Keyless entry device and method for powering the keyless entry device

• US 10,454,315 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2015
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental AG, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lickfelt, Brian K., Yoshimura, Kentaro, Spannbauer, Michael, Groeger, Dirk, Stetter, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Henze-Gongola, David V
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rankine, Tarikh Kanem
• Application Number:
  US14/745,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20160020632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,583 Days
• Field of Search: 340 572, 340 561, 340 564, 320103
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00587 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00174 Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/04 Regulation of charging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034

Abstract

A keyless entry device and method for powering the keyless entry system, such as a key fob, are disclosed. The keyless entry device has a charging battery, a rechargeable battery, at least one long range function button for a long range function, and at least one short range function button for a short range function. The method includes charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery, wherein the rechargeable battery has a larger burst current delivery capacity than the charging battery. The method further includes sending a short range transmission from the keyless entry device using at least one of: the charging battery, and the rechargeable battery, when the at least one short range function button is actuated. The method further includes sending a long range transmission from the keyless entry device at least one of: the charging battery, and the rechargeable battery, when the at least one long range function button is actuated.

Claims

1. A method for powering a keyless entry device for a vehicle, comprising:

providing the keyless entry device having a charging battery, a rechargeable battery, at least one long range function button for a long range function, and at least one short range function button for a short range function;

charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery;

sending a short range transmission from the keyless entry device to the vehicle using the charging battery when the short range function is selected using the at least one short range function button; and

sending a long range transmission from the keyless entry device to the vehicle using the rechargeable battery when the long range function is selected using the at least one long range function button,

wherein the charging battery has a charging battery state of charge, the rechargeable battery has a larger burst current delivery capacity than the charging battery, and the rechargeable battery has a rechargeable battery state of charge, and

wherein the charging battery and the rechargeable battery are included in the keyless entry device, which is integrally formed as a single device, and

wherein the charging battery is connected to a controller via a line, the rechargeable battery is connected to the line via an isolation device, and wherein a diode is positioned between the charging battery and the rechargeable battery along the line and configured to stop current from flowing from the rechargeable battery to the charging battery,

wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery includes determining a short length of time of the charging using a value of a counter of the keyless entry device;

wherein the value of the counter is decreased, when the rechargeable battery state of charge is greater than a first predetermined state of charge threshold, and the value of the counter is increased, when the rechargeable battery state of charge is less than a second predetermined state of charge threshold

wherein the short length of time of the charging is equal to a first predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a first predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a second predetermined counter value;

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a second predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a third predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a fourth predetermined counter value;

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a third predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a fifth predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a sixth predetermined counter value;

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a fourth predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a seventh predetermined counter value and less than or equal to an eighth predetermined counter value; and

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a fifth predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a ninth predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a tenth predetermined counter value; and

wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery is stopped, when at least one of the following occurs;

the short length of time has elapsed, any button of the keyless entry device is actuated, a smart trigger is detected by the keyless entry device, a stop charge command is received by the keyless entry device from the vehicle, the rechargeable battery state of charge exceeds a predetermined third state of charge threshold, or the charging battery state of charge is below a predetermined charging battery low charge threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined short charge time is 0 seconds, the first predetermined counter value is 0, and the second predetermined counter value is 15;

the second predetermined short charge time is 5 seconds, the third predetermined counter value is 16, and the fourth predetermined counter value is 31;

the third predetermined short charge time is 10 seconds, the fifth predetermined counter value is 32, and the sixth predetermined counter value is 47;

the fourth predetermined short charge time is 15 seconds,

the seventh predetermined counter value is 48, and the eighth predetermined counter value is 63; and

the fifth predetermined short charge time is 20 seconds,

the ninth predetermined counter value is 64, and the tenth predetermined counter value is79.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery includes charging the rechargeable battery for up to a long predetermined length of time, when at least one of the following occurs:

the keyless entry device is present in the vehicle and the keyless entry device receives a predetermined charge command from the vehicle;

the rechargeable battery state of charge is below a predetermined rechargeable battery low charge threshold;

or

a long timer of the keyless entry device elapses, wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery is stopped, when at least one of the following occurs;

the long predetermined length of time elapses, any button of the keyless entry device is actuated, a smart trigger is detected by the keyless entry device, a stop charge command is received by the keyless entry device from the vehicle, the rechargeable battery state of charge exceeds a predetermined third state of charge threshold, or the charging battery state of charge is below a predetermined charging battery low charge threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising

powering off an axis of a multi-axis antenna of the keyless entry device, when the keyless entry device is in a storage condition;

