Portable unit locating system and method
First Claim
1. A system that allows two-way communication between a portable unit and an in-vehicle unit in a manner that the portable unit transmits a response signal including an ID code in response to a request signal transmitted from the in-vehicle unit, so that the in-vehicle unit receives the response signal from the portable unit, performs a comparison between the ID code included in the response signal and a pre-registered code, and controls vehicle equipment in accordance with a comparison result,wherein the in-vehicle unit comprises:
- transmitter means that transmits the request signal in a vehicle compartment; and
receiver means that receives the response signal from the portable unit, characterized by further comprising;
output varying means for varying an output level of the request signal transmitted from the transmitter means;
specifying means for specifying a location of the portable unit in the compartment based on changes in receptions of the response signal transmitted in response to the request signal of varying output level; and
notifying means for notifying the location of the portable unit specified by the specifying means.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable unit locating system is incorporated in a vehicle equipment control system including a portable unit and an in-vehicle unit, which communicate each other for controlling vehicle equipment such as doors. The in-vehicle unit includes inside transmitters, a receiver, a comparison ECU and a display. The transmitters transmit respective request signals in a vehicle compartment. The comparison ECU determines whether any response signal has been received from the portable unit in response the request signals, while gradually varying output levels of the request signals. The comparison ECU then specifies a location of the portable unit based on a change in determination results. The display visually or audibly notifies the specified location of the portable unit to a vehicle user.
12 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A system that allows two-way communication between a portable unit and an in-vehicle unit in a manner that the portable unit transmits a response signal including an ID code in response to a request signal transmitted from the in-vehicle unit, so that the in-vehicle unit receives the response signal from the portable unit, performs a comparison between the ID code included in the response signal and a pre-registered code, and controls vehicle equipment in accordance with a comparison result,
wherein the in-vehicle unit comprises: -
transmitter means that transmits the request signal in a vehicle compartment; and receiver means that receives the response signal from the portable unit, characterized by further comprising; output varying means for varying an output level of the request signal transmitted from the transmitter means; specifying means for specifying a location of the portable unit in the compartment based on changes in receptions of the response signal transmitted in response to the request signal of varying output level; and notifying means for notifying the location of the portable unit specified by the specifying means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for locating a portable unit in a compartment of a vehicle, the portable unit being carried by a vehicle user and capable of communication with an in-vehicle unit for controlling vehicle equipment, the method comprising:
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transmitting, by the in-vehicle unit, a request signal in a vehicle compartment; determining, by the in-vehicle unit, whether a response signal has been received from the portable unit in response the request signal; specifying, by the in-vehicle unit, a location of the portable unit based on a change in determination result of the determining; and notifying, by the in-vehicle unit, a specified location of the portable unit in the compartment, characterized by varying, by the in-vehicle unit, an output level of the request signal gradually until the response signal is determined to have been received. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification