Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit 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 for determining vehicle position information and for periodically sending vehicle position information to a monitoring station. Furthermore, the controller may vary a period between successive sendings of vehicle position information based upon a triggering event. By way of example, the triggering event may include a vehicle speed exceeding a threshold, a period change signal from the monitoring station, and/or the passing of time. Additionally, the controller may include a memory for storing the vehicle position information, and the triggering event may include the memory reaching a predetermined capacity.

Abstract: A method of providing a customer-selected remote control feature package in a vehicle may include installing in the vehicle a universal remote control device operable according to a plurality of different remote control feature packages, and negotiating a sale or lease of the vehicle with a customer. Negotiating a sale or lease of the vehicle may include offering the different remote control feature packages to the customer, and accepting an order for the customer-selected remote control feature package from the customer. The method of providing a customer-selected remote control feature package may further include filling the order for the customer-selected remote control feature package by providing the customer with at least one respective remote transmitter for operating the universal remote control device according to the customer-selected remote control feature package from among a plurality of different remote transmitters for different remote control feature packages.

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 a receiver and 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 control system includes a transmitter, a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter, and a multi-vehicle compatible controller cooperating with the transmitter and receiver. The multi-vehicle compatible controller is for storing a set of device codes for a given vehicle device for a plurality of different vehicles, for reading a device code from a data communications bus, and for determining a match between a read device code and the stored device codes to thereby provide compatibility with a plurality of different vehicles. Such an arrangement provides for a relatively simple and straightforward approach to interface with a vehicle having a data communications bus. The multi-vehicle compatible controller may include a memory for the stored device codes, and a processor cooperating with the memory for determining the match between the read device code and the stored device codes.

Abstract: A vehicle security system includes at least one security sensor and a security controller switchable between armed and disarmed modes. The vehicle includes a horn being electrically operable, a horn switch permitting selective occasional operation of the horn by a user, at least one light being electrically operable, and a light switch permitting selective occasional operation of the light by the user. The security controller also operates the light in a second pattern when switching between modes and the siren is sounded to supplement the light flashing.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including at least one vehicle device may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller. 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. Furthermore, the controller may include at least one pair of switchable polarity output terminals for the at least one vehicle device.

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 monitoring station. Furthermore, the controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device to send an alarm indication alert to the monitoring station 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 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 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 monitoring station. 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 secure, vehicle key, storage device is for a plurality of uniquely-coded vehicle keys. Each key includes a wireless transmitter. The storage device includes a housing for containing the uniquely-coded vehicle keys, and at least one access mechanism associated with the housing for selectively permitting access to at least one of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys. The device may also include a user identification input for permitting user input of the user identification. At least one wireless receiver determines the unique codes. A controller is provided for controlling the access mechanism based upon the user identification input, and for tracking the uniquely-coded vehicle keys in cooperation with the wireless receiver.

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 back-up warning system for a vehicle having a back-up lighting circuit includes a license plate holder including a housing, and a proximity sensor and external audible indicator carried by the housing. The back-up warning system also includes an internal indicator for providing an internal indication of proximity to an object based upon the proximity sensor. The back-up warning system may be connected to the back-up lighting circuit so that the proximity sensor is powered and operable to detect proximity of the object adjacent the license plate holder when a reverse transmission position is selected.

Abstract: A remote control system for a vehicle includes a controller at the vehicle, and at least one remote device for wireless communication with the controller. The remote device may include a portable handheld housing, to be carried by a user when away from the vehicle, and a display, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), mounted on the portable housing for displaying a selected vehicle style image from among a plurality of different selectable vehicle style images. For example, the different selectable vehicle style images may include a sedan style image, a pickup truck style image, and a van style image. The LCD may include a common image portion for all of the different selectable vehicle style images, and at least one other defining image portion selectively operated together with the common image portion to display the selected vehicle style image.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit 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 for sending vehicle position information to a monitoring station. Furthermore, the vehicle tracking unit may also include at least one local diagnostic indicator connected to the controller, and the controller may include a plurality of output driver circuits for respective vehicle devices. The controller may be switch able to a diagnostic mode wherein at least one output driver circuit is tested, and results thereof may be indicated by the at least one local diagnostic indicator.

Abstract: A vehicle security system includes at least one vehicle sensor, a remote transmitter to be carried by a user, and a controller positioned in the vehicle. The controller may be switchable to at least one of an armed mode and a disarmed mode based upon the remote transmitter, and the controller may cause a light indicator circuit of the vehicle to selectively supply power to at least one vehicle light bulb upon switching to at least one of the armed and disarmed modes. The vehicle security system may also include a strobe light device at the vehicle and electrically connected to the light indicator circuit for providing a confirmation indication to the user that the controller has been switched to at least one of the armed and disarmed modes. This may be done based upon a leading or trailing edge of the power supplied by the light indicator circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a vehicle security sensor and associated sensor bus interface, an alarm indicator and associated alarm indicator bus interface, and an alarm controller and associated alarm controller bus interface for interfacing the alarm controller. The vehicle security system is for a vehicle of a type including a data communications bus connecting a plurality of vehicle devices. The security system preferably further includes a desired signal enabling circuit for enabling the alarm controller to operate using a set of desired signals for a desired vehicle from among a plurality of possible sets of signals for different vehicles.

Abstract: A secure, vehicle key, storage device is for a plurality of uniquely-coded vehicle keys. Each key includes a wireless transmitter. The storage device includes a housing for containing the uniquely-coded vehicle keys, and at least one access mechanism associated with the housing for selectively permitting access to at least one of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys. The device may also include a user identification input for permitting user input of the user identification. At least one wireless receiver determines the unique codes. A controller is provided for controlling the access mechanism based upon the user identification input, and for tracking the uniquely-coded vehicle keys in cooperation with the wireless receiver.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle battery and a vehicle alarm indicator 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 for sending vehicle position information to a monitoring station. Furthermore, the controller may also monitor the vehicle alarm indicator to determine triggering thereof, monitor a voltage of the vehicle battery relative to a threshold, and send at least one alert to the monitoring station in cooperation with the wireless communications device based upon both triggering of the vehicle alarm indicator and the voltage of the vehicle battery being below the threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle security system for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle data communications bus connected to a plurality of vehicle devices may include at least one vehicle security sensor interfacing with the vehicle data communications bus for generating a pre-warning signal or an alarm signal, depending upon a sensed threat level. The vehicle security system may also include an alarm indicator and a vehicle security controller. The vehicle security controller may interface with the vehicle data communications bus for causing the alarm indicator to generate a pre-warning indication based upon the pre-warning signal, or for causing the alarm indicator to generate an alarm indication based upon the alarm signal.

Abstract: A user-controllable massage device is for a vehicle seat that operates via a wireless communications link. The massage device may include a plurality of vibration transducers to be positioned adjacent the vehicle seat, a wireless receiver, and a power controller connected to the wireless receiver for selectively powering the plurality of vibration transducers based upon signals received from the wireless receiver. The massage device may also include a wireless remote controller to be operated by the user for communicating with the wireless receiver to selectively operate the plurality of vibration transducers. The remote controller may transmit a unique code which can be learned by the power controller.