Multimedia system for vehicle with portable dash pad

• US 8,755,951 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2011
• Issued: 06/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Concept USA Inc. (Hamilton Fixture Company)
• Original Assignee: Concept Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Liu, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US13/134,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20120316702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 701/29.1, 701/36, 348/148, 340/438
• US Class Current: 701/2
• 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

Abstract

A multimedia system for vehicle having a plurality of electrical accessories, including a control housing, a control module, and a dash pad. The control module includes a central processing module. The central processing module is electrically connected with the electrical accessories in such a manner that the central processing module is arranged to centrally control the electrical accessories. The dash pad is detachably mounted on the control housing and is wirelessly communicated with the central processing module, wherein a user is able wirelessly control the electrical accessories in the vehicle through the dash pad.

Claims

1. A vehicle accessory control system comprising:

a control housing; and

a dash pad;

wherein said control housing is configured to be installed in a dashboard of a vehicle and comprises a control module;

wherein said control module is connected to, and configured to control, one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle when said control module sends one or more first control commands to said one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle;

wherein said dash pad is configured to removeably attach to said control housing and is configured to communicate with said control module of said control housing by sending one or more second control commands to said control module;

wherein said one or more second control commands cause said control module to send said one or more first commands, such that said one or more second control commands control said one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle;

wherein said dash pad comprises a control panel configured to allow a user to control said one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle, such that, when said user inputs one or more user commands into said control panel, said dash pad sends said one or more second control commands to control said one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle; and

wherein said dash pad allows a user to control said one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle remotely by wirelessly transmitting said one or more second commands to said control housing installed in said vehicle.

2. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said dash pad comprises:

a main processing unit and a rechargeable battery;

wherein said rechargeable battery supplies power to said dash pad when said dash pad is not connected to said control housing;

wherein said main processing unit and said control panel of said dash pad allows said dash pad to operate independently from said control housing, such that said dash pad functions as a standalone tablet computer that is configured to allow said user to browse the Internet and download one or more files.

3. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said dash pad comprises a touch screen provided on a front side thereof, wherein said control panel is formed on said touch screen for enabling said user controlling said electrical accessories through said touch screen.

4. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 2, wherein said dash pad comprises a touch screen provided on a front side thereof, wherein said control panel is formed on said touch screen for enabling said user controlling said electrical accessories through said touch screen.

5. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said dash pad further comprises a storage device linked to said central processing module for storing digital data, such that said dash pad is self-operated for processing said digital data in said storage device.

6. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 4, wherein said dash pad further comprises a storage device linked to said central processing module for storing digital data, such that said dash pad is self-operated for processing said digital data in said storage device.

7. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 5, wherein said dash pad further comprises at least one USB port and a memory slot for expanding a memory capacity of said dash pad and for allowing external data to be transferred into said storage device of said dash pad.

8. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 6, wherein said dash pad further comprises at least one USB port and a memory slot for expanding a memory capacity of said dash pad and for allowing external data to be transferred into said storage device of said dash pad.

9. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said dash pad further comprises a wireless internet connection unit linked to said main processing unit for enabling said dash pad to be self-operated to gain access to internet.

10. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 8, wherein said dash pad further comprises a wireless Internet connection unit linked to said main processing unit for enabling said dash pad to be self-operated to gain access to internet for internet browsing.

11. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said dash pad further comprises at least one speaker for delivering audible voice when said dash pad is self-operated, wherein when said dash pad is connected to said control module, said dash pad transfers said audible voice to said control module which delivers said audible voice to a vehicle speaker as one of said electrical accessories of said vehicle.

12. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 10, wherein said dash pad further comprises at least one speaker for delivering audible voice when said dash pad is self-operated, wherein when said dash pad is connected to said control module, said dash pad transfers said audible voice to said control module which delivers said audible voice to a vehicle speaker as one of said electrical accessories of said vehicle.

13. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said dash pad further comprises a navigation system and a GPS receiver electrically connected to said main processing unit for indicating a current position of said dash pad, such that said dash pad forms a standalone navigator for said vehicle.

14. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 12, wherein said dash pad further comprises a navigation system and a GPS receiver electrically connected to said main processing unit for indicating a current position of said dash pad, such that said dash pad forms a standalone navigator for said vehicle.

15. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said dash pad further comprises a vehicle starter module electrically connected to said main processing unit, wherein said vehicle starter module is arranged for remotely actuating starting up of said vehicle so as to allow a user to remotely start up said vehicle before getting into said vehicle.

16. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 14, wherein said dash pad further comprises a vehicle starter module electrically connected to said main processing unit, wherein said vehicle starter module is arranged for remotely actuating starting up of said vehicle so as to allow a user to remotely start up said vehicle before getting into said vehicle.

17. A vehicle control system, comprising:

a control housing; and

a dash pad;

wherein said control housing is configured to be installed in a dashboard of a vehicle and comprises a control module;

wherein said control module is connected to, and configured to control, one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle when said control module sends one or more first control commands to said one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle;

wherein said dash pad is configured to removeably attach to said control housing and is configured to communicate with said control module of said control housing by sending one or more second control commands to said control module;

wherein said one or more second control commands causes said control module to send said one or more first commands, such that said one or more second control commands control said one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle;

wherein said dash pad comprises a control panel configured to allow a user to control said one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle, such that, when said user inputs said one or more user commands into said control panel, said dash pad sends said one or more second control commands to control said one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle;

wherein said dash pad allows a user to control said one or more electrical accessories of said vehicle remotely by wirelessly transmitting said one or more second commands to said control housing installed in said vehicle; and

wherein said dash pad further is configured to remotely start an engine of said vehicle before said user enters said vehicle.

18. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 17, wherein said dash pad further comprises a rechargeable battery;

wherein said rechargeable battery supplies power to said dash pad when said dash pad is not connected to said control housing;

wherein said main processing unit and said control panel of said dash pad allows said dash pad to operate independently from said control housing, such that said dash pad functions as a standalone tablet computer that is configured to allow said user to browse the Internet and download one or more files.

19. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 18, further comprising at least one USB port and a memory slot for expanding a memory capacity of said dash pad and for allowing external data to be transferred into said storage device.

20. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 18, further comprising a wireless internet connection unit linked to said main processing unit for enabling said dash pad to be self-operated to gain access to internet for internet browsing.

21. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 18, further comprising at least one speaker for delivering audible voice when said dash pad is self-operated, wherein when said dash pad is connected to said control module, said dash pad transfers said audible voice to said control module which delivers said audible voice to a vehicle speaker as one of said electrical accessories of said vehicle.

22. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 18, further comprising a navigation system and a GPS receiver electrically connected to said main processing unit for indicating a current position of said dash pad, such that said dash pad forms a standalone navigator for said vehicle.

23. The vehicle control system, as recited in claim 18, wherein said one or more electrical accessories is selected form the group of electrical accessories consisting of:

a multimedia player, a rear camera, and a radio.