Remote control for vehicular audio systems

• US 5,790,065 A
• Filed: 02/28/1997
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Yaroch, James John
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US08/808,207
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 341/173, 341/174, 341/176, 340/438, 340/825.25, 340/825.69, 340/822.72, 340/825.31, 340/425.5, 340/426, 381/96
• US Class Current: 341/173
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control

Abstract

The remote entry system of an automotive vehicle is used to transfer remote control messages to an audio system thereby providing a low cost remote control feature for the audio system. In response to reception of uniquely coded RF control signals, the remote entry receiver communicates via a hard-wired communication link to the audio system causing the audio system to modify controlled audio system parameters in response to which pushbutton is activated on the remote transmitter. The remote entry system may interpret remote control signals differently depending upon the state of the ignition switch of the vehicle.

Claims

1. Apparatus for an automotive vehicle providing a remote-controlled entry system and a remote-controlled audio system, said apparatus comprising:

an audio system for reproducing audio signals having operator controlled audio system parameters, said audio system responsive to digital commands for modifying said controlled audio system parameters, said audio system including a first electronic module;

a first pushbutton remote-control RF transmitter having a plurality of pushbuttons each corresponding to a respective one of said digital commands, said first pushbutton RF transmitter transmitting a uniquely coded RF audio-control signal in response to activation of a respective pushbutton;

a remote entry receiver responsive to RF entry signals for generating access control signals within said vehicle, said remote entry receiver being further responsive to said uniquely coded RF audio-control signal for generating a digital command, said remote entry receiver comprised of a second electronic module separate from said first module; and

a hard-wired communication link between said remote entry receiver and said audio system for transferring said digital command from said remote entry receiver to said audio system, whereby said audio system modifies said controlled audio system parameters according to which pushbutton was activated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a second pushbutton remote-control RF transmitter having a plurality of pushbuttons each corresponding to a respective remote entry command, said second pushbutton RF transmitter transmitting one of said RF entry signals in response to activation of a respective pushbutton.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first pushbutton RF transmitter transmits one of said RF entry signals in response to activation of a respective pushbutton of said first pushbutton RF transmitter.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said communication link is comprised of a multiplex interconnection.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said communication link is comprised of an interpreter module.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vehicle comprises an ignition switch coupled to said remote entry receiver, and wherein said remote entry receiver is responsive to said uniquely coded RF audio-control signal depending upon position of said ignition switch.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said uniquely coded RF audio-control signal is comprised of a security code portion and a control code portion, said security code portion identifying whether said first pushbutton RF transmitter is authorized for said vehicle.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first pushbutton RF transmitter is mounted in a fixed position in said vehicle.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said fixed position is located on a steering wheel.

10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said uniquely coded RF audio-control signal is comprised of a security code portion and a control code portion, said remote entry receiver having a learning mode for storing said security code portion of said first pushbutton RF transmitter so that said security code portion thereafter identifies said first pushbutton RF transmitter as being authorized for said vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controlled audio system parameters include audio volume commands.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controlled audio system parameters include radio tuning commands.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controlled audio system parameters include media control commands.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said access control signals include commands for locking and unlocking vehicle doors.

15. A method for remotely controlling audio system parameters of an audio system in an automotive vehicle, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a uniquely coded RF audio-control signal in response to a manual activation of a remote control by a vehicle occupant;

receiving said uniquely coded RF audio-control signal in a remote entry receiver mounted in said vehicle in a module separate from said audio system;

decoding said uniquely coded RF audio-control signal to produce a digital command;

transferring said digital command from said remote entry receiver to said audio system; and

modifying said audio system parameters in response to said digital command.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting RF entry signals in response to a manual activation of a remote control;

receiving said RF entry signals in said remote entry receiver;

decoding said RF entry signals to produce an access control signal; and

activating a vehicle access device in response to said access control signal;

wherein said uniquely coded RF audio-control signal and said RF entry signals are produced by separate remote transmitters.