Combination ETC terminal and rear view mirror for vehicles

• US 7,649,503 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2008
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Heo, Sung Wook
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US12/082,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20090128432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 343/711, 343/713, 340/461, 340/928
• US Class Current: 343/713
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1261 with antennae
• 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: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3266 using the mirror of the vehicle

Abstract

A combination Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) terminal and rear view mirror for vehicles is disclosed. The rear view mirror includes a Radio Frequency (RF) antenna, and an ETC module. The RF antenna is fastened to the upper end of a stay in order to transmit and receive RF signals to and from an RF module, which is provided in a tollgate gantry. The ETC module is connected with the RF antenna using a wire, and is mounted in a housing. Thus, the uninterrupted transmission and reception of RF signals between the ECT terminal and the RF module can be stably performed even when a vehicle passes through a tollgate at a high speed.

Claims

1. A combination Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) terminal and rear view mirror for a vehicle, which comprises:

a stay fastened to a portion of a front windshield of a vehicle;

a housing mounted to the front windshield via the stay, in which a mirror part and a cover are coupled;

an ETC module mounted in the housing; and

a Radio Frequency (RF) antenna fastened to an upper end of the stay for transmitting and receiving RF signals to and from an RF module disposed outside the vehicle,

wherein the ETC module and the RF antenna are connected via a wire, and the wire passes both through an interior of the stay and an interior of the housing, without being exposed to an outside and the wire has a length of less than 50 cm.

2. The combination ETC terminal and rear view mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a support part therein for stably connecting the wire to the ETC module, the support part being provided with a through-hole therein for guiding the wire.

3. The combination ETC terminal and rear view mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein a speaker and a module switch part, which are connected to the ETC module, are provided on the housing or the cover.

4. The combination ETC terminal and rear view mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper end of the stay is provided with a guide groove, the RF antenna is fastened to an upper surface of a support plate, and the support plate is fitted into the guide groove, thereby fastening the RF antenna to the upper end of the stay.

5. The combination ETC terminal and rear view mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a support part therein for stably connecting the wire to the ETC module, the support part being provided with a through-hole therein for guiding the wire.

6. The combination ETC terminal and rear view mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein a speaker and a module switch part, which connected to the ETC module, are provided on the housing or the cover.

7. A combination Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) terminal and rear view mirror for a vehicle, which comprises:

a stay fastened to a portion of a front windshield of a vehicle;

a housing mounted to the front windshield via the stay, in which a mirror part and a cover are coupled;

an ETC module mounted in the housing; and

a Radio Frequency (RF) antenna fastened to an upper end of the stay for transmitting and receiving RF signals to and from an RF module disposed outside the vehicle,

wherein the ETC module and the RF antenna are connected via a wire, and

the upper end of the stay is provided with a guide groove, the RF antenna is fastened to an upper surface of a support plate, and the support plate is fitted into the guide groove, thereby fastening the RF antenna to the upper end of the stay.