Trainable transceiver system

A trainable transceiver system includes a trainable transceiver fixedly coupled to a vehicle interior element. The trainable transceiver is configured to receive a characteristic of an activation signal, store the characteristic of the activation signal in memory and to retransmit the characteristic of the activation signal. The trainable transceiver system also includes a portable transmitter that is configured to receive the characteristic of the activation signal from the trainable transceiver, to store the activation signal characteristic and to retransmit the stored activation signal characteristic. The characteristic of the activation signal may be transmitted from the trainable transceiver to the portable transmitter by, for example, an optical transmission or an RF transmission.

BACKGROUND

In the field of wireless control of home and office electronic systems, technological advances have been developed to improve convenience, security, and functionality for the user. One example is a trainable transceiver for use with various home and office electronic systems, such as security gates, garage door openers, lights, and security systems. A user trains the trainable transceiver by, for example, transmitting an activation signal from a remote controller (e.g., an original transmitter) in the vicinity of the trainable transceiver. The trainable transceiver learns the carrier frequency and control data of the signal and stores this code for later retransmission. In this manner, the trainable transceiver can be conveniently mounted within a vehicle interior element (e.g., visor, instrument panel, overhead console, etc.) and can be configured to operate one or more home electronic systems.

Further advances are needed in the field of wireless control of home electronic systems, particularly in the case of using automotive electronics to control home electronic systems. As automotive manufacturers are adding increased electronic systems to the vehicle to improve convenience, comfort, and productivity, simplifying the interface and control of these electronic systems is also becoming increasingly important.

One limitation on the usefulness of a trainable transceiver is that it is fixedly coupled to a vehicle interior element, which limits the uses that the trainable transceiver can provide. Although trainable key fobs have been proposed, such key fobs typically require additional circuitry which adds to cost, consumes space and increases power consumption. Accordingly, what is needed is a smaller and more portable transmitter, such as a key fob, which can be trainable. Further, what is needed is a low-cost portable transmitter that improves the convenience and functionality of a trainable transceiver system. Further still, what is needed is a system and method of training a portable trainable transmitter.

There is also a need for a trainable transceiver system that uses low-cost components such as optical components. Optical transmissions can be less susceptible to noise and may provide more data in a given time period than other transmissions. Further still, there is a need for a trainable transceiver system which efficiently utilizes existing optical components for additional functions.

The teachings hereinbelow extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above-mentioned needs.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, a trainable transceiver system comprises a trainable transceiver and a portable transmitter. The trainable transceiver is fixedly coupled to a vehicle interior element. The trainable transceiver is configured to receive a characteristic of an activation signal, to store the activation signal characteristic in a memory, and to retransmit the activation signal characteristic via an optical transmission. The portable transmitter is configured to receive the characteristic of the activation signal from the trainable transceiver via the optical transmission, to store the activation signal characteristic, and to retransmit the stored activation signal characteristic. The characteristic can comprise control data configured to actuate a remote device. The control data can be configured to actuate a garage door opener. The control data can comprise a cryptographically-encoded control data.

The trainable transceiver can further comprise an optical transmitter configured to transmit the characteristic of the activation signal via an optical signal or a light signal. The portable transmitter can comprise an optical receiver configured to receive the light signal. The optical transmitter can be a light-emitting diode.

The portable transmitter can comprise a housing configured as a key fob. The trainable transceiver can be configured to store the frequency and control data of the activation signal. The portable transmitter can be configured to receive the frequency and control data characteristics retransmitted by the trainable transceiver. The trainable transceiver can further be configured to receive remote keyless entry data from a remote keyless entry transmitter, to store the remote keyless entry data, and to retransmit the remote keyless entry data to the portable transmitter. The remote keyless entry transmitter can comprise a housing configured as a key fob. The trainable transceiver can be configured to wirelessly receive an activation signal and to determine the characteristic to be stored based on the activation signal.

