REMOTE VEHICLE PROGRAMMING SYSTEM AND METHOD
A system and method for remotely programming a vehicle including a vehicle connector with a plurality of pins in communication with one or more vehicle sub-systems or modules, a vehicle communication device connected to the vehicle connector; a bi-directional communication link between the vehicle communication device and a remote communication device, and a computer system connected to the remote communication device. The vehicle communication device is configured to receive signals from the pins, convert the signals to a network compatible data packet which can then be transmitted to the remote communication device, which re-converts the signals to the pin signals, which can be read by a computing system, such as a vehicle scan tool. Programming instructions can be sent from the scan tool to the vehicle, over the bi-directional communication link between the remote communication device and the vehicle communication device.
1 . A system for remotely programming one or more sub-systems of a vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle communication device and a remote communication device, each having a socket, a communications processor; and a modem coupled to said communications processor;
said socket of said vehicle communication device adapted to engage a vehicle connector having a plurality of pins in communication with a said one or more sub-systems;
said socket of said remote communication device adapted to engage a vehicle scan tool;
said vehicle communication device and said remote communication device enabled to engage in continuous bi-directional communication using a standard OBD communications protocol via a bi-directional communication link; and
wherein said remote communication device is enabled by said continuous bi-directional communication using a standard OBD communications protocol to actively and continuously communicate with, scan and program said sub-systems as if it were located proximate to said vehicle.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said communications processor of said vehicle communication device is enabled to:
receive, from said socket, one or more outgoing pin signals present on said pins, said outgoing pin signals containing data corresponding to one more of said vehicle sub-systems;
convert said one or more outgoing pin signals to a network-compatible vehicle packet;
transmit, over said modem, said vehicle packet to said remote communication device over said bi-directional communication.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein said communications processor of said remote communication device is enabled to:
re-convert said vehicle packet to said one or more outgoing pin signals; and
transmit, over said socket, said one or more outgoing pin signals to said scan tool.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein said communications processor of said remote communication device is further enabled to:
receive, over said socket, one or more programming instructions from said scan tool;
convert said programming instructions to a network-compatible programming packet; and
transmit, over said modem, said programming packet to said vehicle communication device over said bi-directional communication link.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein said communications processor of said vehicle communication device is further enabled to:
convert said programming packet to one or more incoming pin signals;
transmit, over said socket, said one or more incoming pin signals to said one or more pins.
6 . The system of claim 5 wherein said one or more sub-systems are selected from the group consisting of: Air bag control module, Alarm Control Module, Antenna Control Module, Automatic Control Module, Body Control Module, Cabin Heater Control Module, Central Control Module, Charging Control Module, Communication Control Module, Door Control Module, Electronic Brake Control Module, HVAC Control Module, Electronic Throttle Control Module, Engine Control Module, Headlamp Control Module, Instrument Control Module, Navigation Control Module, Park Assist Control Module, Power Mirror Control Module, Power seat control Module, Radiator Fan Control Module, Seat Heater Control Module. Steering Column Control Module, Steering Control Module, Steering Mounted Control Module, Sunroof Control Module, Transfer Case Control Module, General Electronic Control Module, Moonroof Control Module, Suspension Control Module, Tire Pressure Control Module, Traction Control Module, Trailer Light Control Module, and combinations thereof.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein said programming instructions are selected from the group of instructions consisting of reprogramming, program updating, calibration, linking, marriage, serial coding, security coding, and combinations thereof.
8 . The system of claim. 5 , wherein said modem connects to said bi-directional communication link through a wired connection selected from the group consisting of a telephone connection, Ethernet connection, universal serial bus connection, firewire connection, and combinations thereof.
9 . The system of claim 5 , wherein said modem connects to said bi-directional communication link through a wireless connection selected from the group consisting of Bluetooth, a cellular data communications network, and combinations thereof.