Trainable transceiver and mobile communications device systems and methods

• US 9,620,005 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2015
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Geerlings, Steven L., Witkowski, Todd R., Wright, Thomas S., Smeyers, Marc A., Dorst, Jonathan E., Papay, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ghulamali, Qutbuddin
• Application Number:
  US14/690,242
• Publication Number:
  US 20150302738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 340 525, 340 52, 340 528
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00507 keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00753 operated by active electrical keys
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00865 remotely by wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00888 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control 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 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop

Abstract

A trainable transceiver for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit configured, based on training information, to control the remote device, a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, coupled to the communications device, and coupled to the output device. The control circuit is configured to receive notification information from the mobile communications device via the communications device, and wherein the control circuit is configured to generate an output using the output device based on the notification information.

Claims

1. A trainable transceiver for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device, comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured, based on training information, to control the remote device;

a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device;

an output device, and

a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, coupled to the communications device, and coupled to the output device,

wherein the control circuit is configured to receive notification information from the mobile communications device via the communications device, wherein the notification information includes a status of the mobile communications device, and wherein the control circuit is configured to generate an output using the output device based on the notification information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output device includes an indicator light configured to a least one of illuminate in one of a plurality of colors in response to control by the control circuit or flash in response to control by the control circuit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output device includes a plurality of indicator lights, and wherein the control circuit is configured to illuminate one or more indicator lights of the plurality of indicator lights in response to the notification information.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output device includes a display configured to display images, in response to control by the control circuit, which correspond to the notification information received from the mobile communications device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output device includes a speaker, and wherein the control circuit is configured to provide an audible notification in response to the notification information.

6. A trainable transceiver for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device, comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured based on training information to communicate with the remote device;

a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device;

an input mechanism, and

a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, coupled to the communications device, and coupled to the input mechanism,

wherein the control circuit is configured to send a transmission to the mobile communications device via the communications device and in response to an input received via the input mechanism, and wherein the transmission controls the mobile communications device and causes the mobile communications device to perform an action.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the input mechanism includes at least one of a plurality of buttons, a single button, or a touch screen display.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the input mechanism is configured to accept inputs related to controlling the remote device and accept inputs related to controlling the mobile communications device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine whether to send a transmission to the remote device or send the transmission to the mobile communications device, in response to an input, based on the location of the trainable transceiver.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control circuit determines the location of the trainable transceiver based on location information received from the mobile communications device.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine whether to send a transmission to the remote device or send the transmission to the mobile communications device, in response to an input, based on the whether the trainable transceiver is within communications range of the remote device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the control circuit determines if the trainable transceiver is within communications range of the remote device based on a location of the trainable transceiver and a location of the remote device.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the control circuit determines if the trainable transceiver is within communications range of the remote device based on a signal from the remote device received at the transceiver circuit.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the control circuit determines if the trainable transceiver is within communications range of the remote device based on the lack of a signal from the remote device received at the transceiver circuit.

15. A trainable transceiver for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device, comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured based on training information to communicate with the remote device;

a radio frequency transceiver configured to communicate with a mobile communications device; and

a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit and coupled to the radio frequency transceiver,

wherein the control circuit is configured to prevent communication with the remote device unless a key has been received, via the radio frequency transceiver, from the mobile communications device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the control circuit is configured to listen for the key using the radio frequency transceiver at startup of the trainable transceiver.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the control circuit is configured to listen for the key using the radio frequency transceiver after sending a key request transmission to the mobile communications device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control circuit is configured to send the key request transmission to the mobile communications device at startup of the trainable transceiver.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control circuit is configured to send the key request transmission to the mobile communications device prior to communicating with the remote device.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control circuit is configured to send the key request transmission to the mobile communications device in response to receiving a user input for communicating with the remote device.