(12) United States Patent
`Turnbull et al.
`
`USOO698.0092B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY
`NCORPORATING A COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Holland, MI (US);
`Robert C. Knapp, Coloma, MI (US);
`Eric J. Walstra, Grand Rapids, MI
`(US); Alan R. Watson, Buchanan, MI
`(US); G. Bruce Poe, Hamilton, MI
`(US); John K. Roberts, East Grand
`Rapids, MI (US); Wayne J. Rumsey,
`Holland, MI (US)
`(73) Assignee: Gentex Corporation, Zeeland, MI (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 431 days.
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(65)
`
`Appl. No.: 09/827,304
`Filed:
`Apr. 5, 2001
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/003251.0 A1 Mar. 14, 2002
`
`(60)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/242,465, filed on Oct. 23,
`2000, provisional application No. 60/216,297, filed on Jul. 6,
`2000, and provisional application No. 60/195,509, filed on
`Apr. 6, 2000.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl............................ B60Q 1700; B60R 25/10;
`HO4M 1/OO
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................. 340/425.5; 340/426.13;
`340/426.16; 340/426.17; 340/423.36; 307/10.1;
`379/42001; 455/569.2; 381/86
`
`(58) Field of Search ........................... 340/425.5, 426.2,
`340/426.36,937; 307/9.1, 10.1; 379/441,
`455, 420.01, 420.02, 420.03, 420.04, 454,
`431; 455/73,569.2, 569.1, 90.3; 381/86,
`91; 362/494; 359/838, 841
`
`
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7/1963 Piccinini
`3.099,797 A
`4,056696 A 11/1977 Meyerle et al.
`4,241,870 A 12/1980 Marcus
`4,247,850 A 1/1981 Marcus
`4,362.907 A 12/1982 Polacsek
`4,447.808 A 5/1984 Marcus
`4,588.267 A 5/1986 Pastore
`4,625,210 A 11/1986 Sagl
`4,630,904 A 12/1986 Pastore
`4,680,787. A
`7/1987 Marry
`D294,495 S
`3/1988 Nissley
`4,733,336 A 3/1988 Skogler et al.
`4,760,394 A 7/1988 Takeuchi et al.
`4,827,520 A 5/1989 Zeinstra
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`O846598
`12/1997
`EP
`1078818
`2/2001
`GB
`2356312
`5/2001
`JP
`O385949
`4/1991
`JP
`179989
`3/1992
`JP
`O4290.044
`10/1992
`JP
`5162590
`6/1993
`Primary Examiner Donnie L. Crosland
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Price, Heneveld, Cooper,
`DeWitt & Litton, LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A vehicle communication and control System is provided
`that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that
`utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to Some of the
`disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the
`“brick of a communication and control System are inte
`grated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the
`microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone
`antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assem
`bly. Various functions and features of the System are also
`disclosed.
`
`192 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 01 of 55
`
`

