Keyless passive entry system

• US 20080068128A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Maeda, Hiroyuki, Nantz, John S., Ghabra, Riad, Tang, Qingfeng
• Application Number:
  US11/513,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20080068128A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A vehicle-based communication system for a vehicle includes a vehicle-based electronic control unit disposed within an interior structure of the vehicle for passively controlling entry to the vehicle. At least a portion of the vehicle-based electronic control unit and at least a portion of the interior structure are unshielded at low electromagnetic frequencies. A housing encloses the vehicle-based electronic control unit. A transmitter is disposed within the electronic control unit for generating a wake-up signal. A single antenna is integrated within the electronic control unit for transmitting the wake-up signal to a respective portable communication device exterior of the vehicle. The wake-up signal challenges the respective portable communication device for determining a presence of the portable communication device for allowing access to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle-based communication system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

a vehicle-based electronic control unit disposed within an interior structure of said vehicle for passively controlling entry to said vehicle, at least a portion of said vehicle-based electronic control unit and at least a portion of said interior structure being unshielded at low electromagnetic frequencies;

a housing for enclosing said vehicle-based electronic control unit;

a transmitter disposed within said electronic control unit for generating a wake-up signal; and

a single antenna integrated within said electronic control unit for transmitting said wake-up signal to a respective portable communication device exterior of said vehicle, said wake-up signal challenging said respective portable communication device for determining a presence of said portable communication device for allowing access to said vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said single antenna is integrated on a printed circuit board of said electronic control unit.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said single antenna is a low frequency (LF) antenna and said wake-up signal is a LF signal.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic control unit is disposed within an interior passenger compartment of said vehicle.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said electronic control unit is disposed within a center console instrument panel.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said electronic control unit is centrally disposed within said center console instrument panel.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic control unit is disposed within said engine compartment.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic control unit is disposed with said trunk.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic control unit is disposed within a vehicle door panel.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a RF receiver coupled to said single antenna wherein said single antenna receives RF signals.

11. A passive entry system for a vehicle comprising:

a portable communication device carried by a user;

a housing mounted within said vehicle;

a vehicle-based electronic control unit mounted in said housing for communicating with said portable communication device, at least a portion of said vehicle-based electronic control unit and at least a portion of said interior structure being unshielded at low electromagnetic frequencies, said electronic control unit comprising;

a printed circuit board including a controller, transmitter, and receiver for communicating with said portable communication device; and

a single antenna integrated within said electronic control unit for broadcasting a wake-up signal to said portable communication device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said single antenna is integrated on a printed circuit board of said electronic control unit.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said single antenna is a low frequency (LF) antenna and said wake-up signal is a LF signal.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said electronic control unit is disposed within an interior passenger compartment of said vehicle.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said electronic control unit is disposed within a center console instrument panel.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said electronic control unit is centrally disposed within said center console instrument panel.

17. The system of claim 11 further comprising a RF receiver coupled to said single antenna wherein said single antenna receives RF signals.