Center cluster module and system, and electrical equipment connector system

Multiple pieces of equipment installed in a vehicle are freely installed and removed to equipment connection slots. A bus line interconnects the multiple pieces of electrical equipment installed in the equipment connection slots. Multiple operating switches arranged in a single unit on an operating section are provided in correspondence to the multiple pieces of electrical equipment for producing control signals to control each of the multiple pieces of electrical equipment. When any one of the operating switches is manipulated, a head unit controls, via the bus line, the electrical equipment corresponding to the manipulated operating switch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a center cluster module and system, and an 
electrical equipment connector system for facilitating installations in 
automobiles and other vehicles and for reducing costs. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Conventionally, center cluster modules have been installed in vehicles to 
accommodate audio equipment. These center cluster modules have been 
housings for inserting audio equipment components, so that power lines and 
signal lines have had to be connected to each piece of equipment. This has 
resulted in complex wiring systems that require much time for equipment 
installation and are costly. 
In addition, each piece of equipment is provided with its own control 
switches. Thus the driver must lower his or her eyes in order to operate 
the control switches when controlling a piece of equipment at the bottom 
of the mounting rack, which is detrimental to driving safety. 
Furthermore, the audio equipment accommodated in on-board center cluster 
modules is being built into single chassis in the interest of lower costs 
and ease of installation. With this, however, there is little scope for 
equipment expansion. When purchasing equipment to be installed later, the 
equipment being added can be installed in the remaining space if more 
space is available than that occupied by the single chassis system. 
However, not all add-on equipment is being installed to the body (that is, 
to the attachment brackets inside the instrument panel). 
Moreover, when add-on equipment is purchased from a third-party vendor and 
installed in the center console, a wire harness must be rigged. 
Furthermore, since add-on equipment is not limited to equipment made by the 
manufacturer of the equipment previously installed, one ends up with 
equipment switches and displays that are very different in terms of 
operability, visual verifiability, and uniformity of design, etc. Thus 
when add-on equipment is accommodated in the center cluster module, 
equipment operability and visual verifiability suffer, as does driving 
safety. 
Consider a case such as is diagrammed in FIG. 1, where one piece of 
equipment 403 of size 1DIN and two pieces of equipment 405 and 407 of size 
half-width DIN are loaded in equipment slot 401. Conventionally, there has 
only been one slot board connector (not shown in the figure) per tier for 
connecting DIN-size equipment to a slot board (not shown). Therefore, the 
two half-width DIN units 405 and 407 must be installed one on top of the 
other, as depicted in FIG. 1, which wastes a lot of space. In terms of 
equipment controllability, moreover, it is desirable to install each piece 
of equipment higher in the rack. 
In FIG. 2 is diagrammed the connection between a conventional bus line 161 
and housing. A bus line connector 373 is attached to the bus line 161, and 
a housing connector unit 374 is inserted into the bus line connector 373. 
The housing is connected through impedance adjustment resistors 375 on the 
housing connector unit 374 and a jumper line to the bus line 161. In this 
manner, depending on the mode of connecting various input/output signals 
to the bus, it is necessary to install jumper wires inside the bus line 
connector 373. 
In FIG. 3 is diagrammed the conventional method of attaching coin boxes. 
When installing coin boxes 378 and 379 in vehicles not equipped with 
equipment slots such as described above, it is necessary to use special 
brackets 377 or the like to make the installation inside the center 
cluster. This is inefficient. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
With the foregoing in view, an object of the present invention is to 
provide a center cluster module and system therefor that enhances ease of 
vehicular installation, lowers costs, and secures greater safety. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical 
equipment connector system that makes efficient use of installation space. 
In order to achieve the objects noted above, there is provided a center 
cluster module comprising: first equipment connection slots in and from 
which multiple pieces of electrical equipment installed in a vehicle can 
be freely installed and removed; a first bus line that is provided at the 
back of the first equipment connection slots to mutually connect the 
multiple pieces of electrical equipment installed in the first equipment 
connection slots; operating means having multiple operating switches 
arranged in a single unit, the operating switches being provided in 
correspondence to the multiple pieces of electrical equipment for 
producing control signals to control each of the multiple pieces of 
electrical equipment; and first control means for controlling, through the 
first bus line, the electrical equipment corresponding to the operating 
switch manipulated, when any of the operating switches of the operating 
means is manipulated. 
According to the present invention, each of the multiple pieces of 
electrical equipment can be freely installed in, removed from, or changed 
out of the first equipment connection slots, and the mounted multiple 
pieces of electrical equipment are mutually connected by the first bus 
line, so ease of assembly is enhanced. Moreover, the multiple operating 
switches of the operating means are incorporated in a single unit and are 
provided corresponding to the multiple pieces of electrical equipment. 
Thus, when any one of the operating switches is manipulated, the first 
control means controls the piece of electrical equipment corresponding to 
the manipulated control switch, through the first bus line. In other 
words, the multiple pieces of electrical equipment are controlled at one 
time by the operating means, so there is no need to provide separate 
control switches for each piece of electrical equipment. Thus costs can be 
reduced and safety enhanced. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, display means are also 
provided for displaying information for each of the multiple pieces of 
electrical equipment. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the multiple pieces of 
electrical equipment comprise first electrical equipment of ordinary size 
and second electrical equipment of half ordinary size. Multiple first 
connectors all of the same size are provided in the first equipment 
connection slots. A second connector is provided which has a first 
connection unit that connects to each of the first connectors, and a 
second connection unit and third connection unit that connect to two 
pieces of second electrical equipment placed in parallel in the 
longitudinal dimension of the first connectors. The first electrical 
equipment is configured so that it may be freely attached to or detached 
from each of the first connectors. Two pieces of the second electrical 
equipment placed in parallel are configured so that they may be freely 
attached to or detached from each of the first connectors through the 
second connector. 
In order to achieve the objects noted above, there is further provided a 
center cluster module system comprising: the above-mentioned center 
cluster module; a second bus line connected to the center cluster module; 
and an expansion module that is connected to the second bus line for 
communicating with the center cluster module. The expansion module 
comprises: second equipment connection slots in and from which multiple 
pieces of electrical equipment can be freely installed or removed; a third 
bus line that is installed at the back of the second equipment connection 
slots and that mutually connects the multiple pieces of electrical 
equipment installed in the second equipment connection slots; and second 
control means when any of the operating switches of the operating means 
inside the center cluster module is manipulated, the electrical equipment 
corresponding to the manipulated operating switch through the first and 
second bus lines. 