`

`US 6,980,092 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4870,676 A 9/1989 Lewo
`4,875.229 A 10/1989 Palett et al.
`4.881.258 A 11/1989 Kaiwa et al.
`4.905,270 A 2/1990 Ono
`4.905,304. A 2/1990 Bardon et al.
`4,930,742 A 6/1990 Schofield et al.
`4,943,796 A 7/1990 Lee
`D315,890 S
`4/1991 Lewo
`D316.242 S
`4/1991 Lewo
`5,027,200 A 6/1991 Petrossian et al. .......... 348/118
`5,029.233 A 7/1991 Metroika
`D326,450 S
`5/1992 Watanabe
`5,111,289 A 5/1992 Lucas et al. ................ 348/148
`5,177,685 A
`1/1993 Davis et al.
`D337,582 S
`7/1993 Lewo
`5,239,586 A 8/1993 Marui
`5,289.321 A 2/1994 Secor ......................... 359/896
`5,299,132 A 3/1994 Wortham
`5,353,376 A 10/1994 Oh et al.
`5,398,190 A 3/1995 Wortham
`5,454,027 A 9/1995 Kennedy et al.
`5,455.716 A 10/1995 Suman et al.
`5,513,111 A 4/1996 Wortham
`5,519,621 A 5/1996 Wortham
`5,546,458 A 8/1996. Iwami
`5,566.224 A 10/1996 ul Azam et al.
`5,576,687. A 11/1996 Blank et al.
`5,579,376 A 11/1996 Kennedy, III et al.
`5,631,638 A 5/1997 Kaspar et al.
`5,649,316 A 7/1997 Prudhomme et al.
`5,649,317 A 7/1997 Suzuki
`5,659,594 A 8/1997 Toda
`5,671996 A 9/1997 Bos et al.
`5,673.325 A 9/1997 Andrea et al.
`5,745,850 A 4/1998 Aldermeshian et al.
`5,754,665 A
`5/1998 Hosoi
`5,760,962 A 6/1998 Schofield et al.
`5,815,820 A 9/1998 Kiem et al.
`5,829,782. A 11/1998 Breed et al.
`5.835,607 A 11/1998 Martin et al.
`5,878,353 A 3/1999 ul Azam et al.
`5,889.474. A 3/1999 LaDue
`5,898.392 A 4/1999 Bambini et al.
`5,899.956 A 5/1999 Chan
`5,917,921 A 6/1999 Sasaki et al.
`
`5,938,321 A 8/1999 Bos et al.
`5.940503 A 8/1999 Palett et al.
`5,971,552. A 10/1999 O’Farrell et al.
`6,011,518 A 1/2000 Yamagishi et al.
`6,019,475 A 2/2000 Lynam et al.
`6,026,162 A 2/2000 Palett et al.
`6,028,537 A 2/2000 Suman et al.
`6,069,588 A 5/2000 O'Neill, Jr.
`6,081,237 A 6/2000 Sato et al.
`6,198.947 B1
`3/2001 Barber
`6,239,928 B1
`5/2001 Whitehead et al.
`6,246,765 B1
`6/2001 Palett et al.
`6,278.377 B1
`8/2001 DeLine et al.
`6,285,757 B1
`9/2001 Carroll et al.
`6,294.989 B1
`9/2001 Schofield et al.
`6,326.613 B1 12/2001 Heslin et al.
`6,329.925 B1 12/2001 Skiver et al.
`6,366,622 B1
`4/2002 Brown et al.
`6,396.408 B2
`5/2002 Drummond et al.
`6,420,975 B1
`7/2002 DeLine et al.
`6,428,172 B1
`8/2002 Hutzel et al.
`6,445.287 B1
`9/2002 Schofield et al.
`6,477,464 B2 11/2002 McCarthy et al.
`6,520,667 B1
`2/2003 Mousseau
`6,528,782 B1
`3/2003 Zhang et al.
`6,549.793 B1
`4/2003 Baratono
`6,553,308 B1
`4/2003 Uhlmann et al.
`6,559,769 B2
`5/2003 Anthony et al.
`6,587,756 B2
`7/2003 Moriguchi et al.
`6,625.426 B2
`9/2003 Baratono et al.
`6,625,503 B1
`9/2003 Smith
`6,633,482 B2 10/2003 Rode
`6,690.233 B2
`2/2004 Sander
`6,735,506 B2
`5/2004 Breed et al.
`6,766.233 B2
`7/2004 Odinak et al.
`6.889,064 B2
`5/2005 Baratono et al.
`6,906,632 B2
`6/2005 DeLine et al.
`6,909,361 B2
`6/2005 McCarthy et al.
`2002/0013730 A1
`1/2002 Bigus
`2002/0082058 A1
`6/2002 Baratono et al.
`2002/0197955 A1 12/2002 Witkowski et al.
`2003/0228879 A1 12/2003 Witkowski et al.
`2004/O110472 A1
`6/2004 Witkowski et al.
`2005/0090279 A9
`4/2005 Witkowski et al.
`2004/0203379 A1 10/2005 Witkowski et al.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 02 of 55
`
`

`

`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 24
`Sheet 1 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 03 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 03 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 24
`Sheet 2 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 04 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 04 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 24
`Sheet 3 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 05 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 05 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 24
`Sheet 4 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 06 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 06 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 5 of 24
`Sheet 5 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 07 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 07 of 55
`
`

`

`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 6 of 24
`Sheet 6 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 08 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 08 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 7 of 24
`Sheet 7 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 09 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 09 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`Sheet 8 of 24
`Sheet 8 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 10 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 10 of 55
`
`

`

`© 143301300.
`
`s
`8
`t
`- ™
`©
`S.
`wv-
`S
`
`g=
`
`s
`0x
`=
`
`Oo
`Oo
`©So
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 11 of 55
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`Ps
`3
`wo
`vc
`
`a)
`nN
`
`tY
`
`e)-
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 9 of 24
`Sheet 9 of 24
`
`
`
`©
`oO
`O
`()
`
`s
`=
`
`|
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 11 of 55
`
`

