In-Vehicle Remote Control System with Bidirectional Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional in-vehicle remote control systems for devices like garage door openers face difficulties in training processes, particularly for users and devices that are not compatible, leading to increased complexity and costs due to the need for trial and error in synchronizing universal transmitters with rolling code systems.

Innovation Solution

An in-vehicle control system with a transmitter device that establishes a bi-directional wireless communication link to configure and send expected transmissions to receiver devices, reducing the need for manual training through a user interface and processor-assisted synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a universal transmitter is used to control receiver devices with rolling code systems, then compatibility with multiple devices is improved, but the training process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidtraining process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing the receiver's identification code and synchronizing the rolling code counter values before actual use. This pre-configuration eliminates the need for manual trial-and-error training, resolving the contradiction between broad compatibility and simple training procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A control unit acts as an intermediary between the transmitter and receiver during the training phase. This intermediary automatically manages the complex synchronization process, capturing device identifiers and coordinating counter values, thereby simplifying the user experience while maintaining compatibility with rolling code systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual training methods are used to synchronize transmitter and receiver, then device complexity is reduced, but the time required for configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by enabling the transmitter and receiver to automatically synchronize their rolling code counters through bidirectional communication. The devices autonomously exchange identification codes and coordinate their counter values without requiring manual intervention, significantly reducing configuration time while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Bidirectional communication provides real-time feedback between the transmitter and receiver during the training process. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically verify successful synchronization and adjust counter values as needed, eliminating time-consuming manual trial-and-error while keeping the overall system design simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2126869B1Remote control system and method
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 GENTEX CORP
  • EP2126869B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2126869B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2126869B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for mounting to a vehicle including a user interface element and for controlling a transmitter device configured to send an expected transmission to receiving device is provided. The system includes a transceiver. The system further includes an interface for receiving a first signal from the user interface element. The system yet further includes a processor configured to establish a bi-directional data communication link between the transceiver and the transmitter device. The processor is further configured to cause the transceiver to send a second signal to the transmitter device via the bi-directional data communication link based upon the first signal received at the interface. The processor is yet further configured to format the second signal so that the transmitter device will send the expected transmission to the receiving device.