Method for modifying an existing vehicle on a retrofit basis to integrate the vehicle into an information exchange system

1. A method for modifying an existing vehicle on a retrofit basis to integrate the vehicle into an information exchange system, the vehicle including a processor arranged to receive information and use the information during operation of the vehicle, comprising:

coupling a communications device to the processor, the communications device being usable as a communications device when separable from the processor of the vehicle and from a processor on another vehicle;

establishing communications between the vehicle and other vehicles or infrastructure using the communications device, when coupled to the processor; and

using the established communications between the vehicle and the other vehicles or infrastructure, receiving information from the other vehicles or infrastructure and providing information generated by the vehicle to the other vehicles or infrastructure such that there is bi-directional flow of information between the vehicle and the other vehicles or infrastructure through the communications device, when coupled to the processor.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying the received information to an occupant of the vehicle on an existing display.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

coupling an automatic vehicle control system to an existing vehicular control system; and

using the received information for control of the vehicle via the automatic vehicle control system.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the received information to prevent accidents involving the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

arranging sensors on the vehicle;

generating information about an environment around the vehicle using the sensors on the vehicle; and

transmitting the generated information to the other vehicles or infrastructure using the communications device, when coupled to the processor.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle includes existing sensors which provide information about the vehicle to the processor, further comprising transmitting the information provided by the existing sensors to the other vehicles or infrastructure using the communications device, when coupled to the processor.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving information from the other vehicles or infrastructure and providing information generated by the vehicle to the other vehicles or infrastructure using the established communications between the vehicle and the other vehicles or infrastructure, comprises receiving at the vehicle, data from the other vehicles or infrastructure and transmitting data from the vehicle to the other vehicles or infrastructure using the communications device.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the received information to notify an occupant of the vehicle of a predicted or anticipated accident involving the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

coupling the processor to a map database; and

accessing the map database, using the processor, during operation of the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

coupling the processor to a display viewable by an occupant; and

controlling the display, using the processor, during operation of the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

coupling the processor to a driver warning system; and

controlling the driver warning system, using the processor, during operation of the vehicle to provide a visual and/or audible warning message to an occupant of the vehicle about a potential hazard of concern to the occupant.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling the processor to at least one sensor that obtains data about a location information providing sensor,

the step of providing information generated by the vehicle to the other vehicles or infrastructure using the established communications between the vehicle and the other vehicles or infrastructure comprising transmitting data about location of the vehicle obtained by the at least one sensor.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling the processor to at least one sensor that obtains data about motion of the vehicle,

the step of providing information generated by the vehicle to the other vehicles or infrastructure using the established communications between the vehicle and the other vehicles or infrastructure comprising transmitting data about the motion of the vehicle obtained by the at least one sensor.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling the processor to at least one sensor that obtains data about an additional vehicle situated at a location around the vehicle,

the step of providing information generated by the vehicle to the other vehicles or infrastructure using the established communications between the vehicle and the other vehicles or infrastructure comprising transmitting data about the additional vehicle obtained by the at least one sensor.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling the processor to at least one diagnostic sensor that diagnoses a condition of the vehicle or a component thereof relating to the operability or functionality of the vehicle or component thereof,

the step of providing information generated by the vehicle to the other vehicles or infrastructure using the established communications between the vehicle and the other vehicles or infrastructure comprising transmitting data about the condition of the vehicle or the component thereof obtained by the at least one sensor.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of establishing communications between the vehicle and other vehicles or infrastructure using the communications device, when coupled to the processor comprises establishing communications between the vehicle and the other vehicles using the communications device, when coupled to the processor, and the step of receiving information from the other vehicles or infrastructure and providing information generated by the vehicle to the other vehicles or infrastructure using the established communications between the vehicle and the other vehicles or infrastructure comprises receiving information from the other vehicles and providing information generated by the vehicle to the other vehicles using the established communications between the vehicle and the other vehicles, whereby there is bi-directional flow of information between the vehicle and the other vehicles through the communications device, when coupled to the processor.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of establishing communications between the vehicle and other vehicles or infrastructure using the communications device, when coupled to the processor comprises establishing communications between the vehicle and the infrastructure using the communications device, when coupled to the processor, and the step of receiving information from the other vehicles or infrastructure and providing information generated by the vehicle to the other vehicles or infrastructure using the established communications between the vehicle and the other vehicles or infrastructure comprises receiving information from the infrastructure and providing information generated by the vehicle to the infrastructure using the established communications between the vehicle and the infrastructure, whereby there is bi-directional flow of information between the vehicle and the infrastructure through the communications device, when coupled to the processor.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communications device, when coupled to the processor, functions as an inter-vehicle communication system that communicates with and exchanges data with at least one other vehicle and an infrastructure communications system that communicates with and exchanges data with an infrastructure component.