System and method for training a trainable transmitter and a remote control system receiver

• US 7,786,843 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2005
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Witkowski, Todd R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Syed; Nabil H
• Application Number:
  US11/109,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20060232377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,960 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.22, 340/5.25, 340/5.26, 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/825
• US Class Current: 340/5.25
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/31 Voice input
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/62 Rolling code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control

Abstract

A method for training a receiver of a remote control system to a trainable transmitter includes receiving a control signal from an original transmitter associated with the remote control system. A first period of time is started in response to receipt of the control signal. During the first period of time, a learn message is received from a trainable transmitter. In response to the learn message, the receiver begins a receiver training mode. During the training mode, a rolling code control signal is received from the trainable transmitter and the trainable transmitter is enrolled by storing an identifier of the trainable transmitter.

Claims

1. A method for training a trainable transmitter to send authenticated control signals to a remote control system, the method comprising:

initiating a training mode;

receiving a first signal from an original transmitter associated with the remote control system;

identifying an encrypted portion of the first signal;

constructing a learn message including the encrypted portion of the first signal and an identifier associated with the trainable transmitter;

transmitting the learn message to the remote control system;

waiting a period of time before generating a second signal, wherein the second signal is configured to cause actuation of the remote control system; and

transmitting the second signal to the remote control system;

wherein the learn message is configured to cause the remote control system to calculate information that the remote control system will expect to receive with the second signal, wherein the second signal includes the identifier associated with the trainable transmitter and a new encrypted portion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises an identifier the remote control system will use to identify the trainable transmitter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second signal is generated based on at least one of a remote control system type, an encryption algorithm, and a carrier frequency.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal comprises a fixed portion including an identifier of the original transmitter and the first signal further comprises the encrypted portion that includes an encrypted counter value, and wherein the learn message is also constructed using the fixed portion.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to enter the training mode, wherein the request to enter the training mode is received via a pushbutton.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the trainable transmitter is integrated in a vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the trainable transmitter is integrated in a vehicle interior element, wherein the vehicle interior element is a mirror.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the second signal is configured to cause the remote control system to enroll the trainable transmitter as a valid transmitter.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the learn message includes an identifier associated with the original transmitter.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the learn message is configured to cause the receiver to enter a learn mode.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein constructing the learn message including the encrypted portion of the first signal and the identifier associated with the trainable transmitter comprises applying a predetermined algorithm to the encrypted portion of the first signal in its encrypted form.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein applying the predetermined algorithm includes performing an exclusive-OR (XOR) operation between the encrypted portion of the first signal and identifier associated with the trainable transmitter.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein applying the predetermined algorithm includes performing an addition operation between the encrypted portion of the first signal and identifier associated with the trainable transmitter.

23. The method of claim 4, wherein constructing the learn message including the encrypted portion of the first signal and the identifier associated with the trainable transmitter comprises applying a predetermined algorithm to the identifier associated with the trainable transmitter and the encrypted counter value of the first signal in its encrypted form.

8. A transceiver device for mounting in a vehicle and for communicating with a remote control system associated with an original transmitter, the transceiver device comprising:

a control circuit;

a receiver circuit communicably coupled to the control circuit and configured to receive a first signal from the original transmitter, wherein the control circuit is configured to identify an encrypted portion of the first signal, and wherein the control circuit is further configured to construct a learn message including the encrypted portion of the first signal and an identifier associated with the transceiver device; and

a transmitter circuit communicably coupled to the control circuit and configured to transmit the learn message to the remote control system, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate a second signal, and wherein the transmitter circuit is configured to transmit the second signal to the remote control system, wherein the second signal is configured to cause actuation of the remote control system;

wherein the learn message is configured to cause the remote control system to calculate information that the remote control system will expect to receive with the second signal, wherein the second signal includes the identifier associated with the transceiver device and a new encrypted portion.

9. The transceiver device of claim 8, wherein at least one part of the transceiver device is mounted to a mirror of the vehicle.

10. The transceiver device of claim 8, wherein the transceiver device is mounted to a rearview mirror.

11. The transceiver device of claim 8, wherein the encrypted portion includes an encrypted counter value.

12. The transceiver device of claim 8, wherein the encrypted portion is not decrypted by the transceiver device.

13. The transceiver device of claim 8, wherein the first signal further includes an identifier of the original transmitter, and wherein the control circuit is further configured to construct the learn message using the identifier.

14. The transceiver device of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the second signal using data retrieved from memory, wherein the data retrieved from memory is determined by using at least one of the carrier frequency of the first signal and an identifier associated with the original transmitter.

15. The transceiver device of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the second signal so that it comprises the information that the remote control system should expect to receive with the second signal, the information comprising a rolling code message and an encryption algorithm.

24. The transceiver device of claim 8, wherein the control circuit configured to construct the learn message including the encrypted portion of the first signal and the identifier associated with the trainable transmitter is further configured to apply a predetermined algorithm to the encrypted portion of the first signal in its encrypted form.

25. The transceiver device of claim 24, wherein applying the predetermined algorithm includes performing an exclusive-OR (XOR) operation between the encrypted portion of the first signal and identifier associated with the trainable transmitter.

26. The transceiver device of claim 24, wherein applying the predetermined algorithm includes performing an addition operation between the encrypted portion of the first signal and identifier associated with the trainable transmitter.

27. The transceiver device of claim 8, wherein the first signal comprises a fixed portion including an identifier of the original transmitter and the first signal further comprises the encrypted portion that includes an encrypted counter value, and wherein the learn message is also constructed using the fixed portion, wherein the control circuit configured to construct the learn message including the encrypted portion of the first signal and the identifier associated with the trainable transmitter is further configured to apply a predetermined algorithm to the identifier associated with the trainable transmitter and the encrypted counter value of the first signal in its encrypted form.

16. A mirror for mounting in a vehicle, the mirror comprising:

a transceiver configured to;

initiate a training mode;

receive a first signal from an original transmitter associated with a remote control system;

identify an encrypted portion of the first signal;

construct a learn message including the encrypted portion of the first signal and an identifier associated with transceiver;

transmit the learn message to the remote control system;

waiting a period of time before generating a second signal, wherein the second signal is configured to cause actuation of the remote control system; and

transmit the second signal to the remote control system;

wherein the learn message is configured to cause the remote control system to calculate information that the remote control system will expect to receive with the second signal, wherein the second signal includes the identifier associated with the transciever and a new encrypted portion.

28. The mirror of claim 16, wherein constructing a learn message including the encrypted portion of the first signal and an identifier associated with the transceiver comprises applying a predetermined algorithm to the encrypted portion of the first signal in its encrypted form.

29. The mirror of claim 28, wherein applying the predetermined algorithm includes performing an exclusive-OR (XOR) operation between the encrypted portion of the first signal and identifier associated with the transceiver.

30. The mirror of claim 28, wherein applying the predetermined algorithm includes performing an addition operation between the encrypted portion of the first signal and identifier associated with the transceiver.

31. The mirror of claim 16, wherein the first signal comprises a fixed portion including an identifier of the original transmitter and the first signal further comprises the encrypted portion that includes an encrypted counter value, and wherein the learn message is also constructed using the fixed portion, wherein constructing the learn message including the encrypted portion of the first signal and the identifier associated with the transceiver comprises applying a predetermined algorithm to the identifier associated with the transceiver and the encrypted counter value of the first signal in its encrypted form.