Integration module for supplemental vehicle controllers

• US 6,218,740 B1
• Filed: 04/08/1999
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Directed, LLC (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: DEI Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Mildice, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US09/288,473
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/9.1, 307/42, 307/147, 324/539, 324/540, 324/66, 324/503, 731/181, 439/76.2, 439/949
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals

Abstract

An integration module connected to the output of a vehicle controller on the one end and wire harnesses originally connected to the vehicle controller on the other. A circuit board connecting the input and the output of the integration module connections, wherein one or more of the connections is to a primary path controlling one or more functions or inputs of a user control or appliance or function in the vehicle such as a door, window or trunk. A supplemental path connected to the primary path on the one end and a connector of the integration module on the other. Said connector joined with a wire harness connecting the integration module and a supplemental controller such as a security system or a keyless entry system. The above structure allowing the installer to employ the integration module providing some or all connections to the primary paths necessary to control certain vehicle functions or appliances without having to isolate and splice into said primary paths individually.

Claims

1. An integration module providing at least one of input and output emanating from a control module of a vehicle to a supplemental controller, said integration module comprising:

a) at least one first connector electrically connected to at least one output connector of a control module, said output connector and said first connector respectively forming at least one primary path having terminal ends, said first end emanating from said control module and said second end connected to at least one vehicle controllable function;

b) said first connector connecting said at least one primary path through a circuit board having at least one electrically conductive trace so as to continue said primary path across said trace and connect said at least one primary path to at least one second connector;

c) at least one input connector connected to a wire harness mating with said at least one second connector to connect said at least one primary path emanating from said control module to control said at least one vehicle controllable function; and

d) a supplemental path connected to said at least one primary path and said supplemental controller.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising interface circuitry connected between said at least one primary path and said at least one supplemental path.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said interface circuitry comprises at least one diode.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said interface circuitry comprises at least one relay.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein said interface circuitry comprises at least one resistor.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein said interface circuitry comprises at least one capacitor.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein said interface circuitry comprises at least one inductor.

8. The device of claim 2 wherein said interface circuitry comprises at least one amplifier.

9. The device of claim 2 wherein said interface circuitry comprises at least one timer.

10. The device of claim 2 wherein said interface circuitry comprises at least one logic gate.

11. The device of claim 2 wherein said interface circuitry comprises at least one attenuator.

12. The device of claim 2 wherein said interface circuitry is chosen from a group consisting of at least one of a diode, a relay, a capacitor, a resistor, an inductor, an attenuator, an amplifier, a timer or a logic gate.

13. The device of claim 2 wherein said at least one primary path is connected to at least one of a window control or a window motor of said vehicle.

14. The device of claim 2 wherein said at least one primary path is connected to at least one of a door lock/unlock control or a door lock/unlock solenoid of said vehicle.

15. The device of claim 2 wherein said at least one primary path is connected to at least one of a trunk release control or a trunk release solenoid of said vehicle.

16. The device of claim 2 wherein said primary path is connected to at least one of a seat control or a seat motor of said vehicle.

17. The device of claim 2 wherein said primary path is connected to at least one of an audio control or an audio component of said vehicle.

18. The device of claim 2 wherein said primary path is connected to at least one video component of said vehicle.

19. The device of claim 2 wherein said primary path is connected to at least one climate control of said vehicle.

20. The device of claim 2 wherein said primary path is connected to at least one of a light control or a light of said vehicle.

21. The device of claim 2 wherein said primary path is connected to at least one of a windshield wiper control or a windshield wiper of said vehicle.

22. The device of claim 2 wherein said primary path is connected to at least one of a navigation control or a navigation component of said vehicle.

23. An integration module providing at least one input or output emanating from a control module to a supplemental controller, said integration module comprising:

a) at least one first connector electrically connected to at least one output connector of a control module, said output connector and said first connector respectively forming at least one primary path having terminal ends, said first end emanating from said control module and said second end connected to at least one vehicle controllable function;

b) said first connector running said at least one primary path through a circuit board having at least one electrically conductive trace so as to continue said path across said trace and connect said at least one primary path to at least one second connector;

c) at least one input connector mating with said at least one second connector connecting said at least one primary path emanating from said control module to control said at least one vehicle controllable function;

d) interface circuitry connected between said at least one primary path and at least one supplemental path connected to said supplemental controller; and

e) at least one third connector connecting said supplemental path connected to said interface circuitry with at least one fourth connector emanating from said supplemental controller.