COLOGNE, GERMANY (Nov. 17, 2005) - Ford Motor Co. is bringing state-of-the-art voice control of on-board systems with Nokia's Bluetooth wireless connectivity to a vehicle near you. In Europe, the new Ford Focus ST is the latest car in the Ford model range to benefit from this technology, and Ford says it will be introduced to the majority of its vehicle lines by early 2006.
Voice control and MP3 connectivity Bluetooth wireless technology for mobile phones is an essential element of this advanced voice control system, and it will be offered as an optional extra on the audio systems across the majority of models in the Ford portfolio. Coupled with voice control of on-board systems, the automaker says the technology provides a convenient and safe way to operate mobile phones, climate controls and entertainment equipment while driving.Ford also offers customers the ability to connect portable MP3 audio devices, such as the Apple iPod, via a conventional 3.5mm audio connector that is available with most Ford audio systems. Christof Kellerwessel, Ford Europe's chief engineer for Electrical Systems said, "The ability to connect such devices to your in-car audio system means instant access to your personal choice.
(Photo: Ford)
The voice control system is based on Nokia technology in combination with various Ford audio systems. For its existing model lines, Ford offers three optional Bluetooth packages providing varying levels of operational comfort. They all offer hands-free mobile phone operation and include a factory-mounted digital signal processing microphone specifically designed to optimize voice control.
The audio system's on-board speakers are used to achieve the best possible sound quality for all applications. Ford says that these packages offer advantages over aftermarket kits because the system is fully integrated into the vehicle's existing electrical control systems, which allows full use of the familiar remote radio controls. The systems are based on second-generation Bluetooth technology that supports a large number mobile phones from Nokia and other manufacturers. The three optional systems offered by Ford are:
* Ford Interface Type A: A charging/connectivity cradle for individual mobile phone types and a display of SMS text messages on the radio display. * Ford Bluetooth Interface Type B: Wireless connection between Ford audio system and a Bluetooth-equipped mobile phone. The phone does not have to be plugged into a charging cradle but may remain in the driver's pocket or handbag if desired. Modern mobile phones, with their typically long battery life, will allow use of the phone for several days in combination with this package without needing to be recharged. In addition, this interface offers voice control capability for the mobile phone and, depending on the vehicle specification, for climate controls, radio, CD player, CD changer and navigation systems. * Ford Bluetooth Interface Type C: Provides all the functionality of the type B systems, but includes an additional charging console for certain mobile phones. Type C allows the operation of the mobile phone's address book over the remote radio stalks plus all the voice control functions of type B. Bluetooth technology Nokia's Bluetooth technology uses radio waves for the wireless transfer of data between compatible devices in an operating range of up to 10 meters, using a 2.45 gigahertz band. Such wireless interfaces also are used to create connections between phones and PCs or laptop computers, phones and PDAs, and between mobile phone units. Two Bluetooth devices, for example a mobile phone and a Ford audio unit, have to agree to share a communications profile in order to communicate successfully; Ford calls this agreement "pairing." Through this pairing process, the two devices henceforth will "see" each other via a start-up protocol whenever they are both switched on and within reach of the Bluetooth operating range.Once the pairing process has installed one or several mobile phones as partners of the system, the system will always reconnect to the one used last each time the system is activated. Any other phones already installed, for example different mobiles for each family member, can be easily reactivated with the touch of a button. Once paired, the connection protocol allows the Bluetooth units to interact without interference from third parties, adds Ford. Once a Bluetooth connection has been established, no other party can participate in the in-car communication, which provides operation free of unauthorized interference.
Nokia's Bluetooth technology uses a coding technology called "spread-spectrum frequency hopping" in which paired Bluetooth devices "hop" in sync between 79 randomly chosen frequencies 1,600 times per second. Ford says this makes eavesdropping on the connection virtually impossible.
(Source: Ford)
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