SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FUNCTION USING A VARIABLE SENSITIVITY RECEIVER

• US 20070024416A1
• Filed: 07/27/2005
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Ghabra, Riad, Tang, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 7,609,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.610
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/06 using intensity measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/767 Responders; Transponders teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying using reflecting targets or active targets F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link

Abstract

A system and method of controlling a function using a variable sensitivity receiver, including a vehicle having the same. The method may include receiving a wireless control signal segment from a remote transmitter using the variable sensitivity receiver, decoding the wireless control signal segment using a controller in electronic communication with the variable sensitivity receiver, performing an attenuation step when the decoding is successful, generating a count for tracking an amount of attenuation performed, and determining whether to perform the function based at least in part on the count when the count is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or when the decoding is unsuccessful. The wireless control signal segment may include a request for the function and/or a partial request for the function. The attenuation step may include attenuating sensitivity of the variable sensitivity receiver by a predetermined amount.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a function using a variable sensitivity receiver, the method comprising:

receiving a wireless control signal segment from a remote transmitter using the variable sensitivity receiver, wherein the wireless control signal segment comprises at least one of a request for the function and a partial request for the function;

decoding the wireless control signal segment using a controller in electronic communication with the variable sensitivity receiver;

performing an attenuation step when the decoding is successful, wherein the attenuation step comprises attenuating sensitivity of the variable sensitivity receiver by a predetermined amount;

generating a count for tracking an amount of attenuation performed; and

determining whether to perform the function based at least in part on the count when the count is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or when the decoding is unsuccessful.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a distance between the variable sensitivity receiver and the remote transmitter based at least in part on the count when the count is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or when decoding is unsuccessful.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the function is a vehicle function.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote transmitter generates the wireless control signal segment using a single power level.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote transmitter is a remote keyless entry fob.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the remote keyless entry fob is an active remote keyless entry fob.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the remote keyless entry fob is a passive remote keyless entry fob.

8. A system for controlling a function using a variable sensitivity receiver, the system comprising:

a variable sensitivity receiver for receiving a wireless control signal segment generated by a remote transmitter, wherein the wireless control signal segment comprises at least one of a request for the function and a partial request for the function;

a controller electronically coupled to the variable sensitivity receiver for decoding the wireless control signal segment; and

an attenuation circuit electronically coupled to the controller and the variable sensitivity receiver for attenuating sensitivity of the variable sensitivity receiver by a predetermined amount when decoding is successful;

wherein the controller further generates a count for tracking sensitivity attenuation of the variable sensitivity receiver, and determines whether to perform the function based at least in part on the count when the count is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or when decoding is unsuccessful.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the controller further determines a distance between the variable sensitivity receiver and the remote transmitter based at least in part on the count when the count is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or when decoding is unsuccessful.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the remote transmitter generates the wireless control signal segment using a single power level.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the function is a vehicle function.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the remote transmitter is a remote keyless entry fob.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the remote keyless entry fob is an active remote keyless entry fob.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the remote keyless entry fob is a passive remote keyless entry fob.

15. The system of claim 8 wherein the variable sensitivity receiver is electronically coupled to an antenna.

16. A system for controlling a vehicle function using a variable sensitivity receiver, the system comprising:

a variable sensitivity receiver for receiving a wireless control signal segment from a remote vehicle keyless entry fob, wherein the wireless control signal segment comprises at least one of a request for a vehicle function and a partial request for a vehicle function;

a controller electronically coupled to the variable sensitivity receiver for decoding the wireless control signal segment; and

an attenuation circuit electronically coupled to the controller and the variable sensitivity receiver for attenuating sensitivity of the variable sensitivity receiver by a predetermined amount when decoding is successful;

wherein the controller further generates a count for tracking sensitivity attenuation of the variable sensitivity receiver, and determines whether to perform the vehicle function when the count is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or when decoding is unsuccessful.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the controller further determines a distance between the variable sensitivity receiver and the remote vehicle keyless entry fob based at least in part on the count when the count is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or when decoding is unsuccessful.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the remote vehicle keyless entry fob is an active remote vehicle keyless entry fob.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the remote vehicle keyless entry fob is a passive remote vehicle keyless entry fob.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the remote vehicle keyless entry fob generates the wireless control signal segment using a single power level.