Wireless induction loop control system
First Claim
1. A wireless control system for controlling a plurality of devices in an automobile using wireless control signals to said plurality of controlled devices, the system comprising:
- an electronic control unit (ECU) having a processor for generating a plurality of control signals communicating with one or more of said controlled devices; and
an induction loop coupled to said ECU and configured to translate control signals generated by the ECU into corresponding electromagnetic fields produced by a current flowing through windings of said induction loop;
wherein said controlled devices are configured to receive said wireless control signals from said ECU via said induction loop, each of said plurality of control devices including an induction coil tuned to a corresponding electromagnetic field generated by said induction loop through said windings.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless control system (30, 70) for distributing electrical control signals to a plurality of controlled devices (36a, 36b, 36c, 74a and 74b), including an electronic control unit (ECU) (32, 72) adapted to communicate with one or more controlled devices (36a, 36b, 36c, 74a and 74b) and an induction loop (34, 73) coupled to the ECU (32, 72) and adapted to provide a magnetic field within the range of the controlled devices (36a, 36b, 36c, 74a, and 74b). Each controlled device (36a, 36b, 36c, 74a and 74b) includes an induction coil (42a, 42b, 42c, 76a and 76b) tuned to couple signals modulated within the magnetic field of the induction loop (34, 74). The controlled devices (74a and 74b) may include a sensor (82a, 82b) and may be adapted to send a status signal (84) to the ECU (72) via the induction loop (73).
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A wireless control system for controlling a plurality of devices in an automobile using wireless control signals to said plurality of controlled devices, the system comprising:
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an electronic control unit (ECU) having a processor for generating a plurality of control signals communicating with one or more of said controlled devices; and
an induction loop coupled to said ECU and configured to translate control signals generated by the ECU into corresponding electromagnetic fields produced by a current flowing through windings of said induction loop;
wherein said controlled devices are configured to receive said wireless control signals from said ECU via said induction loop, each of said plurality of control devices including an induction coil tuned to a corresponding electromagnetic field generated by said induction loop through said windings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
a controller communicably coupled to the induction coil; and
an element;
wherein said controller is coupled to and adapted to operate and control said element.
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14. The system according to claim 1 wherein said induction coils are configured such that a time rate of change of magnetic flux through the receiving induction coils generates a voltage in the device controller, indicating to either turn ON or OFF the element as indicated in the wireless control signal.
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15. In an automobile equipped with a wireless control system (the “
- System”
), a method of communicating electrical control signals to the various electrically controlled devices of the automobile, said System including an electronic control unit (ECU), an induction loop coupled to said ECU and adapted to provide a magnetic field within the range of said controlled devices, each controlled device having an induction coil tuned to couple a range of frequencies modulated within said magnetic field, said method comprising the steps of;generating a wireless electric control signal; and
transmitting said wireless electric control signal to at least one of said controlled devices. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
said controlled device sending a wireless status signal; and
said ECU receiving said wireless status signal via said induction loop.
- System”
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20. The method according to claim 15 wherein said electrical control signals are analog and further comprising the step of encoding said analog control signals prior to transmission.
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21. The method according to claim 20 wherein said analog control signals are encoded using frequency division multiplexing (FDM).
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22. The method according to claim 21 wherein said electrical control signals are digital and further comprising the step of encoding said digital control signals by modified frequency modulation (MFM).
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23. The method according to claim 22 wherein said step encoding by MFM is performed by adding a unique address code and interrupt request sequence associated with a specific controlled device.
Specification