Installation and maintenance method and system for maintaining a control module for remote starter and alarm system for vehicles

• US 7,327,228 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2005
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Byung Woo Min, Jim Speers
• Original Assignee: Byung Woo Min, Jim Speers
• Inventors: Min, Byung Woo, Speers, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Hung
• Application Number:
  US11/032,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20060156298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.1, 340/426.13, 340/426.14, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.19, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 701/28, 701/29, 717/168, 717/174, 180/167, 180/173
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment

Abstract

An installation and maintenance method for maintaining a control module for remote starter and alarm system for vehicles includes the steps of plugging in a signal converter onto the control module, establishing an electronic connection between the control module and a first information processing device, obtaining a control information for the control module, and applying the control information on the control module. The signal converter includes a serial to wireless converter and the first information processing device includes a personal digital assistant (PDA). The method can further includes the steps of establishing a connection between the first information processing device and a second information processing device through a communication network and downloading an information from the second information processing device. A remote installation and maintenance system includes an information processing device, a communication network, and a server. The system installs and maintains the control module of the system.

Claims

1. An installation and maintenance method for maintaining a control module for remote starter and alarm system for vehicles, comprising the steps of:

a) establishing an electronic connection between the control module and a first information processing device;

b) obtaining a control information for the control module; and

c) applying the control information on the control module;

wherein the step of obtaining a control information comprises the steps of;

a) establishing a connection between the first information processing device and a second information processing device through a communication network; and

b) downloading an information from the second information processing device;

wherein the first information processing device verifies the operation of input and output functions of the control module,

wherein the first information processing device provides operating modes of test-and-debug, option programming, and firmware-and-software upgrades,

wherein the mode of option programming allows programming the options and features of the system according to the type of vehicle,

wherein the options and features are stored as a configuration file either locally in the first information processing device or to the server through the communication network,

wherein with the off-connection to the control module, the mode of option programming provides selection routine for passing the control of the mode to the program mode screen, passing the control of the mode to diagnostics mode and input screen, connecting the system to the control module.

2. The installation and maintenance method of claim 1, wherein the program mode provides error checking and vehicle dependent programming options.

3. The installation and maintenance method of claim 2, wherein with the on-connection to the control module the mode of option programming provides selection routine for retrying to connect in case of unsuccessful connection, passing the control of the mode to the diagnostics mode and input screen, connecting the system to the control module.

4. The installation and maintenance method of claim 3, wherein in the diagnostic mode and input screen the control module provides the processing device with the status options about the opening parts, braking parts, starting parts, and safety parts.

5. The installation and maintenance method of claim 3, wherein outputs from the control module include information on ignition, starter, accessories, park lights, horn and ground out when running.

6. The installation and maintenance method of claim 3, wherein outputs from the control module include information on lock, unlock, park lights, ignition, horn, and tachometer set point.