Apparatus and method for initializing a telematics terminal

• US 7,639,121 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2006
• Issued: 12/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Young-Mun
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tang; Son M
• Application Number:
  US11/275,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20060158319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,456 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/545.1, 340/995.1, 713/1, 713/100, 381/104, 381/302
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses

Abstract

A method and apparatus for initializing a telematics terminal includes generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle. The telematics terminal is initialized based on the door open signal. An accessory signal corresponding to a position or change in operating state of an ignition switch may be generated. At least one telematics module within the vehicle can be initialized based on the door open signal or the accessory signal.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

setting a telematics terminal to a door detection operating mode;

while the telematics terminal is in the door detection operating mode;

receiving an accessory signal at the telematics terminal,

disregarding the accessory signal based on the setting of the telematics terminal to the door detection operating mode,

receiving a door open signal at the telematics terminal, and

initializing the telematics terminal based on the receipt of the door open signal while the telematics terminal is set to the door detection operating mode;

setting the telematics terminal to an ignition operating mode; and

while the telematics terminal in the ignition operating mode;

receiving a further door open signal at the telematics terminal while the telematics terminal is set to the ignition operating mode,

disregarding the further door open signal based on the setting of the telematics terminal to the ignition operating mode,

receiving a further accessory signal at the telematics terminal while the telematics terminal is set to the ignition operating mode, and

initializing the telematics terminal based on the receipt of the further accessory signal while the telematics terminal is set to the ignition operating mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein initializing the telematics terminal based on the receipt of the door open signal comprises initializing a multimedia player within the telematics terminal based on the door open signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the door open signal is a door unlock signal for opening the door of the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising transmitting the door unlock signal with a remote controller.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the door unlock signal is generated at the door of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the door open signal is generated responsive to a position or change in position of the vehicle door.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the door open signal is received as a result of a detection of an opened state of a driver'"'"'s side door of the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein disregarding the accessory signal includes refraining from conducting an initialization.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein refraining from conducting an initialization includes refraining from conducting an initialization which would occur in the absence of receipt of the door open signal.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein initializing the telematics terminal based on the receipt of the door open signal comprises initializing a telematics module within the telematics terminal based on the door open signal.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a door detecting unit configured to generate a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle;

a telematics module configured to;

set a door detection operation mode, and

set an ignition operating mode; and

a controller configured to;

when the telematics module is set to the door detection operating mode;

receive an accessory signal at a telematics module in the vehicle

disregard receipt of the accessory signal based on the setting of the telematics module to the door detection operating mode,

receive a door open signal at the telematics module, and

initialize the telematics module based on the receipt of the door open signal while the telematics module is set to the door detection operating mode, and

when the telematics module is set to the ignition operating mode;

receiving a further door open signal at the telematics module,

disregard receipt of the further door open signal based on the setting of the telematics module to the ignition operating mode,

receive a further accessory signal at the telematics module, and

initialize the telematics module based on the receipt of the further accessory signal while the telematics module is set to the ignition operating mode.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein configured to disregard receipt of the accessory signal includes configured to refrain from conducting an initialization which would occur in response to receipt of the door open signal.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an interface circuit electrically connected between the door detecting unit and the controller, wherein the interface circuit is configured to receive the accessory signal and the door open signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the door open signal is generated responsive to a position or change in position of the vehicle door.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the door open signal is a door unlock signal for opening the door of the vehicle.