Wireless communication system in a vehicle

• US 7,583,204 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2007
• Issued: 09/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: McCarthy, Kevin C., Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US11/935,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20080174414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/995.1, 340/995.12, 340/995.14, 340/991, 340/995.17, 340/995.2, 340/425.5, 340/426.16, 340/426.19, 340/995.16, 340/995.27, 340/995.28, 340/995.19, 701/207, 701/208, 701/209, 701/210, 701/213, 701/215, 701/200, 701/300, 345/629
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• 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: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3608 using speech input, e.g. using speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3629 Guidance using speech or audio output, e.g. text-to-speech text to speech systems per se G10L13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface

Abstract

A wireless communication system in a vehicle includes a wireless communication link in the vehicle with a mobile accessory that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle. The wireless communication link may be operable to carry information useful to the driver of the vehicle via at least one of (a) a PUSH communication protocol whereby information is communicated to the driver and (b) a PULL communication protocol whereby information is communicated to the driver in response to a driver selection.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system in a vehicle, comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior mirror reflective element and a housing for said reflective element;

a wireless communication link in the vehicle with a mobile accessory that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle;

said interior mirror assembly providing at least one of a user input and a user control for said wireless communication link; and

wherein said wireless communication link is operable to carry information useful to the driver of the vehicle via at least one of (a) a PUSH communication protocol whereby information is communicated to the driver and (b) a PULL communication protocol whereby information is communicated to the driver.

2. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein a global positioning system is operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle and to provide location and directional information useful to the driver of the vehicle.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication link carries information from an external provider that is relevant to at least one of the current geographical location of the vehicle and the current directional heading of the vehicle.

4. The wireless communication system of claim 2, wherein information useful to the driver of the vehicle that is relevant to at least one of the current geographical location of the vehicle and the current directional heading of the vehicle and that is wirelessly communicated from the external provider to the vehicle is carried via said wireless communication link.

5. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication link is selectively operable to carry information useful to the driver of the vehicle via at least one of said PUSH communication protocol and said PULL communication protocol, said wireless communication link being selectively operable in response to a user input selecting at least one of said PUSH and PULL communication protocols.

6. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein data is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to an external provider, said data including at least one of the geographic location of the vehicle and the direction heading of the vehicle.

7. The wireless communication system of claim 6, wherein said external provider wirelessly communicates data to the vehicle that is at least in part customized to at least one of the geographic location of the vehicle and the direction heading of the vehicle.

8. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein a display device is disposed at said interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein at least one of (a) said display device comprises a multi-pixel display device, (b) said display device is capable of displaying a scrolling display, (c) said display device is capable of displaying a multi-text display, (d) said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, (e) said rearview mirror assembly comprises an electrochromic reflective element and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, (f) said display device is disposed behind said reflective element and said reflective element comprises a semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device, (g) said rearview mirror assembly comprises an electrochromic reflective element and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device, and (h) said rearview mirror assembly comprises an electrochromic reflective element and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a third surface semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device.

9. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) said wireless communication system comprises a link to a vehicle bus system, (b) said mobile accessory comprises at least one of a keypad, a touch pad and a stylus-actuated screen, (c) said wireless communication system comprises a holder in the vehicle for said mobile accessory, and (d) said mobile accessory comprises at least one of a hand-held telephone, a personal digital assistant, a hand-held personal identifier, and a hand-held remote entry device.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 1 comprising an in-vehicle voice input device and wherein at least one of (a) said in-vehicle voice input device is at said interior rearview mirror assembly, (b) said wireless communication system includes in-vehicle voice detection, (c) said wireless communication system includes voice recognition, and (d) said wireless communication system includes in-vehicle voice generation.

11. The wireless communication system of claim 1 comprising a display device disposed at said interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein at least one of (a) said display device comprises a multi-pixel display device, (b) said display device is capable of displaying a scrolling display, (c) said display device is capable of displaying a multi-text display, (d) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, (e) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, (f) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a semitransparent visible tight reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device, (g) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device, and (h) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a third surface semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device.

12. A wireless communication system in a vehicle, comprising:

a wireless communication link in the vehicle with a mobile accessory that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle;

at least one of a user input and a user control for said wireless communication link in the vehicle accessible to the driver of the vehicle when normally driving the vehicle; and

wherein said wireless communication link is operable to carry information useful to the driver of the vehicle via at least one of (a) a PUSH communication protocol whereby information is communicated to the driver and (b) a PULL communication protocol whereby information is communicated to the driver.

13. The wireless communication system of claim 12, wherein a global positioning system is operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle and to provide location and directional information useful to the driver of the vehicle.

14. The wireless communication system of claim 13, wherein said wireless communication link carries information from an external provider that is relevant to at least one of the current geographical location of the vehicle and the current directional heading of the vehicle.

15. The wireless communication system of claim 13, wherein information useful to the driver of the vehicle that is relevant to at least one of the current geographical location of the vehicle and the current directional heading of the vehicle and that is wirelessly communicated from the external provider to the vehicle is carried via said wireless communication link.

16. The wireless communication system of claim 12, wherein said wireless communication link is selectively operable to carry information useful to the driver of the vehicle via said PUSH communication protocol and said PULL communication protocol, said wireless communication link being selectively operable in response to a user input selecting one of said PUSH and PULL communication protocols.

17. The wireless communication system of claim 12, wherein data is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to an external provider, said data including at least one of the geographic location of the vehicle and the direction heading of the vehicle.

18. The wireless communication system of claim 17, wherein said external provider wirelessly communicates data to the vehicle that is at least in part customized to at least one of the geographic location of the vehicle and the direction heading of the vehicle.

19. The wireless communication system of claim 17 comprising an interior rearview mirror assembly and wherein said at least one of a user input and a user control for said wireless communication link is provided at said mirror assembly.

20. The wireless communication system of claim 19 comprising a display device disposed at said interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein at least one of (a) said display device comprises a multi-pixel display device, (b) said display device is capable of displaying a scrolling display, (c) said display device is capable of displaying a multi-text display, (d) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, (e) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, (f) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device, (g) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device, and (h) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a third surface semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device.

21. A wireless communication system in a vehicle, comprising:

a wireless communication link in the vehicle with a mobile accessory that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle;

at least one of a user input and a user control for said wireless communication link in the vehicle accessible to the driver of the vehicle when normally driving the vehicle;

wherein said wireless communication link is operable to carry information useful to the driver of the vehicle via at least one of (a) a PUSH communication protocol whereby information is communicated to the driver and (b) a PULL communication protocol whereby information is communicated to the driver;

wherein a global positioning system is operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle and to provide location and directional information useful to the driver of the vehicle; and

wherein information useful to the driver of the vehicle that is relevant to at least one of the current geographical location of the vehicle and the current directional heading of the vehicle is carried via said wireless communication link.

22. The wireless communication system of claim 21 comprising a display device disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said display device comprises a multi-pixel display device, (b) said display device is capable of displaying a scrolling display, (c) said display device is capable of displaying a multi-text display, (d) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, (e) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, (f) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device, (g) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device, and (h) said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a third surface semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device.

23. The wireless communication system of claim 21, wherein information carried via said wireless communication link is displayed to the driver at a display device disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle.

24. The wireless communication system of claim 23, wherein said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a third surface semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device.

25. A wireless communication system in a vehicle, comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior mirror reflective element and a housing for said reflective element;

a wireless communication link in the vehicle with a mobile accessory that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle; and

wherein said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing having an electrochromic reflective element disposed thereat and wherein said display device is disposed behind said reflective element, said reflective element comprising a third surface semitransparent visible light reflecting/transmitting reflector and said display device comprising a display on demand display device.

26. The wireless communication system of claim 25, wherein said interior mirror assembly provides at least one of a user input and a user control for said wireless communication link.

27. The wireless communication system of claim 25, wherein data is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to an external provider, said data including at least one of the geographic location of the vehicle and the direction heading of the vehicle.

28. The wireless communication system of claim 27, wherein said external provider wirelessly communicates data to the vehicle that is at least in part customized to at least one of the geographic location of the vehicle and the direction heading of the vehicle.

29. A wireless communication system in a vehicle, comprising:

a wireless communication link in the vehicle with a mobile accessory that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle;

wherein a global positioning system is operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle and to provide location and directional information useful to the driver of the vehicle; and

wherein information useful to the driver of the vehicle that is relevant to at least one of the current geographical location of the vehicle and the current directional heading of the vehicle and that is wirelessly communicated from an external provider to the vehicle is carried via said wireless communication link.

30. The wireless communication system of claim 29, wherein data is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to an external provider, said data including at least one of the geographic location of the vehicle and the direction heading of the vehicle.

31. The wireless communication system of claim 30, wherein said external provider wirelessly communicates data to the vehicle that is at least in part customized to at least one of the geographic location of the vehicle and the direction heading of the vehicle.

32. A wireless communication system in a vehicle, comprising:

a wireless communication link in the vehicle with a mobile accessory that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle;

wherein a global positioning system is operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle and to provide location and directional information useful to the driver of the vehicle;

wherein information useful to the driver of the vehicle that is relevant to at least one of the current geographical location of the vehicle and the current directional heading of the vehicle is carried via said wireless communication link;

wherein data is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to an external provider, said data including at least one of the geographic location of the vehicle and the direction heading of the vehicle; and

wherein said external provider wirelessly communicates data to the vehicle that is at least in part customized to at least one of the geographic location of the vehicle and the direction heading of the vehicle.