228) is capable of initiating an activation signal when a user desires to accept an incoming voice communication. The wireless communication device (26, 226) has a controller (62, 262), a cellular transceiver (66, 266), a radio interface (38, 238), and a means for detecting the activation signal form the switch (28, 128, 228). The cellular transceiver (66, 266) is capable of receiving downlink audio of the voice communication. A communication cord (36, 136, 236) interconnects the radio system (22, 122, 222) to the wireless communication device (26, 226). The switch (28, 128, 228) is remote from the wireless communication device (26, 226).

Abstract: An activation system (20, 120) and method for establishing a voice communication through a radio system (22, 122) in a vehicle. The activation system (20, 120) includes a remote activation device (24, 124) and a wireless communication device (26). The remote activation device (24, 124) has a switch (38, 138) and a transmitter (40, 140). The transmitter (40, 140) is responsive to the switch (38, 138) and capable of transmitting an activation signal (A) such as an FM signal. The wireless communication device (26) has a controller (54), a radio transceiver (56), and a cellular transceiver (58). The controller (54) is capable of detecting the activation signal (A) from the remote activation device (24, 124) through the radio transceiver (56). The cellular transceiver (58) is used for receiving the downlink audio of the voice communication.

Abstract: A portable wireless communication device (22) and method for configuring the same when connected to a hands-free system in a vehicle (20). In one embodiment, the device (22) has an interface (36A) and a detector (70A). The interface (36A) is for connecting the wireless communication device (22) to a hands-free control unit (24) in the vehicle (20). The detector (70A) is for determining whether the interface (36A) is connected to the hands-free control unit (24) in the vehicle (20). The wireless communication device (22) may obtain vehicle information from the vehicle (20) when it is determined that the interface (36A) is connected to the hands-free control unit (24). The wireless communication device (22) also configures at least one operation of the wireless communication device (22) based on the obtained vehicle information. For example, the vehicle information may include data associated with a power loss for communicating through an external antenna (40) of the vehicle (20).

Abstract: A communication system and method for transmitting and receiving teletype information in a vehicle (20). The communication system (22) includes an external interface (24) and a communication control unit (26). The external interface (24), embedded in the vehicle (20), is capable of receiving a first set of teletype signals from a portable TTY terminal (50) and capable of sending a second set of teletype signal to the portable TTY terminal (50). The communication control unit (26), also embedded in the vehicle (20), is connected to the external interface (24) and comprises a controller (36) and a transceiver (34). The transceiver (34) is capable of transmitting messages over a wireless communication link (A) that contain information from the first set of teletype signals. The transceiver (34) is also capable of receiving messages over the wireless communication link (A) that contain information for the second set of teletype signals.

Abstract: A portable wireless communication device (22) and method for configuring the same when connected to a hands-free system in a vehicle (20). In one embodiment, the device (22) has an interface (36A) and a detector (70A). The interface (36A) is for connecting the wireless communication device (22) to a hands-free control unit (24) in the vehicle (20). The detector (70A) is for determining whether the interface (36A) is connected to the hands-free control unit (24) in the vehicle (20). The wireless communication device (22) may obtain vehicle information from the vehicle (20) when it is determined that the interface (36A) is connected to the hands-free control unit (24). The wireless communication device (22) also configures at least one operation of the wireless communication device (22) based on the obtained vehicle information. For example, the vehicle information may include data associated with a power loss for communicating through an external antenna (40) of the vehicle (20).

Abstract: A system and method in a client device (22) for controlling the power within the client device. The client device has a network access device (30, 130) and a controller (42). The network access device has at least a powered state and a power-off state. The controller provides a time period for operating the network access device in the powered state. The controller determines the time period based on a discontinuous reception parameter obtained from the network access device. The network access device determines whether wireless coverage exists for the network access device and provides an indication thereof wherein the controller switches the network access device to the power-off state if there is an out-of-coverage condition.

Abstract: A system and method in a client device (22) for controlling the power within the client device (22). The client device (22) has a network access device (30, 130), a programmable timer (48), and a controller (42). The network access device (30, 130) has at least a powered state and a power-off state. The programmable timer (48) operates the network access device (30, 130) in the powered state. The controller (42) is coupled to the programmable timer (48) and is capable of providing a time period for operating the network access device (30, 130) in the powered state. The controller (42) determines the time period based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) parameter obtained from the network access device (30, 130). The network access device (130) may include a transceiver. The network access device (30) may also include a transceiver and a controller. There are also methods of operating the client device (22) to control the power within the device.

Abstract: A system and method in a portable wireless communication device (22) for forwarding incoming calls, originally directed to the portable wireless communication device, to a vehicle transceiver (64) in a vehicle (20). The system in the device (22) comprises a cellular transceiver (42), at least one external interface (28A, 28B, 28C), and a microcomputer (40). The external interface (28A, 28B, 28C) may be for wired or wireless connections to the vehicle (20). The microcomputer (40) is connected to the external interface (28A, 28B, 28C) and is programmed to forward any incoming calls to the vehicle transceiver (64) when it is determined that the portable wireless communication device (22) is connected to the vehicle (20).

Abstract: A passenger compartment monitoring and control system provides for remote control of an undesirable condition inside a vehicle. The passenger compartment monitoring and control system includes an undesirable condition sensor disposed in the interior of the car that detects the undesirable condition. In response to a signal from the sensor, a controller contained within the vehicle and operably coupled to the sensor generates at least one control signal based on the comparison. A wireless communication device operably coupled to the controller then transmits a wireless signal in response to the at least one control signal. The transmitted wireless signal may be received by a vehicle operator's mobile station or by a call center, which are each capable of then engaging in remedial actions to remotely ameliorate the undesirable condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of integrating a personal communications system (102) includes a telematics device (106) coupled to a vehicle (107), where the telematics device (106) can exchange data with at least one vehicle system (139, 140) and where telematics device (106) includes a service providing entity (126). A remote device (104) having a service requesting entity (156) can access and exchange data with the telematics device (106) utilizing the service requesting entity (156) to interact with at least one vehicle system (139, 140) and utilize and exchange data with service providing entity (126). A selection is made between a first wireless network protocol (110) and a second wireless network protocol (112) in order to access telematics device (106).

Abstract: A method of enabling communication with a wireless communication device is described. The method comprises steps of storing a unique identifier of the wireless communication device in a memory of a second wireless communication device; providing the unique identifier of the wireless communication device from the second wireless communication device to a wireless communication network; and communicating with the wireless communication device based upon its dynamic address.