REMOTE VECHILE CONTROL SYSTEM INCLUDING COMMON CARRIER PAGING RECEIVER AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20020130765A1
• Filed: 03/13/1998
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Inventors: FLICK, KENNETH E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,480,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/7.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/202 Personal digital assistant [PDA]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A vehicle remote control system includes a common carrier paging receiver and an adapted remote transmitter coupled to the paging receiver to communicate with the system function controller. The remote vehicle control system preferably includes a plurality of transmitters comprising at least one first transmitter for being carried by a user, a first receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals from the plurality of transmitters, and the controller positioned at the vehicle. The function controller is connected to wiring at the vehicle and to the first receiver for controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to the plurality of transmitters. The system also preferably includes the second or paging receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals via the common carrier paging network and for generating output control signals responsive to received signals from the common carrier paging network. In addition, the plurality of transmitters preferably further includes a slightly modified remote transmitter positioned at the vehicle and connected to the second paging receiver for communicating output control signals to the controller and via the first receiver. In other words, a relatively inexpensive remote transmitter can be adapted to interface the paging receiver to the vehicle control system so that remote control functions can be performed at almost any distance.

Claims

1. A vehicle remote control system comprising:

a plurality of transmitters comprising at least one first transmitter for being carried by a user;

a first receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals from said plurality of transmitters;

a controller positioned at the vehicle and being connected to wiring at the vehicle and to said first receiver for controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to said plurality of transmitters; and

a second receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals via a common carrier paging network and for generating output control signals responsive to received signals from the common carrier paging network;

said plurality of transmitters further comprising a second transmitter positioned at the vehicle and connected to said second receiver for communicating output control signals therefrom to said controller and via said first receiver.

2. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 wherein said second receiver includes a plurality of power inputs for connection to vehicle power;

and wherein said second transmitter includes power inputs connected in parallel with the power inputs of said second receiver.

3. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 2 wherein output signals from said second receiver are communicated to said controller only via said second transmitter and said first receiver.

4. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 wherein said controller is switchable between armed and disarmed modes responsive to said plurality of transmitters.

5. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 wherein said controller comprises door lock control means for controlling locking and unlocking of vehicle doors responsive to said plurality of transmitters.

6. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 wherein said controller comprises engine disabling means for disabling the vehicle engine responsive to said plurality of transmitters.

7. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 further comprising an alarm indicator connected to said controller for sounding an alarm at the vehicle responsive to said plurality of transmitters.

8. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 6 further comprising at least one vehicle security sensor operatively connected to said controller;

and wherein said controller when in an armed state is capable of generating an alarm indication responsive to said at least one vehicle security sensor.

9. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one first transmitter comprises a battery power supply.

10. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 wherein said second transmitter comprises a plurality of inputs for receiving respective pulsed input signals, and wherein said second receiver comprises means for generating a plurality of pulsed output signals to the inputs of said second transmitter.

11. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one wiring harness connected at one end to said controller for interfacing said controller to wiring at the vehicle.

13. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12 wherein said second receiver includes a plurality of power inputs for connection to vehicle power;

and wherein said second transmitter includes power inputs connected in parallel with the power inputs of said second receiver.

14. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12 wherein said controller is switchable between armed and disarmed modes responsive to said plurality of transmitters.

15. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12 wherein said controller comprises door lock control means for controlling locking and unlocking of vehicle doors responsive to said plurality of transmitters.

16. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12 wherein said controller comprises engine disabling means for disabling the vehicle engine responsive to said plurality of transmitters.

17. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12 further comprising an alarm indicator connected to said controller for sounding an alarm at the vehicle responsive to said plurality of transmitters.

18. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 17 further comprising at least one vehicle security sensor operatively connected to said controller;

and wherein said controller when in an armed state is capable of generating an alarm indication responsive to said at least one vehicle security sensor.

19. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12 wherein said at least one first transmitter comprises a battery power supply.

20. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12 wherein said second transmitter comprises a plurality of inputs for receiving respective pulsed input signals, and wherein said second receiver comprises means for generating a plurality of pulsed output signals to the inputs of said second transmitter.

21. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12 further comprising at least one wiring harness connected at one end to said controller for interfacing said controller to wiring at the vehicle.

12. A vehicle remote control system comprising:

a plurality of transmitters comprising at least one first transmitter for being carried by a user;

a first receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals from said plurality of transmitters;

a controller positioned at the vehicle and being connected to wiring at the vehicle and to said first receiver for controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to said plurality of transmitters; and

a second receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals via a common carrier paging network and for generating output control signals responsive to received signals from the common carrier paging network;

said plurality of transmitters further comprising a second transmitter positioned at the vehicle and connected to said second receiver for solely communicating output control signals therefrom to said controller and via said first receiver without wired interconnections.

22. A paging remote control system for a vehicle control system of a type comprising at least one first transmitter for being carried by a user, a first receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals from the plurality of transmitters, and a controller positioned at the vehicle and being connected to wiring at the vehicle and to the first receiver for controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to the at least one transmitter;

said paging remote control system comprising;

a second receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals via a common carrier paging network and for generating output control signals responsive to received signals from the common carrier paging network; and

a second transmitter positioned at the vehicle and connected to said second receiver for communicating output control signals therefrom to the controller and via the first receiver.

23. A paging remote control system according to claim 22 wherein said second receiver includes a plurality of power inputs for connection to vehicle power;

and wherein said second transmitter includes power inputs connected in parallel with the power inputs of said second receiver.

24. A paging remote control system according to claim 22 wherein output signals from said second receiver are communicated to the controller only via said second transmitter and the first receiver.

25. A paging remote control system according to claim 22 wherein said second transmitter comprises a plurality of inputs for receiving respective pulsed input signals, and wherein said second receiver comprises means for generating a plurality of pulsed output signals to the inputs of said second transmitter.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein the second receiver includes a plurality of power inputs for connection to vehicle power;

wherein the second transmitter includes a plurality of power inputs for connection to vehicle power; and

further comprising the step of connecting the power inputs of the second receiver and second transmitter in parallel.

28. A method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of communicating output signals from the second receiver to the controller only via the second transmitter and the first receiver.

29. A method according to claim 26 wherein the second transmitter comprises a plurality of inputs for receiving respective pulsed input signals;

and further comprising the step of generating a plurality of pulsed output signals from the second receiver to the inputs of the second transmitter.

26. A method for retrofitting a paging remote control system to a vehicle control system of a type comprising at least one first transmitter for being carried by a user, a first receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals from the plurality of transmitters, and a controller positioned at the vehicle and being connected to wiring at the vehicle and to the first receiver for controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to the at least one transmitter;

the method comprising the steps of;

positioning a second receiver at the vehicle for receiving signals via a common carrier paging network and for generating output control signals responsive to received signals from the common carrier paging network; and

positioning a second transmitter at the vehicle and connecting the second transmitter to the second receiver for communicating output control signals therefrom to the controller and via the first receiver.