Jump to content

Ford Sync

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Vvolkman (talk | contribs) at 16:00, 22 November 2010 (→‎Overview). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Ford Sync is a factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. It is based on the Microsoft Auto software platform and uses low cost hardware.[1] The system is currently offered on 12 different Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles in the Americas and the Middle East, starting with the 2008 model year.

Overview

Ford Sync allows drivers to bring nearly any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone and some digital media players into their vehicle and operate them using voice commands, the vehicle's steering wheel, or radio controls.[2]

The technology was announced by Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally at the annual North American International Auto Show in January 2007. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates made an appearance via live satellite.

Ford Sync allows various portable devices (e.g., the iPod, Zune, and most other USB mass storage devices) and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones to be operated with simple voice commands. Sync can even receive text messages and read them aloud using a digitized female voice "Samantha". Sync can interpret a hundred or so shorthand messages such as LOL for "laughing out loud" and will read swear words; it will not however, decipher obscene acronyms.

As a stand-alone option, the MSRP is $395.

Ranked #4 on Popular Mechanics--The Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of 2007.[3] Recognized by Popular Science magazine with a "Best of What's New Award" for 2008 in November 2007.[3]

Vehicles offering Sync

The following vehicles are Sync capable, available as either an optional or standard feature. The date next to each vehicle indicates in which model year Sync was first available on that specific vehicle. *Note: On some models, Sync is not available on certain trim levels.

Features

  • Traffic, Directions and Information Services: On May 27, 2009, it was announced that traffic, directions and other information services would be made available on 2010 vehicles equipped with Sync. These services are being offered free for 3 years to the original owner of the vehicle. They include
    • Traffic Alerts - provided by INRIX
    • Turn-By-Turn Directions -provided by INRIX
    • Information Services (weather, sports, news and 411 business search)
  • 911 Assist†: In the event of a serious accident with an air bag deployment, the 911 Assist feature will make a direct call to a local 911 emergency operator. Before initiating the emergency 911 call, Sync will provide a 10-second window to allow the driver or passenger to decide whether to cancel the call. If not manually cancelled within the 10-second window, Sync will place the emergency call. A pre-recorded message will play when the call is answered, and occupants in the vehicle will then be able to communicate directly with the 911 operator.
  • Vehicle Health Reports†: After setting their personal preferences online, users can access free car reports at any time using Sync. This feature will be released with Sync version 2.0. All current Sync owners will have access to upgrade to this version.[4]
  • Voice-activated, hands-free calling: Using the "Push to Talk" button on the steering wheel allows the user to access anyone on their mobile phone's contact list by voice command.
  • Uninterrupted connections: Pushing the "Telephone" button on the steering wheel will automatically transfer a current telephone call to the Sync system without having to hang up and call again.
  • Audible text messages: Sync can convert text messages to audio and will read them out loud. However, this feature is carrier dependent; currently Sprint does not support this feature. Verizon sells very few phones with this feature including the LG Cosmos and Motorola Droid X.
  • Advanced calling features: Sync displays the same features as the mobile phone used, such as caller ID, call waiting, conference calling, a caller log, a list of contacts, a signal strength icon, and a phone battery charge icon.
  • Voice-activated music: Sync allows you to browse through music collections by genre, album, artist, and song title using simple voice commands.
  • Instant voice recognition: Allows users to avoid programming or reading aloud of scripts for Sync to recognize their voice.
  • Ring tone support: Sync will play personal ring tones assigned to identify specific callers.
  • Automatic phonebook transfer: Sync will wirelessly transfer the names and numbers in a mobile phonebook automatically.
  • Multilingual intelligence: Sync is fluent in American English, Canadian French, and Mexican Spanish.[5]

†Italicized features only available on 2009.5 and later model years, or via a software update [6]

Recording of Conversations

According to the Terms of Service:

Ford's Service provider Tellme Networks, Inc. ("Tellme"), a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, may record and retain user voice utterances ("recorded utterances"), which are recordings of sounds made when the TDI Service is in listen state and waiting for a user command or response. These recorded utterances may include all sounds in the vehicle, including the voice of the user and voices of other vehicle occupants, while the service is in listen state. Tellme may also, at Ford's request, randomly record and assemble in sequence, all voice communications made from the time the Service is connected (by the user pressing the VOICE button) to the time the Service is disconnected. ("Whole call recordings (WCRs)"). WCRs will include voice utterances and may include any other sounds in the vehicle, including the voices of the user and other vehicle occupants, during the entire time the Service is connected. Both recorded utterances and WCRs may be associated with you or the cell phone number assigned to the Service.

and

By activating or using the Service, you expressly agree to the recording and sharing of your utterances and WCRs as set forth above for the purposes set forth above in these Terms and Conditions regardless of whether or not you have read them.

System

Ford Sync module circuit board FCCID LHJSYNC01

The Sync computer, which Ford calls the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM), is housed separately from the head unit, which Ford calls the Audio Control Module (ACM), and interfaces with all vehicle audio sources as well as the high-speed and medium-speed vehicle CAN-buses.[7][8] The first generation of the Ford's Sync computer was designed in cooperation with Continental AG[9] and is built around a 400 MHz Freescale i.MX31L processor with an ARM 11 CPU core, uses 256MB of 133 MHz Mobile DDR SDRAM from Micron and 2GB of Samsung NAND flash memory,[1][10] runs the Microsoft Auto operating system,[11] and uses speech technology by Nuance Communications. Utilizing the USB port, Sync's Microsoft Windows Auto-based operating system can be updated to work with new personal electronic devices. A Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR) BlueCore4 chip provides Bluetooth connectivity with compatible phones and devices. Sync's major chips cost US$27.80 which allows Ford to profitably sell the system at a much lower price than competitive offerings.[1]


Current Version: 3.2

References

  • Source: Ford Motor Company
  1. ^ a b c Richard Robinson, iSuppli (2008-04-04). "Under the Hood: Mini-teardown reveals Ford Sync's economical design". Embedded.com. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  2. ^ "Is Ford SYNC The Voice Recognition Benchmark?". Auto Trends. 2008-04-21. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
  3. ^ a b Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of 2007 - Microsoft Surface, Apple iPhone, Nintendo Wii Fit and More - Breakthrough Awards - Popular Mechanics
  4. ^ Ford Vehicles: News: Article Detail[dead link]
  5. ^ Detroit Auto Show: Ford Sync - Autoblog
  6. ^ http://www.syncmyride.com/Own/Modules/FaqManagement/FaqDetail.aspx?faqId=199
  7. ^ "Sync KIT SYSTEM INSTALLATION - SK9R3J-14F013-AA" (PDF). Ford Motor Company. 2008. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  8. ^ "Connector: C3342 Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM)". Ford Motor Company. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  9. ^ Bray, Hiawatha (2007-11-12). "Microsoft, Ford team up on voice controls for drivers". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  10. ^ Chaney, Rich (2008-06-12). "Mobile DDR spurs low-cost, low-power automotive electronics designs". EETimes, Micron Technology. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  11. ^ Ford and Microsoft in Sync for in-car infotainment - CES 2007 - Consumer Electronics Show Las Vegas - CNET.com

INRIX provides the backend traffic and navigation services to Sync [1]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ford_Sync&oldid=398264219"