U.S. patent application number 10/262159 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-30 for portable wireless communication device and methods of configuring same when connected to a vehicle.
Invention is credited to Van Bosch, James A..
Application Number | 20040192405 10/262159 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32068237 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040192405 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Bosch, James A. |
September 30, 2004 |
PORTABLE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHODS OF CONFIGURING
SAME WHEN CONNECTED TO A VEHICLE
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). The operation configured in the
wireless communication device (22) would then be adjusting an
output power of the wireless communication device (22) based on the
data in the vehicle information.
Inventors: |
Van Bosch, James A.;
(Crystal Lake, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOTOROLA, INC.
1303 EAST ALGONQUIN ROAD
IL01/3RD
SCHAUMBURG
IL
60196
|
Family ID: |
32068237 |
Appl. No.: |
10/262159 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/569.1 ;
455/557 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/6083 20130101;
Y02D 30/70 20200801; Y02D 70/164 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/569.1 ;
455/557 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable wireless communication device comprising: an
interface for connecting the wireless communication device to a
hands-free control unit in a vehicle; and a detector for
determining whether the interface is connected to the hands-free
control unit in the vehicle; wherein the wireless communication
device obtains vehicle information from the vehicle when it is
determined that the interface is connected to the hands-free
control unit and the wireless communication device configures at
least one operation of the wireless communication device based on
the obtained vehicle information.
2. The portable wireless communication device in claim 1, wherein
the vehicle information includes data associated with a power loss
for communicating through an external antenna of the vehicle and
the at least one operation configured in the wireless communication
device includes adjusting an output power of the wireless
communication device based on the data in the vehicle
information.
3. The portable wireless communication device in claim 1, wherein
the vehicle information includes data associated with a separate
vehicle transceiver and the at least one operation configured in
the wireless communication device includes forwarding an incoming
call to the separate vehicle transceiver.
4. The portable wireless communication device in claim 1, wherein
the vehicle information includes data associated with a vehicle
positioning unit, the at least one operation configured in the
wireless communication device includes adjusting a navigation
routine within the wireless communication device to receive
positioning information from the vehicle positioning unit.
5. The portable wireless communication device in claim 1, wherein
the wireless communication device further comprising a second
interface and a second detector, the second interface for
connecting the wireless communication device to an external
antenna, the second detector for determining whether the wireless
communication device is attached to the external antenna.
6. The portable wireless communication device in claim 5, wherein
the wireless communication device adjusts an output power of the
wireless communication device based on the obtained vehicle
information when it is determined that the second interface is
connected to the external antenna, the output power associated with
sending a communication via the external antenna.
7. A system for configuring a portable wireless communication
device when connected to a vehicle, the system comprising: a
vehicle interface in the wireless communication device for
connecting the wireless communication device to the vehicle; a
vehicle detection circuit in the wireless communication device for
determining whether the interface is connected to the vehicle; and
a microcomputer in the wireless communication device for accessing
vehicle information from the vehicle when it is determined that the
vehicle interface is connected to the vehicle and for configuring
at least one operation of the wireless communication device based
on the vehicle information obtained from the vehicle.
8. The system in claim 7, wherein the vehicle information includes
data associated with a power loss for communicating through an
external antenna of the vehicle and the at least one operation
configured in the wireless communication device includes adjusting
an output power of the wireless communication device based on the
data in the vehicle information.
9. The system in claim 7, wherein the vehicle information includes
data associated with a separate vehicle transceiver and the at
least one operation configured in the wireless communication device
includes forwarding an incoming call to the separate vehicle
transceiver.
10. The system in claim 7, wherein the vehicle information includes
data associated with a vehicle positioning unit, the at least one
operation configured in the wireless communication device includes
adjusting a navigation routine within the wireless communication
device to receive positioning information from the vehicle
positioning unit.
11. The system in claim 7, wherein the system further comprising an
antenna interface and an antenna detector, the antenna interface
for connecting the wireless communication device to an external
antenna, the antenna detector for determining whether the wireless
communication device is attached to the external antenna.
12. The system in claim 11, wherein the system adjusts an output
power of the wireless communication device based on the obtained
vehicle information when it is determined that the antenna
interface is connected to the external antenna, the output power
associated with sending a communication via the external
antenna.
13. A portable wireless communication device comprising: a first
interface for connecting the wireless communication device to a
vehicle; a second interface for connecting the wireless
communication device to an external antenna; and a microcomputer
having a first detector and a second detector, the first detector
for determining whether the first interface is connected to the
vehicle, the second detector for determining whether the second
interface is connected to the external antenna; wherein the
microcomputer is programmed to access data associated with a power
loss for communicating through the external antenna and to adjust
an output power of the wireless communication device based on the
accessed data when the first detector determines that the first
interface is connected to the vehicle and the second detector
determines that the second interface is connected to the external
antenna.
14. The portable wireless communication device in claim 13, wherein
the first detector monitors whether a communication line connected
to the first interface is grounded.
15. The portable wireless communication device in claim 13, wherein
the second detector detects the presence of a resistor in the
external antenna.
16. The portable wireless communication device in claim 13, wherein
the microcomputer accesses the data associated with the power loss
from a hands-free control unit in the vehicle.
17. The portable wireless communication device in claim 13, wherein
the portable wireless communication device further has a memory
that stores data associated with a plurality of power losses, each
power loss associated with a different frequency band.
18. A method in a portable wireless communication device, the
method comprising the steps of: determining whether the wireless
communication device is connected to a vehicle; accessing vehicle
information from the vehicle when it is determined that the
wireless communication device is connected to the vehicle; and
configuring an operation in the wireless communication device based
on the vehicle information accessed from the vehicle.
