(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0016342 A1
`Allen et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 18, 2007
`
`US 20070016342A1
`
`(54) INTERFACE TO VEHICLE SECURITY AND
`CONVENIENCE SYSTEMS
`
`(76) Inventors: Patrick Allen, Sherbrocke (CA);
`Charles Petit, Ste-Catherine-de-Hatley
`(CA)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`OGLVY RENAULT LLP
`1981 MCGILL COLLEGE AVENUE
`SUTE 16OO
`MONTREAL, QC H3A2Y3 (CA)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/454,783
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`2 (hG 19,
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/691,250, filed on Jun.
`17, 2005.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GOSD LM00
`(2006.01)
`GOSD 3/00
`(2006.01)
`G06F 7/00
`(2006.01)
`G06F 7700
`(2006.01)
`GOSC 9/12
`(2006.01)
`H04L 7/02
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................. 701/2: 341/176
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An interface system to a vehicle data bus having a commu
`nication range greater than a communication range between
`an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) transceiver
`and an OEM remote control device already integrated in a
`vehicle. The interface system comprises a remote control
`device, a control module transceiver and a control module.
`The range-extension of the system is performed by either
`having receivers with higher detection sensitivity or trans
`mitters emitting signals at higher powers, or a combination
`of both. The interface system has a control module that can
`communicate with either one of, or both, the data bus and the
`function control module of the vehicle. Finally, the interface
`system also permits a bi-directional communication scheme
`between the remote control device and the control module
`transceiver.
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`Vehicle
`
`Convenience
`System
`
`Vehicle
`Computer
`
`OEM Security
`System
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OEM Remote
`Control Device
`
`19
`
`anterna 17
`
`
`
`
`
`intermediate
`Function Control
`Module
`
`Control
`Module
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1018
`Page 1 of 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 2007/0016342 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1018
`Page 2 of 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 2007/0016342 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1018
`Page 3 of 9
`
`

`

`US 2007/001 6342 A1
`
`Jan. 18, 2007
`
`INTERFACE TO VEHICLE SECURITY AND
`CONVENIENCE SYSTEMS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`under
`priority
`application
`claims
`0001. This
`35USCS 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application
`60/691,250, filed on Jun. 17, 2005 by Allen, the specification
`of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002) 1) Field of the Invention
`0003. The invention relates to the vehicle wireless con
`venience and security device industry.
`0004 2) Description of the Prior Art
`0005. Up until recently, the wireless (RF) control of
`vehicle functions has been limited to aftermarket products
`that made this possible. The extent of vehicle functions has
`also escalated from simple actions such as door locking and
`unlocking functionalities to starting the engine, opening the
`trunk and controlling panic modes buttons. Gradually,
`vehicle manufacturers have chosen to integrate certain
`vehicle functions as standard wireless control features
`within their product lines. Also, vehicles have evolved in
`terms of their control and communications architecture.
`0006 Whereas every function or feedback in a vehicle
`required a physical connection, common or parallel appli
`cations required parallel sets of harnesses in order to achieve
`their functional objectives. This practice was inefficient,
`expensive and difficult to troubleshoot. Modern methods
`now permit the concept of communications data buses to be
`integrated inside vehicles. Commands can thus be initially
`launched onto the data bus and then collected by the
`appropriate device for execution of a particular function.
`Certain types of vehicles are also equipped with functional
`control modules dedicated to controlling specific vehicle
`functions. A factory installed, or Original Equipment Manu
`facturer (OEM) remote control device can therefore be used
`to transmit commands to the OEM receiver/antenna, or
`transceiver, which sends them to the FCM for input onto the
`data bus and execution by the appropriate vehicle functional
`device.
`0007 One shortcoming of such OEM vehicle integrated
`systems is that the effective RF distance range of these
`factory systems is rather short under the best of circum
`stances. Another important drawback is the limited number
`of functions addressable by the OEM remote control device,
`while a much wider range of functions may be executable by
`the vehicle itself.
`0008. There is hence a growing consumer demand for
`systems that are capable of providing an interface with the
`factory installed vehicle devices (e.g., security and others).
