Adaptive power keyless fob
First Claim
1. A method of activating vehicle control functions from a remote entry device incorporating a remote key less entry controller to control activation of vehicle control functions, the method comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a vehicle function control signal from a remote entry device to the controller at a first transmitter power level;
determining the distance between the controller and the remote entry device;
in response to the determined distance, adjusting the transmitter power level to the minimum power level required to support communication between the remote entry device and the controller.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for remotely activating vehicle control functions using a controller mounted in a vehicle and a remote keyless entry device having transmitter, a power source and at least one activatable input member corresponding to a vehicle control function. In response activation of an input member, a remote keyless entry control transmits a vehicle control function signal to the controller at a first transmitter power level. The control determines the distance between the controller and the remote keyless entry device and adjusts the transmitter power level to the minimum power level required to support communication between the controller and the remote keyless entry device. In one aspect, the control, in response to the absence of the return signal from the controller of predetermined signal strength, increases the transmitter power magnitude to a second power magnitude and retransmits the control signal. In an other aspect, the control generates the first control signal at a first high power level and decreases the power level in proportion to the magnitude of the return signal received from the controller.
69 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of activating vehicle control functions from a remote entry device incorporating a remote key less entry controller to control activation of vehicle control functions, the method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a vehicle function control signal from a remote entry device to the controller at a first transmitter power level; determining the distance between the controller and the remote entry device; in response to the determined distance, adjusting the transmitter power level to the minimum power level required to support communication between the remote entry device and the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vehicle remote keyless entry apparatus for activating vehicle control
functions from a remote entry device incorporating a remote key less entry controller to control activation of vehicle control functions comprising: -
means for transmitting a vehicle function control signal from a remote entry device to the controller at a first transmitter power level; determining the distance between the controller and the remote entry device; and in response to the determined distance, adjusting the transmitter power level to the minimum power level required to support communication between the remote entry device and the controller.
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10. A vehicle remote keyless entry apparatus comprising:
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a remote keyless entry control adapted to be mounted in a vehicle to convert wireless signals from a remote entry device to actuation of vehicle control function; a transmitter and receiver coupled to the control; a remote keyless entry device having a transmitter and a receiver; at least one input member carried on the remote entry device for causing the remote keyless entry device to generate a control signal corresponding to a vehicle control function corresponding to at least one input member; a power source carried in the remote keyless entry device for providing power to the transmitter to transmit signals to the controller, the power source providing selectable transmitter power magnitudes; a control in the remote keyless entry device selecting a first power magnitude from the power source for the remote keyless entry device control upon activation of at least one input member; and the remote keyless entry device control operating to adjust the transmitter power level to the minimum power level required to support communication between the remote keyless entry device and the controller. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification