Abstract: A vehicle remote control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, and at least one vehicle device connected to the data communications bus. The vehicle remote control system includes a remote transmitter, and a true controller at the vehicle for controlling the vehicle device via a true command on the data communications bus, and based upon the remote transmitter. The true controller also controls the vehicle device via a respective counteracting command on the data communications bus based upon detecting a rogue controller attempt to control the at least one vehicle device via a rogue command on the data communications bus. The true controller may thus counteract a rogue controller attempt to start the engine, unlock vehicle doors, roll down windows, and/or disarm the vehicle security system, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a liquid includes a container containing a liquid, and a magnetic treatment device therefor. The magnetic treatment device may include an elastic band removably fastened around the container and urged thereagainst by elastic deformation of the elastic band, the elastic band being deformable to accommodate containers having different sizes. The magnetic treatment device may also include at least one permanent magnet carried by the elastic band for magnetically treating the liquid in the container. Alternately, the magnetic treatment device may include a band with a joint therein or a drawstring removably fastened around the container.

Abstract: A vehicle security system may disrupt communications on a vehicle data communications bus, such as to prevent starting of the vehicle engine. The vehicle security system may include at least one vehicle security sensor, a vehicle data communications bus disrupter for disrupting communications on the vehicle data communications bus, and a security controller for selectively operating the vehicle data communications bus disrupter. The disrupter may be operated based upon the at least one vehicle security sensor to thereby disable the vehicle engine. The disrupter may alternately be operated based on a signal from a monitoring station that receives position information from the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle window control system for a vehicle having a data communications bus may include at least one vehicle device associated with operating a window of the vehicle, a window operation transmitter, a receiver at the vehicle for receiving signals from the window operation transmitter, and a controller connected to the data communications bus for communicating with the at least one vehicle device associated with operating the window of the vehicle. The vehicle window controller may also be connected to the receiver and may be responsive to signals from the window operation transmitter. A window piggyback controller may operate the windows based on signals on the data communications bus, such as door lock or door unlock signals.

Abstract: A remote start control system for a vehicle including an engine, a transmission connected to the engine and a data communications bus carrying transmission position data related to a selected transmission position, may include a remote start transmitter, a receiver at the vehicle for receiving signals from the remote start transmitter, and a vehicle remote start controller. The vehicle remote start controller may be connected to the data communications bus and to the receiver for starting the engine based upon the transmission position data carried by the data communications bus and signals from the remote start transmitter. Alternately, or additionally, the data communications bus may carry engine speed data, vehicle brake position data, or vehicle security data. Accordingly, the engine may be started responsive to the engine speed data, the vehicle brake position data, or the vehicle security data.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit is preferably for a vehicle of a type including an engine starter interrupt device. The vehicle tracking unit preferably includes a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller. The controller may switch between an armed mode and a disarmed mode based upon operation of the engine starter interrupt device. The controller when in the armed mode may cooperate with the wireless communications device to send an alert message to the monitoring station and including vehicle position information, for example. The controller is also for selectively operating the engine starter interrupt device. The controller may include a combination input and output terminal for connection to the engine starter interrupt device.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit is provided for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto. The at least one operable vehicle device may be responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus. The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user. Moreover, the controller may generate the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data communications bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by the wireless device.

Abstract: A vehicle control system is for a vehicle including a vehicle data communication bus extending throughout the vehicle and may include a plurality of user control devices, and a first controller at the vehicle for generating a data bus code on the bus from among a series of data bus codes based upon a respective user control device. Each data bus code of the series may have a common function portion and an identity portion that is different for each respective user control device. Moreover, a second multi-vehicle controller at the vehicle may compare a data bus code on the bus with a vehicle code learning index to determine the vehicle from a plurality of different vehicles. The index may include possible data bus codes each including a respective common function portion for each different vehicle with a don't care condition specified for each identity portion.

Abstract: A vehicle remote control system includes a remote transmitter to be carried by a user for selectively transmitting signals, and a controller for receiving the signals. The controller includes outputs and is switchable between first and second output operating states. In the first output operating state, the controller operates a first output based upon a first occurrence of receiving a first signal from the remote transmitter, and operates a second output based upon a second occurrence of receiving the first signal from the remote transmitter within a predetermined time of the first occurrence thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a vehicle security controller for operating at least one vehicle body position actuator to reposition the vehicle body responsive to at least one vehicle security sensor. The vehicle may include the vehicle wheels, the vehicle body, and at least one vehicle body position actuator connected therebetween. A respective vehicle body position actuator may be provided for each vehicle wheel, and the controller may operate the actuators in a predetermined pattern to reposition the vehicle body in a rocking motion. Rocking of the vehicle body is more readily noticed by persons adjacent the vehicle, and the rocking produces sweeping headlight beams that also more noticeable. If the thief were to enter the vehicle, the thief's actions would be impaired by the rocking of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller. The controller may determine the vehicle position information including a vehicle location and an associated stationary period for each occurrence of the vehicle remaining stationary for greater than a predetermined period. For example, the predetermined time may be less than about three minutes which filters out stops in normal traffic, but which will keep track of stops where the driver likely leaves the vehicle. Accordingly, only the important information necessary to track the vehicle need be stored and/or transmitted thereby reducing the system costs.

