IP Library Granted Patent US 8,918,244
Granted Patent B2
US 8,918,244 · App. 12/514,446 · Granted Dec 23, 2014

System and method of synchronizing an in-vehicle control system with a remote source

Inventors: Daniel Brzezinski (Hudsonville, MI); Michael S. Bahamonde (Weston, FL); Todd R. Witkowski (Zeeland, MI); Michael A. Supanich (Holland, MI)
Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
H04L67/1095G06F21/35G06F17/30174H04N21/4126H04L67/12H04N21/414H04N21/4131G06F17/30575
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,918,244
App. No.
12/514,446
Granted
Dec 23, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present application relates to an in-vehicle control system for synchronizing files with a remote source. The remote source includes a storage device configured to store a first file. The system includes a communications device capable of establishing a wireless communication link with the remote source. The communications device is configured to send, receive, or both send and receive files to and/or from the remote source. The system further includes a memory device configured to store a second file. The system yet further includes a data processing device coupled to the communications device, the data processing device configured to perform a comparison of the first file of the remote source and the second file of the memory device, wherein the data processing device is further configured to synchronize the file of the remote source and the file of the in-vehicle control system based on the comparison.

Claims (21)

1. An in-vehicle control system for synchronizing files with a remote source, the remote source having a storage device configured to store a first file and a second file, the system comprising:

a communications device capable of establishing a wireless communication link with the remote source, wherein the communications device is configured to send, receive, or both send and receive files to and/or from the remote source;

a memory device configured to store the second file;

a data processing device coupled to the communications device, the data processing device configured to receive the first file of the remote source during a data synchronization process, wherein the first file of the remote source includes information relating to one or more files stored on the remote source, wherein the data processing device is further configured to receive and store the second file of the remote source based on the first file;

a home control device; and

an input device coupled to the home control device and configured to output a first control signal to the home control device in response to a single input,

wherein the home control device, in response to receiving the first control signal, is configured to:

transmit a home control command to activate a home device, and

transmit a second control signal to the communications device,

wherein the communications device is configured to establish a wireless communication link with the remote source to initiate the data synchronization process in response to receiving the second control signal from the home control device,

wherein the home control device is configured to transmit the second control signal when the home control device is requested to transmit the home control command such that the transmission of the home control command to activate the home device and the initiation of the data synchronization process occur substantially simultaneously in response to operation of the input device.

2. The in-vehicle control system of claim 1 , wherein the in-vehicle control system is connected to a vehicle data bus.

3. The in-vehicle control system of claim 2 , wherein the vehicle data bus is communicably connected to at least a second wireless communications device located within the vehicle.

4. The in-vehicle control system of claim 3 , wherein the second wireless communications device is configured to receive wireless signals from a portable wireless device.

5. The in-vehicle control system of claim 4 , wherein the second wireless communication device is further configured to receive commands from the portable wireless device and to provide the commands to the data processing system via the vehicle data bus.

6. The in-vehicle control system of claim 4 , wherein the portable wireless device is configured to send a data synchronization command to the data processing system via the second wireless communication device to initiate the data synchronization process.

7. The in-vehicle control system of claim 6 , wherein the portable wireless device is further configured to trigger at least one vehicle hardware function.

8. The in-vehicle control system of claim 7 , wherein the portable wireless device is a key fob.

9. The in-vehicle control system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one vehicle hardware function includes a vehicle cabin door unlock function.

10. The in-vehicle control system of claim 1 , wherein the home control device is configured to continue to transmit the home control command to activate the home device after a user input has been completed.

11. The in-vehicle control system of claim 10 , wherein the home control device includes a first microcontroller and a second microcontroller, wherein the first microcontroller matches user input to a trained signal, and wherein the second microcontroller coordinates the home control command transmission that may continue after the user input has been completed.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 14, 2009
From: BRZEZINSKI, DANIEL; BAHAMONDE, MICHAEL S.; WITKOWSKI, TODD R.; SUPANICH, MICHAEL A.
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 022686/0942 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60858975 · Nov 14, 2006
Related Publication 20100063670A1 · Mar 11, 2010