In accordance with the present invention, in the expansion module, the 
multiple pieces of electrical equipment mounted in the second equipment 
connection slots are mutually connected by the third bus line. When any 
one of the operating switches of the operating means are manipulated, the 
second control means controls the piece of electrical equipment 
corresponding to the manipulated operating switch, through the second and 
third bus lines. In other words, by manipulating the operating switches, 
one can control any of the multiple pieces of electrical equipment inside 
the expansion module. 
A preferred embodiment of the present invention further provides: decision 
means for deciding whether the first, second, or third bus line is 
malfunctioning when the multiple pieces of electrical equipment are being 
operated via the first, second, and third bus lines; switching means for 
switching the multiple pieces of electrical equipment so that they can 
perform stand-alone operation when a malfunction occurs on at least one of 
the first, second, and third bus lines; and third control means for 
controlling the stand-alone operation of the multiple pieces of electrical 
equipment based on a switching signal supplied from the switching means. 
In accordance with the present invention, when the multiple pieces of 
electrical equipment are operated via the bus lines, the decision means 
decides whether or not there is a malfunction on any of the bus lines. The 
switching means performs switching so that, when any of the bus lines 
malfunctions, switching is done so that the multiple pieces of electrical 
equipment, respectively, can perform stand-alone operation. The third 
control means controls the stand-alone operations of the multiple pieces 
of electrical equipment, respectively, based on the switching signal 
supplied from the switching means. In other words, it is possible to 
control each of the multiple pieces of electrical equipment in stand-alone 
operation even when a bus line has malfunctioned. 
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, moreover, there is 
provided an electrical equipment connector system comprising: multiple 
pieces of electrical equipment comprising first electrical equipment of 
ordinary size and second electrical equipment of half ordinary size; 
equipment connection slots comprising multiple first connectors all of the 
same size; and second connectors having a first connection unit connecting 
to each of the first connectors, and a second connection unit and a third 
connection unit connecting two pieces of second electrical equipment 
placed parallel in the longitudinal dimension of the first connector. The 
first electrical equipment is configured so that it may be freely attached 
to or detached from each of the first connectors. In addition, two pieces 
of the second electrical equipment placed in parallel are configured so 
that they may be freely attached to or detached from each of the first 
connectors through the second connector. 
In accordance with the present invention, one piece of second electrical 
equipment is connected to the second connection unit of the second 
connector, and the other piece of second electrical equipment is connected 
to the third connection unit of the second connector, and the first 
connection unit of the second connector is connected to each of the first 
connectors, whereby the two pieces of second electrical equipment placed 
in parallel in the longitudinal dimension of the first connector can be 
loaded in an equipment connection slot, thereby facilitating the effective 
utilization of installation space. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second connector is 
configured to split signal lines from the first connector, supply the 
signals on one of the split signal lines to the second connection unit, 
and supply the signals on the other split signal lines to the third 
connection unit. 
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, there is provided a center 
cluster module comprising: a common unit having common parts and elements 
as well as a connector that are used commonly independent of a type and/or 
a grade of a vehicle; and a replaceable unit having parts and elements 
that can be replanted for automobiles and other vehicles depending on a 
type and/or a grade thereof, the replaceable unit being connected to the 
common unit via the connector. 
According to the present invention, the common unit is used commonly 
independent of the type and/or the grade of the vehicle. Only the 
replaceable unit, which can be freely installed in and removed from the 
common unit, is required to be changed depending on the type and/or the 
grade of the vehicle. This results in reduced costs. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the replaceable unit is 
a switch unit having multiple operating switches incorporated in a single 
unit, the multiple operating switches being provided in correspondence to 
the multiple pieces of electrical equipment for producing control signals 
to control each of the multiple pieces of electrical equipment. The common 
unit is a body unit comprising equipment connection slots in and from 
which the multiple pieces of electrical equipment installed in a vehicle 
can be freely installed and removed, and control means for controlling, 
when the multiple pieces of electrical equipment are loaded in the 
equipment connection slots and when any one of the operating switches of 
the switch unit is manipulated, the electrical equipment corresponding to 
the manipulated operating switch through the equipment connection slots. 
According to the present invention, the body unit is used commonly 
independent of the type and/or the grade of the vehicle. Only the switch 
unit, which can be freely installed in and removed from the switch unit, 
is required to be changed depending on the type and/or the grade of the 
vehicle. This results in reduced costs. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the common unit is a 
switch unit having multiple operating switches incorporated in a single 
unit, the operating switches being provided in correspondence to the 
multiple pieces of electrical equipment for producing control signals to 
control each of the multiple pieces of electrical equipment. The 
replaceable unit is a body unit comprising equipment connection slots in 
and from which multiple pieces of electrical equipment installed in a 
vehicle can be freely installed and removed; and control means for 
controlling, when the multiple pieces of electrical equipment are loaded 
in the equipment connection slots and when any of the operating switches 
of the switch unit is manipulated, the electrical equipment corresponding 
to the manipulated operating switch through the equipment connection 
slots. 
According to the present invention, the switch unit can be used commonly 
independent of the type and/or the grade of the vehicle. Only the body 
unit, which can be freely installed in and removed from the switch unit, 
is required to be changed depending on the type and/or the grade of the 
vehicle. This saves much costs. 
A preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises a face 
plate that covers over the equipment connection slot, the face plate being 
replaceable depending on the type of the multiple pieces of electrical 
equipment installed in a vehicle. 
In accordance with the present invention, the face plate can be changed 
depending on the type of the multiple pieces of electrical equipment 
installed in a vehicle. Only the face plate is required to be changed with 
neither the body unit nor the switch unit is changed. This allows 
reduction of costs. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the face plate 
comprises a base plate having multiple first openings of which number is 
equal to the number of the equipment connection slots, and a replaceable 
plate having a second opening into which the electrical equipment to be 
installed in a vehicle is inserted, the replaceable plate being attached 
in a corresponding one of the first openings depending on the electrical 
equipment to be installed. 
According to the present invention, only the replaceable plate suitable for 
the electrical equipment to be installed is attached in a corresponding 
one of the first openings in the base plate. Changing only the replaceable 
plate suitable for the electrical equipment to be installed allows 
reduction of costs. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the face plate is a 
bezel that covers over the switch unit and the equipment connection slot, 
the bezel being replaceable depending on the type of the multiple pieces 
of electrical equipment installed in a vehicle. 
