Patent Publication Number: US-2010123564-A1

Title: Self learning data module system

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of automotive alarms, remote starting and accessory activation systems, and more specifically to universal data module that can be programmed to operate systems in a wide variety of automotive systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modern automobiles employ a computerized network to access and control most automotive functions. These functions include engine management, climate control, electric windows, sunroof and tailgate operations, vehicle locking, navigation and entertainment systems, etc. These networks are typically referred to as CAN (Controller Area Network) systems. In order to add aftermarket alarms, remote starting and accessory activation systems to such CAN equipped vehicles it is necessary to connect the aftermarket products to the CAN system. As the wiring for these systems is complex and as it is desirable to maintain the wiring in an unaltered condition, the aftermarket industry has moved to the use of data modules that can be plugged into CAN systems. These modules are wireless transponders that allow communication with the CAN system through a series of code signals received from a wireless remote control. 
     Unfortunately, virtually every type and model of vehicle may have codes unique to that vehicle or even to the options with which that vehicle is equipped. In order to produce a data module compatible with an individual vehicle, it is necessary to research the codes used for the particular vehicle. Determining these codes is a cumbersome and difficult job, involving sophisticated equipment and techniques and results in the manufacture and stocking large numbers of data modules by aftermarket installers. The inventory of these modules must be constantly updated and the installer is forced to purchase many modules that he may never use. 
     Newer systems have evolved using a few variants of programmable modules for which appropriate codes can be downloaded from a server resident on the Internet. While this system severely limits the inventory of data modules that an installer must stock, it still leaves the problem of determining the vehicle model, options installed and location dependent variables that ultimately determine the codes required to operate features of a given vehicle. Attempts were made to produce data modules that would store codes for all vehicles, however, the memory requirements and cost for such modules proved to be too great for practical production of the modules. Even this system required the installer to communicate to the module the vehicle make, model and options in order to have the correct codes selected. Use of such modules resulted in many errors and proved unsatisfactory. 
     A variety of invention has been developed to address the problems associated with the diversity of codes and CAN systems used in modern automobiles. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,046,126, issued to Flick, discloses a vehicle window control system for a vehicle having a data communications bus may include at least one vehicle device associated with operating a window of the vehicle, a window operation transmitter, a receiver at the vehicle for receiving signals from the window operation transmitter, and a controller connected to the data communications bus for communicating with the at least one vehicle device associated with operating the window of the vehicle. The vehicle window controller may also be connected to the receiver and may be responsive to signals from the window operation transmitter. A window piggyback controller may operate the windows based on signals on the data communications bus, such as door lock or door unlock signals. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,327, issued to Simon, Jr. et al. is directed a transferable electronic control unit having a non-volatile memory that retains values of learned correction factors for control parameters used in adaptively controlling the operation of a vehicle is disclosed. The electronic control unit receives an identification signal from the vehicle in which it operates. By comparing the value of the received identification signal with a stored value identifying the vehicle operated when learning the values of the correction factors that are stored in non-volatile memory, the electronic control unit determines whether or not it has been transferred between vehicles. When a transfer between vehicles has not occurred, the value of the learned correction factors stored in non-volatile memory are used to begin adaptively controlling vehicle operation. When a transfer between vehicles has occurred, initial or mean values for the correction factors are used to begin adaptively controlling vehicle operation. As a result, the electronic control unit can be transferred between vehicles without causing malfunctions in vehicle operation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,713, issued to Brunius illustrates a method and apparatus in a security system whereby a central processing unit self learns the identities of its distributed wireless keypad and alarm transmitters. Each transmitter includes an electrically eraseable memory containing signal conditioning data and a pseudo randomly programmed identification code. During a transmitter initiating programming condition, the CPU captures the received identification code of each transmitter and establishes an identity code table by which subsequently received transmissions are confirmed as belonging to the system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,588, issued to Kuhner disclose a method and apparatus for programming at least one control device in a vehicle having a plurality of control devices to be programmed, and a central control device with a non-volatile vehicle configuration memory. A bus system connects all the control devices in the vehicle to one another and to the central control device. When one of said control devices is retrofitted or replaced, it initiates a comparison of data located in its memory with the vehicle configuration data resident in the configuration memory of the central control device and, in the case of differences between these data, the data in the retrofitted or replaced control device are overwritten with current vehicle configuration data called up from the vehicle configuration memory. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,774,813, issued to Van Ec et al. is directed to a universal programmable remote is programmed for being used with a specific apparatus. A sequence of test codes is sent to the apparatus until the apparatus responds. The test codes comprise tags that are sent along. The tags fall all within a same narrow frequency band. An STB that is eavesdropping on the transmission is receptive to that band. The STB identifies the last tag and enables a server to identify the complete set of codes for the apparatus based on the tag. Thereupon the set is downloaded and programmed in the remote. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a single data module that is simple to use, inexpensive to produce and that can be fitted to virtually all vehicles. It is a further objective to provide data modules that are accurate for any and all vehicles it which it is installed. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide data modules that would not have to have massive memory capabilities to encompass all vehicles and that could be tailored to an individual vehicle regardless of equipment or region. It is yet a further objective to provide data modules that would not require a large infrastructure to define and seek out codes for any and all vehicle at great cost in time and resources. It is still a further objective to provide data modules that would not require an external connection to the Internet for programming. Finally, it is an objective of the present invention to provide data modules that could be refitted to another vehicle when purchased. 
     While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of self learning data module system inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above. 
     (1) A self learning data module system providing all of the desired features can be constructed from the following components. A microprocessor is provided. The microprocessor is adapted to removably attach to a vehicle equipment control network. Non-volatile memory is provided. The memory is connected to the microprocessor. Software is provided. The software is adapted to extract operational codes from the vehicle equipment control network upon activation of vehicle equipment. The software assigns each of the operational codes to one of a series of predetermined command codes and stores the operational codes and assigned command codes in the memory. 
     (2) In a variant of the invention, the self learning data module system further includes a wireless transponder. The transponder is connected to the microprocessor and adapted to send the command codes to and receive the command codes from a wireless remote control. The microprocessor transmits each of the stored operational codes to the vehicle equipment control network upon receipt of an assigned command code from the transponder. 
     (3) In another variant, the self learning data module system further includes an attached system. The attached system communicates with the microprocessor and is programmed with the series of predetermined command codes. The attached system has a control for directing the attached system to communicate the predetermined command codes to the microprocessor. The microprocessor communicates each of the operational codes for which a predetermined command code has been assigned to the vehicle equipment control network upon receipt of each of the predetermined command codes. 
     (4) In still another variant, the vehicle equipment control network communicates the operational codes to the microprocessor, the microprocessor communicates the assigned predetermined command codes to the attached system and the attached system communicates the predetermined command codes to the control. 
     (5) In yet another variant, the attached system is selected from the group that includes vehicle alarms, remote starting systems, vehicle control systems, vehicle function communication systems, and cellular communications systems. 
     (6) In a further variant, the attached system further includes a transceiver. The transceiver is adapted to send the predetermined command codes to and receive the predetermined command codes from a cellular telephone. The cellular telephone has software adapted receive the predetermined command codes from the transceiver, to assign telephone key sequences to the command codes and to send the command codes to the transceiver upon entry of the key sequences. The attached system communicates the predetermined command codes to the microprocessor upon receipt of each of the command codes from the transceiver. The microprocessor communicates each of the operational codes for which a predetermined command code has been assigned to the vehicle equipment control network upon receipt of each of the predetermined command codes. 
     (7) In still a further variant, the vehicle equipment control network communicates the operational codes to the microprocessor, the microprocessor communicates the assigned predetermined command codes to the attached system, the attached system communicates the predetermined command codes to the transceiver and the transceiver communicates each of the command codes to the cellular telephone for either of storage and notification of a user. 
     (8) In yet a further variant, the attached system is selected from the group that includes vehicle alarms, remote starting systems, vehicle control systems, and vehicle function communication systems. 
     (9) In another variant of the invention, the microprocessor is serially connected to the vehicle equipment control network. 
     (10) In still another variant, the microprocessor is optically connected to the vehicle equipment control network. 
     (11) In yet another variant, the connection of the microprocessor to the vehicle equipment control network is an analog connection. 
     (12) In a further variant, communications between the transceiver and the cellular telephone is encrypted. 
     (13) In still a further variant, the self learning data module system further includes a programming switch. The programming switch either activates or deactivates a code learning function of the software. First and second indicators are provided. Both of the indicators provide a first signal upon activation of the code learning function. The first indicator provides a second signal upon activation of a selected vehicle equipment item and successful storage of an operational code associated with activation of the vehicle item. The successful storage includes assignment of each of the operational codes to one of a series of predetermined command codes. The second signal of the first indicator signals readiness for the module system to learn an operational code for activation of a subsequent vehicle equipment item. A third signal provided by the second indicator signals failure of the module system to successfully store an operational code and indicating need to reactivate the vehicle equipment item until the first indicator provides the second signal. 
     (14) In yet a further variant, a connection on the microprocessor allows communication of the predetermined command codes with either a security remote start or a wireless system. Each of the operational codes is transmitted from the memory to the vehicle equipment control network upon receipt of each of the predetermined command codes from either the security remote start or the wireless system. 
     (15) In another variant of the invention, the vehicle equipment control network communicates the operational codes to the microprocessor, the microprocessor communicates the assigned predetermined command codes to either a security remote start or a wireless system. 
     (16) In still another variant, the communications between the module system and either of the security remote start and the wireless system is encrypted. 
     (17) In yet another variant, the vehicle equipment control network is an optical network. 
     (18) In a further variant, the microprocessor is serially connected to the attached system. 
     (19) In a final variant, the microprocessor is optically connected to the attached system. 
     An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating the self learning data module with transponder and remote control, connected to the Controller Area Network of a vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the invention illustrating the self learning data module in combination with an attached system and its remote control; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the invention illustrating the self learning data module in combination with an attached system having a wireless transceiver for communication with a cell phone; 
         FIG. 4  is a table illustrating the assignment of operational codes to command codes stored in memory; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating the code learning sequence of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     (1)  FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a self learning data module system  10  providing all of the desired features that can be constructed from the following components. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a microprocessor  14  is provided. The microprocessor  14  is adapted to removably attach to a vehicle equipment control network  18 . Non-volatile memory  22  is provided. The memory  22  is connected to the microprocessor  14 . Software  26  is provided. The software  26  is adapted to extract operational codes  30  from the vehicle equipment control network  18  upon activation of vehicle equipment  34 . The software  26  assigns each of the operational codes  30  to one of a series of predetermined command codes  38  and stores the operational codes  30  and assigned command codes  38  in the memory  22 . 
     (2) In a variant of the invention, the self learning data module system  10  further includes a wireless transponder  42 . The transponder  42  is connected to the microprocessor  14  and adapted to send the command codes  38  to and receive the command codes  38  from a wireless remote control  46 . The microprocessor  14  transmits each of the stored operational codes  30  to the vehicle equipment control network  18  upon receipt of an assigned command code  38  from the transponder  42 . 
     (3) In another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the self learning data module system  10  further includes an attached system  50 . The attached system  50  communicates with the microprocessor  14  and is programmed with the series of predetermined command codes  38 . The attached system  50  has a control  54  for directing the attached system  50  to communicate the predetermined command codes  38  to the microprocessor  14 . The microprocessor  14  communicates each of the operational codes  30  for which a predetermined command code  38  has been assigned to the vehicle equipment control network  18  upon receipt of each of the predetermined command codes  38 . 
