Vehicle mirror assembly communicating wirelessly with vehicle accessories and occupants

• US 20010055165A1
• Filed: 04/20/2001
• Published: 12/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: McCarthy, Kevin C., Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,693,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/839
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3608 using speech input, e.g. using speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3629 Guidance using speech or audio output, e.g. text-to-speech text to speech systems per se G10L13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface

Abstract

A vehicle-based wireless communication system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior mirror reflective element, a housing for the reflective element and a mirror-mounted communication system. The mirror-mounted communication system preferably includes a communication data port for short-range communication with a mobile device that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle. The communication system further includes a telecommunication link from the vehicle to an external provider of information or service. In this manner, the communication system provides connectivity between a low-power mobile device and a provider of information or service that is separate from the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle mirror-based wireless communication system, comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior mirror reflective element, a housing for said reflective element and a mirror-mounted communication system; and

said mirror-mounted communication system including a communication data port for short-range communication with a mobile device that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle, said communication system further including a communication link from the vehicle to an external provider of information or service, whereby said communication system provides connectivity between a low-power mobile device with a provider of information or service separated from the vehicle.

2. The communication system of

claim 1

including manually operated controls at said interior rearview mirror assembly for facilitating operation of said mirror-mounted communication system.

3. The communication system of

claim 1

including a multi-text display at said interior rearview mirror assembly.

4. The communication system of

claim 3

wherein said multi-text display is a multi-pixel display.

5. The communication system of

claim 3

wherein said multi-text display is a reconfigurable display.

6. The communication system of

claim 5

wherein said multi-text display is a scrolling display.

7. The communication system of

claim 1

wherein said communication data port provides short-range communication with a mobile device having one of a keypad, a touch pad, and a stylus actuated screen thereby providing user entry of text data to said communication system.

8. The communication system of

claim 1

including a global positioning system, wherein said communication system communicates vehicle location information from said global positioning system to an external provider of information or service.

9. The communication system of

claim 1

including a link between said communication system and a vehicle bus system whereby said communication system provides connectivity between a low-power mobile device with a vehicle bus system.

10. The communication system of

claim 1

including a holder for a mobile device.

11. The communication system of

claim 10

wherein said holder is at said interior rearview mirror assembly.

12. The communication system of

claim 1

including a dock for docking a mobile device with said communication data port.

13. The communication system of

claim 12

wherein said dock is at said interior rearview mirror assembly.

14. The communication system of

claim 1

wherein said data port comprises a wireless communication port.

15. The communication system of

claim 14

wherein said data port comprises an infrared communication port.

16. The communication system of

claim 15

wherein said data port comprises an IrDA infrared data port.

17. The communication system of

claim 14

wherein said data port comprises an RF communication port.

18. The communication system of

claim 17

wherein said data port comprises a short-range wireless communication protocol.

19. The communication system of

claim 1

wherein said data port comprises a wired communication port.

20. The communication system of

claim 1

further including a mobile device that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle, said mobile device being in communication with said communication data port.

21. The communication system of

claim 20

wherein said mobile device comprises one of a hand-held telephone, a personal digital assistant, a hand-held personal identifier, and a hand-held remote entry device.

22. The communication system of

claim 21

wherein said mobile device comprises a hand-held remote entry device selected from the group consisting of an active key fob and a passive key fob.

23. The communication system of

claim 1

wherein said communication link comprises a wireless link.

24. The communication system of

claim 1

including a voice detection and recognition system, wherein said communication system receives data from said voice detection and recognition system.

25. A vehicle mirror-based wireless communication system, comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior mirror reflective element, and a housing for said reflective element;

a remote telematic server that is remote from the vehicle;

a vehicular dynamic interactive communication system at said interior rearview mirror assembly, said communication system including a global positioning system for determining a geographic location of the vehicle and a first communication link with said remote telematic server, said interactive communication system further including a multi-text scrolling display;

at least one service provider; and

a second communication link between said at least one service provider and said telematic server, whereby said communication system communicates identification data to said remote telematic server pertaining to at least one of the location, identity and direction heading of the vehicle and whereby said at least one service provider provides assistance data to the vehicle via said first and second communication links, said assistance data being customized to said at least one of the location, identity and direction heading of the vehicle.

26. The communication system of

claim 25

wherein said first and second communication links are two-way links.

27. The communication system of

claim 26

wherein said at least one service provider comprises one of a gas station, a store, a cinema, a WEB site, a toll center, a banking center, a news center, a weather center, a traffic data center, an advertisement center, and a satellite radio provider.

28. The communication system of

claim 25

wherein said communication system provides communication from the vehicle to said at least one service provider in response to said assistance data.

29. The communication system of

claim 25

wherein said communication system further includes a communication data port for short-range communication with a mobile device that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle.

