Vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system

• US 6,158,655 A
• Filed: 04/08/1998
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lynam, Niall R., DeVries, Martin Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, MICHAEL GUNYOUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/057,428
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/380, 235/382.5, 235/384, 235/492, 235/375, 235/439, 235/462.43, 380/24, 380/23, 359/273, 359/275, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/825.35, 340/539
• US Class Current: 235/380
• 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: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system for communicating with a remote transaction unit for transactions such as a bank transaction with a bank teller unit or a drive-through point-of-sale transaction with a drive-through point-of-sale system for the purchase of food, beverages or other goods. The interface system includes a transmitter and an input device. The transmitter is mounted to one of a vehicle cabin and a vehicular rearview mirror assembly. The input device is in communication with the transmitter and provides input to the transmitter which modulates the signals from the input device and transmits the modulated signal for communicating with the remote transaction unit in order to engage in a transaction such as with a remote bank teller unit or machine. Preferably, the input device is adapted to mount in the vehicle and to be accessible by an occupant of the vehicle. The input device may, for example, include one or more buttons, a display area, and/or credit/debit card reader. Preferably, the display area displays indicia such as a menu of options which may be selected by the buttons.

Claims

1. A vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system for engaging in a remote transaction between an occupant of the vehicle and one of a bank teller remote transaction unit, a cash machine remote transaction unit, a gas pump remote transaction unit, and a drive-through point-of-sale retail establishment remote transaction unit, said system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly attached to an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior rearview mirror housing and an interior rearview mirror reflective element housed in said interior rearview mirror housing, said interior rearview mirror housing pivotally positionable about an interior rearview mirror support, said interior rearview mirror support attaching to said interior portion of said vehicle by a mirror mount;

an exterior rearview mirror assembly attached to an exterior portion of said vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly having an exterior rearview mirror housing and an exterior rearview mirror reflective element housed in said exterior rearview mirror housing, said exterior rearview mirror assembly attaching to said exterior portion of said vehicle by one of a fixed attachment and a break-away attachment;

a transceiver comprising a transmitter for sending commnication signals generated by an occupant of a vehicle to a remote transaction unit selected from the group consisting of a bank teller transaction unit, a cash machine remote transaction unit, a gas pump remote transaction unit, and a drive-through point-of-sale retail establishment remote transaction unit for initiating communication with said romote transaction unit and a receiver for receiving transaction unit generated signals from the remote transaction unit;

an input device in communication with said transceiver and being adapted to be mounted in said vehicle and accessible by the occupant, said input device generating said occupant generated communication signals in response to input from the occupant of the vehicle and sending said occupant generated communication signals to said transceiver, said transmitter transmitting said occupant generated communication signals to the remote transaction unit, and said receiver receiving said transaction unit generated signals from the remote transaction unit in response to said occupant generated communication signals in order to engage in a remote transaction with the remote transaction unit

said interior rearview mirror assembly including a display area, said display area displaying indicia, said transmitter being in communication with said display area for modulating and transmitting signals generated by a selection of said indicia displayed on said display area and said interior rearview mirror assembly further including said input device mounted thereon, said input device for selecting indicia on said display area; and

a carrier member, said transmitter being mounted to said carrier member, said carrier member being included in one of said interior rearview mirror assembly and said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

2. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 1, said occupant generated communication signals including a personal identifier of the occupant of the vehicle engaging in said remote transaction, said personal identifier authorizing the remote transaction unit to engage in said remote transaction.

3. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 1, wherein said input device is adapted to receive at least one of a personal identification number and a credit card number from the occupant of the vehicle, said at least one of a personal identification number and a credit card number being transmitted by said transmitter to the remote transaction unit.

4. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 1, wherein said input device comprises a key pad, said key pad including at least one of a button and a touch key and being adapted to be mounted in a vehicle cabin of a vehicle whereby said key pad is accessible by the occupant of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 4, wherein said key pad includes a display area, said display area displaying indicia generated or selected by said at least one of a button and a touch key.

6. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 4, wherein said key pad includes a plurality of alpha-numeric buttons.

7. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 4, wherein said key pad includes a plurality of function keys.

8. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 1, wherein said carrier member is supported in said interior rearview mirror housing.

9. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter is mounted to said interior rearview mirror support.

10. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter is mounted to a pod, said pod being mounted to said interior rearview mirror mount.

11. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 1, wherein said display area is mounted at said interior rearview mirror housing.

12. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 11, wherein said indicia comprise a menu having a plurality of options.

13. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 11, wherein said display area comprises a touch activated screen.

14. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 1, wherein said input device comprises a button, said button for selecting indicia on said display area.

15. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 14, wherein said transmitter is mounted to a pod, said pod being mounted to said interior mirror mount.

16. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter comprises one of an infrared transmitter and a radio frequency transmitter.

17. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 1, further comprising a card reader, said card reader being adapted to read a magnetic strip on a credit card, said card reader in communication with said transmitter and said input device for sending a signal containing the information on the magnetic strip to the remote transaction machine.

18. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle is stationary during at least a portion of said remote transaction.

19. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said signals comprises a secure signal, said secure signal being secure from electronic eavesdropping.

20. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 18, wherein said secure signal comprises a rolling code signal.

21. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 19, wherein said interface system includes a first code transmitted by said transceiver in one of said signals, said interface system including a second code, one of said first and second codes associated with an identity of a customer, the other of said first and second codes comprising a personal identification number, and the remote transaction unit engaging in said transaction only when said first code corresponds with said second code.

22. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 21, wherein said first code comprises said personal identification number.

23. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 21, wherein said second code is provided by a bar code, the remote transaction unit reading said bar code.

24. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 1, wherein said display area comprises a touch activated screen.

25. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 24, wherein said display area displays a menu, said menu including selections relating to said remote transaction.

26. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 25, wherein said menu is driven by at least one button, said button being mounted to said interior rearview mirror assembly.

27. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 26, wherein said button is provided at one of said interior rearview mirror housing and said interior rearview mirror support.

28. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 1, wherein said display area is mounted to said interior rearview mirror support.

29. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 1, further comprising a pod, said pod mounted to said mirror mount, said pod including said display area for displaying information relating to said remote transaction.

30. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 29, wherein said input device comprises a button for driving said display area.

31. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 29, wherein said pod includes a card reader coupled to said transceiver, said card reader comprising an input device for said remote transaction system.

32. A vehicle mounted remote bank teller interface system for transacting with a remote bank teller unit, said system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly attached to an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior rearview mirror housing and an interior rearview mirror reflective element housed in said interior rearview mirror housing, said interior rearview mirror housing pivotally positionable about an interior rearview mirror support, said interior rearview mirror support attaching to said interior portion of said vehicle by a mirror mount;

an exterior rearview mirror assembly attached to an exterior portion of said vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly having an exterior rearview mirror housing and an exterior rearview mirror reflective element housed in said exterior rearview mirror housing, said exterior rearview mirror support attaching to said exterior portion of said vehicle by one of a fixed attachment and a break-away attachment;

a transceiver including a transmitter for sending communication signals generated by an occupant of the vehicle to the remote bank teller unit to initiate a transaction with the bank teller unit and a receiver for receiving bank teller generated signals from the remote bank teller unit in response to said communication signals at least when the vehicle is stationary and in general proximity to the bank teller unit;

an input device in communication with said transceiver, said input device being mounted to one of said interior rearview mirror housing said interior rearview mirror support, and a pod attached to said mirror mount and being accessible by the occupant of the vehicle and generating said communication signals based on input from the occupant, said input device sending said communication signals to said transmitter, and said transmitter modulating said communication signals from said input device and transmitting said modulated communication signals for communicating with the remote bank teller unit in order to engage in a transaction with the remote bank teller unit;

said interior rearview mirror assembly having a display area, said display area displaying information relating to said remote transaction and being in communication with said input device; and

a carrier member, said transmitter being mounted to said carrier member, said carrier member being included in one of said interior rearview mirror assembly and said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

33. The vehicle mounted remote bank teller interface system according to claim 32, wherein said input device is mounted at said interior rearview mirror housing.

34. The vehicle mounted remote bank teller interface system according to claim 33, wherein said input device is adapted to receive at least one of a personal identification number and a credit card number from the occupant of the vehicle, said at least one of a personal identification number and a credit card number being transmitted by said transceiver to the remote bank teller unit.

