Vehicle computer

• US 20020111715A1
• Filed: 06/21/2001
• Published: 08/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sue M. Richard
• Original Assignee: Sue M. Richard
• Inventors: Richard, Sue M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,708,086 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions

Abstract

A vehicle computer system that integrates a diverse array of electronic systems and services into a single, user-friendly system that allows a user to shop, order and purchase items, pay for tolls, communicate, determine geographic location, and ascertain weather conditions. The on-board computer system employs a distinctive touch screen display, and has the capacity to play both audio and video, to monitor and control a vehicle'"'"'s operation, to provide security to a vehicle, and to connect to the Internet.

Claims

1. A vehicular computer system comprising a computer having an operating system executing thereon, said operating system being configured to control functions and connectivity of a vehicle, said operating system being configured to interact with a remote device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer includes a chip insert bay into which chips can be inserted to enable interaction with a remote device.

3. The system of claim 1 further including a remote device.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said remote device has a chip receptacle for receiving a chip to allow said remote device to operate.

5. The system of claim 3 further including a chip for inserting into a chip receptacle of said remote device, said chip being alternately insertable into said remote device and said computer.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising software for programming said computer.

7. A computer product comprising a means readable by a processor on a vehicle computer wherein said means includes:

a set of instructions for controlling radio and audio components based on input from a user;

a set of instructions for controlling temperature based on input from a user;

a set of instructions for monitoring vehicle functions;

a set of instructions for controlling connectivity based on input from a user or an external event.

8. The product of claim 7 wherein said means further includes a set of instructions for communicating with a remote device.

9. The product of claim 8 wherein said set of instructions for communicating with a remote device are contained on a chip inserted into the vehicle computer.

10. The product of claim 8 further comprising a set of instructions for allowing the operation of a remote device.

11. The product of claim 10 wherein said set of instructions for allowing the operation of a remote device are contained on a chip inserted into the remote device.

12. The product of claim 10 wherein said set of instructions for allowing the operation of a remote device are contained on a chip inserted into the vehicle computer.

13. The product of claim 10 wherein said set of instructions for allowing the operation of a remote device are contained on a chip alternately inserted into the vehicle computer and the remote device.

14. The product of claim 7 further including a set of instructions for initially programming the computer.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said providing a computer readable means includes inserting a chip into a vehicle computer.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a set of instructions to a remote device for allowing the operation of the remote device.

18. The product of claim 17 wherein said providing a set of instructions includes inserting a chip into the remote device.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said providing a computer readable means includes alternately inserting a chip into a vehicle computer and the remote device.

15. A method of using a vehicle computer system comprising:

alternately providing instructions for;

controlling radio and audio components;

controlling temperature;

monitoring vehicle functions; and

controlling connectivity; and

providing a computer readable means sufficient for controlling a remote device.