Vehicle tracking unit for controlling operable vehicle devices using a vehicle data bus and related methods
DCFirst Claim
1. A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto, the at least one operable vehicle device responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus, the vehicle tracking unit comprising:
- a vehicle position determining device;
a wireless communications device; and
a controller spaced apart from the at least one operable vehicle device and connected to the vehicle data bus so that the vehicle data bus extends from said controller to the at least one operable vehicle device, said controller for cooperating with said vehicle position determining device and said wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user;
said controller generating the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by said wireless communications device;
the at least one operable vehicle device comprising a car starter device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle tracking unit is provided for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto. The at least one operable vehicle device may be responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus. The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user. Moreover, the controller may generate the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data communications bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by the wireless device.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto, the at least one operable vehicle device responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus, the vehicle tracking unit comprising:
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a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; and a controller spaced apart from the at least one operable vehicle device and connected to the vehicle data bus so that the vehicle data bus extends from said controller to the at least one operable vehicle device, said controller for cooperating with said vehicle position determining device and said wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user; said controller generating the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by said wireless communications device; the at least one operable vehicle device comprising a car starter device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto, the at least one operable vehicle device responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus, the vehicle tracking unit comprising:
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a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; and a controller spaced apart from the at least one operable vehicle device and connected to the vehicle data bus so that the vehicle data bus extends from said controller to the at least one operable vehicle device, said controller for cooperating with said vehicle position determining device and said wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user; said controller generating the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal provided by the user and received by said wireless communications device; said controller also cooperating with said wireless communications device to send a response message to the user based upon receiving the command signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto, the at least one operable vehicle device responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus, the vehicle tracking unit comprising:
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a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; and a controller spaced apart from the at least one operable vehicle device and connected to the vehicle data bus so that the vehicle data bus extends from said controller to the at least one operable vehicle device, said controller for cooperating with said vehicle position determining device and said wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user; said controller generating the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by said wireless communications device; the at least one operable vehicle device comprising a vehicle window actuator. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto, the at least one operable vehicle device responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus, the vehicle tracking unit comprising:
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a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; and a controller spaced apart from the at least one operable vehicle device and connected to the vehicle data bus so that the vehicle data bus extends from said controller to the at least one operable vehicle device, said controller for cooperating with said vehicle position determining device and said wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a telephone network interface for a user; said controller generating the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by said wireless communications device. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto, the at least one operable vehicle device responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus, the vehicle tracking unit comprising:
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a vehicle position determining device; a wireless communications device; and a controller spaced apart from the at least one operable vehicle device and connected to the vehicle data bus so that the vehicle data bus extends from said controller to the at least one operable vehicle device, said controller for cooperating with said vehicle position determining device and said wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to an Internet network interface for a user; said controller generating the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by said wireless communications device. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification