Vehicle control system with trainable transceiver

• US 5,627,529 A
• Filed: 03/11/1994
• Issued: 05/06/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Duckworth, Paul C., Zeinstra, Mark L., Dykema, Kurt A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): MERZ, EDWARD W
• Application Number:
  US08/209,947
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.31, 341/176, 455/234.1, 455/250.1, 375/345
• US Class Current: 340/12.24
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/123 with thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/664 by radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices

Abstract

A trainable transceiver provides an integrated trainable transmitter and control system receiver for a vehicle electrical system. The transceiver includes an input circuit and an output circuit coupled to a controller. The transceiver also includes an interface connected between the controller and the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system. The input circuit which receives RF signals includes an amplitude control for adjusting the reception range of the transceiver. The transceiver also disconnects the output circuit from the antenna in a remote control training mode or a transmitter signal detection mode. The transceiver is manually controlled to enter the remote control training mode and a transmission mode for controlling a remote device. The transceiver automatically enters the transmitter signal detection mode on a periodic basis.

Claims

1. A trainable transceiver system for a vehicle, comprising:

a transceiver operable in one of a plurality of operating modes including a training mode, a signal transmission mode, and a transmitter signal detection mode, said transceiver including an input circuit for receiving radio frequency signals transmitted from a remote control transmitter and from a second transmitter, said input circuit including a variable amplitude controller having an amplitude control input; and

a control circuit coupled to said amplitude control input of said input circuit for selectively varying the amplitude of said variable amplitude controller to decrease the sensitivity of said input circuit when said transceiver is operating in the training mode for receiving signals from said remote control transmitter and, when said transceiver is in said signal detection mode, said control circuit receives signals from said second transmitter.

2. The transceiver system as defined in claim 1, wherein said transceiver further includes an output circuit coupled to said control circuit for selectively generating radio frequency signals under the control of said control circuit.

3. The transceiver system as defined in claim 1, wherein said variable amplitude controller fully attenuates a signal input thereto when said transceiver is not operating in the transmitter signal detection mode or in the training mode.

4. The transceiver system as defined in claim 2, further including an antenna and a switch for selectively connecting said output circuit to said antenna, said control circuit coupled to said switch to control said switch.

5. The transceiver system as defined in claim 2, further including a user actuated selector and an interrupt timer for controlling said transceiver to change operating modes.

6. A trainable transceiver system for a vehicle having an electrical system, comprising:

a transceiver operable in one of a plurality of operating modes including a training mode, a signal transmission mode, and a transmitter signal detection mode, said transceiver including

an input circuit for receiving radio frequency signals transmitted from a separate remote control for a garage door opening device and the radio frequency signal transmitted from a remote transmitter for controlling vehicle option operation, said input circuit including an amplitude controller having an amplitude control input, and

an output circuit, responsive to output control signals, for selectively generating radio frequency control signals for actuating the garage door opening device without the separate remote control;

an interface circuit coupled to the electrical system of the vehicle; and

a controller coupled to said input circuit, said output circuit, and to said interface circuit, wherein

when said transceiver is in a training mode, said controller receives signals from said input circuit, and stores information about the received signals,

when said transceiver is in the signal transmission mode, said controller selectively provides output control signals to said output circuit,

when said transceiver is in the transmitter signal detection mode, said controller selectively provides option control signals to said interface circuit to control operation of the vehicle electrical system in response to a detected signal from the remote transmitter, and wherein

said controller provides amplitude control signals to said amplitude control input to selectively adjust the sensitivity of said transceiver according to the operating mode of the transceiver.

7. The transceiver system as defined in claim 6, wherein said amplitude controller includes a variable gain amplifier.

8. The transceiver system as defined in claim 7, wherein said variable gain amplifier has a gain control input coupled to said controller, and wherein said amplitude control signal is input to said gain control input such that said input circuit has a lower sensitivity when said transceiver is in the training mode to learn the remote control signal from the remote control and a greater sensitivity when the transceiver is receiving a signal from the remote transmitter while in the transmitter signal detection mode.

