In-vehicle wireless device providing telematics service with less power consumption

• US 20030181169A1
• Filed: 02/18/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation, The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Mutoh, Katsuhiko
• Application Number:
  US10/368,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20030181169A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/99
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1018 Alarm systems characterised by features related to the general power supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1615 Switching on; Switching off, e.g. remotely battery saving circuits associated with selective call operation H04W52/00; details of power consumption reduction in a PLL, H03L7/0802, H03L7/14, H03L2207/08, H03L2207/18; muting amplifiers by gain control see H03G3/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

During an off-state of an ignition switch, a reception circuit and a transmission circuit of a station for telematics services in a vehicle are periodically shifted between an on-state and an off-state. As soon as a door knob of the vehicle is manipulated during the off-state of the ignition switch, the reception and transmission circuits along with a control circuit are shifted into the on-state even when staying in the off-state thereof. Thereby, a user can be, without waiting, provided with the telematics services associated with interface circuits for controlling operations relating to a vehicle body.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle wireless device that is provided in a vehicle, has a wireless unit for wireless communication, and periodically activates the wireless unit during an off-state of main power of the vehicle, the in-vehicle wireless device comprising:

detecting means for detecting manipulation of a person outside of the vehicle; and

activating means for activating the wireless unit when the detecting means detects the manipulating of the person outside the vehicle during the off-state of the main power of the vehicle.

2. An in-vehicle wireless device according to claim 1, further comprising:

extending means for extending an operation period of the wireless unit when the detecting means detects the manipulating of the person outside the vehicle during the off-state of the main power of the vehicle.

3. An in-vehicle wireless device according to claim 1,

wherein the detecting means detects manipulation, to a door knob of the vehicle, of the person as the manipulating of the person outside the vehicle.

4. An in-vehicle wireless device according to claim 1,

wherein the wireless unit communicates by wireless with a base station of a cell phone network.

5. An in-vehicle wireless device according to claim 1, further comprising:

door-lock controlling means for controlling, when the wireless unit receives an instruction signal for a door-lock control device of executing at least one of locking and unlocking a door of the vehicle, the door-lock control device to execute at least one of locking and unlocking the door of the vehicle based on the instruction signal.

6. An in-vehicle wireless device according to claim 1, further comprising:

horn controlling means for controlling, when the wireless unit receives an instruction signal for a horn control device of sounding a horn of the vehicle, the horn control device to sound the horn based on the instruction signal.

7. An in-vehicle wireless device according to claim 1, further comprising:

light controlling means for controlling, when the wireless unit receives an instruction signal for a light control device of turning on a light of the vehicle, the light control device to turn on the light based on the instruction signal.

8. An in-vehicle wireless device according to claim 1,

wherein the wireless unit calls in a predetermined contact point when the wireless unit does not receive a predetermined remote signal for a predetermined period after being activated when the detecting means detects the manipulating of the person outside the vehicle.

9. A constant detecting method for an in-vehicle wireless device that is provided in a vehicle, has a wireless unit for wireless communication, and periodically activates the wireless unit during an off-state of main power of the vehicle, the method comprising steps of:

detecting manipulation of a person outside of the vehicle; and

activating the wireless unit when the manipulating of the person outside the vehicle is detected during the off-state of the main power of the vehicle.