United States Patent [19J
`Andrews
`
`[54] COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR
`CONTROLLING DATA PROCESSING
`ACCORDING TO A STATE OF A
`COMMUNICATION TERMINAL DEVICE
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Scott Andrews, Seto, Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha,
`Toyota, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/045,644
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 23, 1998
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Mar. 24, 1997
`
`[JP]
`
`Japan
`
`.................................... 9-070031
`
`Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... G06F 13/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ................................. 710/65; 710/14; 710/65;
`701/211
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 701/211, 220;
`340/995, 996; 710/38, 65, 69, 106, 131,
`14
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,144,318
`5,148,153
`5,303,343
`5,406,492
`5,410,486
`
`9/1992 Kishi ....................................... 342/357
`9/1992 Haymond .
`4/1994 Ohya et al. ............................. 395/200
`4/1995 Suzuki
`.................................... 364/449
`4/1995 Kishi et al. ............................. 364/449
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111 111111111111111111
`
`
`
`
`US006122682A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,122,682
`Sep.19,2000
`
`5,475,599 12/1995 Yokoyama et al. ..................... 364/449
`5,539,810
`7/1996 Kennedy, III et al. .
`5,893,894
`4/1999 Moroto et al. ............................ 701/53
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0751639
`0768632
`19517126
`5-89399
`7-332997
`98/43192
`
`1/1997
`4/1997
`11/1995
`4/1993
`12/1995
`10/1998
`
`European Pat. Off ..
`European Pat. Off ..
`Germany.
`Japan.
`Japan.
`WIPO.
`
`Primary Examiner-Thomas C. Lee
`Assistant Examiner----Chun Cao
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A subject is to select a type of an output depending on a
`user's state. A file type recognizer (14) recognizes whether
`an incoming file has audio data, graphic data, or text data,
`and informs a command processor (26) of it. The command
`processor (26) determines whether a vehicle is in motion or
`not by a detection result from a motion/speed sensor (28),
`and controls a graphic/audio converter (20) and a text/audio
`converter (24). If a vehicle
`is in motion,
`text data is
`converted to audio data by the text/audio converter (24) and
`output from a speaker (18). Graphic data is converted into an
`audio summary by a graphic data converter and output from
`the speaker (18).
`
`INCOMING
`FILE
`
`OUTGOING
`FILE
`
`AUDIO
`
`12
`
`GRAPHIC
`
`20
`GRAPHIC/
`AUDIO
`CONVERTER
`
`TEXT
`
`FILE TYPE
`RECOGNIZER
`
`FILE SOURCE
`RECOGNIZER
`
`FILE
`FORMATTER
`
`40
`
`COMMAND PROCESSOR
`
`26
`
`PRE-SET TEXT
`
`DIGITIZED
`AUDIO FILE
`
`VOICE
`RECOG
`
`VOICE
`CODER
`
`36
`
`8 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`10 TERMINAL
`~
`
`22
`
`18
`
`MOTION/
`28
`SPEED SENSOR
`
`USER INPUT 30
`DEVICE
`
`32
`
`FORD EX. 1023, p. 1
`
`

`

`N
`00
`0--,
`....
`N
`N
`~
`....
`0--,
`
`N
`0 ....,
`'"""'
`~ ....
`'JJ. =- ~
`
`0
`0
`0
`N
`~~
`'"""'
`~ '?
`'JJ.
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`30
`
`USER INPUT
`
`DEVICE
`
`28
`
`SPEED SENSOR
`
`MOTION/
`
`18
`
`26
`
`(cid:141)I COMMAND PROCESSOR
`
`1 1 TEXT/AUDIO l' , , ~1
`
`CONVERTER 24
`
`(cid:141)
`
`TEXT
`
`I
`
`38
`
`32
`
`36
`
`CODER
`VOICE
`
`RECOG
`VOICE
`
`Fig. 1
`
`AUDIO FILE
`DIGITIZED
`
`PRE-SET TEXT
`
`40
`
`!FORMATTER
`IM(cid:141)--
`
`FILE
`
`OUTGOING..
`
`FILE
`
`RECOGNIZER
`I
`FILE SOURCE
`c:.16
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`RECOGNIZER
`FILE TYPE
`
`14
`
`FILE ~FORMATTER1
`
`FILE
`
`J
`
`INCOMING
`
`12
`
`22
`
`DISPLAY
`GRAPHIC
`
`t------.---+...i
`
`CONVERTER
`
`GRAPHIC GRAPHIC/
`20
`
`AUDIO
`
`TERMINAL
`
`~10
`
`AUDIO
`
`FORD EX. 1023, p. 2
`
`

