Programmable electronic device

The vehicle control system of clam 12, wherein the software cartridge is remotely programmed.

A method of remotely communicating with a vehicle control system comprising an interface module for interfacing with an electronic input and output device of a vehicle, and a feature set module for detachably coupling to said interface module, wherein said feature set module comprises codes for defining a feature set of electronically operable functions to operate the electronic input and output devices when the feature set module is coupled to the interface module, comprising the steps of:

• receiving codes, at the interface module, for performing one of programming and controlling a function of the feature set of electronically operable functions;
• and
• executing the received codes, at the interface module, for performing one of programming and controlling a function of the feature set of electronically operable functions.

A method of performing one of controlling and programming a vehicle control system comprising an interface module for interfacing with an electronic input and output device of a vehicle, and a feature set module for detachably coupling to said interface module, wherein said feature set module comprises codes for defining a feature set of electronically operable functions to operate the electronic input and output devices when the feature set module is coupled to the interface module, comprising the steps of:

• determining, at a remote transmitter, a code to be transmitted to the interface module for performing one of controlling and programming, wherein the code to be transmitted is associated with a function in the feature set of electronically operable functions;
• and
• transmitting, to the interface module, the determined code for performing one of controlling and programming.

A vehicle control system, comprising:

• an interface module for interfacing with an electronic input and output device of a vehicle, wherein the electronic input and output devices are operated pursuant to a feature set of electronically operable functions;
• and
• a software cartridge for detachably coupling to said interface module, wherein said software cartridge comprises codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions, wherein the electronic input and output devices of the vehicle are operated pursuant to the feature set of electronically operable functions when the software cartridge is coupled to the interface module.