Patent ID: 6377825
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: B60R,H04B,H04M

Abstract:
A system for communicating in a vehicle having a vehicle audio system and being able to use a first communication device and a second communication device having at least physical characteristics different from the first communication device, comprising:a first holding assembly that can be physically and electrically connected to the first communication device and including a first holding assembly processor; a second holding assembly that can be physically and electrically connected to the second communication device but not the first communication device and including a second holding assembly processor; a microphone for receiving voice information; an interface module that can communicate with each of the first and second communication devices and including at least an interface module processor and an interface module memory, said interface module involved with a number of functions when said first holding assembly is in communication with said interface module and the first communication device is physically and electrically connected to said first holding assembly including: receiving first voice information; converting using said interface module processor said first voice information to first digital information compatible with a common communications language used by said interface module; sending said first digital information in said common communications language to said first holding assembly using at least a first communications bus; translating said first digital information from said common communications language to a first communications format compatible with the first communication device using said first holding assembly processor to produce a first communication device signal; and providing said first communication device signal to the first communication device using said first holding assembly processor; wherein when said second holding assembly is joined with the second communication device and second voice information is received, said second voice information is converted to second digital information compatible with said common communications language and, after sending said second digital information to said second holding assembly, said second holding assembly processor translates said second digital information from said common communications language to a second communications format compatible with the second communications device and with said second communications format not being compatible with the first communication device.