19. The method in claim 18, wherein the vehicle information
accessed from the vehicle includes data associated with a power
loss for communicating through an external antenna of the
vehicle.
20. The method in claim 19, wherein the operation configured in the
wireless communication device includes adjusting an output power of
the wireless communication device based on the data in the vehicle
information.
21. The method in claim 18, wherein the vehicle information
accessed from the vehicle includes data associated with
communicating with a separate cellular transceiver in the
vehicle.
22. The method in claim 21, wherein the operation configured in the
wireless communication device includes forwarding an incoming call
to the separate cellular transceiver in the vehicle based on the
data in the vehicle information.
23. The method in claim 18, wherein the vehicle information
accessed from the vehicle includes data associated with a
positioning unit in the vehicle.
24. The method in claim 23, wherein the operation configured in the
wireless communication device includes adjusting a navigation
routine within the wireless communication device to receive
positioning information based on the data in the vehicle
information.
25. A method in a portable wireless communication device, the
method comprising the steps of: determining whether the wireless
communication device is connected to a vehicle; determining whether
the wireless communication device is connected to an external
antenna; if the wireless communication device is connected to a
vehicle and the wireless communication device is connected to the
external antenna, then obtaining data associated with a power loss
for communicating through the external antenna and adjusting an
output power for uplink wireless transmissions based on the
obtained data.
26. The method in claim 25, wherein the step of obtaining data
associated with the power loss for communicating through the
external antenna includes obtaining the data from a hands-free
control unit in the vehicle.
27. The method in claim 25, wherein the step of obtaining data
associated with the power loss for communicating through the
external antenna includes obtaining the data from a memory in the
wireless communication device.
28. The method in claim 27, wherein the memory in the wireless
communication device stores the data according to a plurality of
frequency bands.
29. The method in claim 27, wherein the memory in the wireless
communication device stores the data according to a type and make
of vehicle.
30. The method in claim 25, wherein the method comprises the
further steps of: determining whether the wireless communication
device is in an active call; if it is determined that the wireless
communication device is not in an active call, then changing a
registration of the wireless communication device with a
network.
31. A method in a portable wireless communication device, the
method comprising the steps of: determining whether the wireless
communication device is connected to a vehicle; obtaining vehicle
information from the vehicle; determining whether the vehicle has a
separate cellular transceiver; and if it is determined that the
vehicle has a separate cellular transceiver, then forwarding an
incoming call to the separate cellular transceiver in the vehicle
based on the vehicle information obtained from the vehicle.
32. The method in claim 31, wherein the method comprises the
further step of: if it is determined that the vehicle does not have
a separate cellular transceiver, then configuring the portable
wireless communication device to transfer audio to the vehicle
received in a downlink wireless transmission.
33. The method in claim 31, wherein the method comprises the
further step of: if it is determined that the vehicle does not have
a separate cellular transceiver, then configuring the portable
wireless communication device to receive audio from the vehicle for
an uplink wireless transmission.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention in general relates to hands-free cellular
communication systems for vehicles and, more particularly, to a
system and method of configuring a portable wireless communication
device when the device is connected to a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Today, many people use portable wireless communication
devices in their vehicles. For safety reasons, the industry is
focused on providing hands-free features to people who use portable
devices in their vehicle. There is a need for better performance
and more efficient communications when a portable wireless
communication device is connected to a hands-free system of a
vehicle.
[0003] For instance, a portable wireless communication device may
be connected to an external antenna on the vehicle when using the
hands-free system. When using an external antenna, however, there
may be unacceptable performance due to power losses associated with
sending transmissions over vehicle cables that lead to the external
antenna. If the power loss from the cables is relatively high, the
hands-free system may yield worse performance than if the user
simply unplugged the device and held the device to their head. To
solve this problem, conventional factory installed hands-free
systems use a RF compensator that "compensates" for any power loss
due to communicating through the cables leading to the external
antenna. Compensators, however, are expensive and contribute
significantly to the cost of the entire system. A system and method
that eliminates the compensator and yet maintains acceptable
performance would provide a significant cost benefit.
[0004] Additionally, there is a need for better ways to configure
the portable wireless communication device so that it can
efficiently communicate with a variety of hands-free systems. For
example, in some hands-free systems, the device must be manually
configured to forward incoming phone calls to an existing
in-vehicle Telematics system such as the OnStar system provided by
General Motors. The OnStar system provides hands-free personal
voice communications through the audio system of the vehicle. A
user, however, must manually forward calls from the portable
wireless communication device to a special phone number designated
by a system operator. Knowledge of the phone number is necessary.
It would be beneficial to eliminate the manual operation of
forwarding calls and make the system compatible to different
vehicles.
[0005] It is, therefore, desirable to provide an improved
hands-free cellular communication system and method for dynamically
configuring a portable wireless communication device to overcome or
minimize most, if not all, of the preceding problems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable wireless
communication device and a hands-free control unit in a vehicle
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable wireless
communication device and a hands-free control unit in a vehicle
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portable wireless
communication device connected to a vehicle according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a portable wireless
communication device connected to a vehicle according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method to configure a portable
wireless communication device according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method
to configure a portable wireless communication device according to
the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a further embodiment of a method
to configure a portable wireless communication device according to
the present invention.
[0013] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way
of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein.
However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended
to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the
invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] What is described is a system and method of configuring a
portable wireless communication device when the device is connected
a hands-free control unit in a vehicle. The system and method
reduces the cost of the hands-free control unit as well as reduce
the complexity of making the portable wireless communication device
compatible to different types of vehicles and hands-free
systems.
[0015] To this end, in one embodiment there is a portable wireless
communication device comprising an interface and a detector. The
interface is for connecting the wireless communication device to a
hands-free control unit in a vehicle. The detector is for
determining whether the interface is connected to the hands-free
control unit in the vehicle. The wireless communication device
obtains vehicle information from the vehicle when it is determined
that the interface is connected to the hands-free control unit. The
wireless communication device also configures at least one
operation of the wireless communication device based on the
obtained vehicle information.
[0016] For example, the vehicle information may include data
associated with a power loss for communicating through an external
antenna of the vehicle. The operation configured in the wireless
communication device would then be adjusting an output power of the
wireless communication device based on the data in the vehicle
information.
[0017] In another example, the vehicle information may include data
associated with a separate vehicle transceiver. The operation
configured in the wireless communication device would then be
forwarding an incoming call to the separate vehicle transceiver
based on the data in the vehicle information. This could be
accomplished by notifying the cellular network to forward an
incoming call to the number associated with establishing a wireless
communication link with the vehicle's embedded cellular
transceiver.
[0018] In a further example, the vehicle information may include
data associated with a vehicle's positioning unit. The operation
configured in the wireless communication device would then be
adjusting a navigation routine within the wireless communication
device to receive positioning information from the vehicle's
positioning unit. This could take place if a positioning unit
within the wireless communication device has failed.
[0019] Another embodiment includes a system for configuring a
portable wireless communication device when connected to a vehicle
that comprises a vehicle interface, a vehicle detector, and a
microcomputer. The vehicle interface is in the portable wireless
communication device and is used for connecting the wireless
communication device to the vehicle. The vehicle detector is in the
portable wireless communication device and is used for determining
whether the interface is connected to the vehicle. The
microcomputer is also in the portable wireless communication device
and used for accessing vehicle information from the vehicle when it
is determined that the vehicle interface is connected to the
vehicle. The microcomputer is also used for configuring at least
one operation of the wireless communication device based on the
vehicle information obtained from the vehicle.
[0020] A further embodiment includes a portable wireless
communication device that comprises a first interface, a second
interface, and a microcomputer. The first interface is used for
connecting the wireless communication device to a vehicle. The
second interface is used for connecting the wireless communication
device to an external antenna. The microcomputer has a first and
second detector. The first detector is used for determining whether
the first interface is connected to the vehicle. The second
detector is used for determining whether the second interface is
connected to the external antenna. The microcomputer may further be
programmed to access data associated with a power loss for
communicating through the external antenna and for adjusting an
output power of the wireless communication device based on the
accessed data. The adjustment occurs when the first detector
determines that the first interface is connected to the vehicle and
the second detector determines that the second interface is
connected to the external antenna.
[0021] There is also a method in a portable wireless communication
device that comprises the steps of: determining whether the
wireless communication device is connected to a vehicle; accessing
vehicle information from the vehicle when it is determined that the
wireless communication device is connected to the vehicle; and
configuring an operation in the wireless communication device based
on the vehicle information accessed from the vehicle.
[0022] The vehicle information accessed from the vehicle may
include data associated with a power loss for communicating through
an external antenna of the vehicle. Here, the operation configured
in the wireless communication device would then include adjusting
an output power of the wireless communication device based on the
data in the vehicle information. The vehicle information accessed
from the vehicle may also include data associated with
communicating with a separate cellular transceiver in the vehicle.
The operation configured in the device would then include
forwarding an incoming call to the separate cellular transceiver
based on the vehicle information. The vehicle information accessed
from the vehicle may further include data associated with a
positioning unit in the vehicle. The operation configured in the
device would then include adjusting a navigation routine within the
device to receive positioning information based on the data in the
vehicle information.
[0023] In another embodiment, there is a method in a portable
wireless communication device that comprises the steps of:
determining whether the wireless communication device is connected
to a vehicle; determining whether the wireless communication device
is connected to an external antenna; and if the wireless
communication device is connected to the vehicle and the wireless
communication device is connected to the external antenna, then
obtaining data associated with a power loss for communicating
through the external antenna and adjusting an output power for
uplink wireless transmissions based on the obtained data. The
method may further comprise the steps of: determining whether the
wireless communication device is in an active call; and if it is
determined that the wireless communication device is not in an
active call, then changing a registration of the wireless
communication device with a network.
[0024] In a further embodiment, there is a method in a portable
wireless communication device that comprises the steps of:
determining whether the wireless communication device is connected
to a vehicle; obtaining vehicle information from the vehicle;
determining whether the vehicle has a separate cellular
transceiver; and if it is determined that the vehicle has a
separate cellular transceiver, then forwarding an incoming call to
the separate cellular transceiver in the vehicle based on the
vehicle information obtained from the vehicle. The method may
further comprise the steps of: if it is determined that the vehicle
does not have a separate cellular transceiver, then configuring the
portable wireless communication device to transfer audio received
in a downlink wireless transmission to the vehicle.
[0025] Now, turning to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two
embodiments of the present invention for attaching a portable
wireless communication device 22 to a hands-free control unit 24 in
a vehicle 20. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the portable
wireless communication device 22 is attached to the hands-free
control unit 24 by at least one external communication cord 26A,
26B and at least one internal cable 28A, 28B. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2, the portable wireless communication device
22 is capable of being attached to the hands-free control unit 24
by a receiving cradle 30 in the vehicle 20. Here, the portable
wireless communication device 22 is connected directly to the
internal cables 28A, 28B at the receiving cradle 30. In either
embodiment, the hands-free control unit 24 allows the portable
wireless communication device 22 to establish a voice communication
through the radio system (including an audio speaker 32 and a
microphone 34) in the vehicle 20.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the portable wireless
communication device 22 may have a first interface 36A that is
electrically connected to at least a first internal cable 28A. The
first internal cable 28A provide connectivity to the hands-free
control unit 24. As will be explained later, in some embodiments,
the first internal cable 28A may allow the portable wireless
communication device 22 to receive vehicle information from the
vehicle 20 regarding features of the hands-free system and data
associated with those features. Depending on the features of the
hands-free system, the first internal cable 28A may also provide
the portable wireless communication device 22 with the ability to
forward audio from downlink wireless communications A, through the
hands-free control unit 24, to the vehicle audio speakers 32. The
first internal cable 28A may further provide the portable wireless
communication device 22 with the ability to receive audio for
uplink wireless communications B, through the hands-free control
unit 24, from the vehicle microphone 34.
[0027] In certain embodiments, the portable wireless communication
device 22 may also have a second interface 36B that is connected to
a second internal cable 28B. Here, the second internal cable 28B
provides connectivity to an external antenna 40. The external
antenna 40 may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle 20 for
the purpose of receiving downlink wireless communications A and
transmitting uplink wireless communications B. When using an
external antenna 40, however, prior systems sometimes require the
use of a compensator in the vehicle to provide acceptable wireless
communication through the external antenna 40. The in-vehicle
compensator used in known systems "compensates" for any power
losses during the transmission of communications through the second
internal cable 28B. As mentioned earlier, however, compensators are
expensive and contribute significantly to the cost of the entire
system. As will be explained in more detail below, the present
invention provides a significant cost advantage because it
eliminates the need for an in-vehicle compensator through the
access of vehicle configuration information. The vehicle
configuration information may then be used by the portable wireless
communication device 22 during call set-up to configure the
device.
[0028] In one embodiment, the operator of the vehicle 20 may
initiate a call set-up by activating a switch 42 on the vehicle
when the operator desires to place an outgoing cellular voice
communication or when the operator desires to accept an incoming
cellular voice communication. Alternatively, the operator of the
vehicle may initiate a call set-up by activating a switch on the
user interface 44 of the portable wireless communication device
22.
[0029] The interaction between the portable wireless communication
device 22 and the vehicle 20 will now be explained in the context
of FIGS. 3 and 4. The difference between these two figures is that
the hands-free system in FIG. 3 relies upon the connection between
the portable wireless communication device 22 and the vehicle 40 to
transfer audio for uplink and downlink wireless communications. The
hands-free system in FIG. 4 includes a separate cellular
transceiver 50 in the vehicle 40. The vehicle cellular transceiver
50 shown in FIG. 4 is used for uplink and downlink wireless
communications through the radio system.
[0030] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a portable wireless communication
device 22 in the form of a cellular phone capable of transmitting
and receiving cellular voice communications. In this embodiment,
the portable wireless communication device 22 may include
microcomputer 52, a memory 54, a first (or a vehicle) interface
36A, a second (or an external antenna) interface 36B, a cellular
transceiver 56, an internal antenna 58, an internal microphone 60,
an internal speaker 62, a user interface 44, and a power supply 64.
The wireless communication device 22 may further include other
circuitry such as switches (including an antenna switch 66) for
interconnecting the components within the wireless communication
device 22. The switches may be controlled by the microcomputer 52.
The microcomputer 52 and memory 54 may also be referred to as a
controller of the device 22 and, preferably, includes a digital
microprocessor.
[0031] As will be explained in more detail below, prior to or
during call set-up, the microcomputer 52 of the portable wireless
communication device 22 may include a first vehicle detector 70A to
determine whether the first interface 36A is connected to the
hands-free control unit 24. In one embodiment, the first detector
70A may include a circuit that monitors one of the communication
lines that may be connected to the first interface 36A in the first
internal cable 28A. If the monitored communication line is
temporarily connected to ground, then the first detector 70A
determines that the first interface 36A of the portable wireless
communication device 22 is connected to the hands-free control unit
24.
[0032] As will also be discussed in more detail below, the portable
wireless communication device 22 may further include a second
detector 70B to determine whether the portable wireless
communication device 22 is properly connected to the external
antenna 40. In one embodiment, the external antenna may contain a
resistor in the base of the antenna whip. The second detector 70B
may include circuitry that detects the presence of the resistor in
the base of the antenna whip. Alternatively, the second detector
70B may include circuitry to monitor a conductor within the
internal cable 28B to see if it is grounded. The conductor being
grounded when connected to the external antenna 40. One of ordinary
skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will realize
that there may be many other ways to design a circuit to detect the
presence of the external antenna 40. What is important is that the
detector 70B verifies that an electrical connection exists between
the antenna interface 36B of the device 22 and the external antenna
40.
[0033] Referring initially to FIG. 3, in response to detecting and
receiving an activation signal or other indicator for a call
set-up, the portable wireless communication device 22 may send the
audio from downlink communications A to the vehicle audio speakers
32 via the first (or a vehicle) interface 36A. In one embodiment,
the system includes an external communication cord 26A that
connects the first (or vehicle) interface 36A in the portable
wireless communication device 22 to a device interface 68 in the
vehicle 20. This arrangement is further illustrated in FIG. 1. In
another embodiment, the system may eliminate the external
communication cord 26A by simply providing a receiving cradle 30
for docking the portable wireless communication device 22 to the
vehicle 20. This embodiment was further illustrated previously in
FIG. 2. In either case, what is important is that there is a
communication connection between the portable wireless
communication device 22 and the hands-free system in the vehicle
20.
