Combined rear view mirror and telephone

• US 7,395,096 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2004
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 21ST CENTURY GARAGE LLC
• Original Assignee: Akihabara Limited LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Baratono, Ronald, Abbas, Mossad
• Primary Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US10/927,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20050032550A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 455/73, 455/569.2, 455/569.1, 455/90.3, 455/90.1, 455/345, 455/344, 455/90.2, 455/575.2, 455/566, 340/425.5, 340/426.13, 340/426.16, 340/426.36, 340/815.73, 340/815.4
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241

Abstract

A mobile telephone or cellular telephone unit and a rear view mirror housing of an automobile are combined to provide an improved telephone apparatus that enables a hands-free use by a driver while operating the vehicle, the improved telephone apparatus includes a rear view mirror housing, the housing including a rear view mirror, telephone and SIM card for sending and receiving telephone calls and instant video image, the image display and SIM card are removably connected thereto. A telephone key pad is cooperatively connected to the telephone for dialing the telephone. An attachment bracket attaches the mirror housing to the vehicle. The housing has the electronic circuitry incorporated therewith to which a telephone and video assembly is connectable. A remote device, and computer process to communicate with the motor vehicle without the need for an automated hub, or Network Operating Center (NOC).

Claims

1. An interior rear view mirror having an integrated cellular telephone, wherein the rear view mirror is configured to enable the hands free operation of the cellular telephone by a driver while operating a vehicle, comprising:

(a) a rear view mirror frame configured to be positioned against the windshield of the vehicle, said mirror frame including a rear view mirror,

(b) cellular telephone means carried by said mirror frame,

(c) dialing means for dialing and answering the telephone integrated into the mirror frame, and for permitting said driver to selectively voice dial and answer a call while monitoring road conditions in both a forward and rearward field of view, and push dial from the cellular telephone mirror frame while the vehicle is stationary or moving;

(d) a wireless video communication SIM card processor disposed within the rear view mirror frame, wherein said wireless video communication SIM card processor is in operative communication with a paired apparatus that is separate and remote from said mirror frame;

(e) means for enabling said driver to receive caller images and road images by sending a forward field of view through said SIM card processor; and

(f) means for transmitting said caller images and road images to said paired apparatus using said SIM card processor.

2. The rear view mirror of claim 1, wherein said SIM card processor is interchangeable with other wireless video communication phones.

3. The rear view mirror of claim 1, further comprising a video camera, said video camera being integrated with said mirror frame and in operable relation with at least one of said SIM card processor and cellular telephone means.

4. The rear view mirror of claim 1, wherein said paired apparatus comprises a portable computer.

5. The rear view mirror of claim 1, further comprising means for communicating data and images between a server remote to said vehicle and an automobile integrated system.

6. The rear view mirror of claim 1, said rear view mirror comprising a biometric sensor for reading the fingerprint of a user wherein to identify and verify a permitted user, said sensor being in communication with a central computer system of said vehicle.

7. The rear view mirror of claim 1, wherein said paired apparatus comprises a wireless mobile telephone.

8. The rear view mirror of claim 1, wherein said paired apparatus comprises a portable video communications telephone.

9. The rear view mirror of claim 1, wherein said paired apparatus comprises a vehicle central computer system in said vehicle.

10. The rear view mirror of claim 1, wherein said paired apparatus comprises a portable personal data system, said personal data system comprising a wireless receiver radio chip for enabling the transfer of data and images to said cellular telephone means in said mirror housing.

11. A method of providing hands-free communication for a caller in a vehicle using a combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus in the vehicle, the combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus having cellular telephonic circuitry for placing telephone calls and video circuitry including a wireless video communication SIM processor for receiving and transmitting images, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from a paired apparatus in the interior of the vehicle that is separate and remote to the combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus, said paired apparatus being in operative communication with a service provider remote to the vehicle and being configured for storing data received from the electronic telephonic circuitry and the service provider, wherein said signal places the electronic telephonic circuitry in operative communication with said paired apparatus and said remote service provider;

receiving voice and images from said paired apparatus using a short range wireless protocol, wherein said paired apparatus receives said voice and images from said remote service provider;

outputting said voice and images using the cellular telephonic circuitry and the video circuitry;

transferring caller voice to said paired apparatus using the cellular telephonic circuitry and said short range wireless protocol, wherein said paired apparatus transmits said caller voice to said remote service provider; and

transferring caller and road images to said paired apparatus using said short range wireless protocol, wherein a field of view is sent through the wireless communication SIM processor of the video circuitry, and wherein said paired apparatus transmits said caller and road images to said remote service provider.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said paired apparatus comprises a portable computer.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said paired apparatus comprises a wireless mobile telephone.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said paired apparatus comprises a portable video communications telephone.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said paired apparatus comprises a vehicle central computer system in said vehicle.