Abstract: Systems and methods for power management systems are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes a power management system for a vehicle locating unit, the vehicle locating unit having a receiver for receiving at an assigned message frame an intermittent transmission from a communications source, wherein each intermittent transmission includes at least one assignable message frame, the power management system including a processing device for controlling wake and sleep modes of the receiver and a memory for storing a plurality of memory bit patterns for comparison with a pattern of bits contained in some portion of an assigned message frame, wherein the processing device is configured to perform the following steps: index to the receiver's assigned message frame in the intermittent transmission, re-enter wake mode after indexing, and subject the receiver to a constant average current draw.

Abstract: Methods of, systems for, and articles of manufacture for wireless communication between a vehicle locating unit and peripheral devices that are disposed on or in the same object, the method including the steps of adapting the peripheral devices to generate transmission signals to be received by the vehicle locating unit; generating transmission signals by at least one of the peripheral devices; adapting the vehicle locating unit to listen for the transmission signals for a first period of time during a second period of time that is longer than the first period of time; acknowledging detected transmission signals from any of the peripheral devices; upon acknowledgement, establishing a communication link between the vehicle locating unit and a corresponding source of the detected transmission signals; and communicating data between the vehicle locating unit and the corresponding source of the detected transmission signals in accordance with discrete timing information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for power management systems are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes a power management system for a vehicle locating unit, the vehicle locating unit having a receiver for receiving at an assigned message frame an intermittent transmission from a communications source, wherein each intermittent transmission includes at least one assignable message frame, the power management system including a processing device for controlling wake and sleep modes of the receiver and a memory for storing a plurality of memory bit patterns for comparison with a pattern of bits contained in some portion of an assigned message frame, wherein the processing device is configured to perform the following steps: index to the receiver's assigned message frame in the intermittent transmission, re-enter wake mode after indexing, and subject the receiver to a constant average current draw.

Abstract: Improved power management for a vehicle locating unit is achieved by receiving a transmission from a communication source, each transmission including at least one message frame having a data field and at least one auxiliary field; entering a wake mode upon indexing the assigned message frame of the receiver in the transmission; matching the pattern of bits of at least one auxiliary field of the indexed frame with one or more stored patterns of bits expected for that auxiliary field; and returning to the sleep mode as soon as a mismatch is determined or processing the message if no mismatch occurs.

Abstract: Synchronization for achieving low power battery operation of a vehicle locating unit in a stolen vehicle recovery system whose radio receiver receives periodic transmissions, includes receiving periodic transmissions; turning on a radio receiver for a limited time to detect an expected message; if an expected message is not found, turning off the receiver and turning it on again after a time asynchronous with the transmission period; and after finding an expected message, waiting for the period of the transmissions less the length of an expected message and then looking for a synchronization symbol in the expected message and synchronizing subsequent actuation of the receiver using that synchronization symbol.

Abstract: Synchronization for achieving low power battery operation of a vehicle locating unit in a stolen vehicle recovery system whose radio receiver receives periodic transmissions, includes receiving periodic transmissions; turning on a radio receiver for a limited time to detect an expected message; if an expected message is not found, turning off the receiver and turning it on again after a time asynchronous with the transmission period; and after finding an expected message, waiting for the period of the transmissions less the length of an expected message and then looking for a synchronization symbol in the expected message and synchronizing subsequent actuation of the receiver using that synchronization symbol.

Abstract: Methods of, systems for, and articles of manufacture for wireless communication between a vehicle locating unit and peripheral devices that are disposed on or in the same object, the method including the steps of adapting the peripheral devices to generate transmission signals to be received by the vehicle locating unit; generating transmission signals by at least one of the peripheral devices; adapting the vehicle locating unit to listen for the transmission signals for a first period of time during a second period of time that is longer than the first period of time; acknowledging detected transmission signals from any of the peripheral devices; upon acknowledgement, establishing a communication link between the vehicle locating unit and a corresponding source of the detected transmission signals; and communicating data between the vehicle locating unit and the corresponding source of the detected transmission signals in accordance with discrete timing information.

Abstract: Synchronization for achieving low power battery operation of a vehicle locating unit in a stolen vehicle recovery system whose radio receiver receives periodic transmissions, includes receiving periodic transmissions; turning on a radio receiver for a limited time to detect an expected message; if an expected message is not found, turning off the receiver and turning it on again after a time asynchronous with the transmission period; and after finding an expected message, waiting for the period of the transmissions less the length of an expected message and then looking for a synchronization symbol in the expected message and synchronizing subsequent actuation of the receiver using that synchronization symbol.

Abstract: Methods of, systems for, and articles of manufacture for wireless communication between a vehicle locating unit and peripheral devices that are disposed on or in the same object, the method including the steps of adapting the peripheral devices to generate transmission signals to be received by the vehicle locating unit; generating transmission signals by at least one of the peripheral devices; adapting the vehicle locating unit to listen for the transmission signals for a first period of time during a second period of time that is longer than the first period of time; acknowledging detected transmission signals from any of the peripheral devices; upon acknowledgement, establishing a communication link between the vehicle locating unit and a corresponding source of the detected transmission signals; and communicating data between the vehicle locating unit and the corresponding source of the detected transmission signals in accordance with discrete timing information.

Abstract: Improved power management for a vehicle locating unit is achieved by receiving a transmission from a communication source, each transmission including at least one message frame having a data field and at least one auxiliary field; entering a wake mode upon indexing the assigned message frame of the receiver in the transmission; matching the pattern of bits of at least one auxiliary field of the indexed frame with one or more stored patterns of bits expected for that auxiliary field; and returning to the sleep mode as soon as a mismatch is determined or processing the message if no mismatch occurs.

Abstract: Synchronization for achieving low power battery operation of a vehicle locating unit in a stolen vehicle recovery system whose radio receiver receives periodic transmissions, includes receiving periodic transmissions; turning on a radio receiver for a limited time to detect an expected message; if an expected message is not found, turning off the receiver and turning it on again after a time asynchronous with the transmission period; and after finding an expected message, waiting for the period of the transmissions less the length of an expected message and then looking for a synchronization symbol in the expected message and synchronizing subsequent actuation of the receiver using that synchronization symbol.

Abstract: Synchronization for achieving low power battery operation of a vehicle locating unit in a stolen vehicle recovery system whose radio receiver receives periodic transmissions, includes receiving periodic transmissions; turning on a radio receiver for a limited time to detect an expected message; if an expected message is not found, turning off the receiver and turning it on again after a time asynchronous with the transmission period; and after finding an expected message, waiting for the period of the transmissions less the length of an expected message and then looking for a synchronization symbol in the expected message and synchronizing subsequent actuation of the receiver using that synchronization symbol.

Abstract: Methods of, systems for, and articles of manufacture for wireless communication between a vehicle locating unit and peripheral devices that are disposed on or in the same object, the method including the steps of adapting the peripheral devices to generate transmission signals to be received by the vehicle locating unit; generating transmission signals by at least one of the peripheral devices; adapting the vehicle locating unit to listen for the transmission signals for a first period of time during a second period of time that is longer than the first period of time; acknowledging detected transmission signals from any of the peripheral devices; upon acknowledgement, establishing a communication link between the vehicle locating unit and a corresponding source of the detected transmission signals; and communicating data between the vehicle locating unit and the corresponding source of the detected transmission signals in accordance with discrete timing information.