FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
The patent Rule, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING RANGE OF A VEHICLE IN VEHICLE FINDER APPLICATION
Name and address of the applicant:
a) Name: MINDA CORPORATION LIMITED
b) Nationality: Indian
c) Address: E-5/2, Chakan Industrial Area, Phase- III M.I.D.C. Nanekarwadi,
Tal: Khed, Dist., Pune, Maharashtra, 410-501, India.
The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle finder application. More particularly but
not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a method, apparatus and system for
improving range for finding a vehicle in vehicle finder application using at least two RF
frames.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Remote keyless entry (RKE) systems for vehicles have been in use for many years. These systems provide safety and convenience for a user entering or exiting a vehicle. Some of the typical features offered by these systems allow the user to locate the vehicle and also to lock/unlock vehicle entry in a remote manner. Typical RKE systems utilize a communicating device with a radiofrequency (RF) transmitter which transmits to a base station in the vehicle. When the user is within range, the user actuates a corresponding button on the communicating device to send a vehicle finder command, lock or unlock, command, for example.
[0003] For keyless entry / vehicle detection systems the "vehicle finder" command particularly needs to support a long distance range of operation. The issue of range improvement is detrimentally faced by the vehicle access technology suppliers, across the automotive domain. The range is severely impacted by the noise, omnipresent across the vehicle. Once the noise impacts the signal from the communication device, the vehicle finder operation may fail, prompting the user to repeatedly press key fob buttons for tracing the location of the vehicle, thus causing the user inconvenience. So, there arises a need for technology for innovating range improvement solutions in order to facilitate easier and comfortable access of the vehicle to the user. The range improvement solution will also help to improve the battery life, which might be impacted upon due to continuous press of the push buttons of the key fob, preventing the need for the user to re-transmit the signal from the communication device again and again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One or more shortcomings discussed above are overcome, and additional advantages are provided by the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the disclosure.
[0005] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of improving range of a vehicle in vehicle finder application is provided. The method comprises receiving, at an Electronic control unit of the vehicle from a communicating device, a command signal, wherein the command signal comprises at least two RF frames, the at least two RF frames comprising a first radio frequency (RF) frame and a second RF frame, wherein each of the first and the second RF frames comprises a plurality of data bits, wherein number of data bits in each frames remain equal, checking whether the received command signal is a vehicle finder command signal, upon determining that the received command signal is the vehicle command signal: storing, in a memory of the electronic control unit (ECU), the at least two RF frames, matching each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame with a pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU, finding the vehicle if the match is successful. If the match is unsuccessful: generating a corrupted data bit information of the received first RF frame by analyzing each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits of the pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the first RF frame, storing, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the first RF frame; wherein said number of corrupted data bits of the first RF frame is less than a pre-determined threshold value, rejecting the first RF frame, matching each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame with the pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU, finding the vehicle if the match is successful. If the match is not successful: generating a corrupted data bit information of the received second RF frame by analyzing position of each of the

plurality of data bits of the second RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits in pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the second RF frame, storing, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the second RF frame, determining from the stored corrupted data bit information of the first and second RF frame, whether positions of the corrupted data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other, upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other: tailoring the data bits of the second RF frame by replacing the corrupted data bits of the second RF frame with the data bits of the corresponding positions of the first RF frame so that the tailored data bits of the second RF frame matches with the pre-designated data bits; finding the vehicle based on the result carried out in tailoring step. Upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are not mutually exclusive with each other, the method comprises: matching the total number of data bits in the second RF frame with a pre-determined threshold, transferring one or more data bits from the pre-designated data bits if the total number of corrupted data bits in the second RF frame is less than the pre-determined threshold.
[0006] In one non-limiting embodiment, an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) present in the vehicle for use in improving range of a vehicle in vehicle finder application is provided. The ECU comprises: a memory; a processor coupled to the memory and configured to receive, at an Electronic control unit of the vehicle from a communicating device, a command signal, wherein the command signal comprises at least two RF frames, the at least two RF frames comprising a first radio frequency (RF) frame and a second RF frame, wherein each of the first and the second RF frames comprises a plurality of data bits, wherein number of data bits in each frames remain equal, check whether the received command signal is a vehicle finder command signal, upon determining that the received command signal is the vehicle command signal: store, in a memory of the electronic control unit (ECU), the at least two RF frames, match each of the plurality of data bits of

