Remote feedback for vehicle key fob functions

• US 7,504,931 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2006
• Issued: 03/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Huan T.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/360,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20060220806A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.14, 340/539.16, 340/539.25, 340/425.5, 340/426.18, 340/426.35, 340/539.23, 340/426.13, 340/426.15, 340/426.16, 340/426.36, 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/456.1, 701/1, 701/213, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 340/426.36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling operation of a vehicle. The apparatus includes, but is not limited to, an input configured to receive an action of the operator that is indicative of the operation to be performed by the vehicle and a transmitter that is configured to send a first signal via a wireless connection with the vehicle that at least partially embodies a command for the action of the operator received by the input. In addition, the apparatus comprises a receiver configured to receive a second signal via the wireless connection with the vehicle that at least partially embodies feedback from a sensor of the vehicle indicative of the operation resulting from the command at least partially embodied by the first signal sent by the transmitter. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises an output configured to present information to the operator on the operation based at least in part on the feedback in the second signal received by the receiver.

Claims

1. A portable control device configured to provide an operator with control of an operation of a vehicle, comprising:

an input configured to receive an action of the operator that is indicative of the operation to be performed by the vehicle;

a transmitter configured to send a first signal via an at least partly wireless connection with the vehicle that at least partially embodies a command for the action of the operator received by the input;

a receiver configured to receive a second signal via the at least partly wireless connection with the vehicle that at least partially embodies feedback from a sensor of the vehicle indicative of the operation resulting from the command at least partially embodied by the first signal sent by the transmitter; and

a light bar configured to present information to the operator on the operation based at least in part on the feedback in the second signal received by the receiver;

wherein the portable control device is a keyfob, and wherein the vehicle emits a temperature signal indicative of temperature associated with the vehicle, and wherein the portable electronic device further comprises a processor operatively coupled to the receiver and to the light bar, the processor configured to;

(i) receive the temperature signal via the receiver, and (ii) adjust the illumination of the light bar in accordance with the temperature signal.

2. The portable control device of claim 1, wherein the at least partly wireless connection comprises a cell phone or Internet connection.

3. The portable control device of claim 1, wherein the portable control device is configured to send instructions to the vehicle altering the vehicle'"'"'s response to subsequent commands.

4. The portable control device of claim 1 wherein the input comprises one or more user actuated functions that cause available operations that can be performed by the vehicle to be presented by the output so that the operator so can thereby select the particular operation desired to be performed by the vehicle.