System and method for micro-locating and communicating with a portable vehicle control device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for micro-locating a portable device, comprising:
- a plurality of proximity sensors disposed within a vehicle, wherein the proximity sensors are disposed at different locations from each other, and wherein the proximity sensors are each configured to broadcast a signal;
a portable device configured to receive the signals broadcast from the proximity sensors to determine its location with respect to the vehicle; and
a control module disposed within the vehicle and configured to enable or disable vehicle control features of the portable device based on the location of the portable device,wherein the proximity sensors exchange information with each other, the information including signal strength coming from the portable device and a time stamp of the signal coming from the portable device,wherein the information further includes security data indicating that the proximity sensors are part of the same system and are authorized to communicate with other system components,wherein the system further includes a Bluetooth tire pressure monitor sensor (TPMS) configured to trigger an alarm when there is an unauthorized attempt to remove at least one of the vehicle'"'"'s wheels.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for micro-locating a portable device including: a plurality of proximity sensors disposed within a vehicle, wherein the proximity sensors are disposed at different locations from each other, and wherein the proximity sensors are each configured to broadcast a signal; a portable device configured to receive the signals broadcast from the proximity sensors to determine its location with respect to the vehicle; and a control module disposed within the vehicle and configured to enable or disable vehicle control features of the portable device based on the location of the portable device.
26 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system for micro-locating a portable device, comprising:
a plurality of proximity sensors disposed within a vehicle, wherein the proximity sensors are disposed at different locations from each other, and wherein the proximity sensors are each configured to broadcast a signal; a portable device configured to receive the signals broadcast from the proximity sensors to determine its location with respect to the vehicle; and a control module disposed within the vehicle and configured to enable or disable vehicle control features of the portable device based on the location of the portable device, wherein the proximity sensors exchange information with each other, the information including signal strength coming from the portable device and a time stamp of the signal coming from the portable device, wherein the information further includes security data indicating that the proximity sensors are part of the same system and are authorized to communicate with other system components, wherein the system further includes a Bluetooth tire pressure monitor sensor (TPMS) configured to trigger an alarm when there is an unauthorized attempt to remove at least one of the vehicle'"'"'s wheels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
14. A system for micro-locating a portable device, comprising:
a mobile device; and a plurality of beacons disposed within a vehicle, wherein the beacons are disposed at different locations from each other, wherein the beacons are communicably coupled to each other to form a beacon frame, wherein at least one zone is defined in the beacon frame by received signal strength indicator (RSSI) values of the beacons, and when the mobile device is in the beacon frame, a signal strength between the mobile device and each of the beacons is measured to determine if the mobile device is within the at least one zone, and if the mobile device is determined to be within the at least one zone, the mobile device is permitted full functionality or limited functionality in the at least one zone, wherein the beacons exchange information with each other, the information including the signal strength coming from the mobile device and a time stamp of the signal coming from the mobile device, wherein the information further includes security data indicating that the beacons are part of the same system and are authorized to communicate with other system components, wherein the system further includes a wireless tire pressure monitor sensor (TPMS) configured to trigger an alarm of an armed security system when there is an attempt to remove at least one of the vehicle'"'"'s wheels. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification