MX2008011447A

MX2008011447A - Portable adaptor and software for use with a heads-up display unit.

Info

Publication number: MX2008011447A
Application number: MX2008011447A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Emile Mimran
Original assignee: Emile Mimran
Priority date: 2006-03-16
Filing date: 2006-03-16
Publication date: 2009-02-11
Also published as: NO20084306L; IL186524A0; JP4792522B2; JP2009530158A; CN101401149B; CA2612131A1; BRPI0612569A2; WO2007106092A1; EP2005409A4; CN101401149A; EP2005409A1; AU2006340103A1

Abstract

A heads-up display (HUD) adaptor for use in combination with an existing heads- up display (HUD) unit, wherein the HUD adaptor receives an electronic peripheral device in order to display electronic data and information from the peripheral on the screen of the existing HUD unit on a vehicle's windshield. The HUD adaptor includes a proximal end, a distal end and a cable therebetween; wherein the proximal end has a first adaptor plug; and the distal end has a second adaptor plug. The existing HUD unit includes a heads-up display screen on a front windshield of the vehicle and a heads-up display control unit is positioned within a control panel on a steering wheel of the vehicle for controlling each of the electronic peripherals. The HUD unit includes a USB panel member having a plurality of USB receiving ports for receiving one or more of the HUD adaptors therein.

Description

PORTABLE ADAPTER AND SOFTWARE FOR USE WITH A DATA DISPLAY DISPLAY UNIT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the adaptation, of an additional or existing computer hardware and software for a vehicle, to be used in combination with existing data display (HUD) units. Such a system can be used with cell phones, personal digital assistance units (PDA) and other peripherals in moving vehicles. More particularly, the existing HUD units are adapted by the present invention to project the screens of cellular telephones or PDAs or other peripherals in the windshield of the vehicle in such a way that the driver can quickly and securely access a telephone call list. cellular or emails or other information while both hands are kept on the steering wheel of the vehicle while driving. The present invention provides a portable HUD adapter and software for use with the existing HUD unit of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The recovery of information when driving is very useful and necessary. Vehicle drivers need to be informed about their travel destination, weather conditions, road conditions and other information. Thus, drivers need to trust their cell phones, PDAs, warnings, portable GPS receivers via satellite, radios and laptops, fixed or portable, from which they can access and transmit relevant data. There is a need for existing display data (HUD) units to be used with various peripherals, including cell phones, PDAs, satellite receivers via GPS, computers and other electronic products for projecting cell phone screens, PDAs and computers to receive and transmit data, emails, or computer information on the vehicle's windshield. In this way, the driver can access the information or data and transmit it quickly and securely from any peripheral, including cell phone calls, emails, map addresses, destination data and the like, while both hands are kept On the steering wheel of the direction of the vehicle when driving. More particularly, the existing data display screen (HUD) unit should have one or more data display screen (HUD) units for use with a variety of electronic peripherals such as a cell phone, satellite receiver via GPS or a laptop.

Systems for moving vehicles and the like having various designs and configurations have been described in the prior art. For example, Patent E.U.A. No. 6,525,768 for OBRADOVICH describes a positioned camera and a GPS data exchange device. This device is a communication device with electromagnetic communication capability that includes a screen and GPS receiver. This prior art patent does not disclose the design, configuration and structure of an existing data display screen (HUD) unit for use with a portable HUD adapter of the present invention. The Patent E.U.A. No. 6,529,824 to OBRADOVICH describes a personal communication system for communicating voice data positioning information. This system It is provided for the retrieval of satellite information via GPS position-related data position using classification and search schemes to interrogate databases that automatically transmit the data to the PCD device and the display screen. This prior art patent does not disclose the design, configuration and structure of a data display screen (HUD) unit for use with an adapter (HUD) of the present invention. None of the prior art patents describe a data display screen unit for use with a portable HUD adapter to receive a cell phone, PDA, computer or other electronic peripheral to display a cell phone message or other information on a screen on the vehicle's windshield. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable data display display adapter for use in conjunction with an existing vehicle data display (HUD) unit, where the adapter has been connected to a cell phone, PDA, computer or other peripherals to display and transmit a cell phone message or other information on a screen on the vehicle's windshield, in such a manner that the driver can access and transmit quickly and safely the information while the driver keeps both hands on the steering wheel of the vehicle while driving using the HUD portable software and adapter with the HUD data display screen unit existing vehicle Another object of the present invention is to provide a HUD adapter for use in conjunction with various peripherals such as an iPod, a laptop / laptop, a cell phone, a Palm pilot handheld, a PDA, a GPS satellite receiver, a GPS player, compact discs, a portable television, a VCR player, a DVD player, a car radio, temperature controls, a printer, a recording device, a satellite radio, a warn- er or other electronic communication devices and the like. Another object of the present invention is to provide a HUD adapter that is capable of receiving and transmitting the required data from each of the electronic peripherals to the existing HUD data display screen unit and displaying the required information on the existing HUD screen in the windshield of the vehicle using a HUD control unit in the steering wheel of the user's vehicle. Another object of the present invention is to provide a HUD adapter that allows the replacement of many existing buttons in a vehicle and combine the controls in a control keyboard and a HUD system. Another object of the present invention is to provide a HUD adapter that allows the removal of bulky electronics and allow replacement with inexpensive electronics within the computer's data processing card. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a HUD adapter that will cause fewer accidents and reduce insurance costs. Another object of the present invention is to provide a HUD adapter for use in combination with an existing HUD unit that can be mass produced in an automated and economical manner and is easily affordable to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a data visualization screen unit adapter is provided (HUD) 10 to be used in combination with an existing data display screen (HUD) unit 20, wherein the HUD adapter receives an electronic peripheral, such as a cellular telephone 40, in order to display electronic information and data of the peripheral on screen 24 of the existing HUD unit 20 on the windscreen 14 of the vehicle. The HUD adapter 10 includes a proximal end 52, a distal end 54 and a cable 52 therebetween; wherein the proximal end has an adapter plug 58; and the distal end has a second adapter plug 62. A data display screen control unit 26 is positioned within a control panel 28 on a steering wheel 15 of the vehicle 12, to control each of the electronic peripherals such as a cellular phone 40. The HUD unit 20 further includes a USB panel member 30 having a plurality of USB receiving ports 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d to receive in this one or more of the HUD 10 adapters. first plug adapter 58 of the HUD adapter is received inside a receiver port 60 of an electronic peripheral, such as cell phone 40; and the second adapter plug 62 is received within a plurality of the reception ports' USB 32a to 32d of the member 30 of the USB panel to electronically connect the HUD 10 adapter to the HUD 26 control unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES: Further objectives, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent after consideration of the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a front view of the data display screen adapter unit of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing an interior view of the vehicle dashboard, seat arm and windscreen, for use with a display screen unit of data and the HUD adapter unit; Fig. 2 is a front view of the adapter unit. of data display screen of the present invention showing a steering wheel of the vehicle having radio controls, cruise controls, an air bag and a data display screen control member. Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view of the display unit of the data display screen of the present invention, which shows the data display screen control member, which shows a cursor control compartment for receiving a cursor control member therein; Fig. 4 is an enlarged front view of the adapter unit. of data display screen of the present invention, showing a front console area having a radio, USB ports, a female connector port for headphones, power control buttons and a plurality of HUD adapter units, as well as an arm of seat having a pair of fork members attached to it; and Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of the data display screen adapter unit of the present invention showing the electrical connections for a data display screen of a cell phone screen on the vehicle windshield.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The portable data display screen (HUD) adapter unit of the present invention is depicted in detail by Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings of the patent. The HUD 10 adapter unit is used in conjunction with a data display screen unit 20 and a computer 11 of the internal vehicle in a moving vehicle 12, as shown in figure 1. A "vehicle" is defined as any type of means of transport, including a car, a jeep, a sport utility vehicle, a recreational vehicle, a van, a truck, a bus, a motor boat, a sailboat, an airplane, a military transport, a transport for snow, motorcycles and the like. A "processor" is defined as the computer processor 11, existing or new to the vehicle, which is dedicated to executing all peripherals for the vehicle 12. A "port" is defined as an electronic connection made by hard internal wiring or wiring Soft external in the form of USB, phone, wireless and similar connections. A "peripheral" is defined as any electronic equipment, product or device that is seen or hidden, that is used and is necessary for an operator. The peripherals are attached to the reception port (hard and soft) that are then connected to the processor. The peripherals are controlled by a control keyboard by means of the processor. The actions made by the operator using the control keyboard are they transmit to the processor that communicates with the peripherals and reflects the operator's actions on the HUD. A list of electronic equipment is as follows, cell phones, PUD, organizers such as Palm pilot handheld computers, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), iPod, radio, satellite radio, tape players, CD players, DVD players, laptop laptops, printers, fax machines, digital cameras, alarms, cruise control, side mirror control, seat controls, seat memory control, garage door opener, recording devices, room controls, controls surround environment, internal security, alarms, tracking system, vehicle calibration controls, door controls, window controls, defrost controls, interactive games and other fixed or portable communication devices. A "control keyboard (with controls)" is defined as a control positioned on a steering wheel, dashboard or arm of the seat that will control all peripherals. This control keyboard can be a combination of keys, buttons, switches, joystick or a touch keyboard. The control keyboard can be fixed, retractable, movable, or wireless. An additional keypad keypad is available in front of the passenger either on the dashboard, front panel, seat arm or center console with certain restrictions. A "HUD" is defined as the data display screen that will project all the information that the peripherals will transmit through the processor. This screen will be next to the driver with an optional screen on the front passenger side (with certain restrictions). The data display screen unit 20 includes a data display screen projector 22 positioned on a dashboard 13 of the vehicle 12, a data display screen 24 on a front windshield 14 of the vehicle 12, and a data display screen control panel member 26 positioned within a compartment 28 on a steering wheel of the steering 15 of the vehicle 12. The unit data display screen 20 also includes a USB panel member 30 having a plurality of USB receiving ports 32a to 32d to receive one or more 10A, 10B and 10C units and / or 10D data display screen adapters ( HUD) in them; and a receiving port for female headphone jack 34 which receives a female headphone cable 36 from a headset 38. The USB panel member 30 is positioned within an area 16 of the center console of the veh 12 adjacent to the veh radius 17 and a seat arm 18. The arm 18 of the seat includes a pair of fork receptacle members 19a and 19b for holding and storing various peripherals and electronic products such as a cell phone 40, a laptop 42, an iPod 44 (Interface Protocol Option Device), a portable television 46, a Palm pilot handheld 48, a PDA 50 and the like. It will be understood that the member 26 of the HUD control panel can also be positioned on the dashboard 13 or the seat arm 18 of the veh 12. Additionally, the viewfinders 14v in the upper section 14u of the front windscreen 14 can include microphones 64 for picking up the voice of the user when using a cell phone 40.

Each of the data display screen adapter units 10A, 10B 10C and 10D includes a proximal end 52, a distal end 54 and a cable / bead 56 therebetween. The proximal end 52 of the HUD adapter unit 10 includes a first adapter plug 58. The first adapter plug 58 is received inside a port 60 that receives the electrical appliance, for an electrical appliance such as a cellular telephone 40. The distal end 54 of the unit HUD adapter 10 includes a second adapter plug 62. The second adapter plug 62 is received within a plurality of USB receiving ports 32a to 32d of member 30 of the USB panel, as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5 of the drawings . The member 26 of the control panel, of the data display screen, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes a first compartment 70 for receiving a control keyboard 72 for adjusting the size and focus of the screen 24 data display of the windshield 14 of the veh; a second compartment 74 for receiving a speedometer switch 76 for deploying the speedometer 78 of the veh's dashboard 13 to the HUD screen 24 on the veh windshield 14, and a third compartment 98 for receiving a volume control keypad 100 for raise or lower the sound level of the radio system 102 (compact disc player, tapes, video, cell phone, etc.) of the veh. The member 26 of the control panel of the data display screen further includes a fourth compartment 104 for receiving a cursor control member 106. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the cursor control member 106 is used to control various functions used in the 20 HUD unit. The cursor control member 106, as described in Figure 3, includes buttons 86 with function keys, a peripheral on / off button 88, a cursor control keypad 108, an inlet button 110, a button 112. on / off of the cursor control member HUD, a Menu button 114, a keyboard 118 and a recording button 120. A recording chip for button 120 may be an additional feature for use with system 11 of the veh's computer. The cursor control member 106 can be interchangeably connected to the fourth compartment 104 of the member 26 of the HUD control panel. The adjustment control keypad 72 is mounted on the steering wheel 15, as shown in Figure 3. The cursor control member 106 is connected separately from the steering wheel 15, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings. The wiring can work separately. This can also be a contact keyboard instead of a hard keyboard.

OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In the operation, as described in figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, the HUD adapter unit 10 operates in the following manner. When the veh operator turns the HUD 10 adapter unit of the on / off switch 112 on the steering wheel 15 or optionally a passenger, the computer will recognize all attached peripherals (hard and soft). At that time, a menu showing all the recognized peripherals will be projected onto the 24 HUD screen and the operator, driver or passenger, will be able to order their requests using the cursor control member 106 in combination with one or more keys. With respect to Figures 1 and 4, the first adapter plug 58 at the proximal end 52 of the HUD adapter unit 10A is received within the cell phone reception port 60 of the cellular phone 40. The adapter plug 58 can be received within any number of different reception ports 60 of different electronic peripherals, such as a laptop, a Palm pilot handheld computer, an iPod, a personal viewing assistant (PDA) and the like, which can be connected at the same time. In the next step, the second adapter plug 62 at the distal end 54 of the HUD adapter unit 10A is received within the USB reception port 32a of the USB panel member 30. Next, the user selects the USB reception port 32a using the control switches 108 and 110 in order to choose the function 40 of the cell phone. This selection then activates the projector 22 of the data display screen to display the screen image 40S on the cell phone 40 on the 24 HÜD screen on the windshield 14 of the vehicle 12, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. Optionally, the user can adjust the adjustment control keyboard 72 to adjust the size and focus of the 40S image on the cell phone screen on the HUD screen 24 on the windscreen 14. Also, the user can make other adjustments using the member 106 for controlling the cursor for various cell phone functions 40 such as making a telephone call via the keyboard 118 and using function keys, buttons and the like. Although the cursor control keypad 106 can control all recognized peripherals, the peripherals can even be operated manually. Alternatively, a PDA receiving port 60 of the PDA unit 50 can receive the first adapter plug 58 of the HUD adapter 10B as described in FIGS. 1 and 4. In such a case, the second adapter plug 62 of the HUD adapter 10B is received. within the USB reception port 32b of the USB panel member 30. Next, the user selects the USB reception port 32b using the switch 108 and 110 on the HUD control panel member 26 to choose the functions of the PDA unit 50. This selection then activates the HUD projector 22 to display the 50S image on the screen of the 50 PDA unit on the 24 HUD screen on the front windscreen 14 of the vehicle 12. It will be understood that the aforementioned steps can be used to electrically connect other electronic peripherals such such as a laptop 42, an iPod 44, a TV 46, a Palm pilot handheld 48, a GPS satellite receiver 84, a radio system 102 or an air conditioning control system and the like. It will also be understood that the automobile 12 may have many USB reception ports 32, such as the radios; compact disc players and. tapes can be hard wired and assigned to a first USB port; the air conditioning controls can be hard wired and assigned to a second USB port; a GPS satellite receiver can be hard wired and assigned to a third USB port; the cruise controls can be hard wired and assigned to a fourth USB port; the side mirrors, rear view mirror and window control can be Hard wiring and assign them to a fifth USB port and to any other electronic peripheral. The automobile computer and the HUD control member 28 have control key members 86, 88, 108, 110, 112, 114, 118, 120, and the HUD adapter unit 10 is adapted to project various screens 24 of the peripheral electronic devices. used on the windshield 14 of the vehicle in such a way that the driver, for example, when using a cell phone, can safely pick up and answer the cell phone quickly, access a list of telephone numbers and then automatically call the specific telephone number , access to appointments, messages from previous telephones and telephone numbers, emails, favorite music while keeping the hands on the steering wheel 15 of the direction of the vehicle 12 when driving or being stopped. It should be understood that vehicle 12 is capable of using "bluetooh" technology. The bluetooth technology is a wireless technology, in such a way that a bluetooth chip is designed to replace cables taken from the information normally transmitted to a cable and transmitting it at a special frequency to a bluetooth receiver chip, which will provide the received information to computer 11, cell phone 40, printer and other electronic devices. It will be understood that vehicle 12 can have many reception ports as necessary, such ports are hard wired for use with any fixed peripheral including, for example, a car meter, car radio, CD player, tape player, air conditioning control units, GPS, cruise control, TV, DVD, side mirrors and window controls, controls to open garage doors, landline telephone, electronic forks and the like that are wired internally to the vehicle's computer. The vehicle 12 can have many reception ports as needed which are made of soft external wiring for use with all peripherals such as cell phone, palm-pilot handheld, ipod, TV, VC, DVD, laptop (laptop) , printer, fax machine, recording devices or other peripherals that can be connected to a cable connection.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Therefore, an advantage of the present invention, - is that it provides a display screen adapter of portable data to be used in conjunction with an existing vehicle data display (HUD) display unit, where the adapter has been connected to a cell phone, PDA, computer or other peripherals to display a cell phone message or other information in a screen on the vehicle's windshield, so that the driver can access information quickly and safely while keeping both hands on the steering wheel of the vehicle when driving using the portable HUD adapter and software with the vehicle's existing HUD unit . Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a HUD adapter for use in conjunction with various peripherals such as an iPod, a laptop / laptop, a Palm pilot handheld, a PDA, a GPS satellite receiver, a compact disc player, a satellite radio, a warn- er or other electronic communication devices and the like. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a HUD adapter that is capable of receiving and transmitting the required data from each of the electronic peripherals to the existing HUD unit and displaying the required information on the existing HUD screen on the vehicle windshield using a HUD control unit in the steering wheel of the user's vehicle.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a HUD adapter that when in operation is capable of integrating portable peripherals to a vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a HUD adapter that allows the replacement of many existing buttons in a vehicle and combines the controls in a control keyboard and the HUD system. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a HUD adapter that allows the elimination of bulky electronics, which allow the replacement of expensive electronics within the board of the computer's data processing card. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a HUD adapter that will cause fewer accidents and lower insurance costs. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a HUD adapter for use in combination with an existing HUD unit that can be mass produced in an automated and inexpensive manner and accessible to the user. A latitude of modifications, changes and substitutions are proposed in the above description and in some examples, some features of the invention will be employed without the corresponding use of other features. Thus, it is appropriate that the appended claims be constructed broadly and concisely within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A data display screen adapter (HUD) to be used in combination with an existing data display screen (HUD) unit in a vehicle, where the HUD adapter receives an electronic peripheral to display the electronic data and information of the vehicle. peripheral on the screen of the HUD unit existing on a windshield of the vehicle, characterized in that it comprises; a) one or more HUD adapters, each having a proximal end, a distal end and a cable; said proximal end includes a first adapter plug; and said distal end includes a second adapter plug; b) an existing HUD unit includes a data display screen on a front windscreen of the vehicle and further includes a data display screen control unit positioned within a control panel on a steering wheel or vehicle console for control each of the electronic peripherals; c) the HUD unit includes a USB panel member having a plurality of USB receiving ports for connecting one or more of the HUD adapters; d) the first adapter plug of the HUD adapter is received inside a reception port of the electronic peripheral; e) the second adapter plug of the HUD adapter is received within a plurality of the receiving ports USB of the USB panel member to electronically connect the HUD adapter to the HUD control unit; and f) the HUD control unit for controlling the electronic peripheral to display the electronic data or information on the HUD unit screen on the vehicle windscreen. The HUD adapter for use in combination with an existing HUD unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic peripherals include cellular telephones, PUD, organizers such as Palm pilot handheld computers, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), IPod, radio, satellite radio, tape players, CD players, DVD players, laptops, laptops, printers, fax machines, digital cameras, prompts, cruise control, side mirror control, seat controls, memory control seats, garage door opener, recording devices, room controls, controls of surrounding environment, internal security, alarms, tracking system, vehicle calibration controls, door controls, window controls, defrost controls, interactive games and other fixed or portable communication devices. The HUD adapter to be used in combination with an existing HUD unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the USB panel member includes a female headset microphone receiver port for receiving a female headset microphone cable. . The HUD adapter for use in combination with an existing HUD unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the HUD control unit includes a compartment for receiving an adjustment control keypad for adjusting the size and focus of the HUD display screen. the windshield of the vehicle. A HUD adapter for use in combination with an existing HUD unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the HUD control unit includes a compartment for receiving a speedometer switch, for displaying a speedometer from the vehicle control panel to the vehicle. HUD screen on the windshield of the vehicle. 6. The HUD adapter for use in combination with an existing HUD unit in accordance with the rei indication 1, characterized in that the HUD control unit includes a compartment for receiving a volume control keypad for raising and lowering the sound level of one of the electronic communication devices. The HUD adapter for use in combination with an existing HUD unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the HUD control unit includes a compartment for receiving a cursor control member to control various functions that are used in the HUD unit . 8. The HUD adapter for use in combination with an existing HUD unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the cursor control member includes an energy button, menu button, a cursor control keypad, an admission button, a button peripheral power off / on, a recording button, function keys and a keyboard to be used with one of the electronic communication devices. . The HUD adapter for use in combination with an existing HUD unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second adapter plugs are a USB type adapter.