Modular automotive multimedia and telematic extension box and head unit

• US 9,042,572 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2012
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Boulia, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): TON, DAVID L
• Application Number:
  US13/344,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20120114135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 Days
• Field of Search: 381/86, 381/124, 381/8, 455/569.2, 455/345, 455/346, 455/575.9, 701/400, 701/419, 701/431, 701/536
• US Class Current: 381/86
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular automotive multimedia and telematic extension unit and head unit. In one embodiment, the present invention is an extension unit including a storage unit storing an application of an external personal electronic device, a processor connected to the storage unit, and a first connection unit connected to the storage unit and configured to be connected to a head unit in an automobile.

Claims

1. An extension unit configured to be removed from or inserted into a receptacle of a head unit of an automobile, the extension unit comprising:

a storage unit for storing an operating system and for storing a copy of a software application of a portable electronic accessory;

a processor connected to the storage unit and configured to modify the copy of the software application of the portable electronic accessory such that the modified copy of the software application is compatible with the operating system, and execute the modified copy of the software application using the operating system; and

a first connection unit connected to the storage unit and configured to be connected to the head unit of the automobile by inserting into the receptacle,

wherein the execution of the modified copy of the software application simulates the portable electronic accessory and allows a user to access features of the portable electronic accessory even when the portable electronic accessory is disconnected from the extension unit.

2. The extension unit of claim 1 further comprising a second connection unit configured to be connected to the portable electronic accessory.

3. The extension unit of claim 1 wherein the portable electronic accessory is an audio unit, a video device, an audio and video device, a mobile phone or a navigation unit.

4. The extension unit of claim 1 wherein the portable electronic accessory is a navigation unit.

5. The extension unit of claim 1 further comprising a USB connection connected to the processor.

6. The extension unit of claim 1 further comprising a wireless antenna connected to the processor.

7. The extension unit of claim 1 further comprising an SD card connection connected to the processor.

8. The extension unit of claim 1 further comprising an authentication unit connected to the processor.

9. An extension unit configured to be removed from or inserted into a receptacle of a head unit of an automobile, the extension unit comprising:

a storage unit for storing a copy of a media file of a portable electronic accessory and a copy of a software application of the portable electronic accessory;

a processor connected to the storage unit and configured to process the copy of the media file to play the copy of the media file for outputting an audio or a video for a user of the automobile and allow the user of the automobile to access the copy of the media file even when the portable electronic accessory is disconnected from the extension unit, and

a first connection unit connected to the storage unit and configured to be connected to the head unit of the automobile by inserting into the receptacle, the first connection unit transmitting data corresponding to the processed copy of the media file or the executed or operated copy of the software application to the head unit when the first connection unit is connected to the head unit.

10. The extension unit of claim 9 wherein the head unit includes a microphone, and the executed or operated copy of the software application allows the user to vocally interact with the head unit to access features of the head unit and the simulated function or feature of the portable electronic accessory.

11. The extension unit of claim 9 further comprising a second connection unit configured to be connected to the portable electronic accessory.

12. The extension unit of claim 9 wherein the portable electronic accessory is an audio unit, a video unit, an audio and video unit, a mobile phone or a navigation unit.

13. The extension unit of claim 9 further comprising:

a USB connection connected to the processor;

a wireless antenna connected to the processor;

an SD card connection connected to the processor; and

an authentication unit connected to the processor.

14. The extension unit of claim 9 wherein the head unit has a body with a front portion that is configured to be movable between an open position and a closed portion, wherein when the front portion is in the closed position, the front portion covers the receptacle for preventing the extension unit from being removed from or inserted into the receptacle and when the front portion is in the open position, the head unit exposes the receptacle for allowing the extension unit to be removed from or slidably inserted into the receptacle.

15. An automobile comprising:

a head unit including a body having a front portion, a receptacle, and a display, the front portion configured to be movable between a closed position and an position, wherein when the front portion is in the closed position, the front portion covers the receptacle, and when the front portion, is in the open position, the receptacle is uncovered; and

an extension unit configured to be slidably inserted in the receptacle when the front portion of the body of the head unit is in the open position, the extension unit including;

a storage unit storing a copy of a software application of a portable electronic accessory,

a processor connected to the storage unit and configured to execute the copy of the software application, the executed copy of the software application simulating a function or a feature of the portable electronic accessory to allow the user to access the simulated function of the feature of the portable electronic accessory even when the portable electronic accessory is disconnected from the extension unit, and

a first connection unit connected to the storage unit and configured to be connected to the head unit, the first connection unit transmitting data corresponding to the executed copy of the software application to the head unit when the first connection unit is connected to the head unit.

16. The automobile of claim 15 wherein the portable electronic accessory is an audio unit or a navigation unit.

17. The extension unit of claim 15, wherein the front portion of the body of the head unit is configured to be in a vertical position when in the closed position, and further configured to tilt to a horizontal position when in the open position to uncover the receptacle.

18. The extension unit of claim 15 wherein the extension unit is configured to establish an electronic connection with the head unit after the extension unit is slidably inserted in the receptacle without requiring additional wired connections, for allowing the extension unit to be easily removed from or inserted into the receptacle of the head unit.