System and method for training a transmitter to control a remote control system

Abstract

A method for training a trainable RF transmitter to transmit variable code signals used to actuate a remote device having a receiver where the transmitter includes a memory that has stored variable code characteristics for a plurality of different remote devices includes initiating a training sequence and generating at least one RF carrier signal having the variable code characteristics associated with one remote device of the plurality of different remote devices. The method further includes transmitting the at least one RF carrier signal to the receiver of the remote device and repeating the generating and transmitting steps for the variable code characteristics of each remote device in the plurality of different remote device until feedback is received from a user that the remote device is activated. Upon receiving an indication that the remote device is activated, the transmitter stores an identifier of the variable code characteristics that activated the remote device.

1 . A method for training a trainable RF transmitter in a vehicle to transmit variable code signals used to actuate a remote device having a receiver, the trainable transmitter having a memory including stored variable code characteristics for a plurality of different remote devices, the method comprising:
 initiating a training sequence;   generating at least one RF carrier signal having variable code characteristics associated with one remote device from the plurality of different remote devices;   transmitting the at least one RF carrier signal to the receiver of the remote device;   repeating the generating and transmitting steps for the variable code characteristics of each remote device in the plurality of different remote devices until feedback is received at a user input device, the feedback representing that the remote device was activated; and   in response to the feedback, storing an identifier associated with the variable code characteristics that activated the remote device.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 associating the identifier with a user input device of the trainable RF transmitter;   in response to input from the user input device, using the association to generate and transmit an RF carrier signal having the variable code characteristics that activated the remote device in response to input of the user input device.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the variable code characteristics comprise a carrier frequency and data. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating at least one RF carrier signal includes generating a plurality of RF carrier signals that correspond to a subset of the plurality of different remote devices, wherein each RF carrier signal has the variable code characteristics of one of the remote devices in the subset of the plurality of different remote devices; and
 wherein the step of transmitting comprises transmitting the plurality of RF carrier signals that correspond to a subset of the plurality of different remote devices.   
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the generating and transmitting steps are repeated for a different subset of the plurality of different remote devices until feedback is received from the user indicating that the remote device was activated by the plurality of RF carrier signals. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 in response to receiving feedback that the remote device was activated by variable code characteristics associated with a subset of different remote devices, storing an identifier associated with the subset of different remote devices in memory of the trainable RF transmitter.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , further comprising associating the stored identifier with a user input device of the trainable RF transmitter for subsequent transmission of RF carrier signals to activate the remote device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 waiting for feedback to be received at the user input device between transmitting variable code characteristics of each remote device in the plurality of different remote devices.   
     
     
         9 . A method for training a trainable RF transmitter in a vehicle to transmit variable code signals used to actuate remote devices, the trainable transmitter including a memory having stored variable code characteristics for a plurality of different remote devices, the method comprising:
 receiving inputs from a user input device;   identifying a remote device to be actuated from the plurality of different remote devices based on the received inputs; and   associating the identified remote device with a user input device of the trainable transmitter for subsequent transmission of a variable code signal having variable code characteristics of the identified remote device to actuate the identified remote device.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the trainable RF transmitter is at least partially embedded in a mirror for the vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the user input device includes at least one pushbutton. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the inputs identify characteristics of the remote device. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the trainable transmitter is coupled to a display and the display presents a menu of data related to the plurality of different remote devices. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the variable code characteristics comprise at least one of: manufacturer, make, model, carrier frequency, cryptographic algorithm and encryption data. 
     
     
         15 . A method for training a trainable RF transmitter in a vehicle to transmit variable code signals used to actuate remote devices, the trainable transmitter including a memory having stored variable code characteristics for a plurality of different remote devices, the method comprising:
 receiving inputs from a user input device;   identifying a remote device to be actuated from the plurality of different remote devices based on the received inputs;   generating an RF carrier signal having variable code characteristics of the identified remote device; and   transmitting the RF carrier signal to a receiver of the identified remote device to actuate the identified remote device.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving feedback at the user input device, the feedback indicating that the identified remote device has been actuated; and   associating the identified remote device with a user input device of the trainable RF transmitter for subsequent transmission of a variable code signal having variable code characteristics of the identified remote device to actuate the identified remote device.   
     
     
         17 . A trainable transmitter in a vehicle for transmitting variable code signals used to actuate remote devices, the trainable transmitter comprising:
 a memory having stored variable code characteristics for a plurality of different remote devices;   a user input device;   a control circuit coupled to the user input device and the memory and configured to receive the inputs from the user input device, to identify a remote device from the plurality of different remote devices based on the received inputs and to associate the identified remote device with the user input device for subsequent transmission of a variable code signal having variable code characteristics of the identified remote device; and   a transmitter circuit coupled to the control circuit and configured to transmit the variable code signal to actuate the identified remote device.   
     
     
         18 . A trainable transmitter according to  claim 17 , wherein the trainable transmitter is mounted in a mirror of the vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . A trainable transmitter according to  claim 17 , wherein the trainable transmitter is mounted in a visor of the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . A trainable transmitter according to  claim 17 , wherein the trainable transmitter is mounted in an overhead console.