System and method for wireless control of multiple remote electronic systems

• US 20030197595A1
• Filed: 01/27/2003
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Blaker, David A., Olson, Thomas R., Geerlings, Steven L., Benson, Michael R., Wright, Thomas S.
• Application Number:
  US10/351,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20030197595A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/31 Voice input
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled 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 2201/92 Universal remote control

Abstract

A transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems includes a memory, a transmitter circuit, and a control circuit. The memory is configured to store a plurality of control data messages, each control data message configured to control a different remote electronic system. The control circuit is configured to command the transmitter circuit to transmit a plurality of wireless control signals in response to a single event, each wireless control containing a different control data message.

Claims

1. A transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems, comprising:

a memory configured to store a plurality of control data messages, each control data message configured to control a different remote electronic system;

a transmitter circuit; and

a control circuit configured to command the transmitter circuit to transmit a plurality of wireless control signals in response to a single event, each wireless control signal containing a different control data message.

2. The transmitter of claim 1, further comprising an operator input device, wherein the single event comprises the actuation of the operator input device by a vehicle occupant.

3. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive navigation data and to determine a proximity between the transmitter and the remote electronic systems, wherein the single event comprises the control circuit determining that the transmitter is within a predetermined proximity of the remote electronic system.

4. The transmitter of claim 3, further comprising an operator-actuatable switch coupled to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is user-programmable such that the switch causes the transmitter to send a first wireless control signal having a first control data message and the control circuit automatically sends a second wireless control signal having a second control data message different than the first control data message when the control circuit determines that the transmitter is within a predetermined proximity of the remote electronic system.

5. The transmitter of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle interior element coupled to the transmitter circuit and the control circuit, wherein the transmitter is configured for mounting in a vehicle interior.

6. The transmitter of claim 5, wherein the vehicle interior element is an overhead console, a visor, or an instrument panel.

7. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to be programmed by the user as to which of the wireless control signals are to be transmitted in response to the single event.

8. The transmitter of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of operator-actuatable switches coupled to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is user-programmable such that a first of the switches causes the transmitter to send a first wireless control signal and a second of the switches causes the transmitter to send second and third wireless control signals simultaneously or in sequence.

9. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuit is configured to transmit the plurality of wireless control signals in the radio frequency range.

10. A transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems, comprising:

means for storing a plurality of control data messages, each control data message configured to control a different remote electronic system;

means for transmitting a wireless signal; and

means for commanding the transmitter circuit to transmit a plurality of wireless control signals in response to a single event, each wireless control signal containing a different control data message.

11. The transmitter of claim 10, wherein the single event is reception of a signal indicative that the transmitter is within a predetermined proximity of at least one of the plurality of remote electronic systems.

12. The transmitter of claim 11, further comprising a means for commanding the transmitter to send a first wireless control signal having a first control data message, receive a location signal indicative that the transmitter is within a predetermined proximity of the remote electronic system, and sending a second wireless control signal having a second control data message different than the first control data message based on receipt of the location signal.

13. The transmitter of claim 10, further comprising a vehicle interior element coupled to the transmitter, wherein the transmitter is configured for mounting in a vehicle interior.

14. The transmitter of claim 13, wherein the vehicle interior element is an overhead console, a visor, or an instrument panel.

15. The transmitter of claim 14, further comprising means for receiving operator input, wherein the single event is the reception of the operator input from a vehicle occupant.

16. The transmitter of claim 10, further including means for the user to program which of the wireless control signals are to be transmitted in response to the single event.

17. The transmitter of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of operator-actuatable switches coupled to the transmitter, wherein the transmitter is user-programmable such that a first of the switches causes the transmitter to send a first wireless control signal and a second of the switches causes the transmitter to send second and third wireless control signals simultaneously or in sequence.

18. The transmitter of claim 10, wherein the means for transmitting a wireless signal is configured to transmit the plurality of wireless control signals in the radio frequency range.

19. A method for training a transmitter for a wireless control system to wirelessly control a plurality of remote electronic systems based upon a single event, comprising:

receiving a request from a user to begin training a plurality of wireless control signals to be associated with a single event;

receiving the single event;

receiving a first wireless control signal having a first data code;

identifying and storing the first data code on the first wireless control;

associating the first wireless control with the single event, whereby the wireless control system can wirelessly control a first remote electronic system by transmitting the first data code of the first wireless control in response to the single event;

receiving a second wireless control having a second data code;

identifying and storing the second data code on the second wireless control;

associating the second wireless control with the single event, whereby the wireless control system can wirelessly control a second remote electronic system by transmitting the second data code of the second wireless control in response to the single event; and

receiving an end training signal.

20. The method of claim 19, further including storing the first and second data code in memory.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the request to begin training is received via a pushbutton.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving an indication from the user as to which of a plurality of wireless control signals is to be transmitted based on the location of the vehicle.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the wireless controls are within in the radio frequency range.