REMOTE FUNCTION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE HAVING A DATA COMMUNICATIONS BUS AND RELATED METHODS
First Claim
1. A remote function control system for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and coupled to a plurality of vehicle devices, and a wired vehicle electrical power system, the system comprising:
- a wireless data bus device coupled to the wired vehicle electrical power system and comprisinga wired interface coupled to the data communications bus in the vehicle, anda first wireless device coupled to said wired interface; and
a remote function device comprisinga housing removably coupled to the wired vehicle electrical power system,a vehicle position determining device carried by said housing,a second wireless device carried by said housing to wirelessly communicate within the vehicle with said first wireless device,a third wireless device carried by said housing to wirelessly communicate with a remote control device away from the vehicle, anda controller coupled to said second and third wireless devices topermit communication between the remote control device and at least one vehicle device coupled to the vehicle data communications bus, andperform at least one tracking function based upon vehicle position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A remote function control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and coupled to a plurality of vehicle devices, and a wired vehicle electrical power system. A wireless data bus device may be coupled to the power system including a wired interface coupled to the data bus in the vehicle, and a first wireless device coupled to the wired interface. A remote function device may include a housing removably coupled to the power system, a vehicle position determining device, a second wireless device to wirelessly communicate within the vehicle with the first wireless device, and a third wireless device to wirelessly communicate with a remote control device away from the vehicle. The remote function device may permit communication between the remote control device and a vehicle device(s) coupled to the data bus, and perform a tracking function(s) based upon vehicle position.
8 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A remote function control system for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and coupled to a plurality of vehicle devices, and a wired vehicle electrical power system, the system comprising:
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a wireless data bus device coupled to the wired vehicle electrical power system and comprising a wired interface coupled to the data communications bus in the vehicle, and a first wireless device coupled to said wired interface; and a remote function device comprising a housing removably coupled to the wired vehicle electrical power system, a vehicle position determining device carried by said housing, a second wireless device carried by said housing to wirelessly communicate within the vehicle with said first wireless device, a third wireless device carried by said housing to wirelessly communicate with a remote control device away from the vehicle, and a controller coupled to said second and third wireless devices to permit communication between the remote control device and at least one vehicle device coupled to the vehicle data communications bus, and perform at least one tracking function based upon vehicle position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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15. The system of Claim I wherein the remote control device comprises a remote monitoring station.
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20. A remote function device to be positioned within a vehicle for wirelessly communicating with a wireless data bus interface in the vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and coupled to a plurality of vehicle devices, and a wired vehicle electrical power system, the wireless data bus device coupled to the wired vehicle electrical power system and comprising a wired interface coupled to the data communications bus in the vehicle, and a first wireless device coupled to the wired interface, the remote function device comprising:
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a housing removably coupled to the wired vehicle electrical power system; a vehicle position determining device carried by said housing; a second wireless device carried by said housing to wirelessly communicate within the vehicle with the first wireless device; a third wireless device carried by said housing to wirelessly communicate with a remote control device away from the vehicle; and a controller coupled to said second and third wireless devices to permit communication between the remote control device and at least one vehicle device coupled to the vehicle data communications bus, and perform at least one tracking function based upon vehicle position. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of remotely controlling a vehicle function with a wireless data bus device coupled to a wired vehicle electrical system in a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and coupled to a plurality of vehicle devices, the wireless data bus device comprising a wired interface coupled to the data communications bus in the vehicle, and a first wireless device coupled to the wired interface, the method comprising:
using a remote function device including a housing removably coupled to the wired vehicle electrical power system, a vehicle position determining device carried by said housing, and second and third wireless communications devices carried by the housing to wirelessly communicate via the second wireless device within the vehicle with the first wireless device, wirelessly communicate via the third wireless device with a remote control device away from the vehicle, permit communication between the remote control device and at least one vehicle device coupled to the vehicle data communications bus, and perform at least one tracking function based upon vehicle position. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
Specification