[0034] The communication connection between the portable wireless
communication device 22 and the vehicle 20 may serve a variety of
purposes. First, it may be important for some operations to
determine whether the portable wireless communication device 22 is
actually connected to a hands-free communication system within the
vehicle 20. For example, if the portable wireless communication
device 22 is a portable phone, it must be designed to comply with
relevant national and international standards and guidelines
regarding exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic energy (EME).
There are different power classes for wireless devices. Portable
phones that operate next to a person's body (handheld portable
devices) are generally limited to certain maximum RF power limits
specified according to one class or set of power control levels.
Other cellular communication devices (such as transportable or
vehicular mounted units or devices) are permitted to operate at
higher power limits specified according to another class or set of
power control levels.
[0035] The present invention takes advantage of the differences in
classes or sets of power control levels to overcome any power
losses that may occur when a device 22 operates through an external
antenna 40. The present invention provides an efficient way,
through a new configuration scheme in the wireless communication
device 22, to advantageously eliminate the need of a costly
in-vehicle compensator that now exist in hands-free systems.
Accordingly, it may be important, in some applications, to
determine whether the portable wireless communication device 22 is
actually connected to the hands-free communication system in the
vehicle 20.
[0036] Second, the communication connection may be important, in
some embodiments (such as the one shown in FIG. 3), in providing
the portable wireless communication device 22 with the ability to
receive audio from a vehicle microphone 34 for uplink wireless
communications B. The hands-free control unit 24 may be configured
to provide the capability of switching, transferring, or otherwise
routing the audio from the vehicle microphone 34 to the portable
wireless communication device 22 for the uplink wireless
communications B.
[0037] Third, the communication connection may be important, in
some embodiments (such as the one shown in FIG. 3), to provide the
portable wireless communication device 22 with the ability to
broadcast audio to a vehicle speaker 32 from downlink wireless
communications A. The hands-free control unit 24 may be configured
to provide the capability of switching, transferring, or otherwise
routing the audio to the vehicle speakers 32 from the portable
wireless communication device 22.
[0038] Fourth, the communication connection in some embodiments may
be important to the portable wireless communication device 22 for
receiving vehicle information so that the device 22 can configure
certain operations prior to or during call set-up. For example, in
one embodiment of the present invention, the portable wireless
communication device 22 receives information from the vehicle 20
prior to or during the setup of a call. The vehicle information may
include features available in the hands-free system in the vehicle
20 and data associated with configuring the portable wireless
communication device 22 to use those features. The vehicle
information could be stored in a memory 83 of a controller 82 of
the hands-free control unit 24.
[0039] For instance, in one case, the vehicle information may
include an identification of whether the vehicle 20 has an external
antenna 40 and data associated with using the external antenna 40.
Data associated with using the external antenna 40 could include
power loss information related to sending communications across the
internal cable 28B that interconnects the portable wireless
communication device 22 and the external antenna 40. The portable
wireless communication device 22 would then use any received data
to configure or otherwise adjust the output power of the device in
the cellular transceiver 56 with a gain nominally equal to the loss
of the internal cable 28B. Moreover, the type of data obtained or
accessed by the device 22 should provide data of the in-vehicle
cable loss of the system for each frequency band. Thus, the device
22 will know what the in-vehicle cable loss is and can accurately
adjust for the cable loss at all desired frequency bands.
[0040] In one embodiment, each vehicle may have its own data
associated with a power loss. This power loss needs to be accounted
for by the portable wireless communication device 22. Accordingly,
the portable wireless communication device 22 may check whether the
device is actually connected to the external antenna 40 and, if so,
increase its output power for uplink wireless communications to
account for the power loss based on the vehicle information.
[0041] To perform this operation, the microcomputer 52 may include
transmit power microcomputer 72 that is capable of adjusting a
power amplifier (PA) module 74 within the cellular transceiver 56
with a gain nominally equal to the loss of the internal cable 28B.
The cellular transceiver 56 may include radio frequency (RF)
circuitry 76, a receiver (RX) module 78 for receiving downlink
wireless transmissions, and the PA module 74 for transmitting
uplink wireless transmissions. The adjustment made by the transmit
power microcomputer 72 only affects the output power for uplink
wireless transmissions. It is noted that this should be an
acceptable limitation, however, because most cellular phone systems
are uplink limited.
[0042] In another case, to further highlight the benefits of the
present invention, referring to FIG. 4, the vehicle information may
include an identification of whether the vehicle has a separate
embedded cellular transceiver 50 within the vehicle 20 and data
regarding the operation of the vehicle's embedded cellular
transceiver 50. The data regarding the operation could include the
phone number of the vehicle's embedded cellular transceiver 50. The
portable wireless communication device 22 could then use the phone
number to automatically notify the cellular network to forward an
incoming call to the phone number of the vehicle's embedded
cellular transceiver 50. The vehicle's embedded cellular
transceiver 50 would then be capable of receiving and transmitting
cellular communications through the radio system (including an
audio speaker 32 and a microphone 34) in the vehicle 20.
[0043] Referring to both FIGS. 3 and 4, in a further case, the
vehicle information may include an identification of whether the
vehicle 20 contains an existing positioning unit 80 such as a
Global Position System (GPS) unit. This would inform the portable
wireless communication device 22 to configure or otherwise adjust
any navigation functions within the portable wireless communication
device 22 so that it may receive position information from the
positioning unit 80 in the vehicle 20. The position information
received from the positioning unit 80 in the vehicle 20 could then
be used by the portable wireless communication device 22 to perform
enhanced navigation operations. For instance, the received position
information could be used when a failure occurs with a positioning
unit (not shown) within the portable wireless communication device
22. The received position information could further be used in
combination with a positioning unit within the portable wireless
communication device 22 to provide an integrated (and more
accurate) position location solution.
[0044] The portable wireless communication device 22 may be set up
to interface with different types of hands-free systems. In
general, systems typically have a hands-free control unit 24 that
is configured to control hands-free functions within the vehicle
20. For example, the hands-free control unit 24 may include a
controller 82 and a plurality of switches 84A, 84B, 84C, 84D.
Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the controller
82 may be connected to a switch 84A to provide the ability to
switch, transfer, or otherwise route the audio for uplink wireless
communications B from the vehicle microphone 34 to the portable
wireless communication device 22. The controller 82 may be further
connected to a switch 84B to provide the ability to switch,
transfer, or otherwise route the audio of downlink wireless
communications A from the portable wireless communication device 22
to the vehicle speakers 32. In another type of hands-free system,
referring to FIG. 4, the controller 82 may be connected to a switch
84A to provide the ability to switch, transfer, or otherwise route
the audio for uplink wireless communications B from the vehicle
microphone 34 to the vehicle cellular transceiver 50. The
controller 82 may be further connected to a switch 84B to provide
the ability to switch, transfer, or otherwise route the audio of
downlink wireless communications A from the vehicle cellular
transceiver 50 to the vehicle speakers 32.
[0045] The hands-free control unit 24, in either embodiment, may
further be connected to peripheral input devices of the radio
system of the vehicle 20 such as a radio tuner 86 and a CD player
88 through switches 84C, 84D. This allows the hands-free control
unit 24 to mute the input devices during a phone conversation over
the radio system. The hands-free control unit 24 may also be
connected to a user interface 90 (that includes switch 42) to
receive information such as whether to initiate a call set-up.
[0046] In one embodiment, the switch 42 on the user interface 90 of
the vehicle is capable of initiating an activation signal or other
indicator to the portable wireless communication device 22. Sending
a signal or other indicator to the controller 82 of the hands-free
control unit 24 can do this. In response to receiving the signal
from the switch 42, the hands-free control unit 24 would then be
capable of sending an activation signal or other indicator to the
portable wireless communication device 22. In one embodiment, the
activation signal or indicator to the wireless communication device
22 can be done by temporarily grounding a communication line (such
as the transmit, or microphone, line) in the external communication
cord 26A. The portable wireless communication device 22 would have
the capability of detecting the temporary ground in the line
through circuitry further included in the first detector 70A. This
would inform the portable wireless communication device 22 that the
user would like to accept an incoming call or place a new outgoing
call.
[0047] The microcomputer 52 within the device is configured
according to known methods to monitor the cellular transceiver 50
for pending incoming cellular voice communications. Upon receiving
a pending voice communication, the microcomputer 52 may notify the
operator of a pending voice communication via an audio alert in a
speaker 92. The microcomputer 52 would then determine whether the
vehicle operator agrees to accept the voice communication. In one
embodiment, the microcomputer 52 may make this determination by
waiting for a predetermined time period to detect whether the
hands-free control unit 24 transmits an activation signal or other
indicator. As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the activation
signal may be temporarily grounding a communication line (such as
the transmit, or microphone, line) in the external communication
cord 26A. The portable wireless communication device 22 would have
the capability of detecting the temporary ground in the line
through circuitry within the first detector 70A. In an alternative
embodiment, the microcomputer 24 may make this determination by
waiting for a predetermined period to detect whether the user has
selected a button on the user interface 44 of the portable wireless
communication device 22. If the pending incoming voice
communication is not accepted, then the microcomputer 52 can do
nothing and let the voice communication transfer to an electronic
voice answering service. Alternatively, the microcomputer 52 can
respond to the voice communication by sending a special message to
the incoming caller that the operator of the vehicle is not able to
respond to the call at this time.
[0048] If the microcomputer 52 determines that the pending incoming
voice communication is accepted (an activation signal or other
indicator has been detected or received), then the microcomputer 52
must set up the call. In one embodiment, the microcomputer 52 will
obtain or access data regarding certain vehicle information
obtained from the vehicle 20 or obtained from its own memory 54.
The portable wireless communication device 22 will then use the
obtained or accessed vehicle information to configure the device
22.
[0049] In one embodiment, the hands-free control unit 24 will
transfer vehicle information to the portable wireless communication
device 22 at the time the device is plugged into the vehicle 20.
The received vehicle information may be stored in memory 54 of the
portable wireless communication device 22. The stored vehicle
information would then be made available to the device at the time
of call setup (or sooner) for purposes of configuring the device.
In another embodiment, the portable wireless communication device
22 accesses the vehicle information from the vehicle 20 at or
during the time of call setup. In this case, the vehicle
information is stored in memory 83 of the controller 82 and
accessed after it is determined that the first interface 36A is
connected to the vehicle 20. In a further embodiment, the portable
wireless communication device 22 accesses its own memory 54 having
a database that stores information regarding different types of
vehicles and hands-free systems. The portable wireless
communication device 22 determines the type of vehicle and
hands-free system and then access vehicle information stored in the
database.
[0050] After the portable wireless configuration device 22 obtains
or otherwise accesses the vehicle information, the device 22 will
then configure the operations of the device 22 based on data in the
vehicle information. For example, as mentioned above, the vehicle
information may contain information on whether the vehicle 20 has
an external antenna 40 and data associated with a power loss for
communicating through the external antenna 40. The wireless
communication device 22 would configure the output power for uplink
wireless transmissions B based on the obtained data after it is
determined that the external antenna 40 is connected to the second
interface 36B of the device 22. The microcomputer 52 has the
capability of controlling an antenna switch 66 that switches the
connection of the cellular transceiver 56 between the device's
internal antenna 58 and the vehicle's external antenna 40.
