Vehicle Intercom System

Abstract

A vehicle intercom system is provided. The system includes one or more housings. Each housing includes a speaker, a microphone, and a lighting element. At least one housing is secured to the exterior of a vehicle via a fastener. In one embodiment, the exterior housing is adjacent to the vehicle mirrors. At least one housing is securable within the vehicle's cabin via a fastener. The speakers are operably connected to the microphone. The one or more housings are in wireless communication with one another and all housings are in wireless communication with an actuator. The actuator is securable to an internal surface of the vehicle cabin. The actuator is configured to activate the speaker and the microphone on each housing to enable two-way audible communication, allowing the driver or passengers to easily communicate with individuals located outside of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle intercom system, comprising: one or more housings; whereby each housing includes a front face, a rear face, and a plurality of side faces; wherein each housing comprises a speaker, a microphone, and a lighting element; the speaker is disposed on the front face of each housing; the lighting element is disposed on the front face of each housing; the microphone is integrated with the speaker; the one or more housings including a first housing comprises a fastener, whereby the fastener is disposed on the rear face of the first housing; a second housing comprises a fastener, whereby the fastener is disposed on the rear face of the second housing; an actuator is in wireless communication with the first housing and the second housing; and the actuator comprises a fastener, whereby the fastener is disposed on a rear face of the actuator.

2. The vehicle intercom system of claim 1, wherein the fastener of the first housing is a clip.

3. The vehicle intercom system of claim 2, wherein the clip extends outwardly from the rear face of the first housing and then extends upwardly, in that the clip is parallel with the first housing.

4. The vehicle intercom system of claim 2, wherein the first housing may be secured to a interior object of a vehicle cabin.

5. The vehicle intercom system of claim 1, wherein the fastener of the second housing is an adhesive surface.

6. The vehicle intercom system of claim 1, wherein the second housing may be secured to an external area of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle intercom system of claim 1, wherein the fastener disposed on a rear face of the actuator is an adhesive surface.

8. The vehicle intercom system of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a movable body.

9. The vehicle intercom system of claim 8, whereby the movable body is selectively engaged to activate the one or more housings and selectively disengaged to deactivate the one or more housings.

10. The vehicle intercom system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is securable to any surface within the vehicle cabin.

11. The vehicle intercom system of claim 1, wherein the lighting element is a LED.

12. The vehicle intercom system of claim 1, wherein the lighting element indicates when the speaker and the microphone are activated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout,

[0012] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the internal housing.

[0013] FIG. 1B shows a side view of an embodiment of the internal housing.

[0014] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the external housing.

[0015] FIG. 2B shows a rear view of an embodiment of the external housing.

[0016] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the actuator.

[0017] FIG. 3B shows a rear view of an embodiment of the actuator.

[0018] FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the vehicle intercom system in use.

[0019] FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the external housing in use.

[0020] FIG. 4C shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the internal housing in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the vehicle intercom system. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be limiting in any respect.

[0022] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an internal housing. The internal housing 11 includes a body 12 and a fastener 16. The body 12 comprises a front face, a rear face, and a plurality of side faces. A speaker 13 is disposed on the front face of the body 12. A microphone is integrated with the speaker 13. A lighting element 14 is disposed on the front face of the body 12. The lighting element 14 indicates that the speaker 13 and the integrated microphone are activated. In one embodiment the lighting element 14 is a LED. The fastener 16 is affixed to the rear face of the body 12 via an extending member 15.

[0023] FIG. 1B shows a side view f an embodiment of an internal housing. The internal housing 11 has the extending member 15 extending outwardly from the rear face of the body 12. On this distal end of the extending member 15, the fastener 16 extends upwardly thereon. The fastener 16 will be parallel with the body 12. In the shown embodiment, the fastener 16 forms a clip. Whereby the clip may engage a vehicle's interior object, to secure the internal housing 11 thereon.

