Communication system for a vehicle

• US 7,526,367 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2007
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, Cooprider, Troy O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli; Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US11/953,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20080122591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems

Abstract

A communication system for a vehicle includes an interior assembly and an in-vehicle communication control that is located in the vehicle remote from the interior assembly. A wired connective link electrically connects the interior assembly and the in-vehicle communication control. A human-machine interface is located at the interior assembly and is connected to the in-vehicle communication control via the connective link to communicate at least one human-machine interface signal between the human-machine interface and the in-vehicle communication control. A gobal positioning system control in the vehicle communicates at least one GPS-dervied signal to one of the interior assembly and the in-vehicle communication control via the connective link and the at least one human-machine interface signal and the at least one GSP-derived signal share the connective link such that the connective link comprises a shared common connective link between the in-vehicle communication control and the interior assembly.

Claims

1. A communication system for a vehicle comprising:

an interior assembly;

an in-vehicle communication control located in the vehicle and remote from said interior assembly;

a wired connective link electrically connecting said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication control;

a human-machine interface located at said interior assembly, said human-machine interface being connected to said in-vehicle communication control via said connective link to communicate at least one human-machine interface signal between said human-machine interface and said in-vehicle communication control;

a global positioning system control in the vehicle, said global positioning system control communicating at least one GPS-derived signal to one of said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication control via said connective link, said at least one human-machine interface signal and said at least one GPS-derived signal sharing said connective link such that said connective link comprises a shared common connective link between said in-vehicle communication control and said interior assembly; and

Wherein said human-machine interface comprises at least one of (a) user actuatable inputs for controlling or actuating/deactuating functions of said in-vehicle communication control and (b) at least one microphone for receiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin.

2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said global positioning system control is operable to communicate said at least one GPS-derived signal to a directional heading display system for displaying directional heading information to a driver or occupant of the vehicle.

3. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said global positioning system control is associated with said in-vehicle communication control, said global positioning system control utilizing said connective link to communicate said at least one GSP-derived signal to said interior assembly.

4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said global positioning system control is located in said interior assembly, said global positioning system control utilizing said connective link to communicate said at least one GPS-derived signal to said in-vehicle communication control.

5. The communication system of claim 1, said global positioning system control communicates said at least one GPS-derived signal to said one of said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication control via a coded signal superimposed on said connective link.

6. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said global positioning system control communicates said at least one GPS-derived signal to said one of said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication control via a bus.

7. The communication system of claim 6, wherein said bus comprises a first node at said interior assembly and a second node at said in-vehicle communication control, said connective link being connected to said first and second nodes.

8. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said in-vehicle communication control comprises an in-vehicle telematics control unit.

9. A communication system for a vehicle comprising:

an interior assembly;

an in-vehicle communication control located in the vehicle and remote from said interior assembly;

a wired connective link electrically connecting said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication control;

a human-machine interface located at said inteiror assembly, said human-machine interface being connected to said in-vehicle communication control via said connective link to communicate at least one human-machine interface signal between said human-machine interface and said in-vehicle communication control;

a global positioning system control in the vehicle, said global positioning system control communicate at least one GPS-derived signal to one of said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication control via said connective link, said at least one human-machine interface signal and said at least one GPS-derived signal sharing said connective link such that said connective link comprises a shared common connective link between said in-vehicle communication control and said inteiror assembly; and

Wherein global positioning system control communicates said at least one GPS-derived signal to said one of said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication control via a bus.

10. The communication system of claim 9, wherein said bus comprises a first node at said interior assembly and a second node at said in-vehicle communication control, said connective link being connected to said first and second nodes.

11. The communication system of claim 9, wherein said human-machine interface comprises user actuatable inputs for controlling or actuating/deactuating functions of said in-vehicle communication control.

12. The communication system of claim 9, wherein said human-machine interface comprises at least one microphone for receiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin.

13. The communication system of claim 9, wherein said global positioning system control is associated with said-vehicle communication control, said global positioning system control utilizing said connective link to communicate said at least one GPS-derived signal to said interior assembly.

14. The communication system of claim 13, wherein said global positioning system control communicates said at least one GPS-derived signal to said one of said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication control via a coded signal superimposed on said connective link.

15. A communication system for a vehicle comprising:

an interior assembly;

an in-vehicle communication control located in the vehicle and remote from said interior assembly;

wherein said in-vehicle communication control comprises an in-vehicle telematics control unit;

a wired connective link electrically connecting said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication contol;

a human-machine interface located at said interior assembly, said human-machine interface being connected to said in-vehicle communication control via said connective link to communicate at least one human-machine interface signal between said human-machine interface and said in-vehicle communication control;

a global positioning system control in the vehicle, said global positioning system control communication at least one GPS-derived signal to one of said interior assembly and saidin-vehicle communication contorl viasaid connective link, said at least one human-machine interface signal and said at least one GPS-derived signal sharing said connective link such that said connective link comprises a shared common connective link between said in-vehicle communication control and said interior assembly; and

wherein said global postioning system control communicates said at least one GPS-derived signal to said one of said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication control via a bus.

16. The communication system of claim 15, wherein said global positioning system control is located in said interion assembly, said global positioning system control utilizing said connective link to communicate said at least one GPS-derived signal to said in-vehicle communication control.

17. The communication system of claim 15, wherein said global positioning system control communicates said at least one tIPS-derived signal to said one of said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication control via a coded signal superimposed on said connective link.

18. The communication system of claim 15, wherein said human-machine interface comprises user actuatable inputs for controlling or actuating/deactuating functions of said in-vehicle communication control.

19. The communication system of claim 15, wherein said human-machine interface comprises at least one microphone for receiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin.

20. The communication system of claim 15, wherein said bus comprises a first node at said interior assembly and a second node at said in-vehicle communication control, said connective link being connected to said first and second nodes.