EP0598107A1

EP0598107A1 - Power saving remote keyless entry

Info

Publication number: EP0598107A1
Application number: EP93914408A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Fleissner; Gerald M. Brehmer
Original assignee: Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
Current assignee: Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
Priority date: 1992-06-08
Filing date: 1993-06-08
Publication date: 1994-05-25
Also published as: EP0598107A4; JPH06509899A; WO1993025987A1

Abstract

Système d'entrée commandé à distance conçu pour un véhicule, tel qu'une automobile. Un processeur de signaux (18) peut couper l'alimentation des sections de traitement du processeur, tel qu'un amplificateur de données (12.6), afin de préserver le courant de la batterie. La séquence de coupure a lieu après la mise en application d'une fonction en réponse à une instruction provenant d'un émetteur manuel (10). La séquence de mise sous tension est déclenchée par la transmission au processeur d'un signal codé (N) lui commandant d'effectuer la mise sous tension. Un signal de données (DB) suit le signal de mise sous tension et provoque le déclenchement d'une fonction du processeur, telle que le déverrouillage des portes. Le processeur ne déclenche cette fonction qu'après la disparition du signal de mise sous tension. Le signal de mise sous tension est constitué par une pluralité d'impulsions codées de tonalité (TP). Un décodeur de tonalité décode lesdites impulsions, ainsi qu'un signal d'instruction (DB) depuis un signal électromagnétique démodulé.Remote controlled entry system designed for a vehicle, such as an automobile. A signal processor (18) can cut power to the processor processing sections, such as a data amplifier (12.6), to conserve battery current. The shutdown sequence takes place after the application of a function in response to an instruction from a manual transmitter (10). The power-up sequence is triggered by the transmission to the processor of an encoded signal (N) commanding it to carry out the power-up. A data signal (DB) follows the power-on signal and triggers a processor function, such as unlocking the doors. The processor does not activate this function until the power-up signal disappears. The power-on signal consists of a plurality of tone coded pulses (TP). A tone decoder decodes said pulses, as well as an instruction signal (DB) from a demodulated electromagnetic signal.

Description

Power Saving Remote Keyless Entry

Technical Field This invention relates to remotely controlled systems for vehicles, such as automobile keyless entry systems.

Background Art

Remotely controlled ("keyless") security systems are becoming increasingly popular in automobiles. These systems typically use a small key chain transmitter. The operator presses a button sending a command as a transmitted coded electromagnetic signal using an infrared or RF carrier. The signal is received at a receiver in the vehicle. At the receiver, a signal processor interprets the decoded information and causes the command function to take place, such as unlocking the doors and providing an audible signal heard (a "chirp") audible some distance away from the vehicle, confirming that the command has been received and completed.

The receiver and the processor are always in a full power stand-by condition waiting for the command, creating considerable battery drainage, especially if a vehicle is parked for a length of time in colder climates, where available battery power is significantly reduced by lower temperatures. A driver, away for several weeks may return to the vehicle finding a dead battery caused by this continuous power drain in the otherwise "de-powered" vehicle, except perhaps for the clock, although clocks usually blank the A splay when the vehicle is parked to save power. Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, portions of the receiver are

"powered down" (a "sleep mode") after security functions are carried out, for example, after the doors are locked. When the user presses the remote transmit, coded signal is transmitted, causing the signal receiver to power-up ("wake up"). It then accepts the coded command.

According to the present invention, the signal processor waits until the power-up signal is removed before responding to a command.

According to one aspect of the invention, the power-up signal, which proceeds the alarm inactivation signal, comprises a plurality of tone coded pulses. The receiver contains a tone decoder that responds only to particular received pulses. The frequency of the transmitted pulses corresponds to the detection frequency of the decoder and a specified number of pulses must be received. The decoder produces a control signal when those conditions are satisfied. The control signal causes the battery to power the powered down portions of the receiver.

According to another aspect of the invention, thus the receiver goes to sleep after the command is completed.