9. The transceiver system as defined in claim 8, wherein said amplitude controller fully attenuates a signal input thereto when said transceiver is not in the transmitter signal detection mode or in the training mode.

10. The transceiver system as defined in claim 6, wherein said amplitude controller includes a variable attenuator.

11. The transceiver system as defined in claim 10, wherein said variable attenuator is coupled to said controller, and wherein said amplitude control signal is input to said variable attenuator such that said input circuit has a lower gain when the transceiver is in the training mode and a higher gain when the transceiver is in the transmitter signal detection mode.

12. The transceiver system as defined in claim 11, wherein said variable attenuator fully attenuates a signal input thereto when said transceiver is not in a transmitter signal detection mode or in a training mode.

13. The transceiver system as defined in claim 6, including an antenna and a switch for selectively connecting said output circuit to said antenna, said controller coupled to said switch to control said switch.

14. The transceiver system as defined in claim 6, further including a user actuated selector and an interrupt timer for controlling said transmitter to change operating modes.

15. A trainable transceiver system for a vehicle, comprising:

a transceiver operable in one of a plurality of operating modes including a training mode, a signal transmission mode, and a transmitter signal detection mode, said transceiver including an input circuit for receiving radio frequency signals transmitted from an RF remote control transmitter for controlling a garage door opening device, and from a remote keyless entry transmitter, said input circuit including a variable amplitude controller having an amplitude control input; and

a control circuit coupled to said amplitude control input of said input circuit for selectively varying the gain of said amplitude controller to decrease the sensitivity of said input circuit when said transceiver is operating in the training mode for receiving signals from said RF remote control transmitter and, when said transceiver is in said signal detection mode, said control circuit receives signals from said keyless entry transmitter.

16. A trainable transceiver system for a vehicle, comprising:

a transceiver operable in one of a plurality of operating modes including a training mode, a signal transmission mode, and a transmitter signal detection mode, said transceiver including an input circuit for receiving radio frequency signals transmitted from an RF remote control transmitter for controlling a garage door opening device, and from a remote keyless entry transmitter, said input circuit including a variable amplitude controller having an amplitude control input; and

a control circuit coupled to said amplitude control input of said input circuit for selectively varying the gain of said amplitude controller to decrease the sensitivity of said input circuit when said transceiver is operating in the training mode for learning the RF frequency and code of signals from said RF remote control transmitter and, when said transceiver is in said signal detection mode, said control circuit receives signals from said keyless entry transmitter.

17. A trainable transceiver system for a vehicle having electronic vehicle door locks, comprising:

a transceiver operable in one of a plurality of operating modes including a training mode, a signal transmission mode, and a transmitter signal detection mode, said transceiver including an input circuit for receiving radio frequency signals transmitted from an RF remote control transmitter for controlling a garage door opening device, and from a remote keyless entry transmitter for actuating said vehicle door locks, wherein said transceiver includes an output circuit for generating RF signals for actuating a controlled device during a signal transmission mode, said output circuit having an output at which RF signals are output, wherein said output circuit further includes a first amplitude controller for controlling the transmission range of the transceiver;

a control circuit coupled to said vehicle door locks and to said input circuit for learning the RF frequency and code of signals received from said RF remote control transmitter when said transceiver is operating in the training mode and for receiving signals from said keyless entry transmitter and supplying an actuation signal to said vehicle door locks in response to the receipt of a signal from said keyless entry transmitter when said transceiver is in said signal detection mode;

an antenna; and

a switch coupled between said output of said output circuit and said antenna, said switch having a control input at which a control signal is input which controls a state of said switch, and wherein said control circuit is coupled to said input circuit, to said output circuit and to said switch, to control said switch to disconnect said output of said output circuit from said antenna when said transceiver is operating in either said training mode or said transmitter signal detection mode, wherein said switch is coupled to an input of said input circuit and to said output of said output circuit, said switch responsive to signals from said control circuit for connecting said antenna to said input of said input circuit when said transceiver is receiving a signal.

18. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 17, wherein said input circuit includes a second amplitude controller for controlling the reception range of the transceiver.

