Remote control transmitter broadcasting RF signals conveying plural information components

• US 5,933,074 A
• Filed: 06/23/1998
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation EEDS and Interiors Incorporated (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
• Inventors: Kulha, Steven, Settles, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIEU, JULIE BICHNGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/103,017
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/539, 340/825.31, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.49, 340/825.73, 340/825.74, 340/825.76, 455/101, 455/102, 455/103, 455/104, 455/150.1, 455/151.1, 455/151.2, 455/152.1, 455/151.4
• US Class Current: 340/426.17
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00222 by more than one push button
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00587 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity

Abstract

A unique transmitter broadcasting a single RF (radio frequency) signal in response to a single input for controlling a plurality of electrical vehicle accessories. To control the plurality of accessories, the RF signal conveys multiple information components. In a preferred embodiment, the transmitter operates in conjunction with a RF receiver installed in a vehicle to unlock the doors of the vehicle when a unique RF signal is broadcast within a defined range and actuate the horn of the vehicle when the same RF signal is broadcast outside of the defined range.

Claims

1. A remote control transmitter and receiver combination comprising:

a power source;

an input switch for producing one input signal;

a transmitter circuit responsive to said one input signal for transmitting a first radio frequency signal component at a first power and for transmitting a second radio frequency signal component at a lower power; and

a receiver for receiving said first and second signal components, said receiver actuating a first accessory when receiving only said first signal component, and actuating a second accessory when receiving a combination of said first and second signal components.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first power transmits said first signal component a first predetermined distance and said lower power transmits said second signal componenet a shorter second predetermined distance.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said transmitter circuit includes a first resistor for establishing said first predetermined distance and a second resistor for establishing said second predetermined distance.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first signal component is transmitted upon initial actuation of said switch, and said second signal component is transmitted after a period of time has elapsed.

5. A remotely controlled door lock system for a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle having doors and door locks, said vehicle including an accessory;

a portable transmitter for transmitting a first radio frequency signal component a first predetermined distance and for transmitting a second radio frequency signal component a second predetermined distance less than said first predetermined distance;

a receiver for receiving said radio frequency signal components and for actuating said door locks and said accessory; and

said accessory being actuated in response to said first radio frequency signal component and said door locks being actuated in response to the combination of said first and second radio frequency signal components.

6. A remotely controlled door lock system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said transmitter includes a transmitter circuit having a first resistor for establishing said first predetermined distance and a second resistor for establishing said second predetermined distance.

7. A remotely controlled door lock system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said transmitter circuit includes a micro-controller for receiving one input signal and for producing a first output signal component electrically connected to said first resistor of said transmitter circuit and a second output signal component electrically connected to said second resistor of said transmitter circuit.

8. A remotely controlled door lock system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said accessory consists a horn.

9. A system comprising:

a remote control transmitter having a single input switch for broadcasting at least two radio frequency signal components at different powers; and

a radio frequency receiver for controlling at least two devices, said receiver receiving and identifying each of said radio frequency signal components and actuating a corresponding one of said at least two devices in response to each of said radio frequency signal components.

10. A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said transmitter broadcasts one of said radio frequency signal components a first predetermined distance and the other of said radio frequency signal components a second predetermined distance less than said first predetermined distance.

11. A system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said transmitter includes a transmitter circuit having a first resistor for establishing said first predetermined distance and a second resistor for establishing said second predetermined distance.

12. A system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said transmitter circuit includes a micro-controller for receiving one input signal from said input switch and for producing a first output signal component electrically connected to said first resistor of said transmitter circuit and a second output signal component electrically connected to said second resistor of said transmitter circuit.