Combined rear view mirror and telephone

Abstract

A mobile telephone or cellular telephone unit and a rear view mirror housing of an automobile are combined to provide an improved telephone apparatus that enables a hands-free use by a driver while operating the vehicle, the improved telephone apparatus includes a rear view mirror housing, the housing including a rear view mirror, telephone and SIM card for sending and receiving telephone calls and instant video image, the image display and SIM card are removably connected thereto. A telephone key pad is cooperatively connected to the telephone for dialing the telephone. An attachment bracket attaches the mirror housing to the vehicle. The housing has the electronic circuitry incorporated therewith to which a telephone and video assembly is connectable. A remote device, and computer process to communicate with the motor vehicle without the need for an automated hub, or Network Operating Center (NOC).

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A rear view mirror/communications apparatus comprising:
 a rear view mirror housing adapted to be attached to a vehicle, the housing including:
 first communications circuitry configured to be communicatively coupled to a telematics device and receive, from the telematics device, information pertaining to the vehicle; and 
 second communications circuitry configured to be communicatively coupled to a satellite transceiver and communicate, via the satellite transceiver, data indicative of said information pertaining to the vehicle while said first communications circuitry simultaneously maintains a communications link with the telematics device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The rear view mirror/communications apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said information pertaining to the vehicle comprises vehicle location information. 
     
     
         3 . The rear view mirror/communications apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second communications circuitry is further configured to receive route guidance information from said satellite transceiver. 
     
     
         4 . The rear view mirror/communications apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said information pertaining to the vehicle comprises status of one or more vehicle functions. 
     
     
         5 . The rear view mirror/communications apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising additional circuitry configured to render the information received from the satellite transceiver. 
     
     
         6 . The rear view mirror/communications apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second communications circuitry is further configured to send, to the first communications device, information received from the satellite transceiver. 
     
     
         7 . The rear view mirror/communications apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said information received from the satellite transceiver comprises commands for controlling vehicle functions. 
     
     
         8 . A method for communication in a vehicle, the method comprising:
 communicatively coupling a rear-view mirror/communications apparatus with a telematics device, wherein the rear view mirror/communications apparatus is adapted to be attached to the vehicle;   receiving, by the rear view mirror/communications apparatus, information from the telematics device, the information pertaining to the vehicle; and   transmitting, by the rear view mirror/communications apparatus to a satellite based service provider, data indicative of said information pertaining to the vehicle while simultaneously maintaining a communications link with the telematics device.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said information pertaining to the vehicle comprises vehicle location information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving, by the integrated rear view mirror/communications apparatus, route guidance information. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said information pertaining to the vehicle comprises status of one or more vehicle functions. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving, from the satellite based service provider, information to be rendered by the rear view mirror/communications apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising rendering the received information. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising sending, to the telematics device, information received from the satellite based service provider. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said information received from the satellite based service provider comprises commands for controlling vehicle functions. 
     
     
         16 . A system for communication in a vehicle, the system comprising:
 means for communicatively coupling a rear view mirror/communications apparatus with a telematics communications device, wherein the rear view mirror/communications apparatus is adapted to be attached to the vehicle;   means for receiving, from the telematics communications device, information pertaining to the vehicle; and   means for transmitting, to a satellite transceiver, data indicative of said information pertaining to the vehicle while simultaneously maintaining a communications link with the telematics communications device.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said information pertaining to the vehicle comprises vehicle location information. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said information pertaining to the vehicle comprises status of one or more vehicle functions. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising means for receiving information the satellite transceiver. 
     
     
         20 . A rear view mirror/communications system comprising:
 means for communicating with a vehicle telematics system;   means for receiving, from the vehicle telematics system, information pertaining to the vehicle; and   means for communicating with an off-vehicle communications system while simultaneously maintaining a communications link with the vehicle telematics system.