Modular telematic control unit

• US 20020173889A1
• Filed: 09/17/2001
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellisist, Inc. dba Spoken Communications (Avaya Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Intellisist, Inc. dba Spoken Communications (Avaya Incorporated)
• Inventors: Langenbeck, Stephen H., Odinak, Gilad
• Granted Patent: US 6,766,233 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof

Abstract

A vehicle device system that combines the functionalities of integrating vehicle controls, monitoring systems, location tracking and wireless communications into a device with module receptacles to receive insertable modules that are replaceable, transferable, and upgradeable for performing one of a plurality of telematic functions.

Claims

1. A vehicle device comprising:

one or more removable modules, wherein each of the one or more removable modules is configured to perform at least one communication or processing function;

one or more module receptacles configured to receive and electrically couple to the one or more removable modules;

memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory and the one or more module receptacles.

2. The vehicle device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface, wherein the user interface includes a microphone configured to receive user voice input and a speaker.

3. The vehicle device of claim 1, wherein the processor is coupled to at least one speaker and at least one microphone.

4. The vehicle device of claim 1, further comprising a communication component configured to communicate with a destination over a network, wherein the communication component communicates wirelessly.

5. The vehicle device of claim 1, wherein the device is at least in part implemented in a rear view mirror.

6. The vehicle device of claim 1, wherein the one or more modules comprises at least one of a processing module, a positioning module, a cellular device module, or a wireless network communication module.

7. The vehicle device of claim 1, wherein the one or more removable modules are insertable into one or more devices remote from the vehicle.

8. The vehicle device of claim 7, wherein the one or more devices remote from the vehicle is a hand-held device.

9. The vehicle device of claim 7, wherein the one or more devices remote from the vehicle is a home computer.

10. The vehicle device of claim 1, wherein the at least one function performed by the one or more removable modules is a cellular radio function and a global positioning receiver function.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one function performed by the one or more removable modules is at least a central processing function for processing user initiated transactions.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one function performed by the one or more removable modules is digital signal processing.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one function is wireless transmission of data.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one function is storing data.

16. The vehicle device of claim 15, further comprising a responsive means for receiving user-initiated transactions, wherein the responsive means comprises a user-interface means for inputting and outputting data.

17. The vehicle device of claim 15, wherein the removable means comprises one or more removable modules, wherein each of the one or more modules is configured to perform at least one function.

18. The vehicle device of claim 17, wherein the one or more modules comprises at least one of a processor module, a positioning module, a cellular device module, a wireless network communication module, or memory module.

19. The vehicle device of claim 18, wherein the processor module comprises a digital signal processing component.

20. The vehicle device of claim 17, wherein the at least one function performed by the one or more removable modules is transmitting data.

21. The vehicle device of claim 17, wherein the at least one function performed by the one or more removable modules is a cellular radio function and a global positioning receiver function.

22. The vehicle device of claim 17, wherein the at least one function performed by the one or more removable modules is storing data.

23. The vehicle device of claim 15, wherein the one or more removable modules are insertable into one or more devices remote from the vehicle.

25. The vehicle device of claim 24, wherein the user interface includes a microphone configured to receive user voice input and a speaker.

26. The vehicle device of claim 24, wherein the device is at least in part implemented in a rear view mirror.

27. The vehicle device of claim 24, wherein the one or more modules comprises at least one of a processing module, a positioning module, a cellular device module, a global positioning receiver, or a wireless network communication module.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one function performed by the one or more removable modules is at least a central processing function for processing user initiated transactions.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one function performed by the one or more removable modules is digital signal processing.

30. The vehicle device of claim 24, wherein the one or more removable modules are insertable into one or more devices remote from the vehicle.

15. A vehicle device comprising:

a base component means for performing a plurality of base telematic functions;

a removable means for replacing or adding the at least one of the plurality of base telematic functions, wherein the removable means performs the at least one of the plurality of base telematic functions; and

an integration means for integrating the removable means with the base component means.

24. A vehicle device comprising:

one or more removable modules, wherein each of the one or more removable modules is configured to perform at least one communication or processing function;

one or more module receptacles configured to receive and electrically couple to the one or more removable modules;

a user interface for allowing a user to interact with the vehicle device;

a communication component configured to communicate with a destination over a network, wherein the communication component communicates wirelessly;

memory; and

a processor coupled to the user interface, memory, communication component, and the one or more module receptacles.