Abstract:
A system for communicating vehicle diagnostic information includes a transmitter provided in a vehicle and configured to wirelessly transmit signals according to a Bluetooth protocol. The signals transmitted are representative of vehicle diagnostic information.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicaton Ser. No. 10/127,982, filed Apr. 23, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/979,199, filed Nov. 20, 2001, which was the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US00/14692, filed May 26, 2000, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/135,979, filed May 26, 1999. 
     
    
     
       FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to wireless transmission of information. More specifically, the present invention relates to the transmission of vehicle diagnostic information utilizing a Bluetooth Communications protocol.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    With the increasing popularity of various personal electronic information and computing devices, there has been an increasing need to conveniently integrate the operation, and more specifically the transfer of information, between one or more of such devices. These electronic devices may include notebook computers, desktop computers, hand-held computing/organizer devices often termed “personal digital assistants” (“PDAs”), cellular phones, pagers, audio systems, display devices, cordless headsets, digital cameras and virtually any other electronic or electromechanical device that uses electronic information for its operation.  
           [0004]    In many environments, such as within an automobile, it would be desirable to be able to communicate voice and/or data in wireless fashion between various subsystems of the vehicle, such as an overhead display subsystem of the vehicle, a cellular phone, notebook computer, PDA, pager or other personal electronic device which is carried on the person of an individual. The ability to transfer information between various subsystems of the vehicle and the user&#39;s personal electronic devices, in wireless fashion, would increase the ease and convenience of use of such personal devices when travelling in the vehicle.  
           [0005]    Until the present, transferring information between one or more of these devices has most often required that cabling be connected between the devices. Usually the cabling is “application specific”, meaning that the cabling used to connect, for example, a notebook computer and a hand-held PDA, is specifically designed for only these two components. Thus, the same communications cabling needed for connecting two specific electronic components often can only be used to connect those two components, and not to connect different combinations of other electronic components. Thus, interconnecting different combinations of electronic devices for intercommunication is often possible only with specific and often expensive cabling.  
           [0006]    Communication between more than two electronic devices at one time via cabling presents even greater difficulty. Usually some form of hub or “T” connector, together with a mechanical switch and a suitable plurality of external cables is needed. Thus, the user often has very limited flexibility in linking more than two electronic devices together for communication.  
           [0007]    In certain environments, such as within an automobile, it is often impractical for the user to manually connect and disconnect cabling between two or more electronic devices, especially when the electronic devices are portable devices which the user desires to carry when leaving the vehicle. Additionally, it would be impractical to attempt to connect such personal electronic devices to existing subsystems of a vehicle, such as an overhead display console, with physical cables that would be loose within the vehicle. Such cabling could easily interfere with the driver&#39;s convenient operation of the various controls of the vehicle or with the comfort and convenience of other passengers in the vehicle.  
           [0008]    In some instances wireless communications, such as by infrared or radio frequency (ARF@) signals, have been used to permit communications and information sharing between two electronic devices. However, previously developed implementations of these methods of information transfer have suffered from significant drawbacks. For example, infrared data transmission requires a “line of sight” between the communicating sensors of the two devices. Such a line of sight is often not practical and/or difficult to maintain in certain operating environments, such as while travelling in an automobile. This also constrains the use of portable electronic devices to positions where the sensor on the portable device is in the line of sight of the other device with which the portable device is communicating.  
           [0009]    Radio frequency data communication has traditionally been hampered by the lack of a standard communications protocol for data transfer which permits data to be transmitted between two or more independent electronic devices. A further limitation with RF data transfer systems has been the lack of a low cost, low power RF transceiver able to be inexpensively integrated with compact, portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, cellular telephones, hand-held PDAs, pagers, etc., to enable convenient RF information transfer between two or more of such devices over short distances of up to, for example, about ten meters.  
           [0010]    Still another limitation with traditional methods for transmitting data between electronic devices has been the lack of an “automatic” or “unconscious” connection when the devices are in proximity with one another. By “automatic” or “unconscious” it is meant an immediate communications link which is established between two or more electronic devices as soon as the devices are within a certain range, for example, ten meters, of each other without any command being input to any of the devices by the user. This limitation has up until the present required the user to provide one or more commands to at least one of the electronic devices to begin the process of transferring data between the two devices.  
           [0011]    In view of the foregoing, it would therefore be desirable to provide a wireless communications system adapted for use in automotive applications to permit the wireless exchange of voice and/or data between various portable electronic devices and various electronic subsystems of a motor vehicle. Such a system would preferably include a first electronic component which could be readily integrated with a wide variety of electronic devices such as notebook computers, pagers, PDAs, cellular phones, etc., and a second component which could easily be integrated with various electronic subsystems of a motor vehicle such as an audio system, microphone, in-dash or overhead display system, on-board navigation system, etc. The first and second components would also preferably be extremely compact, lightweight, have low power requirements, and would therefore be very easily integrated into the various portable electronic devices described above, as well as into the various electronic subsystems of the vehicle. The components would preferably be able to automatically establish a wireless communications link as soon as the electronic device incorporating the first component comes into proximity with the vehicle, where the vehicle incorporates the second component. Such a system would obviate the need for any external cables to be attached between the electronic device(s) and the subsystem(s) of the vehicle.  
           [0012]    Another example of an application where such a system would be highly useful is in the manufacturing of an automobile. If pertinent information concerning one or more of the vehicle&#39;s components or electronic subsystems could be quickly and automatically accessed and transmitted, via a high speed wireless communications link, to an electronic diagnostic/verification test system stationed along side an assembly line on which the vehicle is moving, then real time verification tests could be performed on the various electronic subsystems of the vehicle as it being manufactured. Such automatically created wireless communications links would significantly enhance a wide range of other applications.  