35. The vehicle mounted remote bank teller interface system according to claim 34, wherein said input device comprises a key pad, said key pad including at least one of a button and a touch key and being adapted to be mounted in a vehicle cabin of a vehicle whereby said key pad is accessible by an occupant of the vehicle.

36. The vehicle mounted remote bank teller interface system according to claim 35, wherein said key pad includes a display area, said display area displaying indicia generated or selected by said at least one of a button and a touch key.

37. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 34, wherein said input device includes a plurality of alpha-numeric buttons.

38. The vehicle mounted remote interface system according to claim 34, wherein said input device includes a plurality of function keys.

39. A vehicular rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly attached to an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior rearview mirror housing and an interior rearview mirror reflective element housed in said interior rearview mirror housing, said interior rearview mirror housing pivotally positionable about an interior rearview mirror support, said interior rearview mirror support attaching to said interior portion of said vehicle by a mirror mount;

an exterior rearview mirror assembly attached to an exterior portion of a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly having an exterior rearview mirror housing and an exterior rearview mirror reflective element housed in said exterior rearview mirror housing, said exterior rearview mirror support attaching to said exterior portion of said vehicle by one of a fixed attachment and a break-away attachment;

a carrier member supported in said exterior rearview mirror assembly;

a transmitter supported by said carrier member in said exterior mirror assembly, said transmitter being adapted to receive input signals from a vehicle occupant, said transmitter modulating said input signals for transmitting said modulated input signals to initialize communication with one of a bank remote transaction unit and a drive-through retail point-of-sale remote transaction unit;

an input device in communication with said transmitter, said input device being mounted to one of said interior rearview mirror housing, said interior rearview mirror support, and a pod attached to said mirror mount and being accessible by the occupant of the vehicle and generating said commnication signals based on input from the occupant, said input device sending said communication signals to said transmitter, and said transmitter modulating said communication signals from said input device and transmitting said modulated communication signals for communicating with the one of a bank remotetransaction unit and a drive-through retail point-of-sale remote transaction unit in order to engage in a transaction with the one of a bank remote transaction unit and a drive-through retail point-of-sale remote transaction unit; and

a display area supported at said interior rearview mirror assembly, said display area displaying information relating to said remote transaction and being in communication with said input device.

40. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 39, wherein said interior rearview mirror housing further includes an actuator for adjusting an orientation of said reflective element.

41. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 39, wherein said transmitter comprises a transceiver, said transceiver transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the remote transaction unit.

42. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 41, wherein said transceiver is adapted to receive at least one of a personal identification number and a credit card number from the occupant of the vehicle for transmitting the number to the remote transaction unit, wherein said at least one of a personal identification number and a credit card number is transmitted in a secure signal, and said transceiver further adapted to communicate with a personal communication service to relay messages to the occupant of the vehicle.

43. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 39, wherein said input device includes at least one button, said button in communication with said transmitter and generating communication signals based on input from the occupant.

44. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 43, wherein said input device includes said display area, said display area displaying indicia generated by said at least one button.

45. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 44, wherein said input device includes a plurality of buttons.

46. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 44, wherein said input device includes a card reader.

47. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 39, wherein said transmitter comprises one of an infrared transmitter and a radio frequency transmitter.

48. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 39, wherein at least one of said signals comprises a secure signal, said secure signal being secure from electronic eavesdropping.

49. The vehicle rearview mirror system according to claim 48, wherein said secure signal comprises a rolling code signal.

50. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 39, wherein said display area is mounted to said interior rearview mirror support.

51. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 39, wherein said display area displays a menu, said menu including selections for said remote transaction.

52. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 51, wherein said menu is driven by said input device.

53. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 52, wherein said display area is mounted to said interior rearview mirror housing.

54. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 39, wherein said display area comprises a touch sensitive display, said touch sensitive display including said input device.

