Auto setting of memory preference settings from remote vehicle entry device

• US 6,759,943 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Ostrander, Gerald, Lucy, Scott, Poirier, James A., Thompson, Joseph R. Jr., Buccinna, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/796,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20020118579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.72, 340/5.61, 340/5.62, 340/5.64, 340/426.13, 340/426.14, 340/426.16, 340/426.17, 340/825.25, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 307/10.1, 307/10.4, 701/1, 701/49, 180/287, 365/200
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions

Abstract

A remote memory preference system for a passenger vehicle is disclosed. The remote memory preference system utilizes existing passive or active remote entry devices. Memory preference settings include driver'"'"'s seat position, mirror positions and radio station presets. Once these settings are adjusted by a primary vehicle user, they are stored in a memory location in the vehicle either automatically or when a memory button on the remote entry device is depressed by the user. Settings may then be later recalled either automatically by activating the remote entry device or when a recall button on the remote entry device is depressed by the user. The system may also employ a shift register system, which would automatically store current and previous memory preference settings.

Claims

1. A memory preference system for a vehicle whereby a vehicle use'"'"'s preferred settings may be electronically recalled, wherein:

said vehicle houses a memory storage location, an electronic data receiving device, and a controller;

said vehicle enabling entry authorization by way of a user carried remote entry device that conveys identifying data to said electronic data receiving device;

said memory preference system being incorporated into said user carried remote entry device such that a vehicle stores said preferred settings at said memory storage location, and said memory storage location being activated for recall when a vehicle controller identifies said identifying data from said remote entry device and associates it with a particular user, said particular user being associated with the stored set of said preferred settings, said memory storage location then conveys said preferred settings to said controller which enables the stored preferred settings; and

stored preferred settings are automatically entered in a shift register such that previously stored settings remain in said memory storage location and when said memory storage location is later activated for recall, said shift register is queried to determine a match to a predetermined number of preferred settings in order to establish the most likely preferred setting for a current vehicle user.

2. A memory preference system for a vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein said preferred settings are stored in said memory storage location and associated with a set of identifying data utilized to gain access to a vehicle each time the vehicle is turned off.

3. A memory preference system as recited in claim 1 wherein a permanent register is provided with said shift register so that a predetermined number of consecutive matching preferred settings for a vehicle user would be permanently stored in said permanent register for subsequent recall by said vehicle user.

4. A memory preference system as recited in claim 1 wherein said remote entry device is provided with user operated memory and recall buttons so that said preferred settings are stored in said memory location when said memory button is depressed and said preferred settings are recalled when said recall button is depressed.

5. A memory preference system for a vehicle whereby vehicle user'"'"'s preferred settings may be electronically set and later electronically recalled, wherein;

said vehicle houses a memory storage location, an electronic data receiving device, and a controller;

said vehicle enabling entry authorization by way of a user carried remote entry device that conveys identifying data to said electronic data receiving device;

said memory preference system being incorporated into said user carried remote entry device such that a vehicle stores said preferred settings at said memory storage location, and said memory storage location being activated for recall when a vehicle controller identifies said identifying data from said remote entry device and associates it with a particular user, said particular user being associated with the stored set of said preferred settings, said memory storage location then conveys said preferred settings to said controller which enables the stored preferred settings;

said remote entry device is provided with user operated memory and recall buttons so that said preferred settings are stored in said memory location when said memory button is depressed and said preferred settings are recalled when said recall button is depressed; and

stored preferred settings are automatically entered in a shift register such that any previously stored settings remain in said memory storage location and when said memory storage location is later activated for recall, said shift register is queried to determine a match to a predetermined number of preferred settings in order to establish the most likely preferred setting for a current vehicle user.

6. A memory preference system as recited in claim 5 wherein a permanent register is provided with said shift register so that a predetermined number of consecutive matching preferred settings for a vehicle user would be permanently stored in said permanent register for subsequent recall by said vehicle user.

7. A memory preference system for a vehicle whereby a vehicle user'"'"'s preferred settings may be electronically set and later electronically recalled, wherein:

said vehicle houses a memory storage location, an electronic data receiving device, and a controller;

said vehicle enabling entry authorization by way of a user carried remote entry device that conveys identifying data to said electronic data receiving device;

said memory preference system being incorporated into said user carried remote entry device such that a vehicle stores said preferred settings at said memory storage location;

said preferred settings being electronically associated with said identifying data such that at the time when said identifying data is received by said electronic data receiving device from said remote entry device, said memory storage location is automatically activated for recall of preferred settings which are then conveyed to said controller which enables the preferred settings; and

said stored preferred settings are automatically entered in a shift register such that previously stored settings remain in said memory storage location and when said memory storage location is later activated for recall, said shift register is queried to determine a match to a predetermined number of preferred settings in order to establish the most likely preferred setting for a current vehicle user.

8. A memory preference system as recited in claim 7 wherein a permanent register is provided with said shift register so that a predetermined number of consecutive matching preferred settings for a vehicle user would be permanently stored in said permanent register for subsequent recall by said vehicle user.

9. A memory preference system for a vehicle whereby a vehicle user'"'"'s preferred settings may be electronically set and later electronically recalled, wherein:

said vehicle houses a memory storage location, an electronic data receiving device, and a controller;

said vehicle enabling entry authorization by way of a user carried remote entry device that conveys identifying data to said electronic data receiving device;

said remote entry device is provided with user operated memory and recall buttons;

said memory preference system being incorporated into said user carried remote entry device such that a vehicle stores said preferred settings at said memory storage location upon depression of said memory button and then depression of said recall button to recall said preferred settings which are then conveyed to said controller which enables the preferred settings; and

said stored preferred settings are automatically entered in a shift register such that previously stored settings remain in said memory storage location and when said memory storage location is later activated for recall, said shift register is queried to determine a match to a predetermined number of preferred settings in order to establish the most likely preferred setting for a current vehicle user.

10. A memory preference system as recited in claim 9 wherein a permanent register is provided with said shift register so that a predetermined number of consecutive matching preferred settings for a vehicle user would be permanently stored in said permanent register for subsequent recall by said vehicle user.