           [0013]    Yet another example of an application where such a system would be useful is in servicing a vehicle. For example, a high speed wireless communications link could be established between a vehicle and an electronic device located in a service area (e.g., at an auto dealership, a service station, etc.), such that information relating to the operational status of any of a variety of electronic substations of the vehicle would be automatically transmitted to the electronic device. The information could be transmitted upon arrival of the vehicle within the service area and could also be transmitted while other operations are being performed on a vehicle (e.g., oil change, etc.). Transmission of vehicle diagnostic information using a wireless communications link may reduce the amount of time necessary to diagnose problems with a vehicle and increase the efficiency of providing service for a vehicle.  
           [0014]    Furthermore, it would be desirable if such a wireless communications system could be provided which does not add appreciably to the overall costs of such portable electronic devices or to the costs of various electronic subsystems of the vehicle. Preferably, the system would provide a manner of transmission that also ensures very secure wireless transmissions to limit the possibility of the devices being susceptible to electronic “eavesdropping” or the data being intercepted by other RF devices operating in the same frequency spectrum.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0015]    The various preferred and exemplary embodiments are directed broadly to a wireless communications system and method for transmitting information between two or more electronic devices. In one preferred embodiment a miniature RF transceiver is integrated into each electronic device. The RF transceivers are low power, short range transceivers that enable the exchange of voice and/or data information between the two devices. The wireless communications link between the devices is established automatically when the devices come within a predetermined proximity to each other. Thus, information can be transmitted automatically from one device to the other without any action from an individual monitoring or possessing one of the devices and without the user having to connect one or more external cables between the devices.  
           [0016]    In one preferred embodiment a Bluetooth communications standard is utilized for establishing a wireless communications link between two devices, where each device is equipped with a RF transceiver operating in accordance with the Bluetooth communications standard. This enables two or more devices to be connected via high speed, wireless communications links to permit voice and/or data information to be exchanged between the various devices. The devices communicate on the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band and employ encryption and authentication schemes, in addition to frequency hopping, to provide a high measure of security to the transmission of data between the devices. Advantageously, the wireless communications link is created automatically as soon as the two devices come into proximity with each other.  
           [0017]    In various embodiments, the RF transceivers each comprise low power components providing a limited range of up to about 100 meters. Each RF transceiver has a negligible power consumption, as compared with the device with which it is integrated. Each RF transceiver can automatically form ad hoc communications links with other RF transceivers passing within the predetermined transmission range.  
           [0018]    The various preferred and exemplary embodiments enable voice and/or data information to be transmitted between a wide variety of devices without any command or intervention by the user. The preferred embodiments lend themselves especially well to applications involving the transfer of information between various portable electronic devices and the various electronic subsystems of a motor vehicle. The preferred and exemplary embodiments further enable the transfer of information between a motor vehicle and other electronic systems outside of the vehicle, which makes these embodiments ideally suited to applications involving assembly of the vehicle, assisting in transmitting diagnostic information to and from a vehicle, and a wide variety of other applications where it is desirable to transmit information to a user traveling in a motor vehicle.  
           [0019]    The various preferred embodiments are also ideally suited to establishing wireless communications links for a wide variety of other home, business, and commercial applications. A wide variety of electronic devices can thus be networked together for information sharing.  
           [0020]    A more specific exemplary embodiment relates to a system for communicating vehicle diagnostic information. The system includes a transmitter provided in a vehicle and configured to wirelessly transmit signals according to a Bluetooth protocol, the signals being representative of vehicle diagnostic information.  
           [0021]    Another exemplary embodiment relates to a vehicle diagnostic system. The vehicle diagnostic system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle, the transceiver being adapted to wirelessly transmit Bluetooth signals. The vehicle diagnostic system also includes a vehicle interface in communication with the transceiver and with at least one electronic subsystem of the vehicle. The Bluetooth signals are representative of information communicated by the vehicle interface to the transceiver, wherein the information relates to the operation of the at least one electronic subsystem.  
           [0022]    A further exemplary embodiment relates to a system for communicating vehicle information. The system includes means for transmitting Bluetooth signals. The means for transmitting Bluetooth signals are provided within an automobile. The system also includes means for communicating information relating to the operation of an electronic subsystem of the automobile to the means for transmitting Bluetooth signals. The Bluetooth signals are transmitted to an electronic device configured to receive Bluetooth signals.  
           [0023]    A further exemplary embodiment relates to a method of transmitting vehicle diagnostic data. The method includes communicating information relating to the operation of at least one vehicle subsystem to a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The method also includes transmitting signals representative of the information from the transceiver to an electronic device, the signals being transmitted in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol.  
           [0024]    The various preferred embodiments are also ideally suited to establishing wireless communications links for a wide variety of other home, business, and commercial applications. A wide variety of electronic devices can thus be networked together for information sharing. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    The various advantages of the present inventions will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and by referencing the following drawings in which:  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a block diagram drawing of a wireless communications system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment being used to transfer information between an electronic device of the user and an audio system and a display system of a motor vehicle;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless communications system being used to perform vehicle diagnostics on a motor vehicle by creating a wireless communications link between a notebook computer running diagnostics software and a vehicle interface circuit associated with a motor vehicle;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a wireless communications system being used in an assembly operation in which information is transmitted from RF transceivers located in each vehicle to an assembly line monitoring system such that information needed for the manufacture of each vehicle can be requested in advance and thereafter made ready as needed during assembly of the vehicle;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a wireless communications system being used to create a high speed data link between a drive-through restaurant menu and the various electronic subsystems of the motor vehicle to enable information from the drive-through menu to be broadcast and/or displayed by the vehicle&#39;s electronic subsystems;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a wireless communications system being used in connection with a key fob to enable data to be transmitted from the key fob to a vehicle bus interface of a motor vehicle to control various subsystems of the vehicle;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5A is a block diagram of the major components of the key fob of FIG. 5;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 is a block diagram drawing illustrating a wireless communications link created between a key fob carried by the user and a work PC to enable data files to be transmitted in wireless fashion between the PC and the key fob;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the key fob of FIGS. 5 and 5A being used to transmit files in wireless fashion from the key fob to a home PC;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment being used to create a wireless communications link between a cellular phone and a proprietary voice recording/playback system manufactured by the assignee of the present application and presently used on motor vehicles;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a wireless communications system being used to create a wireless data link between a home PC linked to the Internet and various electronic subsystems of a motor vehicle to thereby enable information from the Internet to be transmitted to the subsystems of the vehicle automatically;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a wireless communications system being used to establish a wireless communications link between a cellular phone and various electronic subsystems of a motor vehicle after the cellular phone has linked with a wireless service organization;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a wireless communications system being used to establish a wireless data link between a cellular phone of a user and one or more subsystems of a vehicle, where the cellular phone is linked with a wireless service organization so that “push” services from an Internet service provider can be used to provide personalized traffic, weather or other information automatically from the Internet to the user as the user travels in the vehicle;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a wireless communications system being used to create a wireless data link between a gas pump kiosk of a service station and the subsystems of a vehicle, where the gas pump is linked to the Internet, such that information from the Internet can be transmitted in wireless fashion to one or more electronic subsystems of the vehicle while the vehicle is parked near the gas pump;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a wireless communications system being used to create a wireless data link for downloading map directions downloaded onto a home PC off of the Internet directly to one or more electronic subsystems of the vehicle while the vehicle is in close proximity to the home PC; and  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a wireless communications system being used to transmit corporate information or messages from a wireless service organization to a fleet vehicle, where the information is provided over the Internet from a corporate computer system, and such that the information can be provided via a wireless data link directly to the various subsystems of a fleet vehicle. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0041]    Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless communications system  10  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The preferred and exemplary embodiments described herein are broadly directed to a wireless communications system  10  in which at least one pair of RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  are used to create a wireless communications link between at least two independent electronic devices. Each RF transceiver  10   a  and  10   b  operates in accordance with a suitable wireless communications protocol or standard to enable wireless communications between the transceivers  10   a  and  10   b.  The specific protocol or standard used also preferably enables the wireless communications link to be established automatically when the two RF transceivers come into proximity with each other. The specific protocol or standard may be the Bluetooth communications standard or the Shared Wireless Access Protocol-Cordless Access (SWAP-CA) specification, or any other suitable wireless communications specification that enables voice and/or data information to be transmitted between the two RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b.    
         [0042]    The Bluetooth communications standard was established for creating small form factor, low-cost, short range RF links between mobile telephones, notebook computers, PDAs and other portable electronic devices. It is the result of a joint effort between several major commercial organizations to develop a RF communications standard for creating secure, wireless communications links between portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, PDAs, computers and other electronic devices. The Bluetooth communications standard is presently an “open” standard that enables short range, secure, RF transmission of voice and/or data information between such portable electronic devices to thus eliminate the need for physical cables for interconnecting the devices. Its implementation is based on a high performance, but low cost, integrated RF transceiver chip set. The Bluetooth standard further provides the potential for automatic and rapid “ad hoc” wireless connections when two or more devices equipped with RF transceivers operating in accordance with the Bluetooth standard come into proximity with each other.  
         [0043]    The Bluetooth standard makes use of the free, universal 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band and a frequency hopping scheme using 1600 hops/second. Encryption and authentication are built into the Bluetooth standard along with an automatic “output power adaption” feature that automatically reduces the output power of the RF transceiver to only (and exactly) that amount of power which is needed to accomplish the data transmission.  
         [0044]    The Bluetooth standard specifies a minimum RF receiver sensitivity of −70 dBm and the nominal output power is specified as 0 dBm (i.e., 1 mW), which eliminates the need for an off-chip power amplifier. With a 0 dBm transmit power, the typical range for the RF transceiver is up to about 10 meters. The range can be extended to about 100 meters by augmenting the RF transceiver chip set with an external power amplifier to increase the transmit power to a maximum of 20 dBm. The maximum data transfer rate between two Bluetooth transceivers is slightly under 1 Mbits/sec. The data rate for a voice channel is 64 kbits/sec (GSM-I3 kbits/sec). A suitable RF transceiver for use with the Bluetooth standard can be formed relatively inexpensively as a single CMOS integrated chip. As such, the RF transceiver can be manufactured sufficiently small such that it can be readily incorporated into virtually all portable electronic devices without adding appreciably to the size, cost, weight and power consumption of such devices. Additional information on the Bluetooth standard can be obtained at URL address www.bluetooth.com.  
         [0045]    Advantageously, the Bluetooth standard presently supports wireless communications networks termed “piconets” of between two to eight devices actively communicating with each other. Additional devices can be “parked” and accessed as needed. Within a piconet, one of the devices acts as the “master” device, which determines the frequency hopping pattern, packet timing, and which coordinates transmissions to the other “slave” devices. The slave devices can also be members of more than one piconet at a time, thus forming an ad hoc arrangement of multiple piconets termed a “scatternet”. Thus, networked communication of notebook computers, PDAs, mobile phones, and other devices are provided for with the Bluetooth standard.  
         [0046]    The SWAP-CA specification is another wireless communications standard that potentially could be employed by the RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b.  The SWAP-CA specification also is intended to use integrated transceivers on a 2.4 GHz frequency hopping scheme for wireless communications between various products and appliances used in homes. With this standard, the data transfer rate for information is 2 Mbits/sec.  
         [0047]    Accordingly, while the Bluetooth or SWAP-CA specifications may be referenced throughout the discussion of the various preferred embodiments, the claims of the present application should be understood as not being limited to the use of one or the other of these specifications, or necessarily to any specific communications specification.  
         [0048]    In FIG. 1, one RF transceiver  10   a  is integrated into a first electronic device  12  while the other RF transceiver  10   b  is disposed within a motor vehicle  14 . The electronic device  12  may comprise a notebook computer, a hand-held PDA, a cellular phone, a pager, or any other portable electronic component. The first RF transceiver  10   a  includes an antenna  16  for enabling two way communications with the RF transceiver  10   a.  Likewise, the second RF transceiver  10   b  also includes its own antenna  18  for enabling two way communications. The vehicle  14  typically includes an audio system  20  and a display system  22 . The display system  22  may be mounted-in a dashboard or instrument panel, an overhead console, a floor mounted console, a visor, a rear view mirror or at a wide variety of other locations inside the vehicle  14 . The display  22  may comprise a small cathode ray tube (“CRT”), a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) or various other forms of displays which are easily visible in daytime as well as nighttime driving conditions.  
         [0049]    Each of the RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  are preferably formed as integrated circuit components which have an extremely low power consumption relative to the device with which they are integrated. Accordingly, the RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  can be maintained in an “on” state even when the electronic device with which it is associated is turned off. The RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  are further extremely compact and relatively inexpensive such that the overall dimensions of the electronic device are not appreciably increased by the inclusion of one of the transceivers  10   a  or  10   b,  and further such that the overall cost of the electronic device does not increase appreciably.  
         [0050]    In FIG. 1, when the electronic device  12  comes into the vicinity of the vehicle  14 , a high speed, automatic, wireless data link is created between the two RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b.  The required proximity will vary depending upon the power output of each transceiver  10   a  and  10   b.  For a 0 dBm (1 mW) power output, a transmission range of up to about 10 meters is provided. Providing a suitable external amplifier to increase the output power of each RF transceiver  10   a  or  10   b  to a maximum of 20 dBm will increase the transmission range up to about 100 meters. It will be appreciated, however, that with even greater power amplifiers an even greater transmission range can be expected. Currently, the Bluetooth standard identifies a 20 dBm maximum power output.  
         [0051]    Once the wireless communications link is established between the two RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b,  information from the electronic device  12  can be transmitted to transceiver  10   b  and then output to the vehicle&#39;s audio system  20  and/or to the display system  22 . Thus, the user is not required to type in or otherwise give any commands to the electronic device  12  before the wireless communications link is established. Once established, the communications link enables information from the electronic device  12  to be automatically transmitted via RF transceiver  10   a  to the receiving RF transceiver  10   b.  In this manner, a wide variety of useful information such as personal calendars, e-mail messages, telephone directories, and virtually any other form of text information can be displayed on the vehicle&#39;s display system  22 . If an external “text-to-speech” module is incorporated for operation with the second RF transceiver  10   b,  then text information can be converted into audio before being transmitted to the vehicle&#39;s audio system  20  for playback. Thus, if the electronic device  12  comprises a notebook computer with a CD player, any information available on the CD can potentially be converted to speech via the external text-to-speech module and the vehicle&#39;s audio system  20 . Thus, a wide variety of CD-based or Internet-based audio material such as books, educational materials, etc. could be played over the vehicle&#39;s audio system  20  while the user is in the vehicle  14 .  
         [0052]    Referring to FIG. 2, another implementation of the wireless communications system  10  is shown. This implementation is used to facilitate performing diagnostics on a motor vehicle  14  via the electronic device  12 . In this example, the electronic device may comprise a notebook computer or other electronic instrument loaded with diagnostic software specifically suited to the vehicle being tested. The first RF transceiver  10   a  is integrated into the electronic device  12  and the second RF transceiver  10   b  is integrated for communications with a vehicle interface system  24 . The vehicle interface system  24  is in turn coupled for two way communications via a data bus  26  with various electronic subsystems of the vehicle  14  such as the vehicle&#39;s Electronic Control Module (ECM)  28 , a fuel sensor  30 , an exhaust sensor  32 , a wheel speed sensor  34  or virtually any other form of sensor which provides an electronic output signal related to its operation. Other nonexclusive examples of the types of sensors that may provide an electronic output signal include oxygen sensors, fluid temperature sensors (e.g., engine coolant, fuel, oil), exhaust and emission sensors, oil pressure sensors, transmission sensors, engine timing sensors, or any other type of sensor that may provide signals to an on-board diagnostic module (e.g., OBD II, etc.) or other vehicle system. Further, any of a variety of conditions of the vehicle electronic subsystems may be monitored by such sensors (e.g., high voltage, low voltage, temperature, pressure, malfunctions, and a variety of others), and signals representative of any of the variety of functions and operations may be output by the sensors.  
