Transponder communications system

• US 7,190,262 B1
• Filed: 12/08/1999
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Inventors: Edmondson, Jon Bert
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope; Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US09/857,607
• Time in Patent Office: 2,652 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/426.13, 340/426.15, 340/426.16, 340/438, 340/905, 340/933
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station

Abstract

A unit (1) for use in a vehicle is interrogated and identified by a fixed interrogator (2). A wireless form of communication is established between the unit (1) and interrogator (2) to permit transfer of data to the unit (1). As well as appropriate communication circuitry (12) and an identification store (19), the unit (1) includes processing of the incoming data by a microprocessor (32) to provide an audio signal for energizing a loud speaker (36) in the unit (1) to provide a sound output for the vehicle occupants. The unit is powered by internal batteries (22, 38) to be usable even when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The unit (1) is made self-contained to be mounted wherever convenient. The principle can be extended to providing data to control a visual display in the unit (1). The unit (1) may be provided with a user-interactive input such as a keypad (48). A radio link is described but other wireless means of communication are feasible.

Claims

1. A unit for providing messages emanating from a remote station to a user, comprising a transponder section for communicating with the remote station by a wireless mode of communication, and a data processing section, wherein the transponder section includes means for storing an identification code, means that are responsive to an interrogation signal from the remote station to emit an identification signal bearing the identification code, means that are responsive to incoming data signals including an address code, which may be the same as or derived from the identification code, and means for providing the incoming data to the data processing section, and wherein the data processing section includes means for providing an audio and/or visual output for the user of the unit, further characterized in that the unit further comprises means responsive to the audio output to generate a modulated signal for emitting externally of the unit.

2. The unit of claim 1, wherein the unit is contained within a housing including one or more batteries for powering the transponder section and the data processing section.

5. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for providing an audio and/or visual output at least includes means for providing an aural output.

3. A unit for providing messages emanating from a remote station to a user, comprising a transponder section for communicating with the remote station by a wireless mode of communication, and a data processing section, wherein the transponder section includes means for storing an identification code, means that are responsive to an interrogation signal from the remote station to emit an identification signal bearing the identification code, means that are responsive to incoming data signals including an address code, which may be the same as or derived from the identification code, and means for providing the incoming data to the data processing section, and wherein the data processing section includes means for providing an audio and visual output for the user of the unit, further characterized in that the unit is contained within a housing including one or more batteries for powering the transponder section and the data processing section.

4. The unit of claim 3, wherein the unit further comprises means responsive to the audio output to generate a modulated signal for emitting externally of the unit.

6. The unit of claim 3, wherein the unit further comprises means for receiving an input from a user and to initiate a signal from the transponder for communicating the user input to the remote station.

7. The unit of claim 6 further comprising a keypad or keyboard for generating the user input.

8. The unit of claim 3 further comprising means for linking the unit to an external device, which external device is operable by the user to generate inputs to the unit.