Connected vehicle system with infotainment interface for mobile devices

• US 10,282,923 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2016
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Craig A. Tieman
• Original Assignee: Craig A. Tieman
• Inventors: Tieman, Craig A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Badii, Behrang
• Application Number:
  US15/195,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20160350984A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/00 Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor for lighting vehicle interior B60Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/00 Testing of vehicles testing fluid tightness G01M3/00; testing elastic properties of bodies or chassis, e.g. torsion-testing, G01M5/00; testing alignment of vehicle headlight devices G01M11/06; testing of engines G01M15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/00 Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere measuring superconductive properties G01R33/1238; testing or measuring semiconductors or solid state devices during manufacture H01L22/00; testing line transmission systems H04B3/46
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/00 Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled logic circuits H03K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/00 Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/08 Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0833 using audio means
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/24 Transfer of terminal data

Abstract

An OBD module for communicating with a vehicle radio/infotainment system. The OBD module includes a controller, a data bus interface that is configured to draw power from and electronically communicate with a vehicle OBD-II data port and a digital interface connector. The OBD module can be formed from two separate components, including a transceiver module and an interface module, that are in communication with each other. The transceiver module can be located remotely from the interface module. The OBD module can include a graphic equalizer to enhance the sound quality of the input source. The OBD module can also be configured to interrupt playback to play a substitute message as is desired.

Claims

1. An on-board diagnostics (OBD) module for use with a vehicle including a vehicle data port and a vehicle radio/infotainment system, comprising:

a controller;

an interface module including a first housing and a data bus interface connector configured to connect to the vehicle data port to draw power from the vehicle data port; and

a transceiver module including a second housing that surrounds the controller and operable to communicate by radio frequency between the controller and a mobile device and to communicate directly between the controller and the vehicle radio/infotainment system separate from the vehicle data port, wherein the mobile device communicates to stream audio from the mobile device to the vehicle radio/infotainment system through the transceiver and controller separate from the vehicle data ports,

wherein the first housing of the interface module and the second housing of the transceiver module are formed as separate components in communication with each other.

2. The OBD module of claim 1 wherein the first housing of the interface module includes a first connector and the second housing of the transceiver module includes a second connector, wherein the first and second connectors mate with each other to physically connect the first housing of the interface module to the second housing of the transceiver module.

3. The OBD module of claim 2 wherein the first connector is a tongue and the second connector is a recess, wherein the recess is configured to receive the tongue.

4. The OBD module of claim 2 wherein the first connector is a recess and the second connector is a tongue, wherein the recess is configured to receive the tongue.

5. The OBD module of claim 1, further comprising a cable extending between the interface module and the transceiver module.

6. The OBD module of claim 1 further comprising a steering wheel mountable system control module in electronic communication with the OBD module, wherein the system control module is configured for mounting to a steering wheel of the vehicle.