Patent Publication Number: US-6982626-B2

Title: System and method for activation of remote features from an automotive vehicle

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to remote control devices, and more specifically to a system for remotely operating devices external to an automotive vehicle from the automotive vehicle. 
   Many vehicles include a remote control that is used to activate various types of devices such as garage door openers, home security systems, and exterior lighting. The transmitters for such devices may be incorporated directly into the vehicle such as in the vehicle visor. By depressing one or more of the buttons the system can be trained to operate external features such as a garage door. Typically, little security is associated with such features. That is, once access is gained to the vehicle the features may be operated with a touch of a button. 
   One drawback to such systems is that once an unauthorized person gains access to a key or to the vehicle the system may be operated. For example, if a vehicle with such a system is left in the driveway of a residence, access may be easily gained into the vehicle and the system activated to operate a garage door or the like to gain access to the residence. 
   One known system requires that a vehicle ignition be turned on with a vehicle key in order to activate the system. However, if an unauthorized person gains access to the vehicle with the vehicle key, the remotely operated devices such as a garage door may be operated. 
   It would therefore be desirable to provide a system that remotely operates various devices and includes security features to prevent unauthorized operation of the security devices. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The present invention provides improved security for operating a remote device. 
   In one aspect of the invention, a system for operating a remote device from an automotive vehicle comprises a key pad that generates a first coded signal and a transmitter controller coupled to the key pad receiving the first coded signal and generating a control signal in response to the first coded signal. 
   In a further aspect of the invention, a method of operating a remotely controlled device using a transmitter on an automotive vehicle comprises generating a first coded signal corresponding to a combination of buttons from a key pad coupled to the vehicle, determining a control signal corresponding to the first coded signal when the first coded signal is stored in the memory, and transmitting a control signal to the remotely controlled device corresponding to the first coded signal from a transmitter of the vehicle. 
   One advantage of the invention is an improved security in the operation of the remotely controlled devices is provided. 
   Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a transmitter controller according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the following figures the same reference numerals will be used to illustrate the same components. 
   The present invention is described with respect to an automotive vehicle that may include various types of automotive vehicles such as cars, trucks, planes, and boats. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an automotive vehicle  10  is illustrated having a system  12  for operating a remotely controlled device  14 . Various types of remotely controlled devices may be activated by the system  12 . That is, the remotely controlled device may be a garage door opener, gate, deadbolt, lighting, or other types of remotely controlled devices including another vehicle. The system  12  and the remotely controlled device  14  are wirelessly coupled together. The system  12  generates a control signal  16  that is used to operate the remotely controlled device  14 . The control signal  16  is received through an antenna  18  that is coupled to the remotely controlled device  14 . A remote transmitter for a device to be controlled such as a garage door opener remote may be used to train the system. 
   A transmitter controller  20  is used to generate the control signal  16 . The transmitter controller  20  will be further described below in  FIG. 2 . The transmitter controller  20  may be a stand-alone device or incorporated into another transmitting device of the vehicle. For example, the radio transmitter may be used. In addition to the transmitter controller  20 , the system  12  may include a portion of a vehicle bus  22 . Vehicle bus  22  communicates various information between the devices on the vehicle bus. 
   Transmitter controller  20  is coupled to a key pad  24 . Key pad  24  generates a first coded signal corresponding to a combination of button activations. Key pad  24  provides the transmitter controller  20  with the first coded signal and causes the transmitter controller to generate a control signal as will be described below. Key pad  24  is illustrated as a stand alone key pad coupled into the vehicle through vehicle bus  22 . Key pad  24  may be dedicated to the operation of the remotely controlled devices. Alternatively, or in addition to the key pad  24 , other devices incorporating already existing key pads may be used to generate the first coded signal. For example, a key pad  26  on a radio  28  that is coupled to the vehicle bus  22  may be used to generate the first coded signal. Another alternative location for a key pad is a keyless entry pad  30  that is coupled to a body security module  32 . The keyless entry pad  30  is commonly used in Ford and Lincoln-Mercury vehicles. The keyless entry pad is typically located on the driver side door and used to provide a coded signal to the body security module  32  which in turn is used to operate the locks on the vehicle. The keyless entry pad  30  may also be used to generate the first coded signal to operate the remotely controlled device  14 . 
   The automotive vehicle  10  may also include a power supply  34  coupled to the vehicle bus  22  that is used to supply power to the various devices. In addition, the automotive vehicle  10  may include an ignition lock  36  that has a key  38  associated therewith. The ignition lock  36  generates a lock status signal corresponding to the position of the key within the lock cylinder. The ignition lock  36  is used to initiate the starting of the vehicle and provide power to certain components. However, the present invention does not rely upon power from the ignition lock  36 . As can be seen, the power supply  34  may be directly coupled to the vehicle bus for distribution to such devices as a key pad and transmitter controller  20 . Thus, the operation of the remotely controlled device does not rely on the ignition to enable the system. The system is enabled by providing a proper combination of coded signals from the key pad. 
   A timer  40  may also be incorporated in the system. A timer  40  may be used to provide a significant delay between retries if an incorrect code is entered more than a predetermined number of times. 
   Various types of codes may be entered into the system. For example, certain codes may unlock the system whereas other codes may actuate the individual devices. Other codes may be used to initiate the programming of the system. A display  42  and an audible indicator  44  may provide respective visual and audible cues to the proper programming of the system. For example, display  42  may provide step-by-step instructions on an alpha-numeric display or through an instrument panel light. Audible indicator  44  may provide an audible cue as to the successful programming of the system. Both display  42  and audible indicator  44  may be coupled to the vehicle bus  22 . In addition, a service connector  46  may be used to program the system. Service connector  46  may be used to reset the memory (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the controller  20 . Also, service connector  46  may be used in combination with the ignition key  38  and ignition lock  36  to reset the transmitter controller  20 . The service connector  46  is a connector that is used to couple to an external service tool (not shown) that is computer-based. 
   It should be noted that the key pad locations are provided as potential embodiments of the present invention. Any key pad within a vehicle may be used by the present invention. For example, if the HVAC module includes a key pad, such a module may be used to activate the present invention. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , transmitter controller  20  is illustrated in further detail. Transmitter controller  20  includes a bus interface that is used to receive information such as the coded signals from the bus  22 . The bus interface may act as a decoder for receiving the information. Transmitter controller  20  may also include a memory  52  that is used to store the various codes and the associated frequency or code for enabling the remotely controlled device  14 . Memory  52  may, for example, be non-volatile memory. As illustrated, memory  52  may include a table  54  having the various associations therein. 
   Enable logic  56  may also be included within the transmitter controller. Enable logic  56  compares the received codes with the codes in the memory  52  and provides a control signal output  58  corresponding to the proper frequency or code associated with the code provided to the system through the various key pads. The transmitter  60  which is coupled to an antenna  62  converts the control signal  58  into a wireless, preferably RF, signal for transmission to the remotely controlled device  14 . 
   The bus interface  50  may also be used to trigger the clearing of the memory  52  or programming of the memory  52  when predetermined codes are entered into the system. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , one method for operating the system is illustrated. In step  70 , whether or not a service command reset has been received is determined. If a service command reset has been received, the memory is reset in step  71 . The system returns back to step  70 . 
   If no service command has been received the system proceeds to step  72 . In step  72  a code is entered from one of the key pads. The code is formed into an electrical pattern. The system proceeds through step  73  if the system is not disabled or a timer is not active. If the code corresponds to a program code in step  74 , step  76  is executed in which a code associated with the device is programmed into the system or transmitter is “trained” by decoding signal from a transmitter that normally operates Remote Controlled Device (like garage opener remote). In step  78  a frequency or code associated with operating the device is also stored in the system. The data from steps  76  and  78  may be entered into the system in various ways including through the service connector  46  or through the key pads  28 ,  24 , or  30 , alone or in combination with the help of display  42 , audible indicator  44 , and the operation of the ignition lock  36  by key  38 . The information is stored in the table within memory  52 . 
   Referring back to step  74 , if the code is not a programmed code, the memory  52  is checked to determine whether the code is a stored code. If the code is a stored code in step  82  the frequency or the other related identifying characteristic associated with the code is generated in step  84  and transmitted from the transmitter controller  20 . 
   Referring back to step  82 , if a code is not a stored code the code may be a disable code. If the code is a disable code in step  86 , the system is checked to determine if the system is disabled in step  88 . If the system is disabled and may not be activated unless another code or the disable code is activated in step  90 . That is, the ability to generate a transmitter code may be disabled until the disable code or another code is entered into the system through a key pad. If the system is not disabled in step  88 , the system is disabled in step  92 . 
   Referring back to step  86 , if the code is not a disable code then the system determines if the number of tries is greater than an amount allowed in step  94 . If the number of tries is not greater than a number allowed in step  94 , step  70  is executed. If the number of tries is greater than a number allowed, a timer is activated in step  96  and the system is disabled in step  92 . A new number or code cannot be tried for a predetermined amount of time. 
   As described above, the present system does not rely upon the operation of the ignition lock or switch  36  in its operation. The system may be activated without a key and thus even if the key is obtained by an unauthorized user, the system will not operate the remotely controlled device unless a particular code is provided to the vehicle from the key pad. Further, wire tampering in order to enable the ignition lock will not enable the system unless the predefined code has been entered therein. 
   While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.