[0051] In one embodiment, the transmit power microcomputer 72
increases or otherwise adjusts the output power at the RF power
amplifier (PA) module 74 of the cellular transceiver 56 with a gain
nominally equal to the loss of the internal cable 28B. The
information regarding the loss is contained in the vehicle
information obtained or accessed by the device 22. Preferably, the
vehicle information should specify a cable power loss of the system
for each frequency band. Thus, the device 22 will know what the
in-vehicle cable loss is and can accurately adjust for the cable
loss at all of the desired frequency bands. The transmit power
microcomputer 72 may receive feedback regarding the output level at
the PA module 74.
[0052] In another example, also mentioned above, the vehicle
information may contain information on whether the vehicle 20 has a
separate cellular transceiver 50 in the vehicle 20 and data
associated with the operation of the cellular transceiver 50. The
data associated with the operation of the transceiver 50 may
include a phone number for wirelessly communicating with the
transceiver 50. Here, the wireless communication device 22 could
use the data to forward incoming calls to the phone number
specified in data.
[0053] In a further example, also mentioned above, the vehicle
information may contain information on whether the vehicle 20 has a
positioning unit 80 such as a GPS unit and data associated with the
operation of the positioning unit 80. This would inform the
portable wireless communication device 22 to configure or otherwise
adjust any navigation functions within the portable wireless
communication device 22 so that it may receive position information
from the positioning unit 80 in the vehicle 20.
[0054] As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate,
additional configuration information could be obtained or
transferred between the portable wireless communication device 22
and the vehicle 20 at or prior to call setup to aid in configuring
the device 22 when it is connected to a vehicle 20. The present
invention reduces the cost of a hands-free system in the vehicle as
well as reduces the number of steps in answering and placing voice
communications. With a single push of a button, the wireless
communication device 22 is configured based on data received from
the vehicle 20 prior to or during the time of call set-up. The
vehicle radio system is then configured to receive downlink audio
and send uplink audio of the voice communication.
[0055] In one embodiment, the portable wireless communication
device 22 includes a processor in the microcomputer 52 that
implements software stored in the memory 54. FIG. 5 illustrates one
embodiment of a method that may be implemented by using the
configuration scheme set forth in the above discussion. This method
uses vehicle information that would include data associated with a
power loss for communicating through the external antenna 40 in the
vehicle 20.
[0056] The method begins at decision block 110 where the portable
wireless communication device 22 determines whether the device 22
is connected to the vehicle 20. This may include determining
whether the device 22 is connected to the hands-free control unit
24. This could be done through the use of a first detector 70A in
the device 22. The first detector 70A may include circuitry within
the device 22 that monitors one of the communication lines
connected to the device 22 via the first interface 36A. If the
monitored communication line is temporarily connected to ground,
then the first detector 70A would determine that the device 22 is
connected to the vehicle 20. If the device 22 is not connected to
the vehicle 20, then the method proceeds to block 112 where the
device 22 would use the nominal RF output power for the power class
specified for handheld portable devices. For example, a GSM 1900
MHz Mobile Station (MS) handheld portable device (Power Class 1)
must conform to a nominal maximum output power of 1 W (30 dBm) with
a tolerance for normal conditions of +/-2 dBm. [GSM 05.05 version
8.4.0 Release 1999, Section 4.1.1] The process then returns to
decision block 110 where the device 22 waits for a change in a
condition such as the device 22 being connected to the vehicle
20.
[0057] If the portable wireless communication device 22 is
determined to be connected to the vehicle 20, then the method
proceeds to decision block 114. At decision block 114, the process
determines whether an external antenna 40 is connected to the
portable wireless communication device 22. This may be important
for some devices because one does not want to just increase the
output power for uplink wireless transmissions unless it is
verified that the external antenna 40 is available and properly
connected to the device 22. If the device 22 is not connected to
the external antenna 40, then the device 22 would use nominal RF
output power for its class of portable device. Again, the process
then returns to decision block 114 where the device 22 waits for a
change in a condition such as the device 22 being connected to the
external antenna 40.
[0058] If the portable wireless communication device 22 is
determined to be connected to the external antenna 40, then the
method may proceed to either process block 116 or 118, depending on
the implementation. At process block 116, the device 22 obtains
data, such as power offset information, from the vehicle 20. This
could be done by having the device 22 obtain or access information
from the hands-free control unit 24 through the first interface 36A
of the device 22. For instance, the device 22 could access memory
83 within the controller 82. Alternatively, at process block 118,
the device could obtain data, such as power offset information,
from its own memory 54. The data could be contained in memory 54 in
a number of ways. For instance, vehicle information could be
transferred to memory 54 of the device 22 at the time the device 22
is connected to the vehicle 20 via the first (or vehicle) interface
36A. Alternatively, the memory 54 of the device 22 could be
previously stored with data regarding a variety of types and makes
of vehicles as well as types and makes of hands-free systems.
Furthermore, the data stored in memory 54 could be done through a
database or look-up table. For purposes of illustration, an example
of a database or look-up table is shown in table 130 of FIG. 5. In
particular, the data can be stored in memory 54 according to a
plurality of frequency bands.
[0059] After process blocks 116, 118, the method proceeds in one
embodiment to process block 120 where the portable wireless
communication device 22 adjusts its output power for uplink
wireless transmissions based on the data obtained in process blocks
116 or 118. At this point, the device 22 may proceed to
establishing a link for transmitting and receiving wireless
transmission through the cellular transceiver 56. The process may
be set up to end or, alternatively, return to the first decision
block 110 and wait for a change in a condition.
