Remote control device

• US 5,379,033 A
• Filed: 07/28/1992
• Issued: 01/03/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Fujii, Shohei, Suitsu, Katsumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US07/920,748
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.3, 340/825.31, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.54, 340/825.77
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00198 the keyless data carrier having more than one limited data transmission ranges
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link

Abstract

A remote control device is designed such that it enables an object to be remotely controlled to execute an operation only by the user approaching the object to be remotely controlled. When the user who carries the transmitter 1 depresses an operation button A at a position distant from an automobile 2, the transmitter intermittently transmits a signal containing identification information and command information corresponding to the operation button A. As the user comes closer to the automobile 2 and enters an automatic operation area, the reception level of a receiver 3 exceeds a predetermined value, and the transmission signal is thereby received. The identification information and the command information of the reception signal are decoded, and an operation corresponding to the command information, e.g., door unlocking, is executed by an execution portion 4.

Claims

1. A remote control system comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a signal containing identification information and command information, the command information corresponding to a selected one of a plurality of commands, said transmitter having at least two operation modes including a first operation mode wherein the transmitter transmits the signal intermittently at a first level, and a second operation mode wherein the transmitter transmits the signal continuously at a second level which is higher than the first level;

a receiver for receiving the signal transmitted from said transmitter, for generating a received signal containing the identification information and command information of the transmitted signal, and for decoding the identification information and the command information contained in the received signal when a level of the received signal is higher than a predetermined value, and for executing a selected command specified by the command information if the decoded identification information coincides with stored identification information.

2. A remote control system of claim 1 wherein the receiver further comprises a monitor circuit for monitoring the level of the received signal and for causing the receiver to reverse the command when the level falls below the predetermined value.

3. A remote control system of claim 1 wherein the receiver further comprises:

a monitor circuit for monitoring the level of the received signal; and

a control section for decoding the identification information and command information contained in the received signal when the level is higher than a predetermined value.

4. A remote control system of claim 2 wherein the level of the received signal is limited to a second predetermined value.

5. A remote control system of claim 4 wherein the command is to unlock a door.

6. A remote control system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter comprises a plurality of operation buttons for selecting the operation mode.

7. A remote control system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter comprises a plurality of operation buttons for selecting command information.

8. A remote control system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter, in the first operation mode, intermittently transmits a plurality of signals in an alternating manner, each signal containing command information corresponding to a different selected command.

9. A remote control system of claim 8 wherein the transmitter, in the first operation mode, intermittently transmits a first signal containing command information corresponding to a command for unlocking a door and a second signal containing command information corresponding to a command for unlocking a trunk.

10. A remote control system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter includes means for varying the duration of transmission of the signal when the transmitter is in the first operation mode.

11. A method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a signal in one of at least two operation modes including a first operation mode wherein the transmitter transmits the signal intermittently at a first level, and a second operation mode wherein the transmitter transmits the signal continuously at a second level which is higher than the first level, said signal containing identification information and command information, the command information corresponding to a selected one of a plurality of commands;

receiving the signal transmitted from said transmitter;

generating a received signal containing the identification information and command information of the transmitted signal,

determining a level of the received signal;

decoding the identification information and the command information contained in the received signal when a level of the received signal is higher than a predetermined value; and

executing a selected command specified by the command information if the decoded identification information coincides with stored identification information.

12. A method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

monitoring the level of the received signal; and

reversing the command if the level of the received signal falls below the predetermined value.

13. A method of claim 11 comprising intermittently transmitting, in the first operation mode, a plurality of signals in an alternating manner, each signal containing command information corresponding to a different selected command.

14. A method of claim 13 comprising intermittently transmitting, in the first operation mode, a first signal containing command information corresponding to a command for unlocking a door and a second signal containing command information corresponding to a command for unlocking a trunk.