`

`n,©
`
`t©r
`
`woQI
`Ff©
`
`CD eat
`2 =
`*
`
`o2O
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec.27, 2005
`
`Sheet 10 of 24
`Sheet 10 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
`roa)
`w-
`
`S.
`S
`
`e a%
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`co
`.
`O
`LL
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 12 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 12 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec.27, 2005
`
`Sheet 11 Of 24
`Sheet 11 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`302
`
`se]
`Oo
`“
`
`:
`
`S
`
`
`
`3i
`
`)
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 13 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 13 of 55
`
`

`

`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 12 of 24
`Sheet 12 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`q0¢eae/‘OSL
`
`C8Oldww Boe
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 14 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 14 of 55
`
`
`

`

`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec.27, 2005
`
`Sheet 13 of 24
`Sheet 13 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`30a
`
`130b
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 15 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 15 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec.27, 2005
`
`Sheet 14 of 24
`Sheet 14 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
` jC)CC}(epavenes
`
`asinaac}
`
`148
`
`112a
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 16 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 16 of 55
`
`

`

`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 15 of 24
`Sheet 15 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`O01“bis
`
`HOL“biz
`
`go.6i4VOl64
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 17 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 17 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec.27, 2005
`
`Sheet 16 of 24
`Sheet 16 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
`a
`
`Oo23 8
`w—
`+ ¥
`=
`
`(A462Fig.10G
`
`
`
`
`
`464
`
`Oo +
`T Ww
`+ Y
`
`10F
`Fig.10DFig.10EFig.
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 18 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 18 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 17 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
`OfvLh[|vO}
`
`LL‘Big
`
`Sp
`
`dv
`
`BLL
`
`SNFIOIHSA
`
`JOYLNOD
`AOVAYALNI
`
`4OSNAS
`
`INALSAS
`
`Zt
`
`Lb;olanvWALSASO10NV
`
`ATDIHAAOLOOF
`SLHOIT|8MOMUIWD4ONIDVII
`09=HealOFbiOsYILWaHdLAdaliva|4S+
`Z)I.GEL
`SNOHdSTAL|sao|WNUSLNI
`T_T
`
`ssvawoo|OZLHOSNAS
`oye|
`
`}
`
`S8
`
`vSt.
`
`HOAsdS
`
`HLOOLANTE
`
`SOIOA
`
`Y3SZISSHLNAS
`YATIONLNOO
`NOLLINDOO3Y
`
`ANOHdOYOIN
`
`YyOSss90ud
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 19 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 19 of 55
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 18 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LNEHOEW\/92),<DI LENGD\/WN
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 20 of 55
`
`

`

`Putb2Z9&2PeeapaSEEe20}
`
`
`SAHOLIMSAV1dsI0YOSNAS
`
`YAHLOFAIOT9AYNLVAdiNAL
`
`B22
`
`sAWVdsia[922WALSAS
`MAHLOJOYHLNOD
`
`ANIDN3
`
`c
`
`||-
`
`olanv
`
`WALSASLez
`YATIOULNOD
`
`YadiIM
`
`YaLAWOGO
`
`GTSIHSGNIM
`
`Ste
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 19 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`YaLAWOdsadSdWv1GvaH
`
`YATIONLNOD
`
`22¢
`
`SLVAITD
`
`TOYULNOD
`
`WALSAS
`
`AYNSS3edAUIL
`
`ONIYOLINOW
`
`WALSAS
`
`vb2
`
`YOIMSALN!
`
`iSLHOM
`
`WNUYALXS
`
`SYOMHIN
`
`Zle
`
`€lOla
`
`NOILVOIAVN
`
`WALSAS
`
`OZ
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`We
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 21 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 21 of 55
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 20 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`000 ||
`
`0010 I, !['0
`
`
`
`(ZHW) XONGITÒRIH
`
`CINVOELAAOYTYIVN
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`| | | | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | | | | |
`
`C
`fy
`
`C
`ser
`
`(UI/AngP) HLN NLS CITH II
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 22 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 21 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`---------------
`
`09
`
`O
`C)
`
`O
`CN
`
`u/Angp) H.LeoNa). LS Cull
`
`C
`w
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 23 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec.27, 2005
`
`Sheet 22 of 24
`Sheet 22 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`Oo
`oO
`oS
`
`°o
`Oo
`-
`
`'1
`
`a J
`
`roo
`
`ttC
`
`on
`Oz
`
`= >o
`
`O>
`
`e cet ee oe oe em1
`1!
`[oo
`|
`| |
`
`, eeeeee ’
`i
`{
`
`——
`
`Lu}
`>
`Go
`Se Ww
`'
`(SS m
`iSSSeee re
`SSS Seeee| [eS
`
`——-
`
`!
`i
`'
`
`-+ ©
`el
`
`35 0
`LL
`
`oSo
`
`Co
`
`09
`2
`
`¢
`
`oO
`nN
`@
`(w/ANgP) HLONAYLS G1alS
`
`Oo
`~
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 24 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 24 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec.27, 2005
`
`
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`/L (61-)
`
`Sheet 23 of 24
`Sheet 23 of 24
`
`Fig.17
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 25 of 55
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 25 of 55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2005
`Dec.27, 2005
`
`Sheet 24 of 24
`Sheet 24 of 24
`
`US 6,980,092 B2
`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`C
`O
`
`:
`:
`
`510
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Page 26 of 55
`
`O t ty
`
`CN
`v
`
`512
`
`3.
`
`O
`
`) (c)
`
`2
`
`N
`
`QD6)
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 26 of 55
`
`

