Control system and method for controlling motor vehicle functions

• US 6,580,354 B1
• Filed: 03/14/2000
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Schweiger, Juergen, Buchner, Reiner
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalencourt, Yves
• Application Number:
  US09/525,859
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.62, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/426, 340/425.5, 340/539, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 307/10.2, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/5.62
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A system and method for controlling functions of a vehicle includes first and second electromagnetic communication devices. The first electromagnetic communication device is adapted to transmit a coded response signal. The second electromagnetic communication device is adapted to receive the coded response signal. The second electromagnetic communication device is further adapted to transmit an uncoded outgoing signal and to receive an uncoded incoming signal that is a reflection of the outgoing signal.

Claims

1. A system for controlling plural functions of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an electromagnetic transceiver adapted to be fixed with respect to the vehicle, the electromagnetic transceiver receiving a coded response signal, transmitting an uncoded outgoing signal, and receiving an uncoded incoming signal that is a reflection of the uncoded outgoing signal; and

a controller operatively interconnected with the electromagnetic transceiver, the controller verifying the coded response signal to authorize a first vehicle function and evaluating the uncoded incoming signal in connection with a second vehicle function.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electromagnetic communication device adapted to be portable with respect to the vehicle, the electromagnetic communication device transmitting the coded response signal.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic communication device is disposed in one of a key and a card.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic transceiver transmits an inquiry signal and the electromagnetic communication device transmits the coded response signal in response to receiving the inquiry signal.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the inquiry signal is coded.

6. The system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a trigger device operatively interconnected with the electromagnetic transceiver, the trigger device activating the electromagnetic transceiver to transmit the inquiry signal.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the controller operatively interconnects the trigger device to the electromagnetic transceiver.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the trigger device is adapted to be fixed with respect to the vehicle.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second vehicle function includes a plurality of functions, and the electromagnetic transceiver transmits a different uncoded outgoing signal corresponding to each of the plurality of functions.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein each of the uncoded outgoing signals are at substantially the same frequency.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second vehicle function comprises at least one of interior surveillance, vehicle immobilization, vehicle access control, collision avoidance, and parking assistance.

12. A system for controlling functions of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a first electromagnetic communication device transmitting a response signal; and

a second electromagnetic communication device receiving the response signal, transmitting an outgoing signal, and receiving an incoming signal that is a reflection of the outgoing signal.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the second electromagnetic communication device transmits an inquiry signal, and the first electromagnetic communication device transmits the response signal in reply to the inquiry signal.

14. The system according to claim 12, further comprising:

a trigger device operatively interconnected with the second electromagnetic communication device and activating the inquiry signal.

15. A method for controlling functions of a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving a coded response signal;

verifying the coded response signal to authorize a first vehicle function;

transmitting an uncoded outgoing signal;

receiving an uncoded incoming signal that is a reflection of the uncoded outgoing signal; and

evaluating the uncoded incoming signal in connection with a second vehicle function.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

providing an electromagnetic transceiver receiving the coded response signal, transmitting the uncoded outgoing signal, and receiving the uncoded incoming signal.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

providing a controller verifying the coded response signal, authorizing the first vehicle function, and evaluating the uncoded incoming signal.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

transmiting an inquiry signal provoking the coded response signal.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the transmitting the uncoded outgoing signal includes transmitting a plurality of uncoded outgoing signals, and the receiving the uncoded incoming signal includes receiving respective reflections of corresponding ones of the plurality of uncoded outgoing signals.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the evaluating the uncoded incoming signal in connection with the second vehicle function includes evaluating the respective reflections in connection with a corresponding vehicle function.