Modular electronic systems for vehicles

• US 20040121645A1
• Filed: 12/24/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Postrel
• Original Assignee: Richard Postrel
• Inventors: Postrel, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 6,939,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/374
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6083 by interfacing with the vehicle audio system

Abstract

Modular electronic system for vehicle dashboards, interior roofs, and center consoles that includes a sleeve or frame adapted to engage with the vehicle and integrate with a housing adapted to be mated with the sleeve or frame. The sleeve or frame has an inner surface area, a first pair of power contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area, and a power connector adapted to plug into a power supply receptacle located on the vehicle dashboard (such as a cigarette lighter receptacle). Wiring means is used for connecting the power connector to the first pair of power contacts. As a result, when the power connector is plugged into a power supply receptacle on the vehicle dashboard, electrical power from the vehicle is supplied to the pair of power contacts and electronics (such as a cell phone, audio/video entertainment device, computer, radar detector, etc.) within the housing are provided with power from the vehicle. This modular system allows a vehicle owner to install one such frame or sleeve and easily interchange housings to provide the functionality desired.

Claims

1. A modular system for vehicle dashboards comprising:

a. a sleeve adapted to slide into and engage with an opening in the dashboard of a vehicle;

the sleeve comprising;

i. an inner surface area;

ii. a first pair of power contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area;

iii. a power connector adapted to plug into a power supply receptacle located on the vehicle dashboard;

iv. wiring means for connecting the power connector to the first pair of power contacts;

whereby, when the power connector is plugged into a power supply receptacle on a vehicle dashboard, electrical power from the vehicle is supplied to the pair of power contacts; and

b. a housing adapted to be inserted into the sleeve and slidingly engage with the inner surface area of the sleeve, the housing comprising an electrically powered device and a second pair of power contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first pair of power contacts when the housing is engaged with the sleeve and to provide electrical power from the vehicle to the electrically powered device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the sleeve further comprises a first plurality of speaker contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area, wherein the first plurality of speaker contacts are wired to speakers mounted external to the housing.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the sleeve further comprises a first plurality of microphone contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area, and wherein the first plurality of microphone contacts are wired to a microphone mounted external to the housing.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the sleeve further comprises a first antenna contact arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area, and wherein the antenna contact is wired to an antenna mounted external to the housing.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a cellular telephone unit.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the cellular telephone unit comprises:

a cellular telephone transceiver,

a power supply that receives power from the second pair or power contacts,

input means for providing audio input to the telephone transceiver,

output means for providing audio output from the telephone transceiver,

antenna means for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals; and

a keypad panel located on a front face of the housing for controlling operation of the cellular telephone transceiver.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein

the sleeve further comprises a first plurality of speaker contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area,

the first plurality of speaker contacts are wired to speakers mounted external to the housing, and

the output means comprises a second plurality of speaker contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first plurality of speaker contacts when the housing is engaged with the sleeve and to provide audio output from the cellular telephone transceiver to the speakers mounted within the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the output means comprises a speaker mounted within the housing.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein

the sleeve further comprises a first plurality of microphone contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area,

the first plurality of microphone contacts are wired to a microphone mounted external to the housing, and

the input means comprises a second plurality of microphone contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first plurality of microphone contacts when the housing is engaged with the sleeve and to provide audio input to the cellular telephone transceiver from the microphone mounted within the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the input means is a microphone mounted on the housing.

11. The system of claim 6 wherein

the sleeve further comprises a first antenna contact arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area,

the antenna contact is wired to an antenna mounted external to the housing, and

the antenna means comprises a second antenna contact arranged so as to electrically connect with the first antenna contact when the housing is engaged with the sleeve and to provide radio frequency signals to and from the cellular telephone transceiver.

12. The system of claim 6 wherein the antenna means is an antenna mounted on the housing.

13. The system of claim 5 wherein the cellular telephone unit is a docking station comprising

reception means for receiving a handheld cellular telephone,

a docking station connector for engaging with a mating cell phone connector on the handheld cellular telephone,

means for connecting the second pair of power contacts to the docking station connector for providing electrical power from the vehicle to the handheld cellular telephone,

input means, coupled to the docking station connector, for providing audio input to the handheld cellular telephone,

output means, coupled to the docking station connector, for providing audio output from the handheld cellular telephone, and

antenna means for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein

the sleeve further comprises a first plurality of speaker contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area,

the first plurality of speaker contacts are wired to speakers mounted external to the housing, and

the output means comprises a second plurality of speaker contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first plurality of speaker contacts when the housing is engaged with the sleeve and to provide audio output from the handheld cellular telephone to the speakers mounted within the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the output means comprises a speaker mounted within the housing.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein

the sleeve further comprises a first plurality of microphone contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area,

the first plurality of microphone contacts are wired to a microphone mounted external to the housing, and

the input means comprises a second plurality of microphone contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first plurality of microphone contacts when the housing is engaged with the sleeve and to provide audio input to the handheld cellular telephone from the microphone mounted within the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the input means is a microphone mounted on the housing.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein

the sleeve further comprises a first antenna contact arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area,

the antenna contact is wired to an antenna mounted external to the housing, and

the antenna means comprises a second antenna contact arranged so as to electrically connect with the first antenna contact when the housing is engaged with the sleeve and to provide radio frequency signals to and from the handheld cellular telephone.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein the antenna means is an antenna mounted on the housing.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises an entertainment device comprising

a. processing means for processing an input signal and providing an audio signal;

b. output means, connected to the processing means, for using the audio signal to generate sound waves;

c. control means for allowing a user to control operation of the entertainment device; and

d. means for providing electrical power from the second pair of power contacts.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein

the sleeve further comprises a first plurality of speaker contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area,

the first plurality of speaker contacts are wired to speakers mounted external to the housing, and

the output means comprises a second plurality of speaker contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first plurality of speaker contacts when the housing is engaged with the sleeve and to provide audio signals from the entertainment device to the speakers mounted within the vehicle.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the output means comprises a speaker mounted within the housing.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the entertainment device further comprises a media drive for playing media encoded with audio data, wherein the input signal provided to the processing means comprises audio data obtained from the media drive.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the media drive is a compact disc drive unit.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the media drive is a flash memory unit.

26. The system of claim 20 wherein the audio data is encoded with data in the MP3 format.

27. The system of claim 20 wherein the audio data is encoded with data in the WMP format.

28. The system of claim 20 further comprising a data connector adapted to be connected to a computer unit when the electrically powered device is removed from the sleeve, and data storage means for storing audio data downloaded from the computer unit via the data connector.

29. The system of claim 20 further comprising display means for presenting a video display.

30. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

31. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a beverage warming device.

32. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a beverage cooling device.

33. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

34. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a television set.

35. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a radar detector.

36. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a video camera unit.

37. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a document scanner.

38. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a facsimile transmission device.

39. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a computer.

40. The system of claim 1 wherein the sleeve further comprises a pair of guide rails on an outer surface adapted to slidingly engage with a pair of mating tracks on the vehicle dashboard.

41. The system of claim 1 wherein the housing is adapted to fit substantially within the opening of the dashboard.

42. The system of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises an articulating arm attached to the housing with a ball and socket mechanism, and a device mounting plate suitable for attaching an external electrically powered device.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein a tablet computer is attached to the device mounting plate.

44. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device comprises a gaming machine.

45. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered device is voice activated.

46. A modular system for vehicle dashboards comprising:

a. a sleeve adapted to slide into and engage with an opening in the dashboard of a vehicle;

the sleeve comprising;

i. an inner surface area;

ii. a first pair of power contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area;

iii. means for connecting the first pair of electrical contacts to a power source within the vehicle, whereby electrical power from the vehicle is supplied to the pair of power contacts; and

b. a housing adapted to be inserted into the sleeve and slidingly engage with the inner surface area of the sleeve, the housing comprising an electrically powered device and a second pair of power contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first pair of power contacts when the housing is engaged with the sleeve and to provide electrical power from the vehicle to the electrically powered device.

47. A modular vehicle interior roof dome light modification system comprising:

a. a mounting adapter configured to attach to the interior roof of a vehicle, the mounting adapter comprising;

i. a power connector adapted to mate with a dome light power lead connected to a dome light mounted on the interior roof of the vehicle,

ii. a first pair of power contacts;

iii. wiring means for connecting the power connector to the first pair of power contacts;

whereby, when the power connector is mated with a dome light power lead, electrical power from the vehicle is supplied to the first pair of power contacts; and

b. a housing adapted to be engaged with the mounting adapter, the housing comprising an electrically powered device and a second pair of power contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first pair of power contacts when the housing is engaged with the mounting adapter and to provide electrical power from the vehicle to the electrically powered device.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein the housing comprises an entertainment system comprising a DVD player and a screen.

49. The system of claim 47 wherein the housing comprises a television set.

50. A modular system for vehicle consoles comprising:

a. a frame adapted to engage with a console in a vehicle;

the frame comprising;

i. a first pair of power contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the frame;

ii. a power connector adapted to plug into a power supply receptacle located in the vehicle interior;

iii. wiring means for connecting the power connector to the first pair of power contacts;

whereby, when the power connector is plugged into a power supply receptacle, electrical power from the vehicle is supplied to the pair of power contacts; and

b. a housing adapted to be mated with the frame, the housing comprising an electrically powered device and a second pair of power contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first pair of power contacts when the housing is mated with the frame and to provide electrical power from the vehicle to the electrically powered device.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein the frame further comprises

a display device attached thereto, and

a first plurality of display contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the frame;

wherein the first plurality of display contacts are wired to the display device attached to the frame.

52. The system of claim 50 wherein the frame further comprises a first plurality of speaker contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the frame, wherein the first plurality of speaker contacts are wired to speakers mounted external to the housing.

53. The system of claim 52 wherein the speakers are mounted to the frame.

54. The system of claim 52 wherein the speakers are located within the interior of the vehicle.

55. The system of claim 50 wherein the frame further comprises a first antenna contact arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area, and wherein the antenna contact is wired to an antenna mounted external to the housing.

56. The system of claim 50 wherein the electrically powered device comprises an audio/visual entertainment device.

57. The system of claim 56 wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises display signal output means for providing display signals, the display signal output means comprising a second plurality of display contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first plurality of display contacts when the housing is mated with the frame and to provide said display signals from the audio/visual entertainment device to the display device attached to the frame.

58. The system of claim 52 wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises audio signal output means for providing audio signals, the audio signal output means comprising a second plurality of speaker contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first plurality of speaker contacts when the housing is mated with the frame and to provide said audio signals from the audio/visual entertainment device to the speakers mounted external;

to the housing.

59. The system of claim 56 wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises a DVD player.

60. The system of claim 56 wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises a VCR deck.

61. The system of claim 56 wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises a gaming console.

62. The system of claim 56 wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises a personal computer.

63. The system of claim 56 wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises a television set.

64. The system of claim 56 wherein the frame further comprises a pair of guide rails adapted to slidingly engage with a pair of mating rails on the housing.

65. The system of claim 56 wherein the housing is adapted to fit substantially within an opening of the console.

66. The system of claim 51 wherein the display device is attached to the frame with an articulating arm attached to the housing with a ball and socket mechanism.

67. The system of claim 51 wherein the display device is a touchscreen computer.