     (4) In still another variant, the vehicle equipment control network  18  communicates the operational codes  30  to the microprocessor  14 , the microprocessor  14  communicates the assigned predetermined command codes  38  to the attached system  50  and the attached system  50  communicates the predetermined command codes  38  to the control  54 . (5) In yet another variant, the attached system  50  is selected from the group that includes vehicle alarms  58 , remote starting systems (not shown), vehicle control systems (not shown), vehicle function communication systems (not shown), and cellular communications systems (not shown). 
     (6) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the attached system  50  further includes a transceiver  78 . The transceiver  78  is adapted to send the predetermined command codes  38  to and receive the predetermined command codes  38  from a cellular telephone  82 . The cellular telephone  82  has software  86  adapted receive the predetermined command codes  38  from the transceiver  78 , to assign telephone key sequences  90  to the command codes  38  and to send the command codes  38  to the transceiver  78  upon entry of the key sequences  90 . The attached system  50  communicates the predetermined command codes  38  to the microprocessor  14  upon receipt of each of the command codes  38  from the transceiver  78 . The microprocessor  14  communicates each of the operational codes  30  for which a predetermined command code  38  has been assigned to the vehicle equipment control network  18  upon receipt of each of the predetermined command codes  38 . 
     (7) In still a further variant, the vehicle equipment control network  18  communicates the operational codes  30  to the microprocessor  14 , the microprocessor  14  communicates the assigned predetermined command codes  38  to the attached system  50 , the attached system  50  communicates the predetermined command codes  38  to the transceiver  78  and the transceiver  78  communicates each of the command codes  38  to the cellular telephone  82  for either of storage and notification of a user (not shown). 
     (8) In yet a further variant, the attached system  50  is selected from the group that includes vehicle alarms  58 , remote starting systems (not shown), vehicle control systems (not shown), and vehicle function communication systems (not shown). 
     (9) In another variant of the invention, the microprocessor  14  is serially connected to the vehicle equipment control network  18 . 
     (10) In still another variant, the microprocessor  14  is optically connected to the vehicle equipment control network  18 . 
     (11) In yet another variant, the connection of the microprocessor  14  to the vehicle equipment control network  18  is an analog connection. 
     (12) In a further variant, communications between the transceiver  78  and the cellular telephone  82  is encrypted. 
     (13) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the self learning data module system  10  further includes a programming switch  94 . The programming switch  94  either activates or deactivates a code learning function  98  of the software  26 . First  102  and second  106  indicators are provided. Both of the indicators  102 ,  106  provide a first signal  110  upon activation of the code learning function  98 . The first indicator  102  provides a second signal  114  upon activation of a selected vehicle equipment item  34  and successful storage of an operational code  30  associated with activation of the vehicle item  34 . The successful storage includes assignment of each of the operational codes  30  to one of a series of predetermined command codes  38 . The second signal  114  of the first indicator  102  signals readiness for the module system  10  to learn an operational code  30  for activation of a subsequent vehicle equipment item  34 . A third signal  118  provided by the second indicator  106  signals failure of the module system  10  to successfully store an operational code  30  and indicating need to reactivate the vehicle equipment item  34  until the first indicator  102  provides the second signal  114 . 
     (14) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a connection  126  on the microprocessor  14  allows communication of the predetermined command codes  38  with either a security remote start  130  or a wireless system (not shown). Each of the operational codes  30  is transmitted from the memory  22  to the vehicle equipment control network  18  upon receipt of each of the predetermined command codes  38  from either the security remote start  130  or the wireless system. 
     (15) In another variant of the invention, the vehicle equipment control network  18  communicates the operational codes  30  to the microprocessor  14 , the microprocessor  14  communicates the assigned predetermined command codes  38  to either a security remote start  130  or a wireless system. 
     (16) In still another variant, the communications between the module system  10  and either of the security remote start  130  and the wireless system is encrypted. 
     (17) In yet another variant, the vehicle equipment control network  18  is an optical network. 
     (18) In a further variant, the microprocessor  14  is serially connected to the attached system  50 . 
     (19) In a final variant, the microprocessor  14  is optically connected to the attached system. 
     The self leaning data module system  10  has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.