According to the present invention, the bezel that covers over the switch 
unit and the equipment connection slot can be changed depending on the 
type of the multiple pieces of the electrical equipment. This allows 
reduction of costs. 
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, there is provided a center 
cluster module comprising a body unit having multiple equipment connection 
slots in and from which multiple pieces of electrical equipment installed 
in a vehicle are inserted and removed, and a first connector; and a switch 
unit having multiple operating switches for producing operating signals to 
operate the multiple pieces of electrical equipment, the switch unit being 
removably attached to the body unit through the first connector, the 
switch unit comprising a base face having a second connector and multiple 
first openings, the base face being adapted to be connected to the body 
unit through the first connector; a sub face adapted to be connected to 
the base face through the second connector, the sub face being replaceable 
depending on the multiple pieces of electrical equipment connected to the 
equipment connection slots; and an replaceable plate having a second 
opening to receive one of the multiple pieces of electrical equipment 
installed in a vehicle, the replaceable plate being attached in the 
corresponding one of the first openings depending on the multiple pieces 
of electrical equipment connected to the equipment connection slots. 
According to the present invention, the sub face can be changed depending 
on the multiple pieces of electrical equipment connected to the equipment 
connection slots. The replaceable plate is attached in the corresponding 
one of the first openings depending on the multiple pieces of electrical 
equipment connected to the equipment connection slots. The base face can 
thus be used as a common part, which reduces costs. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the center cluster 
module further comprises a light emitting unit provided on the base face; 
and a light guiding member provided between the base face and the sub face 
to guide a light beam from the light emitting unit to the operating 
switches of the sub face. 
According to the present invention, the light guiding member guides a light 
beam from the light emitting unit on the base face to the multiple 
operating switches to illuminate them. This improves visual verifiability 
especially in a dark environment. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the center cluster 
module further comprises a first optical communication unit having a first 
light receiving and emitting unit for receiving and emitting a light beam, 
the first optical communication unit being removably attached to the base 
face; and a second optical communication unit having a second light 
receiving and emitting unit for optical communication with the first light 
receiving and emitting unit, and a battery for use in operating the second 
light receiving and emitting unit, the second optical communication unit 
being removably attached to the sub face. 
According to the present invention, the light beam from the first light 
receiving and emitting unit in the first optical communication unit that 
is removably attached to the base face is received by the second light 
receiving and emitting unit in the second optical communication unit that 
is removably attached to the sub face. This establish communication 
between the base and sub faces. The second optical communication unit may 
be attached in the sub face. Under such a circumstances, the second light 
receiving and emitting unit is operated by the battery and the module 
itself becomes portable. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base face is 
provided with a first light receiving and emitting unit for receiving and 
emitting a light beam and the sub face is provided with a removable 
optical communication unit having a second light receiving and emitting 
unit for communicating with the first light receiving and emitting unit, 
and a battery for operating the second light receiving and emitting unit. 
According to the present invention, the first light receiving and emitting 
provided in the base face is allowed to communicate with the second light 
receiving and emitting unit in the optical communication unit removably 
attached to the sub face. 
The nature, principle and utility of the invention will become more 
apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction 
with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
&lt;First Embodiment&gt; 
A first embodiment of the center cluster module of the present invention 
will now be described. FIG. 4A is a configurational diagram of a center 
cluster module, FIG. 4B depicts a head unit in a center cluster module, 
FIG. 4C depicts equipment connection slots in a center cluster module, and 
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a center cluster module system. 
The center cluster module 1 comprises a display block and a standard block 
(hereinafter, referred to as a head unit) and is mounted in an automobile 
or other vehicle. The display block comprises a display 11 that displays 
audio-video data (hereinafter called AV data). The head unit 12 comprises 
a switch unit 13 and a body unit 14. The body unit 14 comprises a 
controller 15 and an equipment connection slot 19. The equipment 
connection slots 19 are designed so that electrical equipment (hereinafter 
called equipment) such as a radio 35, cassette player 37a, or compact disk 
player (hereinafter called a CD) 38 can be freely installed or removed. 
The switch unit 13 comprises a plurality of operating switches 13a through 
13e, as depicted in FIG. 4B. These operating switches 13a through 13e are 
provided so as to correspond with the number of pieces of equipment 
connected in the equipment connection slots 19. Each of the pieces of 
equipment is controlled by the corresponding operating switch. These 
operating switches 13a through 13e are installed in an inclined plane so 
as to be more easily manipulated by the driver, etc. 
The controller unit 15 controls the various pieces of equipment connected 
in the equipment connection slots 19 through a bus line 41 by operating 
signals supplied from the plurality of operating switches 13a through 13e. 
This controller 15 is placed below the operating switches 13a through 13e 
in an area not shown in FIG. 4B. In front there are racks 17a through 17c 
for installing various pieces of equipment, while in back equipment 
connection slots 19 are provided as indicated in FIG. 4B. 
The equipment connection slots 19 comprise slot boards 21, as depicted in 
FIG. 4C, which are built into the racks 17a through 17c. In FIG. 6 is 
given a detailed view of a slot board. The slot board 21 depicted in FIG. 
6 comprises long female connectors 23a through 23c having long openings 
and short female connectors 25a through 25c having short openings. 
A flat connector 27 has a large-sized large-board edge 29a and a 
small-sized small-board edge 29b. The large-board edge 29a engages a long 
female connector 23a, and the small-board edge 29b engages a short female 
connector 25b, such that these can be freely connected and disconnected. 
To the long female connector 23b and the short female connector 25b, 
moreover, is engaged another flat connector 27, while in the long female 
connector 23c and the short female connector 25c is engaged yet another 
flat connector 27. 
The flat connector 27 is provided with a first opening 31a and a second 
opening 31b. The first opening 31a is engaged by a board edge 33a for a 
half-width DIN sized piece of equipment, while the second opening 31b is 
engaged by a board edge 33b for another half-width DIN sized piece of 
equipment. Thus, as diagrammed in FIG. 7, a half-width DIN sized piece of 
equipment 37a and another half-width DIN sized piece of equipment 37b can 
both be installed in one rack. 
FIG. 8A is a configurational diagram of a bus line, while FIG. 8B depicts a 
piece of optional equipment connected to the bus line. The bus line 41 is 
mounted on the back side of the equipment connection slots 19 in FIG. 5, 
comprises multiple cutouts 42 and multiple terminals 43 along its vertical 
dimension, which multiple cutouts 42 and terminals 43 are ranked in 
multiple rows in line with the horizontal dimension thereof. Each of the 
terminals 43 is soldered to one end 45a of a bus bar 45. The other end 45b 
of the bus bar 45 is connected with a board edge 47 provided in the 
optional piece of equipment 49 depicted in FIG. 8B. 
