US6633482B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for adapting driver information systems to existing vehicles
Assignee: Aumovio Systems Inc
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Filing: 2001-04-10
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Granted: 2003-10-14
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Expires: 2021-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle is disclosed. An off-the-shelf driver-to-vehicle interface device such as a PDA is received in a corresponding docking station. A custom adapter device mechanically and electrically receives the PDA components and enables a mechanical and electrical connection from the PDA components to the vehicle. The custom adapter device is configured in a variety of embodiments to interfit with a pre-existing cavity in the vehicle such as a cup holder, ashtray cavity, coin holder, or seam in the dashboard. The custom adapter device further provides an electrical connection from the PDA components to the power system of the vehicle and to an electronic on board controller. The PDA docking station may be structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a control panel of manually operable elements to be manipulated by a driver.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvin A. Rode
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:49
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/02; B60N2/0224; B60N2/0244; B60N2/0248; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising: a PDA, a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said PDA, and a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said PDA received in said docking station said custom adapter device creating end maintaining a mechanical and providing an electrical data connection from said PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising: a PDA, a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said PDA, and a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said PDA received in said docking station said custom adapter device creating end maintaining a mechanical and providing an electrical data connection from said PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein said custom adapter device is configured to be fittingly received within a pre-existing cavity in said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is a cup holder and said custom adapter device is provided with an extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said cup holder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is a retractable cup holder slot and said custom adapter device is provided with a hingedly connected extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said retractable cup holder slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is an ash tray cavity and said custom adapter device is provided with an extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said ash tray cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is a DIN slot and said custom adapter device is provided with an extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said DIN slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is a coin holder cavity and said custom adapter device is provided with an extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said coin holder cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said pre-existing cavity is a seam in an instrument panel or a dash board of said vehicle and said custom adapter device is provided with an extension that is configured to be fittingly received in said seam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said PDA is integrated with a data phone and a driver input device and said electrical connection to said vehicle comprises: a connection to a power system of said vehicle, and a connection by way of a single cable to an on board controller that is integrated with a GPS antenna, a heading sensor, and a speaker.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein said PDA docking station is structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a panel of manually operable control elements to be manipulated by a driver, said docking station having a retaining device pivotally attached thereto for holding said PDA securely in position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein said PDA docking station is structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a panel of manually operable control elements to be manipulated by a driver, said docking station having a retaining device pivotally attached thereto for holding said PDA securely in position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said electronic data communication is through an RF link to the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said electronic data link communicates with a vehicle computer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising: a PDA integrated with a data phone and a driver input device, a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA, a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA received in said docking station, said custom adapter device being configured to be fittingly received within a pre-existing cavity in said vehicle said custom adapter device creating and maintaining a mechanical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle, and said custom adapter device providing an electrical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to a power system of said vehicle and by way of a single cable to an on board controller that is integrated with a GPS antenna, a heading sensor, and a speaker, such that said single cable creates and maintains a connection from said custom adapter device and said vehicle and provide both power and data connection to said custom adapter device.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising: a PDA integrated with a data phone and a driver input device, a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA, a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA received in said docking station, said custom adapter device being configured to be fittingly received within a pre-existing cavity in said vehicle said custom adapter device creating and maintaining a mechanical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle, and said custom adapter device providing an electrical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to a power system of said vehicle and by way of a single cable to an on board controller that is integrated with a GPS antenna, a heading sensor, and a speaker, such that said single cable creates and maintains a connection from said custom adapter device and said vehicle and provide both power and data connection to said custom adapter device.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising: a PDA integrated with a data phone and a driver input device, a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA, a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA received in said docking station, said custom adapter device being configured to be fittingly received within a pre-existing cavity in said vehicle to create and maintain a mechanical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle, and providing an electronic data communication with said vehicle, and said PDA docking station is structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a panel of manually operable control elements to be manipulated by a driver, said docking station having a retaining device pivotally attached thereto for holding said PDA securely in position.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle comprising: a PDA integrated with a data phone and a driver input device, a corresponding PDA docking station for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA, a custom adapter device for mechanically and electrically receiving said integrated PDA received in said docking station, said custom adapter device being configured to be fittingly received within a pre-existing cavity in said vehicle to create and maintain a mechanical connection from said integrated PDA received in said docking station to said vehicle, and providing an electronic data communication with said vehicle, and said PDA docking station is structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a panel of manually operable control elements to be manipulated by a driver, said docking station having a retaining device pivotally attached thereto for holding said PDA securely in position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as set forth in claim 15 , wherein said electronic data communication is through an RF link to the vehicle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as set forth in claim 15 , wherein said electronic data link communicates with a vehicle computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-10-13 | 2007-04-14 | 2007-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-10-13 | 2011-04-14 | 2011-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-10-13 | 2015-04-14 | 2015-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |