Method and system for vehicle control using walkie-talkie type cellular phone

• US 20050190041A1
• Filed: 03/01/2004
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anil K. Sahai
• Original Assignee: Anil K. Sahai
• Inventors: Sahai, Anil K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,091,825 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• 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: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication

Abstract

The present invention is a method and system for controlling vehicle functions using a walkie-type cellular phone. A cellular phone is used to make a walkie-talkie type connection with a device disposed within a vehicle. The cellular phone sends a message to a receiver of the device disposed with the vehicle. The message instructs the device on how to control the vehicle. The device is electrically connected to one or more vehicle controls of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for remotely controlling vehicle functions using a cell phone, comprising:

activating a walkie-talkie mode on the cell phone;

selecting a vehicle function to be controlled on a vehicle;

sending a message from the cell phone to a receiver associated with the vehicle;

receiving the message at the receiver associated with the vehicle;

activating the vehicle function on the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle function is a vehicle light function.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle function is a vehicle lock function.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle function is an ignition function.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle function is a trunk release function.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle function is a vehicle alarm function.

7. A system for remotely controlling vehicle functions using a cell phone, comprising:

a vehicle;

at least one cell phone adapted to establish walkie-talkie type connections;

a receiver unit disposed within the vehicle, the receiver unit comprising a receiver adapted to receiver walkie-talkie communications from the at least one cell phone, an intelligent control operatively connected to the receiver for receiving vehicle function control messages, the intelligent control operatively connected to one or more vehicle controls such that the intelligent control is adapted to control the vehicle functions.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the intelligent control is programmed to control a vehicle light function.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the intelligent control is programmed to control a vehicle lock function.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the intelligent control is programmed to control an ignition function.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein the intelligent control is programmed to control a trunk release function.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein the intelligent control is programmed to control a vehicle alarm function.