Patent ID: 6547133
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: B60R,G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
A vehicle mounted remote transaction interface system for engaging in a remote transaction between an occupant of the vehicle and a remote transaction unit, said system comprising:an interior rearview mirror assembly attached to an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior rearview mirror housing and an interior rearview mirror reflective element housed in said interior rearview mirror housing, said interior rearview mirror housing pivotally positionable about an interior rearview mirror support, said interior rearview mirror support attaching to said interior portion of said vehicle by a mirror circuit; a transceiver provided at said interior rearview mirror assembly; said transceiver provided at said interior rearview mirror assembly including a transmitter for sending at least one communication signal from said vehicle to a remote transaction unit for communication with the remote transaction unit, the remote transaction unit being located exteriorly of the vehicle in which said interior rearview mirror assembly is installed and the remote transaction unit being operable both to receive communication from said transceiver provided at said interior rearview mirror assembly and to send communication to said transceiver provided at said interior rearview mirror assembly; said transceiver provided at said interior rearview mirror assembly including a receiver for receiving at least one signal from the remote transaction unit that is located exteriorly of the vehicle; an input device provided at said interior rearview mirror assembly in communication with said transceiver and accessible by the occupant during normal use of the vehicle, said input device comprising at least one of an alphanumeric key pad, a touch activated screen, and a card reader, and said input device generating at least one input device signal, and said at least one communication signal comprising said input device signal; said transmitter sending said at least one input device signal from the vehicle to the remote transaction unit located exteriorly of the vehicle; and said input device enabling the occupant of the vehicle to at least one of authorize payment and make payment for the remote transaction.