COMBINED REAR VIEW MIRROR AND TELEPHONE

• US 20080058024A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 21ST CENTURY GARAGE LLC
• Original Assignee: Akihabara Limited LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Abbas, Mossad, Baratono, Ronald
• Granted Patent: US 8,082,009 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 method of providing hands-free communication for a caller in a vehicle using a combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus in the vehicle, the combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus having electronic telephonic circuitry for transmitting and receiving telephone information, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from a service provider remote to the vehicle using a SIM card disposed within the combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus, wherein said signal places the electronic telephonic circuitry in operative communication with said remote service provider;

receiving telephone information from said remote service provider;

outputting said telephone information using the electronic telephonic circuitry; and

transmitting caller telephone information including caller voice and data to said remote service provider.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic telephonic circuitry in the combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus includes cellular telephonic circuitry for placing telephone calls.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said SIM card is in electrical telephonic circuit relation with said cellular telephone circuitry when said SIM card is disposed in the combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus further comprises video circuitry including a video communication SIM processor for receiving and transmitting images.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus further comprises a video camera disposed therein, wherein said video camera is in electrical circuit relation with said video circuitry.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

receiving voice and images from said remote service provider;

outputting said voice and images using the electronic telephonic circuitry and said video circuitry;

transmitting caller voice to said remote service provider using the electronic telephonic circuitry; and

transmitting caller and road images to said remote service provider by sending a field of view received by said video camera through said video communication SIM processor of said video circuitry.

7. A combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a rear view mirror housing adapted to be attached to a windshield of a vehicle;

a SIM card reader disposed in the mirror housing; and

cellular telephone circuitry disposed in the mirror housing, wherein the SIM card reader is communicatively-coupled with the cellular telephone circuitry, wherein, upon insertion of a SIM card in the SIM card reader, the apparatus is enabled to communicate with a cellular telephone service provider, and wherein the cellular telephone circuitry includes an interface to communicatively-couple the cellular telephone circuitry with an inboard component of the vehicle that is capable of being controlled by a device remote to the vehicle via a communication between the cellular telephone circuitry and the cellular telephone service provider.

8. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inboard component is in communication with the cellular telephone circuitry via a short range wireless protocol.

9. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 8, wherein the short range wireless protocol comprises a Bluetooth wireless protocol.

10. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inboard component comprises an inboard vehicle computer.

11. The combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inboard component comprises a sensor of the vehicle.