The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 12, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 04, 2000
Philip H. Burrus, IV, Lilburn, GA (US);
Felipe J. Farley, Smyrna, GA (US);
Nicholas C. Hopman, Lake Zurich, IL (US);
Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US);
Abstract
A system and method for controlling the interior temperature within a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the system, the system responds to increases in exterior temperature by reducing the interior temperature of the vehicle passenger compartment. The system preferably includes a temperature sensor within the passenger compartment and a microprocessor programmed to respond to signals from the temperature sensor. The microprocessor operates to roll down windows and/or engage a fan or air conditioning unit until a desired and comfortable temperature is achieved within the passenger compartment. The user can pre-program the system with settings that are stored in a memory or use factory default settings. A moisture sensor can also be coupled to the microprocessor to respond to rainy conditions. In one alternate embodiment, a two-way paging and cellular network module is included to contact the vehicle operator when the system is engaged. In another alternate embodiment, the system is programmed to increase the interior vehicle temperature in response to decreases in the exterior ambient temperature by engaging the heater unit of the vehicle.