`

`30
`
`32
`
`USER INPUT
`
`DEVICE
`
`SPEED SENSOR
`
`MOTION/
`
`CODER
`VOICE
`
`26
`
`~~so a
`......
`• ;p
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`28
`
`DISPLAY
`GRAPHIC
`
`22
`
`18
`
`N
`00
`0--,
`....
`N
`N
`~
`....
`0--,
`
`N
`0 ....,
`N
`~ .....
`'J'J. =(cid:173) ~
`
`8
`N
`~~
`'"""'
`~ '?
`'J'J.
`
`0
`
`Fig. 2
`
`·-so
`
`L _______ TERMINA~
`
`GRAPHICS/
`
`AUDIO
`
`GRAPHICS
`
`20
`
`AUDIO .--------~
`
`1·
`
`I
`
`CONVERTER
`TEXT/AUDIO
`I
`.--------'• c:::::24 .
`CONVERTER
`
`52
`
`I
`
`SERVER
`
`TEXT FILE
`PRE-SET ---+------'
`54
`
`1(cid:141)--
`IFORMATTER 14
`
`FILE
`
`40
`
`RECOGNIZER
`FILE SOURCE
`
`16
`
`OUTGOING (cid:141)
`!
`
`FILE
`
`_1--,4 TEXT
`
`RECOGNIZER
`FILE TYPE
`I
`I
`.----_____._,
`
`t-----,
`
`FILE ~FORMATTER
`I FILE
`.--------
`
`INCOMING i
`
`12
`
`FORD EX. 1023, p. 3
`
`

