Patent Publication Number: US-2005124380-A1

Title: Method of controling a communications session

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Cellular phones are increasingly becoming smaller and are not user-friendly when used in an automobile. New wireless technologies allow consumers to put their cellular phone aside while placing calls through wireless hands-free systems. However, consumers still have reason to desire privacy not afforded under the hands-free scenario.  
      In the prior art, a telematics unit mounted in a vehicle allows the use of a hand-held portion for privacy or a hands-free mode when the hand-held portion is in its cradle. In either mode, calls are channeled through an embedded cellular unit within the telematics unit. In the privacy mode with the hand-held portion in use, the hand-held portion merely routes the call, via a short range wireless signal, through the cellular unit embedded within telematics unit. In the hands-free mode, the hand-held portion is in its cradle and the call is routed entirely though the embedded cellular unit within the telematics unit, with the hand-held portion not serving any function. The prior art has several disadvantages. First, this configuration has multiple components leading to greater cost and wiring to multiple distributed components. Also, the handheld portion is utilized only with the telematics unit mounted in the vehicle and not with portable cellular phones brought into the vehicle.  
      Accordingly, there is a significant need for a method and apparatus that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art outlined above. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Referring to the drawing:  
       FIG. 1  depicts a communications system according to one embodiment of the invention; and  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of the invention according an embodiment of the invention.  
    
    
      It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the drawing have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to each other. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding elements.  
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.  
      In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, software blocks and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention.  
      In the following description and claims, the terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.  
      For clarity of explanation, the Figures illustrate embodiments of the present invention, in part, as comprising individual functional blocks. The functions represented by these blocks may be provided through the use of either shared or dedicated hardware, including, but not limited to, hardware capable of executing software. The present invention is not limited to implementation by any particular set of elements, and the description herein is merely representational of one embodiment.  
      The following embodiments can include software blocks that can be computer program modules comprising computer instructions that are stored in a computer-readable medium such as a memory. These software modules are merely representative of one embodiment of the invention. In other embodiments, additional modules could be provided as needed, and/or unneeded modules could be deleted.  
       FIG. 1  depicts a communications system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , communications system  100  can include remote communications device  104 , handset  102  coupled to interface with a docking station  106 , and communications node  108 .  
      Remote communications device  104  can include, without limitation, a wireless unit such as a cellular or Personal Communication System (PCS) telephone, a pager, a hand-held computing device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or Web appliance, a personal computer, or any other type of wireless or wireline communications and/or computing device. Remote communications device  104  can include, but is not limited to, functional and operative hardware and software modules, input/output (I/O) elements, display, and the like. Remote communications device  104  can communicate with communications node  108 , for example and without limitation, via cellular link  112 .  
      Remote communications device  104  can include a cellular transceiver  162  designed to communicate with communications node  108  via cellular link  112  and base station  111  or a satellite. Cellular transceiver  3162  can be coupled to a processor  164  for processing algorithms stored in memory  166 . Memory  166  can comprise control algorithms, and can include, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), and the like. Memory  166  can contain stored instructions, tables, data, and the like, to be utilized by processor  164 . Cellular transceiver  162  can also be coupled to human interface (H/I) elements  168  and a power source  170  such as a battery, power converter, and the like.  
      Human interface (H/I) elements  168  can comprise elements such as a display, a multi-position controller, one or more control knobs, one or more indicators such as bulbs or light emitting diodes (LEDs), one or more control buttons, one or more speakers, a microphone, and any other H/I elements required by remote communications device  104 . The invention is not limited by the (H/I) elements described above. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the (H/I) elements outlined above are meant to be representative and to not reflect all possible (H/I) elements that may be employed.  
      Remote communications device  104  can also include a wireless personal area network (WPAN) transceiver  160 . WPAN transceiver  160  is designed to electronically couple electronic devices in close proximity to one another utilizing only wireless links via a WPAN communications protocol.  
      Communications system  100  can include communications node  108 , which can be coupled to any number of base stations  111  to provide wireless communication to and from remote communications device  104  via cellular link  112 . Communications node  108  can be coupled to base station  111  via wireline or wireless communication links. In an embodiment, communications node  108  also can communicate with a satellite.  
      Communications node  108  can include content servers and content databases, which can include a hard drive, floppy disk drive, optical drive, CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, or any other means of storing content, which can be utilized by remote communications device  104 . Communications node  108  can also include a communications node (CN) wireless interface, which can comprise one or more network access devices (NAD&#39;s) that can utilize a wireless network protocol that can include, without limitation, narrowband and/or broadband connections with standard cellular network protocols such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and the like. In another embodiment, standard transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) can also be used. CN wireless interface can also send and receive content using standard paging networks, FM sub-carriers, satellite networks, and the like. Communications node  108  can be coupled to a public switched telecommunication network (PSTN)  180 , an integrated services digital network (ISDN)  182 , one or more wide area networks (WAN&#39;s)  186 , one or more local area networks (LAN&#39;s)  184 , and any number of other communications nodes.  
