Voxx International Corporation

Directed, LLC

Dei Headquarters, Inc.

James S Turner

Luc Samson

Mark Edward Rutledge

John T Welch

Bounthavy Kenneth Manivone

John F Wilson

John Durbin

Neil John Sturtevant

A vehicle control system (VCS) includes external communication interfaces, such as a Bluetooth® interface, for communicating with a user communication and control device, such as a smart phone or a tablet. The user is enabled to operate certain features of the vehicle, such as the remote start, power locks/trunk, climate control, and security features, through the smart phone. The VCS may also communicate with a remote server via the user's smartphone, for example, providing telematics data and receiving service reminders for display to the user on the smartphone, the VCS, or a display built into the vehicle. The VCS may be custom installed in the vehicle using the user's or the installer's smartphone, without a physical connection from the VCS to the smartphone.

Remote vehicle system configuration, control, and telematics

Proximity sensors, e.g., Bluetooth® sensors, are installed in a vehicle. Each sensor determines estimates approximate distance from itself to a user mobile device. In response to the distance increasing above a predetermined distance departure limit, as the sensors communicate to a vehicle control system (VCS) through Bluetooth® or similar links, the VCS causes predetermined departure actions to be performed, such as locking the doors, turning off headlights, activating the vehicle's security system, and/or others. In response to the distance decreasing below a predetermined distance arrival limit, as the sensors communicate to the VCS through the link(s), the VCS causes predetermined arrival actions to be performed, such as unlocking the doors, flashing the headlights, beeping the horn, deactivating the security system, and/or others. Hysteresis may be applied to the decisions whether to perform the departure/arrival actions.

Self-contained proximity sensors in wireless communication with vehicle control system and methods of their operation

A vehicle control system (VCS) includes external communication interfaces, such as a Bluetooth interface, for communicating with a user communication and control device, such as a smart phone or a tablet. The user is enabled to operate certain features of the vehicle, such as the remote start, power locks/trunk, climate control, and security features, through the smart phone. The VCS may also communicate with a remote server via the user's smartphone, for example, providing telematics data and receiving service reminders for display to the user on the smartphone, the VCS, or a display built into the vehicle. The VCS may be custom installed in the vehicle using the user's or the installer's smartphone, without a physical connection from the VCS to the smartphone.

A vehicle control system (VCS) in a passenger compartment interfaces with underhood components using a Bluetooth&#xae; link. The underhood components include a siren assembly with a sound generator and backup battery. The battery enables the siren assembly to function after the vehicle's battery is disabled. The siren assembly includes a Bluetooth&#xae; transceiver for establishing the link with the VCS. The siren assembly monitors the hood of the vehicle through a hood sensor, to detect unauthorized opening. In response to such opening, the siren assembly transmits an alarm to the VCS, which transmits an alarm to a user's mobile device and/or a security service. The sound generator may also be activated, by itself or under control of the VCS. The siren assembly connects to the engine computer/ignition module, to allow the VCS to monitor engine speed, and facilitate proper start of the engine when the VCS receives a remote start command.

Vehicle cotrol system with wirelessly-coupled underhood components

A vehicle control system (VCS) includes external communication interfaces, such as a Bluetooth interface, for communicating with a user communication and control device, such as a smart phone or a tablet. The user is enabled to operate certain features of the vehicle, such as the remote start, power locks/trunk, climate control, and security features, through the smart phone. The VCS may also communicate with a remote server via the user's smartphone, for example, providing telematics data and receiving service reminders For display to the user on the smartphone, the VCS, or a display built into the vehicle. The VCS may be custom installed in the vehicle using, the user's or the installer's smartphone, without a physical connection from the VCS to the smartphone.

Vehicle control system with wirelessly-coupled underhood components

In embodiments, Bluetooth&#xae; proximity sensors installed in a vehicle are configured to pair with a user mobile device and estimate distances to the user mobile device based on signal strength of the Bluetooth&#xae; emissions of the user mobile device. Each sensor, communicates its distance estimates to a vehicle control system (VCS) of the vehicle, using Bluetooth&#xae; communications. In response to the distance acre tying above a predetermined distance departure limit, the VCS causes predetermined departure actions to be performed, for example, locking the doors, turning off headlights, and activating the vehicle's security system. In response to the distance decreasing below a predetermined distance arrival limit, the VCS causes predetermined arrival actions to be performed, for example, unlocking the doors, flashing the headlights, beeping the horn, and deactivating the security system.

A security system in a vehicle extends its protection to installed equipment of the vehicle, such as audio components, navigation systems, and entertainment systems. The installed equipment is armed and disarmed by the security system, preventing the equipment from normal functioning after unauthorized removal. The security system further enables programming, monitoring, and diagnosing of the installed equipment through the security system's remote control, through a configuration and maintenance tool that connects to the security system, or through other items of installed equipment within the vehicle, such as a rear-seat entertainment system.

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Mesa, AZ, United States of America

James S Turner