`

`6,122,682
`
`1
`COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR
`CONTROLLING DATA PROCESSING
`ACCORDING TO A STATE OF A
`COMMUNICATION TERMINAL DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a communications termi(cid:173)
`nal device, a communications system, and a storing medium
`for storing a program to control data processing by the
`communications
`terminal device. More specifically, it is
`related to the systems that convert received data into an
`appropriate data type using the communications
`terminal
`device.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`In accordance with recent development of electronic
`communications technologies, a plurality of data communi(cid:173)
`cations has been available. Especially, with down-sizing of
`communications
`terminals
`and popularity
`of mobile 20
`communications,
`in-vehicle terminals and portable termi(cid:173)
`nals are being widely used.
`For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications
`No. Hei 5-89399 shows a system of communications
`between a mobile terminal in a vehicle, and a traffic infor(cid:173)
`mation center. By this system, it is possible for a mobile
`terminal to down-load traffic information and display it on
`screen. Therefore, it is possible by this system to receive
`information from a traffic information center upon necessity
`while a vehicle is in motion.
`However, the interface (man-machine interface) between
`the user and conventional in-vehicle or portable terminals
`has not been good enough. In other words, a user will be
`greatly influenced by an ever-changing environment when
`using an in-vehicle or portable terminal. Conventional ter- 35
`minals have not dealt with this problem. For example, a
`driver should pay attention
`to the surroundings while
`driving, so he cannot watch a display with full attention.
`However, a conventional in-vehicle terminal only displays
`text data when it is sent, which is not convenient for a user. 40
`Also, depending on the situation in which a communications
`terminal is placed, audio outputs may not be appropriate. For
`example, a user does not want to hear an audio message from
`a portable terminal during a meeting. Insufficient attention
`has been given for cases like this.
`
`45
`
`2
`the data into a data type appropriate for a user. For example,
`if a user is in a moving car, text data is converted to, and is
`output as audio data. By this method, information is pro(cid:173)
`vided in an appropriate form to a user who is driving a
`5 vehicle.
`Another aspect of this invention comprises a table which
`stores relationships between states and data types which are
`appropriate for each state, and means for comparing the data
`type which the state detection means decide to be appropri-
`10 ate for the state and the data type of the received data which
`is detected by the data type detection means. The conversion
`means described above change the data type of the received
`data if the data types above compared by the comparing
`means disagree. By having this table, the best output type is
`easily determined. The above communications
`terminal
`15 device is located in a vehicle, and the state detection means
`detect a state of a vehicle motion. By detecting the state of
`a car in motion using a speed sensor and the like, the state
`of the driver who is a user should be detected and an
`appropriate output form for the user should be chosen.
`This invention has at least a text type and an audio type
`as data types to be transmitted. The outputting means
`comprise a display and a speaker. The converting means
`decide, only if the received data is text data, whether the
`original text data is output as it is or as audio data converted
`25 from it.
`A further aspect of the present invention comprises means
`for inputing data, means for composing an outgoing data in
`a plurality of format types, based on the data input by the
`inputting means, means for inferring a type of the outgoing
`terminal device
`to
`30 data suitable for a communications
`receive the data, and means for transmitting the outgoing
`data composed by the composing means. It composes the
`outgoing data using the composing means in a type inferred
`by the inferring means, and transmits the composed outgo-
`ing data by the transmitting means. By considering the state
`of a sender, a recipient should reply in a format suitable for
`that sender's state.
`This invention is also a communications system in a
`plurality of data types. The transmitter transmits data in
`predetermined formats. The receiver recognizes a format of
`the data received, detects the state of the receiver, converts
`the data type of the received data to a type suitable for the
`receiver's detected state, and outputs the converted data. By
`this communications system the above described selection
`of an output data type can be done. It is also preferable to
`communicate not only via communications
`terminals but
`also via a fixed communications center and the like. In this
`case, a communications center has means for conversion so
`that down-sizing of a communications terminal is realized.
`This invention is also a storing medium to store a program
`50 to control data processing by the communications terminal.
`It stores a program to detect the type of data received, to
`detect a state of a receiver, and to convert the received data
`to a suitable data type, in accordance with the type of data
`received and the state of the receiver.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is created to solve problems like the
`above. It is also intended to provide a communications
`terminal and a system which optimizes the output based on
`a user's state, and a storage medium to store a program to
`control these.
`This invention relates to a communications terminal used
`in a communications system, comprising means for receiv-
`ing incoming data being transmitted, means for detecting the
`data type of the data received, means for detecting the state
`in which the communications terminal is placed, means for
`converting received data into an appropriate data type
`depending on the data type detected by the detection means 60
`and the state detected by the state detection means, and
`means for outputting the converted data in a manner indi(cid:173)
`cated by the data type.
`As described above, in this invention, state detection
`means detect a state in which a communications terminal is 65
`placed. Based on this state, The communications terminal
`determines an output data type and performs conversion of
`
`55
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
`communications terminal device related to an embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another configuration
`of a communications terminal device related to the embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now
`be described with reference to the accompanying figures.
`
`FORD EX. 1023, p. 4
`
`

