US7308341B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle communication system
Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corp
•
Filing: 2004-10-13
•
Granted: 2007-12-11
•
Expires: 2024-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle communication system including an interior assembly, an in-vehicle communication control located in the vehicle and remote from the interior assembly, a human-machine interface located at the interior assembly, and a global positioning system control in the vehicle. The human-machine interface is connected to the in-vehicle communication control via a connective link to communicate at least one human-machine interface signal between the human-machine interface and the in-vehicle communication control. The global positioning system control communicates at least one GPS-derived signal to the interior assembly or the in-vehicle communication control via the connective link. The HMI signal and GPS-derived signal share the connective link and are communicated via a common connective link between the in-vehicle communication control and the interior assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Schofield
- 👤 Troy O. Cooprider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:11
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/12; B60R11/00; B60R11/02; B60R11/0247; B60R11/0258; B60R2001/1284
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A communication system for a vehicle comprising: an interior assembly comprising at least one of (a) an interior rearview mirror assembly, (b) an accessory module at or near or attached to or associated with an interior rearview mirror assembly, (c) a windshield electronics module at or near or attached to or associated with a windshield of the vehicle, (d) an overhead accessory console of the vehicle at or near or attached to or associated with a roof of a vehicle, and (e) an extension of a console of the vehicle; 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; and 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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A communication system for a vehicle comprising: an interior assembly comprising at least one of (a) an interior rearview mirror assembly, (b) an accessory module at or near or attached to or associated with an interior rearview mirror assembly, (c) a windshield electronics module at or near or attached to or associated with a windshield of the vehicle, (d) an overhead accessory console of the vehicle at or near or attached to or associated with a roof of a vehicle, and (e) an extension of a console of the vehicle; 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; and 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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The communication system of claim 1 , wherein said human-machine interface comprises user actuatable inputs for controlling or actuating/deactuating functions of said in-vehicle communication control.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The communication system of claim 1 , wherein said human-machine interface comprises at least one microphone for receiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The communication system of claim 4 , wherein said directional heading display system comprises compass sensors and circuitry operable to determine a directional heading of the vehicle and to at least occasionally control a directional heading display element to display the directional heading information to the driver or occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
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 GPS-derived signal to said interior assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
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 coded signal superimposed on said connective link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
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 interface, said bus interface comprising 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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The communication system of claim 1 , wherein said in-vehicle communication control comprises an in-vehicle telematics control unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
222 words
A communication system for a vehicle comprising: an interior assembly comprising one of (a) an interior rearview mirror assembly, (b) an accessory module at or near or attached to or associated with an interior rearview mirror assembly, (c) a windshield electronics module at or near or attached to or associated with a windshield of the vehicle, (d) an overhead accessory console of the vehicle at or near or attached to or associated with a roof of the vehicle, and (e) an extension of a console of the vehicle; an in-vehicle communication control located in the vehicle remote from said interior assembly, said in-vehicle communication control comprising a global positioning system control; and 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 in-vehicle control being connected to said human-machine interface via said connective link for communicating at least one human-machine interface signal between said human-machine interface and said in-vehicle communication control, said global positioning system control utilizing said connective link to communicate at least one GPS-derived signal to said interior assembly, 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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
222 words
A communication system for a vehicle comprising: an interior assembly comprising one of (a) an interior rearview mirror assembly, (b) an accessory module at or near or attached to or associated with an interior rearview mirror assembly, (c) a windshield electronics module at or near or attached to or associated with a windshield of the vehicle, (d) an overhead accessory console of the vehicle at or near or attached to or associated with a roof of the vehicle, and (e) an extension of a console of the vehicle; an in-vehicle communication control located in the vehicle remote from said interior assembly, said in-vehicle communication control comprising a global positioning system control; and 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 in-vehicle control being connected to said human-machine interface via said connective link for communicating at least one human-machine interface signal between said human-machine interface and said in-vehicle communication control, said global positioning system control utilizing said connective link to communicate at least one GPS-derived signal to said interior assembly, 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.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The communication system of claim 11 , wherein said human-machine interface comprises user actuatable inputs for controlling or actuating/deactuating functions of said in-vehicle communication control.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The communication system of claim 11 , wherein said human-machine interface comprises at least one microphone for receiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The communication system of claim 11 , wherein said global positioning system control communicates said at least one GPS-derived signal to a directional heading display system at said interior assembly for displaying directional heading information to a driver or occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The communication system of claim 14 , wherein said directional heading display system comprises compass sensors and circuitry operable to determine a directional heading of the vehicle and to at least occasionally control a display element to display the directional heading information to the driver or occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The communication system of claim 11 , wherein said global positioning system control communicates said at least one GPS-derived signal to said interior assembly via a coded signal superimposed on said connective link.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
The communication system of claim 11 , wherein said global positioning system control communicates said at least one GPS-derived signal to said interior assembly via a bus interface, said bus interface comprising 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.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The communication system of claim 11 , wherein said in-vehicle communication control comprises an in-vehicle telematics control unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
226 words
A communication system for a vehicle comprising: an interior assembly comprising one of (a) an interior rearview mirror assembly, (b) an accessory module at or near or attached to or associated with an interior rearview mirror assembly, (c) a windshield electronics module at or near or attached to or associated with a windshield of the vehicle, (d) an overhead accessory console of the vehicle at or near or attached to or associated with a roof of the vehicle, and (e) an extension of a console of the vehicle; an in-vehicle communication control located in the vehicle 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 in-vehicle communication control being connected to said human-machine interface via said connective link, said connective link communicating at least one human-machine interface signal between said human-machine interface and said in-vehicle communication control; and a global positioning system control associated with said interior assembly, said global positioning system control utilizing said connective link to communicate at least one GPS-derived signal to said in-vehicle communication control, said at least one GPS-derived signal and said at least one human-machine interface 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.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
226 words
A communication system for a vehicle comprising: an interior assembly comprising one of (a) an interior rearview mirror assembly, (b) an accessory module at or near or attached to or associated with an interior rearview mirror assembly, (c) a windshield electronics module at or near or attached to or associated with a windshield of the vehicle, (d) an overhead accessory console of the vehicle at or near or attached to or associated with a roof of the vehicle, and (e) an extension of a console of the vehicle; an in-vehicle communication control located in the vehicle 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 in-vehicle communication control being connected to said human-machine interface via said connective link, said connective link communicating at least one human-machine interface signal between said human-machine interface and said in-vehicle communication control; and a global positioning system control associated with said interior assembly, said global positioning system control utilizing said connective link to communicate at least one GPS-derived signal to said in-vehicle communication control, said at least one GPS-derived signal and said at least one human-machine interface 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.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The communication system of claim 19 , wherein said human-machine interface comprises user actuatable inputs for controlling or actuating/deactuating functions of said in-vehicle communication control.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The communication system of claim 19 , wherein said human-machine interface comprises at least one microphone for receiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The communication system of claim 19 , wherein said global positioning system control communicates said at least one GPS-derived signal to said in-vehicle communication control via a coded signal superimposed on said connective link.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
60 words
The communication system of claim 19 , wherein said global positioning system control communicates said at least one GPS-derived signal to said in-vehicle communication control via a bus interface, said bus interface comprising 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.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The communication system of claim 19 , wherein said in-vehicle communication control comprises an in-vehicle telematics control unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-12-10 | 2011-06-11 | 2011-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-12-10 | 2015-06-11 | 2015-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-12-10 | 2019-06-11 | 2019-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |