Method and apparatus for accessing, monitoring and controlled specified functions, features and accessories of a vehicle

• US 6,611,201 B1
• Filed: 07/21/1999
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vetronix Corp (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Ventronix Corporation
• Inventors: Bishop, Ronald D., Dodd, Kenneth M., Lindberg, R. Clark
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US09/358,357
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/425.5, 340/539, 340/825.31, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/5.5, 340/5.72
• US Class Current: 340/426.21
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/202 Personal digital assistant [PDA]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Abstract

A system installed in an automobile or other vehicle includes a master pager receiver unit or acknowledgment pager receiver/transmitter which receives paging messages sent from a paging transmitter site. The master unit is also in wireless communication with a set of slave units installed in the vehicle which include electronic switches and are programmed to control relays or other in-vehicle devices upon receipt of appropriate commands from the in-vehicle master unit. The slave units may include transceivers which allow the master unit to receive acknowledgment signals indicating that its commands were followed. The paging transmitter in the master unit also allows transmission of an acknowledgment signal to the paging transmitter site. The system provides a method and apparatus for communicating with specific electrical and mechanical components in the vehicle in order to access, monitor, disable and/or enable certain functions, features, and accessories in the vehicle. Audio and/or visual warning devices can also be used to deliver messages to the owner/operator of the vehicle, such as manufacturer recall notices. When the slave unit hears a specific code it opens or closes a switch that is connected to a specific electrical circuit and thus disables and enables functions of the automobile that are associated with that electrical circuit. The main receiver and/or standalone receiver of the system may also contain wiring harnesses that can be used to wire the main receiver directly to the relays in the automobile. One application of the invention is to remotely activate an audio warning device prior to disabling the ability for the driver to start the automobile by disabling the starter motor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing two-way communication between a vehicle and a remote communication station, said apparatus comprising:

a transceiver, mounted in the vehicle, for receiving an incoming signal from a communication station and transmitting an outgoing signal to the communication station;

a first controller, mounted in the vehicle, the first controller being connected to said transceiver, for determining whether said incoming signal includes a predetermined signal and, if so, for instructing a transmission of a command;

a wireless transmitter, mounted in the vehicle, the wireless transmitter being connected to said first controller, for transmitting the command; and

at least one slave unit, mounted in the vehicle, said slave unit including;

a first receiver for receiving said command transmitted by said wireless transmitter, and

a second controller, connected to said first receiver, for controlling a function of the vehicle in response to said command;

the apparatus further comprising;

a second receiver for receiving wireless communications, said second receiver being connected to said first controller, and further wherein said slave unit includes a second wireless transmitter for transmitting a message to said second receiver.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, said second controller further including an input for receiving information from an in-vehicle data processor, wherein said command is for monitoring the vehicle function and, in response to said command, said second controller causes said second wireless transmitter to transmit, to said second wireless receiver, data based upon the information received on said input.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second wireless transmitter transmits said message to said second receiver in response to receipt of said command by said first receiver.

4. An apparatus for providing two-way communication between a vehicle and a remote communication station, said apparatus comprising:

a first receiver for receiving an incoming signal from a communication station;

a first controller, mounted in the vehicle, the first controller being connected to said first receiver, for determining whether said incoming signal includes a predetermined signal and, if so, for instructing a transmission of a command;

a first wireless transceiver, mounted in the vehicle, the first wireless transceiver being connected to said first controller, for transmitting said command and for receiving a message; and

at least one slave unit, mounted in the vehicle, said slave unit including;

a second wireless transceiver for receiving said command transmitted by said first wireless transceiver and for transmitting said message, and

a second controller, connected to said second wireless transceiver, for controlling a function of the vehicle in response to said command.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a transmitter, connected to said first controller, for transmitting outgoing signals to the communication station.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second wireless transceiver transmits said message to said first wireless transceiver in order to acknowledge receipt of said command.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said predetermined signal includes an identification of the vehicle.