System and method for activating electromechanical systems using flexible intelligent radio frequency modules

• US 20090309714A1
• Filed: 06/11/2008
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flextronics Automotive Inc
• Original Assignee: Flextronics Automotive Inc
• Inventors: Bednarchuk, Thomas M., Grills, Reginald C., Baruco, Samuel R., Matkiwsky, Yaroslaw, Rabinovich, Victor
• Granted Patent: US 8,098,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.110
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40039 Details regarding the setting of the power status of a node according to activity on the bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40234 Local Interconnect Network LIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40273 the transportation system being a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication

Abstract

A system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle, including at least one first flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving wireless communications signals; at least one second flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving wireless communications signals from a transponder, at least one third flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for transmitting a signal when its capacitance is changed when an object is proximal to the at least one third flexible intelligent radio frequency module; at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving sounds external to the vehicle; and a vehicle bus in communication with the at least one first, second, third, and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules.

Claims

1. A system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle, comprising:

at least one first flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving wireless communications signals;

at least one second flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving wireless communications signals from a transponder,

at least one third flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for transmitting a signal when its capacitance is changed when an object is proximal to the at least one third flexible intelligent radio frequency module;

at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving sounds external to the vehicle; and

a vehicle bus in communication with the at least one first, second, third, and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules.

2. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a transponder/keyfob configured to generate a wireless communications signal in response to receiving a detection signal communicated by the at least one second flexible intelligent radio frequency module.

3. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the transponder/keyfob is further configured to generate and communicate at least one authentication code.

4. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the at least one second flexible intelligent radio frequency module is configured to transmit a low frequency signal and, in response to said transponder/keyfob being within range of the low frequency signal, receive a response signal from the transponder/keyfob of the low frequency signal.

5. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, wherein said at least one second flexible intelligent radio frequency module is further configured to activate the at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module in response to determining that a wireless communications signal has been received.

6. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module is further configured to generate and communicate a command notification signal to one or more of the at least one first, second, and third flexible intelligent radio frequency modules in response to determining a voice command, and wherein the one or more of the at least one first, second, and third flexible intelligent radio frequency modules is further configured to generate a command signal to command an electromechanical system to activate.

7. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one first, second, and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules are in communication with at least one antenna coupled to the vehicle and configured to receive wireless communications signals.

8. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module is in communication with at least one microphone.

9. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module further comprises a voice recognition system.

10. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules operate with low frequency radio frequency signals between approximately 30 kHz and 300 kHz.

11. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the second flexible intelligent radio frequency modules operate with ultrahigh radio frequency signals between approximately 300 MHz and 3,000 MHz.

12. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle bus is the vehicle'"'"'s local interconnect network.

13. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle bus comprises a communications line and at least two power lines.

14. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a control module in communication with the vehicle bus and configured to receive the wireless communication signals.

15. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one or more first, second, third, and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules control one of electromechanical devices, control sliding doors, power tailgates, power windows, remote vehicle starters, power locks, car alarms, and panic functions.

16. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 14, wherein the control module controls one of electromechanical devices, control sliding doors, power tailgates, power windows, remote vehicle starters, power locks, car alarms, and panic functions.

17. The system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one or more first, second, third, and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules is configured to:

receive a notification signal indicative of said at least one antenna receiving a wireless communication signal;

receive voice signals representative of a voice command to activate an electromechanical system;

determine voice command received;

generate a command signal based on the voice command; and

communicate the command signal to the electromechanical system to cause the electromechanical system to activate.

18. A method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle, comprising:

determining that a first flexible intelligent radio frequency module has received a message from a second flexible intelligent radio frequency module via a vehicle bus;

determining that a transponder/keyfob has entered a radio frequency field at one or more of the first and second flexible intelligent radio frequency modules;

responsive to one of determining that a first flexible intelligent radio frequency module has received a message and determining that a transponder/keyfob has entered a radio frequency field, activating a capacitive sensing system; and

responsive to determining that a user is locally external to a capacitive sensor of the capacitive sensing system, transmitting a command message on the vehicle bus to activate an electromechanical system of the vehicle.

19. The method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 18, wherein the activating a capacitive sensing system further comprises:

activating at least one capacitive sensor in communication with the vehicle bus.

20. The method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 18, wherein an electromechanical system comprises:

electromechanical devices, control sliding doors, power tailgates, power windows, remote vehicle starters, power locks, car alarms, and panic functions.

21. The method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 18, wherein the determining that a transponder/keyfob has entered a radio frequency field comprises:

determining whether a remote keyless entry signal has entered the radio frequency field.

