Abstract: An automotive tire pressure monitoring assembly 10 for installation in a vehicle 12 is provided. The automotive tire pressure monitoring assembly 10 includes at least one tire pressure sensor 34 generating a signal based on the pressure of air within a tire 14. The at least one tire pressure sensor 34 further includes a sensor receiver 68 in communication with a sensor control logic 38. The sensor control logic 38 is adapted to receive spectral noise 20 from at least one noise generating assembly 18. The automotive tire pressure monitoring assembly 10 further includes a controller assembly 52 positioned within the vehicle 12 and in remote communication with the at least one tire pressure sensor 34. The automotive tire pressure monitoring assembly 10 includes a positioning logic adapted to determine the position of the at least one tire pressure sensor 34 based on the strength of the spectral noise 20.

Abstract: For use in a tire pressure monitoring system, an amplitude modulation (AM) radio frequency (RF) oscillator includes a modulator and a generator. The modulator may be configured to generate a modulation signal in response to a data input signal. The generator may be configured to generate an AM output signal having an RF carrier frequency and an envelope, wherein the envelope is amplitude modulated by the modulation signal and the generator includes a frequency determining device.

Abstract: A combined immobilizing and steering column control system for a vehicle includes a device, a steering wheel, and a vehicle immobilizing system. The device has a transponder for transmitting an identification signal. The steering wheel includes controls and a first inductor. The first inductor transmits a control signal for controlling a vehicle function in response to a corresponding steering wheel control being actuated. The immobilizing system has a second inductor and a controller. The second inductor is operable to sense the identification signal transmitted by the transponder and to sense a control signal transmitted by the first inductor. The controller performs a vehicle immobilizing function in response to the second inductor sensing an identification signal transmitted by the transponder. The controller enables the vehicle function corresponding to an actuated steering wheel control in response to the second inductor sensing the corresponding control signal transmitted by the first inductor.

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: An active keyed locking system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes a keyed actuated device (58). A position sensor (56) is coupled to the keyed device (58) and generates a position signal indicative of position of the keyed device (58). A controller (64) is electrically coupled to the position sensor (56) and enables a vehicle component in response to the position signal.

Abstract: A system for remote monitoring of vehicle tire pressure includes monitors mounted in the tires, each including a tire pressure sensor, a transmitter for transmitting a tire pressure signal, a battery for the transmitter, and a receiver for receiving an initiation signal. Initiators are mounted on-board the vehicle, each initiator associated with one of the tire monitors. Each initiator is for use in generating a low frequency initiation signal for receipt by a tire receiver to cause the transmitter to transmit a tire pressure signal. A vehicle mounted controller activates the initiators in order to generate the low frequency initiation signals, and processes the tire pressure signals to convey tire pressure information to a user. The controller further activates the initiators in order to generate a low frequency electromagnetic field for use in recharging the batteries in the tire monitors.

Abstract: For use in a tire pressure monitoring system, an initiator generator includes an oscillator/divider configured to generate an output signal in response to a switched, regulated voltage. The output signal has a fundamental frequency and a gating frequency.

Abstract: An automotive keyless smart-start assembly 10 for use in an automobile 22 is provided including an automotive engine 18 having an operating condition and a stopped condition. An ignition controller 16, having a locked state and an unlocked state, is in communication with the automotive engine 18. A receptacle bin 20 is mounted to the automobile 22 and is in communication with the ignition controller 16. The receptacle bin 20 is movable between a closed position 34 and an open position 32. A portable electronic transmitter element 12, including a security code 14, communicates the security code 14 to the ignition controller 16 upon being positioned within the receptacle bin 20. The ignition controller 16 verifies the security code 14 and moves to the unlocked state upon verification. The receptacle bin 20 moves to the closed position 34 upon verification.

Abstract: An automotive remote start assembly 10 for use in an automobile 14 is provided. The automotive remote start assembly 10 includes a portable remote device 12 having a remote transmitter element 18 and a remote receiver element 20 in communication with a remote controller element 16. The remote controller element 16 is configured to transmit an operator initiated ignition signal 24, receive a main system confirmation signal 34, and transmit a remote system confirmation signal 42 upon receipt of the main system confirmation signal 34. The automotive remote start assembly 10 further includes an in-vehicle remote start module 26 having an internal transmitter element 30 and an internal receiver element 32 in communication with an internal controller element 28.

Abstract: In a vehicle passive entry system, a countermeasure system and method include a remote unit for receiving a passive entry challenge signal, determining if the passive entry challenge signal is valid, and transmitting a vehicle access signal for use in actuating a door look mechanism to permit access to the vehicle if the passive entry challenge signal is determined valid. The remote unit includes an indicator for use in generating an alert if the passive entry challenge signal is determined valid, and a switch for use in manually disabling transmission of the vehicle access signal. The countermeasure system further includes a passive entry control module for mounting in the vehicle, the control module including a transceiver for transmitting the passive entry challenge signal and for receiving the vehicle access signal.

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 wireless gateway node (12) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a transceiver (22), digital processing circuit (26), and an interface (28) that is used to receive wireless gateway signals and couple the signals to control system (16) of automotive vehicle (10). Wireless gateway node (12) allows two-way communication between various wireless communication devices such as personal digital assistants and laptop computers. The transceiver (22) may be reconfigurable to allow communication with several different types of devices using different communication protocols.

Abstract: An automotive tire pressure monitoring assembly 10 for installation in a vehicle 12 is provided. The automotive tire pressure monitoring assembly 10 includes at least one tire pressure sensor 34 generating a signal based on the pressure of air within a tire 14. The at least one tire pressure sensor 34 further includes a sensor receiver 68 in communication with a sensor control logic 38. The sensor control logic 38 is adapted to receive spectral noise 20 from at least one noise generating assembly 18. The automotive tire pressure monitoring assembly 10 further includes a controller assembly 52 positioned within the vehicle 12 and in remote communication with the at least one tire pressure sensor 34. The automotive tire pressure monitoring assembly 10 includes a positioning logic adapted to determine the position of the at least one tire pressure sensor 34 based on the strength of the spectral noise 20.

Abstract: A system for determining a total number of access devices associated with a target includes a controller and an access device. The controller may be configured to control operation of the target. The access device includes a partially restricted memory configured to store the total number of the access devices associated with the target and to provide unrestricted read access to the total number, and a restricted memory configured to store a password. A read operation of the restricted memory is restricted by an authorization code.

Abstract: A combined immobilizing and steering column control system for a vehicle includes a device, a steering wheel, and a vehicle immobilizing system. The device has a transponder for transmitting an identification signal. The steering wheel includes controls and a first inductor. The first inductor transmits a control signal for controlling a vehicle function in response to a corresponding steering wheel control being actuated. The immobilizing system has a second inductor and a controller. The second inductor is operable to sense the identification signal transmitted by the transponder and to sense a control signal transmitted by the first inductor. The controller performs a vehicle immobilizing function in response to the second inductor sensing an identification signal transmitted by the transponder. The controller enables the vehicle function corresponding to an actuated steering wheel control in response to the second inductor sensing the corresponding control signal transmitted by the first inductor.

Abstract: A system for determining a total number of access devices associated with a target includes a controller and an access device. The controller may be configured to control operation of the target. The access device includes a partially restricted memory configured to store the total number of the access devices associated with the target and to provide unrestricted read access to the total number, and a restricted memory configured to store a password. A read operation of the restricted memory is restricted by an authorization code.

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 controlling a magnetic field strength includes a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field for receipt by a responsive device and a controller in communication with the magnetic field generator for determining a strength of the magnetic field to a level sufficient for use in controlling the responsive 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 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.