Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring of vehicle tire pressure and remote vehicle immobilization. Transmitters are provided for mounting in the vehicle tires for transmitting wireless tire information signals. A receiver is provided for mounting on the vehicle for receiving both the tire information signals transmitted by the transmitters and a remote wireless encrypted vehicle immobilization signal including an authentication code. A controller is provided for mounting on the vehicle in communication with the receiver. The controller processes the tire information signals received by the receiver to convey tire pressure information to a vehicle occupant, and processes the encrypted vehicle immobilization signal received by the receiver to determine if the immobilization signal is valid based on the authentication code and to generate a control signal for use in immobilizing the vehicle if the immobilization signal is determined valid.

Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring of tire pressure provide an indication of optimal tire pressure when a tire inflation valve is actuated. A tire monitor mounted a tire includes sensors for sensing tire pressure and temperature, and a transmitter for transmitting wireless tire information signals having tire pressure and tire temperature data. A controller mounted on board the vehicle determines an optimal pressure for the tire based on the temperature data and vehicle load information. The controller generates a control signal for use in providing an audible and/or visual indication during tire pressure adjustment when the sensed tire pressure represented by the tire pressure data is substantially equal to the determined optimal tire pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system responsive to radio frequency (RF) signals is positioned within a vehicle passenger compartment. The system includes a module disposed within a headrest of the seat for receiving RF signals. The seat is separated from an interior boundary that defines the vehicle passenger compartment.

Abstract: A low power transmitter useful for vehicle remote keyless entry systems, for example, includes a transmitter circuit portion and a gain control circuit portion. The gain control circuit portion preferably includes an inductive load that introduces a resonant frequency that provides radio frequency gain control. The transmitter circuit portion preferably includes a transistor having a collector node and an emitter node. The gain controller circuit preferably includes a capacitive load coupled between the emitter node and the collector node of the transistor. The inductive load preferably is coupled between the emitter node of the transistor and ground.

Abstract: A system for providing vehicle location information or confirmation of remote entry system operation to a user. In one embodiment, a vehicle transceiver receives a wireless vehicle device function signal, and a vehicle controller generates a vehicle device control signal for use in operating a vehicle device in response. The vehicle controller also confirms operation of the vehicle device, and the vehicle transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle device function confirmation signal. A remote unit includes a transceiver for operation by the user for transmitting the vehicle device function signal and for receiving the vehicle device function confirmation signal. The remote unit also includes an indicator for providing an indication to the user confirming operation of the vehicle device, and a storage device for storing retrievable data representing the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device.

Abstract: A system for providing vehicle location information or confirmation of remote entry system operation to a user. In one embodiment, a vehicle transceiver receives a wireless vehicle device function signal, and a vehicle controller generates a vehicle device control signal for use in operating a vehicle device in response. The vehicle controller also confirms operation of the vehicle device, and the vehicle transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle device function confirmation signal. A remote unit includes a transceiver for operation by the user for transmitting the vehicle device function signal and for receiving the vehicle device function confirmation signal. The remote unit also includes an indicator for providing an indication to the user confirming operation of the vehicle device, and a storage device for storing retrievable data representing the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device.

Abstract: A remote access device which may comprise an antenna having a first inductor with a first axis, a second inductor with a second axis, and a third inductor with a third axis, where the first, second and third axes may be oriented substantially perpendicular to each other, respectively, such that the first inductor generates a first magnetic field associated with a first plane, the second inductor generates a second magnetic field associated with a second plane different than the first plane, and the third inductor generates a third magnetic field associated with a third plane different than the first and second planes. The remote access device preferably includes a single form for the first, second and third inductors, where the first, second and third inductors are each wound on the form.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system responsive to radio frequency (RF) signals is positioned within a vehicle passenger compartment. The system includes a module disposed within a headrest of the seat for receiving RF signals. The seat is separated from an interior boundary that defines the vehicle passenger compartment.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicle tire pressure. A tire monitor for each tire includes a pressure sensor for sensing tire pressure and a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the sensed tire pressure. A receiver for mounting on the vehicle receives the tire pressure signals. The transmitters and the receiver utilize code division multiple access (CDMA) for the tire pressure signals so that tire pressure signals transmitted simultaneously by the transmitters can be received by the receiver. A controller for mounting on the vehicle communicates with the receiver and collects and processes the tire pressure signals, and generates control signals for use in conveying tire pressure information to a vehicle occupant.

