Vehicle computer

• US 6,708,086 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2001
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sue M. Richard
• Original Assignee: Sue M. Richard
• Inventors: Richard, Sue M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marc-Coleman, Marthe Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/885,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20020111715A1
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/2, 701/35, 340/426, 340/438, 340/539, 340/425.5, 455/456, 345/173
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions

Abstract

A vehicle computer system that integrates a diverse array of electronic systems and services into a single, user-friendly system that allows a user to shop, order and purchase items, pay for tolls, communicate, determine geographic location, and ascertain weather conditions. The on-board computer system employs a distinctive touch screen display, and has the capacity to play both audio and video, to monitor and control a vehicle'"'"'s operation, to provide security to a vehicle, and to connect to the Internet.

Claims

1. A vehicular computer system comprising:

a computer having a chip insert bay;

a remote device having a chip receptacle;

an operating system executing on said computer, said operating system being configured to control functions and connectivity of a vehicle and to interact with said remote device; and

at least one chip being alternately insertable into said chip receptacle of said remote device and said insert bay of said computer.

2. The vehicular computer system of claim 1, wherein said remote device is a cellular telephone or a garage door opener.

3. The vehicular computer system of claim 2 wherein said remote device is a cellular telephone and said at least one chip includes telephone number information.

4. The vehicular computer system of claim 1, wherein said at least one chip includes a first chip and a second chip, said first chip being insertable into said insert bay of said computer, and said second chip being insertable into said chip receptacle of said remote device.

5. The vehicular computer system of claim 1, wherein said chip insert bay includes identical multiple slots for receiving multiple chips for communicating with a plurality of remote devices.

6. The vehicular computer system of claim 1 wherein said at least one chip inserted into said insert bay of said computer is programmed to cause said computer to communicate with a tollbooth for facilitation of passage therethrough.

7. A vehicular computer system comprising:

a computer having a chip insert bay including multiple slots for receiving multiple chips for communicating with a plurality of remote devices;

a remote device having a chip receptacle;

an operating system executing on said computer, said operating system being configured to control functions and connectivity of a vehicle and to interact with said remote device; and

a first chip and a second chip, said first chip being insertable into said insert bay of said computer, and said second chip being insertable into said chip receptacle of said remote device.

8. The vehicular computer system of claim 7, wherein said remote device is a cellular telephone or a garage door opener.

9. The vehicular computer system of claim 8 wherein said remote device is a cellular telephone and said at least one chip includes telephone number information.