In accordance with another embodiment, the trainable transceiver may be configured to retransmit the characteristic of the activation signal via an RF transmission and the portable transmitter is configured to receive the characteristic of the activation signal from the trainable transceiver via the RF signal. The portable transmitter can comprise a broadband radio frequency receiver circuit configured to receive the retransmitted characteristic of the activation signal on any of a plurality of frequencies. Alternatively, the portable transmitter can comprise a fixed radio frequency receiver circuit configured to receive the retransmitted characteristic of the activation signal on any of a plurality of frequencies.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a trainable transceiver comprises a housing, a control circuit, and an optical transmitter. The housing is fixedly coupled to a vehicle interior element. The control circuit is coupled to the housing and is configured to receive a characteristic of an activation signal and to store the characteristic in a memory. The optical transmitter is configured to transmit the characteristic via an optical signal. The trainable transceiver can further comprise a receiver circuit configured to wirelessly receive the characteristic of the activation signal. The trainable transceiver can further comprise an operator input device coupled to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive the characteristic of the activation signal from the operator input device.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a trainable key fob comprises a housing, an optical receiver, a control circuit, and a wireless transmitter. The housing is configured as a key fob. The optical receiver is configured to receive an optical signal comprising a characteristic of a wireless activation signal. The control circuit is configured to store the characteristic in a memory. The wireless transmitter is configured to retransmit the stored activation signal characteristic. The control circuit can be configured to receive characteristics of the wireless activation signal comprising the frequency and control data of the activation signal. According to an alternative embodiment, components for a wired connection can replace the optical components.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a trainable key fob comprises a housing configured as a keyfob, an RF receiver configured to receive an RF signal comprising a characteristic of a wireless activation signal, a control circuit configured to store the characteristic in a memory and a wireless transmitter configured to retransmit the stored activation signal characteristic. The RF receiver may be a broadband receiver or a narrowband receiver.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a trainable transceiver comprises a housing, a control circuit and an RF transceiver. The housing is fixedly coupled to a vehicle interior element. The control circuit is coupled to the housing and is configured to receive a characteristic of an activation signal and to store the characteristic in a memory. The RF transceiver is configured to learn the characteristics of the activation signal and to transmit data representing the characteristic via an RF signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring first toFIG. 1, a vehicle10, which may be an automobile, truck, sport utility vehicle (SUV), mini-van, or other vehicle, includes a trainable transceiver system11comprising a trainable transceiver12and a portable transmitter13. Trainable transceiver12, the exemplary embodiments of which will be described hereinbelow, is illustrated fixedly coupled to or mounted to an overhead console of vehicle10. Alternatively, one or more of the elements of trainable transceiver12may be mounted to other vehicle interior elements, such as, a visor14or instrument panel16. Portable transmitter13comprises a housing configured as a key fob, keychain, or other handheld device. A key fob is a handheld device providing a keyed or wireless (e.g., via remote keyless entry) access to a vehicle.

Referring now toFIG. 2, trainable transceiver system11is illustrated along with a home electronic system18which may be any of a plurality of home electronic systems, such as, a garage door opener, a security gate control system, security lights, home lighting fixtures or appliances, a home security system, etc. For example, home electronic system18may be a garage door opener, such as the Whisper Drive™ garage door opener, manufactured by the Chamberlain Group, Inc., Elmhurst, Ill. Home electronic system18may also be a lighting control system using the X10 communication standard. Home electronic system18includes an antenna28for receiving activation signals including control data which will control home electronic system18. The activation signals are preferably in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band of the radio frequency spectrum, but may alternatively be infrared signals or other wireless signals.

Trainable transceiver12includes a control circuit30configured to control the various portions of system12, to store data in memory, to operate preprogrammed functionality, etc. Control circuit30may include various types of control circuitry, digital and/or analog, and may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other circuitry configured to perform various input/output, control, analysis, and other functions to be described herein. Control circuit30is coupled to an operator input device32which includes one or more push button switches34(seeFIG. 3), but may alternatively include other user input devices, such as, switches, knobs, dials, etc., or even a voice-actuated input control circuit configured to receive voice signals from a vehicle occupant and to provide such signals to control circuit30for control of system12. Trainable transceiver12further includes a memory74, which may be a volatile or non-volatile memory, and may include read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, or other memory types.

Control circuit30is further coupled to an optical transmitter38, which includes a light-emitting diode (LED) in this exemplary embodiment. Optical transmitter38may alternatively include other display elements, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a vacuum florescent display (VFD), etc.

Trainable transceiver12further includes a transceiver circuit54including transmit and/or receive circuitry configured to communicate via antenna56with home electronic system18. Transceiver circuit54is configured to transmit wireless control signals having control data which will control home electronic system18. Transceiver circuit54is configured, under control from control circuit30, to generate a carrier frequency at any of a number of frequencies in the ultra-high frequency range, preferably between 260 and 470 megaHertz (MHz), wherein the control data modulated on to the carrier frequency signal may be frequency shift key (FSK) or amplitude shift key (ASK) modulated, or may use another modulation technique. The control data on the wireless control signal may be a fixed code or a rolling code or other cryptographically encoded control code suitable for use with home electronic system18.

Referring now toFIG. 3, an exemplary trainable transceiver12is illustrated coupled to a vehicle interior element, namely a visor14. Visor14is of conventional construction, employing a substantially flat, durable interior surrounded by a cushioned or leathers exterior. Trainable transceiver12is mounted or fixedly coupled to visor14by fasteners, such as, snap fasteners, barbs, screws, bosses, etc. and includes a molded plastic body58having three push button switches disposed therein. Each of the switches includes a respective back-lit icon40,42,44. Body58further includes a logo60inscribed in or printed on body58and having an optical transmitter38disposed therewith. During training and during operation, optical transmitter38is selectively lit by control circuit30FIG. 2) to communicate certain information to the user, such as, whether a training process was successful, whether the control system12is transmitting a wireless control signal, etc. The embodiment shown inFIG. 3is merely exemplary, and alternative embodiments may take a variety of shapes and sizes, and have a variety of different elements.

In operation, trainable transceiver12is configured to receive one or more characteristics of an activation signal sent from an original transmitter102. Original transmitter102is a transmitter, typically a hand-held transmitter, which is sold with home electronic system18or as an after-market item, and which is configured to transmit an activation signal at a predetermined carrier frequency and having control data configured to actuate home electronic system18. For example, original transmitter102can be a hand-held garage door opener transmitter configured to transmit a garage door opener signal at a frequency, such as 355 megaHertz (MHz), wherein the activation signal has control data, which can be a fixed code or a cryptographically-encoded code. Home electronic system18is configured to open a garage door, for example, in response to receiving the activation signal from original transmitter102.

Trainable transceiver18is configured to receive one or more characteristics of the activation signal from original transmitter102or from another source, which characteristics can include the frequency, control data, modulation scheme, cryptographic algorithm, etc. In this embodiment, trainable transceiver is configured to learn at least one characteristic of the activation signal by receiving the activation signal, determining the frequency of the activation signal, and demodulating the control data from the activation signal. Trainable transceiver12can be a Homelink™ trainable transceiver, manufactured by Johnson Controls Interiors LLC, Holland, Mich., and may be constructed according to one or more embodiments disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,614,891, 6,091,343, 5,854,593 or 5,708,415, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Alternatively, trainable transceiver12can be replaced with a transmitter or transceiver configured for other methods of learning or determining the characteristics of the activation signal, such as, a scanning receiver, a broadband RF detector, user input selection, a“trial and error” selection of known systems or other methods. For example, the one or more characteristics of the activation signal can be preprogrammed into memory74during manufacture of trainable transceiver12or can be input via operator input device32(which can include a key pad, buttons, etc.). In this manner, trainable transceiver12need not actually receive the activation signal in order to obtain the characteristics of the activation signal. Trainable transceiver12can receive the characteristics of the signal by any of these methods and store the characteristics of the activation signal in memory74.