According to another aspect of the invention, the last tone pulse (last pulse in the "wake-up signal") initializes a microprocessor routine that interprets the digital command following the wake-up signal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a keyless entry system embodying the present invention. FIG. 2 is a time graph showing the wake-up and command signals. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

In FIG. 1, a portable remote-control transmitter 10 contains a transmit button 10.1. A user presses the button to cause the transmitter 10 to transmit a carrier (RF or infrared) modulated by "tone pulses" TP and data bits DB shown in FIG. 2. Those signals consist of a "wake-up signal", first "burst" of tone puises at a particular audio frequency and a command, a digital word of data bits. Pressing the button activates a tone-generator 10.2, connected to an RF/digital output 10.3 that produces the modulated carrier RF which is applied to an antenna 10.4. The modulated carrier RF. comprising the tone puises TP and data bits DB in

FIG. 2, is transmitted to a remote receiver 12, associated with the vehicle and powered by the vehicle's battery 14. The carrier RF is received by an antenna 12 and applied to a super regenerative receiver 14 that demodulates the carrier RF producing, on the line 12.2, the two signals TP and DB (one audio pulses at frequency F of the tone pulses TP and the other a "pulse width" modulated digital word with the data characteristics of the data bits of signal DB where a zero is distinguished from a one (zero is "0" and one is " 1 ") by the duty cycle.

The signal TP is applied to a tone decoder 12.3, which is responsive to signal TP having the correct audio frequency and number of puises to provide an output "wake-up" signal SIG. 1 on the line 12.31. The wake-up signal is applied to a signal processor 12.4. which controls a switch SW that applies power to a data amplifier 12.6 in response to the wake-up signal, which the decoder only produces when N pulses at frequency F are detected. As discussed below, the processor includes a microprocessor 12.6 that begins a command detection routine when the wake-up signal disappears (when the last pulse of the N + X pulses in signal TP disappears), and if the code is correct, the command is carried out, e.g. the doors are iocked or unlocked.

- 3 - The data amplifier 20, though shown as a separate item, should be viewed as part of the signal processor "system" 18, but receives power separately from the battery. The data amplifier 20 provides the signal DB to the processor I/O section on the line 20.1 as a signal DATA. When the signal DATA is received, the processor initiates a decode routine of the signal DATA and sends a signal SIG. 2 to an alarm system 22 that controls the door locks 24. Once the function associated with the command DB is completed (e.g. the door locks are latched or unlatched, the microprocessor again goes into its sleep mode; the power to the data amplifier and the microprocessor is removed by operating switch SW.

With the benefit of the foregoing description, one skilled in the art may make modifications in whole or in part through the embodiment of the invention that has been described with departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention embraced by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A remote control security system, characterized by: a portable transmitter comprising means for transmitting a signal comprising a code of finite duration preceding a data signal for performing a security function; a battery powered receiver comprising means for receiving said signal, means for detecting said code and said data signal, first control means for initiating said security function in response to said data signal, second control means for providing a first signal to power said first control means in response to said code and discontinuing said first signal after said security function is performed.

2. The invention described in claim 1 further characterized in that: said code comprises N audible tone pulses of finite duration and said second control means comprises a tone decoder that provides an output signal in response to said tones.

3. The invention described in claim 2 further characterized in that said commanded function is identified by a duty cycle of pulses in said data signal and said first control means determines said duty cycle with reference to the last one of said N tone pulses.

4. The invention described in claim 3 further characterized in that said first control means comprises a signal processor having a clock and a data amplifier, said clock and said data amplifier operating from the battery in response to said first signal and being unpowered when said first signal is absent and said clock is triggered by said last tone pulse.

5. A method of battery conservation in a vehicle having a remotely accessed security control system comprising a signal processor, characterized by the steps of: putting sections of the signal processor in a powered down state after a function is performed by the control system; remotely transmitting a signal that contains a coded instruction to power-up said sections and a coded instruction to perform a commanded security function; and waiting until said coded instruction is discontinued to decode said instruction and perform said commanded function.

6. The invention described in claim 5 further characterized in that said sections includes a data amplified and processor clock.

7. The invention described in claim 6 further characterized in that said coded instruction comprises a plurality of tone coded pulses preceding said commanded instruction and said commanded instruction is decoded with reference to the last of said tone encoded pulses.