SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATION OF REMOTE FEATURES FROM AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE

• US 20050030195A1
• Filed: 08/05/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Nedorezov, Felix
• Granted Patent: US 6,982,626 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.690
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link

Abstract

A system (12) for activating a remotely controlled device (14) from an automotive vehicle (10) includes a key pad (24) that generates a first coded signal. A transmitter controller (20) is coupled to the key pad (24) and receives the first coded signal and generates a control signal in response to the first coded signal.

Claims

1. A system for operating a remote device from an automotive vehicle comprising:

a keypad generating a first coded signal; and

a transmitter controller coupled to the keypad receiving the first coded signal and generating a wireless control signal for operating the remote device in response to the first coded signal.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first coded signal corresponds to a combination of buttons.

3. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the controller is coupled to the keypad through a multiplex bus.

4. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the transmitter controller comprises a memory storing a plurality of code signals associated with a plurality of control signals.

5. A system as recited in claim 4 wherein the memory comprises a non-volatile memory.

6. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a service connector for receiving a reset for clearing the memory.

7. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second keypad for generating the first coded signal.

8. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the keypad comprises a radio key pad.

9. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the keypad comprises a stand-alone keypad.

10. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the keypad comprises a keyless entry keypad.

11. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the transmitter comprises a bus interface coupled to the memory, an enable logic comparing the first coded signal to codes stored in the memory.

12. A system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a bus;

a keypad coupling a first coded signal to the bus; and

a transmitter controller coupled to the bus for receiving the first coded signal, said transmitter comprising a memory and enabling logic, said enabling logic determining a control signal corresponding to the first coded signal, said transmitter controller comprising a transmitter generating a wireless signal corresponding to said control signal.

13. A system as recited in claim 12 further comprising a power source and an ignition lock having an ignition lock status, said first coded signal enabling the transmitter without regard to the ignition lock status.

14. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the keypad comprises a radio key pad.

15. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the keypad comprises a stand-alone keypad.

16. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the keypad comprises a keyless entry keypad.

17. A method of operating a remotely controlled device using a transmitter of an automotive vehicle comprising;

generating a first coded signal corresponding to a combination of buttons from a keypad coupled to the vehicle;

determining a control signal corresponding to the first coded signal when the first coded signal is stored in memory; and

transmitting a wireless control signal corresponding to the first coded signal from a transmitter of the vehicle.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 further comprising programming enabling the system by entering a program code;

entering a new code and corresponding frequency into the memory.

19. A method as recited in claim 17 further comprising resetting the memory through a service connector.

20. A method as recited in claim 17 further comprising entering a disable code;

and

disabling the system.