In this manner, multiple pieces of equipment are installed in the equipment 
connection slots 19, the pieces of equipment so installed are connected to 
a bus line 41, and each piece of equipment is connected to the controller 
15 via the bus line 41. The controller 15, meanwhile, is connected to the 
display 11 and the operating switches 13a, etc. 
In other words, the center cluster module 1 is formed as a rack structure, 
and equipment can be freely changed in and out of the equipment connection 
slots 19, thereby providing equipment expandability and making assembly 
easier. 
Also, with the manipulation of the plurality of operating switches 13a 
through 13e in the switch unit 13, the controller 15 controls each piece 
of equipment through the bus line 41, wherefore it is no longer necessary 
to provide operating switches 13a through 13e for each piece of a 
equipment. Nor is it any longer necessary to provide a display for each 
piece of equipment. 
That being so, equipment having no operating switches or display can be 
freely added, so costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since the plurality of 
operating switches are positioned all in one place so that the driver can 
easily manipulate them, driving safety is enhanced. 
In FIG. 9 is diagrammed one example configuration of a center cluster 
module system mounted in a vehicle. This center cluster module system is a 
system that transmits data, within the vehicle, between a center cluster 
module 1 comprising a standard block, and an expansion block 53 serving as 
an expansion module. 
In FIG. 9, the center cluster module 1 is positioned in the forward 
dashboard area of a vehicle 50. This center cluster module 1 is connected 
to the expansion block 53 positioned in the rear trunk area via a bus line 
51. 
In FIG. 10 is given a configurational diagram of the expansion block 53 
located in the rear trunk area. The expansion block 53 houses equipment 
such as a CD changer or MD changer that cannot be accommodated in the 
standard block in the center cluster module 1. 
As is depicted in FIGS. 5 and 10, the expansion block 53 comprises such 
equipment as a controller 55 comprising a communications IC, etc., 
together with equipment connection slots 57, a CD changer 58, an amplifier 
(AMP) 59, and a telephone (TEL) 60, etc. The CD changer 58, the amplifier 
59, and the telephone 60 are severally engaged through expansion 
connectors 57a to the equipment connection slots 57. A bus line 41a 
(illustrated in FIG. 5) having the same configuration as the bus line 
depicted in FIG. 8A is provided at the back of the equipment connection 
slots 57, to which bus line 41a the equipment is connected. 
In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the controller 15 is connected to the 
controller 55 via the bus line 51. Thus pieces of equipment accommodated 
in the expansion 53 can be remotely controlled by the operating switches 
13a via the bus line 51. 
FIG. 11 diagrams how the center cluster module is built into a rack. In 
FIG. 11, a center console 63 is positioned to the right of the steering 
wheel 61, and a display unit 10 comprising a display 11 is installed in a 
channel 65 and connected to a connector 68. In the display unit 10, it is 
possible to have a display device selected either in conjunction with a 
selected piece of equipment or according to the wishes of the user. 
The head unit 15 which contains expansion racks is built into a center 
cluster bezel 70, to which center cluster bezel are attached face panels 
71. This completes the center cluster module 1. The center cluster module 
1, so completed, is installed in an expansion rack 67. The center cluster 
module 1 is connected to a connector 69, and electrically connected to the 
bus line 51. 
In FIG. 12 are depicted examples of face panels. These face panels 71a, 
71b, 71c, and 71d are provided with openings 73 for CD, MD, or other 
equipment drives, and printing is done on a print unit 75. These face 
panels are cosmetically designed so as to match the equipment installed in 
the expansion rack. Thus it is possible to viably implement expandable 
equipment using these face panels. 
In FIG. 13 is diagrammed a half-width DIN sized equipment connector system. 
This half-width DIN sized equipment connector system configures an 
electrical equipment connector system. This connector system is provided 
with a connection equipment slot 80. The connection equipment slot 80 
comprises a slot board 81. This slot board 81 comprises slot-board-mounted 
connectors 82, 83, and 84, as first connectors, arranged at equal 
intervals in the vertical dimension. At the upper left edge of the slot 
board 81 there is a board edge 85. 
The slot-board-mounted connector 82 is designed so that a CD player or 
other IDIN sized equipment 86 can be freely engaged thereto or disengaged 
therefrom. The slot-board-mounted connector 84 is designed so that an 
amplifier or other 1DIN sized equipment 87 can be freely engaged thereto 
or disengaged therefrom. 
FIG. 14 depicts the connection between a slot-board-mounted connector and a 
piece of DIN sized equipment. The 1DIN sized equipment 86 is provided with 
a flat connector 91, which is connected to the slot-board-mounted 
connector 82. Thus, using flat connectors 91, the power lines or I/O lines 
of various types of equipment can be connected to the slot-board-mounted 
connector 82. 
Further, as depicted in FIG. 13, the slot-board-mounted connector 83 is 
fashioned so that a connector 88 for a half-width DIN size unit can be 
connected as a second connector. FIG. 15 provides a sketch of a connector 
for half-width DIN sized units. 
As is depicted in FIG. 15, the connector 88 for half-width DIN sized units 
comprises a board edge 92a as a first connector unit for connecting to the 
slot-board-mounted connector 83, together with a printed circuit board 92 
printed on both sides, a connector 93 (slot 1) as a second connector unit 
that is connected to an integrated circuit (IC) card or other half-width 
DIN sized equipment 89, and a connector 94 (slot 2) as a third connector 
unit that is connected to a magnetic disk (MD) unit or other half-width 
DIN sized unit 90. 
FIG. 16 is a detailed diagram of part A in the half-width DIN size 
connector 88. On the board edge 92a are made a number of copper foil 
patterns 92b that correspond with a plurality of lines from the 
slot-board-mounted connector 83, and each copper foil pattern 92b is 
provided with a through hole 95. 
On the front side of the printed circuit board 92, copper foil patterns 96 
are connected to the copper foil patterns 92b via the through holes 95, 
and these copper foil patterns 96 are connected to the connector 93. The 
copper foil patterns 92b are connected via the through holes 95 to copper 
foil patterns 97 (dashed lines in the drawing) on the back side of the 
board edge 92, and these copper foil patterns 97 are connected to the 
connector 94. 
Based on the configuration described above, by using half-width DIN size 
connectors 88, each of the lines from the slot-board-mounted connector 83 
are split by the through holes 95 and led to two systems of connectors 
having the same shape as the slot-board-mounted connector, thus permitting 
two half-width DIN sized pieces of equipment to be connected in the space 
of a single 1DIN sized piece of equipment. Thus it is possible to 
effectively utilize the available equipment installation space. 
Also, different kinds of equipment can be connected by slot-board-mounted 
connectors having the same function and shape. This permits 
interconnections between equipment, and facilitates installation when 
adding equipment. The printed circuit board may be a multi-layer board 
instead of one printed on both sides. 
In FIGS. 17A and 17B are depicted examples of stand-alone operation of 
equipment when there is a network malfunction in the center cluster module 
system. Let us assume that, in FIG. 5, a short circuit or other 
malfunction has occurred in the bus line 51 while each piece of equipment 
is operating under the control of a controller 15 via the bus line 51. 
In such a case as this, the controller 15 will no longer be able to control 
each piece of equipment. That is why the system has been designed so that 
each piece of equipment can operate in a stand-alone mode during network 
malfunctions. 
FIG. 17A diagrams an example in which a CD unit is operating in stand-alone 
mode. A CD player 101, shown in FIG. 17A, comprises an opening 102 for 
loading CDs, an eject button 103 for ejecting CDs, a changeover switch 104 
for switching between stand-alone and network modes, and a CPU 103a. 
Stand-alone operation for a CD player will now be described, making 
reference to the flowchart given in FIG. 18. First, the eject button 103 
is pushed (step S101). Next, the CPU 103a determines whether or not the 
stand-alone mode is active according to signals from the changeover switch 
104 (step S103). 
If the stand-alone mode is not active, then the CPU 103A determines whether 
or not the network is functioning normally (step S105). If the network is 
normal, then the eject signal from the eject button 103 is sent to the 
controller 15 (step S107). 
A command responsive to the eject signal from the controller 15 is sent to 
the CD player 101 (step 109). The CD player 101 ejects the CD, according 
to the command, and then stops (step 111). 
If, on the other hand, in step S105, the network is not functioning 
normally, processing is terminated. Also, in step S103, if the stand-alone 
mode is active, the CPU 103a activates a motor (step S113) which is not 
shown, and the CD is ejected by the drive of the motor (step S115). 
In this manner, when the network is normal, CD ejection and other 
operations are performed, but when the network is malfunctioning, at the 
CD player 101, it is only possible to push the eject button and have the 
CD ejected by the stand-alone operation. In other words, by performing the 
stand-alone operation, it is possible to control CD ejection, which is the 
minimum operation. 
Next, the stand-alone operation of an air conditioner (hereinafter AC unit) 
will be described, making reference to FIG. 17B. The AC unit 105 comprises 
a changeover switch 106 for switching between stand-alone and network 
modes, an A/C switch 107 to turn the AC unit on and off, and a CPU 107a. 
The CPU 107a determines whether the network is normal or abnormal. When the 
network is functioning normally, changing the changeover switch 106 to the 
network or turning the A/C switch on or off does not result in any 
associated operation. In other words, when the network is normal, the 
controller 15 controls the turning of the AC unit 105 on and off. 
On the other hand, if the network is not normal, when the changeover switch 
106 is changed to the stand-alone mode, the CPU 107a causes the AC unit 
107 to perform stand-alone operations based on switching signals from the 
changeover switch 106. In other words, if the A/C switch 107 is turned on, 
the AC unit 105 will begin operating, and if the A/C switch 107 is turned 
off, the AC unit 105 will stop operating. In other words, it is possible 
to control the starting and stopping of the AC unit, which are minimum 
operations, by performing stand-alone operations. 
Next, the stand-alone operation of an amplifier is described, making 
reference to FIG. 17C. An amplifier 108 is provided with a changeover 
switch 109, a mute switch 110 for turning a mute function on and off, and 
a CPU 110a. 
The CPU 110a determines whether the network is normal or not. When the 
network is functioning normally, switching the changeover switch 109 to 
network or operating the mute switch 110 will have no effect on 
operations. In other words, when the network is normal, the controller 15 
controls the turning of the amplifier 108 on and off. 
When the network is malfunctioning, on the other hand, if the changeover 
switch 109 is switched to stand-alone, the CPU 110a causes the mute switch 
110 to perform a stand-alone operation according to changeover signals 
from the changeover switch 109. In other words, if the mute switch is 
turned on, a mute function is activated, and if the mute switch is turned 
off, the mute function is turned off. In other words, it is possible to 
turn the mute function on and off, which is a minimum operation, by 
performing a stand/alone operation. 
Next, the equipment expansion connectors in a network system installed in a 
vehicle will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram of a network system 
installed in a vehicle. Network system control equipment is installed in 
the front of a vehicle 131, while vehicle-forward-section equipment slots 
135 are provided to permit the installation of optional audio/video (AV) 
equipment in the instrument panel 133. 
In the rear of the vehicle, a vehicle-aft-section equipment expansion 
connector 139 having a bus line capable of connecting different kinds of 
equipment on the network is installed. This equipment expansion connector 
139 is connected to the vehicle-forward-section slots 135 via a high-speed 
network line 137. 
FIG. 20 is a block configurational diagram of equipment connections to the 
vehicle-aft-section equipment expansion connector. As indicated in FIG. 
20, a number of pieces of equipment 143a through 143c are connected to the 
equipment expansion connector 139, and to the equipment expansion 
connector 139 is also connected an add-on expansion connector 141. The 
add-on expansion connector 141 is used for connecting to the network a 
number of pieces of equipment 143d through 143f that exceeds the number of 
equipment connections to the equipment expansion connector 139. 
FIG. 21 provides a diagonal view of equipment connections to the 
vehicle-aft-section equipment expansion connector. In FIG. 21, a number of 
pieces of equipment 143a through 143c are connected to the equipment 
expansion connector 139, and, also, an add-on connector 145 is provided in 
the add-on expansion connector 141. In the equipment expansion connector 
139, meanwhile, a connector 147 is provided that engages the add-on 
connector 145. 
FIG. 22 provides details of the engagement part B between the equipment 
expansion connector 139 and the add-on expansion connector 141. The add-on 
expansion connector 141 is provided with a cut-out part 149a and a 
projecting part 149b, while the equipment expansion connector 139 is 
provided with a tapered part 151a and a channeled part 151b. When the 
equipment expansion connector 139 and the add-on expansion connector 141 
are engaged, the connector 147 engages the add-on connector 145, the 
projecting part 149a engages the channeled part 151b, and the cut-out part 
149a engages the tapered part 151a. 
