Vehicle communications
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring and/or controlling a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a data transfer unit that receives data signals transmitted on a vehicle data bus relating to the status and/or operation of one or more vehicle systems or devices; and
a transceiver that wirelessly transmits information relating to one or more of said received data signals to a mobile communications device via a web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system, for display to a user, the transceiver having a first mode in which it is operable to receive control messages from the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system and a quiescent mode in which the transceiver is not operable to receive control messages from the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system,wherein the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system is arranged to receive a vacation control message from the mobile communications device, said vacation control message indicating that the user wishes to place the transceiver in the quiescent mode for a user-defined period of time, the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system being further arranged to transmit a shut down control message to said transceiver,wherein, upon receipt of said shut down control message by said transceiver, the system is operable to place said transceiver in said quiescent state for said user-defined period of time.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus 10 for interacting remotely with a vehicle 12 comprising data transfer means 22 for wirelessly communicating messages between a mobile communications device 18 operable by a user and a vehicle databus 24 located within the vehicle 12. Optionally, the data transfer means 22 is arranged to wirelessly communicate with the mobile communications device 18 via a web server 14, a web portal or other internet-connected host system. The data transfer means 22 may be arranged to wirelessly communicate with the web portal via a GSM or other cellular communications network 13. After the vehicle engine has stopped, communication of messages may continue on an intermittent basis, or may be suspended after a predetermined time has elapsed or when the vehicle battery voltage reaches a predetermined threshold. High priority messages may be communicated at any time after the vehicle engine has stopped.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring and/or controlling a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a data transfer unit that receives data signals transmitted on a vehicle data bus relating to the status and/or operation of one or more vehicle systems or devices; and a transceiver that wirelessly transmits information relating to one or more of said received data signals to a mobile communications device via a web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system, for display to a user, the transceiver having a first mode in which it is operable to receive control messages from the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system and a quiescent mode in which the transceiver is not operable to receive control messages from the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system, wherein the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system is arranged to receive a vacation control message from the mobile communications device, said vacation control message indicating that the user wishes to place the transceiver in the quiescent mode for a user-defined period of time, the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system being further arranged to transmit a shut down control message to said transceiver, wherein, upon receipt of said shut down control message by said transceiver, the system is operable to place said transceiver in said quiescent state for said user-defined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 20)
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12. A method of interacting remotely with a vehicle, the method comprising at least one of:
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a) sending a control message remotely from a mobile communications device, via a web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system, to a transceiver located within the vehicle, translating the control message into a corresponding control data signal and transmitting said control data signal onto a vehicle data bus located within the vehicle and controlling at least one of a vehicle system, vehicle function or vehicle device; b) receiving a status signal relating to status or operation of one or more vehicle systems or devices from a vehicle data bus located within the vehicle, converting the received data signal into a data message and wirelessly communicating the status message from a transceiver located within the vehicle to the mobile communications device, via the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system; and c) sending a vacation control message from the mobile communications device to the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system, said vacation control message indicating that a user wishes to place the transceiver in a quiescent mode for a user-defined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification