System and method for short-range communication for a vehicle

• US 8,165,527 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2007
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Sims, Michael J., Shearer, Carl L., Geerlings, Steven L., Witkowski, Todd R., Vanlente, Paul S., Ringold, Ted W., Trainor, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): COX, CASSANDRA F
• Application Number:
  US12/438,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20100240307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/41.3
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control

Abstract

A system for communicating information and/or instructions includes a transmitter and receiver configured for wireless communication with a user interface. The information and/or instructions may be audibly communicated to the user. The system includes voice activation and controls. The wireless communication may utilize Bluetooth communication protocol.

Claims

1. A method of providing audible information related to a wireless control system for use in a vehicle, the method comprising:

transmitting data representative of the audible information using a transmitter coupled to the wireless control system, the transmitter configured to send the data via a short-range communication protocol;

receiving the data transmitted by the transmitter using a receiver coupled to a user interface system wherein the receiver is not wired to the wireless control system, the receiver configured to be in wireless communication with the transmitter;

at least one of playing and displaying the audible information based on the data received by the receiver using the user interface system; and

executing instructions stored in a memory of the wireless control system, using a processor, to cause the audible information to be played by the user interface, wherein the audible information comprises interactive user instructions for training the wireless control system to communicate with an electronic device remote from the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle system comprises a wireless control system configured to wirelessly control an electronic device remote from the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a garage door opener, a security system, a lighting module, a home control module, a gate opener, a remote vehicle system and a computer system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the short-range communication protocol is Bluetooth.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes at least one of a hands-free system, a display, an audio circuit, a cell phone and a personal data assistant.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

controlling the system using voice-activated controls.

7. A method of providing audible information related to a wireless control system for use in a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving input from a user related to the wireless control system at a wireless control system provided in a vehicle;

providing audible information to a memory unit included in the wireless control system based on the input;

providing a user interface system configured to play the audible information downloaded to the memory unit; and

executing instructions stored in the memory unit, using a processor, to cause the audible information to be played by the user interface, wherein the audible information comprises interactive user instructions for training the wireless control system to communicate with an electronic device remote from the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the audible information includes at least one of voice prompts and user instructions.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising at least one of:

prompting a user to play the audible information; and

prompting the user to display the audible information.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the wireless control system comprises a trainable transmitter that is trainable to wirelessly control an electronic device remote from the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a garage door opener, a security system, a lighting module, a home control module, a gate opener and a computer system.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

controlling the wireless control system using voice-activated controls.

13. A wireless control system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a wireless control system comprising;

a memory configured to store audible information associated with the wireless control system;

a processing device; and

a transmitter coupled to the wireless control system, the transmitter configured for short-range wireless communication, wherein the transmitter is configured to send data representative of the audible information;

a user interface system coupled to the wireless control system through a short-range wireless network comprising;

a receiver configured to communicate with the transmitter to transfer the data wherein the receiver is not wired to the wireless control system;

a user interface coupled to the receiver and configured to play audible information related to operation of the wireless control system based on the data received by the receiver; and

wherein the processor in the wireless control system is configured to execute instructions stored in the wireless control system memory to cause the audible information to be played by the user interface, wherein the audible information comprises interactive user instructions for training the wireless control system to communicate with an electronic device remote from the vehicle.

14. The vehicle system of claim 13, wherein the audible information includes at least one of voice prompts and user instructions for the wireless control system.

15. The vehicle system of claim 13, wherein the wireless control system comprises a trainable transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate with an electronic device remote from the vehicle.

16. The vehicle system of claim 15, wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a garage door opener, a security system, a lighting module, a home control module, a gate opener and a computer system.

17. The vehicle system of claim 15, wherein the trainable transmitter is configured to communicate with the electronic device via Bluetooth.

18. The vehicle system of claim 13, wherein the short-range communication protocol is a Bluetooth protocol.

19. The vehicle system of claim 13, wherein the user interface includes at least one of a hands-free system, a display, an audio circuit, a cell phone and a personal data assistant.

20. The vehicle system of claim 13, wherein the vehicle system includes voice-activated controls for the vehicle system.