         [0053]    The wireless data link may be created automatically as soon as the vehicle  14  enters a service bay or other designated service area. The first RF transceiver  10   a  automatically begins transmitting diagnostics information stored in an associated memory (not shown) to the second RF transceiver  10   b  to begin the diagnostics testing. Information is transmitted back to the first transceiver  10   a  by the second transceiver  10   b  as information is received from the vehicle interface  24  from each of the sensors/components  28 - 34  under test. This information is then used by service personnel to determine the operational status of each of the sensors/components  28 - 34  on-board the vehicle  14 . While the electronic device  12  has been described as a notebook computer, it will also be appreciated that the device  12  could just as readily comprise a personal computer or other form of computer adapted to run the diagnostics software.  
         [0054]    It will be appreciated that the automatic wireless communications link enables various diagnostics to be performed on a motor vehicle even while other operations, for example, an oil change, are being performed simultaneously with the running of the diagnostics. This implementation can significantly reduce the manpower required to perform various service-related operations on a motor vehicle as well as decrease the length of time needed to perform a full service checkup/tune-up on a vehicle when the vehicle is brought in for routine maintenance such as oil changes, wheel alignments, air and fuel filter changes, wheel balancing, etc.  
         [0055]    Referring now to FIG. 3, an implementation of the wireless communications system  10  is shown being used in the assembly process of a motor vehicle. In this implementation, the first RF transceiver  10   a  of the system  10  is integrated with an assembly line computer/monitoring system  36 . Each one of a plurality of vehicles  14   1 - 14   n , traveling on assembly line conveyor  38  includes a module  40  having the second RF transceiver  10   b  integrated therewith. The module  40  can be programmed to include information regarding the specific options that its associated vehicle  14  is to include. Such options could comprise the type of interior, audio system options, interior trim package, powertrain options or any other equipment that will be needed to complete the manufacture of that particular vehicle  14 .  
         [0056]    As each vehicle  14   1 - 14   n , moves along the assembly line conveyor  38  into proximity with the computer/monitoring system  36 , an automatic wireless communications link is established between each RF transceiver  10   b,  one at a time, and the RF transceiver  10   a  of the computer monitoring system  36 . Information regarding the options that each particular vehicle  14   1 - 14   n , is then transmitted via the wireless communications link to the computer/monitoring system  36 , which in turn is transmitted over a communications link  42  to an inventory management computer  44 . It will be appreciated that the communications link  42  could be a wire-based link or could even be formed by an additional pair of RF transceivers to form a second wireless link. The only limitation here would be the distance to the inventory computer system  44  from the assembly/monitoring computer system  36 .  
         [0057]    The above-described implementation enables the wireless communications system  10  to thus be used to synchronize the supply of needed equipment and materials to each vehicle  14   1 - 14   n  moving on the assembly line conveyor  38  to ensure that exactly the proper equipment is provided for each vehicle.  
         [0058]    It will also be appreciated that the implementations described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3 could be combined to enable various electronic modules and subsystems of the vehicle to be tested immediately as the vehicle moves along the assembly line conveyor  38 . This feature would enable a vehicle diagnostics computer located adjacent to the assembly line conveyor  38  to run tests on the vehicle&#39;s modules and electronic subsystems to detect defective components before the vehicle proceeds to the next step of the assembly process. This feature would save the significant costs associated with manually removing various electronic modules and components from the vehicle for testing and repair when a defective component is detected after assembly of the vehicle is complete.  
         [0059]    Referring now to FIG. 4, yet another implementation of the wireless communications system  10  is illustrated. This implementation is in connection with a retail transaction in which a drive-through menu board  46  has a first RF transceiver  10   a  of the wireless communications system  10 , in addition to a secure transaction RF transceiver  48 , integrated therewith. The vehicle includes the second RF transceiver  10   b  in addition to a secure transaction transceiver  50 . As the vehicle  14  approaches the drive-through menu board  46 , the RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  automatically establish a high-speed wireless communications link. A secure datalink is established between transceivers  48  and  50  by which electronic payment can be authorized by the driver of the vehicle  14 . Menu information is then automatically downloaded over the high-speed communications link between the RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  onto a system control device  50 . The system control device  50  acts as an interface to transmit the information to the vehicle&#39;s display system  22  and/or the vehicle&#39;s audio system  20  for playback. If a suitable microphone  58  is provided in the vehicle  14 , authorization for the transaction may be provided verbally by the driver and transmitted via the communications link between the secure transaction transceivers  48  and  50  back to the drive-through menu board  46 .  
         [0060]    It will be appreciated that the above-described implementation could be modified to enable drive-through banking transactions, drive-through prescription ordering-or a wide variety of other retail transactions made from within a vehicle without the need for the driver to leave the vehicle  14  to effect the transaction. Other applications could include toll collecting, fuel purchases at service stations and other transactions that could potentially be made more conveniently and more quickly by the use of the wireless communications system  10 .  
         [0061]    Referring to FIG. 5, an implementation involving a programmable key fob  60  is illustrated for setting and adjusting various components of the vehicle  14 . The key fob  60  is shown in greater detail in FIG. 5A and includes the first RF transceiver  10   a  of the wireless communications system  10 , the antenna  16 , a suitable battery  62  for providing power and a suitable memory  64 . The second RF transceiver  10   b  of the system  10  is integrated into the vehicle electronics to communicate with the vehicle bus interface  24  via the vehicle bus  26 , and further with various modules  66 - 72  for controlling various components of the vehicle  14 .  
