US-12624958-B2 - Vehicle communication system with navigation

Abstract

A vehicle communication system facilitates hands-free interaction with a mobile device in a vehicle or elsewhere. Users interact with the system by speaking to it. The system processes text and processes commands. The system supports Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free use. The system handles telephone calls, email, and SMS text messages. The user can customize the device via a user profile stored on an Internet web server.

Inventors

• Otman A. Basir
• William Ben Miners

Assignees

• Value8 Co., Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20250708

Claims (20)

1. 1 . An apparatus comprising: an interface, related to a vehicle, configured to receive inputs and provide outputs for a user; and a controller, related to the vehicle and operatively connected with the interface, configured to cause: initiation of a connectivity function that supports data communications with respect to the inputs and outputs for the user, the connectivity function configured to support at least one of mobile phone connectivity, e-mail account connectivity and server connectivity; and handling of, upon assistance from the connectivity function, the inputs and outputs to allow the user to perform hands-free interaction and access to information with respect to a navigation experience in accordance with at least one user profile that is accessible through at least one among the mobile phone connectivity, the e-mail account connectivity and the server connectivity, depending on information in a user profile, wherein the controller is further configured to access said at least one user profile.
2. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the interface and the controller cooperate to perform the hands-free interaction and access to information with respect to the navigation experience that employs a third-party service.
3. 3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the interface and the controller are further configured to cause: upgrading of, upon assistance from the connectivity function, various features related to at least one among the hands-free interaction, the seamless access to information and the user profile.
4. 4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to access the user profile.
5. 5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the user profile is stored in at least one among an Internet server and the controller, and wherein the information in the user profile is related to at least one among: system settings, user preferences, switching between normal mode and communication mode, and e-mail handling settings, which are selectively used by the interface and the controller in providing the navigation experience.
6. 6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the interface and the controller further cooperate with a personalized information management module that handles personalized settings, including rules regarding content, timing and verbosity of voice-based navigation directions, to support the navigation experience, whereby certain audible outputs being provided to the user are momentarily interrupted or paused to allow for delivery of higher priority voice-based navigation directions to the user.
7. 7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the interface and the controller further cooperate with a GPS module configured to handle routing requests and downloading of map information is provided via at least one third-party service.
8. 8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising: a built-in intelligent assistant, operatively connected with the interface and the controller, configured to suggest possible actions and provide help with the user's interaction and access to information to support the navigation experience.
9. 9 . An apparatus comprising: an interface, integrated in a communication system of a vehicle, configured to receive inputs and provide outputs for a user; and a controller, integrated in the communication system of the vehicle and operatively connected with the interface, configured to cause: initiation of a connectivity function that supports data communications with respect to the inputs and outputs for the user, the connectivity function configured to support at least one of mobile phone connectivity, e-mail account connectivity and server connectivity; and handling of, upon assistance from the connectivity function, the inputs and outputs to allow the user to perform hands-free interaction and access to information with respect to an in-vehicle navigation experience in accordance with at least one user profile that is accessible through at least one among the mobile phone connectivity, the e-mail account connectivity and the server connectivity, depending on information in the user profile, wherein the user profile is stored in at least one among an Internet server and the controller, wherein the information in the user profile is related to at least one among: system settings, user preferences, switching between normal mode and communication mode, and e-mail handling settings, which are selectively used by the interface and the controller in providing the in-vehicle navigation experience, and wherein the controller is further configured to access the user profile.
10. 10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the interface and the controller further cooperate with a built-in intelligent assistant or information manager, which is operatively connected with the interface and the controller, configured to suggest possible actions and provide help with the user's interaction and access to information to support the in-vehicle navigation experience.
11. 11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the interface and the controller further cooperate such that at least one among digital maps, geographic data, and online map data is dynamically downloaded and updated as needed, whereby at least one among digital maps, geographic data, and online map data is provided via by at least one third-party service.
12. 12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the interface and the controller further cooperate with a personalized information management module that handles personalized settings, including rules regarding content, timing and verbosity of voice-based navigation directions, to support the in-vehicle navigation experience, whereby certain audible outputs being provided to the user are momentarily interrupted or paused to allow for delivery of higher priority voice-based navigation directions to the user.
13. 13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the controller further cooperates with a GPS module, via the connectivity function, to provide through the interface, vehicle-related location, speed, and heading information.
14. 14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the interface and the controller further cooperate with a local tracking and routing logic that is used in determining a vehicle position relative to a digital map and determining an optimal route and an estimated time of arrival for a desired destination.
15. 15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein navigation routing is performed in at least one among three locations: via a third-party mapping and routing service, on the server, or locally in-vehicle, which are selectable based upon a balance between wireless bandwidth and in-vehicle processing.
