RFID systems for vehicular applications

• US 7,916,008 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Nathan, John F., Maue, H. Winston
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US11/306,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20070139185A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,930 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/438, 340/457.1
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/20 using a deterministic algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/20 Wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01197 Warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems

Abstract

An indication system (10) for a vehicle (11) includes a radio frequency circuit (12) with a transponder (84) and an in-vehicle RF tagged element (18). The transponder (84) transmits a status request signal. A first radio frequency identification tag (84) is coupled to the in-vehicle RF tagged element (18). The tag (84) inductively generates a current status signal associated with the in-vehicle element (18) and in response to the status request signal. A method of tracking, identifying, and determining the presence and status of an in-vehicle RF tagged element (18) includes transmitting a status request signal. The status request signal is inductively received via multiple radio frequency identification tags (84, 86) that are associated with the in-vehicle RF tagged element (18). A current status signal is transmitted from the radio frequency identification tags (84, 86). An in-vehicle task is performed in response to the current status signal.

Claims

1. An indication system for a vehicle, said indication system comprising:

at least one in-vehicle element including at least one seat system having an associated seat belt tongue and seat belt buckle;

a first radio-frequency circuit including (i) a transponder operable to transmit a status request signal and (ii) a first radio-frequency identification tag coupled to said at least one in-vehicle element and operable to inductively generate a first status signal associated with said at least one in-vehicle element in response to said status request signal; and

a second radio-frequency circuit including a second radio-frequency identification tag coupled to said at least one in-vehicle element and operable to inductively generate a second status signal;

wherein when said seat belt tongue is latched within said seat belt buckle, said first radio-frequency circuit is inactive and said second radio-frequency identification tag is active.

2. A system for generating an indication of an operational status of an in-vehicle element comprising:

an in-vehicle element;

a first radio-frequency tag that is associated with the in-vehicle element and that is operable to generate a first identification-and-status information signal for the in-vehicle element in response to a status request signal, wherein the first identification-and-status information signal includes an identification and a first operational status of the in-vehicle element;

a second radio-frequency tag that is associated with the in-vehicle element and that is operable to generate a second identification-and-status information signal for the in-vehicle element in response to the status request signal, wherein the second identification-and-status information signal includes an identification and a second operational status of the in-vehicle element;

wherein when the in-vehicle element is in a predetermined operating status, the first radio-frequency tag is inactive and the second radio-frequency identification tag is active;

a controller that is responsive to the first and second identification-and-status information signals for generating a signal that is representative of the identification and the operational status of the in-vehicle element; and

an indication device that is responsive to the signal from the controller for generating an indication of the operational status of the in-vehicle element.

3. The system defined in claim 2 wherein the in-vehicle element is one of a door, a window, a seat, a hood, a trunk lid, a countermeasure device, a fluid level switch, a load limit switch, a pressure switch, and an illumination device.

4. The system defined in claim 2 wherein the in-vehicle element is a seat belt system having a seat belt tongue and a seat belt buckle associated therewith.

5. The system defined in claim 4 wherein the indication device indicates whether the seat belt tongue is latched within the seat belt buckle.

6. The system defined in claim 2 further including a delay circuit that is operable to prevent the first and second identification-and-status information signals from being generated simultaneously.