Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Siemens Automotive Corporation

Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc.

Trapeze Software Inc.

Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc.

Jeffrey R Coil

James A Minnick

David C Krueger

Michael A Bueter

David T Proefke

Tejas Bhupendra Desai

Thomas E Utter

Robert C Baillargeon

Thomas W Pfeffer

Christian O Johnson

Ronald J Plichta

Andrew C Brenz

Kenneth P Orlando

James Edward Trainor

Roland Kane

Jamie Scherkenbach

The present invention relates to a system and method of providing communications for a mobile vehicle, comprising: a) providing the vehicle with the ability to communicate using a number of different communications methods; b) establishing a list of parameters, said list of parameters defining a set of criteria for determining the preferred attributes of the communications method to be used at any given time; and c) selecting a communications method based on said list of parameters.

System and method of communications

A multi-channel communications system for communications between a mobile units and dispatch agencies through tower sites under control of a multi-channel communication controller. The method of communications used is time division multiple access with provisions for alternate methods. The mobile units and dispatch agencies have forms of identifications to route messages between the mobile units and dispatch agencies according to the forms of identification. The forms of identification are resolved from one form to another to operate with the alternate methods of communications. The mobile units are handed off from one communications channel to another by the multi-channel controller as channel loading conditions exceed a predetermined limit. Mobile units change tower sites as the geographic coverage of a tower site changes. Mobile units determine distance to a tower site by computing distance to a tower site by using GPS position information of the mobile unit and the known locations of the tower sites to compute signal strength.

Multiple channel communications system

A vehicle access system that includes an electronic key ensures that the vehicle transmission is in a proper condition before power to the selected vehicle components is turned off. A control panel within the vehicle allows a driver to activate a switch indicating a desire to turn off the vehicle engine. A controller first determines whether a valid authentication code is received from a passive signaling device. Once validation is complete, the controller turns off the engine. Next, the controller determines that the vehicle is in the appropriate gear. If the transmission must be switched to the appropriate gear, the controller provides an indication to the driver that the transmission must be switched before the power to the accessory components will be turned off.

Electronic key system including ignition and transmission control

A so-called &ldquo;smart card&rdquo; system is provided with controls which ensure that a request for change in status of a vehicle is not inconsistent with the presence or lack thereof of an appropriate card in the vehicle. As an example, prior to stopping ignition upon the request for stopping ignition, a sensor will look for the presence of a valid card within the vehicle cab. If no valid card is identified, then a warning signal is sent to the operator that no card is within the cab. This will prevent the operator from stopping the vehicle in the event that any appropriate cards have left the vehicle. The operator will thus be saved the inconvenience of having to walk to a location to get another card. In another example, should the request be for locking of the vehicle driver door, the presence of a valid card within the vehicle would be made known to the operator. In this way, the operator will be less likely to lock the card within the vehicle.

Smart card with card in vehicle warning

Growing community of inventors

Milford, MI, United States of America

Jeffrey R Coil