Referring again toFIG. 2, portable transmitter13is shown in block diagram form. Portable transmitter13comprises a control circuit104, which can include one or more components of control circuitry described with reference to control circuit30. Portable transmitter13further comprises an operator input device106, a transmitter circuit108, and a receiver circuit110. The receiver circuit is configured to receive data from the trainable transceiver including one or more characteristics of the original transmitter. In this embodiment, trainable transceiver12is configured to transmit one or more characteristics of the activation signal to portable transmitter13. Trainable transceiver12can transmit the activation signal itself (i.e., using the carrier frequency and control data of the activation signal), or trainable transceiver12can transmit the one or more characteristics of the activation signal using any other transmission frequency, data code, modulation scheme, or other signal characteristic. In this embodiment, trainable transceiver12is configured to modulate control data of the activation signal (and/or other data code characteristics) onto a light signal by controlling optical transmitter38to transmit the light signal. Preferably, the control code is modulated at a high enough frequency (e.g., at least 38 kHz, 40 kHz, or 455 kHz) such that the light signal appears to be steadily lit to the human eye.

Optical transmitter38can be a light-emitting diode, and can serve both functions of communicating above with the operator during training of trainable transceiver12, as described herein, and/or optical transmitter38can be used to transfer one or more characteristics of the activation signal from original transmitter102to the portable transmitter13. Portable transmitter13is configured to receive the characteristics of the activation signal from trainable transceiver12and to store the characteristics in a memory112for later use. Portable transmitter13can retransmit the stored activation signal characteristic, preferably as the activation signal itself, having the proper frequency and control data, to home electronic system18to activate home electronic system18.

According to one exemplary embodiment, trainable transceiver12modulates a data packet on to the light signal transmitted by optical transmitter38every time trainable transceiver12transmits an activation signal via transceiver circuit54. Typically, this occurs in response to operator actuation of operator input device32, but other events can trigger the transmission, such as the location of the vehicle, time of day, etc.

Portable transmitter13comprises a receiver circuit110, which can be an optical receiver or photo sensor configured to receive and decode the light signal itself or under control of control circuit104. For example, a TSOP7000 (455 kHz) or TSOP 2240, manufactured by Vishay Semiconductor GmbH, Heilbronn, Germany can be used. In this embodiment, every time a button on operator input device106is activated, receiver circuit110is configured to receive an optical signal from optical transmitter38at a predetermined transmission rate and modulation format. Alternatively, portable transmitter13is configured to default to a receive mode wherein receiver circuit110is configured to receive the light signal from optical transmitter38. If receiver circuit110detects a signal from trainable transceiver12, receiver circuit110receives the signal and control circuit104is configured to store the activation signal characteristic(s) in memory112for use the next time operator input device106is actuated.

Alternatively, trainable transceiver12and portable transmitter13can be configured to communicate via an electrical connection, such as a wired connection, wherein trainable transceiver12would further include a connection port for data (not shown and receiver circuit110would be replaced with a connection port for data, an ultrasonic transmission, wherein optical transmitter38and receiver circuit110are replaced with sonic or ultrasonic transducers, an inductive coupling, wherein optical transmitter38and receiver circuit110are replaced with inductive windings, a capacitive technique, wherein optical transmitter38and receiver circuit110are configured to transmit via a capacitive coupling, an LF signal, wherein the optical transmitter38and the receiver circuit are replaced with an LF transmitter and receiver respectively, or a radio frequency signal, wherein optical transmitter38is replaced with an RF transmitter and receiver circuit110is an RF receiver circuit. In an alternative embodiment, where a radio frequency signal is used to communicate the activation signal characteristic between the trainable transceiver12and the portable transceiver13, the transceiver circuit54and antenna56may be used to transfer the activation signal characteristic(s) to the portable transmitter13. Alternatively, receiver circuit110can be a broadband receiver configured to receive signals at any of a plurality of frequencies, or a fixed frequency receiver circuit. Either of the fixed frequency or broadband receiver circuits have lower costs and are simpler to construct than a tunable receiver, although a tunable receiver can also be used in some embodiments. Preferably, either optical or radio frequency methods are used, since trainable transceiver12is configured in commercial embodiments with the proper hardware for such communication. In another embodiment, portable transmitter13can be configured to receive any type of signal which conveys at least one characteristic of the activation signal of original transmitter102.

