Abstract:
Two key technologies that gain popularities these days are wireless-connectivity and smart devices. Exploiting the benefit of these two technologies can allow us to have the next generation of vehicle-mounted control system that allows remote operation, protection, and/or monitoring. It allows the vehicle owner to have a true security system, rather than just intruder-deterrent system. It also allows different programmability that enhance the user&#39;s convenience, by allowing the vehicle to react in a certain way, according to its environment.

Description:
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    Briefly, this invention offers a new generation of vehicle-mounted control system apparatus that can be controlled and/or monitored by the user, via multitude wireless connectivity. It allows the user to use their smart devices, such as tablet, computer, cellular-phone, etc; to secure, operate, and monitor the vehicle. 
         [0002]    This invention uses data connection, via the de-facto GSM/CDMA-modem and/or Bluetooth, to perform remote controlling and/or monitoring. It also allows some level of closed-loop automatic operation and/or based on scheduling. 
         [0003]    The apparatus also continuously performs periodic self test to the sensor and the output circuitry to warranty its performance. The remote user will be informed, via warning massages, when this level performance can&#39;t be guaranteed. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTIONS 
       Description of Drawings 
         [0004]    The drawings, shown it the previous section, are provided to better illustrate the invention: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1-FIG .  4  are simplified block diagrams, showings the multitude of how the users can interact to the vehicle remotely. 
           [0006]      FIG. 5  shows an example of the different components that can be included in the vehicle mounted control unit. Each of these components can be implemented as hardware and/or firmware. 
           [0007]      FIG. 6  shows the modular output module that can be supported by this invention. It shows the self diagnostic component that performs the safety function by periodically verify the performance of the circuitry, sensors, and actuators. 
       
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0008]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0009]    The present invention relates to a safety method, system, and apparatus that can controls the vehicle automatically; and/or remotely by using smart device. 
         [0010]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0011]    A little portion of this invention is the next generation of keyless remote entry and/or security system that is normally found most vehicles. But this invention is meant to be aware of a lot more environment variables. It also has several different options of automatic operation and ways to inform the remote user about any of those environment variables. 
         [0012]    This invention is also meant to have higher degree of safety, which has not been offered in any of the currently available system. All the keyless remote entries and/or security systems in the market today are trust-based, in the way that it is blindly trusted to be able to function when the time come. This invention owns a self diagnostic hardware and software that periodically verifies that the output circuitry and the sensors are in good condition, and any action request will be executed without fail. 
         [0013]    This invention also offers continuous monitoring function, via multitude communication paths. The user can request the status of the vehicle anytime. The vehicle also possesses the ability to inform the user when certain event/malfunction occurs. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts the multitude embodiment of point-to-point communication to the vehicle based on the internet connection  101 . The control system  107 , mounted inside of the vehicle  108 , is connected to the internet  101  by using GSM/CDMA cellular data channel  109 ; that is wirelessly connected to the cellular providers&#39; antenna  110 . The remote controlling unit is connected to the internet in several different ways.
       Any web-browser that runs in the computer  105 ; that is connected to the internet  101 , can access the web-server resided in vehicle-mounted controller  107 .   The remote devices  104  represent smart-devices, which have Wi-Fi transceiver, which has direct access to the internet, and runs native software to communicate to the controller  107 .   The remote controlling device  103 , is running a native software, similar to  104 . But it uses cellular data connection  102 , either GSM or CDMA, to access the internet, via the provider&#39;s antenna  106 .       
 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  represent the embodiment of short-distance and point-to-point connection by using Bluetooth connection. In this mode, the pc devices  202  or smart devices  203  have to run special software, with proper encryption system, to control the vehicle-mounted unit  107 . In this mode, the device  202  and  203  acts “almost similar” to the regular OOK based remote-control, which is normally offered by today&#39;s standard keyless entry system, except the specially written software can offer a multitude of automation such as:
       Personalized setting, based on the Bluetooth MAC-Address   Scheduling, such automatically performs engine warm up every morning during the weekdays.   Automated door locking and unlocking when certain MAC address is detected   Automatically turn on the engine and the refrigeration (AC) system, when it the temperature inside the vehicle is hot.   Etc.       
 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram that uses an intermediary hosted server to communicate between the remote controlling unit and the vehicle-mounted controller. This mode can be disabled or enabled by the user, for each feature of offered by the vehicle-mounted controller  107 . This mode of operation is very useful when any of the point-to-point communication isn&#39;t reliable enough. When enabled, the vehicle-mounted controller will periodically synchronized itself to the hosted web-server  301 , which includes updating it status and pulling any delayed command requested by the user. The user of device  105 ,  104 , or  103 , at future time, can use its web-browser to check:
       The last reported status of the vehicle  107     If the last command has been sent and executed properly   Playback the history/log file   Sends command that will be executed the next time when the vehicle-mounted controller  107  synchronized itself to the hosted web-server  301 .       
 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows the block diagram of the embodiment, when an encoded text message is used to communicate between sms-enabled device and the vehicle-mounted controller  107 . It also has and added convenience, in which the user of the remote controller  103  doesn&#39;t have to continuously checks the status of the vehicle-mounted controller  107 . Instead, the message will automatically be delivered to the remote controller  103 , as it is becomes available and accessible. Because of this feature, this method will also be used to deliver critical warning message, such as failure, intrusion, and/or malfunction. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows the block diagram of each components/module that can be used to achieve a smart vehicle-mounted controlled module. The Control software  509 , responsible it tie up all of the process together. The OOK receiver  501  is provided only to bring up the control software in to a special mode in order to allow the Bluetooth  502  to be paired, when the other method has not been properly configured yet. The Bluetooth transceiver unit  502  is a part of the remote controlling method, as it has been discussed earlier. The sensors Interfaces  503  can be modular, depending on the level of automation that want to be achieved. Some of the sensors that will be implemented are:
       Shock sensors   Temperature &amp; humidity sensors   Magnetic sensors   Gyroscope   Accelerometer   Switches (mechanical or reed), such as door sensors   Glass breakage sensors   Water intrusion sensors   Pressure sensor   Proximity sensor   Light curtain   CCD Camera   Audio input       
 
