Patent ID: 7388466

Claim:
An integrated passive entry and remote keyless entry system for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle communication system mounted in said vehicle; and a portable fob for carrying by a user; wherein said vehicle communication system comprises a trigger generator, an LF transmitter responsive to said trigger generator for broadcasting an LF wakeup signal, and an RF transmitter for broadcasting a UHF status message including vehicle status data to said portable fob, and wherein said vehicle communication system broadcasts a challenge signal to said portable fob after said LF wakeup signal; wherein said portable fob comprises an LF receiver responsive to said challenge signal, a fob controller for determining response data according to said challenge signal, and an RF transmitter for broadcasting a UHF response signal incorporating said response data; wherein said portable fob further comprises an RF receiver for receiving said vehicle status data, a visual display for visually reproducing said vehicle status data, and a manual input key for activating said fob controller to generate a remote control message, wherein said RF transmitter in said portable fob broadcasts a UHF control signal incorporating said remote control message, wherein said vehicle communication system further comprises an RF receiver responsive to said UHF control signal, and wherein said vehicle communication system further comprises a base controller for initiating a corresponding remote control function in response to said UHF control signal; and wherein said LF receiver determines signal strength data of said LF wakeup signal and broadcasts said signal strength data to said vehicle communication system via said RF transmitter in said portable fob.