Patents by Inventor Keith Christenson
Keith Christenson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20210192383Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for performing automatic learning of a plurality of remote sensors positioned on a first body is provided. The system includes at least one transceiver and at least one central computing device. The central computing device is operably coupled to the at least one transceiver and is configured to wirelessly transmit a broadcast message in response to a user request to each of the remote sensors and to randomly receive a transmission message from one or more of the remote sensors in response to the broadcast message. The central computing device is further configured to determine whether the transmission message from each of the remote sensors have been received and to learn the remote sensors thereto to receive information corresponding to at least one of a command, a status of the first body, or a location of the first body from the remote sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: ROBERT MARIANI, KEITH A. CHRISTENSON, JASON SUMMERFORD, ANDREW J. OZIMEK, CRAIG ELDER
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Patent number: 10645596Abstract: A passive entry passive start (PEPS) method for preventing relay attack includes detecting a distance of a wireless device to a vehicle based on a time of flight of an ultra-wideband (UWB) signal between the wireless device and a base station at the vehicle. The method further includes enabling by the base station a function of the vehicle only when the distance of the wireless device to the vehicle is within a zone of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Riad Ghabra, Keith A. Christenson
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Patent number: 9911259Abstract: A system includes a remote controller, such as a fob, and a base station at a target device, such as a vehicle. The remote controller and the base station are configured to communicate authorization communications and time-of-flight (ToF) communications between one another over a common communications channel. The base station is further configured to confirm from the authorization communications whether the remote controller is authorized for controlling a function of the target device and to confirm from the ToF communications whether the remote controller is within a predetermined range of the target device. The base station is further configured to prevent the function from being controlled by the control unit when the control unit is not within the predetermined range of the target device.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Riad Ghabra, Robert Mariani, Keith A. Christenson
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Patent number: 9566945Abstract: A system includes a remote control unit, such as a fob, and a base station at a target, such as a vehicle. The control unit and the base station are configured to communicate authorization signals and time-of-flight (ToF) ranging signals concurrently between one another. The base station is further configured to confirm from the authorization signals whether the control unit is authorized for controlling a target function and to confirm from the ToF ranging signals whether the control unit is within range of the target. The base station is further configured to prevent the target function from being controlled by the control unit when the control unit is not within range of the target.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Riad Ghabra, Stephen Humphrey, Keith A. Christenson, Jason Summerford
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Patent number: 9554286Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for determining a location of a portable wireless device in relation to a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a first base station that includes a first transceiver for being positioned about a vehicle. The first transceiver is configured to operate at a first operating frequency for transmitting and receiving at least one first signal to and from the portable wireless device to provide a first distance of the portable wireless device with respect to the vehicle. The first operating frequency generally corresponds to a distance accuracy value and the first distance generally corresponds to an actual distance of the portable wireless device from the vehicle that is adjusted by the distance accuracy value.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Riad Ghabra, Keith A. Christenson
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Patent number: 9541636Abstract: A vehicle remote function system is provided for determining a location of a fob relative to a vehicle. The system includes a controller adapted to be mounted in the vehicle and configured for communication with antennas mounted at different vehicle locations, the controller for use in determining the location of the fob based on ultra-wide band wireless signals transmitted between the antennas and the fob. The controller is configured to locate the fob within one of multiple three-dimensional zones, one of the zones configured to have a non-spherical shape. A method is also provided for use in a vehicle remote function system, the method for determining a location of a fob relative to a vehicle. The method includes transmitting ultra-wide band wireless signals between the vehicle and the fob, and determining the location of the fob within one of multiple three-dimensional zones, one of the zones having a non-spherical shape.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Jason Bauman, Thomas O'Brien, Keith A. Christenson, Hilton W. Girard, III, Jian Ye
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Publication number: 20160332598Abstract: A system includes a remote control unit, such as a fob, and a base station at a target, such as a vehicle. The control unit and the base station are configured to communicate authorization signals and time-of-flight (ToF) ranging signals concurrently between one another. The base station is further configured to confirm from the authorization signals whether the control unit is authorized for controlling a target function and to confirm from the ToF ranging signals whether the control unit is within range of the target. The base station is further configured to prevent the target function from being controlled by the control unit when the control unit is not within range of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2015Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Stephen Humphrey, Keith A. Christenson, Jason Summerford
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Publication number: 20160182548Abstract: A passive entry passive start (PEPS) method for preventing relay attack includes detecting a distance of a wireless device to a vehicle based on a time of flight of an ultra-wideband (UWB) signal between the wireless device and a base station at the vehicle. The method further includes enabling by the base station a function of the vehicle only when the distance of the wireless device to the vehicle is within a zone of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2016Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Keith A. Christenson
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Publication number: 20130342379Abstract: A vehicle remote function system is provided for determining a location of a fob relative to a vehicle. The system includes a controller adapted to be mounted in the vehicle and configured for communication with antennas mounted at different vehicle locations, the controller for use in determining the location of the fob based on ultra-wide band wireless signals transmitted between the antennas and the fob. The controller is configured to locate the fob within one of multiple three-dimensional zones, one of the zones configured to have a non-spherical shape. A method is also provided for use in a vehicle remote function system, the method for determining a location of a fob relative to a vehicle. The method includes transmitting ultra-wide band wireless signals between the vehicle and the fob, and determining the location of the fob within one of multiple three-dimensional zones, one of the zones having a non-spherical shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Jason Bauman, Thomas O'Brien, Keith A. Christenson, Hilton W. Girard, III, Jian Ye
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Patent number: 8570147Abstract: A debounce strategy is disclosed for use with a switch detection circuit to validate whether the switch is properly actuated or whether interferences, switch bounce, or other interruptions are presenting indications of switch activation. The debounce strategy may be implemented in a multi-stage process so that systems relying on debounce validation can begin processing, or other so that other time depending operations begin processing, prior to completing debounce validation.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Hilton W. Girard, III, Keith A. Christenson
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Patent number: 8203424Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Riad Ghabra, Ronald O. King, John Nantz, Bryan Vartanian, Keith A. Christenson
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Publication number: 20110291799Abstract: A debounce strategy is disclosed for use with a switch detection circuit to validate whether the switch is properly actuated or whether interferences, switch bounce, or other interruptions are presenting indications of switch activation. The debounce strategy may be implemented in a multi-stage process so that systems relying on debounce validation can begin processing, or other so that other time depending operations begin processing, prior to completing debounce validation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Hilton W. Girard, III, Keith A. Christenson
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Patent number: 7850078Abstract: A remote control system includes a portable control unit with a user interface. A radio frequency transceiver communicates with the remote control system to determine if the portable unit is within a secure space. Commands from the remote control system are ignored when the portable control unit is within the secure space until a predetermined code is entered on the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Keith A. Christenson, David Gutknecht, Bryan Vartanian
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Publication number: 20100245038Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Riad Ghabra, Ronald O. King, John Nantz, Bryan Vartanian, Keith A. Christenson
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Publication number: 20090066497Abstract: An automotive tire pressure monitoring system is provided including a group of tire pressure monitor sensors each comprising a pressure sensor element, a dual-axis accelerometer, and a transmitter generating a pressure signal including accelerometer information. A front antenna and a rear antenna are both in communication with a tire pressure monitoring receiver. The tire pressure monitoring receiver includes logic adapted to: determine a pressure signals left/right designation from the accelerometer information and determine a pressure signal's front/rear designation using comparative signal strength from the front antenna and the rear antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Keith A. Christenson, Jason Summerford, John Nantz, William K. Cotton
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Publication number: 20080258553Abstract: A remote control system includes a portable control unit with a user interface. A radio frequency transceiver communicates with the remote control system to determine if the portable unit is within a secure space. Commands from the remote control system are ignored when the portable control unit is within the secure space until a predetermined code is entered on the user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Keith A. Christenson, David Gutknecht, Bryan Vartanian
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Patent number: 7231274Abstract: A process for identifying TPMS electronic wheel sensors on a production line is disclosed. The line of identification data is transmitted in digital bit stream between the electronic wheel sensor and the production line database. Data from the electronic wheel sensors is provided to the vehicle electronic control unit at a subsequent point on the assembly line.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Malcom L. Moulds, Keith Christenson
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Publication number: 20060253217Abstract: A process for identifying TPMS electronic wheel sensors on a production line is disclosed. The line of identification data is transmitted in digital bit stream between the electronic wheel sensor and the production line database. Data from the electronic wheel sensors is provided to the vehicle electronic control unit at a subsequent point on the assembly line.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2005Publication date: November 9, 2006Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Malcom Moulds, Keith Christenson
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Patent number: 7120430Abstract: A universal remote control establishes a new transmitter identifier when programmed to a particular rolling code scheme by an existing transmitter. During programming, the universal remote control receives at least one activation signal transmitted from the existing transmitter. The activation signal includes an existing transmitter identifier. The activation signal is examined to determine which of a plurality of rolling code schemes was used by the existing transmitter to generate the received activation signal. The new transmitter identifier, different from the existing transmitter identifier, is determined based on the rolling code scheme. Subsequently, when an activation input is received, the universal remote control generates and transmits a new activation signal including the new transmitter identifier.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Keith A. Christenson, Saurabh S. Trivedi, Jody K. Harwood
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Publication number: 20050026604Abstract: A universal remote control establishes a new transmitter identifier when programmed to a particular rolling code scheme by an existing transmitter. During programming, the universal remote control receives at least one activation signal transmitted from the existing transmitter. The activation signal includes an existing transmitter identifier. The activation signal is examined to determine which of a plurality of rolling code schemes was used by the existing transmitter to generate the received activation signal. The new transmitter identifier, different from the existing transmitter identifier, is determined based on the rolling code scheme. Subsequently, when an activation input is received, the universal remote control generates and transmits a new activation signal including the new transmitter identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2003Publication date: February 3, 2005Inventors: Keith Christenson, Saurabh Trivedi, Jody Harwood