METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING ACCESSORY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS

• US 20110295463A1
• Filed: 08/09/2011
• Published: 12/01/2011
• 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 8,285,446 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• 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

An aftermarket steering wheel control includes a housing that includes a user-operable switch and a control module. The control module is configured to determine whether the user-operable switch has been operated, generate a data frame corresponding to a control signal for operating a vehicle component, and transmit the data frame to a receiver of a control signal interface. Another aftermarket steering wheel control includes a housing with a user-operable switch and a circuit with an output line. The output line is connected to the switch and further connected to a control signal interface. Operation of the user-operable switch changes a resistance on the at least one output line, and the control signal interface is configured to convert the resistance to a control signal for operating a vehicle component.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A system for providing control signals to a vehicle component, the system comprising:

a control signal interface including

(i) an input unit configured to receive control signals,

(ii) a signal processing unit configured to determine control commands based on control signals received by the input unit, and

(iii) an output unit configured to transmit signals containing control commands; and

an aftermarket steering wheel control including a fixed housing mounted to a steering wheel of the vehicle, the fixed housing having at least one user-operable switch,

wherein the aftermarket steering wheel control is communicatively coupled to the input unit of the control signal interface.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein the control signal interface is configured to automatically detect a configuration of the aftermarket steering wheel control by

(i) performing a measurement on the aftermarket steering wheel control, and

(ii) identifying a control signal configuration of the aftermarket steering wheel control, and

wherein the control signal interface is further configured to configure itself based on the control signal configuration of the first vehicle component and the control signal configuration of the second vehicle component.

23. A system according to claim 22, the system further comprising an aftermarket entertainment component communicatively coupled to the output unit of the control signal interface.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein the control signal interface is configured to automatically detect a configuration of the aftermarket entertainment component by

(i) performing a measurement on the aftermarket entertainment component, and

(ii) identifying a control signal configuration of the aftermarket entertainment component, and

wherein the control signal interface is further configured to configure itself based on the control signal configuration of the aftermarket entertainment component.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein the control signal interface includes a wireless reception unit communicatively coupled to the input unit of the control signal interface, and wherein the aftermarket steering wheel control further comprises:

(i) an antenna, and

(ii) a control module configured to determine whether the at least one user-operable switch has been operated, generate a data frame corresponding to a control signal, and wirelessly transmit the data frame through the antenna, and

wherein the aftermarket steering wheel control is communicatively coupled to the input unit through the wireless reception unit.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein the control module wirelessly transmits the data frame to the wireless reception unit by modulating a carrier wave.

27. A system according claim 26, wherein the aftermarket entertainment component is electrically connected to the output unit of the control signal interface.

28. A system for providing control signals to a vehicle component, the system comprising:

a control signal interface including

(i) an input unit configured to receive control signals,

(ii) a signal processing unit configured to determine control commands based on control signals received by the input unit, and

(iii) an output unit configured to transmit signals containing control commands; and

an aftermarket steering wheel control including a fixed housing mounted to a steering column of a vehicle, the fixed housing having at least one user-operable switch,

wherein the aftermarket steering wheel control is electrically connected to the input unit of the control signal interface.

29. A system according to claim 28,

wherein the control signal interface is configured to automatically detect a configuration of the aftermarket steering wheel control by

(i) performing a measurement on the aftermarket steering wheel control, and

(ii) identifying a control signal configuration of the aftermarket steering wheel control, and

wherein the control signal interface is further configured to configure itself based on the control signal configuration of the aftermarket steering wheel control.

30. A system according to claim 29, wherein the vehicle component further comprises an aftermarket entertainment component communicatively coupled to the output unit of the control signal interface.

31. A system according to claim 30,

wherein the control signal interface is configured to automatically detect a configuration of the aftermarket entertainment component by

(i) performing a measurement on the aftermarket entertainment component, and

(ii) identifying a control signal configuration of the aftermarket entertainment component, and

wherein the control signal interface is further configured to configure itself based on the control signal configuration of the aftermarket entertainment component.

32. A system according to claim 31,

wherein the aftermarket steering wheel control further includes a circuit with at least one output line,

wherein the output line is electrically connected to the input unit of the control signal interface,

wherein operation of the at least one user-operable switch changes a resistance on the at least one output line, and

wherein the control signal interface is configured to convert the resistance to a control signal.

33. A system according claim 32,

wherein the aftermarket entertainment component is electrically connected to the output unit of the control signal interface.