FIG. 23 is a sketch of equipment connections in the aft section of the 
vehicle. The equipment expansion connector 139 depicted in FIG. 23 is 
provided with connectors 153a through 153c. Equipment 156 for the 
forward-section equipment slots is connected via an intermediate bus cable 
155 to connector 153a. The connector 153c is connected to equipment 158 
for the forward-section equipment slot 158 via an intermediate bus table 
157. 
When the configuration described above is employed, an information network 
system is configured by installing equipment in the vehicle 
forward-section equipment slots 135 and by connecting equipment to the 
aft-section equipment expansion connector 139. This not only makes it 
possible to conserve on wiring materials, but also to make the wiring more 
efficient and to easily implement equipment expansion. In addition, when 
conducting various kinds of communications within the network, 
electromagnetic interference (EMC) is very effectively countered by 
carrying this information digitally over the high-speed network line. 
A housing corresponding to the on-board equipment slots is next explained. 
An example of equipment slot application is diagrammed in FIG. 24. 
On-board equipment slots 160 shown in FIG. 24 are placed in the vehicle 
center cluster, permitting various kinds of equipment to be mounted. When 
all of the slots do not have equipment mounted in them, it is possible, 
according to the user's needs, to mount a housing or coin box in any 
unused slot position. 
The on-board equipment slots 160 are equipped with a bus line 161, as 
depicted in FIG. 24. As depicted in FIGS. 24 and 25, one might have, for 
example, a piece of equipment 163 installed in the upper level, a housing 
165 installed in the middle level, and a piece of equipment 167 installed 
in the lower level. The number of on-board coin boxes or housings 165 is 
not limited to one, moreover. Any number of these housings 165 or coin 
boxes may be mounted, up to the number of slots in which no equipment has 
been mounted. 
FIG. 26 provides a detailed diagram of the C part in FIG. 25, that is, of 
the connection between a jumper connector and a bus line connector. A 
jumper connector 169 is provided at the back of the housing 165 (or coin 
box or rack of some kind), on the side of the bus line 161. This jumper 
connector 169 doubles in function to protect against dust at bus line 
connectors 168 in the on-board equipment slots 160, and, depending on how 
the equipment is mounted and configured, various kinds of circuits can be 
configured using the bus line connectors 168. 
FIG. 27 provides a diagonal view of a jumper connector and a housing, while 
FIG. 28 provides a detailed view of a jumper connector. As shown in FIG. 
27, the jumper connector 169 is provided at the back of the housing 165. 
When no jumper connector 169 is needed in a bus line or circuit 
configuration, the jumper connector is not installed on the housing side, 
and the bus line connector 168 is structured only to prevent dust. As 
shown in FIG. 28, moreover, a plurality of patterns 171 are arrayed on the 
jumper connector 169, and the jumper connector 169 is formed integrally 
with the housing 165. 
In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 24 through 28, user needs may easily be 
met by installing housings 165, coin boxes, or various kinds of holders in 
the unused slots in the on-board equipment slots 160. By using such 
housings 165 as this, moreover, interior space can be utilized 
effectively. 
Furthermore, providing jumper connectors 169 at the back of the housings 
165 is an effective measure to protect against dust at the bus line 
connectors and, depending on what equipment is installed, jumpers may be 
used to connect to the bus line, permitting various wiring configurations. 
&lt;Second Embodiment&gt; 
A second embodiment of the center cluster module of the present invention 
will now be described. FIG. 29A is a configurational diagram of a center 
cluster module, FIG. 29B is a configurational diagram of a switch unit, 
and FIG. 29C is a configurational diagram of a body unit. 
A head unit 201 forming the center cluster module comprises a switch unit 
203 and a body unit 204 as depicted in FIG. 29A. The switch unit 203 
comprises the multiple operating switches 13a through 13e, a convex 
portion 207a, a concave portion 207b, and a connector 209 provided on the 
convex portion 207a. 
The multiple operating switches 13a through 13e are provided so as to 
correspond with the number of pieces of equipment. Each of the pieces of 
equipment is controlled by the corresponding operating switch. These 
operating switches 13a through 13e are installed in an inclined plane so 
as to be more easily manipulated by the driver, etc. 
The body unit 205 comprises, as depicted in FIG. 29C, a concave portion 
211a, a convex portion 211b, a connector 213 provided at the position 
corresponding to the connector 209 on the concave portion 211a, and 
multiple racks 17a through 17c for accepting various pieces of equipment. 
The connector 213 can be connected removably to the connector 209 to 
connect the body unit 205 with the switch unit 203 electrically. 
The switch unit 203 has the same circuit configuration as the switch unit 
13 illustrated in FIG. 5. The body unit 205 has the same circuit 
configuration as the body unit 14 in FIG. 5. Detailed description thereof 
will thus be omitted. 
As described above, the concave portion 207b of the switch unit 203 is 
placed on the convex portion 211b of the body unit 205 and the convex 
portion 207 of the switch unit 203 is placed on the concave portion 211a 
of the body unit 205 to connect the connector 213 to the connector 209. 
The switch unit 203 is thus connected to the body unit 205 via the 
connectors 209 and 213. 
The switch unit is not limited to the specific one illustrated in FIG. 29B. 
The switch unit may have a different shape depending on the type of a 
vehicle. The switch unit may be as a switch unit 203b in FIG. 30A or a 
switch unit 203c in FIG. 30B. 
The switch unit 203b has operating switches 13f through 13k, operating 
switches 13m and 13n having a different configuration and functions, etc. 
The switch unit 203c has operating switches 13f through 13k, operating 
switches 13m, 13p, and 13q having a different configuration and functions. 
The switch units 203b, 203c, 203d of different shape may share the common 
body unit 205 by changing the switch units if they are removably attached 
to the body unit 205 through the connector 213. In other words, the body 
unit 205 can be used as a common part to reduce the costs for the center 
cluster module. 
While the body unit 205 in FIG. 29C has three equipment connection slits 
(corresponding to racks 17a through 17c), the body unit 205 may have two 
or one equipment connection slot(s). When the number of the equipment 
connection slot is different depending on the type of a vehicle or the 
like, the switch unit 203 may be commonly used and the body unit 205 may 
be replaced. Replacing only the body unit 205 for individual vehicles of 
different type reduces the costs for the center cluster module. 
