Programmable vehicle accessory features

• US 20050085965A1
• Filed: 02/18/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Clark, Steven L., Smith, Laura A., Kukucka, Richard J., Witalec, James M., Strausbaugh, Karen M., Issa, Nabil M.
• Application Number:
  US10/780,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20050085965A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/654 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A programmable vehicle accessory service allows a user to configure vehicle accessories. The user enters configuration data at an application. The application may be located at a personal computer, laptop, mobile telephone, or other device. The configuration data is transmitted to a remotely located server or controller. The controller processes the configuration data and generates vehicle accessory parameters according to the configuration data. The controller transmits the parameters to a module located in the vehicle. The module converts the parameters to a proper vehicle bus communication format and adjusts vehicle accessories according to the parameters. Additionally, the controller may transmit the parameters to a user device such as a laptop, mobile telephone, or personal data assistant. The user uploads the parameters from the user device to the module.

Claims

1. A programmable vehicle accessory service for a vehicle comprising:

an application that receives configuration data from a user;

a controller remotely located from the vehicle that receives the configuration data from the application and generates vehicle accessory parameters based on the configuration data; and

a module located in the vehicle that receives the vehicle accessory parameters from the controller and adjusts vehicle accessories according to the vehicle accessory parameters.

2. The service according to claim 1 wherein the application is located on at least one of an Internet site, a laptop, a mobile phone, and a personal data assistant.

3. The service according to claim 1 wherein the configuration data defines preferences of the user.

4. The service according to claim 1 wherein the configuration data is audio data.

5. The service according to claim 4 wherein the controller compresses the audio data.

6. The service according to claim 4 wherein the module adjusts a turn signal sound according to the audio data.

7. A programmable vehicle accessory service for a vehicle comprising:

an application that receives configuration data from a user;

a controller remotely located from the vehicle that receives the configuration data from the application and generates vehicle accessory parameters based on the configuration data;

a user device that receives the vehicle accessory parameters from the controller; and

a module located in the vehicle that receives the vehicle accessory parameters from the user device and adjusts vehicle accessories according to the vehicle accessory parameters.

8. The service according to claim 7 wherein the application is located on at least one of an Internet site, a laptop, a mobile phone, and a personal data assistant.

9. The service according to claim 7 wherein the configuration data defines preferences of the user.

10. The service according to claim 7 wherein the configuration data is audio data.

11. The service according to claim 10 wherein the controller compresses the audio data.

12. The service according to claim 10 wherein the module adjusts a turn signal sound according to the audio data.

13. The service according to claim 7 wherein the user device is at least one of a laptop, a mobile phone, and a personal data assistant.

14. A method for customizing vehicle accessory features in a vehicle comprising:

receiving configuration data from a user at an application;

transmitting the configuration data to a controller that is remotely located from the vehicle;

generating vehicle accessory parameters according to the configuration data at the controller;

transmitting the vehicle accessory parameters to a module in the vehicle; and

adjusting vehicle accessories according to the vehicle accessory parameters at the module.

15. A method for customizing vehicle accessory features in a vehicle comprising:

receiving configuration data from a user at an application;

transmitting the configuration data to a controller that is remotely located from the vehicle;

generating vehicle accessory parameters according to the configuration data at the controller;

transmitting the vehicle accessory parameters to a user device;

uploading the vehicle accessory parameters from the user device to a module in the vehicle; and

adjusting vehicle accessories according to the vehicle accessory parameters at the module.