`Furthermore, these interface systems nowadays usually
`require a rather complex installation process such that all the
`electrical connections must be considered; themselves often
`depending on the type of vehicle available in the market
`place. A need therefore exists for providing enhanced inter
`face systems to vehicle security and convenience systems.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0009. According to an embodiment of the invention,
`there is provided an interface system for at least partial
`
`installation in a vehicle having a data bus, the interface
`system operating over a greater communication distance
`than a communication distance between an Original Equip
`ment Manufacturer (OEM) transceiver and an OEM remote
`control device; the OEM transceiver being integrated in the
`vehicle and the interface system comprising: (1) a remote
`control device comprising at least one of a transmitter for
`transmitting command signals, the transmitter emitting com
`mand signals at a greater power and hence having a capa
`bility of transmitting command signals over a greater dis
`tance than a transmission and distance capability of an OEM
`remote control device, and a receiver for receiving feedback
`signals, the receiver having a greater sensitivity and hence
`having a capability of receiving feedback signals over a
`greater distance than a reception and distance capability of
`an OEM remote control device; (2) a control module trans
`ceiver comprising at least one of a transmitter for transmit
`ting feedback signals and a receiver for receiving command
`signals; and finally, (3) a control module for communicating
`at least one of command and feedback signals between the
`control module transceiver and the vehicle data bus.
`0010. According to another embodiment of the invention,
`there is provided an interface system for at least partial
`installation in a vehicle having a data bus, the interface
`system operating over a greater communication distance
`than a communication distance between an Original Equip
`ment Manufacturer (OEM) transceiver and an OEM remote
`control device, the OEM transceiver being integrated in the
`vehicle and the interface system comprising: (1) a remote
`control device comprising at least one of a transmitter for
`transmitting command signals and a receiver for receiving
`feedback signals; (2) a control module transceiver compris
`ing at least one of a transmitter for transmitting feedback
`signals, the transmitter emitting the feedback signals at a
`greater power and hence having a capability of transmitting
`the feedback signals over a greater distance than a trans
`mission and distance capability of an OEM transceiver; and
`a receiver for receiving command signals, the receiver
`having a greater sensitivity and hence having a capability of
`receiving the command signals over a greater distance than
`a reception and distance capability of an OEM transceiver;
`and finally, (3) a control module for communicating at least
`one of command signals and feedback signals between the
`control module transceiver and the data bus.
`0011. According to yet another embodiment of the inven
`tion, there is provided a method for interfacing to a data bus
`installed in a vehicle, the interfacing method enabling a
`communication over a greater distance than a communica
`tion distance between an Original Equipment Manufacturer
`(OEM) transceiver and an OEM remote control device, the
`OEM transceiver being integrated in said vehicle and the
`interfacing method comprising (1) providing a remote con
`trol device comprising for performing at least one of
`transmitting command signals at a greater power and hence
`transmitting the command signals over a greater distance
`than a transmission and distance capability of an OEM
`remote control device; and receiving feedback signals with
`a greater sensitivity and hence receiving these feedback
`signals over a greater distance than a reception and distance
`capability of an OEM remote control device; (2) providing
`a control module transceiver comprising for performing at
`least one of transmitting feedback signals and receiving
`command signals; and finally, (3) providing a control mod
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1018
`Page 4 of 9
`
`

`

`US 2007/001 6342 A1
`
`Jan. 18, 2007
`
`ule for communicating at least one of command signals and
`feedback signals between the control module transceiver and
`the data bus.
`0012. According to yet another embodiment of the inven
`tion, there is provided a method for interfacing to a data bus
`installed in a vehicle, the interfacing method enabling a
`communication over a greater distance than a communica
`tion distance between an Original Equipment Manufacturer
`(OEM) transceiver and an OEM remote control device, the
`OEM transceiver being integrated in said vehicle and the
`interfacing method comprising: (1) providing a remote con
`trol device comprising for performing at least one of
`transmitting command signals and receiving feedback sig
`nals; (2) providing a control module transceiver comprising
`for performing at least one of transmitting feedback signals
`at a greater power and hence transmitting said feedback
`signals over a greater distance than a transmission and
`distance capability of said OEM transceiver; and receiving
`command signals with a greater sensitivity and hence receiv
`ing said command signals over a greater distance than a
`reception and distance capability of said OEM transceiver;
`and finally (3), providing a control module for communi
`cating at least one of said command signals and said
`feedback signals between said control module transceiver
`and said data bus.