      Communications system  100  can include handset  102  coupled to interface with docking station  106 . In an embodiment, docking station  106  can be included in, or be an integral part of vehicle  109 . Vehicle  109  can include, without limitation, a car, truck, bus, train, aircraft, boat, and the like.  
      Docking station  106  can be coupled to vehicle  109  via a wireline link and/or a wireless link (not shown). Docking station  106  can include power source  144 , which can be a self-contained power source or be coupled to vehicle so as to provide power to docking station and handset  102  when docked in docking station  106 . In an embodiment, docking station  106  can include or be coupled to a microphone  140  and one or more speaker(s)  142 . In embodiment, docking station  106  can include a voice recognition (VR) algorithm  148  coupled to initiate a communications session  101  when handset  102  is in docked condition  150  (docked in docking station  106 ) or in undocked condition  152 . In an embodiment, docking station  106  can include noise reduction (NR) algorithm  146  coupled to execute when handset  102  is in docked condition  150 . This can, for example, reduce background noise when a docked condition  150  exists and handset is being used in a hands-free model. Docking interface  132  is coupled to interface with docking interface  130  on handset  102  when handset  102  is in docked condition  150 . In another embodiment (not shown for clarity), VR algorithm  148  and/or NR algorithm  146  can be located in handset  102  or distributed between handset  102  and docking station  106 .  
      Handset  102  can include WPAN transceiver  120 , which can be designed to electronically couple electronic devices in close proximity to one another utilizing only wireless links via a WPAN communications protocol. In an embodiment, WPAN communications protocol can be used with any number of WPAN communications links  110  to establish a peer-to-peer environment or in a piconet environment. As an example of an embodiment, WPAN communications link  110  is designed to electronically couple devices within ten meters of each other. In an embodiment, handset  102  can communicate with remote communications device  104  using WPAN communications link  110  via WPAN transceiver  120 . In other words, WPAN transceiver  160  in remote communications device  104  and WPAN transceiver  120  in handset  102  allow remote communications device  104  and handset  102  to communicate using WPAN communications link  110  operating using a WPAN communications protocol.  
      WPAN communications link  110  operates using a WPAN communications protocol. There are numerous WPAN communications protocols, each with their own software protocols and protocol stacks to enable handset  102  and remote communications device  104  to communicate and exchange content, including, voice, data, content, and the like. Examples of these WPAN communications protocols include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth, Object Exchange Protocol (OBEX), HomeRF, 802.11, Wireless Area Protocol (WAP), Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) system, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, Bluetooth communications protocol is utilized as the WPAN communications protocol to operate WPAN communications link  110 . Implementation of the invention using the Bluetooth communications protocol is not limiting of the invention. The invention can be implemented using other WPAN communications protocols and be within the scope of the invention.  
      WPAN transceiver  120  in handset  102  can be coupled to a processor  122  for processing algorithms stored in memory  124 . Memory  124  can comprise control algorithms, and can include, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), and the like. Memory  124  can contain stored instructions, tables, data, and the like, to be utilized by processor  122 . WPAN transceiver  120  can also be coupled to human interface (H/I) elements  126  and a power source  128  such as a battery, and the like.  
      Human interface (H/I) elements  126  can comprise elements such as a display, a multi-position controller, one or more control knobs, one or more indicators such as bulbs or light emitting diodes (LEDs), one or more control buttons, one or more speakers, a microphone, and any other H/I elements required by handset  102 . The invention is not limited by the (H/I) elements described above. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the (H/I) elements outlined above are meant to be representative and to not reflect all possible (H/I) elements that may be employed.  
      In an embodiment, when handset  102  is coupled to docking station  106 , handset  102  can determine that a docked condition  150  exists. When handset  102  is uncoupled from docking station  106 , handset  102  can determine that an undocked condition  152  exists. This can be done, for example, by handset  102  detecting electrical and/or mechanical contact with docking station  106 .  
      In an embodiment, a communications session  101  can be initiated using handset  102 . For example, a user can utilize handset  102  in a docked condition  150  or an undocked condition  152  and initiate a communication session request  105  (place a call for example), by using one or more human interface elements  126  on handset  102 . Subsequently, a communications session  101  can be created where the communications session  101  spans from handset  102  to remote communications device  104  using WPAN communications link  110 , out from remote communications device  104  using cellular link  112 , and to another party or entity through communications node  108 . In this embodiment, the communications session  101  takes place through remote communications device  104  and handset  102 , with handset  102  controlling the communications session  101  and using remote communications device  104  as a bridge to access other devices outside of the range of a WPAN network. Handset  102  translates between WPAN communications link  110  and cellular link  112 . In other words, handset  102  can operate to translate voice and/or data between a WPAN communications protocol and a cellular communications protocol for communications session  101 . In this exemplary embodiment, with handset  102  in undocked condition  152 , handset  102  can route an audio component  155  of communications session  101 , for example voice data, and the like, through handset  102 . Docking station  106  and elements within docking station  106  play no role in communications session  101  under this embodiment.  
      In another embodiment, a communications session  101  can include establishing a WPAN communications link  110  when handset  102  is in proximity of remote communications device  104  and not include voice communication. In this embodiment, communications session  101  can include handset  102  showing signal strength, giving SMS or voicemail indications, and the like. In an embodiment, communications session  101  can include any exchange of data or voice between handset  102  and remote communications device  104 .  
