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.

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, 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 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 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 monitoring station. 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 tracking unit preferably includes a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device. The controller preferably cooperates with the wireless communications device to generate a sequence of alert message notifications for the user, and for canceling any remaining alert message notification of the sequence based upon a cancellation command response from the user having already received the alert message notification.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a tracking unit and a function unit cooperating therewith. The tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a tracking controller cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user. Further, the function unit may include at least one uniquely coded transmitter to be carried by a user, a receiver at the vehicle for receiving signals from the at least one uniquely coded transmitter, and a function controller at the vehicle and connected to the receiver for learning the at least one uniquely coded transmitter to permit control of a vehicle function by the user. The function controller may advantageously cooperate with the wireless communications device of the tracking unit for sending an alert indication of whether at least one new uniquely coded transmitter has been learned.

Abstract: A tracking unit for a vehicle may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller cooperating with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to a user. The controller may store a user selected reference location, and send the vehicle position information based upon the vehicle moving beyond a radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location. More particularly, the vehicle position information may be sent a threshold time after the vehicle moves beyond the radial threshold distance from the user selected reference location if the vehicle has not moved back within the radial threshold distance. Additionally, the vehicle tracking unit may further include at least one input device to be positioned within the vehicle for setting the user selected reference location.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including at least one vehicle sensor may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device for sending vehicle position information to a user. Furthermore, the controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device to send an alarm indication alert to the user based upon the at least one vehicle sensor. Additionally, the controller may stop sending of further alarm indication alerts upon reaching a predetermined number thereof.

Abstract: A tracking system includes a vehicle tracking unit and a monitoring station communicating therewith. The vehicle tracking unit preferably includes a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device. The controller preferably cooperates with the wireless communications device to send an alert message. The monitoring station may include a user interface for generating a sequence of alert message notifications based upon receiving the alert message sent from the vehicle tracking unit, and for canceling any remaining alert message notification of the sequence based upon a cancellation command response from a user having already received the alert message notification.

Abstract: A back-up warning system for a vehicle of a type including a back-up bulb connector includes a proximity sensor for positioning adjacent a rear of the vehicle, a proximity sensor connector for connecting the proximity sensor to the back-up bulb socket, and a warning indicator for providing a warning indication based upon the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor connector may connect the proximity sensor to the back-up bulb socket so that the proximity sensor is powered and operable to detect proximity of an object adjacent the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is backing up.

Abstract: A vehicle remote control system is operated directly via a cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure. The cellular telephone includes an input device and a transmitter for transmitting signals relating to a command code entered from the input device and a unique identification code for the cellular telephone. The vehicle remote control system includes a receiver positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals directly from the cellular telephone without using intervening cellular communications infrastructure. A controller is also positioned at the vehicle and is switchable between a learning mode and an operating mode. When the controller is in the learning mode, the controller learns the unique identification code of a cellular telephone so that the cellular telephone is an authorized cellular telephone.

Abstract: A pre-warn vehicle security device is for a vehicle including a data communications bus, an alert indicator, and an alarm controller interfacing with the data communications bus. The alarm controller may cause the alert indicator to generate an alarm indication responsive to a high security threat level. More particularly, the pre-warn vehicle security device may include a housing and a multi-stage sensor carried by the housing. The multi-stage sensor may sense the high security threat level and communicate the sensed high security threat level to the alarm controller via the data communications bus. It may also sense a low security threat level lower than the high security threat level. Moreover, the pre-warn vehicle security device may also include a pre-warn indicator carried by the housing and connected to the multi-stage sensor for generating a pre-warn indication responsive to the sensed low security threat level.

Abstract: A pre-warn vehicle security device is for a vehicle including a data communications bus, an alert indicator, and an alarm controller. The alarm controller may interface with the data communications bus and, when in an armed mode, may cause the alert indicator to generate an alarm indication responsive to a high security threat level. More particularly, the pre-warn vehicle security device may include a pre-warn vehicle security sensor for sensing a threat level lower than the high security threat level and a pre-warn emulator. Responsive to the pre-warn vehicle security sensor, the pre-warn emulator may generate at least one signal on the data communications bus so that the alarm controller causes the alert indicator to generate an emulated pre-warn indication different from the alarm indication.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit may include a housing, a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller carried by the housing. The controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device to determine and send vehicle position information to a monitoring station. Additionally, an upgrade connector may be carried by the housing and coupled to the controller. Also, an upgrade device may be removably coupled to the upgrade connector for causing the controller to perform at least one vehicle function.

Abstract: A vehicle remote control and air treatment system includes a selectively operable air treatment device. The air treatment device may be an electrically powered ion generator for selectively generating ions in the vehicle, for example. The vehicle remote control and air treatment device may also include at least one remote transmitter, a receiver at the vehicle for receiving signals from the at least one remote transmitter, and a controller at the vehicle. The controller may be connected to the receiver for performing at least one vehicle function based upon signals from the remote transmitter, and may also selectively operate the air treatment device.

Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a plurality of uniquely-coded remote transmitters to be carried by a user for performing security functions on a vehicle. The uniquely-coded remote transmitters include a temporary master remote transmitter to operate a plurality of vehicles and at least one long-term remote transmitter to operate a designated vehicle. The vehicle security system also includes at least one controller for learning the uniquely-coded remote transmitters to enable performance of the security functions based upon signals received therefrom. The controller deletes the temporary master remote transmitter based upon a predetermined event and retains the at least one long-term remote transmitter.

Abstract: A vehicle remote start control system is for a vehicle including a vehicle engine, an electrical system, and a transponder reader. The transponder reader may enable the vehicle engine based upon wirelessly reading an authorized code from a transponder carried by a user and placed proximate the transponder reader. The system may include a remote start transmitter and a remote start controller at the vehicle. The remote start controller may include a transponder code bypass transmitter electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system for wirelessly transmitting the authorized code to the transponder reader responsive to the remote start transmitter to enable the vehicle engine.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle battery and at least one vehicle security device may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device for communicating with a monitoring station and including a receiver and a transmitter, a back-up battery, and a battery sensing circuit for sensing a voltage of at least one of the back-up battery and the vehicle battery. Furthermore, the vehicle tracking unit may also include a security device detector circuit for the at least one vehicle security device, a controller cooperating with the wireless communications device, the security device detector circuit, and the vehicle position determining device for sending position and security signals to the monitoring station. In addition, the controller may also be connected to the battery sensing circuit for disabling operation of the receiver based upon the sensed battery voltage being below a threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle alarm indicator may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller connected to the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device to send vehicle position information to a monitoring station. Furthermore, the controller may cause the vehicle alarm indicator to provide an alarm indication lasting for a predetermined time and based upon the wireless communications device receiving a vehicle finder activation signal. The controller may also cause the vehicle alarm indicator to cease providing the alarm indication prior to expiration of the predetermined time based upon a user input.

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, a receiver at the vehicle for receiving signals from the 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 is also connected to the receiver and 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.