A hands-free apparatus includes a memory and a hardware processor coupled to the memory. The hardware processor is configured to: connect to a mobile phone to enable a hands-free telephone conversation; receive at least one data of outgoing call history data, incoming call history data, missed call history data, and phonebook data stored in the mobile phone; and execute synchronization permission checking processing to check whether transfer of the at least one data is permitted in the mobile phone before receiving the at least one data from the mobile phone.

A hands-free apparatus includes a memory, and a hardware processor coupled to the memory. The hardware processor is configured to: perform a hands-free connection process of connecting to a mobile phone by using a hands-free communication protocol for performing a hands-free telephone conversation; perform a connection process with a mobile phone by using a data transfer protocol for transferring telephone data related to telephone, and a data transfer process of causing the telephone data to be transferred from the mobile phone; perform a software update process of the hands-free apparatus; and perform transfer control for causing the telephone data to be transferred. The hardware processor is configured to cause transfer of the telephone data not to be performed during the software update process.

A hands-free device according to the present disclosure includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to: connect to a cellular phone in a hands-free telephone conversation-enabled manner pursuant to HFP; receive from the cellular phone at least one of outgoing call history data, incoming call history data, unattended incoming call history data, and telephone directory data stored in the cellular phone by a communication protocol pursuant to PBAP; and receive, when the cellular phone receives a voice message or an answerphone record, at least one of information on the voice message and information on the answerphone record from the cellular phone.

A hands-free device is disclosed, in which a memory and a hardware processor connected to the memory are included. The hardware processor establishes a connection with a mobile phone using a hands-free communication protocol for making a hands-free call. The hardware processor establishes a connection with the mobile phone using a data transfer protocol for transferring phone data about a phone to receive the phone data transferred from the mobile phone, and stores the phone data into the memory. When a phone communication state of the mobile phone is transitioned while the phone data is being transferred, the hardware processor executes transfer control in accordance with transfer criteria, each depending on a type of the phone data being transferred and the phone communication state after the transition.

The described methods and systems decrease instances of distracted driving, encourage more frequent use of vehicle tracking services, and generally improve the risk profile of a driver and vehicle. These benefits are achieved by way of a vehicle computer system that incentivizes users to place mobile devices in a do-not-disturb (DND) mode and to activate vehicle tracking services. The vehicle computer system encourages these behaviors by enabling content delivery for devices within the vehicle based on the status of the mobile device(s) and the status of the vehicle tracking service(s).

A signal processing apparatus includes a generator, an output controller, and an echo canceller. The generator generates an output sound signal by combining an over-the-phone sound signal with a system sound signal different from the over-the-phone sound signal. The output controller outputs, to a loudspeaker, the output sound signal generated by the generator. The echo canceller cancels the output sound signal from an input sound signal input via a microphone located in a vicinity of the loudspeaker. The output controller suppresses a level of the system sound signal to be output from the loudspeaker so as not to be greater than a predetermined value within a range in which a volume value for the over-the-phone sound signal is settable.

The described methods and systems decrease instances of distracted driving, encourage more frequent use of vehicle tracking services, and generally improve the risk profile of a driver and vehicle. These benefits are achieved by way of a vehicle computer system that incentivizes users to place mobile devices in a do-not-disturb (DND) mode and to activate vehicle tracking services. The vehicle computer system encourages these behaviors by enabling content delivery for devices within the vehicle based on the status of the mobile device(s) and the status of the vehicle tracking service(s).

A vehicle safety system includes at least one detector positioned to monitor at least a portion of an interior of a vehicle and a processor/communication system configured to receive inputs from the at least one detector and to communicate with brought-in devices located within the vehicle. The processor/communication system determines a location of the brought-in device based on visible/IR signals generated by the brought-in device and detected by the at least one detector, wherein the processor/communication system communicates restrictions/permissions to the brought-in device based on the determined location.

Methods and systems in which a portable electronic device can be voice to activated are disclosed. The portable electronic device can be a multi-function electronic device. The voice activation can be robust and context sensitive. The voice activation can also be utilized without any preparatory user action with respect to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can also interact with a media system.

An in-vehicle navigation apparatus with a handsfree function establishes a Bluetooth communication link with a cellular phone. When receiving from the cellular phone outgoing call history data and incoming call history data, which were stored in the cellular phone before establishing the Bluetooth communication link, the in-vehicle navigation apparatus stores, in a work memory, the received outgoing call history data and the received incoming call history data, equally to, of the navigation apparatus itself, outgoing call history data and incoming call history data. An outgoing call operation then becomes possible using outgoing call history data and incoming call history data, which are stored in the work memory.