30. The communication system of

claim 29

wherein said mobile device comprises one of a hand-held telephone, a personal digital assistant, a hand-held personal identifier, and a hand-held remote entry device.

31. The communication system of

claim 29

wherein said mobile device comprises a hand-held remote entry device selected from the group consisting of an active key fob and a passive key fob.

32. The communication system of

claim 29

including a holder for a mobile device.

33. The communication system of

claim 32

wherein said holder is at said interior rearview mirror assembly.

34. The communication system of

claim 29

including a dock for docking a mobile device with said communication data port.

35. The communication system of

claim 34

wherein said dock is at said interior rearview mirror assembly.

36. The communication system of

claim 29

wherein said data port comprises a wireless communication port.

37. The communication system of

claim 36

wherein said data port comprises an infrared communication port.

38. The communication system of

claim 37

wherein said data port comprises an IrDA infrared data port.

39. The communication system of

claim 29

wherein said data port comprises an RF communication port.

40. The communication system of

claim 39

wherein said data port comprises a short-range wireless communicat ion protocol.

41. The communication system of

claim 25

including a voice detection and recognition system, wherein said communication system receives data from said voice detection and recognition system.

42. The communication system of

claim 25

including m anually operated controls at said interior rearview mirror assembly for facilitating operation of said mirror-mounted communication system.

43. The communication system of

claim 25

wherein said display i s a multi-pixel display.

44. The communication system of

claim 25

wherein said display is a reconfigurable display.

45. The communication system of

claim 25

wherein said communication data port provides short-range communication with a mobile device having one of a keypad, a touch pad, and a stylus actuated screen thereby providing user entry of text data to said communication system.

46. The communication system of

claim 25

including a link between said communication system and a vehicle bus system whereby said communication system provides connectivity between a low-power mobile device with a vehicle bus system.

47. A vehicle mirror-based wireless communication system, comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior mirror reflective element, a housing for said reflective element and a mirror-mounted communication system;

said mirror-mounted communication system including a communication data port for short-range communication with a mobile device that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle;

a global positioning system for determining a geographic location of the vehicle;

a remote telematic server that is remote from the vehicle;

said communication system comprising a first communication link with said remote telematic server, whereby said communication system provides connectivity between a low-power mobile device with said remote telematic server;

at least one service provider; and

a second communication link between said at least one service provider and said telematic server, whereby said communication system communicates identification data to said remote telematic server pertaining to at least one of the location, identity and direction heading of the vehicle and data from a low-powered mobile device and whereby said at least one service provider provides assistance data to the vehicle via said first and second communication links, said assistance data being customized to said at least one of the location, identity and direction heading of the vehicle.

48. The communication system of

claim 47

including manually operated controls at said interior rearview mirror assembly for facilitating operation of said mirror-mounted communication system.

49. The communication system of

claim 47

including a multi-text display at said interior rearview mirror assembly.

50. The communication system of

claim 49

wherein said multi-text display is a multi-pixel display.

51. The communication system of

claim 49

wherein said multi-text display is a reconfigurable display.

52. The communication system of

claim 51

wherein said multi-text display is a scrolling display.

53. The communication system of

claim 47

wherein said communication data port provides short-range communication with a mobile device having one of a keypad, a touch pad, and a stylus actuated screen thereby providing user entry of text data to said communication system.

54. The communication system of

claim 47

including a link between said communication system and a vehicle bus system whereby said communication system provides connectivity between a low-power mobile device with a vehicle bus system.

55. The communication system of

claim 47

including a holder for a mobile device.

56. The communication system of

claim 55

wherein said holder is at said interior rearview mirror assembly.

57. The communication system of

claim 47

including a dock for docking a mobile device with said communication data port.

58. The communication system of

claim 57

wherein said dock is at said interior rearview mirror assembly.

59. The communication system of

claim 47

wherein said data port comprises a wireless communication port.

60. The communication system of

claim 59

wherein said data port comprises an infrared communication port.

61. The communication system of

claim 60

wherein said data port comprises an IRDA infrared data port.

62. The communication system of

claim 59

wherein said data port comprises an RF communication port.

63. The communication system of

claim 62

wherein said data port comprises a short-range wireless communication protocol.

64. The communication system of

claim 47

wherein said data port comprises a wired communication port.

65. The communication system of

claim 47

further including a mobile device that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle, said mobile device being in communication with said communication data port.

66. The communication system of

claim 65

wherein said mobile device comprises one of a hand-held telephone, a personal digital assistant, a hand-held personal identifier, and a hand-held remote entry device.

67. The communication system of

claim 66

wherein said mobile device comprises a hand-held remote entry device selected from the group consisting of an active key fob and a passive key fob.

68. The communication system of

claim 47

wherein said first and second communication links comprise wireless links.

69. The communication system of

claim 47

including a voice detection and recognition system, wherein said communication system receives data from said voice detection and recognition system.