`0013. According to yet another embodiment of the inven
`tion, there is provided an interface system for at least partial
`installation in a vehicle having a data bus, the interface
`system operating over a greater communication distance
`than a communication distance between an Original Equip
`ment Manufacturer (OEM) transceiver and an OEM remote
`control device, the OEM transceiver being integrated in the
`vehicle, the interface system comprising: a remote control
`device comprising at least one of a transmitter for trans
`mitting command signals; and a receiver for receiving
`feedback signals; a control module transceiver comprising at
`least one of a transmitter for transmitting feedback signals;
`a processor for providing control module transceiver signals
`which emulate the OEM transceiver signals corresponding
`to known vehicle functions or commands to be decoded by
`the IFCM and a receiver for receiving command signals; and
`a control module for communicating at least one of the
`command signals and the feedback signals between the
`control module transceiver and the data bus; wherein said
`greater communication distance being the result of at least
`one of transmitting signals at a power level on a commu
`nication link between said remote control device and said
`control module transceiver that is greater than a power level
`between said OEM transceiver and said OEM remote con
`trol device; receiving signals with a sensitivity level of at
`least one of remote control device receiver and control
`module transceiver receiver that is greater that a sensitivity
`level of at least one of said OEM transceiver and said OEM
`remote control device; transmitting signals on said commu
`nication link with a data rate on link between remote control
`device and control module transceiver that is lower than a
`data rate between said OEM transceiver and said OEM
`remote control device.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0014 Further features and advantages of the present
`invention will become apparent from the following detailed
`description, taken in combination with the appended draw
`ings, in which:
`
`0015 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an interface
`system and its environment according to an embodiment of
`the invention.
`0016 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the interfacing
`method used by the interface system in its environment
`according to another embodiment of the invention.
`0017. It will be noted that throughout the appended
`drawings, like features are identified by like reference
`numerals.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`0018 Referring to FIG. 1, vehicle 8 is shown, equipped
`with factory installed security systems such as OEM Secu
`rity System 10, OEM Convenience System 11, and Vehicle
`Computer 9). Many vehicles are now also equipped with a
`functional control module (FCM), referred to herein as an
`Intermediate Function Control Module (IFCM) 12, which is
`connected to the Vehicle Data Bus 14. The IFCM 12 may
`also be interpreted as a Body Control Module (BCM).
`Finally, vehicles are also often equipped with a factory
`installed OEM transceiver 16, equipped with an OEM
`receiver and transmitter (not shown) and an antenna referred
`to herein as antenna 15. OEM Transceiver 16 can commu
`nicate with an IFCM 12 and with an OEM keyless or
`Remote Control Device 19 (also equipped with a transmitter
`and receiver (not shown) and with an illustrated antenna 17).
`The IFCM 12 generally exercises the control over vehicle
`functions such as door locks, sliding doors, factory installed
`alarms and the like via the Vehicle Data Bus 14.
`0019. The Interface System 20 thus provides vehicles
`equipped with an FCM, now referred to as an IFCM 12, the
`capability of interfacing with such an IFCM 12 and/or a
`Vehicle Data Bus 14. More specifically, the Interface System
`20 is meant to provide this capability by using a Remote
`Control Device 22, a Control Module 21 with a Control
`Module Transceiver 26, this transceiver comprising its own
`receiver, transmitter (not shown), and antenna 23. Similarly,
`the Remote Control Device 22 is also equipped with a
`receiver and transmitter (not shown), as well as an antenna
`24. Both the Remote Control Device 22 and the Control
`Module Transceiver 26 are designed such that their receiver
`offers greater reception sensitivity and their transmitter
`emits signals with a greater power, thereby providing the
`Interface System 20 with for a much greater communication
`distance than the distance offered by OEM systems. For
`example, for one embodiment of the invention where the
`environment is an open field, and in which a communication
`between the Remote Control Device 22 and the Control
`Module Transceiver 26 is performed in the Radio-Frequency
`(RF) range, at either 372.5 MHz or 433.92 MHz, the
`communication distance is between 1000 to 2000 feet.
`Communication distance is usually determined by the
`receiver sensitivity, itself dependent on the intrinsic receiver
`sensitivity, the type of antenna used, the data rate, the
`location of the antenna within the Vehicle 8, and the physical
`environment enclosed within the communication range
`(trees, buildings and RF interferences for example). Again as
`an example, and in one embodiment of the invention, it is
`measured that the Remote Control Device 22 has a receiver
`sensitivity of -112 dBm while it can also emit signals at
`powers in the order of 8 to 15 dBm (without any connection
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1018
`Page 5 of 9
`
`

`

`US 2007/001 6342 A1
`
`Jan. 18, 2007
`
`to an antenna 24 and provided there is a 50 Ohms load), and
`that the Control Module Transceiver 26 has a receiver
`sensitivity between -100 to -112dBm while it can also emit
`signals at powers in the order of 8 to 15 dBm (without any
`connection to an antenna 23 and provided there is a 50 Ohms
`load). It can be approximated, however, that when keeping
`the data rate, the environmental factors and the antenna
`gains constant, the communication distance of the interface
`system doubles for every 6 dB increase in either receiver
`sensitivity or transmitter output signal powers. As a com
`parison, the communication between OEM Remote Control
`Device 19 and OEM Transceiver 16 in an open field envi
`ronment, performed at a frequency of 315 MHz is limited to
`approximately 200 feet.
`0020 A Control Module 21 is connected to its Control
`Module Transceiver 26, and installed in a vehicle equipped
`with an FCM, the latter now referred to as an IFCM 12. The
`Control Module 21 connects directly to the link between the
`IFCM 12 and its OEM Transceiver 16, while also offering
`the possibility of being connected directly with the Vehicle
`Data Bus 14.
`0021 Hence, a user of the Remote Control Device 22
`controls all the functions that can be initiated by the IFCM
`12. For example, the user sends a command signal via the
`Remote Control Device 22. Such command signals may be
`to open or close the selected door(s), start the engine, set the
`alarm, or any other function supported by the vehicle. The
`command signal is received and detected by the Control
`Module Transceiver 26, which forwards the converted elec
`trical signal for interpretation by the Control Module 21.
`From this received signal, the Control Module 21 sends a
`signal emulating the command signal that would usually
`come from the OEM transceiver 16 to the IFCM 12. The
`IFCM 12 can then detect and decode this signal to generate
`the appropriate code function onto the Vehicle Data Bus 14.
`Alternatively, the Control Module 21 may by-pass the IFCM
`12 and communicate directly with the Vehicle Data Bus 14.
`Once the appropriate code function is on the Vehicle Data
`Bus 14, the intended functional device, either the Vehicle
`Computer 9, the OEM Security System 10, or the OEM
`Convenience System 11, is able to perform the required
`action.
`0022. The general configuration requires that the Control
`Module 21 emulates the signals usually provided by the
`OEM Transceiver 16. These signals correspond to already
`known vehicle functions or commands that are to be
`received and decoded by the IFCM 12. The Control Module
`21 is hence equally capable of channeling the appropriately
`emulated convenience and security command signals to the
`IFCM 12 as if it came from the OEM Transceiver 16, and
`placing or inputting the appropriate code function onto the
`Vehicle Data Bus 14. Once this task is performed, the
`appropriate functional device of the Vehicle 8, OEM Secu
`rity System 10, OEM Convenience System 11 and Vehicle
`Computer 9 for example, can then execute accordingly.
`0023. Also, unlike the known state of the art, wherein
`there is a limited number of possible functions addressable
`by the OEM Remote Control Device 19 or any other keyless
`remote control device, the Remote Control Device 22
`described herein can harbor functions not available with the
`OEM Transceiver 16 and the OEM Remote Control Device
`19, and yet supported or supportable by the vehicle 8.
`
`0024. The Interface System 20 can also serve as an
`interface system between an after-market remote control
`system and the vehicle's IFCM 12 and the Vehicle Data Bus
`14, thereby increasing the after-market remote controls
`communication distance by using its own enlarged commu
`nication distance capability. The Interface System 20 also
`simplifies the installation process of any after-market remote
`control system since only one single connection is required
`with the described Interface System 20, in the case where the
`after-market remote control system is connected before the
`IFCM. As an example, an after-market remote control sys
`tem can add functionalities not originally supported by the
`vehicle and its OEM system such as shock sensors, auto
`matic defrost functions, or provide for a remote starting
`system as well.
`0025 Now referring to FIG. 2, the interfacing method
`used by the system to increase the communication distance
`relies on a series of steps. First, in steps 1 and 2, the
`transmission of command signals from the Remote Control
`Device 22, and the transmission offeedback signals from the
`Control Module Transceiver 26 are performed. These are
`either emitted at a usual power equivalent to the powers that
`would be generated by the OEM Transceiver 16 and the
`OEM Remote Control Device 19. Then, steps 3 to 6 are the
`different combinations that may be possible. In step 3, the
`transmitted command signals are received by the Control
`Module Transceiver 26 with a greater sensitivity than an
`OEM Transceiver, while this is not the case in step 4.
`Similarly, in step 6, the emitted feedback signals are
`received by the Remote Control Module 22 with a greater
`sensitivity than an OEM Remote Control Device 19. These
`combinations therefore permit that the system operates at a
`greater communication distance than the OEM system com
`prising an OEM Transceiver 16 and an OEM Remote
`Control Device 19. Finally, in step 7, the Control Module 21
`communicates the command or feedback signals from the
`Control Module Transceiver 26 to the Vehicle Data Bus 14.
