Remote control system configured for use with automobile remote keyless entry

• US 20070182582A1
• Filed: 05/25/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Booher Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Booher Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: O'Cull, Larry, Booher, Cory
• Granted Patent: US 8,427,277 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.690
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A device remote control system configured for use with an automobile remote keyless entry is disclosed herein. The device is specifically configured for use in association with a remote keyless entry key fob. The key fob is operable to transmit at least one automobile instruction signal, such as a door lock signal, door unlock signal, trunk release signal, or other automobile instruction signal. The device comprises a receiver, a processor, and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to receive the automobile instruction signal transmitted by the key fob and deliver the signal to the processor. The processor analyzes the signal and determines whether it is an appropriate signal indicating that a device such as a garage door should be opened or closed. The transmitter is configured to transmit a device operation signal in response to the processor when the processor indicates that the device should be operated.

Claims

1. A receiver device configured for use in association with a key fob of a automobile remote keyless entry system, the key fob operable to transmit at least one automobile instruction signal, the device comprising:

a) a receiver configured to receive the automobile instruction signal transmitted by the key fob; and

b) a transmitter configured to transmit a device operation signal to a non-automotive remotely controlled device in response to the received automobile instruction signal.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a processor operable to recognize the received automobile instruction signal and instruct the transmitter to transmit the device operation signal.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the processor is further operable to identify the received automobile instruction signal as associated with the key fob.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein further comprising a memory configured to retain data associated with the at least one automobile instruction signal.

5. The device of claim 4 further comprising a processor configured to compare the data associated with the at least one automobile instruction signal and the received automobile instruction signal in order to determine whether a received signal is associated with the key fob.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the transmitter transmits the device operation signal only after the automobile instruction signal has been received for a predetermined period of time.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the transmitter transmits the device operation signal only after the automobile instruction signal has been received a predetermined number of times over a predetermined period.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the automobile instruction signal is a door lock signal.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the device operation signal wirelessly.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the device operation signal over a wire.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the device operation signal is a switch control signal.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the device operation signal over a wire.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the non-automotive remotely controlled device is a garage door opener.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the non-automotive remotely controlled device is a light.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the non-automotive remotely controlled device is a switch.

16. A receiver device configured for use in association with a key fob of a automobile remote keyless entry system and a non-automotive remotely controlled device, the key fob operable to transmit at least one automobile instruction signal having signature data, the receiver device comprising:

a) a memory configured to store the signature data for the at least one automobile instruction signal; and

b) a processor configured to identify a received signal as the automobile instruction signal based on a comparison of the signature data for the received signal and the stored signature data for the automobile instruction signal, the processor further operable to deliver a control signal for the non-automotive remotely controlled device upon identification of the received signal as the automobile instruction signal.

17. The receiver device of claim 16 wherein the stored signature data for the at least one automobile instruction signal comprises frequency data for the at one automobile instruction signal.

18. The receiver device of claim 16 wherein the signature data for the at least one automobile instruction signal comprises one or more of a bit rate timing, a preamble data format, a preamble size, a header data format, a header size, or gaps in a data bit stream.

19. The receiver data of claim 16 wherein the signature data for the at least one automobile instruction signal comprises audio spectrum data for the at least one automobile instruction signal.

20. A method of controlling a non-automotive remotely controlled device using a key fob configured to transmit an automotive instruction signal, the method comprising:

a) receiving the automotive instruction signal transmitted from the key fob;

b) identifying the received automotive instruction signal; and

c) transmitting a control signal for the non-automotive remotely controlled device following identification of the received automotive instruction signal.