Reprogrammable vehicle access control system
First Claim
1. A method of reprogramming a vehicle and at least one smart key to provide access to said vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a first smart key into said vehicle determining whether said first smart key is a master key;
placing said vehicle into a programming mode if said first smart key is a master key;
inserting a second smart key into said vehicle; and
configuring said vehicle and said second smart key to interoperate to start said vehicle when the second smart key is later inserted into said vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An access control system for controlling access to a vehicle and reconfiguring the vehicle to disable or enable operator smart keys is disclosed. An electronic controller in the vehicle receives signals indicating the presence of a master smart key in the vehicle. Once it determines that a master key is present, it permits one or more individual operator smart keys to be programmed. The identification numbers of these smart keys are stored in an electronic memory of the vehicle. Operators who subsequently insert these keys into the vehicle'"'"'s ignition will be able to start and operate the vehicle.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of reprogramming a vehicle and at least one smart key to provide access to said vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a first smart key into said vehicle determining whether said first smart key is a master key;
placing said vehicle into a programming mode if said first smart key is a master key;
inserting a second smart key into said vehicle; and
configuring said vehicle and said second smart key to interoperate to start said vehicle when the second smart key is later inserted into said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 24, 25, 26)
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12. A method of preventing at least some access to a vehicle by an otherwise access-granting operator smart key, comprising the steps of:
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placing said vehicle into a programming mode;
inserting a second operator'"'"'s smart key different from said access-granting operator'"'"'s smart key;
programming said second operator'"'"'s smart key and said vehicle to interoperate to start said vehicle after entering said programming mode;
substantially simultaneously programming said access-granting operator'"'"'s smart key and said vehicle to interoperate to deny access to said vehicle using when said access-granting operator'"'"'s smart key is used; and
exiting said programming mode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for controlling access to a vehicle, comprising:
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a controller in said vehicle including a radio transceiver configured to communicate with a smart key;
a master smart key having at least one numeric value stored therein to indicate the identity of the master smart key; and
a first operator smart key having at least a second numeric value stored therein to indicate the identity of the first operator smart key;
wherein the controller is configured (1) to communicate with the master smart key when the master smart key is inserted into the vehicle, (2) to receive the at least one numeric value from the master smart key, (3) to enter into a vehicle access programming mode based at least upon the value of the at least one numeric value, (4) to receive the first operator smart key while in the programming mode, and (5) to program the controller and first operator smart key to interoperate to provide vehicle access to the first operator smart key. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification