Trunk mounted automotive network server with wireless data capability

Abstract

An automotive server arrangement includes an infotainment head unit disposed in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. An antenna is associated with the vehicle. At least one audio speaker is associated with the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A network server is disposed in-between the head unit and the antenna. The network server includes a processor and an amplifier disposed within a common housing. The amplifier drives at least one audio speaker. The processor is connected to the head unit and to the antenna.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automotive server arrangement, comprising:
 an infotainment head unit disposed in a passenger compartment of a vehicle;   an antenna associated with the vehicle; and   a network server disposed in-between the head unit and the antenna, the network server including a processor and an amplifier, the amplifier being configured to drive at least one audio speaker associated with the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the processor being coupled to the head unit and to the antenna.   
     
     
         2 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is configured to wirelessly transmit and receive signals in an internet-compatible format. 
     
     
         3 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is connected to the head unit via a high speed automotive network. 
     
     
         4 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to run TCP/IP stacks for communicating via an internet. 
     
     
         5 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the processor has an operational speed of over 400 million instructions per second. 
     
     
         6 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is attached to a body of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to enhance an audio signal used by the amplifier to drive the at least one audio speaker. 
     
     
         8 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the processor and the amplifier are disposed within a common housing. 
     
     
         9 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the network server is disposed at a location that substantially minimizes a total length of wiring required to connect the network server to the antenna and to the head unit. 
     
     
         10 . An automotive server arrangement, comprising:
 an infotainment head unit disposed in a passenger compartment of a vehicle;   an antenna attached to a body of the vehicle and configured to wirelessly transmit and receive signals in an internet-compatible format; and   a network server disposed in a trunk of the vehicle and including a processor and an amplifier, the amplifier being configured to drive at least one audio speaker associated with the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the processor being connected to the head unit via a high speed automotive network, the processor being connected to the antenna.   
     
     
         11 . The arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to enhance an audio signal used by the amplifier to drive the at least one audio speaker. 
     
     
         12 . The arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the network server is disposed in-between the head unit and the antenna. 
     
     
         13 . The arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is connected to the antenna via a WiFi transceiver or a WiMAX transceiver. 
     
     
         14 . The arrangement of  claim 13 , wherein a Secure Digital Input Output interconnects the processor and the transceiver. 
     
     
         15 . The arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the processor and the amplifier are disposed within a common housing. 
     
     
         16 . The arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the processor has an operational speed of over 400 million instructions per second. 
     
     
         17 . The arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to run TCP/IP stacks for communicating via an internet. 
     
     
         18 . The arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the network server is disposed at a location that minimizes a total length of wiring required to connect the network server to the antenna. 
     
     
         19 . A method of providing infotainment within a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 providing an infotainment head unit within a passenger compartment of the vehicle;   attaching an antenna to a body of the vehicle;   wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals in an internet-compatible format, the transmitting and receiving being performed by the antenna;   providing a network server including a processor and an amplifier;   installing the network server in a trunk of the vehicle;   driving at least one audio speaker associated with the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the driving being performed by the amplifier of the network server;   connecting the processor of the network server to the head unit via a high speed automotive network; and   connecting the processor of the network server to the antenna.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the processor and the amplifier are disposed within a common housing, the method comprising the further step of running TCP/IP stacks for communicating via an internet, the running being performed by the processor, the processor operating at a speed of over 400 million instructions per second.