METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF STEERING WHEEL CONTROL SIGNALS

• US 20110046788A1
• Filed: 08/21/2009
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Circuit Works, Inc., Metra Electronics
• Original Assignee: Circuit Works, Inc., Metra Electronics
• Inventors: Daly, Charles David, Jones, William H. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,214,105 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/275
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25068 Check correct configuration of device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/00 Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled logic circuits H03K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control

Abstract

A method for automatically detecting a control signal configuration of a vehicle component includes making a connection to a channel of the component, performing an electrical measurement on the channel, and identifying a control signal configuration based upon the measurement. A method for sending control signals from one vehicle component to another includes making a connection on a channel of one component, making a connection to a channel of the other component, performing electrical measurements on the channels, identifying control signal configurations based upon the measurements, and configuring a control signal interface. A control signal interface includes an input unit, a signal processing unit, and an output unit. The input and output units each can connect to a channel of a vehicle component and perform an electrical measurement. The signal processing unit can determine control commands based upon control signals.

Claims

1. A method for automatically detecting a control signal configuration of a vehicle component, the method comprising:

making a connection to at least one channel of the vehicle component;

performing an electrical measurement on the at least one channel; and

identifying the control signal configuration based upon the performed electrical measurement.

2. A method according to claim 1, the method further comprising configuring a control signal interface based upon the identified control signal configuration.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle component is a steering wheel control component.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle component is an aftermarket entertainment component.

5. A method for sending control signals from a first vehicle component to a second vehicle component, the method comprising:

making a connection to at least one channel of the first vehicle component;

making a connection to at least one channel of the second vehicle component;

performing a first electrical measurement on the at least one channel of the first vehicle component;

performing a second electrical measurement on the at least one channel of the second vehicle component;

identifying a control signal configuration of the first vehicle component based upon the first electrical measurement;

identifying a control signal configuration of the second vehicle component based upon the second electrical measurement;

configuring a control signal interface based upon at least one of the control signal configuration of the first vehicle component and the control signal configuration of the second vehicle component.

6. A method according to claim 5, the method further comprising:

receiving at the control signal interface a signal from the first vehicle component; and

determining a control command according to the signal;

transmitting to the second vehicle component a signal from the control signal interface,

wherein the signal transmitted from the control signal interface is based upon the control command.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the first vehicle component is a steering wheel component and the second vehicle component is an aftermarket entertainment component.

8. A control signal interface comprising:

an input unit electrically connectable to at least one channel of a first vehicle component, the input unit being configured to perform an electrical measurement on the at least one channel of the first vehicle component, and the input unit further being configured to receive control signals from the first vehicle component;

a signal processing unit configured to determine control commands based upon control signals received by the input unit;

an output unit electrically connectable to at least one channel of a second vehicle component, the output unit being configured to perform an electrical measurement on the at least one channel of the second vehicle component, and the output unit further being configured to transmit signals to the second vehicle component,

wherein signals transmitted to the second vehicle component are based upon control commands determined by the signal processing unit.

9. A control signal interface according to claim 8, wherein the first vehicle component is a steering wheel component and the second vehicle component is an aftermarket entertainment component.

10. A control signal interface according to claim 9, wherein the signal processing unit provides information to the output unit, and

wherein the information allows signals transmitted to the second vehicle component to be based upon control commands determined by the signal processing unit.

11. A control signal interface according to claim 9, wherein the input unit provides information to the signal processing unit, and

wherein the information allows the signal processing unit to determine control commands based upon control signals received by the input unit.

12. A control signal interface according to claim 9, wherein the output unit provides information to the signal processing unit, and

wherein the information allows signals transmitted to the second vehicle component to be recognized by the second vehicle component.