Dual range vehicle remote

• US 20060145811A1
• Filed: 01/06/2005
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Nantz, John, Conner, Bruce D., Honkanen, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 7,397,344 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.720
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/209 Remote starting of engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00174 Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for operating a controller of and a RKE system to provide for short distance functions that are actuatable from a key fob at a shorter distance from the vehicle than other long distance functions. This may include receiving a desired type of radio frequency signal; actuating a high gain mode of a receiver of the controller; detecting a message from an acceptable remote keyless entry transmitter; decoding a function code portion of the message; changing the receiver from the high gain mode to a lower gain mode if the function code is not a long distance function; decoding a remaining portion of the message; determining if the remaining portion of the message was decoded properly; and performing the requested function if the remaining portion of the message was decoded properly.

Claims

1. A method of operating a controller of a remote keyless entry system in a vehicle comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a desired type of radio frequency signal;

(b) actuating a high gain mode of a receiver of the controller;

(c) detecting a message from an acceptable remote keyless entry transmitter;

(d) decoding a function code portion of the message;

(e) changing the receiver from the high gain mode to a lower gain mode if the function code is not a long distance function;

(f) decoding a remaining portion of the message;

(g) determining if the remaining portion of the message was decoded properly; and

(h) performing the requested function if the remaining portion of the message was decoded properly.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of:

(i) determining if an additional message was received;

(j) decoding the additional message, if the additional message was received;

(k) determining if the additional message was decoded properly, if the additional message was received; and

(l) performing the requested function if the additional message was decoded properly.

3. The method of claim 2 further including the steps of:

(m) determining if a second additional message was received;

(n) decoding the second additional message, if the second additional message was received;

(o) determining if the second additional message was decoded properly, if the second additional message was received; and

(p) performing the requested function if the second additional message was decoded properly.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) is further defined by operating the controller in a polling state.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) is further defined by receiving a preamble signal.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (e) is further defined by the long distance function being a remote engine start function.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein step (e) is further defined by the long distance function being a door lock function.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (e) is further defined by the long distance function being a vehicle alarm activation function.

9. A method of determining whether to perform a remotely requested vehicle function transmitted via an RF signal from a remote transmitter to a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) actuating a button on the remote transmitter within a predetermined distance from the vehicle to cause the transmission of the RF signal, with the RF signal having a preamble portion and a message portion;

(b) receiving the RF signal with a RKE system in the vehicle;

(c) actuating a high gain mode of the RKE system;

(d) determining whether the remotely requested vehicle function in the message portion is a short distance function;

(e) changing the receiver to a lower gain mode if the remotely requested vehicle function is the short distance function;

(f) decoding a remaining portion of the message portion; and

(g) performing the remotely requested vehicle function if the remaining portion of the message portion is decoded properly.

10. The method of claim 9 further including the steps of:

(h) determining if the RF signal includes an additional message portion;

(i) decoding a remaining portion of the additional message portion, if the RF signal includes the additional message portion; and

(j) performing the remotely requested vehicle function if the remaining portion of the additional message portion is decoded properly.

11. The method of claim 10 further including the steps of:

(k) determining if the RF signal includes a second additional message portion;

(l) decoding a remaining portion of the second additional message portion, if the RF signal includes the second additional message portion; and

(m) performing the remotely requested vehicle function if the remaining portion of the second additional message portion is decoded properly.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein step (d) is further defined by the short distance function being a door unlock function.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein step (d) is further defined by the short distance function being a trunk release function.

14. A dual range vehicle remote comprising:

a key fob including a plurality of buttons, each adapted for indicating a desired remote function, and a transmitter capable of transmitting a signal having a message portion indicative of the desired function when one of the plurality of buttons is actuated; and

a RKE system including a receiver capable of receiving the signal, and a controller for setting the RKE system in high gain mode, determining if the desired function in the message portion is a short distance function, changing the RKE system to a lower gain mode if the desired function is a short distance function, decoding a remaining portion of the message portion, and performing the desired function if the remaining portion of the message portion is decoded properly.

15. The dual range vehicle remote of claim 14 wherein one of the plurality of buttons is a remote engine start button, and the RKE system is adapted to stay in the high gain mode if the desired function is a remote engine start function.

16. The dual range vehicle remote of claim 14 wherein one of the plurality of buttons is a door unlock button, and the RKE system is adapted to change to the lower gain mode if the desired function is a door unlock function.

17. The dual range vehicle remote of claim 14 wherein one of the plurality of buttons is a door lock button, and the RKE system is adapted to stay in the high gain mode if the desired function is a door lock function.

18. The dual range vehicle remote of claim 14 wherein one of the plurality of buttons is a remote engine start button, the RKE system is adapted to stay in the high gain mode if the desired function is an alarm function and the alarm function is not currently activated.

19. The dual range vehicle remote of claim 18 wherein the RKE system is adapted to change to the lower gain mode if the desired function is an alarm function and the alarm function is currently activated.

20. The dual range vehicle remote of claim 14 wherein one of the plurality of buttons is a trunk release button, and the RKE system is adapted to change to the lower gain mode if the desired function is a trunk release function.