Remote control system using a cellular telephone and associated methods

• US 20020098835A1
• Filed: 08/22/2001
• Published: 07/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Flick, Kenneth E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,873,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00825 remotely by lines or wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances

Abstract

A vehicle remote control system is operated directly via a cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure. The cellular telephone includes an input device and a transmitter for transmitting signals relating to a command code entered from the input device and a unique identification code for the cellular telephone. The vehicle remote control system includes a receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals directly from the cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure. A controller is also positioned at the vehicle and is switchable between a learning mode and an operating mode. When the controller is in the learning mode, the controller learns the unique identification code of a cellular telephone so that the cellular telephone is an authorized cellular telephone. When the controller is in the operating mode, the controller controls at least one vehicle function responsive to signals received from the authorized cellular telephone.

Claims

1. A vehicle remote control system to be operated directly via a cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure, the cellular telephone comprising an input device and a transmitter for transmitting signals relating to a command code entered from the input device and a unique identification code for the cellular telephone, the vehicle remote control system comprising:

a receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals directly from the cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure; and

a controller positioned at the vehicle and being switchable between a learning mode and an operating mode, said controller when in the learning mode learning the unique identification code of a cellular telephone so that the cellular telephone is an authorized cellular telephone, said controller when in the operating mode controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to signals received from the authorized cellular telephone.

2. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said controller cooperates with said receiver to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone by wireless reception from the cellular telephone.

3. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 2, wherein said receiver has a controllable sensitivity;

and wherein said controller reduces the sensitivity of said receiver when in the learning mode.

4. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a frequency scanning receiver for scanning available transmit frequencies of the authorized cellular telephone.

5. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector coupled to said controller and cooperating therewith to permit said controller to interface with the cellular telephone to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone.

6. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises a security controller switchable between armed and disarmed modes;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises switching between armed and disarmed modes.

7. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises a door lock controller;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises locking or unlocking at least one vehicle door.

8. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises an engine starting controller;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises starting a vehicle engine.

9. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising a user operable switch connected to said controller;

and wherein said controller is switchable to the learning mode responsive to said user operable switch.

10. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising a user operable switch connected to said controller;

wherein said controller is connected to at least one vehicle device; and

wherein said controller is switchable to the learning mode responsive to said user operable switch and responsive to at said at least one vehicle device.

11. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said controller is selectively responsive to less than seven digit command codes from the authorized cellular telephone.

13. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12, wherein said receiver comprises a frequency scanning receiver for scanning available transmit frequencies of the authorized cellular telephone.

14. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12, wherein said controller comprises a security controller switchable between armed and disarmed modes;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises switching between armed and disarmed modes.

15. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12, wherein said controller comprises a door lock controller;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises locking or unlocking at least one vehicle door.

16. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12, wherein said controller comprises an engine starting controller;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises starting a vehicle engine.

17. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12, further comprising a user operable switch connected to said controller;

and wherein said controller is switchable to the learning mode responsive to said user operable switch.

19. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 18, wherein said controller comprises a security controller switchable between armed and disarmed modes;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises switching between armed and disarmed modes.

20. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 18, wherein said controller comprises a door lock controller;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises locking or unlocking at least one vehicle door.

21. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 18, wherein said controller comprises an engine starting controller;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises starting a vehicle engine.

22. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 18, further comprising a user operable switch connected to said controller;

and wherein said controller is switchable to the learning mode responsive to said user operable switch.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the controller cooperates with the receiver to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone by wireless reception from the cellular telephone.

25. A method according to claim 24, further comprising reducing sensitivity of the receiver when in the learning mode.

26. A method according to claim 23, wherein the receiver comprises a frequency scanning receiver for scanning available transmit frequencies of the authorized cellular telephone.

27. A method according to claim 23, further comprising using an electrical connector coupled to the controller and cooperating therewith to permit the controller to interface with the cellular telephone to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone.

28. A method according to claim 23, wherein the controller comprises a security controller switchable between armed and disarmed modes;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises switching between armed and disarmed modes.

29. A method according to claim 23, wherein the controller comprises a door lock controller;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises locking or unlocking at least one vehicle door.

