Combined rear view mirror and telephone

• US 20020082058A1
• Filed: 12/11/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 21ST CENTURY GARAGE LLC
• Original Assignee: Mossad Abbas, Ronald Baratono
• Inventors: Baratono, Ronald, Abbas, Mossad
• Granted Patent: US 6,889,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/569.2
• 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. A combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus for a vehicle to enable a hands-free operation of the telephone by the driver of the vehicle, comprising:

(a) a rear view mirror housing,

(b) cellular telephone means fixedly integrated into the housing,

(c) a SIM card reader in the housing,

(d) a SIM card door formed in the housing,

(e) a SIM card drawer removably receivable in the housing through the SIM card, and

(f) attachment means for attaching the mirror housing to the vehicle.

2. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 1, wherein the SIM card drawer is receivable into a mobile telephone when not received in the rear view mirror and telephone apparatus.

3. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a mirror disposed on the front wall of the housing.

4. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 3 comprising:

a side wall having a plurality of openings provided in a linear array, a key pad for actuating the cellular telephone means, the pad comprising a plurality of individual push buttons, each push button being associated with and projecting through an associated opening in the side wall.

5. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 4 and further comprising a circuit board disposed in the housing.

6. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 5 and further comprising electrical power means to operate the cellular telephone.

7. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 6 wherein the electrical power means is a battery.

8. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 7 wherein said battery comprises the battery of the vehicle.

9. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 8 wherein said mirror comprises a display panel, the display panel being a liquid crystal with a backlight.

18. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 6 wherein the electrical power means comprises a re-chargeable back-up battery built into the mirror housing for operating the telephone.

10. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus for a vehicle to enable a hands-free operation of the telephone by the driver of the vehicle, comprising:

(a) a rear view mirror housing comprising a housing having a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall, the side wall, rear wall and front wall being integrally formed, the housing having an interior chamber defining a pocket for receiving a portable telephone; and

(b) electronic means for operating a telephone disposed within the housing and including means for operating the telephone in electrical communication therewith and being keypad actuable.

11. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 10 which further comprises a mirror disposed on the front wall of the housing.

12. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 11 wherein the side wall has a plurality of openings provided in a linear array, the assembly further comprising a key pad, the key pad having a plurality of individual push buttons being associated with the electronic means, each button being associated with and projecting through an associated opening in the side wall.

13. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:

(a) a circuit board disposed in the housing and defining the electronic means; and

(b) a plug assembly extending from the circuit board and being connectable to the telephone to render the telephone operable by the electronic means.

14. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising electrical power means in electrical communication with the telephone to provide electrical power to operate the cellular telephone.

15. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 14 wherein:

the electrical power means comprises a battery.

16. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 15 wherein said battery comprises the battery of the vehicle, the electrical apparatus having connecting means for connecting the vehicle battery to the electronic means.

17. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 16 wherein the mirror comprises a liquid crystal display panel having a backlight.

20. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:

(a) a circuit board disposed in the housing and defining electronic means; and

(b) a plug assembly extending from the circuit board and being connectable to the video camera and a video imaging viewer to render the video telephone operable by the electronic means.

19. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus for a vehicle to enable a hands-free operation of the video telephone by the driver of the vehicle, comprising:

(a) a rear view mirror housing comprising a housing having a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall, the side wall, rear wall and front wall being integrally formed, the housing having an interior chamber having a pocket formed therein, the interior chamber receiving a display screen or video imaging viewer;

(b) a video phone SIM card processor disposed in the housing, and the SIM card video telephone processor fixedly disposed within the housing and for sending images for operating a video imagining device and being in electrical communication therewith; and

(c) a keypad for actuating a video telephone.