Combined rear view mirror and telephone
OwnerRonald D. Baratonoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mobile telephone or cellular phone unit and a rear view mirror housing of an automobile are combined to provide an improved phone apparatus that enables a hands-free use by a driver while operating the vehicle, the improved phone apparatus comprising a rear view mirror housing, the housing including a rearview mirror, a cellular phone means for sending and receiving phone calls, and a dialing means cooperatively connected to said cellular phone for dialing the phone; and attachment means for attaching the mirror housing to the vehicle. In one embodiment, the cellular phone and rear view mirror are combined into a unitary structure. In another embodiment, the cellular phone is removably attached to the rear view mirror housing.
Claims18
A combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus for a vehicle having a windshield to enable a hands-free operation of the phone by the driver of the vehicle, comprising
- a rear view mirror housing, said housing including a back side facing said windshield and a front side, a rearview mirror on said front side, cellular phone means for sending and receiving phone calls, and dialing means cooperatively connected to said cellular phone for dialing the phone;
- electrical power means in electrical communication with said cellular phone to provide electrical power to operate the cellular phone, said electrical power means comprising a battery connected to said rear view mirror housing and electrical connecting means for electrically connecting the battery to said cellular phone;
- a solar panel operatively connected to said battery to recharge the battery, said panel being disposed on the back side of said housing member to maximize exposure of the panel to light entering the vehicle through the windshield;
- and
- attachment means for attaching the mirror housing to the vehicle.
A cellular telephone for a motor vehicle to permit hands free operation thereof by an operator when positioned adjacent to a windshield of the vehicle, comprising
- a rear view mirror housing, said housing including a back side facing the vehicle windshield, a front side facing the operator, and an interior chamber,
- a rear view mirror for viewing upcoming traffic mounted on the front side of the housing,
- attachment means for attaching said mirror housing to said vehicle with the front side thereof facing said windshield,
- adjustment means for selectively adjusting the position of said housing and the position of said mirror for viewing by the operator,
- cellular phone means mounted in said chamber, said cellular phone means comprising the electrical components necessary for a mobile phone to receive, send and process incoming and outgoing phone calls,
- dialing means for dialing the numbers of a desired phone number,
- an image projecting device supported in the mirror housing to project dialed numbers onto the windshield as the digits are dialed, and
- an array of manually operated function keys disposed on the operator facing portion, said keys in operable association with said cellular phone means to enable the operator dial and answer the phone while monitoring the road conditions in both a forward and a rearward field of view.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.