When the switch unit 203 is away from the body unit 205, an intermediate 
connector 214 as shown in FIG. 28 may be used. The intermediate connector 
214 comprises a connector 215, a connector 219 and a cable 217 connecting 
the connectors. 
The connector 215 may be connected to the connector 209 of the switch unit 
203 and the connector 219 may be connected to the connector 213 of the 
body unit 205. The switch unit 203 is then connected to the body unit 205. 
FIG. 32 shows an example of a face plate covering over the equipment 
connector slots 19. As shown in FIG. 29C, the body unit 205 has the racks 
17a through 17c and the equipment connection slot 19 formed therein. FIG. 
32 shows first through third face plates 221a through 221c that cover the 
racks 17a through 17c and the equipment connection slot 19. 
The first face plate 221a has openings 223 and 225 formed therein. The 
openings 223 and 225 are enough in dimension for a CD player 
(corresponding to the CD 38 in FIG. 5) and a cassette tape player 
(corresponding to the cassette tape player 37a in FIG. 5) and are formed 
at the position corresponding to the CD player and the cassette tape 
player, respectively. 
The second face plate 221b has openings (not shown) formed therein having 
the dimension suitable for a CD player and an MD player. The openings are 
formed at the position corresponding to the CD player and the MD player, 
respectively. The third face plate 221c has an opening (not shown) with 
the dimension suitable for other electrical equipment. The opening is 
formed at the position corresponding to the electrical equipment to be 
inserted in. 
With the first through third face plates 221a through 221c, one of the 
first through third face plates 221a through 221c is chosen depending on 
the type of the electrical equipment installed into the racks 17a through 
17c. The selected face plate covers the equipment connection slot 19 and 
the racks 17a through 17c. 
In this way, the face plate can be changed depending on the type of the 
electrical equipment. The body unit 205 and the switch unit 203 may be 
used as common parts. Only the face plates are required to be changed 
depending on the type and/or the grade of a vehicle or to mount an 
optional part or parts. This reduces the costs for the center cluster 
module. 
The face plate may be configured as in FIG. 33. In the example illustrated 
in FIG. 33, three openings 233a through 233c are formed in the base plate 
231, the number of which is equal to the number of the equipment 
connection slots 19. A CD plate 237a, an MD plate 237b, and a cassette 
tape plate 237c are prepared on a plate 235. 
The CD plate 237a is provided with an opening 238a for receiving a CD. The 
MD plate 237b is provided with an opening 238b for receiving an MD. 
Likewise, the cassette plate 237c is provided with an opening 238c for 
receiving a cassette tape. 
To connect a CD player to the equipment connection slot 19, the CD plate 
237a is loaded into the opening 233a. The CD player is connected to the 
equipment connection slot 19 via the CD plate 237a. 
To connect an MD player to the equipment connection slot 19, then the MD 
plate 237b is loaded into the opening 233b. The MD player is connected to 
the equipment connection slot 19 via the MD plate 237b. As described 
above, only the plate is required to be changed depending on the type of 
the electrical equipment to be installed. This reduces the costs for the 
center cluster module. 
The face plate may be configured as in FIG. 34. In the example illustrated 
in FIG. 34, a bezel 239 that serves as the face plate is for covering the 
switch unit 203 and the equipment connection slot 19. The bezel 239 is 
provided with three openings 241a through 241d formed therein for the 
respective operating switches 13a through 13e. The bezel 239 also 
comprises three openings 243a through 243c provided therein for the three 
equipment connection slots to be used depending on the type of the 
electrical equipment. 
The bezel 239 of this type can be changed depending on the type of the 
electrical equipment, reducing the costs for the center cluster module. 
Next, alternative example of the switch unit removably attached to the body 
unit 205 is described. FIG. 35 shows a first example of the switch unit 
removably attached to the body unit. The first example of the switch unit 
shown in FIG. 35 is a case where a radio and a tuner are connected to the 
body unit 205 as the electrical equipment. The body unit 205 has a front 
frame 251, a connector 253, and an opening 255 into which the electrical 
equipment is loaded. 
A switch unit 256a can be freely attached to and removed from the front 
frame 251 of the body unit 205. The switch unit 256a comprises a base face 
257, a sub face 265, 35 and plates 275 and 276. The base face 257 can be 
connected to the body unit 205 through the connector 253. The sub face can 
be connected to the base face 257 through a connector 264. The plates 275 
and 276 are attached to the base face 257. 
The base face 257 comprises operating switches 258 through 260 for basic 
audio/video operations, an opening 261 formed in the base face at a center 
thereof, an opening 262 formed in the base face above the opening 261, an 
opening 263 formed therein below the opening 261m and a connector 264. The 
plate 275 formed of a blind cover can be freely inserted into and removed 
from the opening 262. Likewise, the plate 276 formed of a blind cover can 
be freely inserted into and removed from the opening 263. 
A connector (not shown) is provided at the corresponding position on the 
base face 257 (near the operating switch 260) opposed to the connector 253 
of the body unit 205. This connector is connectable to the connector 253. 
The sub face 265 can be freely inserted into and removed from the opening 
261 in the base face 257. The sub face 265 comprises operating switches 
266 through 268, operating switches 271 and 272, and an opening 270 which 
a radio and a tuner is inserted into. A connector is provided at the 
position on the sub face opposed to the connector 264 of the base face 257 
(near the operating switch 269), which connector can be connected to the 
connector 264. The sub face 265 has displays (not shown) corresponding to 
the operating switches 266 through 268 and operating switches 271 and 272. 
The sub face 265 is provided depending on the grade and/or features of a 
network and includes, for example, those for a lower grade, those for a 
higher grade, those for a navigation purpose, and those for a game. 
To connect the radio and the tuner to the body unit 205 of the type 
described above, the sub face 265 is mounted on the base face 257 and the 
plate 275 is attached to the opening 262 in the base face 257. The plate 
276 is attached to the opening 263 and the base face 257 is connected to 
the body unit 205 via the connector 253. 
FIG. 36 illustrates a second example of the switch unit that can be freely 
attached to and removed from the body unit. The second example of the 
switch unit in FIG. 36 is a case where a CD player, an MD player, and a 
radio and a tuner are connected to the body unit as the electrical 
equipment. 
The switch unit 256b comprises the base face 257, a sub face 280 that can 
be connected to the base face 257 via the connector 264, and plates 283 
and 285 adapted to be attached to the base face 257. 