the first RF frame with a pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU, finding the vehicle if the match is successful. If the match is unsuccessful: generate a corrupted data bit information of the received first RF frame by analyzing each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits of the pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the first RF frame, store, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the first RF frame; wherein said number of corrupted data bits of the first RF frame is less than a pre-determined threshold value, reject the first RF frame, matching each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame with the pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU, find the vehicle if the match is successful. If the match is not successful: generate a corrupted data bit information of the received second RF frame by analyzing position of each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits in pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the second RF frame, storing, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the second RF frame, determine from the stored corrupted data bit information of the first and second RF frame, whether positions of the corrupted data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other, upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other: tailor the data bits of the second RF frame by replacing the corrupted data bits of the second RF frame with the data bits of the corresponding positions of the first RF frame so that the tailored data bits of the second RF frame matches with the pre-designated data bits; find the vehicle based on the result carried out in tailoring step. Upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are not mutually exclusive with each other, the processor is configured to: match the total number of data bits in the second RF frame with a pre-determined threshold, transfer one or more data bits from the pre-designated data bits if the total number of corrupted data bits in the second RF frame is less than the pre-determined threshold.

[0007] In yet another non-limiting embodiment, A system for improving range of a vehicle in vehicle finder application is provided. The system comprises a communication device; and a vehicle comprising an Electronic Control unit (ECU) communicating with the communication device. The ECU comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to receive, at an Electronic control unit of the vehicle from a communicating device, a command signal, wherein the command signal comprises at least two RF frames, the at least two RF frames comprising a first radio frequency (RF) frame and a second RF frame, wherein each of the first and the second RF frames comprises a plurality of data bits, wherein number of data bits in each frames remain equal, check whether the received command signal is a vehicle finder command signal, upon determining that the received command signal is the vehicle command signal: store, in a memory of the electronic control unit (ECU), the at least two RF frames, match each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame with a pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU, finding the vehicle if the match is successful. If the match is unsuccessful: generate a corrupted data bit information of the received first RF frame by analyzing each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits of the pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the first RF frame, store, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the first RF frame; wherein said number of corrupted data bits of the first RF frame is less than a pre¬determined threshold value, reject the first RF frame, matching each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame with the pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU, find the vehicle if the match is successful. If the match is not successful: generate a corrupted data bit information of the received second RF frame by analyzing position of each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits in pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the second RF frame, storing, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the second

RF frame, determine from the stored corrupted data bit information of the first and second RF frame, whether positions of the corrupted data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other, upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other: tailor the data bits of the second RF frame by replacing the corrupted data bits of the second RF frame with the data bits of the corresponding positions of the first RF frame so that the tailored data bits of the second RF frame matches with the pre-designated data bits; find the vehicle based on the result carried out in tailoring step. Upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are not mutually exclusive with each other, the processor is configured to: match the total number of data bits in the second RF frame with a pre-determined threshold, transfer one or more data bits from the pre-designated data bits if the total number of corrupted data bits in the second RF frame is less than the pre-determined threshold.
[0008] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] Further aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals have been used to refer to identical or functionally similar elements. The figures together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present disclosure wherein:
[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates a communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a process of operating a vehicle from a distance in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of communication device and an ECU in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] Figure 4 shows a method for improving range of a vehicle in vehicle finder application in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure “Method, apparatus and system for improving range of a vehicle in vehicle finder application”. It is understood that the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms; specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It will be appreciated as the description proceeds that the disclosure may be realized in different embodiments.
[0016] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0017] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0018] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a setup, device that comprises a list of components that does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus or device.
[0019] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0020] Figure 1 shows a communication device 100. The communication device 100 shown in figure 1 may be used for keyless entry inside a vehicle. The communication device 100 may be used for plurality of operations, for example, but not limited to, unlocking the vehicle, locking the vehicle, finding the vehicle from a distance. In one of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication device 100 is a key fob.