      In another embodiment, a communications session  101  can be initiated via voice recognition algorithm  148  in docking station  106 , while handset  102  is in docked condition  150  or an undocked condition  152 . For example, a user can initiate communications session  101  by speaking through a microphone  140  in docking station  106 , thereby initiating communication session request  105 . Subsequently, communications session I 01  can be created where the communications session  101  spans from handset  102  to remote communications device  104  using WPAN communications link  110 , out from remote communications device  104  using cellular link  112 , and to another party or entity through communications node  108 . In this embodiment, the communications session  101  takes place through remote communications device  104  and handset  102 , with handset  102  controlling the communications session  101  and using remote communications device  104  as a bridge to access other devices outside of the range of a WPAN network. Handset  102  translates between WPAN communications link  110  and cellular link  112 . In other words, handset  102  can operate to translate voice and/or data between a WPAN communications protocol and a cellular communications protocol for communications session  101 . In this exemplary embodiment, docking station  106  serves only to relay communication session request  105  to handset  102 , with handset  102  controlling the initiation of communication session request  105 . In this embodiment, with handset  102  in docked condition  150 , handset  102  can route audio component  153  of communications session  101 , for example voice data, and the like, through docking station  106 , such that, for example, microphone  140  and one or more speaker(s)  142  can be used during communications session  101 . Although in this embodiment, elements of docking station  106  can be used for audio component  153 , communications session  101  is controlled by, and routed through handset  102 . In another embodiment, VR algorithm  148  can be in handset  102 , with communications session  101  initiated without use of docking station, by using VR algorithm  148  in handset  102 .  
      In yet another embodiment, a communications session  101  can be initiated by handset  102  receiving communication session request  107  from remote communications device  104 . This can be, for example and without limitation, an incoming call to remote communications device  104 . Subsequently, a communications session  101  can be created where the communications session  101  spans from handset  102  to remote communications device  104  using WPAN communications link  110 , out from remote communications device  104  using cellular link  112 , and to another party or entity through communications node  108 . In this embodiment, the communications session  101  takes place through remote communications device  104  and handset  102 , with handset  102  controlling the communications session  101  and using remote communications device  104  as a bridge to access other devices outside of the range of a WPAN network. Handset  102  translates between WPAN communications link  110  and cellular link  112 . In other words, handset  102  can operate to translate voice and/or data between a WPAN communications protocol and a cellular communications protocol for communications session  101 . In this embodiment, handset  102  can be in either undocked condition  152  or docked condition  150 . If in undocked condition  152 , handset  102  can route audio component  155  through handset  102  as described above. If in docked condition  150 , handset  102  can route audio component  153  through docking station  106  as described above.  
      In still another embodiment, during communications session  101 , handset  102  can transition back and forth between docked condition  150  and undocked condition  152 . During such transitions, communications session  101  is maintained as spanning from handset  102  to remote communications device  104  using WPAN communications link  110 , out from remote communications device  104  using cellular link  112 , and to another party or entity through communications node  108 . In this embodiment, communications session  101  continues to take place through remote communications device  104  and handset  102 , with handset  102  controlling the communications session  101  and using remote communications device  104  as a bridge to access other devices outside of the range of a WPAN network. In other words, during a communications session  101  initiated by any means, a constant wireless connection using WPAN communications link  110  and cellular link  112  is maintained as described above.  
      The configuration, including the type and number of devices depicted in  FIG. 1  are exemplary and not meant to be limiting of the invention. Other electronic devices can be included and other configurations are possible and within the scope of the invention.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of the invention according an embodiment of the invention. In step  202 , upon powering up, handset determines if either a docked condition or an undocked condition exists. This can be done, for example, by handset detecting electrical and/or mechanical contact with docking station. In step  204 , handset can go in a discovery mode where handset can detect other devices, for example, remote communications device, within range of a WPAN communications link. In step  206 , if handset detects, for example, remote communications device, handset can couple with remote communications device via WPAN communications link.  
      In step  206 , a communications session can be initiated by a communication session request as described in any of the embodiments above. Communications session can be created where the communications session spans from handset to remote communications device using WPAN communications link, out from remote communications device using cellular link, and to another party or entity through a communications node. In this embodiment, the communications session takes place through remote communications device and handset, with handset controlling the communications session and using remote communications device as a bridge to access other devices outside of the range of a WPAN network. In step  208 , during and subsequent to establishment of communications session, handset can translate between WPAN communications link and cellular link.  
      In step  212 , it is determined if docked condition exists. In other words, it is determined if handset is docked with docking station. If not, handset routes an audio component of communications session through handset per step  214 . If so, handset routes an audio component of communications session through docking station per step  216 . In step  218 , it is determined if communications session is still active. If so, handset continues to translate per step  210 , as indicated by the return arrow. Also, routing of audio component can change per steps  212 ,  214  and  216  as long as communications system is active. If communications session is no longer active per step  218 , communications session is terminated.  
      While we have shown and described specific embodiments of the present invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.