`0026.
`Finally, referring to the interface system and the
`interfacing method described in FIGS. 1 and 2, both the
`Control Module Transceiver 26 and the Remote Control
`Device 22 can communicate in a bi-directional fashion. This
`is possible since the Control Module 21 comprises means for
`channeling commands to the IFCM 12 and to generate
`convenience commands on the Vehicle Data Bus 14. The
`Control Module 21 also has the means for returning feed
`back signals to the Remote Control Device 22. Such feed
`back signals can result from the vehicle's security status
`changes for example, in which case they are issued from the
`IFCM12. Hence, the Control Module 21 can use the Control
`Module Transceiver 26 for acknowledging the reception of
`a command back to the Remote Control Device 22 using
`feedback signals. Alternatively, the Control Module 21 can
`use the Control Module Transceiver 26 for echoing the
`communication between the Vehicle Data Bus 14 and the
`IFCM 12 back to the Remote Control Device 22, again using
`feedback signals. This bi-directional communication thus
`permits the production of feedback signals, these possibly
`indicating the reception of a command, the decoding of an
`acknowledgement signal, or a change in the vehicle's Secu
`rity status through the detection of intrusion or tampering of
`the vehicle, the activation or deactivation of an alarm, as
`well as a “Panic Mode” set by either the Remote Control
`Device 22 or the OEM Remote Control Device 19 for
`example. Therefore, the feedback signals are used for at least
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1018
`Page 6 of 9
`
`

`

`US 2007/001 6342 A1
`
`Jan. 18, 2007
`
`one of receiving a command and decoding an acknowledge
`ment signal, detecting vehicle tamper conditions, detecting
`vehicle alarm conditions, and detecting the setting of a
`“Panic Mode” by one of both Remote Control Devices 22
`and 19.
`0027. While illustrated in the block diagrams as groups of
`discrete components communicating with each other via
`distinct data signal connections, it will be understood by
`those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiments are
`provided by a combination of hardware and software com
`ponents, with Some components being implemented by a
`given function or operation of a hardware or Software
`system, and many of the data paths illustrated being imple
`mented by data communication within a computer applica
`tion or operating system. The structure illustrated is thus
`provided for efficiency of teaching the present preferred
`embodiment.
`0028. The embodiments of the invention described above
`are intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the inven
`tion is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope
`of the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An interface system for at least partial installation in a
`vehicle having a data bus, said interface system operating
`over a greater communication distance than a communica
`tion distance between an Original Equipment Manufacturer
`(OEM) transceiver and an OEM remote control device, said
`OEM transceiver being integrated in said vehicle, said
`interface system comprising:
`a remote control device comprising at least one of:
`a transmitter for transmitting command signals, the
`transmitter emitting said command signals at a
`greater power and hence having a capability of
`transmitting said command signals over a greater
`distance than a transmission and distance capability
`of said OEM remote control device; and
`a receiver for receiving feedback signals, the receiver
`having a greater sensitivity and hence having a
`capability of receiving said feedback signals over a
`greater distance than a reception and distance capa
`bility of said OEM remote control device;
`a control module transceiver comprising at least one of
`a transmitter for transmitting feedback signals; and
`a receiver for receiving command signals; and
`a control module for communicating at least one of said
`command signals and said feedback signals between
`said control module transceiver and said data bus.
`2. The interface system as described in claim 1, wherein
`said control module transceiver further comprises at least
`one of:
`a transmitter for transmitting feedback signals, the trans
`mitter emitting said feedback signals at a greater power
`and hence having a capability of transmitting said
`feedback signals over a greater distance than a trans
`mission and distance capability of said OEM trans
`ceiver, and
`a receiver for receiving command signals, the receiver
`having a greater sensitivity and hence having a capa
`
`bility of receiving said command signals over a greater
`distance than a reception and distance capability of said
`OEM transceiver.
`3. The interface system of claim 2, wherein said vehicle
`further comprises an Intermediate Function Control Module
`(IFCM), further wherein said control module is for connect
`ing to said at least one of said IFCM and said data bus.
`4. The interface system of claim 3, wherein said IFCM
`comprises a Body Control Module (BCM).
`5. The interface system as described in claim 3, further
`wherein said control module is also for emulating said OEM
`transceiver signals corresponding to known vehicle func
`tions or commands to be decoded by said IFCM.
