Combined rear view mirror and telephone

• US 8,331,998 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• 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
• Application Number:
  US13/242,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20120015691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/575.1, 455/575.2, 455/90.1, 455/90.3, 455/90.2, 455/344, 455/345, 701/29, 701/30, 701/33, 701/34, 340/438, 340/457.4, 340/459, 340/989
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• 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 integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a rear view mirror housing adapted to be attached to a vehicle;

communications circuitry configured to be communicatively coupled to first and second communications devices detached from the integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus, and to receive, from the first communications device, information pertaining to the vehicle; and

cellular telephone circuitry configured to communicate with a cellular telephone service provider and transmit, to said cellular telephone service provider, data indicative of said information pertaining to the vehicle while said communications circuitry simultaneously maintains a communications link with the second communications device.

2. The integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus of claim 1, wherein said information pertaining to the vehicle comprises vehicle location information.

3. The integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cellular telephone circuitry is further configured to receive route guidance information from said cellular telephone service provider.

4. The integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus of claim 1, wherein said information pertaining to the vehicle comprises status of one or more vehicle systems.

5. The integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus of claim 1, further comprising additional circuitry configured to receive from the second communications device information to be rendered by the rear view mirror/communications apparatus.

6. The integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cellular telephone circuitry is further configured to send, to the first communications device, information received from the cellular telephone service provider.

7. The integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus of claim 6, wherein said information received from the cellular telephone service provider comprises commands for controlling vehicle functions.

8. A method for communication in a vehicle, the method comprising:

communicatively coupling an integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus with first and second communications devices, wherein the integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus is adapted to be attached to the vehicle and the first and second communications devices are physically separate from the integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus;

receiving, by the integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus, information from the first communications device, the information pertaining to the vehicle; and

transmitting, by the integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus to a cellular telephone service provider, data indicative of said information pertaining to the vehicle while simultaneously maintaining a communications link with the second communications device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said information pertaining to the vehicle comprises vehicle location information.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving, by the integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus, route guidance information.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said information pertaining to the vehicle comprises status of one or more vehicle systems.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving, from the second communications device, information to be rendered by the integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising rendering the information to be rendered.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising sending, to the first communications device, information received from the cellular telephone service provider.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said information received from the cellular telephone service provider comprises commands for controlling vehicle functions.

16. A system for communication in a vehicle, the system comprising:

means for communicatively coupling an integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus with first and second communications devices, wherein the integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus is adapted to be attached to the vehicle and the first and second communication devices are physically separate from the integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus;

means for receiving, from the first communication device, information pertaining to the vehicle; and

means for transmitting, to a cellular telephone service provider, data indicative of said information pertaining to the vehicle while simultaneously maintaining a communications link with the second communications device.