Vehicle seating system capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals

• US 6,812,900 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2001
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Nantz, John S., Ghabra, Riad, King, Ronald O., Tang, Qingfeng, Khreizat, Salman
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEN, SHIH CHAO
• Application Number:
  US10/039,365
• Publication Number:
  US 20030085799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/711, 343/712, 343/713, 340/445, 340/572
• US Class Current: 343/713
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/325 characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle seating system responsive to radio frequency (RF) signals is positioned within a vehicle passenger compartment. The system includes a module disposed within a headrest of the seat for receiving RF signals. The seat is separated from an interior boundary that defines the vehicle passenger compartment.

Claims

1. A vehicular seating system responsive to radio frequency (RF) signals, the system comprising:

a vehicle passenger compartment defined by an interior boundary;

a seat disposed within the passenger compartment, the seat having a seat back separated from the interior boundary;

a head rest extending from the seat back; and

a module centrally disposed within the headrest for receiving RF signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the RF signals originate from a source outside of the passenger compartment.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the module is further operative to transmit RF signals to a destination outside the passenger compartment.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the RF signals originate from a control source.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the control source is a remote keyless entry device (RKE).

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the RF signals originate from an information source.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the information source is a tire monitoring device.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for a vehicle control system to communicate with the module in response to the received signals.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the module is supported and positioned within the headrest by foam, the module separated from an outer covering material of the headrest.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the module is supported within the headrest by a cross member within the headrest, the module separated from an outer covering material of the headrest.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the seat is a front seat.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the headrest is located above a definable metallic plane comprising vehicle door panels.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the headrest is substantially clear of interference from any substantial metallic object within the passenger compartment.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the module comprises an antenna.

15. A vehicle seating system for receiving RF signals, the seating system comprising:

a seat back portion;

a headrest portion extendable from the seat back portion, the headrest portion having an interior compartment; and

an antenna centrally disposed within the interior compartment for receiving RF signals.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the seat back portion is for a vehicle seat not forming any portion of an interior boundary of a vehicle passenger compartment.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the antenna is operative to transmit RF signals.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the antenna is separated from an outer surface of the headrest.

19. A remote keyless entry (RKE) system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

an RKE device for transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals;

a front vehicle seat having a headrest;

an antenna centrally disposed within the headrest, the antenna capable of receiving RE signals from the RKE device; and

a control system in communication with the antenna, the control system responsive to the RKE signals.

20. The RKE system of claim 19, wherein the antenna is separated from an outer surface of the headrest.