System for adapting driver information systems to existing vehicles

• US 6,633,482 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2001
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Rode, Melvin A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash N.
• Application Number:
  US09/832,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20010045774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-686, 361/727, 701/200, 455/90, 439/377, 439/929, 439/945
• US Class Current: 361/679.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/945 Adapter for pcb or cartridge

Abstract

A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle is disclosed. An off-the-shelf driver-to-vehicle interface device such as a PDA is received in a corresponding docking station. A custom adapter device mechanically and electrically receives the PDA components and enables a mechanical and electrical connection from the PDA components to the vehicle. The custom adapter device is configured in a variety of embodiments to interfit with a pre-existing cavity in the vehicle such as a cup holder, ashtray cavity, coin holder, or seam in the dashboard. The custom adapter device further provides an electrical connection from the PDA components to the power system of the vehicle and to an electronic on board controller. The PDA docking station may be structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a control panel of manually operable elements to be manipulated by a driver.

Claims

1. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising:

a PDA,

a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said PDA, and

a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said PDA received in said docking station said custom adapter device creating end maintaining a mechanical and providing an electrical data connection from said PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle.

2. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein said custom adapter device is configured to be fittingly received within a pre-existing cavity in said vehicle.

3. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is a cup holder and said custom adapter device is provided with an extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said cup holder.

4. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is a retractable cup holder slot and said custom adapter device is provided with a hingedly connected extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said retractable cup holder slot.

5. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is an ash tray cavity and said custom adapter device is provided with an extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said ash tray cavity.

6. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is a DIN slot and said custom adapter device is provided with an extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said DIN slot.

7. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is a coin holder cavity and said custom adapter device is provided with an extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said coin holder cavity.

8. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is a seam in an instrument panel or a dash board of said vehicle and said custom adapter device is provided with an extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said seam.

9. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said PDA is integrated with a data phone and a driver input device and said electrical connection to said vehicle comprises:

a connection to a power system of said vehicle, and a connection by way of a single cable to an on board controller that is integrated with a GPS antenna, a heading sensor, and a speaker.

10. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said PDA docking station is structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a panel of manually operable control elements to be manipulated by a driver, said docking station having a retaining device pivotally attached thereto for holding said PDA securely in position.

11. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein said PDA docking station is structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a panel of manually operable control elements to be manipulated by a driver, said docking station having a retaining device pivotally attached thereto for holding said PDA securely in position.

12. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic data communication is through an RF link to the vehicle.

13. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic data link communicates with a vehicle computer.

14. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising:

a PDA integrated with a data phone and a driver input device,

a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA,

a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA received in said docking station, said custom adapter device being configured to be fittingly received within a pre-existing cavity in said vehicle said custom adapter device creating and maintaining a mechanical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle, and

said custom adapter device providing an electrical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to a power system of said vehicle and by way of a single cable to an on board controller that is integrated with a GPS antenna, a heading sensor, and a speaker, such that said single cable creates and maintains a connection from said custom adapter device and said vehicle and provide both power and data connection to said custom adapter device.

15. A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising:

a PDA integrated with a data phone and a driver input device, a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA,

a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA received in said docking station, said custom adapter device being configured to be fittingly received within a pre-existing cavity in said vehicle to create and maintain a mechanical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle, and providing an electronic data communication with said vehicle, and

said PDA docking station is structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a panel of manually operable control elements to be manipulated by a driver, said docking station having a retaining device pivotally attached thereto for holding said PDA securely in position.

16. A system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said electronic data communication is through an RF link to the vehicle.

17. A system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said electronic data link communicates with a vehicle computer.