Abstract: A light assembly includes a fixture housing, a gesture sensor assembly, a light source supported by the fixture housing, and a reflector supported by the fixture housing and operative to control direction of light emitted from the light source. The gesture sensor assembly includes a gesture sensor operable to provide a sensing electrical field sensitive to gestures executed a predetermined distance from the gesture sensor.

Abstract: A light assembly includes a fixture housing, a gesture sensor assembly, a light source supported by the fixture housing, and a reflector supported by the fixture housing and operative to control direction of light emitted from the light source. The gesture sensor assembly includes a gesture sensor operable to provide a sensing electrical field sensitive to gestures executed a predetermined distance from the gesture sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first wireless communication node, a second wireless communication node, and a sensor. The first wireless communication node is operable to transmit a low-frequency wireless signal. The second wireless communication node is in communication with the first wireless communication node and is operable to transmit a short-range wireless signal. The second wireless communication node is operable in an ON mode and an OFF mode. The sensor is in communication with the second wireless communication node and is operable to sense a movement of the apparatus. The second wireless communication node is operable to switch from the OFF mode to the ON mode in response to the movement sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A wireless communications system for an automotive vehicle includes a vehicle control unit and a fob. The vehicle control unit includes a vehicle transceiver. The fob includes a fob transceiver and a fob control unit and is configured to transmit and receive communications through at least two channels. The fob control unit is programmed to transmit a preamble through the first of the at least two channels, transmit a preamble through the second of the at least two channels during a null space following the preamble transmitted through the first channel, transmit a data packet payload through the first channel when a null space following the preamble in the second channel is detected, and transmit a data packet payload through the second channel when a null space following the preamble in the second channel is detected. Communications are interleaved between the first and second channels.

Abstract: A wireless communications system for an automotive vehicle includes a vehicle control unit and a fob. The vehicle control unit includes a vehicle transceiver. The fob includes a fob transceiver and a fob control unit and is configured to transmit and receive communications through at least two channels. The fob control unit is programmed to transmit a preamble through the first of the at least two channels, transmit a preamble through the second of the at least two channels during a null space following the preamble transmitted through the first channel, transmit a data packet payload through the first channel when a null space following the preamble in the second channel is detected, and transmit a data packet payload through the second channel when a null space following the preamble in the second channel is detected. Communications are interleaved between the first and second channels.

Abstract: A communication system includes a control module, a primary wireless communication node, and a plurality of secondary wireless communication nodes. The primary wireless communication node is in communication with the control module. The primary wireless communication node is in communication with each of the plurality of secondary wireless communication nodes through a common communication line.

Abstract: A system for mitigating relay station attack in a wireless communication system is provided. The system may include a first wireless communication node and a second wireless communication node. The first wireless communication node is operable to transmit data including an encrypted transmit power value. The second wireless communication node is operable to receive the data, decrypt the encrypted transmit power value, and determine a received signal strength indication value of the data. The second wireless communication node may also be operable to compare the received signal strength indication value to the decrypted transmit power value and prevent communication between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node based on the comparison between the received signal strength indication value and the decrypted transmit power value.

Abstract: Protocols for wireless communications between controllers in vehicles, key fobs, and sensors are shown. In particular, methods of parallel processing and interweaving data in signals are provided.

Abstract: A communication system includes a control module, a primary wireless communication node, and a plurality of secondary wireless communication nodes. The primary wireless communication node is in communication with the control module. The primary wireless communication node is in communication with each of the plurality of secondary wireless communication nodes through a common communication line.

Abstract: Vehicular systems and related methods offer improved user control over activations of vehicular components. User intent to perform an action can be detected using one or more sensors. The user may be prompted by the vehicle to verify the intent by further user behavior. The intent may also be confirmed by requiring that a set of conditions be fulfilled before the action associated with the intent is performed. For example, a sensed gesture and specific position of a key fob may need to both be established before the vehicle performs the action associated with the intent.

