Patent Application
20070096938
This invention relates generally to wireless remote controls and more particularly to a system and method for adapting one or more existing wireless remote controls for use with another wireless remote control system.
Wireless remote controls are commonly used to control functions of keyless entry systems, security systems, televisions, and other consumer electronics. For example, keyless entry systems provide keyless entry to vehicles, such as locking/unlocking or opening/closing the vehicle's doors, or in the case of buildings, opening/closing doors. A wireless remote control has a radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) transmitter, which communicates with a receiver in the remotely controlled system. The remote control is matched to a specific remotely control system receiver in at least two respects. First, each receiver is matched to a specific model of remote control that is designed to work with that particular system. The transmitter in the remote control must be compatible with the receiver in the system in terms of frequency (for RF-based remotes), wavelength (for IR-based remotes), pulse repetition frequency, coding scheme, and so on. Second, each receiver and its corresponding remote control may be programmed with the same coded information to permit only the intended remote control to access the remotely controlled system, such as a remote control used for keyless entry to a vehicle. Older remote controls use a fixed code for each function, i.e., the same code is transmitted by the remote control each time the user presses a particular button or key. Newer remote controls for vehicles use rolling codes, in other words, the code for each function changes each time a particular button or key is pressed, and the transmitter and receiver are synchronized by a common algorithm.
Wireless remote control systems are typically proprietary and cannot be upgraded or updated without complete replacement of the remote controls and the remote control receiver in the system controlled. This approach is expensive, complex, and otherwise impractical for most systems that are controlled by wireless remote controls.
The only known prior art approach to the aggregation of multiple wireless remote controls is the use of an IR remote control for consumer electronics that can “learn” the codes for existing remote control functions. However, this approach does not provide any greater capability beyond that provided by the existing remote controls, only aggregation.
There exists a need, not met by the state of the art, to upgrade or improve an existing wireless remote control system without replacement or removal of the existing remote control system. Another need not solved in the art is the requirement to combine or aggregate control of a plurality of disparate remotely controlled systems in one wireless remote control, using at least part of the components of the existing remote controls.
The present invention is directed to a system and method for upgrading an existing wireless remote control system while using at least part of the existing wireless remote control. In another aspect of the present invention, a system and method is provided for combining or aggregating control over several disparate wireless remote control systems into one wireless remote control.
The invention implements a wireless remote adapter system that interfaces with one or more remotely-controlled or keyless entry systems (native systems) by incorporating a remote control (or parts thereof) that is originally designed for (or able to program to) said native systems. This approach enables the wireless remote adapter system to control each native system while also having the ability to introduce new functions to the native systems through the features of the wireless remote adapter system.
The advantages of the present invention over the known prior art include, but are not limited to 1) “plug-and-play” installation with no need to splice wires; 2) the ability to control multiple disparate systems through one wireless remote device; 3) the ability to extend the features of an existing remotely controlled system without the need to remove or replace it or install (through tedious wired installation) another system; 4) the ability to continue to use the existing remote control of a native system in conjunction with the new remote control and the enhanced capabilities of the remote adapter system; 5) the ability to exceed the maximum number of remotes a native system might be limited to; and 6) the flexibility to change the form factors of the remote controls.
The present invention facilitates upgrades of existing keyless entry systems and the remote controls that operate them, without removal of the existing system receiver or the splicing of electrical wires. Examples of the types of plug-and-play upgrades facilitated by the invention are 1) multi-vehicle remote control, in which one master remote control operates one or more vehicles; 2) passive keyless entry that automatically unlocks and locks vehicle based on user proximity; 3) Bluetooth integration, permitting authentication and operation using any Bluetooth-enabled devices such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDA), laptop computers, or any other Bluetooth enabled device; 4) long-range two-way remote controls that notify the user upon vehicle alarm activation; 5) ease and affordability of additional remotes, avoiding the high price of OEM remotes and associated programming fees; 6) innovative remote control form factors, facilitating hybrid devices such as combined key remotes, watch remotes, necklace remotes, etc.; and 7) personalized remote control colors and styles.
The invention is comprised of four components: 1) a wireless user remote control; 2) a wireless remote adapter cartridge, one for each type of vehicle or other wireless remotely-controlled system; 3) a wireless remote adapter receiver module, which wirelessly interfaces with the wireless user remote control; and 4) the remote control adapter, which houses the wireless remote adapter cartridge and wireless remote adapter receiver module, and receives power from the vehicle.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in
Wireless user remote control 10 is a wireless remote control capable of controlling one or more RF or IR remote control systems.
Wireless user remote control 10 can be implemented using any remote control transmitter known in the art without departing from the scope and intent of the present invention. The fundamental requirement of wireless user remote control 10 is to have sufficient channels available to control the number of desired wireless remote adapters and the respective functions on each wireless remote adapter.
To install the invention in a vehicle, the wireless remote adapter port is plugged into the vehicle's OBD port for power supply and secured appropriately. The vehicle's keyless entry system is programmed using original equipment programming procedures, if necessary, and the wireless remote adapter receiver is programmed to match the wireless user remote control.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the invention has been described with reference to keyless entry systems used in vehicles, it is equally applicable to any application that uses wireless (RF or IR) remote controls. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
