Automatic Call Forwarding to In-Vehicle Telematics System

Abstract

Cell phone calls are automatically call forwarded to an in-vehicle telematics system when a driver using the cell phone is in their vehicle. Presence of the driver may be detected, e.g., by detection of a key in the ignition and presumption that the driver is in the vehicle while the key is in the ignition. The in-vehicle telematics unit signals that its driver is present. A phone number lookup is performed, e.g., by a third party database service associating cell phone number and wireless carrier with a telematics phone number of the drivers vehicle. A call forwarding request is then made between the telematics network to the relevant wireless carrier providing service to the driver's cell phone. The correct wireless carrier network is contacted, and a call forward is established to the telematics system of the driver's vehicle. When the driver leaves the vehicle, the call forwarding is terminated.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . Apparatus to automatically force transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device, comprising:
 an ignition sensor to detect activation of a vehicle ignition; and   an in-vehicle telematics unit to trigger initiation without user confirmation from a given wireless device within said vehicle, when said vehicle ignition activation is detected, of a forced temporary call forwarding of all future calls intended for said wireless device within said vehicle instead be forwarded to said in-vehicle telematics unit;   wherein said wireless device is not enabled to prevent said forced, temporary call forwarding from being initiated.   
     
     
         37 . Apparatus to automatically force transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to  claim 36 , wherein:
 said forced, temporary call forwarding is provided by a forced linking of said wireless device with said in-vehicle telematics unit.   
     
     
         38 . The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to  claim 36 , further comprising:
 an occupant recognition module to detect an occupant within said vehicle when said vehicle is in an operating condition.   
     
     
         39 . The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to  claim 36 , wherein:
 said wireless device is a cell phone.   
     
     
         40 . The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to  claim 36 , wherein:
 said ignition sensor detects a presence of an occupant within said vehicle when a key associated with said occupant is inserted in said vehicle ignition.   
     
     
         41 . The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to  claim 40 , wherein;
 said key is unique to one of a plurality of frequent occupants of said vehicle.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to  claim 41 , wherein;
 said plurality of frequent occupants is two, such that said key detects a presence of either of two frequent occupants of said vehicle.   
     
     
         43 . The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to  claim 36 , further comprising:
 a short range radio frequency communication module in said vehicle to detect a presence of an occupant within said vehicle when said wireless device associated with said occupant communicates with said short range radio frequency communication module.   
     
     
         44 . The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to  claim 43 , wherein:
 said short range radio frequency communication module is a piconet communication module.   
     
     
         45 . The apparatus to establish transfer of incoming calls to a wireless device according to  claim 36 , wherein:
 said telematics unit is mounted in said vehicle at a time of manufacture of said vehicle.   
     
     
         46 . A method of automatically forcing establishment of a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device, comprising:
 detecting activation of a vehicle ignition; and   triggering initiation without user confirmation from a given wireless device within said vehicle, when said vehicle ignition activation is detected, of a forced, temporary call forwarding of all future calls intended for said wireless device within said vehicle, instead be forwarded to said in-vehicle telematics unit:   wherein said wireless device is not enabled to prevent said forced, temporary call forwarding from being initiated.   
     
     
         47 . The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to  claim 46 , further comprising:
 performing a lookup of at least one phone number to be call forwarded when said occupant is detected present in said vehicle.   
     
     
         48 . The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to  claim 46 , further comprising:
 detecting an operating condition of said vehicle to cause said triggered initiation.   
     
     
         49 . The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to  claim 46 , further comprising:
 ending said forced, temporary call forwarding upon detection of said occupant no longer being present in said vehicle.   
     
     
         50 . The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to  claim 48 , further comprising:
 ending said forced, temporary call forwarding upon detection of said vehicle no longer being in said operating condition.   
     
     
         51 . The method of establishing a call transfer in a wireless network to a wireless device according to  claim 46 , wherein:
 said telematics unit is mounted in said vehicle at a time of manufacture of said vehicle.