SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING A FUNCTION

1 . A system for remotely controlling a function, the system comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a wireless control signal when a function is requested, the wireless control signal including a first signal portion and a second signal portion; and

a receiver for receiving the wireless control signal;

wherein the transmitter transmits the first signal portion at a first frequency deviation and transmits the second signal portion at a second frequency deviation level when a range-limited function is requested.

2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter transmits the first and second signal portions at the first frequency deviation level when the command signal is not indicative of a range-limited function.

3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first frequency deviation level provides greater receiver sensitivity than the second frequency deviation level.

4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter generates the wireless control signal using a single power level.

5 . The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver is disposed on a motor vehicle and the transmitter is a remote keyless entry fob.

6 . The system of claim 5 wherein the remote keyless entry fob is an active remote keyless entry fob.

7 . The system of claim 5 wherein the remote keyless entry fob is a passive remote keyless entry fob.

8 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a transmitter input device for generating a command signal; and

a transmitter controller for determining whether a range-limited function is requested based on the command signal, the transmitter being electronically coupled to the input device and the transmitter.

9 . A method of controlling a function, the method comprising:

generating a wireless control signal with a transmitter, the wireless control signal having first and second signal portions;

transmitting the first signal portion at a first frequency deviation level;

transmitting the second signal portion at the first frequency deviation level when a range-limited function is not requested;

transmitting the second signal portion at a second frequency deviation level when a range-limited function is requested; and

performing the function if a receiver detects and successfully decodes the first and second signal portions.

10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the first frequency deviation level provides greater receiver sensitivity than the second frequency deviation level.

11 . The method of claim 9 wherein the transmitter generates the wireless control signal using a single power level.

12 . The method of claim 9 wherein the first signal segment is transmitted before the second signal segment.

13 . The method of claim 9 wherein the transmitter is an active remote keyless entry fob.

14 . The method of claim 9 wherein the transmitter is a passive remote keyless entry fob.

15 . A method of controlling a vehicle function with a remote keyless entry system having a receiver disposed on a vehicle and a remote keyless entry fob having a transmitter and first and second input devices, the method comprising:

actuating at least one of the first and second input devices;

transmitting a first wireless control signal at a first frequency deviation level with the transmitter when the first input device is actuated;

transmitting a second wireless control signal having a first signal portion and a second signal portion, wherein the first signal portion is transmitted at a first frequency deviation level and the second signal portion is transmitted at a second frequency deviation level when the second input device is actuated;

implementing a first vehicle function when the first wireless control signal is received by the receiver and successfully decoded;

implementing a second vehicle function when the second wireless control signal is received by the receiver and successfully decoded;

wherein the first frequency deviation level provides greater receiver sensitivity than the second frequency deviation level.

16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the first frequency deviation level corresponds to a maximum sensitivity of the receiver.

17 . The method of claim 15 wherein the second frequency deviation level corresponds to a minimum sensitivity of the receiver.

18 . The method of claim 15 wherein the first function includes at least one of locking a vehicle closure, closing a vehicle window, or starting a vehicle engine.

19 . The method of claim 15 wherein the second function includes at least one of unlocking a vehicle closure or actuating a vehicle closure.

20 . The method of claim 15 wherein the first signal portion is transmitted before the second signal portion.