[0021] As shown in figure 1, the communication device 100 may include a plurality of buttons. For example, a button 102 may be used to unlock the vehicle, button 104 may be used to lock the vehicle and button 106 may be used to find the vehicle from a distance. Thus, when the button 106 is pressed, the side indicators of the vehicle blinks making it easier for a person to recognize the vehicle. A detailed operation of operating the communication device is shown in figure 3. The communication device 100 further include a key 108 for operating the vehicle.
[0022] Referring to figure 2 now, a user is shown pressing a button from the plurality of buttons (i.e., 102, 104 and 106) present on the communication device 100. The communication device 100 is used to remotely operate the vehicle 200 from a distance. The Pressing of the button may either lock the vehicle 200, unlock the vehicle 200 or find the vehicle 200. As shown in figure 2, the communication device 100 is operated from a distance. Detailed operation of the communication device 100 for operating the vehicle 200 is explained with respect to figure 3.
[0023] Referring to figure 3 now, a block diagram depicting a communication between the communication device 100 and the vehicle 200 is shown. The communication device 100 may comprise the plurality of buttons (i.e., 102, 104 and 106), a processor 302, a transmitter 304, a battery source 306 and a light emitting diode 308. The vehicle 200 may comprise an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 350. The ECU 350 comprises a memory 352, a receiver 354, a processor 356 coupled to the memory 352 and the receiver 354. The vehicle 200 may also include a battery source 358 for powering the ECU 350. In one embodiment, the battery source 358 may be battery of the vehicle 200.
[0024] The communication device 100 is configured to transmit one or more radio frequency frames (RF) to the vehicle 200. When a button from the plurality of buttons is pressed on the communication device 100, the processor 302 is configured to transmit the

one or more RF frames via the transmitter 304. The communication device 100 may be powered by the battery source 306. In one embodiment, the battery source is a coin cell.
[0025] The one or more RF frames transmitted by the transmitter 304 is received by the receiver 354 present inside the ECU 350. The receiver 354 receives the one or more RF frames and stores into the memory 352. After storing the one of more RF frame it processes the one or more RF frames, executes a command with respect to the received one or more RF frames. Executing the command may include locking the vehicle 200, unlocking the vehicle 200 and finding the vehicle 200.
[0026] While the transmitter 304 transmits the one or more RF frames and the receiver 354, which is at a distance from the transmitter 304, receives the one or more RF frames, there are chances that the transmitted one or more RF frames gets corrupted before being received by the receiver 354. The one or more frames may get corrupted because of the noise present in the vicinity of the environment. Once the one or more RF frames gets corrupted, to the extent of even a single bit error, the user may not be able to lock/unlock or find the vehicle and may require to re-transmit the frame again and again. The present invention addresses the solution of this problem.
[0027] Referring to figure 4, a method 400 for improving range of a vehicle in vehicle finder application performed at the vehicle has been explained in conjunction with figure 3.
[0028] At step 402, the method (400) gets initiated upon pressing the vehicle finder button on the communication device (100) and the Electronic control unit (350) of the vehicle (200) receives a command signal from the communication device (100). The command signal may comprise at least two RF frames, i.e., a first radio frequency (RF) frame and a second RF frame. It may be noted that at least two RF frames are necessary in the present disclosure in order to detect the error, to the extent of 1-bit error, in the reception and thus

avoid re-transmitting of the RF frames. Further, a person skilled in the art may appreciate that although, the present invention is applicable for any number of RF frames (provided the minimum required is two), for ease of understanding, the present disclosure has been explained considering two RF frames i.e., a first RF frame and a second RF frame.
[0029] Each of the first and the second RF frames comprises a plurality of data bits and preferably, number of data bits in each frame remains equal. For example, if the number of data bits in first RF frame is 32, then the number of data bits in the second RF frame will also be equal to 32. The number of data bits represents an accumulation of various bit patterns, which correspond to the functionalities, including but not limited to, key fob id or transponder id within the ECU or key fob button id or battery voltage or key fob paired / unpaired status etc commands. For example, in a given illustrative embodiment, a representation of “00001” may represent initial bit pattern for a command to unlock the vehicle 200, a representation of “00011” may represent initial bit pattern for a command to lock the vehicle 200 and a representation of “00111” may represent initial bit pattern for a command to find the vehicle. The method will only work for the command which represents initial bit pattern for e.g. “00111” for finding the vehicle and if it receives other initial bit patterns corresponding to lock or unlock commands of the vehicle, then the method as disclosed in the proposed invention will not work out. Hence, when the ECU 350 receives a RF frame containing initial bit pattern for e.g. “00111” for finding the vehicle, the ECU 350 may match the received data bits of the RF frame corresponding to the bit pattern for e.g. “00111” with the pre-stored data bits in the memory 352. If the match is successful, the command is executed. The present disclosure addresses the issue of when the match is unsuccessful by considering more than one RF frame.
[0030] Moreover, the user may desire to find the vehicle using the vehicle finder command from the considerable distance, as this will make the user comfortable to trace the vehicle within a jumble of vehicles, such as in a typical parking of a shopping mall. In fact, the user may desire to find the vehicle from as much distance as possible. Thus, the

present invention relates to improving the range of finding the vehicle in vehicle finder application.
[0031] Thus, at step 404, the method comprises checking whether the received command signal relates to a vehicle finder command signal. Hence, when the plurality of data bits are received by the receiver 354, the processor 356 checks if the plurality of data bits comprises any bit(s) corresponding to the vehicle finder command signal. If the plurality of data bits does not comprises the vehicle finder command signal, the processor 356 rejects the received command containing the first RF frame and the second RF frame (step 406). However, if the plurality of data bits comprises the vehicle finder command, the processor 356 is configured to store the first RF frame and the second RF frame in the memory 352 (at step 408).
[0032] Upon determining that the received command signal is the vehicle command signal, the method comprises, at step at 410, matching each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame with a pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU. Thus, upon matching that the received data bits comprises the vehicle finder command, the processor 356 is configured to match each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame with a pre-designated data bits stored in the memory 352. The pre-designated data bits are the data bits that are used as reference data bits for the received data bits. For example, if the initial data bit representation for vehicle finder command is “00111”, then the pre-designated initial data bits may include “00111”.
[0033] In one embodiment, the pre-designated data bits comprise a unique identification number of the communication device 100. This ensures that the vehicle 200 receives the RF frame from a unique communication device 100.
[0034] If there is a match between the received data bits in the first RF frame and the pre-designated data bits, the vehicle finder command is executed. Upon executing the vehicle

finder command, one or more indicators in the vehicle 200 starts blinking helping the user to easily locate or find the vehicle 200 from a distance. Thus, at step 412, the method comprises finding the vehicle if the match of the received data bits in the first RF frame with the pre-designated data bits is successful.
[0035] However, if the match is unsuccessful, it may be assumed that the data bits in the first RF frames have become corrupted. The corrupted data bit may include the data bit from the plurality of data bits which does not match with the pre-designated data bits. Hence, the method proceeds to step 414, wherein the method comprises generating a corrupted data bit information of the received first RF frame by analyzing each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits of the pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the first RF frame.
[0036] Thus, the processor 356 generates (in memory 352) a corrupted data bit information of the received first RF frame. The corrupted data bit information contains information about as how many data bits in the first RF frames are corrupted and the position of each of the corrupted data bits.
[0037] At step 416, the method (400) comprises checking if the total number of corrupted data bits in the first RF frame is less than the pre-determined threshold. If the total number of data bits in the first RF frame are more than the pre-determined threshold, the method proceeds to step 420, where the processor 356 is configured to reject the first RF frame. The corrupted data bits being more than the threshold indicates that it would not be possible to repair the corrupted data bits in the first RF frame. However, if the number of corrupted data bits are less than the threshold, the processor 356 analyses each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame and compares each of the data bit with the pre-designated data bits. The data bit which does not match with the pre-designated data bits stored in the memory 352 are considered as corrupted and quantity and position of the

