Auto PC wallet PC faceplate

• US 6,020,654 A
• Filed: 03/25/1998
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Incorporated (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Incorporated (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Chutorash, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US09/048,155
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1-10.6, 701/1, 701/29, 701/33, 701/35, 701/36, 701/45, 701/49, 439/34, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/461, 340/539, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 345/173-178
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L

Abstract

The invention relates to a device to serve as an interface between a vehicle computer and a user. The interface comprises a docking site mounted within the vehicle and connected to the computer through a high-speed serial communication cable. The docking site receives an input device and establishes an electrical connection between the input device and the vehicle computer. The input device may be any of a variety of palm held computers. The input device permits a user to access the vehicle computer which in turn controls a variety of vehicle components.

Claims

1. An interface for communicating with a computer mounted in a vehicle, said interface comprising:

a personal data administrator having a first electrical connector and a display;

a docking site having a second electrical connector adapted to receive said first electrical connector, said docking site mounted in a vehicle and supporting said personal data administrator within said vehicle;

a communication cable, said communication cable connecting said second electrical connector to said computer; and

said computer accessible through said personal data administrator and said said personal data administrator being removable and transportable by a user.

2. An interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication cable comprises a high speed serial cable and said first and said second electrical connectors comprise high speed serial connections.

3. An interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said display comprises a touch sensitive screen, said touch sensitive screen permitting a user to access said computer.

4. An interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said personal data administrator includes a microphone and said computer responds to input from said microphone, said microphone permitting a user to access said computer through audible input.

5. An interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said personal data administrator includes a computer memory bank, said computer memory bank accessible by said computer and said personal data administrator.

6. An interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said personal data administrator further includes a keyboard, said keyboard permitting a user to access said computer.

7. An interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said computer is connected to a plurality of vehicle components, said personal data administrator allowing a user to access and modify a plurality of settings of said plurality of vehicle components.

8. An interface as recited in claim 7 wherein said computer further includes a user identification recognition module and said personal data administrator includes a user identification module;

said identification module accessible to said recognition module; and

said computer modifying at least one of said plurality of settings of said plurality of vehicle components based on said identification module.

9. An interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said docking site further includes a platform, said platform supporting said personal data administrator within said vehicle.

10. An interface as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first communication device, said first communication device connected to said computer and accessible through said personal data administrator, said first communication device transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a second communication device, said second communication device not connected to said computer.

11. An interface as recited in claim 10 wherein said first communication device comprises a cellular phone.

12. An interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said personal data administrator includes at least one battery and said at least one battery is recharged while said first electrical connector is received in said second electrical connector.

13. An interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said computer includes a vehicle diagnostics module;

said diagnostics module connected to a plurality of vehicle components through said computer; and

said diagnostics module accessible through said personal data administrator.

14. An interface for communicating with a computer mounted in a vehicle, said interface comprising:

a personal data administrator including a display comprising a touch sensitive screen and a first electrical connector;

a docking site having a second electrical connector adapted to receive said first electrical connector, said docking site mounted in a vehicle and supporting said personal data administrator within said vehicle, said personal data administrator being removable from the docking site and being transportable by a user;

a communication cable, said communication cable connecting said second electrical connector to said computer; and

said computer accessible to said personal data administrator through said touch sensitive screen.

15. An interface as recited in claim 14 wherein said personal data administrator includes a computer memory bank;

said computer memory bank receiving data from said computer; and

said computer memory bank accessible by said personal data administrator when said personal data administrator is removed from said docking site.

16. An interface for communicating with a computer mounted in a vehicle, said interface comprising:

an input device having a first electrical connector and a display;

a docking site having a second electrical connector adapted to receive said first electrical connector, said docking site mounted in a vehicle and supporting said input device within said vehicle;

a communication cable, said communication cable connecting said second electrical connector to said computer; and

said computer accessible through said input device and said input device being removable wherein said computer is connected to a plurality of vehicle components, said input device allowing a user to access and modify a plurality of settings of said plurality of vehicle components wherein said computer further includes a user identification recognition module and said input device includes a user identification module;

said identification module accessible to said recognition module; and

said computer modifying at least one of said plurality of settings of said plurality of vehicle components based on said identification module.