[0024] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an external housing. The external housing 21 includes a body 22 and a fastener. The body 22 comprises a front face, a rear face, and a plurality of side faces. A speaker 23 is disposed on the front face of the body 22. A microphone is integrated with the speaker 23. A lighting element 24 is disposed on the front face of the body 22. The lighting element 24 indicates that the speaker 23 and the integrated microphone are activated. In one embodiment the lighting element 24 is a LED.

[0025] FIG. 2B shows a rear view of an embodiment of an external housing. The external housing 21 includes a fastener 25. The fastener 25 is disposed on the rear face of the body 22. In one embodiment, the fastener 25 comprises an adhesive surface. The adhesive surface can secure the external housing 21 to an exterior section of a vehicle.

[0026] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an actuator. The actuator 31 includes a body 33 and a movable body 32. The body 33 comprises a front face and a rear face. The movable body 32 extends outwardly from the front face of the body 22. The movable body 32 may engage the body 22 to activate the vehicle intercom system. In the shown embodiment, the movable body 32 is a push button.

[0027] FIG. 3B shows a rear view of an embodiment of an actuator. The actuator 31 includes a fastener 34. The fastener 34 is disposed on the rear face of the body 33. In one embodiment, the fastener 34 comprises an adhesive surface. The adhesive surface can secure the actuator 31 to an interior section of a vehicle.

[0028] FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle intercom system in use. The vehicle intercom system includes an internal housing 11, an external housing 21, and an actuator 31. The internal housing 11 may be secured to a sun visor within the vehicle cabin. The external housing 21 may be secured to a side view mirror on the exterior of the vehicle. The actuator 31 may be secured to any surface within the vehicle cabin. In the shown embodiment, the actuator 31 is secured to the steering wheel. The internal housing 11 and the external housing 21 are in wireless communication with the actuator 31. In use, the user will engage the actuator 31. The engagement of the actuator 31 will activate both the speaker and microphone disposed on the internal housing 11 and the speaker and microphone disposed on the external housing 21. The lighting element disposed on the internal housing 11 and the external house 21 will illuminated a light when the speaker and the microphone on each housing is activated. When activated, a channel of communication between the internal housing 11 and the external housing 21 will open. When the channel of communication is open, the user within the vehicle's cabin may speak through the microphone of the internal housing 11 and an individual outside the vehicle will hear the user in real-time through the speaker of the external housing 21. Conversely, while the channel of communication is open, the individual outside the vehicle may speak through the microphone of the external housing 21 and the user will hear the individual in real-time through the speaker of the internal housing 11. The user will then disengage the actuator 31 to close the channel of communication between the internal housing 11 and the external housing 21.

[0029] The vehicle intercom system permits the user to communicate with individuals that are outside the vehicle without rolling down the vehicle's windows or opening the vehicle's doors. This will allow users to remain inside the vehicle cabin while communicating with the individual, thus, the user will avoid exposure to outside temperature, weather, and contagious disease. In some embodiments, the system is integrated into pre-existing audio systems in the vehicle such that additional speakers and/or microphones display buttons are not required. In various embodiments, the system can communicate via a wired connection, or via a wireless connection, such as through Bluetooth.

[0030] FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an external housing in use. In use, the external housing 21 will secure to the side mirror of the vehicle. In the shown embodiment, the fastener will affix the external housing 21 to a vehicle's side mirror. The fastener is an adhesive material disposed on the rear face of the external housing 21. The adhesive material will contact the surface of the side mirror. In this configuration, the speaker will be able to emit the sound from the user inside of the vehicle and allow the individual outside the vehicle to hear the emitted sound. Moreover, the individual may utilize the microphone integrated with the speaker to communicate back to the user inside the vehicle.

[0031] FIG. 4C shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an internal housing in use. In use, the internal housing 11 will secure to the sun visor of the vehicle. In the shown embodiment, the fastener will affix the internal housing 11 thereon. The fastener is a clip disposed on the rear face of the internal housing 11. The clip will engage with the edge of the sun visor. In this configuration, the speaker will be able to emit the sound from the individual outside of the vehicle and allow the user inside the vehicle cabin to hear the emitted sound. Moreover, the user may utilize the microphone integrated with the speaker to communicate back to the individual outside the vehicle.

[0032] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0033] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention