SEAT FOLDING SYSTEM WITH RADIO FREQUENCY LIMITED TARGETED ZONES FOR VERIFYING OPERATOR PRESENCE
First Claim
1. A system for controlling movement of a seat disposed in a vehicle that has a power driven folding apparatus with a motor that is controlled by an electronic control module, the system comprising:
- a radio frequency (Rf) transmitter having at least one antenna located near the seat that establishes at least one targeted zone;
an Rf receiver system associated with the seat;
a portable Rf transmitter and receiver unit that communicates with the Rf transmitter and the Rf receiver system when the portable Rf transmitter and receiver unit is within one of the targeted zones;
wherein the Rf transmitter and Rf receiver unit polls the portable RF transmitter and receiver system and provides a signal to the electronic control module during operation of the power driven folding apparatus that only permits the power driven folding apparatus to continue to operate as long as the portable Rf transmitter and receiver unit is in communication with the Rf transmitter and Rf receiver system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A folding system for a vehicle seat is disclosed that includes a Rf transmitter that is associated with the seat and a receiver that polls a portable transmitter/receiver whenever it is within a targeted zone near the rear door, right side door, or left side door. Weight sensing sensor arrays in the folding seat are used to prevent folding the seat when a foreign object is disposed in the seat. A Rf receiver may be provided either as part of the vehicle seat or the Rf receiver of a remote keyless entry system can be used that communicates with the seat through a vehicle bus.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for controlling movement of a seat disposed in a vehicle that has a power driven folding apparatus with a motor that is controlled by an electronic control module, the system comprising:
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a radio frequency (Rf) transmitter having at least one antenna located near the seat that establishes at least one targeted zone;
an Rf receiver system associated with the seat;
a portable Rf transmitter and receiver unit that communicates with the Rf transmitter and the Rf receiver system when the portable Rf transmitter and receiver unit is within one of the targeted zones;
wherein the Rf transmitter and Rf receiver unit polls the portable RF transmitter and receiver system and provides a signal to the electronic control module during operation of the power driven folding apparatus that only permits the power driven folding apparatus to continue to operate as long as the portable Rf transmitter and receiver unit is in communication with the Rf transmitter and Rf receiver system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for controlling movement of a seat disposed in a vehicle that has a power driven folding apparatus with a motor that is controlled by an electronic control module, the system comprising:
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a radio frequency (Rf) transmitter having a right side antenna secured to the seat adjacent to a right side door to establish a right side targeted zone, a left side antenna secured to the seat adjacent to a left side door to establish a left side targeted zone, and a rear antenna secured to the seat adjacent the rear door to establish a rear area targeted zone;
an Rf receiver system disposed in the vehicle;
a portable Rf transmitter/receiver that may be removed from the vehicle and that communicates with the Rf transmitter and the Rf receiver system only when the key fob Rf transmitter and receiver system is within one of the targeted zones;
wherein the portable Rf transmitter/receiver provides a signal to the Rf receiver that is communicated to the electronic control module during operation of the power driven folding apparatus that permits the power driven folding apparatus to continue to operate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification