Abstract:
An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle condition comprises a sensor for sensing the vehicle condition and a transmitter for transmitting signals indicative of the sensed vehicle condition. The transmitted signals include a first signal set and a second signal set. A receiver mountable on the vehicle is provided for receiving the transmitted signals. The receiver has a first operating state when the vehicle ignition is OFF and a second operating state when the vehicle ignition is ON. The first signal set includes a wake-up portion to wake up the receiver when the receiver is in its first operating state and an information portion. The second signal set includes an information portion. The transmitted signals include at least one first signal set and at least one second signal set during a predetermined time period when the vehicle ignition is OFF and when the vehicle ignition is ON.
Abstract:
The invention provides a vehicle wheel arch (18) of the type including an antenna (20) for interacting with a device (22) carried by an assembly (12) of a wheel (14) and a tire (16). The wheel arch includes a shield (24) overlying the antenna (20) beside the radially-inner face of the wheel arch (18), said shield (24) being suitable for retaining matter (26) at a certain distance from the antenna (20).
Abstract:
A tire parameter sensing system (12) comprises a tire-based unit (28) associated with a tire (20) of a vehicle (10) for sensing a parameter of the tire (20) and for transmitting a tire parameter signal (42) indicative of the sensed parameter. A transceiver device (34) receives the tire parameter signal (42) and transmits a relay signal (42′) indicative of the received tire parameter signal (42). A vehicle-based unit (32) is adapted to receive both the tire parameter signal (42) and the relay signal (42′). An indicator (54) is coupled to the vehicle-based unit (32) for providing an indication of the sensed parameter of the tire (20). The vehicle-based unit (32) controls the indicator (54) in response to receiving at least one of the tire parameter signal (42) and the relay signal (42′).
Abstract:
A remote convenience system (10) and an associated method provide for remote control a convenience function. A portable transmitter unit (12) is operable for remote function requests. The transmitter unit (12) includes circuitry (32) for transmitting a signal (18) that conveys a remote function request. A receiver/controller unit (14) receives the transmitted signal (18) and causes performance of the remotely requested function. The receiver/controller unit (14) includes a plurality of antennae (52), each for picking-up the transmitted signal (18) and outputting an electrical signal that conveys the remote function request. Each of the antennae (52) is configured to have an ability to pick-up the transmitted signal (18) that is dependent upon direction from the receiver/controller unit (14) to the transmitter unit (12). The ability of each of the antennae (52) is different from the ability of the other antennae. A control portion (48) determines which one of the antennae (52) has a better ability to pick-up the transmitted signal. The electrical signal from the one antenna with the better ability is used to determine the remotely requested function.
Abstract:
Method for preventing security breaches via the two-thief method of attack of passive remote keyless entry systems for vehicles. The method involves the transmission of a signal between a fob and the vehicle, where the level of the signal changes in a particular pattern. At the receiving side, anomalies in the pattern of the received signal (e.g., levels, timing) are detected and used to detect attempts to mimic the signal.
Abstract:
A vehicle control system is described including radio-frequency receiver. The receiver includes an antenna input adapted for connection to an antenna for receiving radio frequency signals, a source of at least a first local oscillator frequency and a second local oscillator frequency, a demodulator for demodulating the signal received via the antenna input with the first local oscillator frequency to generate a first demodulated signal and, separately, for demodulating the signal received via the antenna input with the second local oscillator frequency to generate a second demodulated signal, and a control circuit that evaluates the first and second demodulated signals according to at least one criterion and utilizes for control purposes whichever of the demodulated signals is better, according to that criterion.
Abstract:
Method for preventing security breaches via the two-thief method of attack of passive remote keyless entry systems for vehicles. The method involves the transmission of a signal between a fob and the vehicle, where the level of the signal changes in a particular pattern. At the receiving side, anomalies in the pattern of the received signal (e.g., levels, timing) are detected and used to detect attempts to mimic the signal.
Abstract:
A tire parameter sensing system (12) for a vehicle (10) comprises a vehicle-based unit (42) for receiving parameter signals. A tire-based unit (34) is associated with a tire (16) of the vehicle (10) and rotates with the tire (16). The tire-based unit (34) is located in a communication zone (134) for communicating with the vehicle-based unit (42) through only a portion of each rotation of the tire (16). The tire-based unit (34) is configured to sense a parameter of the tire (16) and to transmit a parameter signal (54) indicative thereof. The system (12) also comprises means (78) for monitoring the rotation of the tire and for providing rotation information indicative of the monitored tire rotation. The tire-based unit (34) is responsive to the rotation information for transmitting the parameter signal (54) while the tire-based unit (34) is located the communication zone (134).
Abstract:
A device (10) is presented for controlling remote convenience function at a vehicle (32) and for interpersonal communication between two operators. The device (10) has components located in a common housing (24). The components include structure (e.g., 14-22) for communicating input from an operator of the device, structure for generating radio frequency signals responsive to the input from the operator of the device, structure for receiving other radio frequency signals from another device responsive to communication input from a operator of another device, and structure for converting the other signals from the operator of the other device into output perceptible by the operator of the device. The output corresponds to the input communicated from the operator of the other device.
Abstract:
A system (10) and associated method for tire condition communication for a vehicle (12). The system (10) includes a sensor (18), associated with a tire (14), to sense at least one tire condition. Transmitter components (22, 24 and 30), associated with the tire (14) and operatively connected to the sensor (18), provide for transmission of a signal (32) that has a data rate and that indicates the sensed tire condition. A receiver unit (40), associated with the vehicle (12), receives the signal (32). The receiver unit (40) includes a plurality of antennas (42A-42N), each for receiving the transmitted signal (32), and a switching device (46) among the plurality of antennas at a rate that is quicker than the data rate of the transmitted signal (32).