`

`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`1
`VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY
`INCORPORATING A COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM
`
`2
`including the GPS receiver, the telephone circuitry, and
`essentially all the electrical components for the System
`except for the antennae in the vehicle trunk or under or
`behind the seats. The GPS microwave antenna is mounted
`elsewhere in the vehicle and connected to the brick by a
`coaxial cable. The cellular telephone antenna is typically
`mounted on a Side window of the vehicle and is connected
`to the telephone receiver by a coaxial cable. The user
`interface, which includes the Speaker, microphone, and
`pushbuttons, is mounted near the driver and hardwired to the
`brick. Additionally, the brick must be wired to the vehicle
`battery and/or ignition. These types of Systems may also be
`connected to the vehicle bus (CAN, J1850, etc.), the door
`locks, the air bags, the vehicle radio, to any RS232, RS-422
`or other Serial communication ports, and to any diagnostic
`circuits. All this wiring makes the System difficult and
`expensive to implement. When offered as a dealer-installed
`option, the wiring complexity of the ONSTARE) system
`becomes even more of a problem.
`Despite all the research that has been conducted and all
`the literature that has been generated relating to the use of
`position identification systems (GPS) in vehicular
`applications, little consideration had been given to the
`practicalities of where to mount the microwave antenna that
`is to receive the microwave signals from the Satellites. The
`ONSTARE) system has the microwave antenna mounted
`behind the front windshield just beneath the headliner or on
`the rear deck proximate the rear windshield. This antenna
`mounting is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,581. Installing
`the antenna in this position is difficult. Published Interna
`tional Application No. WO97/21127 discloses the mounting
`of two separate microwave antennas in the two external
`rearview mirror housings of the vehicle. While there are two
`microwave antennas located in the external rearview mirror
`housings, the System receiver circuit is located in the interior
`of the vehicle. The separation of the receiver circuit from the
`antennas introduces significant manufacturing difficulties.
`Coaxial cable typically used to connect the antenna to the
`receiver is expensive and difficult to handle in a manufac
`turing process, Since it cannot be kinked and is relatively
`difficult to terminate. Furthermore, Such coaxial cable typi
`cally has relatively expensive push-on or Screw-on type
`connectors that connect it to the System receiver circuit
`and/or microwave antenna. Additionally, vehicle manufac
`turers have expressed an unwillingness to require their
`assembly line workers to connect the components using Such
`a coaxial connector.
`While WO 97/21127 further suggests that the antenna
`could additionally be positioned within an interior mirror of
`the vehicle, doing So is not preferred because the interior
`mirror is movable with respect to the passenger
`compartment, which may introduce error in the vehicle
`position measurements. Also, it is better to manufacture
`because it puts all the electronics in one housing and is more
`cost effective. However, it does not work as well. In general,
`GPS is a line of sight system. The more sky the antenna can
`“see,” the better the system will perform. Having the
`antenna mounted to the channel mount by the glass allows
`better visibility of the Sky and hence performance. Also, it is
`desirable to reduce the variability inherent in the design.
`Having an antenna and its radiation pattern changing as
`different people get in the car and adjust the mirror is
