WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20130130626A1
• Filed: 01/22/2013
• Published: 05/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kurt A. Dykema, Mark L. Zeinstra, Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski
• Original Assignee: Todd R. Witkowski
• Inventors: WITKOWSKI, Todd R., Dykema, Kurt A., Geerlings, Steven L., Zeinstra, Mark L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,897,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10386 the interrogation device being of the portable or hand-handheld type, e.g. incorporated in ubiquitous hand-held devices such as PDA or mobile phone, or in the form of a portable dedicated RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/26 at least one of which is mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2609 Arrangements for range control, e.g. by using remote antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/44 for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A system in a vehicle for use with a portable device, the portable device having phone capability and a first radio frequency transceiver, the portable device being capable of being in communication with the system using the first radio frequency transceiver via a wireless link according to a Bluetooth standard, the vehicle including a microphone and speaker, wherein the microphone is for receiving a number or a command spoken by an occupant for a phone call,

wherein the speaker provides sound to the occupant, the system comprising:

a first interface for electrically coupling to the microphone;

a second interface for being in communication with the speaker; and

a second radio frequency transceiver physically coupled to the vehicle and electrically coupled to the first interface and the second interface, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to receive a first electronic signal representing the number or the command from the first interface and to provide a second electronic signal to the second interface, and wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to provide a first radio frequency signal representing the number or the command to the portable device via the radio frequency wireless link, wherein the second electronic signal is related to the sound, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to receive a second radio frequency signal representative of the second electronic signal and provided from the first radio frequency transceiver, whereby the portable device calls the number or operates according to the command.

22. A system for communicating information from an electronic device to an occupant of a vehicle, wherein a first radio frequency transceiver is integrated with the electronic device and configured to operate in accordance with a Bluetooth wireless communications protocol, the vehicle including a vehicle audio system, a vehicle display system, or both the vehicle audio system and the vehicle display system, the system comprising:

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to communicate the information with the first radio frequency transceiver, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to provide the information received from the first radio frequency transceiver to the vehicle audio system, the vehicle display system, or to both the vehicle display system and the vehicle audio system, wherein the information is personal calendar information, e-mail message information, or telephone directory information.

23. A system for converting text information from an electronic device to audio information and communicating the audio information to an occupant of a vehicle, wherein a first radio frequency transceiver is integrated with the electronic device and configured to operate in accordance with a wireless communications protocol, the vehicle including a vehicle audio system, the system comprising:

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and configured to receive the text information from the first radio frequency transceiver; and

a text-to-speech module mounted in the vehicle, the text-to-speech module configured to receive the text information from the second radio frequency transceiver, the text-to-speech module configured to convert the text information to the audio information;

wherein one of the second radio frequency transceiver, the text-to-speech module, or both the second radio frequency transceiver and the text-to-speech module communicates the audio information to the vehicle audio system.

24. A system for transferring diagnostics information from a vehicle to a diagnostic instrument located external the vehicle, wherein a first radio frequency transceiver is associated with the diagnostic instrument and is configured to operate in accordance with a Bluetooth wireless communications protocol, the vehicle including a vehicle interface system for receiving the diagnostics information from a vehicle electronic control module or a vehicle sensor, the system comprising:

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and configured to operate in accordance with the Bluetooth wireless communications protocol, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to receive the diagnostics information from the vehicle interface system and to wirelessly transfer the diagnostics information to the diagnostic instrument.

25. A system for communicating information between an assembly line monitoring system and a vehicle during an assembly process, wherein a first radio frequency transceiver is associated with the assembly line monitoring system and configured to operate in accordance with a wireless communications protocol, the system comprising:

a module mounted in the vehicle and configured to store the information regarding the options that the vehicle is to include once assembled or regarding other equipment characteristics; and

a second radio frequency transceiver integrated with the module, the second radio frequency transceiver configured to communicate the information to the first radio frequency transceiver.

26. A system for transmitting diagnostic information from a vehicle being assembled to a diagnostics computer after a first assembly step has completed and before the vehicle being assembled begins a second assembly step, the diagnostics computer having a first radio frequency transceiver configured to operate according to a wireless communications protocol, the vehicle including an electronic module, the system comprising:

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle, the second radio frequency transceiver being configured to receive the diagnostic information from the electronic module when the first assembly step has completed, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to transmit the diagnostic information to the diagnostics computer prior to the second assembly step.