and

disabling the long range transmission, when the rechargeable battery is damaged.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the short range function includes at least one of

unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking all of the doors of the vehicle, releasing a trunk of the vehicle, releasing a tail gate of the vehicle, and enabling a panic function of the vehicle;

and

the long range function includes at least one of starting an engine of the vehicle, stopping the engine of the vehicle, confirming a status of the engine of the vehicle, and locking the vehicle.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable code for powering a keyless entry device for a vehicle, the code when executed by a processor, performs an action comprising:

charging a rechargeable battery using a charging battery;

sending a short range transmission from the keyless entry device to the vehicle using the charging battery when the short range function is selected using at least one short range function button; and

sending a long range transmission from the keyless entry device to the vehicle using the rechargeable battery when the long range function is selected using at least one long range function button, wherein the charging battery has a charging battery state of charge, the rechargeable battery has a rechargeable battery state of charge, and the rechargeable battery has a larger burst current delivery capacity than the charging battery,

wherein the charging battery and the rechargeable battery are included in the keyless entry device, which is integrally formed as a single device, and

wherein the charging battery is connected to a controller via a line, the rechargeable battery is connected to the line via an isolation device, and wherein a diode is positioned between the charging battery and the rechargeable battery along the line and configured to stop current from flowing from the rechargeable battery to the charging battery,

wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery includes determining a short length of time of the charging using a value of a counter of the keyless entry device,

wherein the value of the counter is decreased, when the rechargeable battery state of charge is greater than a first predetermined state of charge threshold, and the value of the counter is increased, when the rechargeable battery state of charge is less than a second predetermined state of charge threshold,

wherein the short length of time of the charging is equal to a first predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a first predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a second predetermined counter value;

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a second predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a third predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a fourth predetermined counter value;

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a third predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a fifth predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a sixth predetermined counter value;

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a fourth predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a seventh predetermined counter value and less than or equal to an eighth predetermined counter value; and

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a fifth predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a ninth predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a tenth predetermined counter value; and

wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery is stopped, when at least one of the following occurs;

the short length of time has elapsed, any button of the keyless entry device is actuated, a smart trigger is detected by the keyless entry device, a stop charge command is received by the keyless entry device from the vehicle, the rechargeable battery state of charge exceeds a predetermined third state of charge threshold, or the charging battery state of charge is below a predetermined charging battery low charge threshold.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 6,

wherein the first predetermined short charge time is 0 seconds, the first predetermined counter value is 0, and the second predetermined counter value is 15;

the second predetermined short charge time is 5 seconds, the third predetermined counter value is 16, and the fourth predetermined counter value is 31;

the third predetermined short charge time is 10 seconds, the fifth predetermined counter value is 32, and the sixth predetermined counter value is 47;

the fourth predetermined short charge time is 15 seconds, the seventh predetermined counter value is 48, and the eighth predetermined counter value is 63; and

the fifth predetermined short charge time is 20 seconds, the ninth predetermined counter value is 64, and the tenth predetermined counter value is 79.

8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery includes charging the rechargeable battery for up to a long predetermined length of time, when at least one of the following occurs:

the keyless entry device is present in the vehicle and the keyless entry device receives a predetermined charge command from the vehicle;

the rechargeable battery state of charge is below a predetermined rechargeable battery low charge threshold;

or

a long timer of the keyless entry device elapses, wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery is stopped, when at least one of the following occurs;

the long predetermined length of time elapses, any button of the keyless entry device is actuated, a smart trigger is detected by the keyless entry device, a stop charge command is received by the keyless entry device from the vehicle, the rechargeable battery state of charge exceeds a predetermined third state of charge threshold, or the charging battery state of charge is below a predetermined charging battery low charge threshold.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6,

wherein the code when executed performs the additional action of powering off an axis of a multi-axis antenna of the keyless entry device, when the keyless entry device is in a storage condition;

and

disabling the long range transmission, when the rechargeable battery is damaged.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9,

wherein the short range function includes at least one of unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking all of the doors of the vehicle, releasing a trunk of the vehicle, releasing a tail gate of the vehicle, and enabling a panic function of the vehicle;

and

the long range function includes at least one of starting an engine of the vehicle, stopping the engine of the vehicle, confirming a status of the engine of the vehicle, and locking the vehicle.

11. A keyless entry device for a vehicle, comprising:

a rechargeable battery having a rechargeable battery state of charge for sending at least one of;

a short range transmission to the vehicle via a transceiver and a long range transmission to the vehicle via the transceiver;

a charging battery having a charging battery state of charge for sending at least one of;

the short range transmission to the vehicle via the transceiver and the long range transmission to the vehicle via the transceiver,

wherein the rechargeable battery has a larger burst current delivery capacity than the charging battery;

a battery charger for charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery;

at least one short range function button that, when actuated, causes the charging battery to send the short range transmission via the transceiver; and

at least one long range function button that, when actuated, causes the rechargeable battery to send the long range transmission via the transceiver,

wherein the charging battery and the rechargeable battery are included in the keyless entry device, which is integrally formed as a single device, and

wherein the charging battery is connected to the transceiver via a line, the rechargeable battery is connected to the line via an isolation device, and wherein a diode is positioned between the charging battery and the rechargeable battery along the line and configured to stop current from flowing from the rechargeable battery to the charging battery,

a counter module for determining a short length of time of the charging, when charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery;

a charging battery state of charge module for determining the charging battery state of charge; and

a rechargeable battery state of charge module for determining the rechargeable battery state of charge, wherein the value of the counter decreases, when the rechargeable battery state of charge is greater than a first predetermined state of charge threshold, and the value of the counter increases, when the rechargeable battery state of charge is less than a second predetermined state of charge threshold, wherein the rechargeable battery delivers current to the transceiver through the isolation device,

wherein the short length of time of the charging is equal to a first predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a first predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a second predetermined counter value;

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a second predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a third predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a fourth predetermined counter value;

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a third predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a fifth predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a sixth predetermined counter value;

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a fourth predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a seventh predetermined counter value and less than or equal to an eighth predetermined counter value; and

the short length of time of the charging is equal to a fifth predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a ninth predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a tenth predetermined counter value; and

wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery is stopped, when at least one of the following occurs;

the short length of time has elapsed, any button of the keyless entry device is actuated, a smart trigger is detected by the keyless entry device, a stop charge command is received by the keyless entry device from the vehicle via the transceiver, the rechargeable battery state of charge exceeds a predetermined third state of charge threshold, or the charging battery state of charge is below a predetermined charging battery low charge threshold.

12. The keyless entry device of claim 11, further comprising a counter module for determining a short length of time of the charging, when charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery;

a charging battery state of charge module for determining the charging battery state of charge; and

a rechargeable battery state of charge module for determining the rechargeable battery state of charge, wherein the value of the counter decreases, when the rechargeable battery state of charge is greater than a first predetermined state of charge threshold, and the value of the counter increases, when the rechargeable battery state of charge is less than a second predetermined state of charge threshold, wherein the rechargeable battery delivers current to the transceiver through an isolation device.

13. The keyless entry device of claim 11, further comprising

a charging battery state of charge module for determining the charging battery state of charge;

and

a rechargeable battery state of charge module for determining the rechargeable battery state of charge, wherein the battery charger charges the rechargeable battery for up to a long predetermined length of time, when at least one of the following occurs;

the keyless entry device is present in the vehicle and the keyless entry device receives a predetermined charge command from the vehicle via the transceiver;

the rechargeable battery state of charge is below a predetermined rechargeable battery low charge threshold;

or

a long timer of the keyless entry device elapses, wherein the battery charger stops charging the rechargeable battery, when at least one of the following occurs;

the long predetermined length of time elapses, any button of the keyless entry device is actuated, a smart trigger is detected by the keyless entry device, a stop charge command is received by the keyless entry device from the vehicle using the transceiver, the rechargeable battery state of charge exceeds a predetermined third state of charge threshold, or the charging battery state of charge is below a predetermined charging battery low charge threshold, wherein the state of charge of the charging battery is determined using the charging battery state of charge module of the keyless entry device and the state of charge of the rechargeable battery is determined using the rechargeable battery state of charge module of the keyless entry device.

14. The keyless entry device of claim 11, further comprising a multi-axis antenna;

a storage timer module for determining a storage condition of said keyless entry device, and turning off an axis of said multi-axis antenna, when said storage timer module determines said keyless entry device is in the storage condition; and

wherein the long range transmission is disabled, when the rechargeable battery is damaged, wherein the short range function includes at least one of unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking all of the doors of the vehicle, releasing a trunk of the vehicle, releasing a tail gate of the vehicle, and enabling a panic function of the vehicle; and

the long range function includes at least one of starting an engine of the vehicle, stopping the engine of the vehicle, confirming a status of the engine of the vehicle, and locking the vehicle, wherein the rechargeable battery delivers current to the transceiver through the isolation device.