Removable modular universal telematics services engine for an audio-visual control unit
First Claim
1. A device, comprising:
- an auxiliary processing module to;
perform wireless communications, graphics processing, and application processing;
pass signals, via complementary contacts, to an auxiliary processing module interface, connected to an audio-visual control unit of a vehicle, when the auxiliary processing module has been coupled with the auxiliary processing module interface,the wireless communications, graphics processing, and application processing supplementing processing by the audio-visual control unit when the auxiliary processing module has been selected with a user interface;
receive a vehicle identification number of the vehicle from a communication network of the vehicle;
compare the retrieved vehicle identification number with a previously stored vehicle identification number; and
permit use of features that the auxiliary processing module is configured to perform based on the retrieved vehicle identification number matching the previously stored vehicle identification number.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Modular auxiliary processor circuitry, capable of performing telematics services, including wireless communications, diagnostic assessment and reporting, location based services, and internetworking, couples with a vehicle head unit through an auxiliary processing module interface. When so coupled, the auxiliary processing module circuitry can perform tasks, services, functions, and aspect that a lower-capability processor of the head unit cannot perform as quickly or as efficiently, if at all. When the auxiliary processor module is coupled and active, its display output can couple to a display device either permanently fixed in the vehicle, or portable and mobile with respect to the vehicle, through conductors or a wireless link. When the auxiliary processor circuitry'"'"'s output couples to the display device, software running on the head unit, or the auxiliary processor module, may decouple the head unit from the display device unless a user interface requests its services, such as tuning an AM/FM radio circuit.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device, comprising:
an auxiliary processing module to; perform wireless communications, graphics processing, and application processing; pass signals, via complementary contacts, to an auxiliary processing module interface, connected to an audio-visual control unit of a vehicle, when the auxiliary processing module has been coupled with the auxiliary processing module interface, the wireless communications, graphics processing, and application processing supplementing processing by the audio-visual control unit when the auxiliary processing module has been selected with a user interface; receive a vehicle identification number of the vehicle from a communication network of the vehicle; compare the retrieved vehicle identification number with a previously stored vehicle identification number; and permit use of features that the auxiliary processing module is configured to perform based on the retrieved vehicle identification number matching the previously stored vehicle identification number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A device, comprising:
an auxiliary processing module to; perform wireless communications, graphics processing, and application processing; pass signals, via complementary contacts, to an auxiliary processing module interface connected to an audio-visual control unit of a vehicle when the auxiliary processing module has been coupled with the auxiliary processing module interface, the wireless communications, graphics processing, and application processing supplementing processing by the audio-visual control unit when the auxiliary processing module is selected using software running on the audio-visual control unit, and a display device being coupled to the audio-visual control unit; receive a vehicle identification number of the vehicle from a communication network of the vehicle; compare the retrieved vehicle identification number with a previously stored vehicle identification number; permit use of features that the auxiliary processing module is configured to perform based on the retrieved vehicle identification number matching the previously stored vehicle identification number; and configure a switching means that operates when use of the auxiliary processing module has been selected to couple output from the auxiliary processing module to the display device. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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detecting, by an auxiliary processing module, coupling to an auxiliary processing module interface coupled to an audio-visual control unit of a vehicle; determining, by the auxiliary processing module, that the coupling of the auxiliary processing module to the auxiliary processing module interface is a first coupling; retrieving, by the auxiliary processing module and from a communications network of the vehicle, a vehicle identification number of the vehicle; storing the vehicle identification number; receiving, by the auxiliary processing module and via a user interface, a selection of at least one feature that the auxiliary processing module has been configured to perform, the user interface being presented by the audio-visual control unit on a graphical display device coupled to the audio-visual control unit; and configuring, by the auxiliary processing module, switching to enable video graphic signals passing from the auxiliary processing module to the graphical display device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification