Remote control device

• US 6,567,012 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2000
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Matsubara, Manabu, Yoshimura, Minoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam V
• Application Number:
  US09/548,348
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.72, 340/5.62, 340/5.63, 340/5.72, 340/825.69, 340/825.74, 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/825.76
• US Class Current: 340/12.28
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code

Abstract

A transmission code 15 consisting of a transmitter ID code 16 and a operation switch control code 17 is transmitted through actuation of operation switches A and B of a transmitter 1. In a program mode of a receiver 4, a function selection code corresponding to the thus-received transmitter ID code is entered by utilization of courtesy switches 26 and 27 mounted on doors, and the thus-entered function selection code is set in a first memory location 37 in a rewritable manner. In an operation mode of the receiver 4, when a match exists between the transmitter ID code transmitted from the transmitter 1 and the contents of the first memory location 37, a function selection code is read. Operation information corresponding to the control code is read from the second memory location 38, and the operations of the lock mechanisms 5, 6, and 7 are controlled on the basis of the operation information.

Claims

1. A remote control device for controlling a plurality of operations in a multifunction system, the device comprising:

a transmitter having an operation switch, the transmitter for transmitting a transmission code including a transmitter ID code unique to the transmitter and a control code assigned to the operation switch or corresponding to an operation of the operation switch; and

a receiver for receiving the transmission code, the receiver comprising;

first memory means for storing the transmitter ID code and one of a plurality function selection codes corresponding to the transmitter ID code;

second memory means for correspondingly and previously setting and storing the control code and operation information to be remotely controlled for each of the plurality of function selection codes, in which the operation information corresponding to the control code differs for each of the plurality of function selection codes;

function selection code input means for inputting the function selection code;

mode setting means for setting the receiver to one of a program mode and an operation mode; and

receiving control means for controlling the plurality of operations in response to a signal output from the mode setting means,

wherein, during the program mode, the receiving control means stores in the first memory means the function selection code input by the function selection code input means to correspond to the transmitter ID code received; and

wherein, during the operation mode, when the transmitter ID code included in the transmission code received corresponds with the transmitter ID code stored in the first memory means,

the receiving control means reads from the first memory means the function selection code corresponding to the transmitter ID code;

the receiving control means reads from the second memory means the operation information corresponding to the received control code of the function selection code read from the first memory means; and

the receiving control means performs an operation based on the operation information read from the second memory means.

2. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises a plurality of operation switches, and a plurality of control codes respectively allocated to the plurality of operation switches are transmitted.

3. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits the control code corresponding to an operation of the operation switch or corresponding to a time during which the operation switch is operated or the number of times that the operation switch is operated.

4. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises a plurality of operation switches and the transmitter transmits the control code corresponding to one of combinations of the operation switches operated simultaneously.

5. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises a plurality of operation switches, the transmitter transmits the control code corresponding to one or combinations of the plurality of operation switches operated simultaneously and corresponding to a time during which the operation switches are operated or the number of times that the operation switches are operated.

6. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function selection code input means comprises:

detection means for detecting an operation of an object to be operated by an operator and to be provided in a vehicle in advance; and

count output means for counting the number of signals output from the detection means within a predetermined code input time and outputting a count result as the function selection code.

7. The remote control device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the detection means for detecting the operation of the object to be operated corresponds to one selected from the group consisting of:

a courtesy switch for detecting the opening and closing action of a vehicle door;

an ignition switch for applying power to an ignition circuit of a spark ignition internal combustion engine;

a lock switch for detecting that a door lock mechanism has been locked or unlocked;

a switch for detecting the orientation of angular displacement of a removable key which is subjected to angular displacement in accordance with the locking/unlocking operation of the lock mechanism;

a brake switch for detecting pressing of a vehicle brake pedal; and

a switch to be operated in order to illuminate/extinguish vehicle light.

8. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function selection code input means detects an operation of the mode setting means switchably setting one of the program mode and the operation mode, and the function selection means outputs the function selection code corresponding to the operation detected.

9. The remote control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function selection code input means outputs the function selection code corresponding to the transmission code transmitted from the transmitter when the receiver is in the program mode.

10. A remote control device for controlling a plurality of control operations in a multifunction system, the device comprising:

a transmitter having an operation switch, the transmitter for transmitting a transmission code including a transmitter ID code unique to the transmitter and a control code corresponding to the operation of the operation switch; and

a receiver for receiving the transmission code, wherein the receiver comprises;

first memory means for storing the transmitter ID code and a function selection code assigned to the transmitter ID code;

second memory means for correspondingly and previously setting and storing the control code, a transmission mode of the transmission code and operation information to be remotely controlled for each of the plurality of function selection codes, in which the operation information corresponding to the control code differs for each of the plurality of function selection codes;

function selection code input means for inputting the function selection code;

measurement means for measuring the transmission mode of the transmission code;

mode setting means for setting the receiver to one of a program mode and an operation mode; and

receiving control means for controlling the plurality of operations in response to a signal output from the mode setting means,

wherein, during the program mode, the receiving control means stores in the first memory means the function selection code input by the function selection code input means to correspond the transmitter ID code received; and

wherein, during the operation mode, when the transmitter ID code included in the transmission code received corresponds with the transmitter ID code stored in the first memory means,

the receiving control means reads from the first memory means the function selection code corresponding to the transmitter ID code;

the receiving control means reads from the second memory means the operation information corresponding to the received control code of the function selection code read from the first memory means and corresponding to the transmission mode measured by the measuring means; and

the receiving control means performs an operation based on the operation information read from the second memory means.

11. The remote control device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the transmission mode of the transmission code corresponds to a time during which the transmission code is transmitted or the number of times that the transmission code is transmitted.

12. The remote control device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the transmitter comprises a plurality of operation switches, the transmitter transmits the control code assigned to each of the plurality of operation switches.

13. The remote control device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the transmitter comprises a plurality of operation switches, and the transmitter transmits a control code corresponding to one of combinations of the plurality of operation switches operated simultaneously.

14. A remote control device for controlling a plurality of operations in a multifunction system, the device comprising:

a transmitter having an operation switch, the transmitter for transmitting a transmission code including a transmitter ID code unique to the transmitter; and

a receiver for receiving the transmission code, wherein the receiver comprises;

first memory means for storing the transmitter ID code and a function selection code assigned to the transmitter ID code;

second memory means for correspondingly and previously setting and storing operation information to be remotely controlled and one of the duration of the transmission code and the number of times that the transmission code is received, for each of the plurality of function selection codes, in which the operation information corresponding to the one of the duration of the transmission code and the number of times differs for each of the plurality of function selection codes;

function selection input means for inputting the function selection code;

measurement means for measuring the duration of the transmission code received or the number of times the transmission code is received;

mode setting means for setting the receiver to one of a program mode and an operation mode; and

receiving control means for controlling the plurality of operations in response to a signal output from the mode setting means,

wherein, during the program mode, the receiving control means stores in the first memory means the function selection code input by the function selection code input means to correspond to the transmitter ID code received; and

wherein, during the operation mode, when the transmitter ID code included in the transmission code received corresponds with the transmitter ID code stored in the first memory means,

the receiving control means reads from the first memory means the function selection code corresponding to the transmitter ID code;

the receiving control means reads from the second memory means the operation information of the function selection code read from the first memory mean and corresponding to an output of the measurement means; and

the receiving control means performs an operation based on the operation information read from the second memory means.