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: A system and method of controlling a function using a variable sensitivity receiver, including a vehicle having the same. The method may include receiving a wireless control signal segment from a remote transmitter using the variable sensitivity receiver, decoding the wireless control signal segment using a controller in electronic communication with the variable sensitivity receiver, performing an attenuation step when the decoding is successful, generating a count for tracking an amount of attenuation performed, and determining whether to perform the function based at least in part on the count when the count is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or when the decoding is unsuccessful. The wireless control signal segment may include a request for the function and/or a partial request for the function. The attenuation step may include attenuating sensitivity of the variable sensitivity receiver by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A system and method for use in wireless communication includes selectively connecting a communication circuit to one of multiple antennas. The system and method also include preventing the remaining antennas from interacting with the antenna connected to the communication circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for use in wireless communication includes connecting a communication circuit to an antenna network. The network includes multiple antennas, each antenna optimized for operation in one of multiple designated frequency bands.

Abstract: A system and method for use in wireless communication includes selectively connecting a communication circuit to at least one of multiple antennas. Each antenna is optimized for operation in one of multiple designated frequency bands.

Abstract: A folding system for a vehicle seat is disclosed that includes a Rf transmitter that is associated with the seat and a receiver that polls a portable transmitter/receiver whenever it is within a targeted zone near the rear door, right side door, or left side door. Weight sensing sensor arrays in the folding seat are used to prevent folding the seat when a foreign object is disposed in the seat. A Rf receiver may be provided either as part of the vehicle seat or the Rf receiver of a remote keyless entry system can be used that communicates with the seat through a vehicle bus.

Abstract: A seat folding apparatus is provided with a passive Rf frequency link that requires that a person be within a certain limited distance from the vehicle to operate the seat folding mechanism. A foreign object detection system, such as a plurality of weight sensors, is provided in the seat to detect foreign objects on the seat.

Abstract: Method and system of passive entry. The method and system relating to controlling signal power levels. The method and system may include limiting signal power levels so as to limit re-radiation interference.

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 method is provided for configuring an operation mode of a passive entry system of a vehicle. A configuration mode of a vehicle based communication module is enabled by depressing a predetermined combination of actuation buttons on a portable communication device to broadcast a configuration mode command signal. A passive entry configuration is selected by depressing a respective actuation button on the portable communication device when in the configuration mode. The portable communication device broadcasts a corresponding command signal to the vehicle based communication module identifying the selection. The corresponding command signal is received from the portable communication device and the selected passive entry configuration is adopted in response thereto.

Abstract: A passive entry system for a vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle-based communication module mounted in the vehicle and a portable communication device. The vehicle-based communication module includes a transmitter for transmitting a challenge signal to the portable communication device when in a polling state to determine a presence of the portable communication device for allowing access to the vehicle. The portable communication device includes a receiver for receiving the challenge signal and is responsive to the challenge signal when in a response state and non-responsive to the challenge signal when in a non-response state.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly for use in a vehicle immobilizer system in accordance with the present invention includes a printed circuit board for mounting in an interior portion of the vehicle and having an aperture formed therethrough. The aperture is defined by an interior wall of the printed circuit board. An antenna trace is printed on the circuit board proximate to the interior wall defining the aperture. An ignition switch assembly extends through the aperture of the circuit board. The ignition switch is operable to receive a key having a transponder disposed thereon, and the antenna trace is operable to alternately transmit a signal to and receive a signal from the transponder when the key is positioned in the ignition switch.

Abstract: A secret key is programmed into a key transponder from a base station wherein the key transponder stores a fixed ID, a first default key segment stored in a first memory page, and a second default key segment stored in a second memory page. The secret key comprises a first new secret key segment to be stored in the first memory page of the key transponder and a second new secret key segment to be stored in the second memory page of the key transponder. A mutual authentication process is initially conducted using the default key. Write commands are sent to the key transponder in transferring each key segment. Write acknowledgement signals and confirmatory reading back of the data are employed for ensuring proper storage of the secret key. Recovery from the most probable types of errors enables successful programming of key transponders in an efficient manner with a low loss rate.

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 method and system for relearning a previously programmed, authenticated key. The system includes an electronic control module (ECM) and a key. The method begins when the ECM fails to match an identification code (ID) of the key with all active or disabled IDs that are stored within the ECM. Thereafter, the ECM sends a signal to the key by encryption with a default secret code. If the key does not respond to this signal, then the ECM sends a signal to the key by encryption with one of a series of unique secret codes. The key receives this signal and then transmits an encrypted valid response signal to the ECM. The ECM extracts a key password from the encrypted valid response signal and compares this key password to a module password. Thereafter, the ECM determines that the passwords are identical and the ECM stores the key ID.

Abstract: A method is provided for self-aligning a transmitting RF frequency between a portable transceiving device and a base station transceiving device. The base station transceiving device is mounted in a vehicle for controlling a vehicle accessory function in response to RF messages broadcast between the transceiving devices. The RF signal is transmitted from one of the portable or base station transceiving devices to the other of the portable or base station transceiving devices. The frequency of the RF signal is varied during the transmission. A RSSI value of a received RF signal is measured at selected frequencies. A respective frequency having a maximum RSSI value is determined. At least a portion of a subsequent RF message is transmitted from one of the portable transceiving device or base station transceiving device using the respective frequency.

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 low profile antenna for use in a vehicle remote communication system in accordance with the present invention includes a printed circuit board having a copper ground plane mounted on a first side thereof. A dielectric spacer is mounted to the first side of the printed circuit board. A lineal antenna trace is disposed on the dielectric spacer. The antenna also includes a transmission line having first and second signal conductors. The first conductor is coupled to a feed point on the lineal antenna trace and the second conductor is coupled to both the ground plane and a second point on the lineal antenna trace spaced from the feed point.

Abstract: A method and system for relearning a previously programmed, authenticated key. The system includes an electronic control module (ECM) and a key. The method begins when the ECM fails to match an identification code (ID) of the key with all active or disabled IDs that are stored within the ECM. Thereafter, the ECM sends a signal to the key by encryption with a default secret code. If the key does not respond to this signal, then the ECM sends a signal to the key by encryption with one of a series of unique secret codes. The key receives this signal and then transmits an encrypted valid response signal to the ECM. The ECM extracts a key password from the encrypted valid response signal and compares this key password to a module password. Thereafter, the ECM determines that the passwords are identical and the ECM stores the key ID.

Abstract: A passive entry system for a vehicle of a particular model communicates with a portable fob that may be located in either an interior and an exterior of the vehicle. An internal antenna is disposed in the interior and an external antenna is disposed in the exterior. At least one amplifier drives at least one of the antennas and has a configurable gain. A controller is coupled to the amplifier for transferring at least one of internal and external software-configured gain values to the amplifier for controlling a transmission power of interrogation signals broadcast by the internal and external antennas, respectively. The software-configured gain values are obtained in an advance calibration procedure with respect to the particular model of the vehicle.