55. A vehicular rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly attached to an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior rearview mirror housing and an interior rearview mirror reflective element housed in said interior rearview mirror housing, said interior rearview mirror housing pivotally positionable about an interior rearview mirror support, said interior rearview mirror support attaching to said interior portion of said vehicle by a mirror mount;

an exterior rearview mirror assembly attached to an exterior portion of a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly having an exterior rearview mirror housing and an exterior rearview mirror reflective element housed in said exterior rearview mirror housing, said exterior rearview mirror support attaching to said exterior portion of said vehicle by one of a fixed attachment and a break-away attachment;

a pod mounted to said mirror mount;

a transceiver supported in one of said interior rearview mirror assembly and said exterior rearview mirror assembly; and

an input device mounted to said pod, said input device including a display area and at least one actuator for driving said display, said display area having a display menu defining a plurality of options, said actuator being accessible by an occupant of the vehicle and driving said display area and, further, being adapted to generate a communication signal to said transceiver in response to the occupant selecting one of said options on said display menu, said transceiver including a transmitter for transmitting said communication signal initialized by the occupant for communicating with one of a remote bank transaction unit and a remote drive-through retail point-of-sale transaction unit for one of a bank transaction and a drive-through point-of-sale transaction, said transceiver further including a receiver for receiving responsive signals from the one of the bank transaction unit and the remote drive-through retail point-of-sale transaction unit, said responsive signals being generated in response to said signals initialized by the occupant, said receiver sending said responsive signals to said input device, and said input device displaying said responsive signals for the occupant of the vehicle.

56. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 55, wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a carrier member mounted in said exterior housing, and said transceiver being mounted to said carrier member.

57. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 55, wherein said transceiver comprises one of an infrared transceiver and a radio frequency transceiver.

58. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 55, wherein said input device includes a plurality of alphanumeric buttons for generating a signal which includes at least one of a personal identification number and a credit card number of the occupant of the vehicle, said transceiver transmitting said signal and for engaging in the transaction with the one of a remote bank transaction unit and a remote drive-through retail point-of-sale transaction unit.

59. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 55, further comprising a credit card reader in communication with said transceiver, said credit card reader being adapted to read a magnetic strip of at least one of a credit card and a bank card.

60. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 59, said input device including said credit card reader.

61. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 55, wherein said display area displays indicia generated by said actuator.

62. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 61, wherein said display area comprises a touch activated screen.

63. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 55, wherein at least one of said signals comprises a secure signal, said secure signal being secure from electronic eavesdropping.

64. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 63, wherein said secure signal comprises a rolling code signal.

65. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 55, wherein said actuator comprises a button for driving said display area.

66. The vehicular rearview mirror system according 55, wherein said pod includes a card reader coupled to said transceiver, said card reader comprising an input device for said remote transaction system.

67. A vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system for engaging in a remote transaction between an occupant of the vehicle and remote transaction unit, said system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly attached to an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior rearview mirror housing and an interior rearview mirror reflective element housed in said interior rearview mirror housing, said interior rearview mirror housing pivotally positionable about an interior rearview mirror support, said interior rearview mirror support attaching to said interior portion of said vehicle by a mirror mount;

an exterior rearview mirror assembly attached to an exterior portion of said vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly having an exterior rearview mirror housing and an exterior rearview mirror reflective element housed in said exterior rearview mirror housing, said exterior rearview mirror assembly attaching to said exterior portion of said vehicle by one of a fixed attachment and a break-away attachment;

a transceiver comprising a transmitter for sending communication signals generated by an occupant of a vehicle to a remote transaction unit for initiating communication with said remote transaction unit and a receiver for receiving transaction unit generated signals from the remote transaction unit;

an input device in communication with said transceiver and mounted at said interior rearview mirror assembly and accessible by the occupant, said input device generating said occupant generated communication signals in response to input from the occupant of the vehicle and sending said occupant generated communication signals to said transceiver, said transmitter transmitting said occupant generated communication signals to the remote transaction unit, and said receiver receiving said transaction unit generated signals from the remote transaction unit in response to said occupant generated communication signals in order to engage in a remote transaction with the remote transaction unit;

a carrier member, said transmitter being mounted to said carrier member;

a display provided at said interior rearview mirror assembly, said display displaying information relating to said remote transaction; and

said carrier member being included in one of said interior rearview mirror assembly and said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

68. The vehicular rearview mirror system according to claim 67, wherein said display displays a menu, said menu including selections for said remote transaction.

69. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 68, wherein said menu is driven by at least one button, said button being mounted to said interior rearview mirror assembly.

70. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 69, wherein said button is provided at one of said interior rearview mirror housing, said interior rearview mirror support, and said mirror mount.

71. The vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said signals comprises a secure signals said secure signal, being secure from electronic eavesdropping.