Integrated vehicle communication system and method

Abstract

A vehicle rearview mirror system for a vehicle having communication capabilities for communicating with at least one of a building-automation device and an electronic toll collection system. The vehicle rearview mirror system may include a wireless communication system configured to communicate with a building-based communication system or a transceiver system of the electronic toll collection system, or both.

1 . A vehicle rearview mirror system for a vehicle, comprising:
 an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and a control unit, the control unit configured to communicate with one or more vehicle-mounted components;   a wireless communication system configured to transmit a toll-based information packet to an electronic toll collection system in response to a command from the control unit, wherein the toll-based information packet includes information relating to identification of an electronic toll account associated with the electronic toll collection system; and   a display module configured to provide information visually to a vehicle operator.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication system is configured to communicate with a building-based communication sy stem;
 wherein the wireless communication system is configured to transmit a building-based information packet to the building-based communication system in response to a command from the control unit, wherein the building-based information packet provides a basis for initiating an operation of a building-based device.   
     
     
         3 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 2 , wherein the command from the control unit is provided automatically to the wireless communication system to transmit the building-based information packet in response to receipt of a user input from a vehicle operator requesting initiation of the operation. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 2 , wherein the wireless communication system includes a communication antenna driven by an antenna driver to transmit information, wherein the information transmitted by the communication antenna includes the building-based information packet and the toll-based information packet. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 4 , wherein the communication antenna and the antenna driver are integrated into the control unit. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 2 , wherein the wireless communication system includes a plurality of communication antennas, each of the plurality of communication antennas being driven by an antenna driver to communicate information, the information including at least one of the building-based information packet and the toll-based information packet. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 2 , wherein the control unit includes a HomeLink controller operably coupled to the wireless communication system, the HomeLink controller configured to communicate with the building-based communication system via the wireless communication system. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 7 , wherein the control unit includes an electronic-toll controller operably coupled to the wireless communication system, the electronic-toll controller configured to communicate with the electronic toll collection system via the wireless communication system. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 2 , wherein the command from the control unit is provided automatically to the wireless communication system to transmit the toll-based information packet based on the receipt of an interrogation signal from the electronic toll collection system. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle communication system includes a communication transceiver configured to establish a communication link with a mobile device associated with a device user. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 10 , wherein the control unit generates the toll-based information packet based on information received from the mobile device via the communication link. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 11 , wherein the control unit is configured to obtain electronic-toll account information from at least one of a plurality of mobile devices. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim Error! Reference source not found., wherein the display module indicates identification information of the mobile device associated with the toll-based information packet communicated to the electronic toll collection system. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim Error! Reference source not found., wherein the information received from the mobile device identifies an account associated with the user of the mobile device and registered with the electronic toll collection system. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 1 , wherein the information comprises at least one of information related to configuration of the wireless communication system with at least one of an electronic toll collection system, one or more building-based devices, and one or more mobile devices; information relating to approaching toll locations; identification of payment of a toll from an associated electronic toll account; and a remaining balance in the associated electronic toll account. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power interface configured to receive power from a vehicle power source. 
     
     
         17 . A vehicle rearview mirror system for a vehicle, the vehicle rearview mirror system comprising:
 an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and a control unit, the control unit configured to communicate with one or more vehicle-mounted components;   a wireless communication system configured to communicate with a toll transceiver system of an electronic toll collection system, the wireless communication system being operably coupled to the control unit, the wireless communication system configured to monitor communications to the electronic toll collection system;   the wireless communication system configured to transmit a toll-based information packet to the electronic toll collection system in response to a command from the control unit, wherein the toll-based information packet provides a basis for authorizing at least one of identification of and access to an electronic toll account associated with the electronic toll collection system; and   a controller operably coupled to the wireless communication system, the controller configured to generate a user notification based on the communications to the electronic toll collection system being indicative of a separate device transmitting communication to at least one of a building-based communication system and the electronic toll collection system.   
     
     
         18 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the wireless communication system is configured to communicate with a building-based communication system, the wireless communication system configured to monitor external communications to the building-based communication system;   the wireless communication system configured to transmit a building-based information packet to the building-based communication system in response to a command from the control unit, wherein the building-based information packet provides a basis for initiating an operation of a building-based device.   
     
     
         19 . The vehicle rearview mirror system for a vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein the controller is configured to generate a user notification based on the external communications being indicative of the separate device transmitting communication to the building-based communication system, wherein the user notification indicates that the vehicle rear view mirror system is capable of communicating with the building-based communication system. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle rearview mirror system of  claim 17 , wherein the user notification indicates that the vehicle rearview mirror system is capable of communicating with the electronic toll collection system.