Installation and maintenance method and system for maintaining a control module for remote starter and alarm system for vehicles

• US 20060156298A1
• Filed: 01/10/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Byung Woo Min, Jim Speers
• Original Assignee: Byung Woo Min, Jim Speers
• Inventors: Speers, Jim, Min, Byung Woo
• Granted Patent: US 7,327,228 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment

Abstract

An installation and maintenance method for maintaining a control module for remote starter and alarm system for vehicles includes the steps of plugging in a signal converter onto the control module, establishing an electronic connection between the control module and a first information processing device, obtaining a control information for the control module, and applying the control information on the control module. The signal converter includes a serial to wireless converter and the first information processing device includes a personal digital assistant (PDA). The method can further includes the steps of establishing a connection between the first information processing device and a second information processing device through a communication network and downloading an information from the second information processing device. A remote installation and maintenance system includes an information processing device, a communication network, and a server. The system installs and maintains the control module of the system.

Claims

1. An installation and maintenance method for maintaining a control module for remote starter and alarm system for vehicles, comprising the steps of:

a) establishing an electronic connection between the control module and a first information processing device;

b) obtaining a control information for the control module; and

c) applying the control information on the control module.

2. The installation and maintenance method of claim 1 further comprising the step of plugging in a signal converter onto the control module.

3. The installation and maintenance method of claim 2, wherein the signal converter comprises a serial to wireless converter.

4. The installation and maintenance method of claim 3, wherein the first information processing device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a personal computer.

5. The installation and maintenance method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining a control information comprises the step of retrieving the control information from the first information processing device.

6. The installation and maintenance method of claim 5, wherein the control information comprises firmware and/or software for the control module.

7. The installation and maintenance method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying the control information on the control module comprises a step of installing the control information on the control module.

8. The installation and maintenance method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying the control information on the control module comprises a step of performing a test routine on the control module.

9. The installation and maintenance method of claim 1, further comprising a step of disengaging the electronic connection between the control module and the first information processing device.

10. The installation and maintenance method of claim 1, wherein the step of installing the control information on the control module comprises the steps of checking the version and the compatibility of the control information.

11. The installation and maintenance method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining a control information comprises the steps of:

a) establishing a connection between the first information processing device and a second information processing device through a communication network; and

b) downloading an information from the second information processing device.

12. The installation and maintenance method of claim 11, wherein the second information processing device comprises a server, wherein the communication network comprises an internet.

13. The installation and maintenance method of claim 11, wherein the first information processing device verifies the operation of input and output functions of the control module.

14. The installation and maintenance method of claim 13, wherein the first information processing device provides operating modes of test-and-debug, option programming, and firmware-and-software upgrades.

15. The installation and maintenance method of claim 14, wherein the mode of test-and-debug allows monitoring the status of the inputs to the control module.

16. The installation and maintenance method of claim 15, wherein the status of the inputs to the control module comprises information on opening parts, braking parts, and ignition parts of the vehicle.

17. The installation and maintenance method of claim 16, wherein the inputs further comprise information on a safe start device and an alarm.

18. The installation and maintenance method of claim 16, wherein the mode of test-and-debug allows controlling the outputs from the control module.

19. The installation and maintenance method of claim 14, wherein the outputs from the control module comprise the information on ignition, starter, accessories, park lights, horn, and ground out when running.

20. The installation and maintenance method of claim 19, wherein the mode of test-and-debug further allows monitoring the tachometer signal and identifying a reliable tachometer signal source on the vehicle.

21. The installation and maintenance method of claim 14, wherein the mode of remote technical support allows a remote technician to perform operations directly on the control module of the vehicle through the communication network and the first and second information processing devices.

22. The installation and maintenance method of claim 21, wherein the control parameters of the control module are adjusted remotely.

23. The installation and maintenance method of claim 22, wherein the outputs comprises information on lock, unlock, park lights, ignition, and horn.

24. The installation and maintenance method of claim 23, wherein the outputs further comprise an information on the tachometer set point.

25. The installation and maintenance method of claim 14, wherein the mode of option programming allows programming the options and features of the system according to the type of vehicle.

26. The installation and maintenance method of claim 25, wherein the options and features are stored as a configuration file either locally in the first information processing device or to the server through the communication network.

27. The installation and maintenance method of claim 26, wherein with the off-connection to the control module, the mode of option programming provides selection routine for passing the control of the mode to the program mode screen, passing the control of the mode to the diagnostics mode and input screen, connecting the system to the control module.

28. The installation and maintenance method of claim 27, wherein the program mode provides error checking and vehicle dependent programming options.

29. The installation and maintenance method of claim 28, wherein with the on-connection to the control module the mode of option programming provides selection routine for retrying to connect in case of unsuccessful connection, passing the control of the mode to the diagnostics mode and input screen, connecting the system to the control module.

30. The installation and maintenance method of claim 29, wherein in the diagnostic mode and input screen the control module provides the processing device with the status options about the opening parts, braking parts, starting parts, and safety parts.

31. A remote installation and maintenance system, wherein the system installs and maintains for remote starter and alarm system for vehicles, wherein the remote starter and alarm system comprises a control module, the remote installation and maintenance system comprising:

a) an information processing device;

b) a communication network; and

c) a server,

wherein the information processing device is for connecting the control module in the vehicle and the server through the communication network, control, and program the flow of the information in-between.

32. The remote installation and maintenance system of claim 31 further comprising a serial to wireless converter installable to the control module, wherein the serial to wireless converter enables the information processing device to communicate with the control module.