Advanced remote operation system

• US 20020109583A1
• Filed: 07/27/2001
• Published: 08/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Losey, Allan
• Granted Patent: US 6,885,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/0065 Control members, e.g. levers or knobs B60H1/00985 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00657 Remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/2206 controlling the operation of burners control of burners in general F23N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2234 when vehicle is parked, preheating
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2243 manual operation, e.g. remote control or timer
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2225/00 Means indicating the functioning state of the alarm system, e.g. indicating arming, using leds
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/209 Remote starting of engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances

Abstract

A remote vehicle operation system comprises a control unit in communication with at least one subsystem of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a transmitter communicates with the control unit and transmits feedback signals to a portable receiver carried by the operator. One such subsystem may be a climate control subsystem. A communication unit communicates with the climate control subsystem and transmits a feedback signal when the subsystem meets a predetermined condition. The communication unit may comprise a transmitter in communication with the control unit. This embodiment may thus comprise a climate control subsystem in a vehicle and a control unit in communication with the subsystem.

Claims

1. A remote vehicle operation system comprising:

a control unit in communication with at least one subsystem of a vehicle;

a first transmitter/receiver in said vehicle in communication with said control unit;

a second transmitter/receiver in communication with said transmitter; and

said second transmitter/receiver sending a signal to said first receiver to control said subsystem and said control unit sending a feedback signal about said subsystem.

2. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 1 wherein said second receiver is a phone.

3. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 1 wherein said subsystem is a climate control system.

4. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 3 wherein said subsystem also includes a vehicle navigation system.

5. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 3 wherein said subsystem also includes a vehicle security system.

6. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 3 wherein said control signal is a vehicle ignition start signal.

7. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 3 wherein said control unit compares a cab temperature to a desired temperature and sends said feedback to let an operator know that the cab temperature is within a range of said desired temperature.

8. A remote vehicle operation system comprising:

an environment conditioning subsystem in a vehicle; and

a communication unit in communication with said environmental conditioning subsystem, transmitting a signal beyond said vehicle when said environmental conditioning subsystem meets a predetermined condition.

9. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 8 wherein said communication unit is a car horn.

10. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 8 wherein said communication unit is at least one vehicle light.

11. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 8 wherein said communication unit is at least one transmitter and at least one receiver.

12. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 11 wherein said at least one receiver is portable.

13. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 12 wherein said at least one receiver is a phone.

14. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 10 including at least one sensor in communication with said communication unit for sensing said predetermined condition.

15. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 8 wherein said predetermined condition relates to temperature within said vehicle.

16. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 8 wherein said predetermined condition relates to time.

17. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 8 including a control unit in communication with said communication unit and at least one motorized port in communication with said control unit wherein said control unit controls movement of said motorized port based on said predetermined condition.

18. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 17 wherein said control unit compares a desired temperature to an interior temperature, and opens a port should the interior temperature be higher than the desired temperature.

20. A method of remote control as set forth in claim 19 wherein said command is a remote ignition signal, and step (3) includes starting the vehicle and a vehicle climate control, and step (4) includes the step of comparing a desired cab temperature to an actual cab temperature, and sending said feedback when the two are within a range.

19. A method of remote control of a vehicle operation system comprising the steps of:

(1) transmitting a command to a vehicle subsystem from an operator control;

(2) receiving the command at the vehicle;

(3) directing a vehicle subsystem based on the command;

(4) assessing data relating to the vehicle subsystem; and

(5) transmitting feedback based on the data to the operator.