Location device and wireless mulitfuntion key-fob system

• US 20030134600A1
• Filed: 01/08/2003
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Regan S. Rhodes, Stephen J. Picone
• Original Assignee: Regan S. Rhodes, Stephen J. Picone
• Inventors: Rhodes, Regan S., Picone, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US10/340,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20030134600A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/68
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00674 with switch-buttons

Abstract

The present invention comprises a key-fob device including portable remote units with Radio Frequency (RF) receivers or transceivers capable of receiving command transmissions from a high power wireless network and/or RF tower or low power wireless system and/or handheld device. Upon receiving a user'"'"'s activation signal from the wireless network, the key-fob will then emit an audible sound, activate a flashing light and/or activate various vehicle functions.

Claims

1. A system for remotely activating a remote entry key-fob, the system comprising:

a remote entry key-fob configured to receive a signal and execute a function indicated by the signal;

a transmitter configured to receive a first command representative of the function to be performed by the key-fob and to transmit the signal to the key-fob.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises a wireless network configured to receive a second command representative of the function to be performed by the key-fob and to transmit the first command representative of the function.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to provide a low power transmission to the key-fob.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to provide a high power transmission to the key-fob.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the key-fob is configured to emit an audible sound upon receipt of the signal representative of the function.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the key-fob is configured to activate a light source upon receipt of the signal representative of the function.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the key-fob is configured to emit a command signal to activate a function of a vehicle.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the key-fob is configured to emit an unlock command signal to the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the key-fob is configured to emit an engine start command signal to the vehicle.

10. A system for remotely activating a remote entry key-fob for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a remote entry key-fob configured to receive a signal, execute”

a function indicated by the signal, and remotely activate a function of the vehicle;

a transmitter configured to receive a first command representative of the function to be performed by the key-fob and to transmit the signal to the key-fob.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the transmitter comprises a wireless network configured to receive a second command representative of the function to be performed by the key-fob and to transmit the first command representative of the function.

12. A method of remote activating a vehicle function, the method comprising:

receiving a first command representative of a function to be performed by a key-fob;

transmitting a signal to the key-fob indicative of the function to be performed;

receiving the signal at the key-fob; and

performing the function through the key-fob.

13. The method of activation of claim 12 wherein receiving a first command comprises receiving from a RF tower.

14. The method of activation of claim 12 wherein receiving a first command comprises receiving from a handheld device.

15. The method of activation of claim 12 wherein transmitting a signal to the key-fob comprises transmitting from a RF tower.

16. The method of activation of claim 12 wherein transmitting a signal to the key-fob comprises transmitting from a handheld device.

17. The method of activation of claim 12 wherein performing the function through the key-fob comprises emitting an audible sound, activating a light source, transmitting a vehicle unlock command, activating/deactivating a vehicle alarm, starting a vehicle, or any combination of the functions described.

18. A method of remote activating a vehicle function, the method comprising:

receiving a first command representative of a function to be performed by a key-fob;

transmitting a signal to the key-fob indicative of the function to be performed;

receiving the signal at the key-fob; and

transmitting a second signal from the key-fob to the vehicle to activate a vehicle function.

19. The method of activation of claim 18 wherein receiving a first command comprises receiving from a RF tower.

20. The method of activation of claim 18 wherein receiving a first command comprises receiving from a handheld device.

21. The method of activation of claim 18 wherein transmitting a signal to the key-fob comprises transmitting from a RF tower.

22. The method of activation of claim 18 wherein transmitting a signal to the key-fob comprises transmitting from a handheld device.

23. The method of activation of claim 18 wherein to activate a vehicle function comprises unlocking a vehicle, activating/deactivating a vehicle alarm, starting a vehicle, opening the doors of a vehicle, opening the trunk of a vehicle, or any combination of the functions described.