22. A method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle, comprising:

determining that a first flexible intelligent radio frequency module has received a message from a second flexible intelligent radio frequency module via a vehicle bus;

responsive to determining that a first flexible intelligent radio frequency module has received a message, activating a capacitive sensing system; and

responsive to determining that a user is locally external to a capacitive sensor of the capacitive sensing system, transmitting a command message on the vehicle bus to activate an electromechanical system of the vehicle.

23. The method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 22, wherein the activating a capacitive sensing system further comprises:

activating at least one capacitive sensor in communication with the vehicle bus.

24. The method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 22, wherein an electromechanical system comprises:

electromechanical devices, control sliding doors, power tailgates, power windows, remote vehicle starters, power locks, car alarms, and panic functions.

25. A method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle, comprising:

determining that a first flexible intelligent radio frequency module has received a message from a second flexible intelligent radio frequency module via a vehicle bus;

determining that a transponder/keyfob has entered a radio frequency field at one or more of the first and second flexible intelligent radio frequency modules;

responsive to one of determining that a first flexible intelligent radio frequency module has received a message and determining that a transponder/keyfob has entered a radio frequency field, activating a voice activation system; and

responsive to receiving a voice command locally external to the vehicle, transmitting a command message on the vehicle bus to activate an electromechanical system of the vehicle.

26. The method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 25, wherein determining that the user is locally external to the vehicle comprises:

transmitting an RF signal from the vehicle; and

receiving a response signal indicative of a user being within an antenna pattern.

27. The method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 26, wherein receiving the response signal comprises:

receiving at least one authentication code.

28. The method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 25, wherein determining that a user is locally external to the vehicle comprises:

receiving an RF signal from a passive transponder/keyfob.

29. The method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle of claim 25, further comprising:

multiplexing sound signals from a plurality of microphones configured to receive sounds external to the vehicle.

30. A vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle body,

at least one first flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving wireless communications signals;

at least one second flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving wireless communications signals from a transponder;

at least one third flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for transmitting a signal when its capacitance is changed when an object is proximal to the at least one the flexible intelligent radio frequency module;

at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving sounds external to the vehicle; and

a vehicle bus in communication with the at least one first, second, third, and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules.

31. The vehicle of claim 30, further comprising:

a transponder/keyfob configured to generate a wireless communications signal in response to receiving a detection signal communicated by the at least one second flexible intelligent radio frequency module.

32. The vehicle of claim 31, wherein the transponder/keyfob is further configured to generate and communicate at least one authentication code.

33. The vehicle of claim 31, wherein the at least one second flexible intelligent radio frequency module is configured to transmit a low frequency signal and, in response to said transponder/keyfob being within range of the low frequency signal, receive a response signal from the transponder/keyfob of the low frequency signal.

34. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein said at least one second flexible intelligent radio frequency module is further configured to activate the at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module in response to determining that a wireless communications signal has been received.

35. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module is further configured to generate and communicate a command notification signal to one or more of the at least one first, second, and third flexible intelligent radio frequency modules in response to determining a voice command, and wherein the one or more of the at least one first, second, and third flexible intelligent radio frequency modules is further configured to generate a command signal to command an electromechanical system to activate.

36. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the at least one first, second, and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules are in communication with at least one antenna coupled to the vehicle and configured to receive wireless communications signals.

37. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module is in communication with at least one microphone.

38. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module further comprises a voice recognition system.

39. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the first and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules operate with low frequency radio frequency signals between approximately 30 kHz and 300 kHz.

40. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the second flexible intelligent radio frequency modules operate with ultrahigh radio frequency signals between approximately 300 MHz and 3,000 MHz.

41. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the vehicle bus is the vehicle'"'"'s local interconnect network.

42. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the vehicle bus comprises a communications line and at least two power lines.

43. The vehicle of claim 30, further comprising:

a control module in communication with the vehicle bus and configured to receive the wireless communication signals.

44. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein one or more of the at least one or more first, second, third, and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules control one of electromechanical devices, control sliding doors, power tailgates, power windows, remote vehicle starters, power locks, car alarms, and panic functions.

45. The vehicle of claim 43, wherein the control module controls one of electromechanical devices, control sliding doors, power tailgates, power windows, remote vehicle starters, power locks, car alarms, and panic functions.

46. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein one or more of the at least one or more first, second, third, and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules is configured to:

receive a notification signal indicative of said at least one antenna receiving a wireless communication signal;

receive voice signals representative of a voice command to activate an electromechanical system;

determine voice command received;

generate a command signal based on the voice command; and

communicate the command signal to the electromechanical system to cause the electromechanical system to activate.