Vehicle key locker

• US 10,366,260 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2018
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Firstech LLC
• Original Assignee: Firstech LLC
• Inventors: Lee, Jason, Kaminski, Jason Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Trail, Allyson N
• Application Number:
  US15/992,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20180349656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 235382, 235380
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group

Abstract

A key locker for a vehicle includes a key locker body, a key locker door, and an access actuator. The key locker body is sized to store a vehicle key. The access actuator is configured to move the key locker door in response to an access signal.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a key locker body sized to store a vehicle key including a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag;

a key locker door, wherein the key locker body is configured to shield the RFID tag of the vehicle key from receiving or transmitting radio signals outside the key locker body when the key locker door is closed; and

an access actuator configured to open the key locker door in response to an access signal, wherein opening the key locker door includes the access actuator moving the key locker door to allow the RFID tag of the vehicle key to receive an interrogation signal generated by an RFID reader of a vehicle and send a response signal to the RFID reader of the vehicle in response to receiving the interrogation signal, the response signal allowing driving access to the vehicle, wherein a distance that the key locker door is opened does not allow the vehicle key to be removed from the key locker body.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a selectable power supply for providing electrical power to vehicle key, wherein the electrical power is within a tolerance to properly power the vehicle key, and wherein the selectable power supply is configured to deactivate the electrical power from the vehicle key in response to the selectable power supply receiving a deactivation signal.

3. The device of claim 2 further comprising

an insert sized to fit a battery compartment of the vehicle key, wherein the insert is configured to receive the electrical power from the selectable power supply and deliver it to the vehicle key.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a key sensor configured to sense a presence of the vehicle key within the key locker body, wherein the key sensor is configured to generate an absence disable signal to disable the vehicle when a sense reading of the key sensor indicates the vehicle key has been removed from the key locker body.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the key sensor includes a pressure sensor, and wherein the sense reading includes a pressure reading, the absence disable signal generated when the pressure reading falls below a pressure threshold.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is an active RFID tag being powered by a power source.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the key locker body includes a metal material to shield the RFID tag of the vehicle key from the interrogation signal.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the key locker body includes a plastic and the metal material is included in a mesh sized to prevent reception or transmission of the radio signals.

9. A computer-implemented method of providing access to a vehicle, the computer-implemented method comprising:

monitoring an input to a key locker, wherein the key locker includes a key locker body sized to store a vehicle key, and wherein the key locker includes a key locker door;

retaining a closed position for the key locker door when an access signal is not received on the input of the key locker, wherein the key locker body and the key locker door in the closed position prevent reception or transmission of radio signals by a radio device of the vehicle key; and

opening the key locker door of the key locker in response to receiving the access signal on the input of the key locker, wherein opening the key locker door allows radio signals to be received and transmitted by the radio device of the vehicle key while not allowing the vehicle key to be removed from the key locker body.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving, by the key locker, a deactivation signal; and

deactivating electrical power provided to the vehicle key in response to receiving the deactivation signal, the electrical power being within a tolerance to properly power the radio device of the vehicle key.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

sensing, with a key sensor of the key locker, whether the vehicle key is present in the key locker; and

transmitting, an absence disable signal when a sense reading of the key sensor indicates the vehicle key has been removed from the key locker body.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the key sensor includes a pressure sensor, and wherein the sense reading includes a pressure reading, the absence disable signal generated when the pressure reading falls below a pressure threshold.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the key locker body includes a metal material to shield an RFID tag of the vehicle key from an ignition interrogation signal generated by the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the key locker includes a plastic and a metal material arranged as a mesh sized to prevent reception or transmission of the radio signals.

15. A vehicle system comprising:

a wireless interface for receiving wireless access data;

processing logic coupled to the wireless interface to receive the wireless access data;

a memory coupled to the processing logic, the memory including an access code; and

a key locker that is sized to store a vehicle key having an RFID tag, wherein the key locker includes;

a key locker door, wherein the key locker shields the vehicle key from radio signals that are outside the key locker when the key locker door is closed;

a key sensor configured to sense a presence of the vehicle key within the key locker, wherein the key sensor is configured to generate an absence disable signal to disable the vehicle when a sense reading of the key sensor indicates the vehicle key has been removed from the key locker, wherein the processing logic immobilizes the vehicle in response to receiving the absence disable signal; and

an access actuator coupled to move the key locker door, wherein the processing logic is configured to cause the access actuator to move the key locker door when the wireless access data matches the access code stored in the memory, the key locker door being moved a distance by the access actuator to allow the RFID tag of the vehicle key to receive an interrogation signal generated by an RFID reader of a vehicle and send a response signal to the RFID reader in response to receiving the interrogation signal, wherein the response signal allows driving access to the vehicle.

16. The vehicle system of claim 15, wherein the distance that the key locker door is opened does not allow the vehicle key to be removed from the key locker when the access data matches the access code, and wherein the distance that the key locker door is opened does allow the vehicle key to be removed from the key locker when the access data matches a second access code stored in the memory.

17. The vehicle system of claim 15, wherein the key sensor includes a pressure sensor, and wherein the sense reading includes a pressure reading, the absence disable signal generated when the pressure reading falls below a pressure threshold.

18. The vehicle system of claim 15 further comprising:

a sensor module configured to sense vehicle tampering with at least one of a microphone or an accelerometer, wherein the key locker is configured to deactivate electrical power from the vehicle key when the sensor module senses vehicle tampering.