Method for providing removable GPS device in rear-view car mirror

• US 8,607,430 B1
• Filed: 08/02/2011
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InfoGation Corporation
• Original Assignee: InfoGation Corporation
• Inventors: Pu, Kent Qing
• Primary Examiner(s): COZART, JERMIE E
• Application Number:
  US13/196,275
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/49, 701/211, 701/213, 701/439, 294/28
• US Class Current: 29/428
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• 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: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3629 Guidance using speech or audio output, e.g. text-to-speech text to speech systems per se G10L13/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An interior rear-view mirror for cars is so designed that a portable GPS device may be readily mounted on. Depending on implementation, a portable GPS device may be slid in or clipped onto a rear-view mirror.

Claims

1. A method for providing a Global Positioning System (GPS) device in a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a mounting mechanism to hold up a GPS device removable from the mounting mechanism, the mounting mechanism including at least a track for the GPS device to slide on and arranged adjacent to a reflecting surface in the vehicle, the reflecting surface primarily used to assist a driver of the vehicle to view back of the vehicle, wherein the GPS device is an independently operated device and removed from the mounting mechanism to be used with the driver when the driver is away from the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mounting mechanism includes an opening for the GPS device to be positioned therein.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the GPS includes a mechanism to record verbal instructions from a user as personalized instructions, each of the personalized instructions corresponding to a situation being displayed.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein one of the personalized instructions is automatically played back by the GPS device when the situation corresponding to a traffic condition happens.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface provides a designated portion to accommodate the GPS device, the designated portion is exposed when the GPS device is being mounted into the designated portion, and the designated portion is covered with a portion of the reflecting surface when the GPS device is removed from the designated portion.