Auto PC wallet PC faceplate

• US 6,144,114 A
• Filed: 01/29/1999
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• 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): PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US09/239,850
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1-10.6, 123/179.1-179.4, 180/287, 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/438, 340/825.3-825.32, 340/825.34, 340/825.44, 340/825.54, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 701/1, 701/2, 701/29, 701/36, 701/49, 439/34, 345/173-178, 345/145, 345/146, 345/156, 345/157, 345/168, 345/902
• US Class Current: 307/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L

Abstract

An interface communicates with a computer mounted in a vehicle. The interface includes an input device, adapted to be removed from the vehicle, having a first electrical connector. A docking site, having a second electrical connector adapted to receive the first electrical connector, is mounted in the vehicle for supporting the input device. A communication cable connects the second electrical connector to the computer thereby providing a communication path between the input device and the computer. In one embodiment, the input device includes a transmitter circuit for producing and transmitting wireless control signals. In this manner, the input device may be used to remotely control an electrical accessory device in the vehicle, such as a door lock/unlock motor. In another embodiment, the input device is used to enable the engine ignition system of the vehicle. In this manner, the vehicle may be started without an ignition key yet still be protected against theft.

Claims

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

a personal data administrator adapted to be removed and transported by a user from the vehicle and having a first electrical connector;

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

a communication cable connecting said second electrical connector to the computer thereby providing a communication path between said personal data administrator and the computer.

2. An interface as set forth in claim 1 wherein the computer is in communication with an electrical accessory device in the vehicle and includes a receiver for receiving wireless control signals and wherein said personal data administrator includes a transmitter circuit for producing and transmitting wireless control signals to the receiver in the computer to operate the electrical accessory device.

3. An interface as set forth in claim 2 wherein said personal data administrator includes at least one key for activating said transmitter circuit.

4. An interface as set forth in claim 2 wherein said personal data administrator includes a touch sensitive screen for activating said transmitter circuit.

5. An interface as set forth in claim 2 wherein said wireless control signals are radio frequency signals.

6. An interface as set forth in claim 2 wherein the electrical accessory device is a door lock/unlock motor.

7. An interface as set forth in claim 2 wherein the vehicle includes an engine ignition system and wherein said transmitter circuit produces and transmits wireless control signals to enable the engine ignition system.

8. An interface as set forth in claim 7 wherein the computer is in communication with a plurality of vehicle components and wherein said personal data administrator provides access through the computer to modify a plurality of settings of said plurality of vehicle components.

9. An interface a set forth in claim 8 wherein the computer includes a user identification recognition module and wherein said personal data administrator includes a user identification module;

said identification module accessible to said recognition module; and

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

10. An interface as set forth in claim 1 wherein the computer is in communication with an engine ignition system for the vehicle and wherein said personal data administrator enables the engine ignition system through said communication cable when said personal data administrator is docked in said docking site.

11. An interface as set forth in claim 10 wherein a security code signal is exchanged through said communication cable between said personal data administrator and the computer when said personal data administrator is docked in said docking site and wherein the computer enables the engine ignition system upon exchange of a valid security code signal.

12. An interface as set forth in claim 10 wherein the vehicle includes an electrical accessory device and a receiver for receiving wireless control signals and wherein said personal data administrator includes a transmitter circuit for producing and transmitting wireless control signals to the receiver to operate the electrical accessory device.

13. An interface as set forth in claim 12 wherein the computer is in communication with a plurality of vehicle components and wherein said personal data administrator provides access through the computer to modify a plurality of settings of said plurality of vehicle components.

14. An interface as set forth in claim 13 wherein the computer includes a user identification recognition module and wherein said personal data administrator includes a user identification module;

said identification module accessible to said recognition module; and

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

15. An interface for communicating with a computer mounted in a vehicle, the computer in communication with a security system and an ignition system and including a receiver, the interface comprising:

a personal data administrator adapted to be removed and transported by a user from the vehicle and having a transmitter circuit and a first electrical connector;

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

a communication cable connecting said second electrical connector to the computer;

said personal data administrator controlling the security system with wireless communication between said transmitter circuit and the receiver in the computer; and

said personal data administrator enabling the ignition system with communication through said communication cable when said personal data administrator is supported by said docking site.

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

an input device adapted to be removed from the vehicle having a first electrical connector;

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

a communication cable connecting said second electrical connector to the computer thereby providing a communication path between said input device and the computer wherein the computer is in communication with an electrical accessory device in the vehicle and includes a receiver for receiving wireless control signals and wherein said input device includes a transmitter circuit for producing and transmitting wireless control signals to the receiver in the computer to operate the electrical accessory device wherein the vehicle includes an engine ignition system and wherein said transmitter circuit produces and transmits wireless control signals to enable the engine ignition system.

17. An interface as set forth in claim 16 wherein the computer is in communication with a plurality of vehicle components and wherein said input device provides access through the computer to modify a plurality of settings of said plurality of vehicle components.

18. An interface as set forth in claim 17 wherein the computer includes a user identification recognition module and wherein said input device includes a user identification module;

said identification module accessible to said recognition module; and

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