Trainable transceiver and mobile communications device systems and methods

• US 10,147,310 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2017
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Geerlings, Steven L., Witkowski, Todd R., Wright, Thomas S., Smeyers, Marc A., Dorst, Jonathan E., Papay, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ghulamali, Qutbuddin
• Application Number:
  US15/484,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20170221352A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 340 525
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00507 keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00753 operated by active electrical keys
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00865 remotely by wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00888 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/62 Rolling code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop

Abstract

A trainable transceiver for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit configured, based on training information, to control the remote device, a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, coupled to the communications device, and coupled to the output device. The control circuit is configured to receive notification information from the mobile communications device via the communications device, and wherein the control circuit is configured to generate an output using the output device based on the notification information.

Claims

1. A system for extending the range of a trainable transceiver for controlling a remote device, comprising:

a first trainable transceiver comprising;

an operator input device;

a first radio frequency transceiver; and

a first control circuit coupled to the operator input device and the radio frequency transceiver,

wherein the control circuit is configured to receive an input for controlling the remote device via the operator input device, and wherein the first control circuit is configured to send a transmission via the first radio frequency transceiver based on the input; and

a mobile communications device comprising;

a second radio frequency transceiver configured to receive the transmission from the first radio frequency transceiver;

a cellular transceiver configured to connect to the internet; and

a processing circuit configured to send an activation transmission via the cellular transceiver and over the internet based on the transmission from the first radio frequency transceiver to control the remote device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first trainable transceiver is configured to receive information of the remote device via the mobile communications device, wherein the information includes at least one of a status information, a diagnostic information, and an activation signal receipt confirmation.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second trainable transceiver for installation near the remote device comprising:

communications hardware configured to connect to the internet and configured to receive the activation transmission;

a transceiver circuit configured to communicate with the remote device; and

a second control circuit coupled to the communications hardware and coupled to the transceiver circuit, wherein the second control circuit is configured to send an activation signal to the remote device in response to receiving the activation transmission.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first trainable transceiver is outside a transmission range of the remote device and the second trainable transceiver is within the transmission range of the remote device.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the second trainable transceiver is mounted in a garage, and wherein the remote device is a garage door opener.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein an activation signal parameter of the activation signal is based on the activation transmission.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first radio frequency transceiver includes one of a Bluetooth transceiver or a near field communications transceiver;

and

wherein the second radio frequency transceiver includes one of a Bluetooth transceiver or a near field communications transceivers.

8. A trainable transceiver for controlling a smart lock, comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured based on training information to communicate with the smart lock;

a display; and

a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit and the display,

wherein the control circuit is configured to send an activation signal to the smart lock via the transceiver circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive a lock status transmission from the smart lock via the transceiver circuit, and wherein the control circuit is configured to display a smart lock status based on the lock status transmission using the display.

9. The trainable transceiver of claim 8, further including a radio frequency transceiver configured to communicate with a mobile communications device, wherein the mobile communications device receives the lock status transmission via an internet connection, and wherein the control circuit receives the lock status transmission from the mobile communications device via the radio frequency transceiver.

10. The trainable transceiver of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive the smart lock status periodically from the smart lock.

11. The trainable transceiver of claim 8, wherein the display is incorporated in the rear view mirror of the vehicle.

12. The trainable transceiver of claim 8, wherein the lock status is one of locked or unlocked.