         [0062]    As the user approaches the vehicle  14  when carrying the key fob  60 , a high speed, wireless communications link is automatically established between the two RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b.  Information stored in the memory  64  of the key fob  60  is then transmitted to the second transceiver  10   b  and used to control various modules of the vehicle  14  in accordance with preprogrammed settings by the user. Thus, information relating to the precise position of a power seat, volume and channel information of the radio  72 , climate control information for the HVAC  70 , rearview mirror or external mirror position information, etc., can all be stored in the memory  64  and automatically transmitted to the vehicle  14  as the user approaches the vehicle. The seats of the vehicle  14 , climate control settings, radio channel and volume settings, mirror positions, etc. can all be automatically adjusted by suitable vehicle electronics even before the user enters the vehicle  14 .  
         [0063]    Referring to FIG. 6, another implementation of the wireless communications system  10  using the programmable key fob  60  is illustrated. In this implementation the key fob  60  is used to interrogate a PC  74  at the user&#39;s place of business. Selected files stored on the hard drive or in random access memory (RAM) of the PC  74  can be transmitted via a wireless communications link established between the RF transceiver  10   a  of the key fob  60  and the second RF transceiver  10   b,  which is integrated with the work PC  74 . The information is stored in the memory of the key fob  60  before the user leaves his/her place of business.  
         [0064]    Referring to FIG. 7, as the user arrives at his/her home, a home PC  76  is automatically linked with the key fob  60  by the RF transceiver  10   a  of the key fob  60  and a second RF transceiver  10 b integrated with the home PC  76 . The automatically created wireless communications link is used to transmit information stored in the memory  64  (FIG. 5 a ) of the key fob  60  to the individual&#39;s home PC  76 .  
         [0065]    Referring now to FIG. 8, yet another implementation of the wireless communications system  10  is shown in which a cellular phone  78  is linked with a proprietary speech recording/playback system  80  available commercially from the assignee of the present application and marketed under the trademark “Travelnote®”. The Travelnote® system enables the driver or other vehicle occupant to speak directly into a microphone  82  to record any notes or other information which the user would otherwise write down on paper, but which cannot be accomplished easily while driving the vehicle  14 . The notes or other information can be played back from the Travelnote® recording/playback system  80  over a speaker  84  once the user reaches his/her destination and prior to exiting the vehicle  14 . The Travelnote® recording/playback system  80  is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,420, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0066]    In this implementation, the RF transceiver  10   a  is integrated with the cellular phone  78  and the second RF transceiver  10   b  is integrated with the Travelnote® recording/playback system  80 . The Travelnote® recording/playback system  80  may be located within a visor or rear view mirror  86 . Alternatively, it may be located on the dashboard, overhead console, or any other convenient location within the vehicle  14 . The wireless communications system  10  provides a high-speed, wireless communications link between the cellular phone  78  and the Travelnote® recording/playback system  80  to enable “hands free” use of the cellular phone  78 . Thus, the user need not hold the cellular phone  78  in one hand while driving; the phone  78  can be placed on a console or seat  82  adjacent to the user while the user carries on a hands-free conversation via the microphone  82  and speaker  84  of the Travelnote® playback/recording system  80 .  
         [0067]    A further advantage is that the wireless communications link between the RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  is created automatically when the cellular phone  78  comes into proximity with the second RF transceiver  10   b  within the vehicle  14 . Thus, the user need only dial a number from the cellular phone  78  to place a call and the conversation thereafter can be conducted via the Travelnote® system  80 . Alternatively, a call could even be placed via commands and numbers spoken into the microphone  82  and transmitted via the wireless communications link to the cellular phone  78 . Useful information received by the cellular phone  78  could even be displayed on a small portion of a rearview mirror. Such information could include auxiliary phone annunciators, a “low battery” warning indicating a low battery power condition for the cellular phone  78  or other incoming call information received via the phone  78 .  
         [0068]    A modification of this implementation involves modifying the above-described Travelnote® system to send and/or receive digital information such that the Travelnote® system can be used to pass digital information to and from a computing device  79  such as a hand-held computing device or a laptop computer. With this capability, the Travelnote® system could be used to transmit information received by a facsimile transmission or email communications to the computing device. This digital information would be first received by the user&#39;s cellular phone  78 . Preferably, an infrared communications link  79   a  is also established by suitable hardware between the cellular phone  78  and the computing device  79 . The infrared link is used to transmit digital information between the computing device  79  and the cellular phone  78 . Preferably, an infrared link  79 b is also established between the Travelnote® system and the computing device  79  so that digital information can just as easily be transmitted directly between the computing device  79  and the Travelnote® system. Messages sent to the Travelnote® system could be stored therein for future downloading to another computer. The computing device  79  could also send stored phone numbers stored to the Travelnote® system to simplify the dialing of phone numbers.  
         [0069]    As will be appreciated, other implementations could be made in connection with a home and/or vehicle. For example, RF transceiver  10   a  could be disposed in a cellular phone while RF transceiver  10   b  is disposed in a Homelink® system which is proprietary to the assignee of the present application. The Homelink® system can be programmed to interface with, for example, a garage door opener to open the garage door when a control unit of the Homelink® system is actuated by a user. By incorporating RF transceiver  10   b  into the Homelink® system, the user could enter a predetermined code in the cellular phone which is received by the Homelink® system and which causes the Homelink® system to open the garage door. In this manner, if an individual was not in his/her car or vehicle as he/she approached their house, the garage door could still be easily opened without the user having the garage door opener unit.  
