Method and apparatus for accessing, monitoring and controlled specified functions, features and accessories of a vehicle
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing two-way communication between a vehicle and a remote communication station, said apparatus comprising:
- a transceiver, mounted in the vehicle, for receiving an incoming signal from a communication station and transmitting an outgoing signal to the communication station;
a first controller, mounted in the vehicle, the first controller being connected to said transceiver, for determining whether said incoming signal includes a predetermined signal and, if so, for instructing a transmission of a command;
a wireless transmitter, mounted in the vehicle, the wireless transmitter being connected to said first controller, for transmitting the command; and
at least one slave unit, mounted in the vehicle, said slave unit including;
a first receiver for receiving said command transmitted by said wireless transmitter, and a second controller, connected to said first receiver, for controlling a function of the vehicle in response to said command;
the apparatus further comprising;
a second receiver for receiving wireless communications, said second receiver being connected to said first controller, and further wherein said slave unit includes a second wireless transmitter for transmitting a message to said second receiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system installed in an automobile or other vehicle includes a master pager receiver unit or acknowledgment pager receiver/transmitter which receives paging messages sent from a paging transmitter site. The master unit is also in wireless communication with a set of slave units installed in the vehicle which include electronic switches and are programmed to control relays or other in-vehicle devices upon receipt of appropriate commands from the in-vehicle master unit. The slave units may include transceivers which allow the master unit to receive acknowledgment signals indicating that its commands were followed. The paging transmitter in the master unit also allows transmission of an acknowledgment signal to the paging transmitter site. The system provides a method and apparatus for communicating with specific electrical and mechanical components in the vehicle in order to access, monitor, disable and/or enable certain functions, features, and accessories in the vehicle. Audio and/or visual warning devices can also be used to deliver messages to the owner/operator of the vehicle, such as manufacturer recall notices. When the slave unit hears a specific code it opens or closes a switch that is connected to a specific electrical circuit and thus disables and enables functions of the automobile that are associated with that electrical circuit. The main receiver and/or standalone receiver of the system may also contain wiring harnesses that can be used to wire the main receiver directly to the relays in the automobile. One application of the invention is to remotely activate an audio warning device prior to disabling the ability for the driver to start the automobile by disabling the starter motor.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing two-way communication between a vehicle and a remote communication station, said apparatus comprising:
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a transceiver, mounted in the vehicle, for receiving an incoming signal from a communication station and transmitting an outgoing signal to the communication station;
a first controller, mounted in the vehicle, the first controller being connected to said transceiver, for determining whether said incoming signal includes a predetermined signal and, if so, for instructing a transmission of a command;
a wireless transmitter, mounted in the vehicle, the wireless transmitter being connected to said first controller, for transmitting the command; and
at least one slave unit, mounted in the vehicle, said slave unit including;
a first receiver for receiving said command transmitted by said wireless transmitter, and a second controller, connected to said first receiver, for controlling a function of the vehicle in response to said command;
the apparatus further comprising;
a second receiver for receiving wireless communications, said second receiver being connected to said first controller, and further wherein said slave unit includes a second wireless transmitter for transmitting a message to said second receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus for providing two-way communication between a vehicle and a remote communication station, said apparatus comprising:
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a first receiver for receiving an incoming signal from a communication station;
a first controller, mounted in the vehicle, the first controller being connected to said first receiver, for determining whether said incoming signal includes a predetermined signal and, if so, for instructing a transmission of a command;
a first wireless transceiver, mounted in the vehicle, the first wireless transceiver being connected to said first controller, for transmitting said command and for receiving a message; and
at least one slave unit, mounted in the vehicle, said slave unit including;
a second wireless transceiver for receiving said command transmitted by said first wireless transceiver and for transmitting said message, and a second controller, connected to said second wireless transceiver, for controlling a function of the vehicle in response to said command. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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Specification