`

`6,122,682
`
`5
`
`15
`
`20
`
`3
`Explanation of the Whole System
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
`communications
`terminal device related
`to the present
`embodiment. An incoming file transmitted from outside is
`input as a demodulated input file via a cellular phone and a
`modem. This input file is supplied to a file formatter 12, a file
`type recognizer 14, and a file source recognizer 16. The file
`formatter 12 arranges the form of a file (i.e., format) suitable
`for the data type of the input data. The file type recognizer
`14 recognizes a data type if it is an audio file, a graphic file 10
`or a text file. The file source recognizer 16 recognizes a type
`of a transmitter terminal by a content of the input file. In
`other words, it recognizes if the terminal is an in-vehicle, a
`portable, or a fixed one. The file type and the type of the
`transmitter terminal are recorded in a header of a commu-
`nication file which is at the beginning of the communication
`file. It is also preferable to add a state of the terminal (i.e.,
`in-motion, or stationary) and a request for a data type of a
`replying file to the communication file if the transmitter is an
`in-vehicle or a portable one.
`Audio data from the file formatter 12 is supplied to a
`speaker 18 where it is output. Graphic data is supplied to a
`graphic data converter 20 where conversion of the data
`format is performed if necessary. In other words, if conver(cid:173)
`sion is necessary, audio signals to explain the content of the 25
`graphic data are generated. Graphic data which was not
`converted by the graphic data converter 20 is supplied to a
`graphic display 22 and displayed as it is. Audio signals
`obtained by the graphic data converter 20 are supplied to the
`speaker 18 and output thereby. Text data supplied from the 30
`file formatter 12 is supplied to a text data converter 24. The
`text data converter 4 then converts the text data into audio
`data. In other words, audio signals corresponding to each
`word of the text data are synthesized. Text data which was
`not converted by the text data converter 24 is supplied to the 35
`graphic display 22 as it is and displayed thereby. If the text
`data converter 24 converts text data to audio signals, the
`audio signals obtained are supplied to the speaker 18 and
`output thereby.
`A command processor 26 controls each process of the 40
`present communications
`terminal, based on the incoming
`information. Recognition results from the file type recog(cid:173)
`nizer 14 and the file source recognizer 16 are provided to the
`command processor 26. Information about vehicle speed
`detected by a motion/speed sensor 28 and the commands 45
`from a user input device 30 are also provided
`to the
`command processor 26. The user input device 30 comprises
`a keyboard and the like. The command processor 26 deter(cid:173)
`mines the state of the user (in this case a driver), based on
`a motion/speed sensor 28, in this case based on a speed of
`a vehicle. Based on the state recognized,
`the command
`processor 26 controls the graphic/audio converter 20 and
`
`4
`decides whether conversion to an audio data should be
`performed or not. In other words, if a vehicle is in motion,
`conversion is done by the graphic/audio converter or the
`text/audio converter, and an input file (graphic or text data)
`is converted to an audio data and output from the speaker 18.
`terminal device 10 has a
`The present communications
`microphone 32 as an input device. A user can input audio
`signals via the microphone 32. The audio signals input
`through the microphone 32 are supplied to both an voice
`recognizer 34 and a voice coder 36. A table 38 is connected
`to the voice recognizer 34. The voice recognizer 34 recog-
`nizes limited voice sounds and reads out a corresponding
`text data from the table 38. For example, if the input voice
`sounds are "driving, later", text such as "I am driving. I will
`respond later." is composed. By inputting a number such as
`1, 2, 3, ... through the microphone, it is also possible to read
`out a corresponding text data. It is also possible to output a
`pre-recorded guide message from the speaker 18 and select
`a text data by replying through the microphone 32.
`The voice coder 36 codes audio signals by a method such
`as PCM, and obtains a digitized audio file. The text data
`obtained by the voice recognizer 34 and the digitized audio
`file obtained by the voice coder 36 are provided to a file
`formatter 40. Text data from the command processor 26 is
`also provided to the file formatter 40. This text data is, for
`example, an input from the user input device 30. The file
`formatter 40 formats incoming data into a format suitable for
`transmission, and sends it out as an output file. This output
`is performed via a cellular phone and a modem. Means for
`transmitting or receiving data can be of any type such as one
`that directly uses a communications satellite channel.
`terminal 10 of the present
`In a communications
`embodiment, the command processor 26 decides an output
`data type, based on a vehicle motion recognized by the
`motion/speed sensor 28 and a type of the transmitter recog(cid:173)
`nized by the file source recognizer 16. For example, if a
`vehicle is in motion, the command processor 26 automati(cid:173)
`cally selects the microphone as a replying method and waits
`for an input by a user. It is also preferable to output a guide
`message from the speaker. The voice coder then transmits a
`digitized audio file. If it is known that a recipient is at a
`meeting, it is preferable to transmit a text data generated by
`the voice recognizer 34.
`
`Explanation about Data Conversion
`
`Data conversion upon receipt is now explained referring
`to Table 1. A case of in-vehicle communications terminal
`50 was explained
`in the above embodiment, but cases of
`portable communication terminal are included in the Table
`1.
`
`TABLE 1
`
`RECEIVER CONTROL TABLE EXAMPLE
`
`CURRENT
`STATE
`
`TEXT
`
`AUDlO
`
`IMAGE/
`GRAPHIC
`
`HTML/
`VRML
`
`IN CAR-MOVING
`
`AUDIO
`
`AUDIO
`
`IN CAR-STOPPED
`PORTABLE-
`MOVING
`PORTABLE-STOPPED
`PORTABLE-
`
`TEXT
`AUDIO
`
`TEXT
`TEXT
`
`AUDIO
`AUDIO
`
`AUDIO
`TEXT
`
`AUDIO
`AUDIO
`SUMMARY SUMMARY
`HIML/VRML
`1/G
`AUDIO
`AUDIO
`SUMMARY SUMMARY
`HIML/VRML
`1/G
`HIML/VRML
`1/G
`
`APPLET
`
`AUDIO
`SUMMARY
`APPLET
`AUDIO
`SUMMARY
`APPLET
`APPLET
`
`FORD EX. 1023, p. 5
`
`

