System and method for wireless control of multiple remote electronic systems

• US 20070063814A1
• Filed: 11/20/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Wright, Thomas, Olson, Thomas, Blaker, David, Benson, Michael, Geerlings, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,049,595 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.610
• 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

An in-vehicle transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems is described. The transmitter includes a memory configured to store a plurality of wireless control code for the plurality of remote electronic systems. The plurality of wireless control code includes a first code to control the operation of a first remote electronic system and a second code different than the first code to control the operation of a second remote electronic system. The transmitter further includes a control circuit mounted to a vehicle interior element configured, in response to operator actuation of one switch, so that the transmitter provides a first wireless control signal having the first code and a second wireless control signal having the second code.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems, the transmitter comprising:

a memory configured to store a plurality of wireless control code for the plurality of remote electronic systems, wherein the plurality of wireless control code comprises a first code to control the operation of a first remote electronic system and a second code different than the first code to control the operation of a second remote electronic system; and

a control circuit mounted to a vehicle interior element configured, in response to operator actuation of one switch, so that the transmitter provides a first wireless control signal having the first code and a second wireless control signal having the second code.

2. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first code and second code is a rolling code.

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 operator actuation of the one switch includes configuring the control circuit to determine whether the transmitter is within a predetermined proximity of the remote electronic system.

4. The transmitter of claim 3, wherein the control circuit is user-programmable such that the one 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 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 operator actuation of the one switch.

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 is configured to transmit the plurality of wireless control signals in the radio frequency range.

10. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to command the transmitter to transmit the first wireless control signal at a first frequency and to transmit the second wireless control signal at a second frequency that is different than the first frequency.

11. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the operator actuation of the one switch is a single actuation of the one switch.

12. An in-vehicle transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems, the transmitter comprising:

a memory configured to store data for generating wireless control signals; and

a control circuit mounted to a vehicle interior element configured, in response to operator actuation of one switch, so that the transmitter provides a first wireless control signal and a second wireless control signal, wherein the first wireless control signal is modulated differently than the second wireless control signal.

13. The transmitter of claim 12, wherein operator actuation of one switch configures the control circuit to monitor for a signal indicative that the transmitter is within a predetermined proximity of at least one of the plurality of remote electronic systems.

14. The transmitter of claim 13, wherein the control circuit is further configured for commanding the transmitter to send a first wireless control signal having a first wireless control code, receiving 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 wireless control code different than the first wireless control code based on receipt of the location signal.

15. The transmitter of claim 12, further comprising a vehicle interior element coupled to the transmitter, wherein the transmitter is configured for mounting in a vehicle interior.

16. The transmitter of claim 15, wherein the vehicle interior element is an overhead console, a visor, or an instrument panel.

17. The transmitter of claim 12, wherein the control circuit is further configured for the user to program which of the wireless control signals are to be transmitted in response to the operator actuation of one switch.

18. The transmitter of claim 12, 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.

19. The transmitter of claim 12, wherein the control circuit is further configured for transmitting a wireless signal is configured to transmit the plurality of wireless control signals in the radio frequency range.

20. A method for training a transmitter for a wireless control system in a vehicle to wirelessly control a plurality of remote electronic systems based upon a single event, the method 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 at the in-vehicle wireless control system, a first wireless control signal having a first wireless control code;

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

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

receiving at the in-vehicle wireless control system, a second wireless control signal having a second wireless control code;

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

associating the second wireless control signal with the single event, whereby the in-vehicle wireless control system can wirelessly control a second remote electronic system by transmitting the second wireless control code of the second wireless control signal in response to the single event.

21. The method of claim 20, further including storing the first and second wireless control code in memory.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the request to begin training is received via a pushbutton.

23. The method of claim 20, 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.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the wireless control signals are within in the radio frequency range.