16. 16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein at least one among the user interface, the controller and the intelligent assistant further support a provision of hands-free e-mail functions, in-vehicle e-mail addresses, hands-free calendar functions, do-not-disturb functions, voice memos, custom alerts, weather information, traffic conditions, audible e-books, personalized news, web searching, audio feeds and music streaming.
17. 17 . An apparatus comprising: an interface, integrated with a communication system, configured to receive inputs and provide outputs; a controller, integrated with the communication system and operatively connected with the interface, configured to cause: initiation of a connectivity function that supports data communications with respect to the inputs and outputs, the connectivity function configured to support at least one of wireless communication connectivity, e-mail account connectivity and server connectivity; and handling of, upon assistance from the connectivity function, the inputs and outputs to allow interaction and access to information with respect to navigation in a driving or mobility environment in accordance with at least one user profile that is accessible through at least one among the wireless communication connectivity, the e-mail account connectivity and the server connectivity, depending on information in the user profile; and a built-in intelligent assistant, operatively connected with the interface and the controller, configured to suggest possible actions and provide help with the interaction and access to information, wherein for the connectivity function, at least one among the interface, the controller, and the intelligent assistant are further configured to utilize the server connectivity, and the controller is further configured to access the user profile.
18. 18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein at least one among the interface, the controller and the intelligent assistant support at least one among: text-to-speech settings, speech characteristics including speed and male/female voice, different languages, pronunciation of specific words, and factory default settings.
19. 19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein at least one among the interface, the controller and the intelligent assistant further cooperate with a remote-control device that provides signals or commands related to the interaction and access to information.
20. 20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein at least one among the interface, the controller and the intelligent assistant further cooperate to provide information about at least one among: power and system health, vehicle connection status and activity, mobile device connection status and activity, and information access and general status.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/027,022, which was filed on Jan. 17, 2025, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/331,258, which was filed on May 26, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/967,899, which was filed on May 1, 2018 and granted as U.S. Pat. No. 11,041,735, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/830,575, which was filed on Jul. 30, 2007 and granted as U.S. Pat. No. 9,976,865, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/834,086 filed Jul. 28, 2006. The entire disclosures of each of the foregoing applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND INFORMATION This invention relates to a system for managing and communicating information while in a vehicle. More specifically, this invention relates to a system that integrates with a cell phone, PDA, or other mobile device to provide hands-free use of phone call, email, text messaging, and other functionality of a mobile device, and navigation. Exchanging critical information using email, instant messaging, and other online media is essential to succeed in today's connected lifestyles and business environments. We depend on constant connectivity for important emails, timely updates, and to make sound decisions. Unfortunately, managing this online information on a mobile device or visible screen can be difficult and dangerous while driving. In-vehicle navigation systems can be valuable tools to both find desired destinations, and to plan suitable routes. Unfortunately, trying to read directions and route information from a screen is almost as dangerous as opening up a paper map while driving. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention addresses this need by providing a convenient and safe hands-free interface to manage important online information, including navigation, while enhancing the driving experience. The system integrates seamlessly in a vehicle to read important information out loud, directly to the driver. A voice-based interface provides unified access to all communication needs while allowing the driver to focus their attention on the road. The enhanced navigation module uses the hands- and eyes-free interface to provide location specific guidance and interactively answer any relevant questions. In another feature, the system provides access to location-relevant information via geographic codes, such as area codes, zip codes, etc. This provides a fast, easy way to access weather, news, or navigation information relevant to a particular area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2 illustrates some of the components of the control unit of the communication system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic of the navigation functionality of the system of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS A communication system 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as implemented in a vehicle 8. The system 10 includes a device control unit 11 which is preferably mounted in a discreet location within the vehicle 8, such as under the dashboard, in the glove compartment, etc. The control unit 11 supports wireless communication via Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1) or any other wireless standard to communicate wirelessly with a cell phone, PDA, or other mobile device 12. All data 13 is encrypted prior to transmission. The audio output of the control unit 11 is transmitted either wirelessly 14 or through a direct, wired connection 15 to the vehicle's car stereo 16. The audio input for the control unit 11 is obtained either through a directly connected microphone 17, through an existing vehicle hands-free system, or wirelessly though a headset 18 connected to the mobile device 12. The control unit 11 connects to the vehicle's battery 19 for power. An AC adapter is available for use at home or in the office. For portable use in other vehicles, an optional “Y” or pass-through cable is available to plug into a cigarette lighter accessory socket for power. The control unit 11 contains a recessed button 20 which enables the driver to do the following: register new or replacement remotes; pair the device with a new mobile device 12; and clear all preferences and reset the device to its factory default settings. The control unit 11 also has a set of four status lights 21 which display the following information: power and system health, vehicle connection status and activity, mobile device connection status and activity, and information access and general status. In one example, the control unit 11 and the mobile device 12 recognize when the user, and the user's associated mobile device 12, are near to, or have entered the vehicle. This may be accomplished, for example, by Bluetooth pairing of the device and the vehicle, or similar wireless communication initiation protocols. Within this range, the handheld dev