Personal digital assistant vehicle interface and method

Abstract

A personal digital assistant-vehicle interface system, for use with a personal digital assistant including a memory defining a database, a microprocessor coupled to the memory, an input/output device coupled to the microprocessor, and a serial output port coupled to the microprocessor, the personal digital assistant being configured to provide data to the output port indicating a predetermined event has occurred in response to occurrence of the predetermined event, the interface system including actuator circuitry including a digital to analog converter having a digital input configured to be coupled to the serial output port of the personal digital assistant, having an analog output, and being configured to provide an analog signal in response to the serial data being applied to the digital input, the analog output being configured to be coupled to an electrically actuated vehicle component that, when actuated, is audible or visible, the actuator circuitry being configured to effect actuation of the vehicle component in response to the data being provided to the digital input of the digital to analog converter. A method including providing a personal digital assistant including a memory defining a database, a microprocessor coupled to the memory, an input/output device coupled to the microprocessor, and an output port coupled to the microprocessor; configuring the personal digital assistant to provide data to the output port indicating a predetermined event has occurred in response to occurrence of the predetermined event; converting digital data at the output port to an analog signal to provide an analog signal in response to occurrence of the predetermined event; and using the analog signal to actuate an electrically actuated vehicle component that, when actuated, is audible or visible, such that actuation of the vehicle component is effected in response to occurrence of the predetermined event.