         [0044]    The OBD interface is used to monitor the vehicle parameter, including but not limited to:
       Speed monitoring and logging   Checking the presence of engine trouble code   Remote diagnostic &amp; assistance   Etc       
 
         [0049]    GPS Receiver  505  can be used to monitor the vehicle parameter, including but not limited to:
       Vehicle tracking and logging   Location based, automatic configuration   Remote assistance   Assistance to find parking spot   Etc.       
 
         [0055]    The configuration unit  510  is a persistence/non-volatile area, in which all of the parameter that can be controlled and monitored. It can hold multiple configurations, and can automatically select the appropriate active configuration, based its environment. 
         [0056]    The SMS Client  511 , Email Client  512 , Messenger Client  513 , Web Server Client, and the modem interface  515 ; are a part of the communication interface as it was discussed in previous paragraphs. The modem interface  515  communicates to the actual off-the-shelf modem via industry standard buses such as USB, Serial (UART), etc. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6  is the detailed embodiment of typical output control interface  508 , shown in  FIG. 5 . This is a modular interface, in which the user can choose what level of automation desired. The interfaces are categorized as Engine Control Module  601 , Warning Module  602 , and Auxiliary module  603 . Non-critical modules, such as cabin light might not have self diagnostic, or have the self diagnostic turned off by default. 
         [0058]    The engine control Module  605 , consist minimally required interface that will not be a part of the selective modular option. This includes Engine starting module  605  and Battery power/immobilizer interface  606 . 
         [0059]    The warning Interface module  602  includes all the modules that can be used to deter intruder or warn people about the intrusion. Alarm/Horn interface  607  can be used as audio confirmation when a command is executed, but it can also be used to deter intruder when it detect possible intrusion attempt. Head Light Interface  608  can also be used as visual confirmation. It can also be used to help user in the poorly lighted parking location, to locate the car and/or deter hidden intruder. Either the head light module  608  or tail light module  612  can be use to seek help silently by emitting certain flashing pattern. 
         [0060]    The auxiliary controllers  603  consist of modules that are absolutely optional, depending on the level of automation wanted. Cabin Light module  609  can be use to automatically light up the cabin after the engine has been turned off or after the door has been opened. The window control module can be used to automatically close the window a little bit when water intrusion sensor (in the sensors module  503 ) detect the present of water, in the event of rain. The weather control module can be used to keep certain comfort level by automatically control the engine (via battery power module  606  and engine starter  605 ) and the refrigeration system, when the temperature sensor (in the sensors module  503 ) reach a certain pre-defined limit.