Multi-control telematics in a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for operating a telematic unit in a vehicle having a driver seat for a driver and a passenger seat for a passenger, a driver control unit operable by the driver, and a passenger control unit operable by the passenger, the passenger control unit being located out of reach of the driver when the driver is seated in the driver seat, the method comprising:
- generating a communication initiation request from one of the driver or passenger control units for initiating communication between the telematic unit and a server; and
prioritizing communication initiation requests from the driver and passenger control units.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method allow either the driver or a passenger in a vehicle to operate a telematic unit in the vehicle. Communication requests may be prioritized, depending upon the type of communication desired and whether the request is being made by the driver or a passenger. Visual display units for the driver and passenger are positioned such that the passenger visual display unit is visible to a passenger seated in the passenger seat and not visible to a driver seated in the driver seat. Information displayed on the driver visual display unit may be restricted to certain types of communications, or include only limited information, so as not to distract the driver. A full display may be provided to the passenger, so that the passenger can assist the driver with verbal instructions based upon information included in the full display, viewable by the passenger but not the driver.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for operating a telematic unit in a vehicle having a driver seat for a driver and a passenger seat for a passenger, a driver control unit operable by the driver, and a passenger control unit operable by the passenger, the passenger control unit being located out of reach of the driver when the driver is seated in the driver seat, the method comprising:
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generating a communication initiation request from one of the driver or passenger control units for initiating communication between the telematic unit and a server; and prioritizing communication initiation requests from the driver and passenger control units. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for communication in a vehicle having a driver seat for a driver and a passenger seat for a passenger, the apparatus comprising:
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a telematic unit in the vehicle; driver and passenger control units for generating a communication request to initiate a communication between the telematic unit and a server;
the driver control unit being operable by the driver, and the passenger control unit operable by the passenger, with the passenger control unit being located out of reach of the driver when the driver is seated in the driver seat; andmeans, located in the telematic unit, for prioritizing communication initiation requests received front the driver and passenger control units. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A communication system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a telematic unit including a controller; a driver control unit, and at least one passenger control unit in communication with the telematic unit wherein the controller is configured to make priority decisions between communication initiation requests from the driver and passenger control units, and between different types of communication. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification