MEDIUM RANGE VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

• US 20120172010A1
• Filed: 12/30/2010
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: OMAN, TODD P., HE, XINHUA (SAM)
• Application Number:
  US12/981,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20120172010A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A communication system for communicating with a vehicle via a wireless personal communication device such as a smart phone. The communication system uses medium-range transceivers to extend the effective range of the communication system. A communication device accessory that includes a portable medium-range RF transceiver is coupled to the wireless personal communication device so that power for the portable medium-range RF transceiver can be drawn from the wireless personal communication device. The communication device accessory is electrically coupled to the wireless personal communication device via a wired connection that provides at least a wired electrical power connection and optionally a wired data connection between the communication device accessory and the wireless personal communication device.

Claims

1. A communication system for communicating with a vehicle comprising:

an in-vehicle telematics unit configured to determine vehicle data and control operation of a vehicle device, said in-vehicle telematics unit equipped with an in-vehicle medium-range RF transceiver;

a wireless personal communication device carried by an operator of the vehicle; and

a communication device accessory detachably coupled and electrically connected to the wireless personal communication device in a manner effective to receive electrical power from the wireless personal communication device, said communication device accessory equipped with a portable medium-range RF transceiver configured to communicate directly with the in-vehicle medium-range RF transceiver such that the wireless personal communication device can communicate directly with the in-vehicle telematics unit in a manner effective for the wireless personal communication device to display the vehicle data and control operation of the vehicle device.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the communication device accessory is electrically coupled to the wireless personal communication device via a wired connection that provides a power connection and a data connection between the communication device accessory and the wireless personal communication device.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the communication device accessory further comprises a near field communications device.

4. The system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the near field communications device is electrically coupled to the wireless personal communication device.

5. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the communication device accessory further comprises a secondary battery.

6. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the communication device accessory further comprises a secondary charging means.

7. A wireless personal communication device accessory comprising:

a frame configured to detachably couple and electrically connect the accessory to a wireless personal communication device in a manner effective to receive electrical power from the wireless personal communication device;

a portable medium-range RF transceiver configured to communicate directly with an in-vehicle medium-range RF transceiver such that the wireless personal communication device can communicate directly with an in-vehicle telematics unit in a manner effective for the wireless personal communication device to display the vehicle data and control operation of the vehicle device.

8. The communication device accessory in accordance with claim 7, wherein the communication device accessory is electrically coupled to the wireless personal communication device via a wired connection that provides a power connection and a data connection between the communication device accessory and the wireless personal communication device.

9. The communication device accessory in accordance with claim 7, wherein the communication device accessory further comprises a near field communications device.

10. The communication device accessory in accordance with claim 9, wherein the near field communications device is electrically coupled to the wireless personal communication device.

11. The communication device accessory in accordance with claim 7, wherein the communication device accessory further comprises a secondary battery.

12. The communication device accessory in accordance with claim 7, wherein the communication device accessory is further configured to cooperate with a secondary charging means.