System and Method for Triggering Vehicle Functions

• US 20090177336A1
• Filed: 01/07/2008
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Inthinc Technology Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Inthinc Technology Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: McClellan, Scott, Follmer, Todd
• Application Number:
  US11/970,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20090177336A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/209 Remote starting of engine

Abstract

System and method for remotely activating a vehicle function, comprising receiving an incoming message including an identification code; identifying one or more vehicles using the identification code; and sending a command to one or more of the vehicles. The incoming message may be associated with a telephone call, and the identification code may be caller identification information from the telephone call. The incoming message may be a packet-based message, and the identification code may be an identification of a sender of the message, such as an origination address. The identification code may be uniquely associated with one vehicle or multiple vehicles on a single user account. The command may be a command to lock or unlock one or more of the vehicles, or a command to start one or more of the vehicles.

Claims

1. A method for remotely triggering a vehicle function, comprising:

receiving an incoming message including an identification code;

identifying one or more vehicles using the identification code; and

sending a command to one or more of the vehicles.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the incoming message is associated with a telephone call;

and

wherein the identification code is caller identification information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the incoming message is a packet-based message;

and

wherein the identification code is an identification of a sender of the message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification code is uniquely associated with one or more vehicles.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification code is associated with a user account;

and

wherein the one or more vehicles are associated with the user account.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the command is a command to lock or unlock one or more of the vehicles.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the command is a command to start one or more of the vehicles.

8. A method for remotely triggering a vehicle operation, comprising:

receiving a message from a user;

identifying one or more vehicles associated with the user;

identifying a requested operation; and

transmitting a command to one or more vehicles to perform the requested operation.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the message is a telephone call;

and

wherein the one or more vehicles are identified using a called number.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the message is a packet-based message;

and

wherein the one or more vehicles are identified using a destination address for the message.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the message is a telephone call;

and

wherein the requested operation is identified using a called number.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the requested operation is identified using a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the message is a packet-based message;

and

wherein the requested operation is identified using a destination address for the message.

14. A system for controlling operation of vehicle functions, comprising:

a receiver for receiving vehicle operation commands;

a processor coupled to the receiver, wherein the processor determines which vehicle system is associated with the vehicle operation command; and

a vehicle system interface that allows the processor to trigger a function associated with the vehicle operation command.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a transmitter for sending vehicle status information to a remote server.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle system interface is an interface to an on-board diagnostic system for the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle system interface is an interface to an electrical system for the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle operation command is associated with a door lock or unlock function.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle operation command is associated with an engine start or shutdown function.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle operation command is associated with a command to disable a vehicle.

21. A method for remotely activating a vehicle function, comprising:

receiving, at a location remote from the vehicle, an incoming message including caller identification information;

identifying one or more vehicles using the caller identification information; and

sending a command to one or more of the vehicles, wherein the command activates the vehicle function.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the vehicle function is selected from the group consisting of:

opening or closing vehicle windows;

opening or closing a convertible vehicle roof;

turning on or off a vehicle ignition;

turning on or off a vehicle heater;

turning on or off a vehicle air conditioning system;

turning or off vehicle lights; and

honking a vehicle horn.

23. A method for remotely deactivating a vehicle function, comprising:

receiving, at a location remote from the vehicle, an incoming message including caller identification information;

identifying one or more vehicles using the caller identification information; and

sending a command to one or more of the vehicles, wherein the command deactivates the vehicle function.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the vehicle function is selected from the group consisting of:

opening or closing vehicle windows;

opening or closing a convertible vehicle roof;

turning on or off a vehicle ignition;

turning on or off a vehicle heater;

turning on or off a vehicle air conditioning system;

turning or off vehicle lights; and

honking a vehicle horn.