Transmitter for remote convenience system having coiled, extendable antenna

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention, a remote convenience transmitter is provided having an extended broadcast range without an increase in transmitter power.
The transmitter includes an extendable coiled antenna that is extended prior to signal transmission thereby increasing broadcast range.
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a transmitter unit for a remote control convenience system.
The transmitter unit includes a housing and at least one selector located on the housing and manually actuatable for requesting remote control performance of a function by a remotely located receiver.
Transmit circuitry is located within the housing and is operatively connected to the at least one selector for outputting an electrical signal in response to actuation of the at least one selector.
The signal conveys a message requesting performance of the function.
A flexible antenna is operatively connected to receive the electrical signal from the transmit circuitry.
The antenna outputs a signal intended for reception by the receiver that conveys the message requesting performance of the function.
The antenna has a stored coiled position inside the housing and an extended position extending outside of the housing.
Means mounts the antenna to the housing and permits withdrawal and retraction of the antenna relative to the housing between the stored coiled position and the extended position.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a method of requesting remote control performance of a convenience function by a receiver.
A pull element of a remote control transmitter is anchored.
A housing of the transmitter is grasped.
The pull element is pulled relative to the housing so that the housing and the pull element move apart so as to extend a stored coiled antenna that has one end connected to the anchored pull element.
A selector located on the housing that corresponds to the desired remote convenience function is actuated.
In response thereto, a signal is transmitted from the extended antenna that is intended for the receiver