System for adapting driver information systems to existing vehicles
First Claim
1. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising:
- a PDA, a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said PDA, and a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said PDA received in said docking station that enables a mechanical and electrical connection from said PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle is disclosed. An off-the-shelf driver-to-vehicle interface device such as a PDA is received in a corresponding docking station. A custom adapter device mechanically and electrically receives the PDA components and enables a mechanical and electrical connection from the PDA components to the vehicle. The custom adapter device is configured in a variety of embodiments to interfit with a pre-existing cavity in the vehicle such as a cup holder, ashtray cavity, coin holder, or seam in the dashboard. The custom adapter device further provides an electrical connection from the PDA components to the power system of the vehicle and to an electronic on board controller. The PDA docking station may be structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a control panel of manually operable elements to be manipulated by a driver.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising:
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a PDA, a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said PDA, and a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said PDA received in said docking station that enables a mechanical and electrical connection from said PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising:
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a PDA integrated with a data phone and a driver input device, a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA, and a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA received in said docking station, said custom adapter device being configured to be fittingly received within a pre-existing cavity in said vehicle to enable a mechanical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle, and said custom adapter device further enabling an electrical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to a power system of said vehicle and by way of a single cable to an on board controller that is integrated with a GPS antenna, a heading sensor, and a speaker.
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13. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising:
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a PDA integrated with a data phone and a driver input device, a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA, and a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA received in said docking station, said custom adapter device being configured to be fittingly received within a pre-existing cavity in said vehicle to enable a mechanical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle, and said PDA docking station is structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a panel of manually operable control elements to be manipulated by a driver, said docking station having a retaining device pivotally attached thereto for holding said PDA securely in position.
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Specification