MODULAR UPGRADEABLE VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WITH CAPABILITY TO EXCHANGE HOST AND SLAVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• US 20160270248A1
• Filed: 03/03/2016
• Published: 09/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: TROEMEL, HANS ALFRED Jr., BURNS, THOMAS RAY
• Application Number:
  US15/060,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20160270248A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

An infotainment arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an automotive-specific, factory-installed portion having a complete and functional infotainment system with a plurality of non-upgradeable electronic components. A non-factory-installed upgrade portion is in electronic communication with the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion. The non-factory-installed upgrade portion upgrades and/or adds to functionality of the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion without changing the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion.

Claims

1. An infotainment arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an automotive-specific, factory-installed portion, the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion including a complete and functional infotainment system having a plurality of non-upgradeable electronic components; and

a non-factory-installed upgrade portion in electronic communication with the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion, the non-factory-installed upgrade portion being configured to improve and/or add to functionality of the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion without changing the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the non-factory-installed upgrade portion is connected to the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion by at least one cable or connector.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the non-factory-installed upgrade portion is configured to be communicatively coupled to a personal electronic device.

4. The arrangement of claim 3 wherein the non-factory-installed upgrade portion is configured to use a processor in the personal electronic device to perform a majority of processing required by the arrangement.

5. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the non-factory-installed upgrade portion is configured to be removed from the vehicle by pulling the non-factory-installed upgrade portion out of the vehicle in a first single, linear motion in a first direction, and the non-factory-installed upgrade portion is configured to be installed in the vehicle by pushing the non-permanent upgradeable portion into a recess of the vehicle in a second single, linear motion in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the non-factory-installed upgrade portion snaps into place.

6. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion includes at least one a user interface, at least one antenna, at least one loudspeaker, and at least one radio receiver.

7. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the non-factory-installed upgrade portion includes a microprocessor and at least one communication port, and is configured to take over control of the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion.

8. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the non-factory-installed upgrade portion is configured to take over control of an infotainment system including both the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion and the non-factory-installed upgrade portion.

9. A method of maintaining an infotainment arrangement in a motor vehicle, comprising:

installing at a factory an automotive-specific portion of the infotainment arrangement in the vehicle, the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion including a complete and functional infotainment system having a plurality of non-upgradeable electronic components;

installing outside of the factory an upgrade portion of the infotainment arrangement in the vehicle; and

performing electronic communication between the automotive-specific, factory-installed portion and the upgrade portion.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising connecting the upgrade portion to the automotive-specific portion by at least one cable or connector.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising communicatively coupling the upgrade portion to a personal electronic device.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising using a processor in the personal electronic device to perform a majority of processing required by the system.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the upgrade portion is installed in the vehicle by pushing the upgrade portion into a recess of the vehicle in a single, linear motion until the upgrade portion snaps into place within the recess.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising using the upgrade portion to control the automotive-specific portion.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the upgrade portion is installed in the vehicle at an automobile dealership by use of specialized tools.

16. A motor vehicle, comprising an infotainment arrangement including:

an automotive-specific portion configured to be installed in the vehicle at an automobile assembly plant, the automotive-specific portion including a complete and functional infotainment system having a plurality of non-upgradeable electronic components; and

an upgrade portion electronically connected to the automotive-specific portion, the upgrade portion being configured to be installed in the vehicle at an automobile dealership and to improve performance and/or functionality of the infotainment arrangement.

17. The vehicle of claim 16 wherein the upgrade portion is configured to be:

removed from the vehicle by pulling the upgrade portion out of the vehicle in a first single, linear motion in a first direction; and

installed in the vehicle by pushing the upgrade portion into a recess of the vehicle in a second single, linear motion in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

18. The vehicle of claim 16 wherein the upgrade portion is connected to the automotive-specific portion by at least one cable or connector.

19. The vehicle of claim 16 wherein the upgrade portion is configured to be communicatively coupled to a personal electronic device.

20. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the upgrade portion is configured to use a processor in the personal electronic device to perform a majority of processing required by the arrangement.

21. The vehicle of claim 16 wherein the automotive-specific portion is contained within a first housing, and the upgrade portion is contained within a second housing.

22. The vehicle of claim 16 wherein the automotive-specific portion includes at least one camera, at least one microphone, an instrument cluster, a user interface, at least one antenna, and at least one loudspeaker.

23. The vehicle of claim 16 wherein the upgrade portion includes a microprocessor and at least one communication port.