`6. The interface system as described in claim 3, wherein
`said control module is also for connecting with an after
`market remote starter system via a single connection located
`before the IFCM.
`7. The interface system as described in claim 6, further
`wherein said interface system provides for a longer distance
`range than the after-market remote starter system.
`8. The interface system as described in claim 3, wherein
`said remote control device is also for controlling functions
`not available with said OEM remote control device and said
`OEM transceiver, yet supported by the vehicle.
`9. The interface system as described in claim 3, wherein
`said control module further comprises at least one of:
`means for channeling commands to said IFCM:
`means for generating convenience commands on said data
`bus;
`means for returning feedback signals from said control
`module to said remote control device; and
`means for returning feedback signals resulting from vehi
`cle's security status changes and issued from said
`IFCM to said remote control device.
`10. The interface system as described in claim 3, wherein
`said control module transceiver and said remote control
`device also further comprise means for communicating in a
`bi-directional fashion.
`11. An interface system for at least partial installation in
`a vehicle having a data bus, said interface system operating
`over a greater communication distance than a communica
`tion distance between an Original Equipment Manufacturer
`(OEM) transceiver and an OEM remote control device, said
`OEM transceiver being integrated in said vehicle, said
`interface system comprising:
`a remote control device comprising at least one of:
`a transmitter for transmitting command signals; and
`a receiver for receiving feedback signals;
`a control module transceiver comprising at least one of
`a transmitter for transmitting feedback signals, the
`transmitter emitting said feedback signals at a greater
`power and hence having a capability of transmitting
`said feedback signals over a greater distance than a
`transmission and distance capability of said OEM
`transceiver, and
`a receiver for receiving command signals, the receiver
`having a greater sensitivity and hence having a
`capability of receiving said command signals over a
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1018
`Page 7 of 9
`
`

`

`US 2007/001 6342 A1
`
`Jan. 18, 2007
`
`greater distance than a reception and distance capa
`bility of said OEM transceiver; and
`a control module for communicating at least one of said
`command signals and said feedback signals between
`said control module transceiver and said data bus.
`12. The interface system as described in claim 11, wherein
`said remote control device further comprises at least one of:
`a transmitter for transmitting command signals, the trans
`mitter emitting said command signals at a greater
`power and hence having a capability of transmitting
`said command signals over a greater distance than a
`transmission and distance capability of said OEM
`remote control device; and
`a receiver for receiving feedback signals, the receiver
`having a greater sensitivity and hence having a capa
`bility of receiving said feedback signals over a greater
`distance than a reception and distance capability of said
`OEM remote control device.
`13. The interface system of claim 12, wherein said vehicle
`further comprises an Intermediate Function Control Module
`(IFCM), further wherein said control module is for connect
`ing to said at least one of said IFCM and said data bus.
`14. The interface system of claim 13, wherein said IFCM
`comprises a Body Control Module (BCM).
`15. The interface system as described in claim 13, further
`wherein said control module is also for emulating said OEM
`transceiver signals corresponding to known vehicle func
`tions or commands to be decoded by said IFCM.
`16. The interface system as described in claim 13, wherein
`said control module is also for connecting with an after
`market remote starter system via a single connection located
`before the IFCM.
`17. The interface system as described in claim 16, further
`wherein said interface system provides for a longer distance
`range than the after-market remote starter system.
`18. The interface system as described in claim 13, wherein
`said remote control device is also for controlling functions
`not available with said OEM remote control device and said
`OEM transceiver, yet supported by the vehicle.
`20. The interface system as described in claim 16, wherein
`said control module further comprises at least one of:
`means for channeling commands to said IFCM:
`means for generating convenience commands on said data
`bus;
`means for returning feedback signals from said control
`module to said remote control device; and
`means for returning feedback signals resulting from vehi
`cle's security status changes and issued from said
`IFCM to said remote control device.
`21. The interface system as described in claim 13, wherein
`said control module transceiver and said remote control
`device also further comprise means for communicating in a
`bi-directional fashion.
`22. A method for interfacing to a data bus in a vehicle, said
`interfacing method enabling a communication over a greater
`distance than a communication distance between an Original
`Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) transceiver and an OEM
`remote control device, said OEM transceiver being inte
`grated in said vehicle, said interfacing method comprising:
`
`providing a remote control device comprising for per
`forming at least one of
`transmitting command signals at a greater power and
`hence transmitting said command signals over a
`greater distance than a transmission and distance
`capability of said OEM remo