Mechanism for using a laptop in an automobile

• US 20060252466A1
• Filed: 10/25/2005
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gene P. Isabell Jr
• Original Assignee: Gene P. Isabell Jr
• Inventors: Isabell, Gene P. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/258,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20060252466A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/569.200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

An apparatus and system are provided to allow for increased flexibility in the use of portable computers in conjunction with automobiles. By having a coupling device within an automobile that allows a portable computer to access a plurality of internal features as well as perform additional functions, the system allows passengers to better and more fully utilize otherwise wasted time in transit. Hence, the overall utility of automobiles and portable computers can be increased versus any other commercially available system.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an automobile having at least one auxiliary hardware module with at least one intended function and having a coupler adapted to communicate with said hardware module; and

a portable computer adapted to be removably secured to said coupler so as to provide processing and software to said hardware module to enable said hardware to perform said intended function, said portable computer being fully functional whether secured to the coupler or not.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one hardware module further comprises a satellite radio antenna and audio equipment.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said portable computer processes a signal received by said satellite radio antenna and outputs audio data to said audio equipment.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one hardware module further comprises a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player and audio equipment.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said portable computer processes a signal from said DVD player, outputs video, and outputs audio data to said audio equipment.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one hardware module is Radio Frequency (RF) equipment.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said RF equipment is a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said portable computer processes a signal from said GPS antenna and outputs indicia of GPS data.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein said RF equipment is selected from the group consisting of Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), cellular, and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) equipment.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said portable computer provides wireless Internet Access.

11. An apparatus for coupling a portable computer to an automobile, comprising:

a mounting bracket for removably securing said portable computer; and

at least one communication channel adapted to interconnect the portable computer to at least one auxiliary hardware module with at least one intended function.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said at least one hardware module further comprises a satellite radio antenna and audio equipment.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said portable computer processes a signal received by said satellite radio antenna and outputs audio data to said audio equipment.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said at least one hardware module further comprises a DVD player and audio equipment.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said portable computer processes a signal from said DVD player, outputs video, and outputs audio data to said audio equipment.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said at least one hardware module is RF equipment.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said RF equipment is a GPS antenna.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said portable computer processes a signal from said GPS antenna and outputs indicia of GPS data.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said RF equipment is selected from the group consisting of WiFi, cellular, and CDMA equipment.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said portable computer provides wireless Internet Access.