The plate 283 having an opening 284 for a CD is a CD cover and is attached 
to the opening 262. The plate 285 having an opening 286 for an MD is an MD 
cover and is attached to the opening 263. 
In the sub face 280, the opening 281 is larger than the opening in the sub 
face 265 in FIG. 35. In addition, the operating switch 273 is added to the 
components described in conjunction with FIG. 35. 
With the above mentioned configuration, in the case that the CD player, the 
MD player, and the radio and the tuner are connected to the body unit 205, 
only the sub face 280 and the plates 283 and 285 are required to be 
replaced and the base face 257 is not required to be replaced. This 
reduces the costs for the center cluster module. 
A third example in FIG. 37 is a case where the body unit is connected with, 
as the electrical equipment, a CD player, an MD player, a navigation 
system, and a radio and a tuner. The third example in FIG. 37 is different 
from the second example in FIG. 36 in the configuration of a sub face 291 
with a larger opening 295. The third example is substantially equal in 
effect to the first and second examples. 
Illumination of the sub face in a dark environment such as during night is 
described. FIG. 38 shows configuration of illumination for the sub face. 
In FIG. 38, a light emitting unit 301 such as a light-emitting diode is 
provided in the opening 261 in the base face 257. A transparent member 305 
is provided on a sub face cover 303 to cover the sub face 265 at the 
position opposed to the light emitting unit 301. The transparent member 
305 may be replaced with a translucent member. 
A light guiding plate 307 is provided between the sub face cover 303 and 
the sub face 265. The light guiding plate comprises light guiding elements 
309a through 309c provided at the position opposed to the respective 
operating switches 258 through 260 of the base face 257, light guiding 
elements 309d through 309g provided at the position opposed to the 
operating switches 266 through 269 of the sub face 260, and light guiding 
elements 309h through 309J provided at the position opposed to the 
operating switches 271 through 273 of the sub face 265. 
With the above mentioned configuration, the light beam from the light 
emitting unit 301 of the base face 257 is passed through the transparent 
member 305 provided on the sub face cover 303 and is directed to the light 
guiding plate 307. The incident light passes the light guiding elements 
309a through 309j of the light guiding plate 307. The light beam is then 
directed to the operating switches 266 through 269, and 271 through 273. 
Printed portions (not shown) on the operating switches 266 through 269, 
and 271 through 273 emit lights. The sub face 265 is thus illuminated in a 
dark environment such as during night. 
Next, communication between the base face and the sub face is described. 
FIG. 39 shows a schematic configuration of the base face and the sub face 
during communication with each other. FIG. 40 shows a structural block 
diagram of the base face and the sub face during the communication. 
The base face 257 comprises connectors 264, 337, a switch 331 
(corresponding to the operating switches 258 through 260), a communication 
unit 335 connected to the connectors 264 and 337, and a central processing 
unit (CPU) 333 for controlling the individual parts and components. 
An optical communication pack 321 comprises a connector 324 to be connected 
to the connector 264 of the base face 257, a light receiving and emitting 
unit 325, and a CPU 322 for controlling the individual parts and 
components. 
The light receiving and emitting unit 325 is for receiving a light beam 
from a battery-integrated light receiving and emitting interface 
(hereinafter, referred to as a battery-integrated light receiving and 
emitting I/F) 311 and provides a light beam to the battery-integrated 
light receiving and emitting I/F 311. The light receiving and emitting 325 
may be formed of a light-emitting diode and a light-receiving diode. The 
optical communication pack 321 is attached onto the base face 257 by means 
of connecting the connector 324 to the connector 264. 
The battery-integrated light receiving and emitting I/F 322 has a connector 
313 to be connected to a connector 339 of the sub face 265, a battery 314 
for operating the CPU 312, a light receiving and emitting unit 315, and a 
CPU 312 for controlling the individual components and parts. 
The light receiving and emitting unit 315 is for receiving an optical 
signal from the optical communication pack 321 and for transmitting an 
optical signal to the optical communication pack 321 by the light 
emission. For example, the light receiving and emitting unit 315 is formed 
of a light-emitting diode and a light-receiving diode. The 
battery-integrated light receiving and emitting I/F 311 is attached onto 
the sub face 265 by means of connecting the connector 313 to the connector 
339. 
The sub face 265 comprises the connector 339, a communication unit 341, a 
display 347, a driver 345 for use in driving the display 347, a switch 349 
(corresponding to the operating switches 266 through 269 and 271 through 
273), and a CPU 343 for controlling the individual parts and components. 
With the above mentioned configuration, the optical communication pack 321 
can be attached onto the base face 257 by means of connecting the 
connector 324 to the connector 264. The battery-integrated light receiving 
and emitting I/F 311 can be attached onto the sub face 265 by means of 
connecting the connector 313 to the connector 339. 
The light beam from the light receiving and emitting unit 325 of the 
optical communication pack 321 is received by the light receiving and 
emitting unit 315 of the battery-integrated light receiving and emitting 
I/F 311. The signal contained in light beam is then directed to the 
communication unit 341 of the sub face 265 via the CPU 312 and the 
connectors 313 and 339. 
Therefore, the base face 257 can communicate with the sub face 265. This 
communication is achieved with a light beam, a remote operation is also 
available. It is thus possible to establish communication with the 
portable sub face 265 with the battery-integrated light receiving and 
emitting I/F 311. 
The base face 257 is commonly used and only the sub face 265 is required to 
be changed in accordance with the type of a vehicle for communication 
between the base face 257 and the sub face 265. This reduces the costs for 
the center cluster module. 
Furthermore, the base face may be a base face 257a with a light receiving 
and emitting unit 325 as in FIG. 41. In this case, an optional sub face, 
such as those for gaming, and a battery-integrated light receiving and 
emitting I/F 311 may further be added to the base face 257a onto which the 
sub face 265 is attached. 
Communication can be established by means of transmitting the light beam 
from the light receiving and emitting unit 325 of the base face 257a to 
the light receiving and emitting unit 315 of the battery-integrated light 
receiving and emitting I/F 311. 
The color of the light beam directed may be changed for the case where the 
sub face 265 is connected to the base face 257 and a case where the base 
face 257 is communicating with the sub face 265 at a remote position. For 
example, the light beam may be amber when the base face 257 is connected 
to the sub face 265 and may be green when they are communicating remotely. 
It should be understood that many modifications and adaptations of the 
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and it is 
intended to encompass such obvious modifications and changes in the scope 
of the claims appended hereto.