Programmable electronic device
First Claim
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1. A vehicle control system, comprising:
- an interface module for interfacing electronic input and output devices of a vehicle, wherein the electronic input and output devices are operated pursuant to a feature set of electronically operable functions; and
a detachable feature set module for detachably coupling to said interface module, wherein said detachable feature set module contains stored codes defining the feature set of electronically operable functions, wherein the electronic input and output devices of the vehicle are operated pursuant to the feature set of electronically operable functions defined by the stored codes when the detachable feature set module is coupled to the interface module.
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Abstract
A feature set module provides programming features for a vehicle control system. The feature set module is designed to be easily attached to or detached from an interface module of a control system. The feature set module may include a latching mechanism to secure the feature set module to the interface module. Additionally, the feature set module has terminals that communicate with terminals of the interface module.
32 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A vehicle control system, comprising:
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an interface module for interfacing electronic input and output devices of a vehicle, wherein the electronic input and output devices are operated pursuant to a feature set of electronically operable functions; and
a detachable feature set module for detachably coupling to said interface module, wherein said detachable feature set module contains stored codes defining the feature set of electronically operable functions, wherein the electronic input and output devices of the vehicle are operated pursuant to the feature set of electronically operable functions defined by the stored codes when the detachable feature set module is coupled to the interface module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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10. A method of modifying electronically operable functions of a vehicle control system comprising steps of:
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defining a first feature set of electronically operable functions of a vehicle by stored codes in a first feature set module; and
replacing said first feature set module with a second feature set module comprising stored codes defining a second feature set of electronically operable functions of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24)
detaching said first feature set module from an interface of said vehicle control system; and
reprogramming said first feature set module to produce said second feature set module.
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12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said reprogramming is accomplished by downloading a new program over an Internet.
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13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said reprogramming is accomplished by downloading a new program using a personal computer.
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14. The method according to claim 11, wherein said reprogramming is accomplished using a cell phone.
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15. The method according to claim 11, wherein said reprogramming is accomplished using telematics.
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16. The method according to claim 11, wherein said reprogramming is accomplished by downloading a new program over a network.
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17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said network is a wireless network.
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24. The method of claim 10, wherein removing the first feature set module further comprises freeing a locking member of the first feature set module from a mating member of the alarm system.
Specification