Vehicle communication system implemented reusing existing vehicle components

• US 6,759,942 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2001
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Schondorf, Steven Yellin, Van Wiemeersch, John Robert, Gaboury, Scott Howard, Bedi, Gurminder Singh, Miller, Ronald Hugh
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANGACHON, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US09/682,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20030067380A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.72, 340/5.71, 340/5.8, 340/436, 340/463, 340/467, 340/901, 340/902, 340/903, 340/904, 340/905, 180/167, 180/168
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P

Abstract

A communication system is provided for an automotive vehicle (10) that uses existing vehicle components with only slight modifications that can be implemented in readily changeable software. The system includes a vehicle bus (14) and a vehicle information source coupled to the vehicle bus. The vehicle information source (28) couples vehicle information to the vehicle bus (14). The transmitter (16) transmits a first communication having a first transmitter identification code and first vehicle information. A receiver (22) is coupled to the vehicle bus. The receiver (22) couples a second communication word having second vehicle information to the vehicle bus. The automotive vehicle (10) also has a safety system and a safety system controller (34) coupled to the bus. The safety system controller (34) actuates the safety system (36) in response to the second vehicle information.

Claims

1. A communication system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a vehicle bus;

a vehicle information source coupled to said vehicle bus, said vehicle information source coupling first vehicle information to said vehicle bus;

a transmitter disposed within the first vehicle and coupled to said vehicle bus, said transmitter transmits a first communication word having a transmitter identification code and first vehicle information,

a receiver disposed within the first vehicle coupled to said vehicle bus, said receiver receiving a second communication word from a second vehicle having second vehicle size characteristic information and coupling the second communication word to said vehicle bus;

a safety system disposed within the first vehicle, and;

a safety system controller disposed within the first vehicle and coupled to said bus, said safety system controller verifying the second communication word and actuating said safety system in response to said first vehicle information and said second vehicle size characteristic information.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and/or second vehicle information comprises at least one selected from the group of vehicle type, weight and bumper height.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said transmitter comprises a digital transmitter.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises a remote keyless entry receiver.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 comprises an actuation transmitter.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said actuation transmitter comprises a garage door opener transmitter.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said safety system comprises a brake system.

8. A communication system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a vehicle bus;

a vehicle information source coupled to said vehicle bus, said vehicle information source coupling first vehicle information to said vehicle bus;

an actuator transmitter disposed within the first vehicle and coupled to said vehicle bus, said transmitter transmits a first communication word having a transmitter identification code and first vehicle information,

a remote keyless entry receiver disposed within the first vehicle coupled to said vehicle bus, said receiver receiving a second communication word from a second vehicle having second vehicle size characteristic information and coupling the second communication word to said vehicle bus;

a safety system disposed within the first vehicle; and

a safety system controller disposed within the first vehicle and coupled to said bus, said safety system controller verifying the second communication word and actuating said safety system in response to said first vehicle information and said second vehicle size characteristic information.

9. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said first and/or second vehicle information comprises at least one selected from the group of vehicle type, weight and bumper height.

10. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said transmitter comprises a digital transmitter.

11. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said actuation transmitter comprises a garage door opener transmitter.

12. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said safety system comprises a brake system.

13. A method of operating a communication system between a first automotive vehicle and a second automotive vehicle comprising:

coupling first vehicle information to a vehicle bus in the first automotive vehicle;

receiving a second transmitter identification code and second vehicle information including a vehicle size characteristic from the second automotive vehicle;

coupling the second vehicle size characteristic information to the vehicle bus;

receiving the second vehicle size characteristic information from the vehicle bus;

verifying the second vehicle size characteristic information from the vehicle bus; and

controlling a safety system in response to the first vehicle information and second vehicle information including the vehicle size characteristic.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising the step of transmitting a first transmitter identification code and first vehicle information from the first automobile.

15. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein the step of transmitting a first transmitter identification code and first vehicle information from the first automobile comprises transmitting at least one selected from the group of vehicle type, weight and bumper height.

16. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein the step of receiving a second transmitter identification code and second vehicle information comprises receiving at least one selected from the group of vehicle type, weight and bumper height.

17. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein the step of receiving a second transmitter identification code comprises receiving a second transmitter identification code and second vehicle information from a remoter keyless entry receiver.

18. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising the step of verifying a transmitter identification code.

19. A communication system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a multiwire vehicle bus;

a vehicle information source coupled to said vehicle bus, said vehicle information source coupling first vehicle information to said vehicle bus;

a transmitter coupled to said vehicle bus, said transmitter transmits a first communication word having a transmitter identification code and first vehicle information,

a receiver coupled to said vehicle bus, said receiver receiving a second communication word having second vehicle size characteristic information and coupling the second communication word to said vehicle bus, said receiver receiving a third communication word having third vehicle size characteristic information and coupling the third communication word to said vehicle bus;

a safety system; and

a safety system controller coupled to said bus, said safety system controller actuating said safety system in response to said first vehicle information, said second vehicle size characteristic information and said third vehicle size characteristic information.