Advanced remote operation system

• US 6,885,285 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2001
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Losey, Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne, Ario
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalencourt, Yves
• Application Number:
  US09/916,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20020109583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.72, 340/426.1, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/5.32, 340/5.33, 340/539.1, 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/539.11, 340/426.13, 340/426.15, 340/426.16, 340/426.19, 340/426.2, 340/426.21, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 701/49, 701/36, 374/132, 165/202
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/0065 Control members, e.g. levers or knobs B60H1/00985 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00657 Remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/2206 controlling the operation of burners control of burners in general F23N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2234 when vehicle is parked, preheating
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2243 manual operation, e.g. remote control or timer
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2225/00 Means indicating the functioning state of the alarm system, e.g. indicating arming, using leds
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/209 Remote starting of engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances

Abstract

A remote vehicle operation system has a control unit in communication with at least one subsystem of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a transmitter communicates with the control unit and transmits feedback signals to a portable receiver carried by the operator. One such subsystem may be a climate control subsystem. A communication unit communicates with the climate control subsystem and transmits a feedback signal when the subsystem meets a predetermined condition. The communication unit may have a transmitter in communication with the control unit. This embodiment may thus be a climate control subsystem in a vehicle and a control unit in communication with the subsystem.

Claims

1. A remote vehicle operation system comprising:

a control unit in communication with a vehicle climate control system and at least one other subsystem of a vehicle;

a vehicle transmitter/receiver for communication with said control unit; and

a remote transmitter/receiver for communication with said vehicle transmitter/receiver, said remote transmitter/receiver for sending a signal to said vehicle transmitter/receiver to control said vehicle climate control system and said at least one other subsystem, said control unit for sending a feedback signal about said vehicle climate control system and said at least one other subsystem.

2. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 1 wherein said remote transmitter/receiver is a phone.

3. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 1 wherein said at least one other subsystem is a vehicle navigation system.

4. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 1 wherein said at least one other subsystem is a vehicle security system.

5. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 1 wherein said at least one other system is a vehicle ignition system.

6. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 1 wherein said control unit is for comparing a cab temperature to a desired temperature and for sending said feedback signal to let an operator know that the cab temperature is within a range of said desired temperature.

7. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 3 wherein said feedback signal relates to a vehicle location.

8. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 3 wherein said feedback signal relates to information from said vehicle navigation system.

9. The remote vehicle operation system of claim 5 wherein said feedback signal relates to said vehicle ignition system.

10. A method of remote control of a vehicle operation system comprising the steps of:

(1) transmitting a command to a vehicle subsystem from an operator control;

(2) receiving the command at the vehicle;

(3) directing the vehicle subsystem based on the command;

(4) assessing data relating to the vehicle subsystem; and

(5) transmitting feedback based on the data to the operator wherein said command is a remote ignition signal, and step (3) includes starting the vehicle and a vehicle climate control, and step (4) includes the step of comparing a desired cab temperature to an actual cab temperature, and sending said feedback when the two are within a range.