Modular automotive multimedia and telematic extension box and head unit

• US 8,094,832 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2008
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Boulia, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Thanh V
• Application Number:
  US12/276,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20100128890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• Field of Search: 381/86, 381/124
• US Class Current: 381/86
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular automotive multimedia and telematic extension unit and head unit. In one embodiment, the present invention is an extension unit including a storage unit storing an application of an external personal electronic device, a processor connected to the storage unit, and a first connection unit connected to the storage unit and configured to be connected to a head unit in an automobile.

Claims

1. A head unit for an automobile comprising:

a body having a receptacle;

a display connected to the body; and

an extension unit configured to be removed or inserted into the receptacle including

a storage unit storing an operating system and an application of an external personal electronic device, the application simulating the external personal electronic device;

a processor connected to the storage unit, and

a first connection unit connected to the storage unit and configured to be connected to the display, the first connection unit transmitting data from the application to the display when the first connection unit is connected to the display

wherein the display is movable in a first location and a second location;

when the display is in the first location, the display covers the receptacle preventing the extension unit from being removed from or inserted into the receptacle; and

when the display is in the second location, the display exposes the receptacle allowing the extension unit to be removed from or inserted into the receptacle.

2. The head unit of claim 1 wherein the extension unit includes a second connection unit configured to be connected to the external personal electronic device.

3. The head unit of claim 1 wherein the external personal electronic device is an audio unit or a navigation unit.

4. The head unit of claim 1 wherein the extension unit further includes a USB connection connected to the processor, a wireless antenna connected to the processor, an SD card connection connected to the processor, and an authentication unit connected to the processor.

5. An automobile comprising:

a head unit including

a body having a receptacle, and

a display connected to the body; and

an extension unit including

a storage unit storing an operating system,

a processor connected to the storage unit,

a first connection unit connected to the storage unit and configured to be connected to the display, the first connection unit transmitting data from an application to the display when the first connection unit is connected to the display,

a USB connection connected to the processor,

a wireless antenna connected to the processor,

an SD card connection connected to the processor, and

an authentication unit connected to the processor

wherein the display is movable in a first location and a second location;

when the display is in the first location, the display covers the receptacle preventing the extension unit from being removed from or inserted into the receptacle; and

when the display is in the second location, the display exposes the receptacle allowing the extension unit to be removed from or inserted into the receptacle.