System and method for wireless control of multiple remote electronic systems

• US 8,049,595 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2006
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Olson, Thomas R., Geerlings, Steven L., Benson, Michael R., Wright, Thomas S., Blaker, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US11/602,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20070063814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,807 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/5.65, 340/5.7, 340/4.41, 340/4.42
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/31 Voice input
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/62 Rolling code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control

Abstract

An in-vehicle transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems is described. The transmitter includes a memory configured to store a plurality of wireless control code for the plurality of remote electronic systems. The plurality of wireless control code includes a first code to control the operation of a first remote electronic system and a second code different than the first code to control the operation of a second remote electronic system. The transmitter further includes a control circuit mounted to a vehicle interior element configured, in response to operator actuation of one switch, so that the transmitter provides a first wireless control signal having the first code and a second wireless control signal having the second code.

Claims

1. A method for training a transmitter for a wireless control system in a vehicle to wirelessly control a plurality of remote electronic systems based upon a single event, the method comprising:

receiving a request from a user to begin training a plurality of wireless control signals to be associated with a single event;

receiving the single event;

receiving, at the in-vehicle wireless control system, a first wireless control signal having a first wireless control code;

identifying and storing the first wireless control code of the first wireless control signal;

associating the first wireless control code with the single event, whereby the in-vehicle wireless control system is configured to wirelessly control a first remote electronic system by transmitting the first wireless control code of the first wireless control signal in response to the single event;

receiving, at the in-vehicle wireless control system, a second wireless control signal having a second wireless control code;

identifying and storing the second wireless control code of the second wireless control signal; and

associating the second wireless control code with the single event, whereby the in-vehicle wireless control system is configured to wirelessly control a second remote electronic system by transmitting the second wireless control code of the second wireless control signal in response to the single event;

wherein the single event is one of;

(a) a single actuation of a single switch, and (b) a location-based determination; and

wherein the first wireless control code and the second wireless control code are sequentially or simultaneously transmitted in response to the single event when the transmitter is operating outside of a training mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein storing the first wireless control code and storing the second wireless control code comprise storing in a memory device of the wireless control system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request to begin training is received via a pushbutton.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication from the user as to which of a plurality of wireless control signals is to be transmitted based on a location of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first wireless control code and the second wireless control code is a rolling code.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless control code is a rolling code and the second wireless control code is a fixed code.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless control code and the second wireless control code are fixed codes.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless control signal is received at a first frequency and the second wireless control signal is received at a second frequency, and wherein the method further comprises storing a representation of the first frequency and a representation of the second frequency.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the request from the user is received via a user-actuated switch coupled to the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the single event comprises receiving a vehicle location from navigation electronics of the vehicle and storing a representation of the vehicle location in memory.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the vehicle location comprises learning a path for the vehicle to the location.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein learning the path for the vehicle to the vehicle to the location comprises recording at least two vehicle heading and distance traveled pairs that represent the path in memory.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least two vehicle heading and distance traveled pairs represent at least one positive change in vehicle heading.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising comparing a recent heading to a historical heading average to determine whether the at least one positive change in vehicle heading exists.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining that the at least one positive change in vehicle heading exists when the recent heading differs from the historical heading average by a predetermined threshold.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising counting a new distance in response to the determination that the at least one positive change in vehicle heading has occurred.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the navigation electronics comprise a GPS receiver.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the navigation electronics comprise a compass and a distance sensor.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the navigation electronics do not include a GPS receiver.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the vehicle interior element is a mirror.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless control system is coupled to a vehicle interior element.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle interior element is at least one of an overhead console, a visor, a mirror, and an instrument panel.