Auto remote control with signal strength discrimination
First Claim
1. A remote control system for activating at least a first function of a vehicle, the remote control system comprising:
- a transmitter for generating and transmitting a wireless remote control signal,a receiver for receiving the wireless remote control signal, the receiver comprising a signal strength evaluation circuit for identifying the received wireless remote control signal as a valid signal of a minimum strength, and further discriminating between a stronger valid signal or a weaker valid signal,a control circuit responsive to the strength evaluation circuit for activating the first function of the vehicle, the control circuit activating the first vehicle function upon detection of a stronger valid signal but not activating the first function upon detection of a weaker valid signal.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A remote control system which determines which of at least two different vehicle functions to activate based at least in part on the strength of the received signal. In a first alternative embodiment, a strong received signal unlocks the door, whereas a weak received signal causes the engine to start. Thus, using the same signal the driver can start the engine of the vehicle while a distance from the vehicle, and subsequently unlock the door when the driver has walked near to the vehicle. In a second alternative embodiment, the signal to unlock the door is relatively weak when transmitted, whereas the signal to start the engine is relatively strong when transmitted, so that the engine can be started from a distance, but the doors can only be unlocked when the transmitter is near to the vehicle. The security of the vehicle is thereby enhanced, and the ease of use of the remote control system is increased.
91 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A remote control system for activating at least a first function of a vehicle, the remote control system comprising:
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a transmitter for generating and transmitting a wireless remote control signal, a receiver for receiving the wireless remote control signal, the receiver comprising a signal strength evaluation circuit for identifying the received wireless remote control signal as a valid signal of a minimum strength, and further discriminating between a stronger valid signal or a weaker valid signal, a control circuit responsive to the strength evaluation circuit for activating the first function of the vehicle, the control circuit activating the first vehicle function upon detection of a stronger valid signal but not activating the first function upon detection of a weaker valid signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A remote control system for activating at least a first and a second function of a vehicle, where the first function is to be activated a relatively large distance from the vehicle, but the second function is to be activated only a relatively small distance from the vehicle, the remote control system comprising:
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a transmitter for generating and transmitting a wireless remote control signal, the transmitter generating a first stronger signal to activate the first function and generating a second weaker signal to activate the second function, a receiver for receiving the wireless remote control signal, the receiver comprising a signal strength evaluation circuit for identifying the received wireless remote control signal as a valid signal of at least a minimum strength, a control circuit responsive to the strength evaluation circuit for activating the first function of the vehicle upon receipt of a valid first stronger signal from the transmitter, and activating the second function of the vehicle upon receipt of a valid second weaker signal from the transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification