Accessory device for a portable radio telephone

The invention relates to an accessory for a mobile phone (cell phone), which in a Mobile Network is used in the next to the traffic channel, a separate Data channel is operated. With the help of the additional device are part of a Information service information from an information center available, the Information Center using the user of the mobile phone via Speech communication. The accessory includes a phone mount for the connection of the mobile phone.

From the magazine "Radio Show" 5/1994, pages 8 to 21, esp. Page 10 left last Paragraph, is for a mobile telephone, which is carried in a vehicle, a Cell Phone Mount is known which is permanently installed in the vehicle and in which the Mobile phone plugged by a simple handle and again as needed can be taken out. This cell phone holder is a power supply safe for the mobile telephone, so that the battery charge of the mobile telephone can be, and is also well connected with a handsfree. This means that next to a microphone installed, a separate speaker is such that it is the driver of the vehicle possible to make a phone call, without the mobile telephone device having to hold in his hands.

With the introduction of mobile networks is also new services established relating to the provision of information to interested User groups relate. An example of this is traffic telematics services which falls outside current particular the provision Traffic information to road users relate. But there are also other Services known as about the supply of information about hotels in a specific region. Such Information can be readily via the voice output to the user pass on. In this connection it is known that the user has the Keyboard of his mobile phone gradually or in a broader Query, the desired by him information from the computer of the Information Center retrieves targeted. For entering this query commands of course, an increased level of attention required. During a Ride in a vehicle but the driver must concentrate on the traffic, so that excessive deflection for the formulation of an information query could be dangerous.

Object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary device of the initially educate described type such that the retrieval of information, in particular the query traffic information, is considerably simplified, wherein the device recognition of the expense should remain as small as possible.

This object is achieved in a generic attachment by following Features: The attachment is added to an electronic unit, the one Receiver for wirelessly transmitted information to determine the geographical Spatial position of the attachment has. Preferably, this receiver is as A receiver for a system for satellite navigation, in particular as a GPS receiver (Global Positioning System) formed. Furthermore, the electronic unit comprises a programmed control means, of the obtained using the receiver Information at any time about the current geographical location position of the attachment features. Since the attachment is for example installed in a vehicle, making it the current Stationary position of the vehicle as the information in the electronic unit available. The Electronic unit further comprises a key input unit, the at least one Selection button comprises at by a simple keystroke a direct choice of a perform user-desired information services. For example intended by the keystroke output current traffic information for the , Made possible area that the vehicle is traveling straight. For this is the Programming the electronic unit according to the invention aligned as follows. at Confirmation of a selection button for the desired information service is from the control means of the electronic unit a complete request to the Information Center compiled in the form of a data message, the least includes information for the current spatial position of the attachment representative. The data communication can thus for example, immediately the contain geographical location position or also data from which these can be determined spatial position with sufficient accuracy. It is from the Controller automatically by means of a mobile phone via the separate Data channel of the mobile network sent to the Information Center. Thus, the Hosts the information center from its database by the user determine desired information. The invention is characterized in that before the actual transmission of the information requested from the Information Center over the separate data channel of the mobile network a response in turn, in the form a data message is sent. This data release contains an identifier is evaluated by the control device and either indicates that no relevant Information for the user are present, or displays under which Fetch address the requested information to the user acoustically interrogated are. In the case of non-availability of relevant information is from the equipment only issued a notice to the user. This can be done a visual display or an audible signal occur. A Call connection to the computer of the information center is in such a Negative case is not built. The situation is different when actually relevant information present. In such a case, the control device of the attachment automatically a voice connection over the mobile phone to the Information Center under submission forth the fetch address. For the transmission of the fetch address can common methods are used. For this purpose, for example, provides a Coding as an extension of the telephone number, similar to an extension, ie the attachment receives the fetch address as a direct dial number of a particular Extension at which the individual information can be retrieved. Alternatively, the well-known method DTMF (dual tone mutiple frequency) are applied to the headquarters of at call to build Voice connection audibly notify the desired fetch address.

The invention is described using the example of an external source for traffic telematics information services with advantageous developments explained in more detail. Show it:<dl tsize="12" compact="compact"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>Functional diagram of a traffic information service using the auxiliary device according to the invention,</dd><dt>FIGS. 2-4</dt><dd>Different versions of the key input unit of the Attachment.</dd></dl>

In the FIG. 1 shows the diagram of a traffic information service is reproduced. With reference numeral 8 denotes an information center, which has a Database 9 has, in the current traffic information about a traffic network stored. This information is of a Traffic monitoring system determines 10 and fed into the database. 9 In a vehicle not shown is a mobile phone holder 2 installed, which in its lower part has a key input unit eleventh This key input unit 11 is part of an electronic unit of an attachment that a mobile phone 1 is connected by information technology and is installed in the vehicle. The Electronics unit is provided with the reference number. 3 It includes besides the Key input unit 11, in particular a programmable controller 5 with a memory 7. Further, the electronic unit 3 also includes a receiver 4 for Receiving signals of a navigation satellite system, so that the Controller 5 always have information about the current location of Attachment and therefore of this machine moving vehicle has. Expediently form the cell phone holder 2 and the key input unit 11 a physical unit. The control device 5 to the memory 7 and the GPS receiver 4 are advantageously physically separated from the mobile holder 2 arranged. The detail below for explanatory issuing queried Traffic information is made much easier when a speakerphone is provided, which is designated in FIG. 1 by the reference numeral 6.