30. A method according to claim 23, wherein the controller comprises an engine starting controller;

and wherein the at least one vehicle function comprises starting a vehicle engine.

31. A method according to claim 23, further comprising a user operable switch connected to the controller;

and wherein the controller is switchable to the learning mode responsive to the user operable switch.

32. A method according to claim 23, wherein the controller is selectively responsive to less than seven digit command codes from the authorized cellular telephone.

12. A vehicle remote control system to be operated directly via a cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure, the cellular telephone comprising a keypad and a transmitter for transmitting signals relating to a command code entered from the keypad and a unique identification code for the cellular telephone, the vehicle remote control system comprising:

a receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals directly from the cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure;

a controller positioned at the vehicle and being switchable between a learning mode and an operating mode, said controller when in the learning mode learning the unique identification code of a cellular telephone so that the cellular telephone is an authorized cellular telephone, said controller when in the operating mode controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to signals received from the authorized cellular telephone; and

an electrical connector coupled to said controller and cooperating therewith to permit said controller to interface with the cellular telephone to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone.

18. A vehicle remote control system to be operated directly via a cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure, the cellular telephone comprising a keypad and a transmitter for transmitting signals relating to a command code entered from the keypad and a unique identification code for the cellular telephone, the vehicle remote control system comprising:

a receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals directly from the cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure;

a controller positioned at the vehicle and being switchable between a learning mode and an operating mode, said controller when in the learning mode learning the unique identification code of a cellular telephone so that the cellular telephone is an authorized cellular telephone, said controller when in the operating mode controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to signals received from the authorized cellular telephone; and

said controller cooperating with said receiver to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone by wireless reception from the cellular telephone.

23. A method for vehicle remote control directly via a cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure, the cellular telephone comprising an input device and a transmitter for transmitting signals relating to a command code entered from the input device and a unique identification code for the cellular telephone, the method comprising:

receiving signals directly from the cellular telephone at the vehicle without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure;

switching a controller positioned at the vehicle to a learning mode and learning the unique identification code of a cellular telephone so that the cellular telephone is an authorized cellular telephone; and

switching the controller to an operating mode and controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to signals received from the authorized cellular telephone.

33. A remote control system for opening a door, the remote control system to be operated directly via a cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure, the cellular telephone comprising an input device and a transmitter for transmitting signals relating to a command code entered from the input device and a unique identification code for the cellular telephone, the remote control system comprising:

a receiver associated at the door for receiving signals directly from the cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure; and

a door controller being switchable between a learning mode and an operating mode, said door controller when in the learning mode learning the unique identification code of a cellular telephone so that the cellular telephone is an authorized cellular telephone, said door controller when in the operating mode moving the door between open and closed positions responsive to signals received from the authorized cellular telephone.

34. A remote control system according to claim 33, wherein said door controller cooperates with said receiver to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone by wireless reception from the cellular telephone.

35. A remote control system according to claim 34, wherein said receiver has a controllable sensitivity;

and wherein said door controller reduces the sensitivity of said receiver when in the learning mode.

36. A remote control system according to claim 33, wherein said receiver comprises a frequency scanning receiver for scanning available transmit frequencies of the authorized cellular telephone.

37. A remote control system according to claim 33, further comprising an electrical connector coupled to said door controller and cooperating therewith to permit said door controller to interface with the cellular telephone to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone.

38. A remote control system according to claim 33, further comprising a user operable switch connected to said door controller;

and wherein said door controller is switchable to the learning mode responsive to said user operable switch.

39. A remote control system according to claim 33, wherein said door controller is selectively responsive to less than seven digit command codes from the authorized cellular telephone.

40. A method for opening and closing a door directly via a cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure, the cellular telephone comprising an input device and a transmitter for transmitting signals relating to a command code entered from the input device and a unique identification code for the cellular telephone, the method comprising:

receiving signals directly from the cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure;

switching a door controller to a learning mode and learning the unique identification code of a cellular telephone so that the cellular telephone is an authorized cellular telephone; and

switching the door controller to an operating mode for moving the door between open and closed positions responsive to signals received from the authorized cellular telephone.

