Dual function radio frequency remote control system for a motor vehicle

• US 6,512,462 B1
• Filed: 09/25/1997
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valeo Electronique
• Original Assignee: Valeo Electronique
• Inventors: Robineau, José
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Application Number:
  US08/937,512
• Time in Patent Office: 1,951 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 340/825.04, 340/539, 340/426, 341/176, 455/95, 455/99
• US Class Current: 340/12.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/482 for locating vehicle in parking lot
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00198 the keyless data carrier having more than one limited data transmission ranges
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A dual function radio frequency remote control system has a dual function portable emitter, and a receiver carried on a motor vehicle. The signal emitted by the emitter contains a function code in at least two parts at different power levels, and the receiver is adapted to control at least two functions of the vehicle selectively according to the power level of the received signal. If the receiver identifies both parts of the function code, the doors are unlocked. If only one part is received the doors are not unlocked, but the courtesy light or flashing indicators are switched on to enable the vehicle to be located.

Claims

1. A method of performing a dual function radio frequency remote control operation for a motor vehicle having a remote control system with a receiver and a remote emitter, the method comprising:

causing the emitter to emit a signal having a function code in at least two parts at different power levels;

receiving the signal by means of the receiver; and

selectively commanding functions of the vehicle according to the power level of said parts of the function code in the signal received by the receiver.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of selectively commanding vehicle functions comprises:

selecting between said functions according to the parts of the function code that are present in the received signal; and

commanding said functions.

3. A method according to claim 2, for a vehicle having doors, first function means for effecting a vehicle function by automatically locking and unlocking the doors, and at least one second function means for effecting at least one further function enabling the vehicle to be located, and

wherein, if the receiver identifies each of the parts of the function code in the received signal, the receiver activates the first function means to unlock the doors, but wherein, if the receiver identifies only one said part in the received signal, the receiver fails to activate the first function means but activates the second function means.

4. A dual function radio frequency remote control system comprising:

a portable dual function emitter; and

a receiver carried by a motor vehicle;

wherein the emitter includes means for emitting a signal having a function code in at least two parts at different power levels, and the receiver includes means for selectively controlling functions of the vehicle according to the power level of such of said parts as may be present in the signal as received by the receiver.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the selective control means of the receiver selects the functions according to which, if any, of the parts of the function code are present in the signal as received by the receiver.

6. A system according to claim 4, for a vehicle having at least one door, first function means connected to the receiver for automatically locking and unlocking said door, and second function means connected to the receiver for enabling the vehicle to be located,

wherein the selective control means of the receiver activates said first function means, and to cause said unlocking to take place, if the receiver identifies each of the parts of the function code in the received signal,

the selective control means activating said second function means if only one said part of the function code is present in the received signal.

7. An emitter for a system according to claim 4, including means for emitting a signal having a function code in at least two parts at different power levels.

8. A receiver for a system according to claim 4, including means for selectively controlling different functions of the vehicle according to the power level present in the signal received by the receiver.

9. A motor vehicle equipped with a remote control system according to claim 4.

10. A method comprising:

emitting a control signal having a function code with at least two parts, each part being at a different power level;

receiving the signal; and

actuating selectively at least two functions according to the power level of the parts of the function code received.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the function code has two parts;

and wherein the step of actuating selectively at least two functions comprises;

actuating a first function when two parts of the function code are received;

actuating a second function when one part of the function code is received.

12. A method according to claim 11, for remotely controlling at least two functions of a motor vehicle, wherein the first function is indicating the location of the motor vehicle, and the second function is unlocking an at least one door.

13. A device comprising:

an emitter configured to emit a signal having a function code in at least two parts, each part being at a different power level;

a receiver configured to receive the signal; and

a controller for selectively actuating at least two functions according to the power level of the parts of the function code received by the receiver.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the controller actuates functions corresponding to the parts of the function code received, regardless of signal power level.

15. A motor vehicle equipped with a device according to claim 13.

16. A motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the controller is for unlocking an at least one door and for enabling the vehicle to be located, and

wherein the controller unlocks the at least one door only when at least two parts of the function code are received, and actuates vehicle locating means when one part of the function code is received.

17. A motor vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle locating means is a courtesy light of the vehicle.

18. A motor vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle locating means is a flashing indicator of the vehicle.

19. A motor vehicle equipped with a device according to claim 13;

wherein the controller actuates functions corresponding to the parts of the function code received, regardless of signal power level;

wherein the controller unlocks the at least one door only when at least two parts of the function code are received, and actuates a courtesy light of the vehicle when one part of the function code is received.

20. A method comprising:

in response to a single user activation, emitting from a dual function radio frequency remote controller a single transmission having a high power part and a low power part; and

receiving the transmission at a motor vehicle and selectively commanding a plurality of functions of the vehicle according to the power level of the parts of the transmission received.