Abstract: A self-tuning duplicating transceiver is provided. The transceiver includes a microprocessor, a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes an electrically tunable radio frequency oscillator, and the receiver includes a counter for determining an edge count associated with a received signal. The microprocessor is programmed to receive an unknown signal with the receiver and use the counter to determine the edge count thereof, and electrically tune the transmitter oscillator to a carrier frequency corresponding to the edge count for the unknown signal.

Abstract: Vehicle information (e.g., status information, calibratable parameters, or diagnostic data) is transmitted from a base station mounted in a vehicle to a portable RKE fob via a radio-frequency signal within a specified average field strength limit. A multi-byte vehicle message is formed and then coded into a multi-bit coded message. The multi-bit coded message is framed into a plurality of packets. The radio-frequency signal is wirelessly transmitted from the base station with a plurality of spaced packet windows having a predetermined duty cycle, each packet window including a respective one of the plurality of packets. The radio-frequency signal within each of the packet windows has a predetermined field strength greater than the average field strength limit and a substantially zero field strength between the packet windows. The predetermined duty cycle results in an actual average field strength for transmitting all of the packets not exceeding the average field strength limit.

Abstract: A method is provided for self-aligning a transmitting frequency between a portable transceiving device and a base station transceiving device. A test signal is transmitted from one of a portable or base station transceiving devices to the other of the portable or base station transceiving devices. The test signal has a frequency that varies during the transmission. The varying of the frequency of the test signal generates a plurality of discrete signals. The other of the portable or base station transceiving devices measures a RSSI value of each discrete signal. The other of the portable or base station transceiving devices determines a discrete signal having a maximum RSSI value. At least a portion of a subsequent message from the other of the portable transceiving device or the base station transceiving device is transmitted at an optimum frequency used for the test signal identified by the test result signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for self-aligning a transmitting frequency between a portable transceiving device and a base station transceiving device. A test signal is transmitted from one of a portable or base station transceiving devices to the other of the portable or base station transceiving devices. The test signal has a frequency that varies during the transmission. The varying of the frequency of the test signal generates a plurality of discrete signals. The other of the portable or base station transceiving devices measures a RSSI value of each discrete signal. The other of the portable or base station transceiving devices determines a discrete signal having a maximum RSSI value. At least a portion of a subsequent message from the other of the portable transceiving device or the base station transceiving device is transmitted at an optimum frequency used for the test signal identified by the test result signal.

Abstract: An antenna coupler for a wireless communication system in a vehicle couples a transmit signal source to a plurality of antennas arranged within the vehicle. A first saturable reactor has a first load winding and a first control winding wound on a first saturable core, the first load winding coupling the signal source to a first antenna. A first current source is coupled to the first control winding for providing a selected current to the first control winding. A second saturable reactor has a second load winding and a second control winding wound on a second saturable core, the second load winding coupling the signal source to a second antenna. A second current source is coupled to the second control winding for providing a selected current to the second control winding. A controller is coupled to the first and second current sources for commanding the first and second selected currents to selectably attenuate or non-attenuate a transmit signal from the transmit signal source to each respective antenna.

Abstract: A rechargeable apparatus is provided for being recharged by an power source. The rechargeable apparatus include a rechargeable battery and a secondary inductive coil excited by the power source. The secondary inductive coil includes a first inductor having a first axis, a second inductor having a second axis, and a third inductor having a third axis. The first, second, and third axes are mutually orthogonal. The first, second, and third inductors produce a power output in response to said power source. The secondary inductive coil is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery whereby charging energy is coupled from the power source to the rechargeable battery regardless of an orientation of the secondary inductive coil to the power source.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system mounted in the vehicle and a portable fob for carrying by a user are provided. The vehicle communication system comprises a trigger generator, an LF transmitter for broadcasting an LF wakeup signal, and an RF transmitter for broadcasting a UHF status message including vehicle status data. The vehicle communication system broadcasts a challenge signal after the LF wakeup signal. The portable fob comprises an LF receiver responsive to the LF wakeup signal, a fob controller for determining response data, and an RF transmitter for broadcasting a UHF response signal incorporating the response data. The portable fob further comprises an RF receiver for receiving the vehicle status data, a visual display for visually reproducing the vehicle status data, and a manual input key for activating the fob controller to generate a remote control message. The RF transmitter in the portable fob broadcasts a UHF control signal incorporating the remote control message.

Abstract: A remote transmitter system for vehicle applications includes a remote transmitter for carrying by a user and a receiver for mounting on a vehicle and receiving an amplitude modulated signal. The transmitter is operative to transmit the amplitude modulated signal at a plurality of different carrier frequencies. The receiver is programmed to select the carrier frequency for reception by detecting noise due to unwanted frequency modulated signals based on a received signal strength indicator, and detecting noise due to unwanted amplitude modulated signals based on a data decoder. The receiver changes the selected carrier frequency when either noise becomes excessive.

