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 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 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 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: An ignition lock assembly mounts to a vehicle and operatively engages an ignition system. The ignition lock assembly includes a lock assembly having a recess for receiving a key shank. The recess has a retention device that will lock a portion of a knob in the recess when the portion of the knob is inserted in the recess and will allow removal of a key from the recess after a portion of the key is inserted into the recess. In this way, the same lock assembly can be used for a vehicle model that offers an option of conventional key ignition starting or passive go starting.

Abstract: A cellular telephone communication apparatus rechargeable by an exterior power source comprises a housing that includes a rechargeable battery. A secondary inductive coil disposed in the housing is excited by the exterior power source. A control circuit disposed in the housing is electrically connected between the secondary inductive coil and the rechargeable battery for controlling energy flow to the rechargeable battery. A transmitter disposed in the housing is activated for transmitting an identification signal. The identification signal identifies a particular rechargeable battery for recharging.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring and mitigating exhaust gas emitted from a vehicle in a closable structure. A remote monitoring device within the closable structure is trained in response to a training signal transmitted from a remote transmitter device. A remote engine start signal is intercepted within a receiving circuit of the remote monitoring device during an actual remote engine start operation. The exhaust gas emitted from the vehicle is monitored in response to receiving the remote engine start signal. A determination is made if an exhaust gas concentration level is greater than a predetermined threshold. A control signal is transmitted to a mitigation device for mitigating the exhaust gas within the closable structure when the exhaust gas concentration level is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A portable personal convenience device carried by a person having access to a transportation vehicle is provided that includes personal convenience means for performing a non-transportation related convenience function. A passive entry device is integrated within the personal convenience means and adapted to interact with the transportation vehicle for passively gaining access thereto. The passive entry device includes a receiver for receiving an interrogating signal from an electronic control module in the transportation vehicle. A transmitter is provided for broadcasting a response signal to the electronic control module. A controller is provided for controlling the transfer of the response signal to the electronic control module in response to the interrogating signal.

Abstract: A trailer tire monitoring system and method is employed with a trailer having tires and being towed by a vehicle. The trailer tire monitoring system has tire sensor assemblies, each mounted in a respective one of the trailer tires, with each tire sensor assembly including a sensor apparatus that monitors at least one tire operating parameter and a wireless transmitter apparatus capable of wirelessly transmitting data relating to the at least one tire operating parameter. The monitoring system also has a relay unit preferably mounted on the trailer and including a relay receiver adapted for receiving the wirelessly transmitted data from the wireless transmitters of the tire sensor assemblies, and a wireless relay transmitter that wirelessly transmits the data. An in-vehicle receiver receives the wirelessly transmitted data from the wireless relay transmitter, and an in-vehicle indicator is in communication with the in-vehicle receiver and available to the vehicle operator.

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.

Abstract: A batteryless tire pressure sensing device includes a sensing module disposed within a tire for sensing at least one pressure-related parameter of said tire. A thermoelectric module is provided for converting heat into electrical energy for energizing the sensing module. The thermoelectric module includes a first thermal conductive substrate exposed to a first temperature and a second thermal conductive substrate exposed to a second temperature. The heat conversion is generated between the first thermal conductive substrate and the second thermal conductive substrate in response to rotational movement of the tires.

Abstract: An antenna system for a radio frequency (RF) electronic device includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a ground plane, and an active element. The PCB may have a top surface and a bottom surface. The ground plane may be on the bottom surface. The active element may be 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 perpendicular to the top surface.

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: An antenna system for a radio frequency (RF) electronic device 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 perpendicular to the top surface.

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: 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 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 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: In a vehicle passive entry system including a remote transceiver, a system and method for detecting the location of the remote transceiver relative to the vehicle. An exterior vehicle antenna is provided for use in transmitting a first signal for receipt by the remote transceiver, and an interior vehicle antenna is provided for use in transmitting a second signal for receipt by the remote transceiver. A controller is provided on board the remote transceiver for determining a signal strength of the first signal, determining a signal strength of the second signal, and determining whether the remote transceiver is located inside or outside the vehicle based on the signal strengths of the first and second signals.

Abstract: A universal monitor to be mounted in a tire of a vehicle, the monitor for use in a remote tire pressure monitoring system for the vehicle. The monitor includes a sensor for sensing tire pressure, and a storage device for storing a plurality of codes, each code comprising at least a data format. The monitor also includes a transmitter in communication with the sensor and the storage device, the transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal including data representing the sensed tire pressure. The wireless signal is transmitted by the transmitter according to at least one of the stored plurality of codes.