Abstract: An antenna for a receiver, a transmitter, and/or a transceiver of a base station of a wireless remote-control system is provided. The antenna includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and a metallic stamped antenna structure. The antenna structure is directly mounted on the PCB. The antenna structure includes a lineal antenna body and legs. The antenna body and the legs are unitary with one another. The legs extend from the antenna body and are mechanically mounted to the PCB to support the antenna body over the PCB with the antenna body lying above the PCB within a plane.

Abstract: A remote control device includes a first loop antenna portion in the form of a printed metallic trace on a first side of a printed circuit board (PCB) and a second loop antenna portion in the form of a raised metallic structure on a second side of the PCB. The first and second loop antenna portions are connected together through the PCB to form a loop antenna.

Abstract: A remote control device includes a first loop antenna portion in the form of a printed metallic trace on a first side of a printed circuit board (PCB) and a second loop antenna portion in the form of a raised metallic structure on a second side of the PCB. The first and second loop antenna portions are connected together through the PCB to form a loop antenna.

Abstract: A vehicle component for charging a mobile device is described. The vehicle component can be placed in the door or a seat, away from the dashboard. The vehicle component can include a holder configured to hold a mobile device and charging circuitry, adjacent the holder, to wirelessly, electrically communicate with the mobile device to determine a charging protocol of the mobile device and to wirelessly transmit a charging signal to the mobile device. The circuitry of the vehicle or the holder can determine the charging protocol for the mobile device and engage that protocol to wirelessly charge the mobile device.

Abstract: An electronic input control assembly adjusts to the shape of a receiving assembly. The input control assembly includes an input control module and an actuator module. The actuator module has one or more actuators that are manually activated by a user. Advantageously, the input control module and the actuator module are moveably attached in a manner allowing relative motion which facilitates alignment when the input control assembly is placed within a receiving assembly. A garage door opener utilizes this adjustable design. A method of assembly the input control assembly is described.

Abstract: Vehicle-based programmable appliance control systems and methods include a user control module and a transmitter module which are remotely located from one another. A wired connection, such as a vehicle wiring harness, directly interconnects the modules. The wired connection has two ends and is assigned solely to the modules as the user control module is connected to one end of the wired connection and the transmitter module is connected to the other end of the wired connection. The user control module includes a user control and the transmitter module includes a radio frequency transmitter. The user control module transmits a user activation signal based on assertion of the user control to the transmitter module for receipt by the transmitter via the wired connection. The transmitter transmits a radio frequency appliance activation signal based on the received user activation signal in order to activate an appliance.

Abstract: A keyless entry device includes a rear casing having a first surface extending along a periphery of the rear casing member, an electronic circuit located in the rear casing member and including comprising a substrate and switching elements supported on the substrate, a front casing including a second surface facing the first surface and extending along a periphery of the rear casing member having button apertures aligned with a switching element. A seal element of compressible elastic material includes a peripheral flange comprising multiple protrusions located between the first surface and the second surface, the protrusions producing elastic preloaded contact between the front and rear casing members when the device is assembled, and pedestals aligned with a button aperture and a switching element. Button caps are aligned with a button aperture and located above one of the pedestals.

Abstract: A key fob for housing at least one electrical component for wireless communication with a vehicular system includes a main body having at least one actuator button. The actuator button is operable to control an electrical component for wireless communication with a vehicular system. The main body includes a first detent mechanism. The key fob further includes a cap moveably connected to the main body. The cap is moveable between a closed position and an open position such that in the closed position the cap at least partially covers the actuator button and such that in the open position the cap at least partially exposes the actuator button. The cap includes a second detent mechanism. The second detent mechanism is operable to cooperate with the first detent mechanism to lock the cap relative to the main body in one of the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a keyless operating system and method for a vehicle. The system includes a user input device for receiving a first and a second user input. A control module communicates with the user input device and is configured to receive the first user input from the user input device. The control module is further configured to determine whether the first user input corresponds to a first code and generate signals that enable vehicle entry if the first user input corresponds to the first code. The control module is also configured to receive the second user input from the user input device. The control module is configured to determine whether the second user input corresponds to a second code and generate signals that enable starting of a vehicle engine if the second user input corresponds to the second code.

Abstract: A tire pressure sensor assembly is provided for use with a wheel rim including a valve hole. The sensor assembly including a metal valve stem element having a stem base, a stem body, a stem cap end, and an inner stem chamber. A lower sensor housing is rigidly over-molded onto the stem base and forms a sensor storage chamber. A tire pressure sensor element is mounted therein. An outer rubber seal is over-molded onto the stem body and includes an inner retention portion, an outer retention portion, and a retention groove configured to allow the metal valve stem element to be press-fit and retained into the valve hole. A plurality of vent holes are formed spaced around an outer perimeter of the stem base to allow universal orientation within the valve hole.

Abstract: An electronic input control assembly adjusts to the shape of a receiving assembly. The input control assembly includes an input control module and an actuator module. The actuator module has one or more actuators that are manually activated by a user. Advantageously, the input control module and the actuator module are moveably attached in a manner allowing relative motion which facilitates alignment when the input control assembly is placed within a receiving assembly. A garage door opener utilizes this adjustable design. A method of assembly the input control assembly is described.

