US 2006/0067259 A1Published application

Wireless multiplex systems and methods for controlling devices in a vehicle

AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation

InventorMohammed Yousuf

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Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for communicating wireless messages for controlling the functions of devices within a vehicle are provided. The apparatus comprises a first module having a first wireless control node positioned at a first location within the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a second module having a second wireless control node positioned at a second location within the vehicle. Devices are coupled to and controlled by each of the nodes. The first and second nodes are adapted to form a virtual network so that they can communicate the messages to each other for also controlling the devices. The apparatus also has a third wireless node positioned external to the vehicle. The third node is capable of becoming part of the virtual network so that the third node can communicate messages to at least one of the first and the second nodes to further control at least one of the devices.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for communicating messages to control the functioning of devices within a vehicle, comprising:

a first module positioned at a first location within the vehicle, said first module including a first wireless control node coupled to a first plurality of said devices that are adapted to perform a predetermined function in response to a selected message from said first wireless control node;
a second module positioned at a second location within the vehicle, said second module including a second wireless control node coupled to a second plurality of said devices that are adapted to perform a predetermined function in response to a selected message from said first wireless control node;
a virtual network formed of said first wireless control node and said second wireless control node, said virtual network configured such that said first wireless control node and said second wireless control node can communicate and control said devices;
and
a third wireless control node positioned external to the vehicle and capable of becoming part of said virtual network so that said third wireless control node can communicate messages to at least one of said first wireless control node and said second wireless control node, said at least one of said first wireless control node and said second wireless control node utilizing such messages to further control the functioning of at least one of the devices within the vehicle.

2 more elements

A method for communicating messages for controlling the functions of devices within a vehicle, each of the devices being adapted to perform a predetermined function in response to a selected message from a wireless control node coupled thereto;

said method comprising the steps of:
placing a first wireless control node at a first location in the vehicle:
placing a second wireless control node at second location in the vehicle:
enabling the first wireless control node and the second wireless control node to form a virtual network so that the first wireless control node and said second wireless control node can communicate at least one message to each other in order to control a device;
positioning a third wireless control node external to the vehicle;
enabling said third wireless control node to become part of said virtual network so that said third wireless control node can communicate a message to at least one of said first wireless control node and said second wireless control node;
and
further enabling at least one of said first wireless control node and said second wireless control node to utilize a message from said third wireless control node to further control the functioning of at least one of the devices within the vehicle.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.