corrupted data bits are noted and stored in the memory 352. (step 418). The corrupted bits information is stored so as to proceed further with the method.
[0038] In one of the embodiment, either if the number of corrupted bits are less than threshold, then storing the corrupted data bits information into the memory or if the number of corrupted bits are more than threshold, then, the first RF frame is rejected (i.e., method proceeds to step 420).
[0039] According to the methods available in the conventional art, once it is determined that the data bits in the first RF frame does not match with the pre-designated bits and the first RF frame is rejected, the user has to press the button on the communication device 100 again so as to transmit the RF frame again to the vehicle 200. Hence, to avoid such inconvenience, once the first RF frame is rejected, the method according to the present disclosure considers the second RF frame, which has been sent padded with the first RF frame consecutively in the same press of the vehicle finder button.
[0040] At step 422, the method comprises matching each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame with the pre-designated data bits stored in the memory 352. The processor 356 is configured to match each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame with the pre-designated data bits stored in the memory 352. Once the match is successful, one or more indicators of the vehicle 200 may start blinking helping the user to clearly locate or find the vehicle 200 (step 424).
[0041] However, if the match is unsuccessful, the processor 356 is configured to generate a corrupted bit information for the second RF frame (step 426). The corrupted bit information for the second RF frame is generated in a similar way as that of the first RF frame. Thus, similar to the bit information generated for the first RF frame, the bit information for the second RF frame comprises information about the number of corrupted

bits in the second RF frame and the position of the corrupted data bits. The bit information for the second frame is stored in the memory 352 (step 428).
[0042] The method then proceeds to step 430, the total number of corrupted data bits in the second RF frame is checked to determine whether it is less than or greater than the pre-determined threshold. If the number of corrupted data bits in the second RF frame is greater than the threshold then the method will move to step 434, where the processor 356 is configured to reject the second RF frame and depending upon the exhaustion of stipulated no. of frames (for example three consecutive RF frames), exit the reiteration of RF frames and awaits the retransmission of RF frames by another press of the key fob.
[0043] If the number of corrupted data bits in the second RF frame is less than the threshold, then the method will move to step 432, where the processor is configured to determine from the stored corrupted data bit information of the first and second RF frame, whether positions of the corrupted data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other. Here mutually exclusive would mean that the bit position of the corrupted data bits in the first RF frame are different from the bit position of the corrupted data bits in the second RF frame. Thus, for example, if the 11th and 28th bit positions out of the total of 32 bit positions are corrupted in the second RF frame, then 11th and 28th bit positions are not corrupted in the first RF frame.
[0044] When it is determined that the bit position of the corrupted data bits in the second RF frame are mutually exclusive with the bit positions of the corrupted data bits in the first RF frame, the method proceeds to step 436 . At step 436, the method comprises tailoring the data bits of the second RF frame by replacing the corrupted data bits of the second RF frame with the correct data bits of the corresponding positions of the first RF frame so that the tailored data bits of the second RF frame matches with the pre-designated data bits.

