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: A vehicle locating system for directing a user to a remotely-located vehicle comprises a vehicle-mounted location unit and a personal fob. The vehicle-mounted location unit includes a first global positioning receiver for receiving satellite location signals which operates at a duty cycle sufficient to maintain predetermined aiding data. The vehicle-mounted location unit processes vehicle location data and further includes a first local data transceiver for transmitting the predetermined aiding data. The portable fob includes a second global positioning receiver for receiving the satellite location signals, wherein the second global positioning receiver operates substantially only when the user initiates a request for directions to the vehicle. The portable fob further includes a second local data transceiver for receiving the predetermined aiding data from the first local data transceiver. The portable fob processes fob location data in response to the predetermined aiding data.

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: A low power consumption RF receiver system that is adapted for receiving and shaping transmitted digital data signals into a digital data stream for processing by a microprocessor is provided. The receiver system comprises an integrated circuit, which includes a data slicer adapted to accept the received digital data signals, shape the signals into a digital data stream, and pass the digital data stream to the microprocessor. The integrated circuit further includes a peak detector adapted to sense ambient circuit noise when digital data signals are not present, develop a voltage reference signal representative of the peak value of the ambient circuit noise, and pass the voltage reference signal to the data slicer.

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: 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 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: 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: A low power consumption RF receiver system that is adapted for receiving and shaping transmitted digital data signals into a digital data stream for processing by a microprocessor is provided. The receiver system comprises an integrated circuit, which includes a data slicer adapted to accept the received digital data signals, shape the signals into a digital data stream, and pass the digital data stream to the microprocessor. The integrated circuit further includes a peak detector adapted to sense ambient circuit noise when digital data signals are not present, develop a voltage reference signal representative of the peak value of the ambient circuit noise, and pass the voltage reference signal to the data slicer.

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: In a system for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle having front tires including a right tire and a left tire, and rear tires including a right tire and a left tire, a system and method are provided for automatically identifying tire location. A transmitters mounted in each tire transmits tire information signals conveying tire pressure data and associated tire rotation direction data. A vehicle mounted receiver has a location a first distance from the front tires and a second distance from the rear tires, the first distance being different from the second. A vehicle mounted controller in communication with the receiver determines whether pressure data is associated with a front tire or a rear tire based on the strength of the tire information signal, and whether pressure data is associated with a right tire or a left tire based on the associated rotation direction data.

Abstract: In a system for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle having front tires including a right tire and a left tire, and rear tires including a right tire and a left tire, a system and method are provided for automatically identifying tire location. A transmitters mounted in each tire transmits tire information signals conveying tire pressure data, and associated tire temperature data and tire rotation direction data. A vehicle mounted controller determines whether pressure data conveyed by tire information signals is associated with a front tire or a rear tire based on the associated temperature data, and whether pressure data is associated with a right tire or a left tire based on the associated rotation direction data.

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 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 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.

Abstract: In a system for remote monitoring of vehicle tire pressure, a system and method for identifying tire location. A tire pressure monitor for each tire includes a sensor for sensing tire pressure, a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the sensed tire pressure, and a sensor for sensing an impact to the tire and for actuating the transmitter to transmit a tire pressure signal in response. A receiver for mounting on the vehicle receives the tire pressure signals. A controller for mounting on the vehicle communicates with the receiver and is for use in conveying tire pressure and location information to a user. When the vehicle is stationary, each tire is struck in a preselected sequence so that each received tire pressure signal is automatically associated with one of the plurality of tire locations.

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.