Abstract: A vehicle tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system, the system including an immobilizer transmitter that transmits at least one low frequency (LF) sensor diagnostic signal, at least one TPM sensor, wherein the at least one TPM sensor includes a transceiver that receives the at least one LF sensor diagnostic signal and, when the at least one TPM sensor is operating properly, presents at least one radio frequency (RF) message signal, and a TPM receiver that receives the at least one RF message signal and provides an indication to an operator when the at least one RF message signal is received, wherein the LF sensor diagnostic signal is transmitted to determine proper operation of the at least one TPM sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle-based communication system for a vehicle includes a vehicle-based electronic control unit disposed within an interior structure of the vehicle for passively controlling entry to the vehicle. At least a portion of the vehicle-based electronic control unit and at least a portion of the interior structure are unshielded at low electromagnetic frequencies. A housing encloses the vehicle-based electronic control unit. A transmitter is disposed within the electronic control unit for generating a wake-up signal. A single antenna is integrated within the electronic control unit for transmitting the wake-up signal to a respective portable communication device exterior of the vehicle. The wake-up signal challenges the respective portable communication device for determining a presence of the portable communication device for allowing access to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one parameter of vehicle tire includes a receiver and a transmitter. The transmitter corresponds to the tire and has a programmable memory storing a code and one of a set of locally unique identifiers. The transmitter generates an encrypted portion of a transmitted signal based on the locally unique identifier and the code. The transmitter generates a data portion of the transmitted signal based on sensing at least one parameter of the tire. The receiver stores a set of locally unique identifiers and the code. The receiver receives the transmitted signal. The encrypted portion is decrypted using at least one of the code and the locally unique identifiers to produce a decrypted portion. A check is made to determine if the decrypted portion matches one of the code and the locally unique identifiers and, if so, the data portion is processed.

Abstract: An antenna system for a tire pressure monitoring radio frequency (RF) electronic device that includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a ground plane, and an active element. The PCB has a top surface and a bottom surface. The ground plane is on the bottom surface. The active element is mounted on the top surface. The active element includes a first segment positioned in a top surface plane and connected to a second segment oriented at an angle to the top surface.

Abstract: A two way remote communication system for a vehicle includes a fob portion and a vehicle portion. The fob portion includes a fob battery, a fob transceiver, at least one button and at least one display. The vehicle portion includes a vehicle battery, a vehicle transceiver, and at least one electrical component. The timers are synchronized to simultaneously activate and deactivate the transceivers to establish periodic time intervals when the fob transceiver is open to transmission, which establishes idle time for the fob transceiver and reduces the amount of power consumed by the fob battery.

Abstract: A vehicle remote entry system is provided which includes a keyless entry module for controlling the actuation of at least one vehicle entry function. A remote entry device for transmitting a wireless signal to the remote keyless entry module for activating the at least one vehicle entry function. A human machine interface for selecting at least one vehicle operating parameter including a signal range limitation setting for defining an operating range of the wireless signal for actuating the at least one vehicle entry function. The human machine interface provides the signal range limitation setting to the remote keyless entry module and a controller determines whether the wireless vehicle entry signal is within the signal range limitation setting for allowing actuation of the at least one vehicle entry function.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for verifying a command in a vehicle remote communication system. The remote communication system includes a remote transmitter, and a vehicle body having a receiver module and a control module connected by a communication bus disposed therein. The control module is in communication with at least one vehicle system. The remote transmitter transmits an activation signal that is received and decoded by the receiver module. The receiver module transmits a first message along the communication bus that is received by the control module. The control module transmits an acknowledgment message that is received by the receiver module. The receiver module re-transmits the first message that is received by the control module. The control module then initializes a vehicle system command to the vehicle system, thereby preventing an inadvertent activation of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A method is provided for inductively charging a rechargeable battery of a portable device in a vehicle via a primary circuit that includes a primary inductive coil, a secondary circuit that includes a secondary inductive coil, and a rectifying circuit electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery. A primary coil is energized with a supply voltage. A frequency of the supply voltage is varied. A peak voltage of the primary circuit is detected. The frequency of the supply voltage is adjusted to a respective frequency associated with the peak voltage.

Abstract: A remote keyless entry system includes a key fob having a tilt sensor. The tilt sensor detects when the key fob is tilted out of a range of preferred orientation and cooperates with the fob controller to selectively deactivate one or more of the remote keyless entry function buttons on the key fob.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicle tire pressure. A tire pressure monitor for each tire includes a pressure sensor for sensing tire pressure, a transmitter for transmitting a tire pressure signal representative of the sensed tire pressure, and a batter providing power to the transmitter. To conserve battery power, each tire pressure signal transmitted by the transmitters includes a wake-up signal only when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period. The wake-up signal ensures receipt of the tire pressure signal by a vehicle mounted receiver alternating between active state and inactive states.

Abstract: An antenna coupler for a wireless communication system in a vehicle couples a transmit signal source to a plurality of antennas arranged within the vehicle. A first saturable reactor has a first load winding and a first control winding wound on a first saturable core, the first load winding coupling the signal source to a first antenna. A first current source is coupled to the first control winding for providing a selected current to the first control winding. A second saturable reactor has a second load winding and a second control winding wound on a second saturable core, the second load winding coupling the signal source to a second antenna. A second current source is coupled to the second control winding for providing a selected current to the second control winding. A controller is coupled to the first and second current sources for commanding the first and second selected currents to selectably attenuate or non-attenuate a transmit signal from the transmit signal source to each respective antenna.

Abstract: A vehicle tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system, the system including an immobilizer transmitter that transmits at least one low frequency (LF) sensor diagnostic signal, at least one TPM sensor, wherein the at least one TPM sensor includes a transceiver that receives the at least one LF sensor diagnostic signal and, when the at least one TPM sensor is operating properly, presents at least one radio frequency (RF) message signal, and a TPM receiver that receives the at least one RF message signal and provides an indication to an operator when the at least one RF message signal is received, wherein the LF sensor diagnostic signal is transmitted to determine proper operation of the at least one TPM sensor.