Apparatus and method for remote convenience function control with increased effective receiver seek time and reduced power consumption
First Claim
1. A remote convenience system for remote control of a function, said system comprising:
- a portable, actuatable transmitter for requesting performance of a remote control function; and
a receiver/controller for causing performance of the requested function, within a response period of predetermined duration that begins upon transmitter actuation, in response to a received function request;
said transmitter including means for transmitting signals conveying a function request during first portions of repeating, predetermined duration, request periods and for idling during second portions of the request periods;
said receiver/controller including receiver means having an ON state for detecting and receiving transmitted signals and an OFF state, and power control means for maintaining said receiver means in the OFF state for a first portion of a repeating, predetermined duration, power-save period and for cycling said receiver means between the ON and OFF states in a sequence for a second portion of the power-save period such that said receiver means is eventually in the ON state during one of the first portions of one of the request periods of said transmitter and that one of the transmitted signal is detected, and said power control means for maintaining said receiver means in the ON state once said receiver means detects a signal such that a next subsequent signal is received and the requested function performed within the response time period.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A remote convenience system (10), via an associated method, causes remote control performance of a function. A portable, actuatable transmitter (14) of the system (10) transmits signals (16) that convey a function request during first portions of repeating, predetermined duration, request periods, and idles during second portions of the request periods. A receiver/controller (18) of the system (10) performs the requested function, within a response period of predetermined duration that begins upon transmitter actuation, in response to a received function request. Within the receiver/controller (18), power control circuitry (62) maintains receive circuitry (56) in a power OFF state for a first portion of a repeating, predetermined duration, power-save period, and cycles the power ON and OFF in a sequence for a second portion of the power-save period such that the receive circuitry (56) is eventually in the power ON state during one of the first portions of one of the request periods and such that one of the transmitted signals (16) is detected. The power control circuitry (62) maintains the power ON once the signal is detected to receive a next subsequent signal (16).
117 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A remote convenience system for remote control of a function, said system comprising:
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a portable, actuatable transmitter for requesting performance of a remote control function; and
a receiver/controller for causing performance of the requested function, within a response period of predetermined duration that begins upon transmitter actuation, in response to a received function request;
said transmitter including means for transmitting signals conveying a function request during first portions of repeating, predetermined duration, request periods and for idling during second portions of the request periods;
said receiver/controller including receiver means having an ON state for detecting and receiving transmitted signals and an OFF state, and power control means for maintaining said receiver means in the OFF state for a first portion of a repeating, predetermined duration, power-save period and for cycling said receiver means between the ON and OFF states in a sequence for a second portion of the power-save period such that said receiver means is eventually in the ON state during one of the first portions of one of the request periods of said transmitter and that one of the transmitted signal is detected, and said power control means for maintaining said receiver means in the ON state once said receiver means detects a signal such that a next subsequent signal is received and the requested function performed within the response time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of remotely controlling a remote convenience function, said method comprising:
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remotely requesting performance of a remote control function, including transmitting signals conveying a function request during first portions of repeating, predetermined duration, request periods and idling during second portions of the request periods;
maintaining a receiver means in a power OFF state for a first, predetermined portion of a repeating, predetermined duration, power-save period;
cycling the power of the receiver means ON and OFF in a sequence for a second, predetermined portion of the power-save period such that the power of the receiver means is eventually in the ON during one of the first portions of one of the request periods;
detecting the presence of a signal when the power of the receiver means is eventually cycled ON during one of the first portions of one of the request periods;
maintaining the power of the receiver means ON in response to the detection, such that a next subsequent signal is received; and
causing performance of the requested function within a predetermined duration response period that begins upon the beginning of the signal transmission. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification