Programmer for vehicle security systems and related methods

• US 6,801,119 B1
• Filed: 03/04/1998
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Flick, Kenneth E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHIMIZU, MATSUICHIRO
• Application Number:
  US09/034,963
• Time in Patent Office: 2,407 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/5.72, 340/5.2, 340/5.7
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1013 Alarm systems characterised by the type of warning signal, e.g. visual, audible
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A vehicle security system programmer includes a housing and a plurality of manually settable switches carried by the housing. The vehicle security system is switchable to a programming mode responsive to a programming mode signal, and when in the programming mode sets a plurality of programmable features responsive to feature programming signals. The programmer also includes a programming mode circuit for communicating to the programmable vehicle security system a programming mode signal. Accordingly, the programmer can set the vehicle security system to the programming mode. In addition, the programmer also includes a feature programmer circuit for communicating to the programmable vehicle security system a plurality of feature programming signals based upon the plurality of manually settable switches. The programmer may be set for a number vehicle security systems, and sequentially connected to the vehicle security systems'"'"' for programming. The programmable vehicle security system may include a plurality of input conductors. Accordingly, the programming mode circuit and/or the feature programmer circuit may impress signals on at least one of the input conductors. The programmer may also communicate over a data bus with the vehicle security system controller.

Claims

1. A combination of a portable vehicle security system programmer and a programmable vehicle security system temporarily connected in wireless communication therewith, the vehicle security system being switchable to a programming mode responsive to a programming mode signal and when in the programming mode setting a plurality of programmable features responsive to feature programming signals, said portable vehicle security system programmer comprising:

a portable housing;

wireless programming mode means in said portable housing for wirelessly communicating to the programmable vehicle security system a programming mode signal;

a plurality of manually settable switches carried by said portable housing, each manually settable switch having a plurality of manually settable switch positions in which the switch will remain until a different switch position is manually set by a user;

indicia on said housing adjacent respective manually settable switches to identify respective programmable features associated therewith; and

wireless feature programmer means in said portable housing for wirelessly communicating to the programmable vehicle security system a plurality of feature programming signals based upon the plurality of manually settable switches.

2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the programmable features are sequentially selectable in the programmable vehicle security system;

and wherein said wireless feature programmer means comprises sequential setting means cooperating with the programmable vehicle security system for sequentially selecting and setting the programmable features.

3. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the programmable vehicle security system includes a controller comprising a microprocessor operating under stored program control.

4. A portable vehicle security system programmer for a programmable vehicle security system temporarily connected in wireless communication therewith, the vehicle security system being switchable to a programming mode responsive to a programming mode signal and when in the programming mode setting a plurality of programmable features responsive to feature programming signals, said portable vehicle security system programmer comprising:

a portable housing;

wireless programming mode means in said portable housing for wirelessly communicating to the programmable vehicle security system a programming mode signal;

a plurality of manually settable switches carried by said portable housing, each manually settable switch having a plurality of manually settable switch positions in which the switch will remain until a different switch position is manually set by a user;

indicia on said portable housing adjacent respective manually settable switches to identify respective programmable features associated therewith; and

wireless feature programmer means in said portable housing for wirelessly communicating to the programmable vehicle security system a plurality of feature programming signals based upon the plurality of manually settable switches.

5. A vehicle security system programmer according to claim 4, wherein the programmable features are sequentially selectable in the programmable vehicle security system;

and wherein said wireless feature programmer means comprises sequential setting means cooperating with the programmable vehicle security system for sequentially selecting and setting the programmable features.

6. A wireless programming method for a programmable vehicle security system being switchable to a programming mode responsive to a programming mode signal and when in the programming mode setting a plurality of programmable features responsive to feature programming signals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a portable vehicle security system programmer comprising a portable housing, a plurality of manually settable switches carried by the portable housing, and indicia on the portable housing adjacent respective manually settable switches to identify respective programmable features associated therewith, each manually settable switch having a plurality of manually settable switch positions in which the switch will remain until a different switch position is manually set by a user;

manually setting the plurality of manually settable switches to desired positions;

wirelessly communicating to the programmable vehicle security system a wireless programming mode signal with the portable vehicle security system programmer; and

wirelessly communicating to the programmable vehicle security system a plurality of wireless feature programming signals with the portable vehicle security system programmer based upon the plurality of manually set switches.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the programmable features are sequentially selectable in the programmable vehicle security system;

and wherein wirelessly communicating to the programmable security system the plurality of wireless feature programming signals comprises sequentially selecting and setting the programmable features.