`

`6,122,682
`
`5
`
`TABLE 1-continued
`
`RECEIVER CONTROL TABLE EXAMPLE
`
`6
`
`CURRENT
`STATE
`
`TEXT
`
`AUDlO
`
`IMAGE/
`GRAPHIC
`
`HTML/
`VRML
`
`APPLET
`
`QUIET
`ORIGINAL OVERRIDE TEXT
`TEXT SUMMARY
`TEXT
`OVERRIDE
`SUMMARY
`
`SUMMARY
`1/G
`AUDIO
`TEXT
`TEXT
`SUMMARY SUMMARY
`
`AUDIO OFF
`HrML/VRML
`TEXT
`SUMMARY
`
`AUDIO OFF
`APPLET
`TEXT
`SUMMARY
`
`As described above, replies can be done by selecting a
`variety of pre-recorded messages. In other words, a user
`15 enters a verbal command through the microphone 32 so that
`voice recognizer 34 can select a message corresponding to
`the command.
`It is preferable
`to select a message
`interactively, using a guide message from the speaker 18.
`
`Effects of the Embodiment
`
`In the present invention, conversion is controlled depend(cid:173)
`ing on a communications terminal being in motion or not.
`An appropriate output is made depending on a state of the
`communications terminal. Therefore, problems like text data
`being displayed that cannot be read while a user is in motion
`are resolved. Furthermore, an appropriate mode is selected
`upon reply, based on states of a sender and a recipient. By
`considering
`the type of the receiver terminal, data in a
`format best-suited for the recipient can be sent. Therefore, a
`more user-friendly man-machine interface is provided.
`
`Another Embodiment
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another configuration
`of a communications terminal device related to the present
`invention. In this embodiment, a fixed server 50 is set. The
`server 50 assumes a large portion of the functions of the
`communications terminal 10 described above. The rest of
`the functions are assigned to a communications terminal 60.
`In other words, the server 50 has a server controller 52, as
`well as a file formatter 12, a file type recognizer 14, a file
`
`20
`
`25
`
`Seven states of the communications terminal are set as "in
`car-moving",
`"in car-stopped",
`"portable-moving",
`"portable-stopped",
`"portable-quiet
`( audio output
`prohibited)", "original override", and "text summary". Five
`data types are set as "text", "audio", "image/graphic",
`"HTMLNRML", and "Applet". HTMLNRML and Applet
`are communications data formats including a variety of data
`types, which are converted to ordinary data formats, depend-
`ing on a responding system. If a vehicle is in motion, a text
`or an audio data is output as a voice message. Conversion of
`text data to audio data is performed by the text/audio
`converter 24, using ordinary audio synthesis. Image/graphic,
`HTMLNRML, and Applet are converted into audio sum-
`maries. An audio summary has a data type, data length, and
`a sender's name. Audio data itself is generated by audio
`synthesis. If a vehicle is stopped, an input file is output as it
`is without converting its data type. If a portable terminal is
`in motion, it is regarded the same as the "in car-moving". If 30
`it is stopped, it is regarded the same as "in car-stopped". In
`a case of "portable-quiet", audio output is better to be
`prohibited. Therefore, an audio data is converted to a text
`summary. The content of the summary is the same as
`described above. Otherwise an original is output as it is. If 35
`"original override" is set, an original file is output as it is,
`and if "text summary"
`is set, all files are output after
`conversion to text summaries.
`The reply data type is determined, based on a user's state
`and a type of a recipient terminal device. This is explained 40
`referring to Table 2.
`
`TABLE 2
`
`REPLY CONTROL TABLE EXAMPLE
`
`CURRENT SENDER
`STATE
`
`IN CAR-MOVING
`IN CAR-STOPPED
`PORTABLE-MOVING
`PORTABLE-STOPPED
`PORTABLE-QUIET
`
`PORTABLE
`
`MOBILE
`
`FIXED
`
`AUDIO
`AUDIO
`AUDIO
`UNDERSTRICTED
`AUDIO
`TEXT/AUOIO
`AUDIO
`AUDIO
`AUDIO
`UNDERSTRICTED
`AUDlO
`TEXT/AUDIO
`PRE-SET TEXT RECORDED PRE-SET TEXT
`MESSAGE
`AUDIO
`MESSAGE
`
`RECIPIENT
`OVERRIDE
`
`PER TABLE
`PER TABLE
`PER TABLE
`PER TABLE
`PER TABLE
`
`In this table, a current sender state is set as "in car(cid:173)
`moving", "in car-stopped", "portable-moving", "portable(cid:173)
`stopped", and "portable-quiet". Types of a receiver are
`"portable", "mobile", and "fixed". "Recipient override"
`means to adopt an output data type according to the Table 1.
`A data is transmitted in the same format as the incoming
`data. If a car or a portable is in motion, audio data is output
`regardless of a receiver terminal type. If a car or a portable
`is stopped, text or audio data is output. In a case of the 65
`receiver being a portable, audio data in a case of a mobile,
`any data in a case of a fixed.
`
`source recognizer 16, a graphic/audio converter 20, a text/
`audio converter 22, and a pre-set text file 54. In this figure,
`the server 50 is connected directly in line to the communi(cid:173)
`cations terminal device 60. However, an exchange of data is
`60 performed via communications. In other words, the server
`50 is set in an information center which is fixed on the
`ground, and the communications
`terminal device 60 is a
`mobile terminal such as a portable or an in-vehicle one. The
`server 50 is also connected to a sender's terminal device
`through a telephone line and a relay, for example.
`terminal device 60 comprises a
`The communications
`receiver 10, a speaker 18, a graphic display 22, a command
`
`FORD EX. 1023, p. 6
`
`

`

`6,122,682
`
`7
`processor 26, a motion/speed sensor 28, a user input device
`30, a microphone 32, a voice recognizer 34, a voice coder
`36, and a table 38.
`The server 50 communicates with the communications
`terminal 60 after receiving a file from a sender to the 5
`communications terminal 60, and notifies the communica(cid:173)
`tions terminal 60 of its receipt. The communications termi(cid:173)
`nal 60 determines its current state by a detection result of the
`motion/speed sensor 28, and notifies the server 50 of it. The
`server 50 decides an appropriate file format for the commu-
`nications terminal 60, and converts the received file into the
`format decided. The server 50 then sends the converted file
`to the communications terminal 60. As described above, the
`terminal 60 does not necessarily have a
`communications
`conversion function, since the server 50 executes a conver-
`sion process. Therefore, down-sizing of the communications
`terminal 60 is feasible.
`The server 50 has the pre-set text unit 54 inside, and a
`comparatively
`large volume of data can be stored here.
`Therefore, the communications terminal 60 can output suit- 20
`able text by selecting it among the text stored here.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`8
`a composer composing outgoing data in a plurality of data
`types in accordance with a data input by the input
`device;
`an inferring device for inferring the data type of the
`outgoing data which is suitable for a transmitter of the
`communication terminal device; and
`a transmitter for transmitting the outgoing data composed
`by the composer, wherein the outgoing data in a data
`type inferred by the inferring device is composed by the
`composer and transmits the composed outgoing data by
`the transmitter.
`2. A communications terminal device according to claim
`1, wherein
`in a
`is located
`terminal device
`the communications
`vehicle and the state detector detects the motion state of
`the vehicle.
`3. A communications terminal device according to claim
`1, further comprising:
`a table for storing relationships between states and data
`types suitable for each state;
`a comparator for comparing a data type which is deter(cid:173)
`mined by the state detector to be suitable for the state
`and a data type of the received data detected by the data
`type detector;
`whereby
`the convertor converts the data type of the
`received data into another type if the comparison result
`of both data types detected by the comparator is dif(cid:173)
`ferent.
`4. A communications terminal device according to claim
`3, wherein
`in a
`is located
`terminal device
`the communications
`vehicle and the state detector detects the motion state of
`the vehicle.
`5. A communications terminal device according to claim
`4, wherein
`types of data to be transmitted include at least a text type
`and an audio type, and
`a convertor that decides, in a case of received data being
`text data, whether the text data should be output as it is
`or the text data should be converted into audio data, in
`accordance with a motion state detected by the state
`detector.
`6. A communication terminal device used in a communi(cid:173)
`cation system, comprising:
`a receiver for receiving data;
`a data type detector for detecting the data type of the
`received data;
`a state detector for detecting whether or not the commu(cid:173)
`nication terminal device is moving;
`a converter for converting the received data to an appro(cid:173)
`priate data type in accordance with the data type
`detected by the data type detector and the state detected
`by the state detector;
`an output device for outputting the data converted;
`an input device for inputting data;
`a composer composing outgoing data in a plurality of data
`types in accordance with a data input by the input
`device;
`an inferring device for inferring the data type of the
`outgoing data which is suitable for a transmitter of the
`communication terminal device; and
