System and method for wireless control of multiple remote electronic systems

Abstract

A transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems includes a memory, a transmitter circuit, and a control circuit. The memory is configured to store a plurality of control data messages, each control data message configured to control a different remote electronic system. The control circuit is configured to command the transmitter circuit to transmit a plurality of wireless control signals in response to a single event, each wireless control containing a different control data message.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems, comprising: 
 a memory configured to store a plurality of control data messages, each control data message configured to control a different remote electronic system;    a transmitter circuit; and    a control circuit configured to command the transmitter circuit to transmit a plurality of wireless control signals in response to a single event, each wireless control signal containing a different control data message.    
     
     
         2 . The transmitter of  claim 1 , further comprising an operator input device, wherein the single event comprises the actuation of the operator input device by a vehicle occupant.  
     
     
         3 . The transmitter of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to receive navigation data and to determine a proximity between the transmitter and the remote electronic systems, wherein the single event comprises the control circuit determining that the transmitter is within a predetermined proximity of the remote electronic system.  
     
     
         4 . The transmitter of  claim 3 , further comprising an operator-actuatable switch coupled to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is user-programmable such that the switch causes the transmitter to send a first wireless control signal having a first control data message and the control circuit automatically sends a second wireless control signal having a second control data message different than the first control data message when the control circuit determines that the transmitter is within a predetermined proximity of the remote electronic system.  
     
     
         5 . The transmitter of  claim 1 , further comprising a vehicle interior element coupled to the transmitter circuit and the control circuit, wherein the transmitter is configured for mounting in a vehicle interior.  
     
     
         6 . The transmitter of  claim 5 , wherein the vehicle interior element is an overhead console, a visor, or an instrument panel.  
     
     
         7 . The transmitter of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to be programmed by the user as to which of the wireless control signals are to be transmitted in response to the single event.  
     
     
         8 . The transmitter of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of operator-actuatable switches coupled to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is user-programmable such that a first of the switches causes the transmitter to send a first wireless control signal and a second of the switches causes the transmitter to send second and third wireless control signals simultaneously or in sequence.  
     
     
         9 . The transmitter of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter circuit is configured to transmit the plurality of wireless control signals in the radio frequency range.  
     
     
         10 . A transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems, comprising: 
 means for storing a plurality of control data messages, each control data message configured to control a different remote electronic system;    means for transmitting a wireless signal; and    means for commanding the transmitter circuit to transmit a plurality of wireless control signals in response to a single event, each wireless control signal containing a different control data message.    
     
     
         11 . The transmitter of  claim 10 , wherein the single event is reception of a signal indicative that the transmitter is within a predetermined proximity of at least one of the plurality of remote electronic systems.  
     
     
         12 . The transmitter of  claim 11 , further comprising a means for commanding the transmitter to send a first wireless control signal having a first control data message, receive a location signal indicative that the transmitter is within a predetermined proximity of the remote electronic system, and sending a second wireless control signal having a second control data message different than the first control data message based on receipt of the location signal.  
     
     
         13 . The transmitter of  claim 10 , further comprising a vehicle interior element coupled to the transmitter, wherein the transmitter is configured for mounting in a vehicle interior.  
     
     
         14 . The transmitter of  claim 13 , wherein the vehicle interior element is an overhead console, a visor, or an instrument panel.  
     
     
         15 . The transmitter of  claim 14 , further comprising means for receiving operator input, wherein the single event is the reception of the operator input from a vehicle occupant.  
     
     
         16 . The transmitter of  claim 10 , further including means for the user to program which of the wireless control signals are to be transmitted in response to the single event.  
     
     
         17 . The transmitter of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of operator-actuatable switches coupled to the transmitter, wherein the transmitter is user-programmable such that a first of the switches causes the transmitter to send a first wireless control signal and a second of the switches causes the transmitter to send second and third wireless control signals simultaneously or in sequence.  
     
     
         18 . The transmitter of  claim 10 , wherein the means for transmitting a wireless signal is configured to transmit the plurality of wireless control signals in the radio frequency range.  
     
     
         19 . A method for training a transmitter for a wireless control system to wirelessly control a plurality of remote electronic systems based upon a single event, comprising: 
 receiving a request from a user to begin training a plurality of wireless control signals to be associated with a single event;    receiving the single event;    receiving a first wireless control signal having a first data code;    identifying and storing the first data code on the first wireless control;    associating the first wireless control with the single event, whereby the wireless control system can wirelessly control a first remote electronic system by transmitting the first data code of the first wireless control in response to the single event;    receiving a second wireless control having a second data code;    identifying and storing the second data code on the second wireless control;    associating the second wireless control with the single event, whereby the wireless control system can wirelessly control a second remote electronic system by transmitting the second data code of the second wireless control in response to the single event; and    receiving an end training signal.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including storing the first and second data code in memory.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the request to begin training is received via a pushbutton.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising receiving an indication from the user as to which of a plurality of wireless control signals is to be transmitted based on the location of the vehicle.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the wireless controls are within in the radio frequency range.