Abstract: A system for mitigating relay station attack in a wireless communication system is provided. The system may include a first wireless communication node and a second wireless communication node. The first wireless communication node is operable to transmit data including an encrypted transmit power value. The second wireless communication node is operable to receive the data, decrypt the encrypted transmit power value, and determine a received signal strength indication value of the data. The second wireless communication node may also be operable to compare the received signal strength indication value to the decrypted transmit power value and prevent communication between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node based on the comparison between the received signal strength indication value and the decrypted transmit power value.

Abstract: A passive entry system for an automotive vehicle that is configured to prevent relay attacks by analyzing magnet vectors and angles created by a plurality of antennas mounted on the vehicle is disclosed. A vehicle including a control unit configured to broadcast a wake-up signal to prompt a fob to power-up if the fob is in a low-power consumption mode and to transmit signals through a plurality of antennas coupled to the vehicle is provided, along with a fob configured to recognize the wake-up signal and to generate a response signal for the control unit in response to recognize the wake-up signal. The fob includes a controller that is programmed to receive signals transmitted from each of the plurality of antennas coupled to the vehicle, retrieve constant values from stored a memory, and calculate a magnetic integrity defining the relative position of each of the plurality of antennas.

Abstract: Vehicular systems and related methods offer improved user control over activations of vehicular components. User intent to perform an action can be detected using one or more sensors. The user may be prompted by the vehicle to verify the intent by further user behavior. The intent may also be confirmed by requiring that a set of conditions be fulfilled before the action associated with the intent is performed. For example, a sensed gesture and specific position of a key fob may need to both be established before the vehicle performs the action associated with the intent.

Abstract: Protocols for wireless communications between controllers in vehicles, key fobs, and sensors are shown. In particular, methods of parallel processing and interweaving data in signals are provided.

Abstract: A passive entry system for an automotive vehicle that is configured to prevent relay attacks by analyzing magnet vectors and angles created by a plurality of antennas mounted on the vehicle is disclosed. A vehicle including a control unit configured to broadcast a wake-up signal to prompt a fob to power-up if the fob is in a low-power consumption mode and to transmit signals through a plurality of antennas coupled to the vehicle is provided, along with a fob configured to recognize the wake-up signal and to generate a response signal for the control unit in response to recognize the wake-up signal. The fob includes a controller that is programmed to receive signals transmitted from each of the plurality of antennas coupled to the vehicle, retrieve constant values from stored a memory, and calculate a magnetic integrity defining the relative position of each of the plurality of antennas.

Abstract: A method for accessing a vehicle includes placing a vehicle access device within a predetermined distance of a vehicle. The method also includes charging a first monetary value to a card. The method further includes accessing the vehicle after the first monetary value is charged to the card. The method also includes crediting a second monetary value to the card.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving signals from a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system, a remote keyless entry (RKE) system, and a passive entry system in a manner that reduces the occurrence of signal interference includes transmitting at least a first signal to a receiver on the vehicle. The receiver is configured to have multiple channels for receiving the TPM signal, the RKE signal and/or the passive entry signal. The method also includes receiving the first signal on a first receiver channel. The method further includes selecting a second receiver channel for receiving at least a second signal when the second signal is or will be generated.

Abstract: System for processing tire pressure monitor (TPM) signals. The system include capabilities to support amplitude shift key (ASK) modulation of TPM data signals transmitted from TPMs included within one or more tires of a vehicle. The system may include a receiver and controller to process the TPM signals.

Abstract: A remote keyless entry system is provided comprising a handheld remote keyless entry transmitter in selectable wireless communication with a car based entry system. The handheld remote keyless entry transmitter comprises an integrated electronic compass element and logic adapted to store a first compass direction when activated and directed towards a destination. The logic further is adapted to display a return compass direction and a return distance from the car based entry system when activated leaving the destination.

Abstract: A method and system for walk-away locking of a vehicle. The vehicle may be automatically locked when an occupant walks away from the vehicle in a passive manner. The automatic locking capabilities may be incorporated within an energy conservation strategy that allows one or more vehicle components and a fob to enter a sleep mode or otherwise become inactive at particular intervals when signals necessary to automatically locking the vehicle are less likely.