Granted Patent B2

US 7,286,859 · App. 10/993,860 · Granted Oct 23, 2007

Abstract

Claims (31)

1. A method of detecting the broadcasting of an RF message from a remote transmitter to an in-vehicle receiver, said RF message including an initial preamble having a plurality of pulses, said method comprising the steps of:

providing power to said receiver for a first predetermined period of time;

counting a number of preamble pulses received during said first predetermined period of time; and

determining whether said number of preamble pulses received during said first predetermined period of time are between a first predetermined number of preamble pulses and a second predetermined number of preamble pulses;

if said number of preamble pulses are greater than said first predetermined number of preamble pulses, then power is automatically provided to said receiver for processing said RF message;

if said number of preamble pulses are less than said second predetermined number of preamble pulses, then automatically terminating power to said receiver after said first predetermined period of time; and

if said number of preamble pulses are between said first predetermined number of preamble pulses and said second predetermined number of preamble pulses, then extending said power to said receiver for an extended period of time.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said power is extended to said receiver for said extended period of time if a last received preamble pulse is determined valid.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein a counter for counting said preamble pulses is reset to zero in response to extending said power to said receiver for an extended period of time.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of counting said preamble pulses during said extended period of time for determining whether said preamble pulses are greater than said first predetermined number in response thereto.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of counting said preamble pulses during said extended period of time for determining whether said number of preamble pulses are between said first predetermined number of preamble pulses and said second predetermined number of preamble pulses and extending said power to said receiver for said extended period of time in response thereto.

6. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps counting said preamble pulses during said extended period of time for determining whether said number of preamble pulses are less then said second predetermined number of preamble pulses and then automatically terminating power to said receiver after said first predetermined period of time in response thereto.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein said power to said receiver is terminated after said first predetermined period of time if said last received preamble pulse is determined invalid.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing said power to a microcontroller for processing said RF message in response to determining said counted number of preamble pulses is greater than said first predetermined number of preamble pulses.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said RF receiver and said microcontroller are disposed in a tire pressure monitoring module.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said RF receiver and said microcontroller are disposed in a remote keyless entry module.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said remote transmitter is disposed in a remote keyless entry fob.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said remote transmitter is disposed in a portable tire pressure monitor device.

13. A control system for detecting the broadcast of a RF message from a remote transmitter to a receiver disposed in a vehicle-based module, said system comprises:

a receiver for receiving said RF message, said RF message including an initial preamble having a plurality of pulses;

a first controller including a counter for determining a number of preamble pulses received during said a first predetermined period, said first controller providing power to said receiver during said first predetermined period of time;

wherein power is automatically provided to said receiver for processing said RF message if said number of pulses is greater than said first predetermined number of preamble pulses;

wherein power is automatically terminated to said receiver after said first predetermined period of time if said number of preamble pulses are less than said second predetermined number of preamble pulses; and

wherein power is extended to said receiver for an extended period of time if said number of preamble pulses are between said first predetermined number of preamble pulses and said second predetermined number of preamble pulses.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising a second controller for processing said RF message in response to said number of pulses greater than said predetermined number of preamble pulses.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein said first controller processes said RF message in response to said number of pulses greater than said predetermined number of preamble pulses.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein said vehicle-based module includes a tire pressure monitoring module for monitoring tire pressure.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein said vehicle-based module includes a keyless entry module for activating a vehicle entry function.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein said first controller includes a strobing circuit for providing cycled power to said receiver.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein said transmitter includes a tire pressure monitoring device.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein said transmitter includes a remote keyless entry fob.

Assignments (9)