[0045] Thus, when it is determined that the corrupted bits positions of the first RF frame and the second RF frame are mutually exclusive, the processor 356 is configured to identify the position(s) of the corrupted data bit(s) of the second RF frame and tailor the data bits of the second RF frame by replacing the corrupted data bit(s) of the second RF frame with the correct data bit(s) of the first RF frame of the respective position (step 436). This way of tailoring the data bits of the second RF frame allows generating correct data bits that match with the pre-designated bits. Once the data bits of the second RF frame match with the pre-designated bits, the method proceeds at step 438, where the method comprises finding the vehicle if the match of the received data bits in the first RF frame with the pre-designated data bits is successful.
[0046] Thus, implementing this technique of error correction in the corrupted data bits in the vehicle finder application allows improving the range of operation of vehicle finder application and reducing/preventing the need for the user to re-transmit the signal from the communication device again and again. At the same time, it will also reduce the probability of draining the voltage of key fob battery to certain extent by diminishing the probability of re-transmission by the repeated press of the vehicle finder command.
[0047] Further, at step 432, when it is determined that the position of the corrupted data bits are not mutually exclusive with the position of the corrupted data bits in the second RF frame, the method proceeds to step 434 where the processor 356 is configured to reject the second RF frame and depending upon the exhaustion of stipulated no. of frames, exit the reiteration of RF frames and awaits the retransmission of RF frames by another press of the key fob.
[0048] Accordingly, from the above disclosure, it may be worth noting that the present disclosure provides an easy, convenient and efficient technique for improving range of a vehicle in vehicle finder application.

[0049] The foregoing description of the various embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to limit the embodiments shown herein, and instead the embodiments should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

CLAIMS
WE CLAIM:
1. A method of improving range of a vehicle in vehicle finder application, the method comprising:
receiving, at an Electronic control unit of the vehicle from a communicating device, a command signal, wherein the command signal comprises at least two RF frames, the at least two RF frames comprising a first radio frequency (RF) frame and a second RF frame, wherein each of the first and the second RF frames comprises a plurality of data bits, wherein number of data bits in each frames remain equal;
checking whether the received command signal is a vehicle finder command signal;
upon determining that the received command signal is the vehicle command signal:
storing, in a memory of the electronic control unit (ECU), the at least two RF frames;
matching each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame with a pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU;
finding the vehicle if the match is successful;
if the match is unsuccessful:
generating a corrupted data bit information of the received first RF frame by analyzing each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits of the pre-designated

data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the first RF frame;
storing, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the first RF frame; wherein said number of corrupted data bits of the first RF frame is less than a pre-determined threshold value;
rejecting the first RF frame;
matching each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame with the pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU;
finding the vehicle if the match is successful;
if the match is not successful:
generating a corrupted data bit information of the received second RF frame by analyzing position of each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits in pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the second RF frame;
storing, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the second RF frame;
determining from the stored corrupted data bit information of the first and second RF frame, whether positions of the corrupted data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other;

upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other:
tailoring the data bits of the second RF frame by replacing the corrupted data bits of the second RF frame with the data bits of the corresponding positions of the first RF frame so that the tailored data bits of the second RF frame matches with the pre-designated data bits;
finding the vehicle based on the result carried out in tailoring step.
wherein upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are not mutually exclusive with each other, the method comprises:
matching the total number of data bits in the second RF frame with a pre-determined threshold;
transferring one or more data bits from the pre-designated data bits if the total number of corrupted data bits in the second RF frames is less than the pre-determined threshold.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-designated data bits comprises a unique identification number of the communication device.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle finder application comprises finding the vehicle from a predetermined distance using the communication device.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein finding the vehicle comprises blinking indicators present in the vehicle.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communicating device is a key fob.
6. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) present in the vehicle for use in improving
range of a vehicle in vehicle finder application, comprising:
a memory;
a processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
receive, from a communicating device, a command signal, wherein the command signal comprises at least two RF frames, the at least two RF frames comprising a first radio frequency (RF) frame and a second RF frame, wherein each of the first and the second RF frames comprises a plurality of data bits, wherein number of data bits in each frames remain equal;
check whether the received command signal is a vehicle finder command signal;
upon determining that the received command signal is the vehicle command signal:
store, in a memory, the at least two RF frames;
match each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame with a pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU;
find the vehicle if the match is successful;
if the match is unsuccessful:

