Multi-vehicle compatible control system for reading from a data bus and associated methods

• US 6,756,885 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2000
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• 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): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/583,257
• Time in Patent Office: 1,490 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.1, 340/425.5, 340/439, 340/825.36, 340/825.37, 340/825.69, 340/426.13, 340/426.14, 340/426.16, 340/426.17, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 307/10.6, 180/167, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• 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 25/24 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 control system includes a transmitter, a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter, and a multi-vehicle compatible controller cooperating with the transmitter and receiver. The multi-vehicle compatible controller is for storing a set of device codes for a given vehicle device for a plurality of different vehicles, for reading a device code from a data communications bus, and for determining a match between a read device code and the stored device codes to thereby provide compatibility with a plurality of different vehicles. Such an arrangement provides for a relatively simple and straightforward approach to interface with a vehicle having a data communications bus. The multi-vehicle compatible controller may include a memory for the stored device codes, and a processor cooperating with the memory for determining the match between the read device code and the stored device codes. The approach is useful for a number of vehicle remote control functions including vehicle security, remote keyless entry and remote starting. The multi-vehicle compatibility concept is also extended to an adaptor device which can be used in combination with a conventional remote function controller.

Claims

1. A control system for a vehicle comprising a data communications bus and at least one vehicle device connected thereto, the control system comprising:

a transmitter and a receiver for receiving signals from said transmitter; and

a multi-vehicle compatible controller cooperating with said transmitter and said receiver and for storing a set of device codes for a given vehicle device for a plurality of different vehicles, for reading a device code from the data communications bus, and for determining a match between a read device code and the stored device codes to thereby provide compatibility with a plurality of different vehicles.

2. A control system according to claim 1 wherein said multi-vehicle compatible controller comprises a memory for the stored device codes.

3. A control system according to claim 2 wherein said multi-vehicle compatible controller comprises a processor cooperating with said memory for determining the match between the read device code and the stored device codes.

4. A control system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one vehicle device comprises a plurality of vehicle devices;

and wherein said multi-vehicle compatible controller stores a respective set of device codes for each of the plurality of vehicle devices.

5. A control system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one vehicle device comprises a vehicle sensor;

and wherein the stored device codes relate to the vehicle sensor.

6. A control system according to claim 5 wherein the stored device codes relate to vehicle security.

7. A control system according to claim 5 wherein the stored vehicle codes relate to keyless entry for the vehicle.

8. A control system according to claim 5 wherein the stored device codes relate to remote starting a vehicle engine.

9. A control system according to claim 1 wherein said multi-vehicle compatible controller comprises:

a multi-vehicle compatible adaptor connected to the data communications bus for determining the match between the read device code and the stored device codes and generating an output signal responsive thereto; and

a controller connected to said multi-vehicle compatible adaptor and being responsive to output signals therefrom.

10. A control system according to claim 9 wherein said controller further comprises a first housing;

and said multi-vehicle adaptor comprises a second housing.

11. A control system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter comprises a remote handheld transmitter to be carried by a user when away from the vehicle;

and wherein said receiver is at the vehicle.

12. A control system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter comprises at least a central station transmitter;

and wherein said receiver is at the vehicle.

13. A control system according to claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises a remote receiver to be carried by a user when away from the vehicle;

and wherein said transmitter is at the vehicle.

14. A control system according to claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises at least a central station transmitter;

and wherein said transmitter is at the vehicle.

15. A control system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter comprises a transponder transmitter to be carried by a user;

and wherein said receiver is at the vehicle.

16. An adaptor for adapting a control system for a vehicle to be compatible with a plurality of different vehicles, each vehicle comprising a data communications bus and at least one vehicle device connected thereto, the control system comprising a transmitter and a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter, and a controller cooperating with the transmitter and receiver, the adaptor comprising:

a housing; and

a multi-vehicle compatible adaptor circuit mounted in said housing for storing a set of device codes for a given vehicle device for a plurality of different vehicles, for reading a device code from the data communications bus, and for determining a match between a read device code and the stored device codes to thereby provide compatibility with a plurality of different vehicles.

