SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHORT-RANGE COMMUNICATION FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20100240307A1
• Filed: 08/24/2007
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Vanlente, Paul S., Witkowski, Todd R., Geerlings, Steven L., Shearer, Carl L., Trainor, James E., Sims, Michael J., Ringold, Ted W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,165,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.300
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control

Abstract

A system for communicating information and/or instructions includes a transmitter and receiver configured for wireless communication with a user interface. The information and/or instructions may be audibly communicated to the user. The system includes voice activation and controls. The wireless communication may utilize Bluetooth communication protocol.

Claims

1. A method of providing audible information related to a vehicle system for use in a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving a command to provide audible information related to the vehicle system;

transmitting data related to audible information using a transmitter configured to send the data via a short-range communication protocol based on the command;

receiving the data transmitted by the transmitter using a receiver configured to be in communication with the transmitter; and

at least one of playing and displaying audible information based on the data received by the receiver using a user interface configured to be in communication with the receiver.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle system comprises a wireless control system configured to wirelessly control an electronic device remote from the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a garage door opener, a security system, a lighting module, a home control module, a gate opener, a remote vehicle system and a computer system.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the short-range communication protocol is Bluetooth.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes at least one of a hands-free system, a display, an audio circuit, a cell phone and a personal data assistant.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

controlling the system using voice-activated controls.

2-6. -6. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

13. A method of providing audible information related to a wireless control system, the method comprising:

receiving audible information related to the wireless control system;

providing the audible information to a memory unit included in the wireless control system; and

providing a user interface configured to play the audible information downloaded to the memory unit.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the audible information includes at least one of voice prompts and user instructions.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising at least one of:

prompting a user to play the audible information; and

prompting the user to display the audible information.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the wireless control system comprises a trainable transmitter that is trainable to wirelessly control an electronic device remote from the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a garage door opener, a security system, a lighting module, a home control module, a gate opener and a computer system.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

controlling the wireless control system using voice-activated controls.

19-26. -26. (canceled)

27. A vehicle system for use in a vehicle and configured to communicate information to an electronic module, the vehicle system comprising:

a wireless control system;

a memory configured to store audible information associated with the wireless control system;

a transmitter provided in a vehicle, coupled to the wireless control system, and configured for short-range wireless communication, wherein the transmitter is configured to send data related to the audible information;

a receiver configured to communicate with the transmitter to transfer the data; and

a user interface coupled to the receiver and configured to play audible information related to operation of the wireless control system based on the data received by the receiver.

28. The vehicle system of claim 27, wherein the audible information includes at least one of voice prompts and user instructions for the wireless control system.

31. The vehicle system of claim 27, wherein the wireless control system comprises a trainable transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate with an electronic device remote from the vehicle.

32. The vehicle system of claim 31, wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a garage door opener, a security system, a lighting module, a home control module, a gate opener and a computer system.

33. The vehicle system of claim 31, wherein the trainable transmitter is configured to communicate with the electronic device via Bluetooth.

34. The vehicle system of claim 27, wherein the short-range communication protocol is a Bluetooth protocol.

35. The vehicle system of claim 27, wherein the user interface includes at least one of a hands-free system, a display, an audio circuit, a cell phone and a personal data assistant.

36. The vehicle system of claim 27, wherein the vehicle system includes voice-activated controls for the vehicle system.

29-30. -30. (canceled)