System and method for remote convenience function control utilizing near isotropic receiving antenna system

• US 6,532,359 B1
• Filed: 02/23/1999
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Lin, Xing Ping
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRAVER, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US09/256,498
• Time in Patent Office: 1,477 Days
• Field of Search: 455/73, 455/66, 455/92, 455/101, 455/133, 455/134, 455/135, 455/136, 455/132, 455/140, 455/143, 455/151.4, 455/161.3, 455/279.1, 455/280, 340/825.69, 340/825.72
• US Class Current: 455/277.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0811 during preamble or gap period
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0834 based on external parameters, e.g. subscriber speed or location

Abstract

A remote convenience system (10) and an associated method provide for remote control a convenience function. A portable transmitter unit (12) is operable for remote function requests. The transmitter unit (12) includes circuitry (32) for transmitting a signal (18) that conveys a remote function request. A receiver/controller unit (14) receives the transmitted signal (18) and causes performance of the remotely requested function. The receiver/controller unit (14) includes a plurality of antennae (52), each for picking-up the transmitted signal (18) and outputting an electrical signal that conveys the remote function request. Each of the antennae (52) is configured to have an ability to pick-up the transmitted signal (18) that is dependent upon direction from the receiver/controller unit (14) to the transmitter unit (12). The ability of each of the antennae (52) is different from the ability of the other antennae. A control portion (48) determines which one of the antennae (52) has a better ability to pick-up the transmitted signal. The electrical signal from the one antenna with the better ability is used to determine the remotely requested function.

Claims

1. A receiver/controller apparatus for a remote convenience system, said apparatus being responsive to a remote convenience function request conveyed via an electromagnetic signal transmitted from a portable transmitter for controlling performance of an associated function, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of antenna means, each having a reception pattern oriented in a different direction, for picking-up the electromagnetic signal and for outputting a respective, electrical antenna-output signal, a strength of the respective antenna-output signal being related to the position of the transmitter with respect to the associated reception pattern orientation direction;

receive circuitry means for processing one of the antenna-output signals and for outputting an electrical signal conveying the function request in response to the processing of the one antenna-output signal; and

signal selection means for determining which antenna-output signal has a greater strength and for causing said receive circuitry means to process the antenna-output signal having the greater strength;

said signal selection means includes means for comparing amplitude values of antenna-output signals, said signal selection means includes means for controlling the antenna-output signals to determine an amplitude value for only one antenna-output signal at a time, said signal selection means includes memory means for holding amplitude values for later comparison.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said signal selection means includes a plurality of switch means, interposed between said plurality of antenna means and said receive circuitry means, for controlling the antenna-output signals such that only one output signal at a time is provided to said receive circuitry means.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including timer means for providing a time period used in control of said switch means such that all antenna-output signals are eventually provided to said receive circuitry means during a certain portion of the transmitted signal.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the transmitted signal includes a start portion and a function request portion, the certain portion of the transmitted signal is the start portion.