In embodiments of the present invention, a virtual phone is provided which includes a touch screen mounted on an enclosure that includes a processor, memory, wireless communication port, and a power port. The virtual phone further includes a software application executing on the processor to control image display on the touch screen and emulate features of a handheld device presented in the image in response to a user touching a presented feature. The virtual phone further includes a configuration of a user-specific handheld device that is derived from the user-specific handheld device is stored in a memory that is accessible to the processor; wherein the virtual phone presents a visual representation of the user-specific handheld device on the touch screen based on the configuration.

Provided is a computer implemented method and system for delivering text messages, emails, and messages from a messenger application to a user while the user is engaged in an activity, such as driving, exercising, or working. Typically, the emails and other messages are announced to the user and read aloud without any user input. In Drive Mode, while the user is driving, a clean interface is shown to the user, and the user can hear announcements and messages/emails aloud without looking at the screen of the phone, and use gestures to operate the phone. After a determination is made that a new text message and/or email has arrived, the user is informed aloud of the text message/email/messenger message and in most instances, and if the user takes no further action, the body and/or subject of the text message/email/messenger message is read aloud to the user. All messages can be placed in a single queue, and read to the user in order of receipt.

A system for using a mobile phone in a vehicle includes an auxiliary jack having multiple conductors and configured to receive a connector having a first end to be coupled to the auxiliary jack and a second end to be coupled to a mobile device. The system further includes a ground coupled to a first conductor of the multiple conductors, and a microphone coupled to a second conductor of the multiple conductors that receives microphone data from a cabin of the vehicle to be transmitted to the remote device via the connector. The system further includes a first speaker coupled to a third conductor of the multiple conductors that outputs audio data received from the third conductor, and an IVI interface configured to receive user instructions for controlling the mobile device and to transmit the user instructions to the mobile device via at least one of the multiple conductors.

Disclosed is a vehicular electronic device including a processor configured to receive information on a user gaze direction, to determine whether a user looks forward based on the information, to perform control to make a call using voice only upon determining that the user looks forward, and to perform control to make a call using voice and an image upon determining that the user does not look forward.

An enhanced radio system is disclosed that provides for the capture and playback of one or more radio stations. A user may tune to a station, scan through stations, rewind through missed content (even while the system is off), and fast-forward through undesired content, while downloading and uploading audio content, and sending content to another user. A user may rate content, and be notified when that content is played on any station, with undesirable content skipped and desirable content saved, or station recommendations made. Support for multiple sets of configuration information to allow use by multiple listeners and in multiple locations may be provided. Optionally provided are security features to prevent the unauthorized downloading, uploading, and saving of copies of content, other radio related and content related information, a karaoke mode, integration with a telephone with the radio, or reporting usage information to a collection facility.

An enhanced radio system is disclosed that provides for the capture and playback of one or more radio stations. A user may tune to a station, scan through stations, rewind through missed content (even while the system is off), and fast-forward through undesired content, while downloading and uploading audio content, and sending content to another user. A user may rate content, and be notified when that content is played on any station, with undesirable content skipped and desirable content saved, or station recommendations made. Support for multiple sets of configuration information to allow use by multiple listeners and in multiple locations may be provided. Optionally provided are security features to prevent the unauthorized downloading, uploading, and saving of copies of content, other radio related and content related information, a karaoke mode, integration with a telephone with the radio, or reporting usage information to a collection facility.

Operating parameters of a hands-free audio system used with a wireless communication device in a moving vehicle are adjusted or tuned in real-time and requires only two persons: one to drive the vehicle and thus provide actual usage conditions with the hands-free audio system and one to remotely tune or adjust operating parameters to optimize far end audio quality. The system is remotely tuned by transmitting audio signals from the vehicle to the far end using a first communications link to the far end and sending adjustment commands to the vehicle from the far end via a second, data link between the far end and the vehicle. In one embodiment, DTMF signals received from inside or outside the vehicle can tune or be used to diagnose the hands-free system. Test measurements obtained from within and by the hands-free audio system can also be retrieved from a remote location.

A reproduced data output apparatus includes: a reproduced data receiver section to receive a reproduced data of a content from an external instrument having a reproduction function of the content; a report determiner section to determine whether an operation status report signal indicating that a status of a present operation of the external instrument is a status of a different operation is reported from the external instrument, in response to that an occurrence of an event is identified during a status of a first operation being identified as a status of a present operation of the external instrument; and a command transmission controller section to transmit a command that requires a re-start of the first operation to the external instrument, in response to that the operation status report signal is determined to be reported from the external instrument.

A reproduced data output apparatus includes: a reproduced data receiver section to receive a reproduced data of a content from an external instrument having a reproduction function of the content; a report determiner section to determine whether an operation status report signal indicating that a status of a present operation of the external instrument is a status of a different operation is reported from the external instrument, in response to that an occurrence of an event is identified during a status of a first operation being identified as a status of a present operation of the external instrument; and a command transmission controller section to transmit a command that requires a re-start of the first operation to the external instrument, in response to that the operation status report signal is determined to be reported from the external instrument.

A context-based action determination system includes: a first terminal device; a server device communicably connected with the first terminal device and configured to receive a service provision request from the first terminal device; and a second terminal device, different from the first terminal device, communicably connected with the server device and configured to transmit context information to the server device. The server device determines whether a service associated with the service provision request is providable to the first terminal device in response to the service provision request based on the context information received from the second terminal device, and the server device provides the service to the first terminal device when the server device determines that the service is providable.