Programmable electronic device

• US 20030028299A1
• Filed: 07/19/2001
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Code Systems Incorporated (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Code Systems Incorporated (VOXX International Corporation)
• Inventors: Stouffer, Peter, Graham, Richard, Schroeder, Michael, Showalter, David, Schroeder, Steven, Foy, Michael, Gagnon, Gregg, Girardin, Ralph, Rupert, David, Bodrov, Valeriy, Whitehead, Anthony, Cohrs, Mark, Allio, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 6,697,719 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof

Abstract

A feature set module for programming features of a vehicle control system is disclosed. The feature set module is designed to be easily attached to or detached from an interface module of a control system. The feature set module may include a latching mechanism to secure the feature set module to the interface module. Additionally, the feature set module has terminals that communicate with terminals of the interface module.

Claims

1. A vehicle control system, comprising:

an interface module connected to electronic input and output devices; and

a feature set module for detachably coupling to said interface unit, wherein said interface unit contains programming for controlling functions of said alarm system.

2. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic input and output device includes circuitry for automatically starting a vehicle.

3. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic input and output device includes circuitry for activating a siren.

4. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic input and output device includes circuitry for activating motion detector circuitry.

5. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein said programming is software stored on a non-volatile memory device.

6. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein said programming is downloaded onto the feature set module.

7. The vehicle control system according to claim 5, wherein said non-volatile memory device is an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory device.

8. The vehicle control system according to claim 6, wherein said programming is downloaded onto the feature set module using an Internet.

9. The vehicle control system according to claim 6, wherein said programming is downloaded onto the feature set module using a computer.

18. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic input and output device includes circuitry for activating a sound alarm.

19. The vehicle control system according to claim 18, wherein said sound alarm emanates from a horn.

20. The vehicle control system according to claim 18, wherein said sound alarm is progressive in duration.

10. A method of modifying functions of a vehicle control system comprising steps of:

removing a first feature set module from said alarm system; and

replacing said first feature set module with a second feature set module programmed to provide different functionality.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said replacing step further comprises:

reprogramming said first feature set module to produce said second feature set module.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein said reprogramming is accomplished using telematics.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein said reprogramming is accomplished by downloading a new program over a network.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said network is a wireless network.

12. The method according to claim 111, wherein said reprogramming is accomplished by downloading a new program over an Internet.

13. The method according to claim 111, wherein said reprogramming is accomplished by downloading a new program using a personal computer.

14. The method according to claim 111, wherein said reprogramming is accomplished using a cell phone.