Adaptive power keyless fob

A vehicle remote keyless entry apparatus for activating vehicle control

• functions from a remote entry device incorporating a remote key less entry controller to control activation of vehicle control functions comprising:
• means for transmitting a vehicle function control signal from a remote entry device to the controller at a first transmitter power level;
• determining the distance between the controller and the remote entry device;
• and
• in response to the determined distance, adjusting the transmitter power level to the minimum power level required to support communication between the remote entry device and the controller.

A vehicle remote keyless entry apparatus comprising:

• a remote keyless entry control adapted to be mounted in a vehicle to convert wireless signals from a remote entry device to actuation of vehicle control function;
• a transmitter and receiver coupled to the control;
• a remote keyless entry device having a transmitter and a receiver;
• at least one input member carried on the remote entry device for causing the remote keyless entry device to generate a control signal corresponding to a vehicle control function corresponding to at least one input member;
• a power source carried in the remote keyless entry device for providing power to the transmitter to transmit signals to the controller, the power source providing selectable transmitter power magnitudes;
• a control in the remote keyless entry device selecting a first power magnitude from the power source for the remote keyless entry device control upon activation of at least one input member;
• and
• the remote keyless entry device control operating to adjust the transmitter power level to the minimum power level required to support communication between the remote keyless entry device and the controller.