Abstract: A key fob for use in a remote keyless entry system of a vehicle includes a transmitter housing having at least one user operable button thereon indicative of remote keyless entry functions associated with the vehicle for transmitting function requests when the user operable buttons are depressed. A cover is retained on the transmitter housing and is slidably movable between an open position exposing the buttons and a closed position wherein the buttons are covered by the cover. Compression springs are coupled between the transmitter housing and the cover such that the springs urge the cover toward the open position, while a catch mechanism selectively and releasably secures the cover in the closed position against the bias of the springs.

Abstract: A keyless entry device includes a rear casing having a first surface extending along a periphery of the rear casing member, an electronic circuit located in the rear casing member and including comprising a substrate and switching elements supported on the substrate, a front casing including a second surface facing the first surface and extending along a periphery of the rear casing member having button apertures aligned with a switching element. A seal element of compressible elastic material includes a peripheral flange comprising multiple protrusions located between the first surface and the second surface, the protrusions producing elastic preloaded contact between the front and rear casing members when the device is assembled, and pedestals aligned with a button aperture and a switching element. Button caps are aligned with a button aperture and located above one of the pedestals.

Abstract: A waterproof remote function actuator is formed by bonding a clear plastic foil over the body of a plastic housing having an opening for display of componentry. The clear plastic foil creates a chemical and mechanical bond over the entire surface of the housing, including the opening. This eliminates potential water leakage paths around the opening. In alternative arrangements, the clear plastic foil also covers one or more actuator buttons contained within other openings in the plastic housing to prevent water leakage paths between the one or more actuator buttons and the plastic housing.

Abstract: A tire pressure sensor assembly is provided for use with a wheel rim including a valve hole. The sensor assembly including a metal valve stem element having a stem base, a stem body, a stem cap end, and an inner stem chamber. A lower sensor housing is rigidly over-molded onto the stem base and forms a sensor storage chamber. A tire pressure sensor element is mounted therein. An outer rubber seal is over-molded onto the stem body and includes an inner retention portion, an outer retention portion, and a retention groove configured to allow the metal valve stem element to be press-fit and retained into the valve hole. A plurality of vent holes are formed spaced around an outer perimeter of the stem base to allow universal orientation within the valve hole.

Abstract: Vehicle-based programmable appliance control systems and methods include a user control module and a transmitter module which are remotely located from one another. A wired connection, such as a vehicle wiring harness, directly interconnects the modules. The wired connection has two ends and is assigned solely to the modules as the user control module is connected to one end of the wired connection and the transmitter module is connected to the other end of the wired connection. The user control module includes a user control and the transmitter module includes a radio frequency transmitter. The user control module transmits a user activation signal based on assertion of the user control to the transmitter module for receipt by the transmitter via the wired connection. The transmitter transmits a radio frequency appliance activation signal based on the received user activation signal in order to activate an appliance.

Abstract: A key fob for use in a remote keyless entry system of a vehicle includes a transmitter housing having at least one user operable button thereon indicative of remote keyless entry functions associated with the vehicle for transmitting function requests when the user operable buttons are depressed. A cover is retained on the transmitter housing and is slidably movable between an open position exposing the buttons and a closed position wherein the buttons are covered by the cover. Compression springs are coupled between the transmitter housing and the cover such that the springs urge the cover toward the open position, while a catch mechanism selectively and releasably secures the cover in the closed position against the bias of the springs.

Abstract: A key fob for housing at least one electrical component for wireless communication with a vehicular system includes a main body having at least one actuator button. The actuator button is operable to control an electrical component for wireless communication with a vehicular system. The main body includes a first detent mechanism. The key fob further includes a cap moveably connected to the main body. The cap is moveable between a closed position and an open position such that in the closed position the cap at least partially covers the actuator button and such that in the open position the cap at least partially exposes the actuator button. The cap includes a second detent mechanism. The second detent mechanism is operable to cooperate with the first detent mechanism to lock the cap relative to the main body in one of the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: A remote memory preference system for a passenger vehicle is disclosed. The remote memory preference system utilizes existing passive or active remote entry devices. Memory preference settings include driver's seat position, mirror positions and radio station presets. Once these settings are adjusted by a primary vehicle user, they are stored in a memory location in the vehicle either automatically or when a memory button on the remote entry device is depressed by the user. Settings may then be later recalled either automatically by activating the remote entry device or when a recall button on the remote entry device is depressed by the user. The system may also employ a shift register system, which would automatically store current and previous memory preference settings.

Abstract: An electronic component is provided that includes a printed circuit board having first and second battery contacts. A battery clip having a bottom portion is connected to the first battery contact. The battery clip also includes a top portion spaced from the printed circuit board with a tab extending from the top portion in a downward direction toward the printed circuit board. A coin cell battery is arranged between the battery clip and the second battery contact. The present invention battery clip biases the battery into engagement with the second battery contacts with the tab. The second battery contacts may be provided by a solder bump or a printed circuit preferably arranged in a criss-cross waffle shaped pattern. The battery clip is secured to the first battery contacts preferably by applying a solder paste that is heated to electrically join the battery clip to the first battery contacts.