Portable communication device interface to a projection display

• US 7,450,961 B1
• Filed: 05/14/2001
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Heubel, Michael L., Clegg, Andrew W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ly; Nghi H
• Application Number:
  US09/854,723
• Time in Patent Office: 2,738 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 455/550.1, 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/575.9, 455/345, 455/556.1, 379/420.02, 379/420.03, 379/420.04, 379/420.01
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/365 Guidance using head up displays or projectors, e.g. virtual vehicles or arrows projected on the windscreen or on the road itself
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• 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

The present invention provides an interface between a portable communications device such as a cellular phone and the windshield display of an automobile, enabling textual or graphical data, delivered to the portable communications device to be displayed on the windshield. The interface also enables essential functions of the portable communications device to be integrated into the controls on the steering wheel.

Claims

1. Apparatus for displaying information from a portable communications device, having a data output port and a scrollable display, on a remote projection display device having a data input port, the apparatus comprising:

a first data port associated with a cradle for receiving the portable communications device, the first data port adapted to be coupled to the data output port of the portable communications device, the first data port for receiving remote data from the portable communications device, the remote data including remote audio data and remote visual data;

a second data port that is adapted to be coupled to the data input port of the remote projection display device, the second data port coupled to a voltage control switch that senses a voltage when the portable communications device is received by the cradle, wherein automatically, upon placement of the portable communications device into the cradle, the second data port provides to the remote projection display device a representation of the remote visual data received from and displayed by the portable communications device; and

a processor coupled to the first data port and to the second data port, the processor establishing two-way communication between the portable communications device and the remote projection display device, wherein when a message is received at the portable communications device, then the processor exchanges the message with the remote projection display device and the remote projection display device displays the message, and after a predetermined period of inactivity then the processor ends two-way communication between the portable communications device and the remote projection display device, and when the portable communications device is removed from the cradle, then the processor commands the remote projection display device to resume displaying a speedometer input;

wherein the apparatus is configured to receive scrolling commands from a scroll controller, the scroll controller being adapted to cause the remote projection display device to provide a scrolling display of information that is simultaneously displayed on the scrollable display of the portable communications device such that the portable communications device and the remote projection display present the same information;

wherein the scroll controller comprises a scrolling control device that is integrated into an automobile steering wheel and is adapted to be electrically coupled to the remote projection display device and to the portable communications device such that the scrolling control device also controls the portable communications device and scrolls along the scrollable display of the portable communications device;

wherein the apparatus is also configured to receive commands from a display controller, the display controller being adapted to cause the remote projection display device to turn on and off the displayed information;

wherein the display controller also comprises a control device that is integrated into the automobile steering wheel and is adapted to be electrically connected to the remote projection display device;

wherein the cradle includes an audio serial port for receiving the remote audio data, a speaker for outputting the remote audio data, and a microphone for receiving audio data that is to be sent back through the portable communications device; and

wherein the cradle is also adapted to couple to a hands-free kit, such that when the cradle couples to the hands-free kit the hands-free kit outputs the remote audio data and receives the audio data that is to be sent back through the portable communications device.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a data translator, coupled between the first data port and the second data port, that formats the remote visual data received from the portable communications device into a format from which the remote projection display device can provide a projected display.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable communications device is an Internet appliance.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable communications device is a cellular telephone.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable communications device is a personal digital assistant.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote projection display device provides the projected display on an automobile windshield.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the remote projection display device is a heads-up display device that is integrated into an automobile.

8. Apparatus for hands-free communication using a portable communications device, the apparatus adapted to receive remote data from the portable communications device via a wireless telecommunications link, the portable communications device having an externally accessible data output port and the remote data including remote audio data and remote visual data, the apparatus comprising:

a housing that is adapted to receive the portable communications device;

a voltage control switch that senses a voltage when the portable communications device is received by the housing;

a first interface for coupling the data output port of the portable communications device to the housing;

a second interface for coupling the housing to a data input port of a remote projection display device;

a processor for receiving the remote data from the portable communications device, converting the received remote visual data to a format displayable by the remote projection display device, and forwarding the converted remote visual data to the remote projection display device via the second interface for automatic display upon detection of placement of the portable communications device into the housing, the processor establishing two-way communication between the portable communications device and the remote projection display device, wherein when a message is received at the portable communications device, then the processor exchanges the message with the remote projection display device and the remote projection display device displays the message, and after a predetermined period of inactivity then the processor ends two-way communication between the portable communications device and the remote projection display device, and when the portable communications device is removed from the cradle, then the processor commands the remote projection display device to resume displaying a speedometer input;

a serial port for receiving the remote audio data;

a speaker for outputting the remote audio data; and

a microphone for receiving audio data that is to be sent back through the portable communications device;

wherein the apparatus is adapted to couple to a hands-free kit, such that when the apparatus couples to the hands-free kit the hands-free kit outputs the remote audio data and receives the audio data that is to be sent back through the portable communications device;

wherein the portable communications device includes a scrolling capability, and the processor includes a scroll controller that receives scrolling commands from a remote scroll control device that is adapted to be integrated into an automobile steering wheel and adapted to cause the remote projection display device to provide a scrolling display of the converted remote visual data based on the scrolling commands that is simultaneously displayed on the portable communications device such that the portable communications device and the remote projection display present the same information, the scroll controller also controlling the portable communications device and scrolling along a display of the portable communications device;

wherein the processor is configured to receive commands from a remote toggle controller, the remote toggle controller being adapted to cause the remote projection display device to toggle the display of the remote visual data between on and off states in response to actuation of the remote toggle controller;

wherein the second interface is a wireless interface that is adapted to couple the housing to a corresponding wireless interface of the remote projection display;

wherein the processor includes a data translator for the converting of the received remote visual data;

wherein the first interface is a serial port connector and the second interface is a serial port connector; and

wherein a connection between the first interface and the data output port of the portable communications device is achieved upon receipt of the portable communications device.