Abstract: A vehicle security system may include at least one security sensor and a security controller connected thereto, and a siren which also serves as a shock sensor. The siren may include a housing, a siren security electrical signal generator circuit carried by the housing for generating an electrical siren security alarm signal responsive to the security controller, and a shock detector circuit carried by the housing for processing an electrical shock sense signal for the security controller. The siren also preferably includes an electrical/mechanical (E/M) transducer carried by the housing for sounding a siren security alarm responsive to the electrical siren security alarm signal, and for generating the electrical shock sense signal responsive to mechanical shock. In other words, the E/M transducer and associated circuitry provide the dual alternate functions of sounding the siren security alarm and sensing for shocks to the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for magnetically treating materials includes a base, and at least one magnet carried by the base to generate a magnetic field within the material. In some embodiments, the material may be within a container, and the magnetic field may be generated within the container to magnetically treat the material. The material may be a beverage and the magnetic treatment may enhance the flavor of the beverage, or may be an emollient and the magnetic treatment may change a characteristic of the emollient. The device may include a base, a plurality of tubular members extending upwardly from the base and arranged in spaced-apart relation to receive the material, and at least one magnet within each of the tubular members to generate a magnetic field within the material.

Abstract: A vehicle control system is for a vehicle including a vehicle data communication bus extending throughout the vehicle and may include a plurality of user control devices, and a first controller at the vehicle for generating a data bus code on the bus from among a series of data bus codes based upon a respective user control device. Each data bus code of the series may have a common function portion and an identity portion that is different for each respective user control device. Moreover, a second multi-vehicle controller at the vehicle may compare a data bus code on the bus with a vehicle code learning index to determine the vehicle from a plurality of different vehicles. The index may include possible data bus codes each including a respective common function portion for each different vehicle with a don't care condition specified for each identity portion.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit is provided for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto. The at least one operable vehicle device may be responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus. The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user. Moreover, the controller may generate the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data communications bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by the wireless device.

Abstract: A remote start control system for a vehicle including an engine, a transmission connected to the engine and a data communications bus carrying transmission position data related to a selected transmission position, may include a remote start transmitter and a vehicle remote start controller. The vehicle remote start controller may be connected to the data communications bus for starting the engine based upon the transmission position data carried by the data communications bus and signals from the remote start transmitter. Alternately, or additionally, the data communications bus may carry engine speed data, vehicle brake position data, or vehicle security data. Accordingly, the engine may be started responsive to the engine speed data, the vehicle brake position data, or the vehicle security data.

Abstract: The remote start control system may include at least one vehicle device associated with starting an engine of the vehicle, a remote start transmitter, and a vehicle remote start controller connected to the data communications bus for communicating with the at least one vehicle device associated with starting the engine of the vehicle. The remote start controller may be responsive to signals from the remote start transmitter. The vehicle device associated with starting the engine of the vehicle may include at least one controller, such as the engine management controller or the transmission controller, for example. Alternately, or additionally, the at least one vehicle device associated with starting the engine of the vehicle may include at least one vehicle sensor. For example, the vehicle sensor may be one or more of a brake sensor, a transmission sensor, a hood sensor, or an engine speed sensor. The remote start system may also include features to provide compatibility with a number of different vehicles.

Abstract: A remote start control system may include an engine speed data bus reader at the vehicle for reading the engine speed signal on the vehicle data communications bus, and a remote start controller at the vehicle and connected to the engine speed data bus reader for operating the engine starter based upon a remote start transmitter and based upon the engine speed signal. In some embodiments, the engine speed signal may include a digital code, and the engine speed data bus reader reads the digital code and converts the digital code into a pulsed tachometer emulation signal for the remote start controller. In other embodiments, the engine speed data bus reader generates an output level based upon the digital code exceeding at least one threshold, such as an engine started or engine overspeed threshold. The remote start control system is readily interfaced to a vehicle having a data communications bus to thereby be able to operate using an engine speed signal.