AUTOMOTIVE PASSIVE ENTRY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME

• US 20090243795A1
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Ghabra, Riad, Tarmoom, Ehab
• Application Number:
  US12/056,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20090243795A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.720
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/246 characterised by the challenge triggering

Abstract

A passive start and entry (PASE) system includes a PASE module and a token. The token includes a display. The PASE module generates a low frequency wake-up signal and a high frequency challenge signal for the token in response to a triggering event. The token ignores the wake-up signal if the display is on. The token may turn the display off in response to receiving the low frequency wake-up signal. The token may also turn the display off in response to receiving the high frequency challenge signal.

Claims

1. A passive entry system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a control unit being configured to broadcast a wake-up signal at a first frequency to prompt a token to power-up if the token is in a low-power consumption mode; and

a token, including a display, being configured to receive the wake-up signal and to deactivate the display if the display is active in response to receiving the wake-up signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the control unit is further configured to broadcast another wake-up signal at the first frequency if a reply to the wake-up signal is not received within a predetermined period of time.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the token is further configured to ignore the wake-up signal if the display is active.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the token is further configured to broadcast a retry signal after receiving the wake-up signal to prompt the control unit to broadcast another wake-up signal at the first frequency.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the control unit is further configured to receive the retry signal and to broadcast another wake-up signal at the first frequency in response to receiving the retry signal.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the token is further configured to re-activate the display after receiving the another wake-up signal.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the token is further configured to measure a field strength of the another wake-up signal and to generate a response signal that includes information indicative of the measured field strength.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first frequency comprises a frequency in the range of 3 to 300 KHz and the second frequency comprises a frequency in the range of 300 MHZ to 3 GHz.

9. A method of operating a token of a passive entry system, the token including a display, the method comprising:

receiving a high frequency challenge signal to validate the token;

determining if the display is on; and

turning the display off in response to receiving the high frequency challenge signal if the display is on.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising generating a retry signal to prompt a control unit to send a wake-up signal.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising receiving the another wake-up signal.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising turning the display on after receiving the another wake-up signal.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising measuring a field strength of the another wake-up signal.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising generating a response signal that includes information indicative of the measured field strength.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising receiving a low frequency wake-up signal to prompt the token to power-up if the token is in a low-power consumption mode and ignoring the low frequency wake-up signal if the display is active.

16. A method of operating a passive entry system including a control module and token, the token including a display, the method comprising:

generating a display deactivation signal to prompt the token to deactivate the display; and

generating a wake-up signal to prompt the token to power-up if the token is in a low-power consumption mode.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising generating another wake-up signal if a reply to the wake-up signal is not received within a predetermined period of time.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising receiving a retry signal, generating another wake-up signal in response to receiving the retry signal, and receiving a response signal including information indicative of a measured field strength of the another wake-up signal.