generate a corrupted data bit information of the received first RF frame by analyzing each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits of the pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the first RF frame;
store, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the first RF frame; wherein said number of corrupted data bits of the first RF frame is less than a pre-determined threshold value;
reject the first RF frame;
match each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame with the pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU;
find the vehicle if the match is successful;
if the match is not successful:
generate a corrupted data bit information of the received second RF frame by analzsing position of each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits in pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the second RF frame;
store, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the second RF frame;
determine from the stored corrupted data bit information of the first and second RF frame, whether

positions of the corrupted data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other;
upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other:
tailor the data bits of the second RF frame by replacing the corrupted data bits of the second RF frame with the data bits of the corresponding positions of the first RF frame so that the tailored data bits of the second RF frame matches with the pre-designated data bits;
find the vehicle based on the result carried out in tailoring step.
wherein upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are not mutually exclusive with each other, the method comprises:
matching the total number of data bits in the second RF frame with a pre-determined threshold;
transferring one or more data bits from the pre-designated data bits if the total number of corrupted data bits in the second RF frames is less than the pre-determined threshold.
7. The ECU as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pre-designated data bits comprises a unique identification number of the communication device.
8. The ECU as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vehicle finder application comprises finding the vehicle from a predetermined distance using the communication device.

9. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein finding the vehicle comprises blinking indicators present in the vehicle.
10. The ECU as claimed in claim 6, wherein the communicating device is a key fob.
11. A system for improving range of a vehicle in vehicle finder application, the system comprising:
a communication device; and
a vehicle comprising an Electronic Control unit (ECU) communicating with the communication device;
wherein the ECU comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
receive, from a communicating device, a command signal, wherein the command signal comprises at least two RF frames, the at least two RF frames comprising a first radio frequency (RF) frame and a second RF frame, wherein each of the first and the second RF frames comprises a plurality of data bits, wherein number of data bits in each frames remain equal;
check whether the received command signal is a vehicle finder command signal;
upon determining that the received command signal is the vehicle command signal:
store, in a memory, the at least two RF frames;
match each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame with a pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU;

find the vehicle if the match is successful;
if the match is unsuccessful:
generate a corrupted data bit information of the received first RF frame by analyzing each of the plurality of data bits of the first RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits of the pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the first RF frame;
store, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the first RF frame; wherein said number of corrupted data bits of the first RF frame is less than a pre-determined threshold value;
reject the first RF frame;
match each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame with the pre-designated data bits stored in the memory of the ECU;
find the vehicle if the match is successful;
if the match is not successful:
generate a corrupted data bit information of the received second RF frame by analzsing position of each of the plurality of data bits of the second RF frame that does not match with the plurality of the data bits in pre-designated data bits, wherein the information contains a number of corrupted data bits and position of each corrupted data bits of the second RF frame;
store, in the memory, said corrupted data bit information of the second RF frame;

determine from the stored corrupted data bit information of the first and second RF frame, whether positions of the corrupted data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other;
upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are mutually exclusive with each other:
tailor the data bits of the second RF frame by replacing the corrupted data bits of the second RF frame with the data bits of the corresponding positions of the first RF frame so that the tailored data bits of the second RF frame matches with the pre-designated data bits;
find the vehicle based on the result carried out in tailoring step.
wherein upon determining that the positions of the plurality of data bits of the first and second RF frames are not mutually exclusive with each other, the method comprises:
matching the total number of data bits in the second RF frame with a pre-determined threshold;
transferring one or more data bits from the pre-designated data bits if the total number of corrupted data bits in the second RF frames is less than the pre-determined threshold.
12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pre-designated data bits comprises unique identification number of the communication device.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the vehicle finder application comprises finding the vehicle from a predetermined distance using the communication device.
14. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein finding the vehicle comprises blinking indicators present in the vehicle.
15. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the communicating device is a key fob.