`a transmitter for transmitting the outgoing data composed
`by the composer, wherein the outgoing data in a data
`type inferred by the inferring device is composed by the
`
`Other Configurations
`A current state of a portable terminal device can be 25
`measured by a three-axis gyro or other motion sensor. A
`variety of data processing procedures may also be executed
`by the command processor 26.
`terminal,
`In a case of an in-vehicle communications
`secure parking or stop of a vehicle may be detected by a 30
`shift-lever being positioned at "park", and a hand brake
`being pulled, and an output of text data or graphic data can
`It is also preferable
`to
`be permitted on this occasion.
`consider vehicle sizes and road conditions such as "on
`highway", or "in-city". This kind of information can be 35
`obtained from a car navigation system.
`It is also preferable to separate a data processing unit from
`a component for communication so that the data processing
`unit becomes portable. By this separation, a variety of
`procedures such as entering data are performed by the data 40
`processing unit. Later it can work as a communications
`terminal device by connecting
`it to the component for
`communication. It is possible to take out a data processing
`unit from an in-vehicle terminal and a variety of procedures
`such as entering data can be done indoors.
`It is also preferable to improve a voice recognizer so that
`it converts input voice signals into a text data. In a voice
`recognition process,
`the voice recognizer will be more
`secured by recognizing a situation, i.e., a kind of data
`received, and a state in which a reply is carried out. Based 50
`on the detection results above, it is also preferable to limit
`pre-recorded audio data and a text data to be chosen from.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A communication terminal device used in a communi(cid:173)
`cation system, comprising:
`a receiver for receiving data;
`a data type detector for detecting the data type of the
`received data;
`a state detector for detecting a state of the communication
`terminal device;
`a converter for converting the received data to an appro(cid:173)
`priate data type in accordance with the data type
`detected by the data type detector and the state detected
`by the state detector;
`an output device for outputting the data converted;
`an input device for inputting data;
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`45
`
`FORD EX. 1023, p. 7
`
`

`

`6,122,682
`
`9
`composer and transmits the composed outgoing data by
`the transmitter.
`7. A communication apparatus which performs data com(cid:173)
`munications in a plurality of data types wherein a receiver
`recognizes a pre-determined data type of received data,
`detects a state of the apparatus, converts the data type of the
`received data in accordance with the state detected, and
`outputs the converted data, receives input data from an input
`device, composes outgoing data in at least one of a plurality
`of data types in accordance with the input data, infers the 10
`data type of the outgoing data so that it is suitable for a
`transmitter of the apparatus in accordance with the state
`detected, and transmits the outgoing data composed by the
`composer.
`
`10
`8. A storing medium for storing a program to control data
`processing by a communication terminal device, wherein the
`program detects the data type of the received data and the
`state of the communication terminal device, and converts the
`5 received data to the state of the communication
`terminal
`device, receives input data from an input device, composes
`outgoing data in at least one of a plurality of data types in
`accordance with the input data, infers the data type of the
`outgoing data so that it is suitable for the communication
`terminal device in accordance with the state detected, and
`transmits the outgoing data composed by the composer.
`
`* * * * *
`
`FORD EX. 1023, p. 8
`
`