The keypad 11 may look in a simple form so as is shown in Fig. 2 enlarged. There are a total of only provided 3 keys of which with ,, V called "middle button to retrieve Traffic information is provided. When this button is pressed V, is the controller 5, a data message to the traffic information center 8 together, the current spatial position of the vehicle or for representative information includes. Preferably, an information is the general direction of the vehicle transferred. This information can for example, be determined that the data on the storage 7 saved travel history of the vehicle (for example, during the last half hour) and be retrieved according to the control device of the fifth In this manner, be communicated to the traffic information center 8, which area of Road network are expected to sail from the vehicle shortly should. Changes the vehicle frequently its direction of travel, for example, Information will be selected in a radius around the current location. Retains contrast the vehicle's general direction substantially at how this is the case when driving on a particular highway, all of which can Announcements are omitted, which were incurred in line sections, the are based on the direction of travel already behind the vehicle. after the Traffic information center 8 according to the over the separate data channel of Cellular network transmitted the user's request, the actually relevant Traffic information has selected, is from the traffic information center 8 the separate data channel, a data message transmitted to the mobile phone 1, contains an identifier of the results, if at all relevant Traffic information and if so, how they fetch address these Traffic information from the user are acoustically interrogated. If the Controller 5 recognizes that relevant traffic information, is automatically a voice connection to the computer of the traffic information center 8 constructed and communicated to the fetch address for the present traffic information. This information is then over the voice channel and at the Mobile phone 1 connected handsfree 6 in the vehicle at the output driver.

The present invention therefore makes it possible, taking advantage of the relatively low Effort requiring attachment retrieval interest Traffic information in a very targeted manner only by a simple query keystroke. In the event that no relevant traffic information present, only occurs a corresponding short message to the driver. A Call connection to the traffic information center is only established, present if information really of interest.

In addition to the key for the retrieval of traffic information 2 are shown in Fig. Two more Buttons shown, designated ,, P "or" N ". Can, for example on the P key very simple manner a Pannenhilferuf be triggered. In this case, from the controller 5, only to a respective service central a Message sent, the location at which the vehicle in question is staying straight and that it needs help for the removal of a vehicle breakdown. In such a case would each service center a call connection with the Mobile phone 1 prepared by the operator to transmit more information, which Forum is when standing for the requested assistance. In Similarly, upon actuation of the information N key between a PSAP and the driver of the vehicle to be replaced. The two Keys P and N is the value in use of the auxiliary device according to the invention substantially increased. Of course, additional buttons may be provided, be included with those directly contact an Information Center can. An example could be an information service for hotels, the according to the location of the vehicle targeted such can select hotel information, relying on a relatively narrow reflect regional area to this location of the vehicle. It is recommended is associated with the actuation of the P- and N-key functions only with execute delay, so in case of accidental keystroke Instruction execution (eg by pressing a delete key, not shown) nor from Operator of the attachment can be stopped.

In connection with the selective retrieval of information at a Information Center, it is of great advantage if the key input unit 11 via additional key features, as in the reference numerals 12 and 13 in FIG. 1 lower part of the keypad are represented 11th These additional keys 12, 13 have the function of the information center 8 to the mobile phone 1 linguistic information provided in terms of a reverse and forward targeted To query by the user. In one of these operating additional Buttons 12, 13 is a further development of the invention that the Mobile phone 1 acoustic signals (DTMF) signals over the voice channel of the Mobile network are transmitted to the information center. 8 These signals are each interpreted by the computer the information center 8 that, in the case the presence of several relevant traffic information between individual Information specifically can be toggled hergesprungen. So thus can repeated example already linguistically output information specifically be or even the driver does not interest information specifically are skipped.

In FIG. 4 shows a modification of the keypad 11 is shown, which in its function completely the keypad 11 of FIG. 3 corresponds. Here, P, V and N keys were not arranged side by side in a straight row, but it was a spatial Arrangement chosen in the form of a triangle. In addition, the button for calling was made of traffic information significantly greater than the two for a rarer Using assigned buttons P and N. Through another external design, in particular a different size, the individual keys have a lot easily distinguished from each other. To a mix of keys To avoid possibility of further additional measures can be taken. So it is advisable about the keys of the key input device 11 from the inside to illuminate. Furthermore, the individual buttons should by printed or embossed letters or pictograms be easily recognizable in their function. Of course, it is also possible for these labels outside the keys in the immediate vicinity on the panel of the keyboard 11 itself make. In view of the above-mentioned keys 12, 13 for the pre- and Rewind of information to be output, it has to be appropriate proven, these two buttons 12, 13 by a bridge in terms of a rocker switch together.

With regard to the transmission of an information request from the mobile telephone 1 to an information center 8 may in principle, any data channel of Cellular network are used. However, it is advisable for this particular anyway for sending text messages provided SMS channel.

In connection with the retrieval of traffic information is still in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention pointed out. This refers in particular, in such applications in which the inventive Additional equipment is installed in a vehicle, which already has a route guidance system So a navigation aid features. In such cases, in your car regularly Information as to which road the vehicle is currently, since actually embarked route of this guidance system always must be monitored in order to compare them with the planned route can.

This means that in many cases the type of current road or even their Name (eg A3) is known and after handing over a corresponding interface of the attachment in the message data in the query the traffic information is included in the traffic information center can. This has for example significant benefits if such an addition Motorway is a parallel national highway and on one of these two Streets there is a jam. In this case, the traffic information center meet on its own initiative a safe decision whether the congestion information for the requesting road users or not relevant and therefore to convey. Under certain circumstances, also can already based on the travel history, as already mentioned, can be recorded for a certain period in the memory 7, a provide sufficient information to the Information Center 8, on which road the vehicle is moving. It can also be based on detection algorithms, the substantially movement variables of a vehicle (in particular Velocities, accelerations analyze), but not subject to the present invention, valuable information on the type of road to Selection of relevant traffic information gain, without a Guidance system must be present.