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 and a transmitter for transmitting a tire pressure signal representative of the sensed tire pressure. A receiver for mounting on the vehicle receives the tire pressure signals, and includes an antenna to be located at a vehicle site. Each tire pressure signal has an amplitude and, for each tire location, the amplitude has a unique pattern over time for the antenna site. A controller for mounting on the vehicle communicates with the receiver and collects and processes the tire pressure signals to automatically identify the tire location associated with each tire pressure signal based on the unique amplitude patterns. The controller further generates control signals for use in conveying tire pressure and location information to a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A transmitter circuit includes an oscillator circuit and an amplifier circuit. The oscillator circuit includes a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator and generates a carrier signal. The amplifier circuit receives the carrier signal and a data signal, and generates an output signal as the carrier signal modulated with the data signal.

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: Tire over- or under-inflation can create problems in vehicle operation. To limit the effects of out-of-range tire pressure, vehicle speed is automatically controlled if the vehicle speed is not appropriate for either or both of measured tire air pressure and measured tire temperature.

Abstract: A combined vehicle remote access, tire monitoring and vehicle immobilization system and method including a tire monitor for monitoring a tire parameter, the monitor including a transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency tire data signal, a vehicle access transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency vehicle access signal, and a vehicle activation transponder for receiving an interrogation signal and transmitting a vehicle activation signal for use in vehicle immobilization. The system and method further include a control module having a receiver and a controller for receiving and processing the tire data, vehicle access, and vehicle activation signals, and generating a display signal to display the information represented by the tire data signal, a vehicle access control signal to perform the vehicle access function, and a vehicle immobilization control signal to immobilize the vehicle if the controller fails to authenticate the vehicle activation signal.

Abstract: Tire over- or under-inflation can create problems in vehicle operation. To limit the effects of out-of-range tire pressure, vehicle speed is automatically controlled if the vehicle speed is not appropriate for measured tire air pressure.

Abstract: A combined vehicle remote access, tire monitoring and vehicle immobilization system and method including a tire monitor for monitoring a tire parameter, the monitor including a transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency tire data signal, a vehicle access transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency vehicle access signal, and a vehicle activation transponder for receiving an interrogation signal and transmitting a vehicle activation signal for use in vehicle immobilization. The system and method further include a control module having a receiver and a controller for receiving and processing the tire data, vehicle access, and vehicle activation signals, and generating a display signal to display the information represented by the tire data signal, a vehicle access control signal to perform the vehicle access function, and a vehicle immobilization control signal to immobilize the vehicle if the controller fails to authenticate the vehicle activation signal.

Abstract: A combined vehicle remote access, tire monitoring and vehicle immobilization system and method including a tire monitor for monitoring a tire parameter, the monitor including a transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency tire data signal, a vehicle access transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency vehicle access signal, and a vehicle activation transponder for receiving an interrogation signal and transmitting a vehicle activation signal for use in vehicle immobilization. The system and method further include a control module having a receiver and a controller for receiving and processing the tire data, vehicle access, and vehicle activation signals, and generating a display signal to display the information represented by the tire data signal, a vehicle access control signal to perform the vehicle access function, and a vehicle immobilization control signal to immobilize the vehicle if the controller fails to authenticate the vehicle activation signal.

Abstract: A remote access device which may comprise an antenna having a first inductor with a first axis, a second inductor with a second axis, and a third inductor with a third axis, where the first, second and third axes may be oriented substantially perpendicular to each other, respectively, such that the first inductor generates a first magnetic field associated with a first plane, the second inductor generates a second magnetic field associated with a second plane different than the first plane, and the third inductor generates a third magnetic field associated with a third plane different than the first and second planes. The remote access device preferably includes a single form for the first, second and third inductors, where the first, second and third inductors are each wound on the form.

Abstract: Tire over- or under-inflation can create problems in vehicle operation. To limit the effects of out-of-range tire pressure, vehicle speed is automatically controlled if the vehicle speed is not appropriate for measured tire air pressure.

Abstract: A system for automatically charging a battery of a remote keyless entry transmitter includes a voltage monitoring circuit having a first microprocessor which monitors battery voltage and which causes the transmitter to send an RF signal to a receiver in the form of a base station on a motor vehicle. The signal causes a charging circuit of the base station to activate an inductive field to cause the battery to be fully charged. In one embodiment, the first microprocessor also causes the transmitter to send a second signal to the base station to shut down the charging field when the battery voltage reaches a predetermined upper limit. In another embodiment, a second microprocessor of the base station tracks the charging time and shuts down the charging field when the charging time reaches a predetermined amount. Alternatively, charging can be done by direct contact or other means.