`extremely undesirable. Further, WO 97/21127 additionally
`States that metallic coatings on the vehicle windshield may
`interfere with the operation of a receiving antenna when
`mounted in an interior rearview mirror assembly.
`Additionally, like the configuration where the receiving
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. S119(e)
`on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/242,465 entitled
`VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCOR
`PORATING A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, filed on
`Oct. 23, 2000, by Robert R. Turnbullet al.; U.S. Provisional
`Application No. 60/216,297 entitled VEHICLE REAR
`VIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING ACOM
`MUNICATION SYSTEM, filed on Jul. 6, 2000, by Robert
`15
`R. Turnbull et al.; and to U.S. Provisional Application No.
`60/195,509 entitled VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR
`ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING A COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM, filed on Apr. 6, 2000, by Robert R. Turnbullet al.,
`the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
`reference.
`This application is also related to commonly assigned
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/444,176 entitled
`VEHICLE ACCESSORY MICROPHONE, filed on Nov.
`19, 1999, by Robert R. Turnbull et al.; commonly assigned
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/724,119 entitled
`VEHICLE ACCESSORY MICROPHONE, filed on Nov.
`28, 2000, by Robert R. Turnbull et al.; commonly assigned
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/250,086 entitled REAR
`VIEW MIRROR WITH INTEGRATED MICROWAVE
`RECEIVER, filed on Feb. 16, 1999, by Robert R. Turnbull
`et al., and to commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 09/250,086 entitled REARVIEW MIRROR WITH
`INTEGRATED MICROWAVE RECEIVER, filed on Feb.
`16, 1999, by Robert R. Turnbullet al., the entire disclosures
`of which are incorporated herein by reference.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention generally relates to a rearview
`mirror assembly for a vehicle and vehicle communication
`and control Systems.
`Vehicle communication and control Systems are commer
`cially available that provide a wide variety of communica
`tion and control functions. An example of Such a System is
`the ONSTAR(R) system from General Motors Corporation.
`Another example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,028,537. Each of these systems includes a cellular
`telephone, a vehicle position identification System
`(specifically GPS), a processor, and a connection to the
`vehicle bus. These interconnected elements not only provide
`for conventional hands-free telephone operation, but also
`enable a number of other communication operations and
`remote vehicle control functions. For example, Such a SyS
`tem may automatically call 9-1-1 and transmit the vehicle
`location (as provided by the GPS) when the vehicle air bags
`inflate, or enable a driver to request roadside assistance or
`ask for navigational directions at the touch of a button. These
`Systems also enable remote control of vehicle functions Such
`as remote door locking or unlocking and reprogramming/
`personalization of vehicle accessories. Additionally, Such
`Systems may provide for remote diagnostics of the vehicle.
`The Systems may also allow for transmittal and reception of
`text/paging messages and enable the vehicle to be tracked by
`the owner or the police.
`The ONSTAR(R) system has been implemented by pro
`Viding an electronic module, also known and referred to as
`a “brick,” which incorporates most of the System electronics
`
`65
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 27 of 55
`
`

