Patent ID: 7177730
Filing Date: 2007-02-13
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An installation kit for adapting a vehicle having an autosound head unit of a non-standard size for installation of a separate after-market autosound head unit having a standardized size and for interfacing with said vehicle's climate control system, said climate control system being configured to receive command inputs commanding actions within said climate control system and being configured to generate status outputs indicating the status of said climate control system, said vehicle including a contoured removable dash portion, the kit comprising: a panel having a front surface, a back surface, and a standard-sized receptacle for receiving said separate aftermarket autosound head unit, wherein said front surface mimics the size and shape of said contoured removable dash portion of said vehicle; a user interface on said front surface of said panel by which a user can operate said climate control system; a controller disposed at said back surface of said panel and adapted to control said climate control system in accordance with user input to said user interface; wherein said controller, in response to said user input, creates said command inputs commanding action within said climate control system and transmits said command inputs to said climate control system; and wherein said controller, in response to said status outputs indicating said status of said climate control system, regulates the operation of at least a portion of said climate control system.