Keypad module and method for electronic access security and keyless entry of a vehicle

• US 20040027238A1
• Filed: 08/06/2002
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tri/Mark
• Original Assignee: Tri/Mark
• Inventors: Houdek, Julie M., Magner, Dave, McIntosh, Rick
• Granted Patent: US 7,034,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.54
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00674 with switch-buttons
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture

Abstract

The present invention is a keypad module for a vehicle. The keypad module includes a housing having a front side, a back side, and side members, the front side having a flange adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a plurality of buttons operatively connected to the housing and recessed in the front side, a circuit board disposed within the housing, an intelligent control mounted to the circuit board and electrically connected to the plurality of buttons, and a network transceiver electrically connected to the intelligent control, the intelligent control adapted to transmit a vehicle access message through the network transceiver. The present invention also includes a method.

Claims

1. A keypad module for a vehicle entry system, comprising:

a housing having a front side, a back side, and side members, the front side having a flange adapted for mounting to a vehicle;

a plurality of buttons operatively connected to the housing and recessed in the front side;

a circuit board disposed within the housing;

an intelligent control mounted to the circuit board and electrically connected to the plurality of buttons; and

a network transceiver electrically connected to the intelligent control, the intelligent control adapted to transmit a vehicle access message through the network transceiver.

2. The keypad module of claim 1 further comprising at least one lighting device electrically connected to the intelligent control for providing visual feedback associated with a user pressing one of the plurality of buttons.

3. The keypad module of claim 2 wherein the at least one lighting device includes at least one lighting device for each of the plurality of buttons.

4. The keypad module of claim 1 further comprising an audio circuit electrically connected to the intelligent control for providing audio feedback associated with a user pressing one of the plurality of buttons.

5. The keypad module of claim 4 wherein the audio circuit includes a buzzer.

6. The keypad module of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of buttons is press resistant to provide tactile feedback.

7. The keypad module of claim 1 wherein the vehicle access message includes a security code.

8. The keypad module of claim 7 wherein the security code is at least three digits in length.

9. The keypad module of claim 1 wherein the vehicle access message includes an unlock command.

10. The keypad module of claim 1 further comprising at least two apertures in the flange for accepting external fasteners to mount to the vehicle.

11. The keypad module of claim 1 further comprising graphical representations on each of the plurality of buttons.

12. The keypad module of claim 1 wherein the plurality of buttons includes five buttons.

13. The keypad module of claim 1 further comprising a sealing member between the circuit board and the housing.

14. The keypad module of claim 13 wherein the sealing member includes an elastomer membrane.

15. A keypad module for a vehicle entry system, comprising:

a housing having a front side, a back side, and side members, the front side having a flange adapted for mounting to a vehicle;

a plurality of buttons operatively connected to the housing and recessed in the front side, each of the plurality of buttons dented such that a user receives tactile feedback;

a circuit board disposed within the housing;

an intelligent control mounted to the circuit board and electrically connected to the plurality of buttons; and

a network transceiver electrically connected to the intelligent control, the intelligent control adapted to transmit a vehicle access message through the network transceiver.

at least one lighting device electrically connected to the intelligent control for providing visual feedback associated with each of the plurality of buttons; and

an audio circuit electrically connected to the intelligent control for providing audio feedback associated with a user pressing one of the plurality of buttons.

16. The keypad module of claim 15 wherein the vehicle access message includes a security code.

17. The keypad module of claim 16 wherein the security code is at least three digits in length.

18. The keypad module of claim 15 wherein the vehicle access message includes an unlock command.

19. A method for providing secured access to a vehicle with a keypad module operatively connected to the vehicle, the keypad module having a plurality of buttons, the method comprising:

receiving a user selection of at least one button;

providing tactile, visual, and audio feedback to the user of the user selection;

generating a security code at least partially based on the user selection;

generating a vehicle access message by the keypad module, the vehicle access message including the security code;

sending the vehicle access message over a network to a remote device within the vehicle;

performing a vehicle function.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the vehicle function is unlocking a lock,