Method for extending communication range of remote control system during walkaway locking control function

A method comprising:

• setting a reception gain level of a controller to a normal gain level providing a normal communication range in which the controller receives polling signals from a base station, the controller at the normal gain level being unable to receive the polling signals upon the controller being moved outside of the normal communication range;
• upon the controller at the normal gain level not receiving the polling signals, increasing the reception gain level of the controller to a high gain level in which the controller receives the polling signals from the base station, the controller at the high gain level being unable to receive the polling signals from the base station upon the controller being moved outside of an extended communication range;
• and
• upon the controller at the high gain level not receiving the polling signals, transmitting a command signal from the controller for receipt by the base station and decreasing the reception gain level back to the normal gain level.

A method for a remote control system including a base station at a target device and a portable controller, the method comprising:

• detecting, by the base station, the controller being moved out from the target device;
• transmitting a gain command signal and polling signals from the base station in response to the controller being moved out from the target device;
• in response to the controller receiving the gain command signal, increasing a reception gain level of the controller from a normal gain level providing a normal communication range for the controller to receive the polling signals to a high gain level providing an extended communication range for the controller to receive the polling signals, the controller being unable to receive the polling signals while the controller has the normal gain level and is outside of the normal communication range, the controller being unable to receive the polling signals while the controller has the high gain level and is outside of the extended communication range;
• transmitting a lock command signal from the controller and decreasing the reception gain level from the high gain level back to the normal gain level upon the controller not receiving the polling signals;
• and
• locking, by the base station, the target device in response to the base station receiving the lock command signal.

A remote control system comprising:

• a base station at a target device;
• a portable controller;
• wherein the base station is configured to detect the controller being moved out from the target device and to transmit a gain command signal and polling signals in response to the controller being moved out from the target device;
• wherein the controller is configured to, in response to receiving the gain command signal, increase a reception gain level of the controller from a normal gain level providing a normal communication range for the controller to receive the polling signals to a high gain level providing an extended communication range for the controller to receive the polling signals, the controller being unable to receive the polling signals while the controller has the normal gain level and is outside of the normal communication range, the controller being unable to receive the polling signals while the controller has the high gain level and is outside of the extended communication range;
• wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a lock command signal and decrease the reception gain level from the high gain level back to the normal gain level upon the controller not receiving the polling signals;
• and
• wherein the base station is configured to lock the target device in response to receiving the lock command signal.