System and method for activation of remote features from an automotive vehicle

• US 6,982,626 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2003
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Nedorezov, Felix
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, NAM V
• Application Number:
  US10/604,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20050030195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.71, 340/5.2, 340/5.21, 340/5.23, 340/5.24, 340/5.5, 340/5.7, 340/5.72, 340/5.8
• US Class Current: 340/5.71
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link

Abstract

A system (12) for activating a remotely controlled device (14) from an automotive vehicle (10) includes a key pad (24) that generates a first coded signal. A transmitter controller (20) is coupled to the key pad (24) and receives the first coded signal and generates a control signal in response to the first coded signal.

Claims

1. A system for operating a remote device from an automotive vehicle comprising:

a keypad generating a first coded signal;

a push button coupled to the security module;

a memory having a memory code; and

a transmitter controller coupled to the memory and the push button, said transmitter controller disabling operation of the push button until the first coded signal matches the memory code, when the first coded signal matches the memory code enabling the push button, the transmitter controller generating a wireless control signal for operating the remote device in response to activating the push button.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first coded signal corresponds to a combination of buttons.

3. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the transmitter controller is coupled to the keypad though a multiplex bus.

4. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein memory stores a plurality of code signals associated with a plurality of control signals.

5. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the memory comprises a non-volatile memory.

6. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a service connector for receiving a reset for clearing the memory.

7. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second keypad for generating the first coded signal.

8. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the keypad comprises a radio key pad.

9. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the keypad comprises a stand-alone keypad.

10. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the keypad comprises a keyless entry keypad.

11. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the transmitter controller comprises a bus interface coupled to the memory, an enable logic comparing the first coded signal to codes stored in the memory.

12. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the push button comprises a garage door opener.

13. A system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a bus;

a keypad coupling a first coded signal and a disable code to the bus; and

a transmitter controller coupled to the bus for receiving the disable code and first coded signal, said transmitter controller having an enabled state and a disabled state, said transmitter controller comprising a memory and enabling logic, said enabling logic changing the enabled state to a disabled state in response to the disable code and changing the disabled state to an enabled state in response to the disable code, said enabling logic determining a control signal corresponding to the first coded signal, said transmitter controller comprising a transmitter generating a wireless signal corresponding to said control signal when the transmitter controller is in the enabled state.

14. A system as recited in claim 13 further comprising a power source and an ignition lock having an ignition lock status, said first coded signal enabling the transmitter without regard to the ignition lock status.

15. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the keypad comprises a radio key pad.

16. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the keypad comprises a stand-alone keypad.

17. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the keypad comprises a keyless entry keypad.

18. A method of operating a remotely controlled device using a transmitter of an automotive vehicle comprising:

generating a disable code corresponding to a combination of buttons from a keypad coupled to the vehicle;

changing a state of a transmitter controller from an enabled state to a disabled state or the disabled state to then enabled state in response to the disable code;

generating a first coded signal corresponding to a combination of buttons from a keypad coupled to the vehicle;

determining a control signal corresponding to the first coded signal when the first coded signal is stored in memory; and

transmitting a wireless control signal corresponding to the first coded signal from a transmitter of the vehicle when the transmitter is in the enabled state.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 further comprising programming enabling the system by entering a program code;

entering a new code and corresponding frequency into the memory.

20. A method as recited in claim 18 further comprising resetting the memory through a service connector.