According to one advantageous embodiment, portable transmitter13comprises a housing configured as a key fob.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, trainable transceiver12can be configured to receive remote keyless entry data from a remote keyless entry transmitter, to store the remote keyless entry data, to transfer the remote keyless entry data to the portable transmitter13. The portable transmitter13may then be used to retransmit the remote keyless entry data, for example, in response to an actuation of operator input device106. In this manner, portable transmitter13can be configured to transmit an activation signal to operate home electronic system18in response to a first operator input device actuation (e.g., a first button), and, in response to second operator input device actuation (e.g., a second button), portable transmitter13can be configured to transmit a remote keyless entry signal to allow an operator to gain access to vehicle10(FIG. 1). The remote keyless entry transmitter that the portable transmitter13is training to can comprise a housing configured as a key fob. Portable transmitter13can be configured to store a plurality of remote keyless entry signals, each of which can have a different data code, modulation format, and/or frequency, etc. In this manner, a single portable transmitter can be configured to transmit activation signals or other wireless signals to control garage door openers, home lighting, wireless door locks (vehicle or home/office), security systems, etc.

According to one exemplary embodiment, trainable transceiver12is fixedly coupled to a vehicle interior element. This fixed coupling provides a convenient location for a trainable transmitter in vehicle12, and further prevents an operator from losing, misplacing, dropping, or otherwise losing control of trainable transceiver12. The term “fixedly coupled” refers to the characteristic that trainable transceiver12is not removable from the vehicle interior element, though it may be moved within the vehicle interior element (for example, in a sliding configuration).

According to one exemplary embodiment, portable transmitters can comprise a housing formed as a key fob, which is typically curved and smaller than a conventional, square original transmitter.

According to one advantage, portable transmitter13provides portability of the characteristics of the activation signal stored by trainable transceiver12, but is less expensive in some embodiments, such as, those embodiments wherein low-cost parts are used, such as a transmitter instead of a transceiver or a frequency-agile transceiver. In one inexpensive embodiment, receiver circuit110of portable transmitter13can be a simple radio frequency field detector, such as, a detector comprising or consisting of a coil, a diode, and a capacitor.

According to one exemplary embodiment, portable transmitter13clones itself from trainable transceiver12, which means that data is transferred from trainable transceiver12to portable transmitter13sufficient to replicate the control data and frequency of an activation signal sent by original transmitter102.

According to one exemplary embodiment, portable transmitter13is smaller and more portable than trainable transceiver12.

According to alternative embodiments, the training or cloning process between trainable transceiver12and portable transmitter13can be activated in response to a manual press of operator input device32, by establishing a physical, wired connection between trainable transceiver12and portable transmitter13, or automatically, wherein trainable transceiver12transmits data upon activation at operator input device32and portable transmitter13maintains receiver circuit110in an always-on mode, wherein it is configured to receive data from optical transmitter38on trainable transceiver12.

According to alternative embodiments, portable transmitter13can be configured to receive data that represents a characteristic of either fixed code or rolling code remote keyless entry data from the trainable transceiver12. Rolling code systems utilize a secret encryption key and a rolling counter to encrypt the information. Control circuit104can be configured to operate with such rolling code systems. The encryption key can be preprogrammed into control circuit104or, perhaps, learned by control circuit104from the signals transmitted from trainable transceiver12.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the different wireless control signals will be transmitted in the order in which they were selected during training. According to an alternative embodiment, trainable transceiver12can be a source device which is not trainable or not a transceiver (e.g., where the source device can be manually programmed).

While the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the FIGS. And described above are presently preferred, it should be understood that these embodiments are offered by way of example only. For example, alternative embodiments may be suitable for use in the commercial market, wherein office lights or security systems or parking garage doors are controlled. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends to various modifications that nevertheless fall within the scope of the appended claims.