Identification method for training vehicle accessory

• US 9,916,769 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2015
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Wright, Thomas S., Hamlin, Bradley R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Utama, Robert J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fletcher, Jerry-Daryl
• Application Number:
  US14/692,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20150310765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/167 Control of land vehicles

Abstract

A method for identifying a vehicle accessory with a mobile device is disclosed. The method comprises receiving an input in the mobile device and activating an identification function in a control circuit of the mobile device in response to the input. An image viewfinder is initiated in response to the activation of the identification function. The viewfinder is used to capture an image of the vehicle accessory including at least one feature. The at least one feature in the image is compared to a plurality of corresponding features of a plurality of compatible vehicle accessories. Based on the comparison, an identity of the vehicle accessory is identified. Training information for the vehicle accessory is then accessed and displayed on the mobile device to facilitate at least one setup task of the vehicle accessory in response to identifying the vehicle accessory.

Claims

1. A method for identifying a programmable vehicle accessory with a mobile device, the method comprising:

receiving an input in the mobile device;

activating an identification function in a control circuit of the mobile device in response to the input;

initiating an image viewfinder on a display of the mobile device in response to the activation of the identification function;

capturing an image comprising image data of the programmable vehicle accessory with a camera system including at least one feature;

identifying the at least one feature in the image data by processing the image data with a processor in communication with the camera system and comparing the image data to a plurality of corresponding features of a plurality of compatible vehicle accessories;

identifying the programmable vehicle accessory based on comparing the at least one feature;

accessing and displaying training information for the programmable vehicle accessory on the mobile device in response to identifying the programmable vehicle accessory; and

actuating the programmable vehicle accessory based on the training information displayed on the mobile device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feature comprises at least one feature of a mirror bezel.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the mirror bezel corresponds to a mirror having a user interface with at least one configurable function.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one configurable function corresponds to at least one configurable transceiver function of the mirror.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the at least one configurable transceiver function corresponds to at least one of a function of unlocking and locking a door, opening and closing a barrier, and turning on and off a light.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sending the image from the mobile device via a communication circuit of the mobile device to a remote server.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising receiving the training information through the communication circuit of the mobile device from the remote server.

8. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program having at least one code section configured to be implemented by a device comprising a display, an image capture device, and at least one processor in communication with the display and the image capture device, wherein the at least one processor is further in communication with a trainable control system for a remote electronic device, the at least one code section executable by the processor to perform the steps comprising:

activating an identification routine in response to receiving an input;

receiving image data from the image capture device, the image data depicting at least one feature of a programmable vehicle accessory;

comparing the at least one feature to a plurality of corresponding features of a plurality of compatible vehicle accessories;

identifying the programmable vehicle accessory based on comparing the at least one feature;

accessing programming information corresponding to at least one trainable operation of the programmable vehicle accessory based on the identification;

displaying a programming instruction on the display based on the programming information; and

receiving a signal from the trainable control system in response to an actuation indicating that an input has been received by the trainable control system, wherein the signal confirms a completion of the input instructed by the programming instruction.

9. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the information corresponds to user instructions describing at least one setup operation of the vehicle accessory.

10. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the comparing the at least one feature comprises comparing a plurality of features to a plurality of compatible devices to identify the programmable vehicle accessory.

11. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the at least one code section executable by the processor is further configured to perform the steps comprising:

identify the at least one feature based on one or more profile shapes corresponding to at least one of a user interface, a bezel, a light sensor, a camera, a directional indication, a time display, an environmental indication, and a mirror angle control button.

12. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the at least one code section executable by the processor is further configured to perform the steps comprising:

processing the image data via at least one of an edge detection method, a corner detection method, and a blob detection method.

13. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the at least one code section executable by the processor is further configured to perform the steps comprising:

transmitting the image data to a remote server.

14. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the at least one code section executable by the processor is further configured to perform the steps comprising:

receiving an identification of the programmable vehicle accessory from the remote server in response to an identification of the programmable vehicle accessory by the remote server from the image data transmitted.

15. A system for identifying a programmable vehicle accessory comprising:

a display;

an image capture device;

a wireless communication interface configured to transmit data between the programmable vehicle accessory and the system, wherein the programmable vehicle accessory comprises a user interface; and

at least one processor in communication with the display and the image capture device, the at least one processor being operable to;

activate an identification routine in response to receiving an input;

receive image data from the image capture device, the image data depicting at least one feature of the programmable vehicle accessory;

compare the at least one feature to a plurality of corresponding features of a plurality of compatible vehicle accessories;

identify the programmable vehicle accessory based on comparing the at least one feature;

access programming information corresponding to at least one trainable operation of the vehicle accessory based on the identification;

communicate a programming instruction of the programming information via the wireless communication interface to the programmable vehicle accessory programming the at least one trainable operation; and

receive a signal from the programmable vehicle accessory in response to an actuation indicating an input received by the user interface verifying a completion of the programming instruction.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the processor is further operable to:

identify the at least one feature based on one or more profile shapes corresponding to at least one of a user input, a bezel, a light sensor, a camera, a directional indication, a time display, an environmental indication, and a mirror angle control button.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the processor is further operable to:

process the image data via at least one of an edge detection method, a corner detection method, and a blob detection method.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the programmable vehicle accessory comprises a transmitter configured to emit a control signal configured to control an electronic device via the transmitter.