         [0070]    In another implementation, one or more RF transceivers  10   a  are used in connection with various devices in a home. A second RF transceiver  10   b  is placed in a garage. The second transducer  10   b  serves as a portal from the user&#39;s car to those devices in the home that are equipped with RF transceivers  10   a.  The garage-based RF transceiver  10   b  is able to interface and interact with those devices incorporating a RF transceiver  10   a,  such as a home PC, appliances, etc.  
         [0071]    In still another implementation, one RF transceiver  10   a  could be located within a vehicle while a second RF transceiver  10   b  could be associated with a computer located either at a vehicle dealership or at a home. When a vehicle is manufactured, all parts could be tagged in the plant so it is known which specific parts are installed on the vehicle. This information could be stored in a database stored in a memory device in the car. In addition, warranty information for those parts, as well as for the car as a whole, could be stored in this database.  
         [0072]    When the vehicle is in proximity to the first RF transceiver  10   a  while the vehicle is being serviced at a dealership, service personnel could easily access information stored in the memory device via the wireless link between RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b.  This would provide immediate access to information on the various components of the vehicle, as well as warranty information.  
         [0073]    In yet another implementation similar to that described immediately above, only the Vehicle Identification Number (“VIN”) is delivered to the computer from the RF transceiver  10   b  located in the vehicle. The VIN is then used by the computer to access a database which is remote from the vehicle to obtain warranty and part information. It will be appreciated that this information could also be accessed through a web site of the manufacturer of the vehicle.  
         [0074]    In still another variation of the above-described implementation, if a cellular telephone is located in the vehicle, and the telephone is equipped with an RF transceiver  10   b,  then any vehicle malfunctions could be reported to the vehicle manufacturer or dealer via a wireless link established between the computer and the cellular phone. This information can be used to facilitate repair of the vehicle or the tracking of warranty information pertaining to the vehicle.  
         [0075]    The computer could also be used to personalize the vehicle operation. For example, the vehicle owner could access a manufacturer&#39;s website to select the desired operating parameters for the vehicle. These parameters could include selecting a 12 hour or 24 hour clock time display, establishing station pre-selects for the vehicle radio operation, selecting parameters related to the operation of the vehicle lights, enabling voice interactive messages generated by the vehicle, or a variety of other vehicle operating parameters. Once the operating parameters are selected by the vehicle owner, the website could cause the owner&#39;s home computer (which is equipped with RF transceiver  10   a ) to generate an RF signal that is sensed by the vehicle causing the parameters to be stored in a memory device in the vehicle. Alternatively, a compact disc could be provided to the vehicle owner upon purchase of the vehicle, which can be used with the individual&#39;s home computer to personalize the vehicle&#39;s functions. This information can then be transferred from the home computer to the vehicle via a wireless link between the two RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b.    
         [0076]    Referring to FIG. 9, another implementation of the wireless communications system  10  is shown in which the system  10  includes the first RF transceiver  10   a  in communication with a user interface circuit  88 . The user interface circuit  88  is in turn linked for communication via a suitable bus  90  with a display system  22  and/or an audio system  20  of the vehicle  14 . The second RF transceiver  10   b  is integrated with a home PC  92 . The home PC  92  is linked to the Internet.  
         [0077]    The user uses the home PC  92  to retrieve information from the Internet (e.g., audio books, news, weather, music, etc.) at a convenient time. Once this information is received by the home PC  92  it is transmitted via the high-speed wireless communications link between the two RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  automatically. For this to occur, it will be appreciated that the vehicle  14  will need to be parked in the proximate vicinity of the home PC  92  (i.e., within about 100 meters of the home PC  92 ). In this regard it will also be appreciated that a suitable amount of random access memory (RAM) is provided in association with the display  22  and/or the vehicle audio system  20  for storing the information. The user can then display or play back the information while traveling in the vehicle  14  at the user&#39;s convenience. If the data is audio data, then it is played back through the vehicle audio system  20 . Even text information which is received may be converted to audio information if a suitable text-to-speech conversion circuit is provided. The information stored could comprise traffic information, daily calendar reminders, appointments or events, e-mail messages, etc., in addition to the book, news, weather and music information mentioned above.  
         [0078]    Referring to FIG. 10, the wireless communications system  10  can also be used to enable information relating to various “points of interest” along a route being traveled by the user. This information could also be “personalized” information for the user from an Internet-based information service.  
         [0079]    In this implementation, a cellular phone  98  is used by the user to make a connection with a wireless service organization  96 . The cellular phone  98  includes the first RF transceiver  10   a  while the vehicle  14  includes the second RF transceiver  10   b.  A Global Positioning System (“GPS”) device  100  on-board the vehicle  14  can be used to transmit latitude/longitude information to the cellular phone  98  over the wireless communications link established between the two RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b.  The cellular phone  98  in turn can be used to link this information back to the wireless service organization  96 . The wireless service organization  96  then transmits information on various points of interest near the vehicle&#39;s latitude and longitude coordinates back to the cellular phone  98 , which in turn transmits this information via a wireless, high speed data link from its RF transceiver  10   a  to the RF transceiver  10   b.  The information is then displayed on the vehicle&#39;s display  22  and/or played over the vehicle&#39;s audio system  20 . The point of interest information can include a wide variety of useful information such as restaurants, shopping, service stations, hospitals and other establishments in the vicinity of the vehicle. The information could be displayed in a menu format in which the user is able to select establishments and is provided with directions on the display system  22  to each establishment selected. Additional information concerning traffic conditions, road construction, etc., could also be provided.  
