Automatic port operation

• US 20010054952A1
• Filed: 06/05/2001
• Published: 12/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Desai, Tejas B., Johnson, Susan A.
• Application Number:
  US09/874,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20010054952A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/48 by electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/78 as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00333 and the lock having more than one limited data transmission ranges
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00523 opening of different locks separately
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/64 using a proximity sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

The vehicle port system comprises a first port secured by a first lock and at least a second port secured by a second lock. A control unit communicates with at least the first lock, thereby controlling actuation of at least the first lock. At least one proximity sensor communicates with the control unit and senses for an electronic key device. The control unit actuates the first lock without actuating the second lock when the at least one proximity sensor senses the electronic key device a predetermined distance from the first port.

Claims

1. A vehicle port system comprising:

a first port secured by a first lock;

at least a second port secured by a second lock;

a control unit in communication with each of said locks, separately actuating each lock;

an electronic key device;

at least one proximity sensor in communication with said control unit for sensing said electronic key device; and

wherein said control unit actuates said first lock without actuating said second lock when said at least one proximity sensor senses said electronic key device a predetermined distance from said first port and actuates said second lock without actuating said first lock when said at least one proximity sensor senses said electronic key device a predetermined distance from said second port.

2. The vehicle port system of

claim 1

wherein said predetermined distance comprises a locking distance that locks any one of said locks if said electronic key device reaches said locking distance and an unlocking distance that unlocks any one of said locks if said electronic key device reaches said unlocking distance.

3. The vehicle port system of

claim 1

wherein said electronic key device transmits a key code to said control unit that actuates any one of said locks when said key code matches a security code.

4. The vehicle port system of

claim 3

wherein said electronic key device transmits said key code only when activated.

5. The vehicle port system of

claim 3

wherein said electronic key device ceases transmitting said key code following actuation of any one of said locks.

6. The vehicle port system of

claim 1

including a motorized port subsystem that automatically moves any one of said ports.

7. The vehicle port system of

claim 1

wherein said control unit actuates any one of said locks only if any one of said proximity sensors senses said electronic key device by a predetermined time.

8. The vehicle port system of

claim 7

wherein said proximity sensors are reactivated to sense for said electronic key device following said predetermined time.

9. The vehicle port system of

claim 1

wherein said proximity sensor is a low frequency radio wave transmitter.

10. The vehicle port system of

claim 1

wherein said control unit has a transmitter to communicate with said key device.

11. A vehicle port system comprising:

a port secured by a lock;

a control unit controlling actuation of said lock;

an electronic key device;

at least one proximity sensor in communication with said control unit, sensing distance between said electronic key device and said port;

wherein said control unit lo said lock when said electronic key device is sensed a predetermined distance from said port; and

a motorized port subsystem that automatically moves said port.

12. The vehicle port system of

claim 11

wherein said predetermined distance comprises a locking distance that locks said lock if said electronic key device reaches said locking distance and an unlocking distance that unlocks said lock if said electronic key device reaches said unlocking distance.

13. The vehicle port system of

claim 11

wherein said electronic key device transmits a key code to said control unit that actuates said lock when said key code matches a security code.

14. The vehicle port system of

claim 13

wherein said electronic key device transmits said key code only when activated.

15. The vehicle port system of

claim 13

wherein said electronic key device ceases transmitting said key code following actuation of said lock.

16. The vehicle port system of

claim 11

wherein said motorized port subsystem that automatically moves said port in conjunction with actuation of said lock.

17. The vehicle port system of

claim 11

wherein said control unit actuates said lock only if said proximity sensor senses said electronic key device by a predetermined time.

18. The vehicle port system of

claim 17

wherein said proximity sensor is reactivated to sense for said electronic key device following said predetermined time.

19. The vehicle port system of

claim 11

wherein said proximity sensor is a low frequency radio wave transmitter.

20. A method for controlling a vehicle port;

A. electronically sensing for a key device a distance from a first vehicle port secured by a first lock;

B. electronically sensing for the key device a distance from at least a second vehicle port secured by a second lock; and

C. automatically actuating the first lock without actuating the second lock when the key device is sensed a predetermined distance from the first vehicle port and automatically actuating the second lock without actuating the first lock when the key device is sensed a predetermined distance from the second vehicle port.