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Remote programmer for a vehicle control systemRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Vehicles, Navigation, And Relative Location, Vehicle Control, Guidance, Operation, Or Indication, Vehicle Subsystem Or Accessory ControlRemote programmer for a vehicle control system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050261816, Remote programmer for a vehicle control system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for adding functionality to an electronic device and/or system, and more particularly, to a remote programmer for use with a vehicle control system. [0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0004] In general, electronic devices are utilized to provide a variety of functions to a user. As technology evolves and/or as users needs evolve, there may be a need or desire to change and/or upgrade the functions that an electronic device can provide. [0005] Vehicle security and alarm systems provide a user with specific functions according to the design and features of the vehicle security and alarm systems. Vehicle security and alarm systems are either pre-installed during the manufacture of the vehicle or purchased and installed as aftermarket items. [0006] Currently, if a user desires functions that are not provided in, for example, an original equipment alarm, an aftermarket security and alarm system would need to be purchased. Users are also faced with limited options or feature sets for alarms. They must either choose the factory installed vehicle security and alarm system or choose an aftermarket vehicle security and alarm system that ordinarily provide a pre-determined set of features. [0007] Thus, if a user desires features that are not included in the pre-determined set of features, or if the features desired by a user change, the user would need to install a different vehicle security and alarm system. In addition, as technology changes, users who desire to acquire functions which incorporate evolved technology need to acquire a new system that incorporates the evolved technology. [0008] It is therefore desirable to provide an electronic device and/or system that can be updated to change, add, or remove functions that the electronic device can provide. For example, it is desirable to provide a vehicle control system and/or device that can be utilized to provide a variety of security, alarm, comfort and convenience functions related to a vehicle and/or a user of a vehicle, as a user's needs change or as new functions become available in the marketplace. [0009] It is also desirable to provide a remote device for providing the vehicle control system and/or device with new features and/or functions available in the marketplace. For example, it is desirable to provide a remote device that is capable of efficiently receiving new features and/or functions from an external source and for providing the new features and/or functions to the vehicle control system and/or device in a cost effective manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other problems encountered in the known teachings by providing a remote programmer for remotely programming a vehicle control system. [0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, a remote programmer for remotely programming a vehicle control system comprises: a display; an input for receiving user input data; a first interface for interfacing with a computer, wherein the first interface receives data associated with programming the vehicle control system from the computer; a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the data associated with programming the vehicle control system to the vehicle control system; and a controller for controlling operations of the remote programmer, wherein the controller stores the data associated with programming the vehicle control system and controls operations of the first interface and the transmitter in accordance with the user input data. The remote programmer further comprises a second interface for interfacing with a memory card, wherein the memory card comprises the data associated with programming the vehicle control system. [0012] The first interface is one of a universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet, FireWire, radio frequency (RF), and infrared (IR) interface. The input is one of a keypad and a graphical user interface. The display comprises a graphical user interface. The transmitter is one of an RF transmitter, an RF transceiver, and an IR transceiver. The data associated with programming the vehicle control system comprises codes for defining a feature set of electronically operable functions of the vehicle control system. [0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for remotely programming a vehicle control system comprises: 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; a feature set module for detachably coupling to said interface module, wherein the feature set module comprises codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions; and a remote programmer for remotely programming the feature set module, wherein the remote programmer transmits the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions to the interface module. [0014] The system further comprises a computer for providing the remote programmer with the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions, and a software cartridge for detachably coupling to the interface module, wherein the software cartridge comprises the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions. The software cartridge is remotely programmed by the remote programmer and the electronic input and output devices are part of one of a vehicle security system, a keyless entry system, a user convenience system, and an entertainment system. [0015] The interface module comprises an RF receiver for receiving the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions. The interface module may also comprise an IR transceiver for performing one of receiving the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions, and transmitting a signal to erase the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions stored in the remote programmer. The feature set module further comprises a memory device for storing the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions. The remote programmer comprises: a display; an input for receiving user input data; a first interface for interfacing with a computer, wherein the first interface receives the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions from the computer; an RF transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions to the interface module; and a controller for controlling operations of the remote programmer, wherein the controller stores the information associated with programming the vehicle control system and controls operations of the first interface and the RF transmitter in accordance with the user input data. The remote programmer further comprises a second interface for interfacing with a memory card, wherein the memory card comprises the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions. The remote programmer may further comprise an IR transceiver for performing one of receiving the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions from a computer, and transmitting the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions to the interface module. [0016] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system for remotely programming a vehicle control system comprises: 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; a software module for detachably coupling to said interface module, wherein the software module comprises codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions; and a remote programmer for remotely programming the software module, wherein the remote programmer transmits the codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions to the software module. [0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for remotely programming a vehicle control system via a remote programmer, the 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, comprises the steps of: determining, at the remote programmer, a code to be transmitted to the interface module for 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 code for programming the function of the feature set of electronically operable functions; receiving, at the interface module, the code for programming the function of the feature set of electronically operable functions; and executing, at the interface module, the code for programming the function of the feature set of electronically operable functions. The remote programmer transmits the codes for programming the function of the feature set of electronically operable functions to the interface module via one of an RF transmitter, an RF transceiver, and an IR transceiver. [0018] The method further comprises storing, at the feature set module, the code for programming the function of the feature set of electronically operable functions in a memory, and requesting, at the remote programmer, the code for programming the function of the feature set of electronically operable functions from a computer comprising a plurality of codes for defining the feature set of electronically operable functions; and receiving, at the remote programmer, the code for programming the function of the feature set of electronically operable functions. The remote programmer interfaces with the computer via one of a USB, Ethernet, FireWire, RF, and IR interface. [0019] The foregoing features are of representative embodiments and are presented to assist in understanding the invention. It should be understood that they are not intended to be considered limitations on the invention as defined by the claims, or limitations on equivalents to the claims. Therefore, this summary of features should not be considered dispositive in determining equivalents. Additional features of the invention will become apparent in the following description, from the drawings and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle control and/or alarm system according to an exemplary of the present invention; [0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded plan view of the side of a feature set module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading about Remote programmer for a vehicle control system... Full patent description for Remote programmer for a vehicle control system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Remote programmer for a vehicle control system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Remote programmer for a vehicle control system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and device for guiding an aircraft on landing Next Patent Application: System for customizing settings and sounds for vehicle Industry Class: Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Remote programmer for a vehicle control system patent info. 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