         [0080]    Referring to FIG. 11, another implementation of the wireless communications system  10  is illustrated where “Push” technology is used to download information from the Internet automatically to the user traveling in the vehicle  14 . A cellular phone  98  having the first RF transceiver  10   a  of the wireless communications system  10  establishes an automatic, high-speed wireless communications link with the second RF transceiver  10   b  located in the vehicle  14 . The transceiver  10   b  is in communication with the vehicle&#39;s display system  22  and/or the vehicle&#39;s audio system  20 .  
         [0081]    The wireless service organization  96  is linked to the Internet and to the cellular phone  98 . The user can use his/her home PC  92  (or alternatively a business PC) to create a “personalized” website through one of the presently available Internet-based news/search companies so that various personalized information such as selected financial information (i.e., stock price information), world or local news, traffic information along a specified route of travel, phone directory or personal calendar information, weather information, e-mail, etc., can be downloaded by the wireless service organization  96  and provided to the cellular phone  98 . The RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  can then be used to transmit the information to the vehicle&#39;s display system  22  or audio system  20 .  
         [0082]    Referring to FIG. 12, a variation of the implementation shown in FIG. 11 is illustrated in which existing Push technology is used to download personalized information from an Internet based information service to a suitable electronic system located at or closely adjacent to a gasoline pump  100 , or at a kiosk including the gasoline pump  100 , when the users vehicle  14  comes within the vicinity of the gasoline pump  100 . In this implementation, the gasoline pump  100  includes the electronic device  12  which includes the RF transceiver  10   b,  and the vehicle  14  includes the RF transceiver  10   a.  The RF transceiver  10   a  is in communication with the vehicle&#39;s display  22  and/or audio system  20 . When the vehicle  14  comes into reasonably close proximity (e.g., within 10 meters of the gasoline pump  100 ), the RF transceiver  10   a  automatically establishes a high speed, wireless communications link with the RF transceiver  10   b  of the electronic device  12 . The RF transceiver  10   a  transmits appropriate identifying information to the RF transceiver  10   b  via the automatically established wireless communications link. This information is then linked to the Internet-based information service. Information is then transmitted back to the electronic system  12  associated with the gasoline pump  100 . The information is then transmitted over the wireless communications link to the RF transceiver  10   a  located in the vehicle  14 . It will be appreciated that this personalized information could also be obtained from the Internet by establishing wireless communications links with electronic devices located on road signs, freeway overpasses, at traffic lights and other points along a road or highway.  
         [0083]    Referring to FIG. 13, another implementation somewhat similar to that described in connection with FIG. 12 is provided. The implementation of FIG. 13 enables the wireless communications system  10  to provide a subset of map information needed for assisting a user of the vehicle  14  in traveling to a designated destination. In this implementation one RF transceiver  10   a  is located in the vehicle  14  and the other RF transceiver  10   b  is integrated with a PC  92 , which may be located at the user&#39;s home or place of business. The user  14  can enter a command from either the PC  92  or from a suitable keyboard or control panel within the vehicle  14 , or even from a cellular phone carried within the vehicle  14  and linked by two RF transceivers, requesting directions for traveling to a particular destination. This request is transmitted to an Internet-based information organization where it is thereafter downloaded onto the PC  92 . The information is then transmitted via the high-speed wireless communications link created by the RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  back to the vehicle  14  where it may be displayed on the vehicle&#39;s display  22  or possibly played on the vehicle&#39;s audio system  20 . Since only a limited amount of information pertaining to the specific directions requested is transmitted back to the vehicle  14 , this significantly reduces the amount of memory required to be located on-board the vehicle  14 . It will be appreciated that this map information could just as easily be provided by linking to an electronic subsystem associated with the gasoline pump  100  (FIG. 12) or at some other location if the user becomes lost and suddenly requires directions to a different destination.  
         [0084]    Referring now to FIG. 14, another implementation of the wireless communications system  10  is provided in which information from a business or a company is “pushed” into a company vehicle  14  from a corporate message center or corporate PC  102 . The information from the corporate message center or PC  102  is transmitted via the Internet to the wireless service organization  96 . A communications link is established between the wireless service organization  96  and the user&#39;s cellular phone  98 . The cellular phone  98  includes one RF transceiver  10   a  of the apparatus  10  and the vehicle  104  includes the second RF transceiver  10   b.  Again, the RF transceiver  10   b  is in communication with the vehicle&#39;s display  22  and/or the vehicle&#39;s audio system  20 . Important business information received by the cellphone  98  can then be downloaded via the wireless communications link created by the RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  to the user to apprise the user of important corporate news, events, scheduling or other information which needs to transmitted to the user on a timely basis. Again, this information could be relayed through suitable electronic relaying devices provided at gasoline pumps or at other points such as intersections, freeway overpasses, etc. that the vehicle  14  is expected to pass in proximity to during use.  
         [0085]    It will be appreciated that an extremely large variety of useful implementations of wireless communications systems may be created. While the Bluetooth communications standard or the SWAP-CA standard may be used with the RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b,  it will be appreciated that other communications specifications may also be employed. Additionally, while many of the implementations described herein have made use of a motor vehicle, it will be appreciated that the RF transceivers  10   a  and  10   b  could just as easily be used to effect high-speed wireless communications links between virtually any two electronic devices which come into proximity with one another, and where it would be useful to transfer information from one device to the other.  
         [0086]    Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings and the present specification.