41. A method according to claim 40, wherein the door controller cooperates with the receiver to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone by wireless reception from the cellular telephone.

42. A method according to claim 41, further comprising reducing sensitivity of the receiver when in the learning mode.

43. A method according to claim 40, wherein the receiver comprises a frequency scanning receiver for scanning available transmit frequencies of the authorized cellular telephone.

44. A method according to claim 40, further comprising an electrical connector coupled to the door controller and cooperating therewith to permit the door controller to interface with the cellular telephone to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone.

45. A method according to claim 40, wherein the door controller is switchable to the learning mode responsive to a user operable switch.

46. A method according to claim 40, wherein the door controller is selectively responsive to less than seven digit command codes from the authorized cellular telephone.

48. A building security system according to claim 47, wherein said building controller cooperates with said receiver to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone by wireless reception from the cellular telephone.

49. A building security system according to claim 48, wherein said receiver has a controllable sensitivity;

and wherein said building controller reduces the sensitivity of said receiver when in the learning mode.

50. A building security system according to claim 47, wherein said receiver comprises a frequency scanning receiver for scanning available transmit frequencies of the authorized cellular telephone.

51. A building security system according to claim 47, further comprising an electrical connector coupled to said building controller and cooperating therewith to permit said building controller to interface with the cellular telephone to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone.

52. A building security system according to claim 47, further comprising at least one door lock coupled to said building controller;

and wherein said building controller unlocks said at least one door lock responsive to the signals from the authorized cellular telephone.

53. A building security system according to claim 47, further comprising at least one building security sensor connected to said building controller;

and wherein said building controller is switchable between an armed mode for generating an alarm responsive to said at least one building sensor, and a disarmed mode.

54. A building security system according to claim 47, further comprising a user operable switch connected to said building controller;

and wherein said building controller is switchable to the learning mode responsive to said user operable switch.

55. A building security system according to claim 47, wherein said building controller is selectively responsive to less than seven digit command codes from the authorized cellular telephone.

57. A method according to claim 56, wherein the building controller cooperates with the receiver to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone by wireless reception from the cellular telephone.

58. A method according to claim 57, wherein the receiver has a controllable sensitivity;

and wherein the building controller reduces the sensitivity of the receiver when in the learning mode.

59. A method according to claim 56, wherein the receiver comprises a frequency scanning receiver for scanning available transmit frequencies of the authorized cellular telephone.

60. A method according to claim 56, further comprising an electrical connector coupled to the building controller and cooperating therewith to permit the building controller to interface with the cellular telephone to learn the unique identification code of the cellular telephone.

61. A method according to claim 56, further comprising at least one door lock coupled to the building controller;

and wherein the building controller unlocks the at least one door lock responsive to the signals from the authorized cellular telephone.

62. A method according to claim 56, further comprising at least one building security sensor;

and wherein the building controller is switchable between an armed mode for generating an alarm responsive to the at least one building sensor, and a disarmed mode.

63. A method according to claim 56, further comprising a user operable switch connected to the building controller;

and wherein the building controller is switchable to the learning mode responsive to the user operable switch.

64. A method according to claim 56, wherein the building controller is selectively responsive to less than seven digit command codes from the authorized cellular telephone.

47. A building security system to be operated directly via a cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure, the cellular telephone comprising an input device and a transmitter for transmitting signals relating to a command code entered from the input device and a unique identification code for the cellular telephone, the building security system comprising:

a receiver positioned at the building for receiving signals directly from the cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure; and

a building controller connected to said receiver and being switchable between a learning mode and an operating mode, said building controller when in the learning mode learning the unique identification code of a cellular telephone so that the cellular telephone is an authorized cellular telephone, said building controller when in the operating mode granting access to the building responsive to signals received from the authorized cellular telephone.

56. A method for granting access to a building directly via a cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure, the cellular telephone comprising an input device and a transmitter for transmitting signals relating to a command code entered from the input device and a unique identification code for the cellular telephone, the method comprising:

receiving signals directly from the cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure;

switching a building controller to a learning mode and learning the unique identification code of a cellular telephone so that the cellular telephone is an authorized cellular telephone; and

switching the building controller to an operating mode for granting access to the building responsive to signals received from the authorized cellular telephone.