`

`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`3
`antennas are mounted in the two exterior mirrors, the
`mounting of the receiving antenna in the interior rearview
`mirror housing also presents manufacturing problems asso
`ciated with connecting the antenna with the receiver, which
`apparently is mounted in the vehicle instrument panel. In the
`ONSTAR(R) system, the GPS receiver is mounted in the brick
`which, in turn, is mounted in the vehicle trunk or under or
`behind one of the seats.
`As noted above, it is very difficult to install a vehicle
`communication and control System in a vehicle.
`Furthermore, the next vehicle model this system is added to
`is likely to require a different installation. Tooling of parts
`for the vehicle may have to be modified to hold the brick and
`the antennas. Space has to be allowed for all the wiring
`between the user interface, the vehicle, the audio System, the
`GPS antenna, the cellular antenna, and the brick. Each car
`may require a slightly different installation and have tooling
`modified and extra parts tooled to accommodate the System
`being added.
`There exists the need for a vehicle communication and
`control System that may be more readily installed in a
`vehicle and that utilizes minimal added wiring.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`One aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
`communication and control System that may be more readily
`installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional
`wiring. To achieve this and other aspects and advantages, the
`electrical components of the “brick' of a communication
`and control System are integrated into a rearview mirror
`assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS
`and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into
`the rearview mirror assembly. While it is preferable to
`integrate all the components of the System into the rearview
`mirror assembly in order to reduce the need to run additional
`wiring and to provide a System that is much easier to install,
`the present invention broadly is considered to be the com
`bination of any two or more of the following components
`integrated within a rearview mirror assembly: a microwave
`antenna, a microwave receiver, a wireleSS communication
`device, Such as a cellular telephone and its antenna, a
`Bluetooth TM transceiver, a Bluetooth TM controller, a Blue
`tooth" antenna, at least one microphone, a digital Signal
`processor, at least one speaker, a Speech Synthesizer, a voice
`recognition circuit including any voice recognition Software,
`an electrochromic mirror, an electronic compass, map
`lamps, a moisture Sensor, a headlamp Sensor, a back-up
`power Supply, a display, a vehicle bus interface, and an audio
`processing circuit. The present invention broadly pertains
`not only to various combinations of the above features, but
`also to the various disclosed, inherent, and implicit benefits
`and functions that flow from Such features.
`According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
`rearview assembly is provided for a vehicle. The rearview
`mirror assembly comprises a mirror mounting structure
`including a mirror housing and adapted to be mounted to the
`vehicle, and an antenna for a wireleSS telephone mounted to
`the mirror mounting structure.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror
`mounting Structure including a mirror housing and adapted
`to be mounted to the vehicle, and a speech Synthesizer
`circuit carried by the mirror mounting Structure for gener
`ating Synthesized voice audio signals.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`mounting Structure including a mirror housing and adapted
`to be mounted to the vehicle, and a voice recognition circuit
`carried by the mirror mounting Structure and coupled to a
`microphone for receiving Voice Signals from a vehicle
`occupant performs Voice recognition on the received Voice
`Signals and generates data representing the recognized Voice
`Signals.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a rearview mirror assembly is provided for a
`vehicle having an audio System. The mirror assembly com
`prises a mirror mounting Structure including a mirror hous
`ing and adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, an audio
`Source of audio signals carried by the mirror mounting
`Structure, and a wireleSS audio/data RF transmitter carried by
`the mirror mounting Structure and coupled to the audio
`Source for transmitting audio signals received from the audio
`Source via a wireleSS link to a receiver coupled to the audio
`System for playback on the vehicle's audio System.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, an electrical circuit is provided for a vehicle that
`comprises at least one microphone transducer for generating
`an electrical Signal representing a received audio signal, a
`processing circuit coupled to the microphone transducer for
`processing the electrical Signal, a Voice recognition circuit
`coupled to the processing circuit for performing voice
`recognition on the processed electrical Signals generated by
`the processing circuit, and a wireleSS telephone transceiver
`coupled to the processing circuit for transmitting the pro
`cessed electrical Signal through a wireleSS telephone link,
`wherein the processing circuit processes the electrical Signal
`received from the microphone transducer differently for
`output to the voice recognition circuit than for output to the
`wireleSS telephone transceiver.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a telephone System is provided for a vehicle that
`comprises a microphone, a telephone transceiver coupled to
`the microphone, the telephone transceiver transmits and
`receives voice Signals via a wireleSS communication link,
`and a voice recognition circuit coupled to the microphone
`and the telephone transceiver, the Voice recognition circuit
`recognizes spoken words received through the microphone
`and transmits a signal to the telephone transceiver pertaining
`to the recognized spoken words, and wherein the telephone
`transceiver transmits information over the wireleSS commu
`nication link in response to the Signal received from the
`Voice recognition circuit during a telephone call.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle com
`prises a mirror mounting Structure adapted to be attached to
`the vehicle, an electronic circuit mounted to the mirror
`mounting Structure, and a battery mounted within the mirror
`mounting structure for Supplying power to the electronic
`circuit.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, an electronic Vehicle accessory comprises an
`electronic circuit configured to receive power from a vehicle
`battery or ignition, a back-up battery for providing power to
`the electronic circuit when power from the vehicle battery or
`ignition is disrupted, and a heater circuit for heating the
`back-up battery.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle com
`prises a mirror mounting Structure adapted to be attached to
`the vehicle, a telephone transceiver mounted within the
`mirror mounting Structure, and an energy Storage device
`mounted within the mirror mounting Structure for Supplying
`power to the telephone transceiver.
`
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 28 of 55
`
`

`

`US 6,980,092 B2
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`S
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a vehicle accessory telephone System comprises
`an accessory housing, a telephone transceiver mounted in
`the accessory housing and configured to receive power from
`a vehicle battery or ignition, and a back-up energy Source
`mounted in the accessory housing for providing power to the
`telephone transceiver to enable the telephone transceiver to
`transmit a distress call when power from the vehicle battery
`or ignition is disrupted.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a telematics System is provided for installation in
`a vehicle having an electronic module configured to control
`a feature of the vehicle that affects the ability of the vehicle
`to be driven. The telematics System comprises a global
`position identification component for identifying the loca
`tion of the vehicle, a telephone transceiver component
`coupled to the global position identification component for
`transmitting the location of the vehicle to a remote System,
`and a controller component coupled to the global position
`identification component and the telephone transceiver
`component, wherein at least one of the components is
`configured to periodically communicate with the electronic
`module and to thereby acknowledge that each of the com
`ponents is present and functional Such that if the electronic
`module does not receive periodic acknowledgement of the
`presence and/or functionality of the components, the elec
`tronic module affects the ability of the vehicle to be driven.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a telematics System is provided for installation in
`a vehicle having an electronic module configured to control
`the ignition of the vehicle. The telematics System comprises
`a global position identification component for identifying
`the location of the vehicle, a telephone transceiver compo
`nent coupled to the global position identification component
`for transmitting the location of the vehicle to a remote
`System, and a controller component coupled to the global
`position identification component and the telephone trans
`ceiver component, wherein at least one of the components is
`configured to communicate with the electronic module and
`to thereby acknowledge that each of the components is
`present and functional Such that if the electronic module
`does not receive acknowledgement of the presence and/or
`functionality of the components, the electronic module
`disables the vehicle ignition.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a telephone System for installation in a vehicle
`having an electronic module for determining whether an
`ignition key has been inserted into the vehicle ignition and
`for communicating the presence of the key in the ignition,
`the telephone System comprises a telephone transceiver for
`transmitting calls over a wireleSS communication link, and a
`control circuit coupled to the telephone transceiver and in
`communication with the electronic module, the control
`circuit disables at least Some functions of the telephone
`transceiver when an ignition key is not detected in the
`vehicle ignition.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a telephone System for a vehicle comprises a
`telephone transceiver mounted to the vehicle, an audio and
`data transceiver for receiving audio and data Signals from a
`portable telephone associated with the vehicle, a microwave
`receiver for receiving Satellite Signals from which the loca
`tion of the vehicle may be identified, and a control circuit
`coupled to the microwave receiver, the audio and data
`transceiver, and the telephone transceiver, the control circuit
`controls operation of the telephone transceiver and Selec
`tively enables and disables certain functions of the telephone
`System in response to information obtained from the micro
`wave receiver.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a telephone System for a vehicle comprises a
`telephone transceiver mounted to the vehicle, a hands-free
`microphone coupled to the telephone transceiver, at least
`one hands-free speaker coupled to the telephone transceiver,
`an audio and data transceiver for receiving audio and data
`Signals from a portable telephone associated with the
`vehicle, and a control circuit coupled to the audio and data
`transceiver and the telephone transceiver, the control circuit
`determines whether a portable telephone having a predeter
`mined identification number is within the range of the audio
`and data transceiver and exchanges data with the portable
`telephone through the audio and data transceiver, the control
`circuit Selectively performs functions in response to the data
`eXchanged with the portable telephone.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a vehicle rearview assembly provides an image of
`a scene to the rear of the driver of the vehicle. The rearview
`assembly comprises a mounting Structure for mounting to
`the vehicle, an audio and data transceiver Supported by the
`mounting Structure, capable of receiving both audio and data
`Signals from at least one remote device associated with the
`vehicle, a control circuit coupled to the audio and data
`transceiver, the control circuit processes a data Signal
`received by the audio and data transceiver that are received
`from a remote device associated with the vehicle, and
`generates a control Signal in response to Such a data Signal.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a vehicle rearview assembly provides an image of
`a scene to the tear of a driver. The rearview assembly
`comprises a mounting Structure for mounting to the vehicle,
`and a telephone transceiver Supported by the mounting
`Structure, wherein the rearview assembly exhibits an elec
`tromagnetic interference level less than about 61 dBuV/m
`for emissions in the frequency range from about 0.4 MHZ to
`about 20 MHz.