17. An adaptor according to claim 16 wherein said multi-vehicle compatible adaptor circuit comprises a memory for the stored device codes.

18. An adaptor according to claim 17 wherein said multi-vehicle compatible adaptor circuit comprises a processor cooperating with said memory for determining the match between the read device code and the stored device codes.

19. An adaptor according to claim 16 wherein the at least one vehicle device comprises a plurality of vehicle devices;

and wherein said multi-vehicle compatible adaptor circuit stores a respective set of device codes for each of the plurality of vehicle devices.

20. An adaptor according to claim 16 wherein the at least one vehicle device comprises a vehicle sensor;

and wherein the stored device codes relate to the vehicle sensor.

21. An adaptor according to claim 16 wherein the stored vehicle codes relate to vehicle security.

22. An adaptor according to claim 16 wherein the stored vehicle codes relate to keyless entry for the vehicle.

23. An adaptor according to claim 16 wherein the stored vehicle codes relate to remote starting a vehicle engine.

24. A control method for a vehicle comprising a data communications bus and at least one vehicle device connected thereto, the method comprising:

storing a set of device codes for a given vehicle device for a plurality of different vehicles;

reading a device code from the data communications bus; and

determining a match between a read device code and the stored device codes and performing a function based thereon to thereby provide compatibility with a plurality of different vehicles.

25. A method according to claim 24 further comprising receiving a signal from a transmitter;

and wherein performing the function is also based upon receiving the signal from the transmitter.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein the transmitter comprises a handheld remote transmitter to be carried by a user when away from the vehicle.

27. A method according to claim 25 wherein the transmitter comprises at least a central station transmitter.

28. A method according to claim 25 wherein the transmitter comprises a handheld transponder to be carried by a user when away from the vehicle.

29. A method according to claim 24 wherein the function comprises transmitting a signal from the vehicle to a remote receiver.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein the remote receiver comprises a handheld receiver to be carried by the user when away from the vehicle.

31. A method according to claim 29 wherein the remote receiver comprises at least one central station remote receiver.

32. A method according to claim 24 wherein the at least one vehicle device comprises a plurality of vehicle devices;

and wherein storing comprises storing a respective set of device codes for each of the plurality of vehicle devices.

33. A method according to claim 24 wherein the at least one vehicle device comprises a vehicle sensor;

and wherein the stored device codes relate to the vehicle sensor.

34. A method according to claim 24 wherein the stored vehicle codes relate to vehicle security.

35. A method according to claim 24 wherein the stored vehicle codes relate to keyless entry for the vehicle.

36. A method according to claim 24 wherein the stored vehicle codes relate to remote starting a vehicle engine.

37. A method for adapting a control system for a vehicle to be compatible with a plurality of different vehicles, each vehicle comprising a data communications bus and at least one vehicle device connected thereto, the control system comprising a transmitter and a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter, and a controller at the vehicle and cooperating with the transmitter and receiver, the method comprising:

storing a set of device codes for a given vehicle device for a plurality of different vehicles;

reading a device code from the data communications bus; and

determining a match between a read device code and the stored device codes and performing a function based thereon to thereby provide compatibility with a plurality of different vehicles.

38. A method according to claim 37 wherein the receiver is at the vehicle and the transmitter is remote therefrom;

and further comprising receiving a signal from the transmitter and performing the function further based thereon.

39. A method according to claim 37 wherein the transmitter is at the vehicle and the receiver is remote therefrom;

and wherein the function comprises transmitting a signal from the vehicle to the remote receiver.

40. A method according to claim 37 wherein the at least one vehicle device comprises a plurality of vehicle devices;

and wherein storing comprises storing a respective set of device codes for each of the plurality of vehicle devices.

41. A method according to claim 37 wherein the at least one vehicle device comprises a vehicle sensor;

and wherein the stored device codes relate to the vehicle sensor.

42. A method according to claim 37 wherein the stored vehicle codes relate to vehicle security.

43. A method according to claim 37 wherein the stored vehicle codes relate to keyless entry for the vehicle.

44. A method according to claim 37 wherein the stored vehicle codes relate to remote starting a vehicle engine.