SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING A FUNCTION

• US 20070080779A1
• Filed: 10/12/2005
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Nantz, John, Tang, Tom, King, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US11/163,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20070080779A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.610
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00507 keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/61 Signal comprising different frequencies, e.g. frequency hopping
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A system and method for remotely controlling a function. The system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter transmits a first signal portion at a first frequency deviation level and transmits a second signal portion at a second frequency deviation level when a range-limited function is requested.

Claims

1. A system for remotely controlling a function, the system comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a wireless control signal when a function is requested, the wireless control signal including a first signal portion and a second signal portion; and

a receiver for receiving the wireless control signal;

wherein the transmitter transmits the first signal portion at a first frequency deviation and transmits the second signal portion at a second frequency deviation level when a range-limited function is requested.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter transmits the first and second signal portions at the first frequency deviation level when the command signal is not indicative of a range-limited function.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first frequency deviation level provides greater receiver sensitivity than the second frequency deviation level.

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

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver is disposed on a motor vehicle and the transmitter is a remote keyless entry fob.

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

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

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a transmitter input device for generating a command signal; and

a transmitter controller for determining whether a range-limited function is requested based on the command signal, the transmitter being electronically coupled to the input device and the transmitter.

9. A method of controlling a function, the method comprising:

generating a wireless control signal with a transmitter, the wireless control signal having first and second signal portions;

transmitting the first signal portion at a first frequency deviation level;

transmitting the second signal portion at the first frequency deviation level when a range-limited function is not requested;

transmitting the second signal portion at a second frequency deviation level when a range-limited function is requested; and

performing the function if a receiver detects and successfully decodes the first and second signal portions.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first frequency deviation level provides greater receiver sensitivity than the second frequency deviation level.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the transmitter generates the wireless control signal using a single power level.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the first signal segment is transmitted before the second signal segment.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the transmitter is an active remote keyless entry fob.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the transmitter is a passive remote keyless entry fob.

15. A method of controlling a vehicle function with a remote keyless entry system having a receiver disposed on a vehicle and a remote keyless entry fob having a transmitter and first and second input devices, the method comprising:

actuating at least one of the first and second input devices;

transmitting a first wireless control signal at a first frequency deviation level with the transmitter when the first input device is actuated;

transmitting a second wireless control signal having a first signal portion and a second signal portion, wherein the first signal portion is transmitted at a first frequency deviation level and the second signal portion is transmitted at a second frequency deviation level when the second input device is actuated;

implementing a first vehicle function when the first wireless control signal is received by the receiver and successfully decoded;

implementing a second vehicle function when the second wireless control signal is received by the receiver and successfully decoded;

wherein the first frequency deviation level provides greater receiver sensitivity than the second frequency deviation level.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first frequency deviation level corresponds to a maximum sensitivity of the receiver.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the second frequency deviation level corresponds to a minimum sensitivity of the receiver.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the first function includes at least one of locking a vehicle closure, closing a vehicle window, or starting a vehicle engine.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the second function includes at least one of unlocking a vehicle closure or actuating a vehicle closure.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the first signal portion is transmitted before the second signal portion.