19. A trainable transceiver system for a vehicle having electronic vehicle door locks, comprising:

a transceiver operable in one of a plurality of operating modes including a training mode, a signal transmission mode, and a transmitter signal detection mode, said transceiver including an input circuit for receiving radio frequency signals transmitted from an RF remote control transmitter for controlling a garage door opening device, and from a remote keyless entry transmitter for actuating said vehicle door locks, wherein said transceiver includes an output circuit for generating RF signals for actuating a controlled device during a signal transmission mode, said output circuit having an output at which RF signals are output;

a control circuit coupled to said vehicle door locks and to said input circuit for learning the RF frequency and code of signals received from said RF remote control transmitter when said transceiver is operating in the training mode and for receiving signals from said keyless entry transmitter and supplying an actuation signal to said vehicle door locks in response to the receipt of a signal from said keyless entry transmitter when said transceiver is in said signal detection mode;

an antenna;

a switch coupled between said output of said output circuit and said antenna, said switch having a control input at which a control signal is input which controls a state of said switch, and wherein said control circuit is coupled to said input circuit, to said output circuit and to said switch, to control said switch to disconnect said output of said output circuit from said antenna when said transceiver is operating in either said training mode or said transmitter signal detection mode;

a user interface coupled to said control circuit and including actuators for inputting first and second control signals; and

an interrupt signal generator coupled to said control circuit for generating a third control signal,

wherein said control circuit controls said transceiver to operate in said signal transmission mode in response to said first signal from said user interface, said control circuit controls the transceiver to operate in said training mode in response to said second control signal from said user interface, and said control circuit controls the transceiver to enter a transmitter signal detection mode in response to said third control signal.

20. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 19, wherein said interrupt signal generator includes an interrupt timer for periodically generating said third control signal.

21. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 20, wherein said control circuit controls said transceiver to enter a sleep mode when said first, second, and third control signal has not been received, and wherein said control circuit initializes said interrupt timer upon entering a sleep mode whereby said interrupt timer interrupts the sleep mode automatically at the end of a sleep interval by generating said third control signal.

22. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 19, wherein said control circuit controls said transceiver to enter said transmitter signal detection mode following said training mode or said transmit mode.

23. A trainable transceiver system for a vehicle having electronic vehicle door locks, comprising:

a transceiver operable in one of a plurality of operating modes including a training mode, a signal transmission mode, and a transmitter signal detection mode, said transceiver including an input circuit for receiving radio frequency signals transmitted from an RF remote control transmitter for controlling a garage door opening device, and from a remote keyless entry transmitter for actuating said vehicle door locks;

a control circuit coupled to said vehicle door locks and to said input circuit for learning the RF frequency and code of signals received from said RF remote control transmitter when said transceiver is operating in the training mode and for receiving signals from said keyless entry transmitter and supplying an actuation signal to said vehicle door locks in response to the receipt of a signal from said keyless entry transmitter when said transceiver is in said signal detection mode;

a user interface coupled to said control circuit and including actuators for inputting first and second control signals; and

an interrupt signal generator coupled to said control circuit for generating a third control signal,

wherein said control circuit controls said transceiver to operate in said signal transmission mode responsive to said first signal from said user interface, said control circuit controls the transceiver to operate in said training mode responsive to said second control signal from said user interface, and said control circuit controls the transceiver to enter a transmitter signal detection mode responsive to said third control signal.

24. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 23, wherein said interrupt signal generator includes an interrupt timer for generating said third control signal.

25. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 24, wherein said control circuit controls said transceiver to enter a sleep mode when said first, second, and third control signal has not been received, and wherein said control circuit initializes said interrupt timer upon entering a sleep mode whereby said interrupt timer interrupts the sleep mode automatically at the end of a sleep interval by generating said third control signal.

26. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 23, wherein said control circuit controls said transceiver to enter said transmitter signal detection mode following said training mode or said transmit mode.

27. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 23, wherein said first control signal is generated when an actuator of said user interface is actuated for a first predetermined time period.

28. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 27, wherein said second control signal is generated when an actuator of said user interface is actuated for a second predetermined time period.