Communications: electrical – Continuously variable indicating – With meter reading
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-09
2001-06-05
Zimmerman, Brian (Department: 2635)
Communications: electrical
Continuously variable indicating
With meter reading
C340S870030, C340S005320, C340S005330, C340S539230, C180S271000, C049S028000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243022
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to remote controlled systems for motor vehicles, and more particularly, to a remote control device that safely controls the opening and closing of a vehicle window using a two-way communication link.
2. Description of Related Art
Remote control devices are widely used with motor vehicles for a variety of purposes, such as to arm/disarm security systems, to lock/unlock doors, and to unlatch the hood and/or trunk. A typical remote control device communicates encoded radio frequency (RF) signals to a processing unit disposed within the vehicle to command the execution of different functions within the vehicle. The remote control device may be small enough to serve as a key fob for holding the user's car keys, and may include a plurality of buttons associated with each of the functions controlled by the remote control device. The processing unit is generally adapted to emit an audible feedback signal in the form of a chirp to confirm successful completion of a desired function, e.g., arming of the vehicle security system.
One potential application for a remote control device is to command the opening and closing of a vehicle window from a remote location. For example, a user may want to open the vehicle windows before entering the vehicle, especially when the vehicle has become hot from sitting in direct sunlight. Conversely, a user may want to close the vehicle windows from a remote location, such as in response to a sudden rain storm. An example of a remote vehicle window control system is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,249, to Swearingen, Jr.
Notwithstanding the potential advantages of such a capability, remote control window opening/closing systems such as disclosed by Swearingen, Jr. have significant disadvantages that have prevented them from achieving commercial acceptance. Most significantly, there is an inherent safety risk attendant with such remote window operation, as a motor powered window can potentially cause harm to objects that are caught within the open window as the window closes. Even when this particular risk of harm is not present, the user cannot confirm successful completion of a remote window operation without directly observing the operation of the vehicle window. Such observation generally requires the user to be close enough to the vehicle so as to diminish the advantage of remote control operation.
Another disadvantage of the conventional vehicle remote control devices is that the chirp that serves as the audible feedback signal from the processing unit is often unnecessarily obtrusive. The chirp must necessarily be loud enough for the user to hear from a location somewhat distant from the vehicle. In addition, the volume of the chirp is often intentionally selected to be very high so as to serve as a warning to potential vehicle intruders of the presence of the security system. Nevertheless, the prevalence of vehicle security systems in urban areas has significantly diminished the deterrent effect of the chirp. More typically, the loud chirp constitutes a source of annoyance to the vehicle user's neighbors, and can be startling to pedestrians that pass near the vehicle when the chirp occurs.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a remote control device that can be safely used to open and close vehicle windows while preventing the risk of harm to objects present in the open window. It would be further desirable to provide direct feedback of the remote controlled window operation and status to the user in a discrete manner through the remote control device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system for remotely controlling operation of a vehicle window provides two-way communication between the remote control unit and the window control system within the vehicle. This way, the remote unit receives a signal from the window control system that indicates the current status of the windows, including whether the windows have reached a fully open or closed position, or whether an object has become pinched by the closing window.
More particularly, the system includes a remote unit adapted to provide output signals to command opening and closing of a vehicle window, and a controller disposed in the vehicle and responsive to the output signals from the remote unit to operate the vehicle windows. The controller includes a vehicle opening device condition detector adapted to detect a condition of the vehicle window and provide a signal indicative of the detected condition. Thereafter, the controller transmits the detected condition signal to the remote unit. The remote unit further includes an indicating unit responsive to the detected condition signal for indicating to a user the vehicle window condition. The controller in the vehicle further includes an anti-pinching device adapted to sense presence of an object caught in the window as it is closed. The condition detector further detects a fully open or closed status of the window, and detects whether the anti-pinching device has sensed presence of an object caught in the window.
In an embodiment of the invention, the indicating unit further comprises a visual display device adapted to display the vehicle opening device condition, such as a liquid crystal display. The indicating unit may further include an audible device, such as a buzzer, which emits a series of sounds when the window is opening or closing. The audible device may also emit an audible warning signal upon an interruption of transmission of the detected condition signal from the controller. The visual display device and audible device provide verification to the user of the commanded status of the vehicle window, without the obtrusive vehicle chirp used with convention remote control devices.
A more complete understanding of the remote control device having two-way communication for a vehicle opening system will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings which will first be described briefly.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4422521 (1983-12-01), Mochida
patent: 4467249 (1984-08-01), Swearingen, Jr.
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“Automotive Industries” Mar. 1998, p. 87.
Abel David B.
Dalencourt Yves
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Squire, Snaders & Dempsey LLP.
Zimmerman Brian
LandOfFree
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