27. A system for communicating menu information to an occupant of a vehicle from an electronic device external the vehicle, the electronic device including a first radio frequency transceiver configured to operate according to a wireless communications protocol, the vehicle including a vehicle display system, a vehicle audio system, or both the vehicle audio system and the vehicle display system, the system comprising:

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to communicate the menu information with the first radio frequency transceiver, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to provide the menu information received from the first radio frequency transceiver to the vehicle display system, the vehicle audio system, or to both the vehicle display system and the vehicle audio system.

28. A system for allowing an occupant of a vehicle to place an order with an electronic device external the vehicle, the electronic device including a first radio frequency transceiver configured to operate according to a wireless communications protocol, the system comprising:

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to establish a secure datalink with the first radio frequency transceiver, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to provide ordering information to the electronic device via the secure datalink to effect the order.

29. A system for communicating information from a portable electronic device to a vehicle control system, wherein a first radio frequency transceiver is integrated with the portable electronic device and configured to operate in accordance with a Bluetooth wireless communications protocol, the system comprising:

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to communicate with the first radio frequency transceiver in accordance with the Bluetooth communications protocol, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to receive the information from the portable electronic device and to forward the information to the vehicle control system, wherein the vehicle control system is configured to provide a setting to a vehicle subsystem.

30. A portable electronic device for communicating information to, from, or both to and from a computing device, wherein the computing device includes a first radio frequency transceiver configured to operate in accordance with a Bluetooth wireless communications protocol, the device comprising:

a memory configured to store the information; and

a second radio frequency transceiver configured to operate according to the Bluetooth wireless communications protocol, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is further configured to send the information to the memory and to receive the information from the memory;

wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is further configured to communicate the information to, from, or both to and from the computing device once the second radio frequency transceiver has established a wireless communications link with the computing device.

31. A system for communicating digital information from a portable electronic device to a computing device, wherein a first radio frequency transceiver is integrated with the portable electronic device and a second radio frequency transceiver is integrated with the computing device, wherein the first and second radio frequency transceivers are configured to operate in accordance with a Bluetooth wireless communications protocol, the system comprising:

a third radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and configured to operate in accordance with the Bluetooth wireless communications protocol to communicate with the first and second radio frequency transceivers, wherein the third radio frequency transceiver is configured to receive the digital information from the portable electronic device and to transmit the digital information to the computing device, wherein the digital information is related to facsimile information or e-mail information.

32. A system for communicating digital information from a computing device to an electronic device, wherein a first radio frequency transceiver is integrated with the electronic device and a second radio frequency transceiver is integrated with the computing device, wherein the first and second radio frequency transceivers are configured to operate in accordance with a Bluetooth wireless communications protocol, the system comprising:

a third radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and configured to operate in accordance with the Bluetooth wireless communications protocol to communicate with the first and second radio frequency transceivers, wherein the third radio frequency transceiver is configured to receive the digital information from the computing device; and

a memory configured to store the digital information received from the computing device;

wherein the third radio frequency transceiver is further configured to transmit the digital information from the memory to the electronic device, and wherein the digital information is a phone number.

33. A home control system mounted in a vehicle for transmitting a home control signal to at least one receiver located external the vehicle, the receiver configured to respond to the home control signal by causing a home device to be actuated, signaled, and/or activated, the system comprising:

a first radio frequency transceiver configured to transmit the home control signal; and

a second frequency transceiver configured to operate in accordance with a Bluetooth communications protocol and to establish a wireless communications link with a portable electronic device having a third radio frequency transceiver, the second radio frequency transceiver configured to receive a first signal from the third radio frequency transceiver and to cause the second radio frequency transceiver to transmit the home control signal in response to the first signal.

34. A system for communicating vehicle part information from a vehicle to a computer located external the vehicle, the computer including a first radio frequency transceiver configured to operate in accordance with a Bluetooth wireless communications protocol, the system comprising:

a memory device mounted in the vehicle and configured to store a database relating to the vehicle part information; and

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle, the second radio frequency transceiver being configured to receive the vehicle part information from the memory device and to communicate the vehicle part information from the second radio frequency transceiver to the first radio frequency transceiver.

35. A system for communicating vehicle warranty information from a vehicle to a computer located external the vehicle, the computer including a first radio frequency transceiver configured to operate in accordance with a Bluetooth wireless communications protocol, the system comprising:

a memory device mounted in the vehicle and configured to store the vehicle warranty information; and

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle, the second radio frequency transceiver configured to receive the warranty information from the memory device and to communicate the warranty information from the second radio frequency transceiver to the first radio frequency transceiver.

36. A system for communicating a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a vehicle to a computer located external the vehicle, the computer including a first radio frequency transceiver configured to operate in accordance with a Bluetooth wireless communications protocol, the system comprising:

a memory device mounted in the vehicle and configured to store the VIN; and

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle, the second radio frequency transceiver configured to receive the VIN from the memory device and to communicate the VIN from the second radio frequency transceiver to the first radio frequency transceiver.

37. A method for personalizing a vehicle system of a vehicle using personalization information received from a computer located external the vehicle, the computer including a first radio frequency transceiver, the method comprising:

establishing a wireless communications link between a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and the first radio frequency transceiver;

receiving personalization information at the second radio frequency transceiver from the computer via the wireless communications link;

storing the personalization information in a memory device mounted in the vehicle; and

changing an operating parameter of the vehicle system based on the stored personalization information.

38. A method for changing an operating parameter of a vehicle system of a vehicle using operating information received from a computer located external the vehicle, the computer including a first radio frequency transceiver, wherein the computer allows a user to select the operating information relating to the operating parameters of the vehicle system via a website, the method comprising:

receiving the operating information with a second radio frequency transceiver mounted to the vehicle; and

changing the operating parameter of the vehicle system based on the received operating information.

39. A method for changing an operating parameter of a vehicle system of a vehicle using operating information received from a computer located external the vehicle, the computer including a first radio frequency transceiver, wherein the operating information is downloaded to the computer, the method comprising:

receiving the operating information with a second radio frequency transceiver mounted to the vehicle; and

changing the operating parameter of the vehicle system based on the received operating information.

40. A system for providing information from the Internet to an occupant of a vehicle, the system for use with a computing device configured to receive the information from the Internet via a first communications device, the computing device further including a first radio frequency transceiver, the vehicle including a vehicle display system mounted in the vehicle and configured to provide visual information to the occupant, and a vehicle audio system mounted in the vehicle and configured to provide audio information to the occupant, the system comprising:

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and configured to communicate with the first radio frequency transceiver via a wireless communications link, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to receive the information via the wireless communications link; and

a memory device mounted in the vehicle and configured to receive the information from the second radio frequency transceiver;

wherein the vehicle audio system is configured to provide the audio information based on the information;

wherein the vehicle display system is configured to provide the visual information based on the information; and

wherein the memory device is configured to store the information.

41. A system for communicating information retrieved from the Internet by a computing device to an occupant of a vehicle, the vehicle including a vehicle audio system and/or a vehicle display system, the system comprising:

a user interface mounted in the vehicle and linked for communication with the vehicle display system and/or the vehicle audio system; and

a first radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and in communication with the user interface circuit, wherein the first radio frequency transceiver is configured to receive the information from the computing device via a wireless communications link; and

memory mounted in the vehicle and associated with the vehicle display system and/or vehicle audio system, wherein the memory is configured to store the information after the information is received from the first radio frequency transceiver;

wherein the user interface is configured to allow the occupant of the vehicle to cause the display and/or play back of the information via the vehicle display system and/or the vehicle audio system.

42. A method for communicating information from the Internet to an occupant of a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving the information from the Internet at a computing device;

establishing a high speed wireless communications link between a first radio frequency transceiver associated with the computing device and a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle;

receiving the information at the second radio frequency transceiver from the first radio frequency transceiver;

storing the information received at the second radio frequency transceiver in a memory device mounted in the vehicle; and

playing back the information via a vehicle display system and/or vehicle audio system.

43. A wireless communication system for enabling information relating to a point-of-interest along a route of travel to be communicated to an occupant of a vehicle, wherein the point-of-interest information is communicated to a portable electronic device from a wireless service organization, the portable electronic device including a first radio frequency transceiver, the wireless communications system comprising:

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle, the second radio frequency transceiver configured to establish a wireless communications link with the first radio frequency transceiver;

a global positioning device on-board the vehicle configured to transmit location parameters to the portable electronic device and the wireless service organization via the second radio frequency transceiver and the wireless communications link, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to receive the information from the portable electronic device via the wireless communications link after the location parameters are transmitted to the wireless service organization; and

an interface from the second radio frequency transceiver to a vehicle display system and/or a vehicle audio system, wherein the second radio frequency transceiver is configured to provide the information to the interface for display and/or playback via the vehicle display system and/or the vehicle audio system.

44. A method for providing point-of-interest information to an occupant of a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving location parameters from a positioning device on board the vehicle;

sending the location parameters from a radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle to a wireless service organization via a wireless communications link; and

receiving the point-of-interest information at the radio frequency transceiver, the point-of-interest information relating to the location parameters;

providing the point-of-interest information from the radio frequency transceiver to a vehicle audio system and/or a vehicle display system.

45. A push-based communication system configured to push download information to an occupant of a vehicle, the push-based communication system comprising:

a vehicle-mounted radio frequency transceiver configured to establish a high-speed wireless communications link with a computing device, the computing device configured to connect to a wireless service organization;

wherein the wireless service organization and the computing device are configured to push the download information to the vehicle-mounted radio frequency transceiver;

wherein the vehicle-mounted radio frequency transceiver is further configured to provide the download information to a vehicle display system and/or a vehicle audio system.

46. A method for providing download information from the Internet to a vehicle display system mounted in a vehicle, the method using a website for allowing the download information to be personalized, the method comprising:

receiving the download information at a radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle, the download information from a wireless service organization linked to the Internet; and

transmitting the download information from the radio frequency transceiver to a vehicle display system.

47. A system for receiving personalized information via a wireless communications link from an electronic device located at a point along a road or highway, and communicating the information to an occupant of a vehicle, the vehicle including a vehicle display system, the system comprising:

a radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and configured to establish the wireless communications link with the electronic device, the radio frequency transceiver configured to receive the personalized information, wherein the radio frequency transceiver is further configured to transmit identifying information to the electronic device, wherein the personalized information relates to the point, the identifying information, or the point and the identifying information, wherein the radio frequency transceiver is configured to output the personalized information to the vehicle display system.

48. A system for displaying a subset of map information on a vehicle display system of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and configured to request directions for traveling to a particular destination from an electronic system via a wireless data communication link, wherein the electronic system is linked to an Internet-based information source configured to generate the map information in response to the request, wherein the electronic system is configured to send the map information to the radio frequency transceiver in response to the request, wherein the radio frequency transceiver is further configured to receive the map information sent by the electronic system; and

a memory configured to store the map information received by the radio frequency transceiver prior to the display of the map information on the vehicle display system.

49. A system for retrieving map information in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a control panel mounted within the vehicle and configured to allow a user to create a request for directions for traveling to a destination;

a first radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and linked for communication with the control panel, the first radio frequency transceiver configured to send the request to a information organization via a wireless communications link with a second radio frequency transceiver; and

a memory configured to store the map information, wherein the map information is transmitted via the wireless communications link to the first radio frequency transceiver and the first radio frequency transceiver provides the map information to the memory.

50. A method for pushing information into a vehicle from a message center, the method comprising:

transmitting the information from the message center to a wireless service organization via the Internet;

transmitting the information from the wireless service organization to an electronic device via a first wireless communications link; and

transmitting the information from the electronic device to a radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle via a second wireless communications link;

wherein the information is stored in a memory, played back using a vehicle audio system, and/or displayed using a vehicle display system once the information is transmitted to the radio frequency transceiver.

51. A system for adjusting a component of a vehicle with a key fob, the key fob including a first radio frequency transceiver, the system comprising:

a second radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle, the second radio frequency transceiver configured to establish a wireless communications link with the first radio frequency transceiver, the second radio frequency transceiver configured to receive a control signal from the key fob via the wireless communications link, the control signal including instructions to adjust the component to a setting;

wherein the setting is based on a preference stored in a memory of the key fob.

52. A system for communicating information from a first portable electronic device and a second portable electronic device to an occupant of a vehicle, the vehicle including a vehicle audio system, a vehicle display system, or both a vehicle audio system and a vehicle display system, the first portable electronic device including a first radio frequency transceiver, the second portable electronic device including a second radio frequency transceiver, the system comprising:

a third radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and configured to establish a first wireless communications link with the first radio frequency transceiver and a second wireless communications link with the second radio frequency transceiver, wherein the first and second wireless communications links may be active simultaneously, wherein the third radio frequency transceiver is configured to receive phone call information from the first radio frequency transceiver via the first wireless communications link, wherein the third radio frequency transceiver is configured to receive music information from the second radio frequency transceiver via the second wireless communications link, wherein the third radio frequency transceiver is configured to provide the call information to the vehicle audio system, the vehicle display system, or both the vehicle audio system and the vehicle display system, wherein the third radio frequency transceiver is configured to provide the music information to the vehicle audio system, the vehicle display system, or both the vehicle audio system and the vehicle display system.

53. A system for communicating information to an occupant of a vehicle, the vehicle including a vehicle audio system, a vehicle display system, or both a vehicle audio system and a vehicle display system, the system comprising:

a radio frequency transceiver mounted in the vehicle and configured to establish a wireless communications link, wherein the radio frequency transceiver is configured to provide the information from at least two vehicle subsystems via the wireless communications link.

54. An RF transceiver, wherein the RF transceiver is configured to automatically create a wireless communications link when in range of a similar transceiver, the RF transceiver provided within a vehicle and for transmitting and receiving information to and from a vehicle subsystem.