[0060] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a method that may
be implemented by using the present invention. Again, this method
uses vehicle information that would include data associated with a
power loss for communicating through the external antenna 40 in the
vehicle 20. Here, the decision blocks 110, 114 and process blocks
112, 116, 118 are the same as those described in relation to FIG.
5. Again, for purposes of illustration, an example of a database or
look-up table is shown in table 130. The method, however, may
alternatively account for whether the device 22 is currently in an
active call before making any power adjustments.
[0061] For instance, at decision block 122, the method may make a
determination of whether the portable wireless communication device
22 is already currently in an active call. This may occur when a
person is on an active call but plugs the device 22 into the
vehicle 20 or connects the device 22 to an external antenna 40. If
the device 22 is in an active call, no adjustments to the power
will be made and the process returns until the active call is
completed. When the device 22 is not in an active call, the method
proceeds to process block 124. Here, the device 22 is deregistered
from a connected base station system or other network that it may
be currently registered. This may be important in some wireless
protocols where a base station system or other network commands the
device 22 to change from one power control level to another power
control level within a type of device class.
[0062] The process then proceeds to block 126 where the device 22
switches to higher output power and changes to a different device
class or set of higher order power levels. For instance, there
exist within the GSM standard one set of power control levels for a
class pertaining to handheld portable devices (Power Class 1).
There also exists another set of power control levels for a class
that is restricted to transportable or vehicular mounted units or
devices (Power Class 3). As mentioned earlier, a GSM 1900 MHz
Mobile Station (MS) handheld portable device (Power Class 1) must
conform to a nominal maximum output power of 1 W (30 dBm) with a
tolerance for normal conditions of +/-2 dBm. A GSM 1900 MHz Mobile
Station (MS) vehicular mounted device (Power Class 3) must conform
to a nominal maximum output power of 2 W (33 dBm) with a tolerance
for normal conditions of +/-2 dBm. [GSM 05.05 version 8.4.0 Release
1999, Section 4.1.1] Accordingly, in one embodiment, the method
includes switching from a device class pertaining to handheld
portable devices to a class pertaining to vehicular mounted devices
after it is determined that the device is connected to the vehicle
and to an external antenna.
[0063] Then, the process proceeds to block 128 where the device 22
re-registers the device to the connected base station system or
other network at the different power class so that the device may
operate at a different (and preferably higher order) set of power
control levels. The process may then end or, alternatively, return
to the first decision block 110 to await a change in condition.
[0064] FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of a method that may
be implemented by using the present invention. This method,
however, uses vehicle information that would include an
identification of whether the vehicle has a separate cellular
transceiver 50 within the vehicle 20 and data regarding the
operation of the vehicle cellular transceiver 50. The data
regarding the operation of the vehicle could include a phone number
that is associated with wirelessly communicating with the vehicle
cellular transceiver 50.
[0065] The method may start at decision block 132 where a
determination is made whether the device 22 is connected to the
vehicle 20. This could include determining whether the device 22 is
connected to the hands-free control unit 24. This could be done
through the use of a first detector 70A in the device, as discussed
in more detail above. If the device 22 is not connected to the
vehicle 20, then the process will stay at the decision block 132
until a determination is made that the device 22 is connected to
the vehicle 20. When a determination is made that the device 22 is
connected to the vehicle 20, then the process continues to block
134.
[0066] At block 134, the process may include a step of obtaining
vehicle information from the vehicle 20. Here, the device 22 may
obtain data, such as whether the vehicle 20 contains its own
cellular transceiver 50 and, if so, data associated with
communicating with the transceiver 50. This could be done by having
the device 22 obtain or access information from the hands-free
control unit 24 through the first interface 36A of the device 22.
Alternatively, the device could obtain data from its own memory
that was previously obtained or entered into the device 22. The
process then proceeds to decision block 136.
[0067] At decision block 136, a determination is made whether the
vehicle includes a separate transceiver 50. This could be done by
looking at the vehicle information obtained at process block 134.
If the vehicle 20 does contain a separate transceiver 50 (such as
the one shown in FIG. 4), then the process continues to block 138
where the device 22 configures itself to forward incoming calls to
the vehicle transceiver 50. This could include notifying the
cellular network to forward an incoming call to the phone number of
the vehicle's embedded cellular transceiver 50. The data for
forwarding the call may be accessed from the vehicle information
obtained in process block 134. The process may then end or,
alternatively, continue with further steps for canceling the call
forwarding configuration when it is detected that the device 22 is
no longer connected to the vehicle 20.
[0068] If the vehicle 20 does not contain a separate transceiver 50
(such as the one shown in FIG. 3), then the process may continue to
blocks 140 and 142. At block 140, the device 22 is configured to
transfer audio from the downlink wireless communications A to the
vehicle speakers 32 via the first interface 36A. At block 142, the
device 22 may then be configured to receive audio for the uplink
wireless communications B from the vehicle microphone 34 via the
first interface 36A. The process may then end or, alternatively,
continue with further steps for canceling the configuration when it
is detected that the device 22 is no longer connected to the
vehicle 20.
[0069] What has been described is a system and method for
configuring a portable wireless communication device when the
device is connected to the vehicle. The system and method reduces
the cost, complexity and the number of distractions when answering
or establishing a cellular communication. The above description of
the present invention is intended to be exemplary only and is not
intended to limit the scope of any patent issuing from this
application. The present invention is intended to be limited only
by the scope and spirit of the following claims.
* * * * *