Vehicle tracking unit with downloadable codes and associated methods
View Patent ↗A multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit is for a vehicle including a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle. The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a multi-vehicle compatible controller for cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information. The multi-vehicle compatible controller may be coupled to the vehicle data bus for communication thereover with at least one vehicle device using at least one corresponding vehicle device code from among a plurality thereof for different vehicles. A downloading interface may be included for permitting downloading of enabling data related to the at least one corresponding vehicle device code for use by the multi-vehicle compatible controller.
1. A multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit for a vehicle comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle, the multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit comprising:
a vehicle position determining device;
a wireless communications device;
a multi-vehicle compatible controller for cooperating with said vehicle position determining device and said wireless communications device to send vehicle position information;
said multi-vehicle compatible controller to be coupled to the vehicle data bus for communication thereover with at least one vehicle device using at least one corresponding vehicle device code from among a plurality thereof for different vehicles; and
a downloading interface for permitting downloading of enabling data related to the at least one corresponding vehicle device code for use by said multi-vehicle compatible controller.
2. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein said downloading interface comprises a wired signal downloading interface.
3. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 2 wherein said wired signal downloading interface comprises a connector for temporary connection to a downloading device.
4. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein said downloading interface comprises a wireless signal downloading interface.
5. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 4 wherein said wireless signal downloading interface comprises a wireless receiver for temporary connection to a downloading device.
6. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein the corresponding at least one vehicle code is for reading from the at least one vehicle device.
7. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein the corresponding at least one vehicle code is for writing to the at least one vehicle device.
8. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein said downloading interface is also for permitting downloading of at least one programming instruction for said multi-vehicle compatible controller.
9. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 1 further comprising a remote transmitter; and wherein said multi-vehicle compatible controller also performs at least one vehicle remote control function responsive to said remote transmitter.
10. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 9 wherein the at least one vehicle remote control function comprises at least one of a vehicle security function, a remote keyless entry function, and a remote engine starting function.
11. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 1 wherein said wireless position determining device comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.
12. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 1 further comprising a housing containing said vehicle position determining device, said wireless communications device, said multi-vehicle compatible controller, and said downloading interface.
13. A multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit for a vehicle comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle, the multi-vehicle compatible vehicle tracking unit comprising:
a vehicle position determining device;
a wireless communications device;
a multi-vehicle compatible controller for cooperating with said vehicle position determining device and said wireless communications device to send vehicle position information;
said multi-vehicle compatible controller to be coupled to the vehicle data bus for communication thereover with at least one vehicle device using at least one corresponding vehicle device code from among a plurality thereof for different vehicles; and
a downloading interface for permitting downloading of enabling data related to the at least one corresponding vehicle device code for use by said multi-vehicle compatible controller;
said downloading interface comprising a connector for temporary connection to a downloading device.
14. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 13 wherein the corresponding at least one vehicle code is for reading from the at least one vehicle device.
15. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 13 wherein the corresponding at least one vehicle code is for writing to the at least one vehicle device.
16. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 13 wherein said downloading interface is also for permitting downloading of at least one programming instruction for said multi-vehicle compatible controller.
17. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 13 further comprising a remote transmitter; and wherein said multi-vehicle compatible controller also performs at least one vehicle remote control function responsive to said remote transmitter.
18. A multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit for a vehicle comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle, the multi-vehicle compatible vehicle tracking unit comprising:
a vehicle position determining device;
a wireless communications device;
a multi-vehicle compatible controller for cooperating with said vehicle position determining device and said wireless communications device to send vehicle position information;
said multi-vehicle compatible controller to be coupled to the vehicle data bus for communication thereover with at least one vehicle device using at least one corresponding vehicle device code from among a plurality thereof for different vehicles; and
a downloading interface for permitting downloading of enabling data related to the at least one corresponding vehicle device code for use by said multi-vehicle compatible controller;
said downloading interface comprising a wireless receiver for temporary connection to a downloading device.
19. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 18 wherein the corresponding at least one vehicle code is for reading from the at least one vehicle device.
20. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 18 wherein the corresponding at least one vehicle code is for writing to the at least one vehicle device.
21. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 18 wherein said downloading interface is also for permitting downloading of at least one programming instruction for said multi-vehicle compatible controller.
22. The multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit according to claim 18 further comprising a remote transmitter; and wherein said multi-vehicle compatible controller also performs at least one vehicle remote control function responsive to said remote transmitter.