PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLER FOR A VEHICLE
A programmable controller stores operational data for a number of embedded functions in multiple vehicles from one or more known manufacturers and is programmable to operation in a selected vehicle among the multiple vehicles.
1 . A method for matching a replacement controller to control data in a control system from an original equipment manufacturer, the method comprising:
identifying original equipment manufacturer control data in a selected vehicle;
providing a replacement controller having embedded control data including data that is compatible with the identified original equipment manufacturer control data in the selected vehicle;
identifying data within the embedded control data of the replacement controller that is compatible with control data in the selected vehicle;
selecting the identified data within the embedded control data of the replacement controller based on user input received from a configuration switch; and,
programming the replacement controller with the selected data.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying control data in a selected vehicle includes identifying the selected vehicle by make, model and year.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuration switch is configured such that the user may input a configuration selection from a group consisting of at least two different vehicle configurations.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the configuration switch is a DIP switch which facilitates the input of at least two configuration selections.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the configuration switch includes at least a third configuration selection which facilitates automatic configuration.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the automatic configuration includes retrieving the relative vehicle configuration through an on-board communication network of the selected vehicle.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the on-board communication network retrieves the VIN of the connected vehicle and the VIN is utilized to determine the relative vehicle configuration.
8 . A replacement controller for a selected vehicle comprising:
a memory that stores selectable control data that is compatible with a plurality of vehicles from one or more known manufacturers, including control data for the selected vehicle;
a configuration switch configured to receive a user input indicative of a configuration of the selected vehicle;
a first set of programming controls for selecting data from the memory that is compatible with the configuration of the selected vehicle within the plurality of vehicles; and,
a second set of programming controls for applying the selected data from the memory and rendering the replacement controller operative in the selected vehicle.
9 . The replacement controller of claim 8 , wherein the selectable control data includes climate control data.
10 . The replacement controller of claim 8 , further comprising a faceplate with the first set and the second set of programming controls, and a back plate with a connector half configured to operatively connect with a connector half associated with an existing wiring harness in the selected vehicle.
11 . The replacement controller of claim 8 , wherein the replacement controller is contained within a housing and has a connector half with a plurality of pins positioned to mate with selected pins among a plurality of pins that connect with an existing wire harness in the selected vehicle.
12 . The replacement controller of claim 8 , wherein the configuration switch is configured such that the user may input a configuration selection from a group consisting of at least two different vehicle configurations.
13 . The replacement controller of claim 12 , wherein the configuration switch is a DIP switch which facilitates the input of at least two configuration selections.
14 . The replacement controller of claim 12 , wherein the configuration switch includes at least a third configuration selection which facilitates automatic configuration.
15 . The replacement controller of claim 14 , wherein the automatic configuration includes retrieving the selected vehicle configuration through an on-board communication network of the selected vehicle.
16 . The replacement controller of claim 15 , wherein the on-board communication network retrieves the VIN of the selected vehicle and the VIN is utilized to determine the selected vehicle configuration.