Trainable transmitter with transmit/receive switch

• US 5,646,701 A
• Filed: 04/21/1995
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zeinstra, Mark L., Dykema, Kurt A., Duckworth, Paul C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Merz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US08/426,052
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.22, 340/825.31, 340/825.72, 341/176, 455/234.1, 455/250.1, 375/345
• US Class Current: 340/12.29
• 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:

an antenna;

a transceiver operable in one of a plurality of operating modes including a training mode and a signal transmission mode, said transceiver having an input circuit and an output circuit, said input circuit having an input and an output, said input circuit selectively receiving RF signals at said input and responsive thereto for outputting data signals at said output when said transceiver is in the training mode, and said output circuit selectively generating RF signals for actuating a controlled device when said transceiver is in the signal transmission mode, said output circuit having an output at which RF signals are output;

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

control means coupled to said input circuit, said output circuit and to said switch, for learning the RF carrier frequency and code of signals received from an RF remote control transmitter, storing data representing the learned RF carrier frequency and code, and controlling said switch to disconnect said output of said output circuit from said antenna when said transceiver is operating in the training mode, and for providing the learned RF carrier frequency and code to said output circuit for transmission of an RF signal having the learned RF carrier frequency and code when said transceiver is in said signal transmission mode.

2. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 1, wherein said switch is coupled to said input of said input circuit and to said output of said output circuit, said switch responsive to said control means for connecting said antenna to said input of said input circuit when said transceiver is receiving a signal.

3. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 2, wherein said input circuits includes a mixer having a first input and said output circuit includes a variable frequency generator having an output, and wherein said output of said variable frequency generator and said first input of said mixer are coupled to respective terminals of said switch.

4. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 3, wherein said mixer has a second input connected to the output of said variable frequency generator.

5. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 1 and further including:

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

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

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

6. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 5, wherein said interrupt signal generator includes an interrupt timer which periodically generates an interrupt signal to which said interrupt signal generator responds by generating said third control signal.

7. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 6, wherein said control means 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 interrupt signal.

8. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 5, wherein said control means controls said transceiver to enter said transmitter signal detection mode following said training mode or said transmit mode.

9. A trainable transceiver system comprising:

an antenna;

a transceiver operable in one of a plurality of operating modes including a training mode and a signal transmission mode, said transceiver having an input circuit and an output circuit, said input circuit having an input and an output, said input circuit selectively receiving RF signals at said input and responsive thereto for outputting data signals at said output when said transceiver is in the training mode, and said output circuit selectively generating RF signals for actuating a controlled device when said transceiver is in the signal transmission mode, said output circuit having an output at which RF signals are output;

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

a controller coupled to said input circuit, said output circuit and to said switch, said controller for learning the RF carrier frequency and code of signals received from an RF remote control transmitter and controlling said switch to disconnect said output of said output circuit from said antenna when said transceiver is operating in the training mode, and for providing the learned RF carrier frequency and code to said output circuit for transmission of an RF signal having the learned RF carrier frequency and code when said transceiver is in said signal transmission mode, wherein;

said switch is coupled to said input of said input circuit and to said output of said output circuit, said switch responsive to said controller for connecting said antenna to said input of said input circuit when said transceiver is receiving a signal;

said input circuit includes a mixer having a first input and said output circuit includes a variable frequency generator having an output, said output of said variable frequency generator and said first input of said mixer are coupled to respective terminals of said switch, and said mixer has a second input connected to the output of said variable frequency generator; and

said output circuit further includes a first amplitude controller for controlling the transmission range of the transceiver.

10. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 9, wherein said input circuit includes a second amplitude controller for controlling the reception range of the transceiver.

11. A trainable transceiver system comprising:

an antenna;

a transceiver operable in one of a plurality of operating modes including a training mode and a signal transmission mode, said transceiver having an input circuit and an output circuit, said input circuit having an input and an output, said input circuit selectively receiving RF signals at said input and responsive thereto for outputting data signals at said output when said transceiver is in the training mode, and said output circuit selectively generating RF signals for actuating a controlled device when said transceiver is in the signal transmission mode, said output circuit having an output at which RF signals are output;

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

a controller coupled to said input circuit, said output circuit and to said switch, said controller for learning the RF carrier frequency and code of signals received from an RF remote control transmitter and controlling said switch to disconnect said output of said output circuit from said antenna when said transceiver is operating in the training mode, and for providing the learned RF carrier frequency and code to said output circuit for transmission of an RF signal having the learned RF carrier frequency and code when said transceiver is in said signal transmission mode,

wherein said input circuit including an amplitude control circuit having an amplitude control input coupled to said controller, said 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 controller providing an amplitude control signal for selectively varying the gain of said amplitude control circuit to decrease the sensitivity of said input circuit when said transceiver is operating in the training mode for receiving remote control signals from a remote control.

12. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 11, wherein said amplitude control circuit fully attenuates a signal input thereto when said transceiver is not operating in the transmitter signal detection mode or in the training mode.

13. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 11, wherein said amplitude control circuit includes a variable gain amplifier.

14. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 13, 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 a remote transmitter while in the transmitter signal detection mode.

15. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 13, wherein said variable gain amplifier fully attenuates a signal input thereto when said transceiver is not in the transmitter signal detection mode or in the training mode.

16. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 13, wherein said amplitude control circuit includes a variable attenuator.

17. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 16, wherein said variable attenuator fully attenuates a signal input thereto when said transceiver is not in the transmitter signal detection mode or in the training mode.

18. 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, and an output circuit for generating RF signals for actuating a controlled device during a signal transmission mode; and

control means coupled to said vehicle door locks, to said output circuit, and to said input circuit for learning the RF carrier frequency and code of signals received from said RF remote control transmitter and storing data representing the learned RF carrier frequency and code when said transceiver is operating in the training mode, 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 transmitter signal detection mode, and for providing the learned RF carrier frequency and code to said output circuit for transmission of an RF signal having the learned RF carrier frequency and code when said transceiver is in said signal transmission mode.

19. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 18 and further including:

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 means 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.

20. The trainable transceiver system as defined in claim 19, 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 means for connecting said antenna to said input of said input circuit when said transceiver is receiving a signal.