Remote control system for a vehicle having a data communications bus and related methods

• US 6,392,534 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Flick, Kenneth E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/493,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20020021211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/427, 340/428, 340/429, 340/531, 340/532, 340/533, 340/534, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.69, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.5, 180/173, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/426.17
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1018 Alarm systems characterised by features related to the general power supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00222 by more than one push button
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00825 remotely by lines or wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed

Abstract

A vehicle control system includes a data communications bus; at least one vehicle device being selectively operable by a user to generate signals on the data communications bus; and a controller, such as a security controller, connected to a receiver and being responsive to a remote transmitter. The controller is also preferably switchable to a desired mode from among a plurality of modes based upon signals generated on the bus by selective operation of the at least one vehicle device by the user. The controller may be an aftermarket security controller that is very easily added to the vehicle and uses an existing vehicle device to switch between modes, without requiring the installation of one or more hardwired and dedicated switches, for example. The at least one vehicle device may comprise at least one desired vehicle switch for also controlling a vehicle operation other than switching the security controller. In addition, the security controller may be switchable based upon signals generated by selectively operating the at least one desired vehicle switch in a predetermined pattern. The at least one vehicle device may also include a plurality of vehicle switches for also controlling vehicle operations other than switching the security controller.

Claims

1. A vehicle remote control system comprising:

a data communications bus extending through the vehicle;

at least one vehicle device being selectively operable by a user to generate signals on said data communications bus;

a remote transmitter to be carried by the user;

a receiver at the vehicle; and

a security controller connected to said receiver and being responsive to said remote transmitter, said security controller also being switchable to a desired mode from among a plurality of modes based upon signals generated on said data communications bus by selective operation of the at least one vehicle device by the user;

said at least one vehicle device for also controlling at least one vehicle operation other than switching said security controller and independent of switching of said security controller.

2. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one vehicle device comprises at least one desired vehicle switch.

3. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 2 wherein said security controller is switchable based upon signals generated by selectively operating the at least one desired vehicle switch in a predetermined pattern.

4. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one vehicle device comprises a plurality of vehicle switches for also controlling vehicle operations other than switching said security controller and independent of switching of said security controller;

and wherein switching said security controller comprises operating the plurality of vehicle switches in a predetermined pattern.

5. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one security sensor connected to said security controller;

wherein said security controller is switchable between armed and disarmed modes responsive to said remote transmitter; and

wherein said security controller when in the armed mode is capable of at least one of generating an alarm indication and disabling a vehicle engine responsive to said at least one security sensor.

6. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 5 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a valet mode in which there is no alarm indication, the vehicle engine is enabled, and said security controller is no longer responsive to said remote transmitter.

7. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 5 wherein the plurality of modes comprises an override mode in which there is no alarm indication, the vehicle engine is enabled, and said security controller is responsive to said remote transmitter.

8. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a feature programming mode permitting user selection of at least one programmable feature for said security controller.

9. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 8 wherein said security controller, when in the feature programming mode, is also responsive to selective operation of the at least one vehicle device to facilitate selecting the programmable features.

10. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a remote transmitter learning mode permitting learning of a new uniquely coded remote transmitter for said security controller.

11. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 wherein said security controller comprises desired signal enabling means for permitting switching to the desired mode based upon predetermined device signals for a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of device signals for different vehicles.

12. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 11 wherein said desired signal enabling means comprises:

a memory for storing a plurality of sets of device signals for different vehicles; and

a selector for selecting predetermined device signals from the plurality of different sets of device signals for different vehicles.

13. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12 wherein said selector comprises a user selector for permitting a user to select the predetermined device signals.

14. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 11 wherein said desired signal enabling means comprises bus learning means for learning the predetermined device signals based upon device signals on the data communications bus.

15. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 11 wherein said desired signal enabling means comprises download learning means for learning the predetermined device signals from a downloading device.

16. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a feature programming mode permitting user selection of at least one programmable feature for said security controller.

17. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 16 wherein said security controller, when in the feature programming mode, is also responsive to selective operation of the at least one vehicle device to facilitate selecting the programmable features.

18. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a remote transmitter learning mode permitting learning of a new uniquely coded remote transmitter for said security controller.

19. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 15 wherein said security controller comprises desired signal enabling means for permitting switching to the desired mode based upon predetermined device signals for a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of device signals for different vehicles.

20. A vehicle remote control system comprising:

a data communications bus extending through the vehicle;

at least one vehicle switch being selectively operable by a user to generate signals on said data communications bus;

a remote transmitter to be carried by the user;

a receiver at the vehicle; and

a security controller connected to said receiver and being responsive to said remote transmitter, said security controller also being switchable to a desired mode from among a plurality of modes based upon signals generated on said data communications bus by selective operation of the at least one vehicle switch in a predetermined pattern by the user;

said at least one vehicle switch for also controlling at least one vehicle operation other than switching said security controller and independent of switching of said security controller.

21. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 20 wherein said at least one vehicle switch comprises a plurality of vehicle switches.

22. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 20 further comprising at least one security sensor connected to said security controller;

wherein said security controller is switchable between armed and disarmed modes responsive to said remote transmitter; and

wherein said security controller when in the armed mode is capable of at least one of generating an alarm indication and disabling a vehicle engine responsive to said at least one security sensor.

23. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 22 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a valet mode in which there is no alarm indication, the vehicle engine is enabled, and said security controller is no longer responsive to said remote transmitter.

24. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 22 wherein the plurality of modes comprises an override mode in which there is no alarm indication, the vehicle engine is enabled, and said security controller is responsive to said remote transmitter.

25. A vehicle remote control system comprising:

a data communications bus extending through the vehicle;

at least one vehicle device being selectively operable by a user to generate signals on said data communications bus; and

a controller being switchable to a desired mode from among a plurality of modes based upon signals generated on said data communications bus by selective operation of the at least one vehicle device in a predetermined pattern by the user;

said at least one vehicle device for also controlling at least one vehicle operation other than switching said controller and independent of switching of said controller.

26. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 25 wherein said at least one vehicle device comprises at least one desired vehicle switch.

27. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 25 wherein said at least one vehicle device comprises a plurality of vehicle switches.

28. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 25 wherein said controller comprises a security controller;

and further comprising;

a remote transmitter to be carried by a user;

a receiver at the vehicle and connected to said security controller for receiving signals from said remote transmitter for switching said controller between armed and disarmed; and

at least one security sensor connected to said security controller;

said security controller when in the armed mode being capable of at least one of generating an alarm indication and disabling a vehicle engine responsive to said at least one security sensor.

29. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 28 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a valet mode in which there is no alarm indication, the vehicle engine is enabled, and said security controller is no longer responsive to said remote transmitter.

30. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 28 wherein the plurality of modes comprises an override mode in which there is no alarm indication, the vehicle engine is enabled, and said security controller is responsive to said remote transmitter.

31. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 28 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a remote transmitter learning mode permitting learning of a new uniquely coded remote transmitter for said security controller.

32. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 25 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a feature programming mode permitting user selection of at least one programmable feature for said controller.

33. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 32 wherein said controller, when in the feature programming mode, is also responsive to selective operation of the at least one vehicle device to facilitate selecting the programmable features.

34. A vehicle remote control system according to claim 25 wherein said controller comprises desired signal enabling means for permitting switching to the desired mode based upon predetermined device signals for a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of device signals for different vehicles.

35. A method for switching a controller in a vehicle among a plurality of modes, the vehicle of a type comprising a data communications bus extending through the vehicle, and at least one vehicle device being selectively operable by a user to generate signals on the data communications bus, the method comprising:

selectively operating the at least one vehicle device in a predetermined pattern to generate signals on the data communications bus;

reading the signals generated on the data communications bus and switching the controller to a corresponding mode based thereon; and

reading the signals generated on the data communications bus to perform at least one vehicle operation other than switching the controller and independent of switching of said security controller.

36. A method according to claim 35 wherein the controller comprises a security controller.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein the security controller is also responsive to signals from a remote transmitter carried by the user.

38. A method according to claim 37 wherein the security controller is also responsive to at least one security sensor for at least one of generating an alarm indication and disabling a vehicle engine.

39. A method according to claim 38 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a valet mode in which there is no alarm indication, the vehicle engine is enabled, and said security controller is no longer responsive to the remote transmitter.

40. A method according to claim 38 wherein the plurality of modes comprises an override mode in which there is no alarm indication, the vehicle engine is enabled, and said security controller is responsive to the remote transmitter.

41. A method according to claim 35 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a feature programming mode permitting user selection of at least one programmable feature for the controller.

42. A method according to claim 41 wherein the controller, when in the feature programming mode, is also responsive to selective operation of the at least one vehicle device to facilitate selecting the programmable features.

43. A method according to claim 35 wherein the plurality of modes comprises a remote transmitter learning mode permitting learning of a new uniquely coded remote transmitter for the controller.

44. A method according to claim 35 further comprising the step of enabling the controller to switch to the desired mode based upon predetermined device signals for a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of device signals for different vehicles.

45. A method for adding a security controller to a vehicle of a type comprising a data communications bus extending through the vehicle, and at least one vehicle device being selectively operable by a user to generate signals on the data communications bus, the method comprising:

connecting the security controller to the data communications bus;

enabling the security controller to switch among a plurality of modes based upon predetermined device signals generated on the data communications bus by selective operation of the at least one vehicle device by the user;

performing at least one vehicle operation other than switching the controller and independent of switching of the security controller based upon predetermined device signals generated on the data communications bus by selective operation of the at least one vehicle device by the user.

46. A method according to claim 45 wherein the at least one vehicle device comprises at least one vehicle switch.

47. A method according to claim 45 wherein the at least one vehicle device comprises a plurality of vehicle switches.

48. A method according to claim 45 wherein the security controller comprises a memory having stored therein a plurality of sets of device signals for different vehicles and a selector connected to the memory;

and wherein the step of enabling comprises using the selector for selecting the predetermined device signals from the plurality of different sets of device signals for different vehicles.

49. A method according to claim 48 wherein the selector comprises a user selector for permitting a user to select the predetermined device signals.

50. A method according to claim 48 wherein the step of enabling comprises learning the predetermined device signals based upon reading device signals on the data communications bus.

51. A method according to claim 45 wherein the step of enabling comprises learning the predetermined device signals from a downloading device.