Control module for providing access, monitoring vehicles states, and control of a vehicle
AssigneeTri/Mark Corporation
InventorsDave Magner, Rick McIntosh, Julie M. Houdek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control module for receiving inputs and outputs associated with providing access to and control of a vehicle is disclosed. The control module includes a housing adapted for mounting within the vehicle, an intelligent control disposed within the housing, the intelligent control having a plurality of inputs for sensing vehicle states, a plurality of electronic access inputs for receiving user instructions, and a plurality of outputs from the intelligent control for controlling vehicle functions. The intelligent control is adapted for sending and receiving messages via a multiplexing protocol. The control module can be programmed to provide customized functions for different vehicles.
Claims21
A control module for receiving inputs and outputs associated with providing access to and control of a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing adapted for mounting within the vehicle;
- an intelligent control disposed within the housing, the intelligent control having
- (a) a plurality of inputs for sensing vehicle states or conditions;
- (b) a plurality of electronic access inputs for receiving user instructions;
- and
- (c) a plurality of outputs from the intelligent control for controlling vehicle functions;
- the intelligent control adapted for sending and receiving messages via a multiplexing messaging protocol to a second control module.
A control module for receiving inputs and outputs associated with providing access to and control of a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing adapted for mounting within the vehicle;
- a network connection disposed within the housing for sending and receiving messages via a multiplexing messaging protocol to a second control module;
- an intelligent control electrically connected to the network connection and adapted for using the multiplexing protocol, the intelligent control disposed within the housing;
- a plurality of outputs operatively connected to the intelligent control adapted for controlling vehicle functions;
- a plurality of inputs operatively connected to the intelligent control for determining vehicle states;
- and
- the intelligent control operatively connected to a radio frequency receiver for receiving user instructions from a remote transmitter in communication with the receiver.
A control module for receiving inputs and outputs associated with providing access to and control of a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing adapted for mounting within the vehicle;
- an intelligent control disposed within the housing, the intelligent control having
- (a) a plurality of inputs for sensing vehicle states or conditions;
- (b) a plurality of electronic access inputs for receiving user instructions;
- and
- (c) a plurality of outputs from the intelligent control for controlling vehicle functions;
- the intelligent control adapted for sending and receiving messages via a multiplexing messaging protocol to a second control module;
- the messages comprising command messages for controlling vehicle functions, status messages for providing an indication of a state of the vehicle, and error messages for indicating presence of error conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.