USB port incorporated into vehicle access components

• US 20060049915A1
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Deniau, Jean-Christophe, Wallace, Mark Dean
• Application Number:
  US11/216,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20060049915A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.720
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A remote keyless entry component is provided with a USB connector such that it can be plugged into a docking station on a vehicle, or into a user'"'"'s home computer. In this manner, diagnostic information may be stored on the remote keyless entry component, and then transmitted over the internet to a maintenance facility. The present invention thus provides additional power and functionality to be incorporated into a remote keyless entry component.

Claims

1. A remote keyless entry component comprising:

a plurality of switches to actuate signals to be transmitted to a vehicle to provide at least the function of unlocking a door on the vehicle, and a transmitter for transmitting said signals from a location remote from said vehicle; and

said remote keyless entry component having a connector for connecting said remote keyless entry component into a computer.

2. The remote keyless entry component as set forth in claim 1, wherein a cover selectively closes said connector.

3. The remote keyless entry component as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connector is a USB connector.

4. A vehicle access system comprising:

a vehicle having a plurality of ports with locks, and a vehicle docking station communicating over a bus to an electronic control module on the vehicle;

a remote keyless entry system including a plurality of switches to actuate signals to be transmitted to a vehicle to provide at least the function of unlocking a port on the vehicle, and a transmitter for transmitting said signals from a location remote from said vehicle, said remote keyless entry component having a connector for connecting said remote keyless entry component into a computer.

5. The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein a cover selectively closes said connector when said connector.

6. The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said connector is a USB connector.

7. A method of providing information from a vehicle to a maintenance facility comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a remote keyless entry component having switches to actuate signals to be sent remotely to a vehicle to unlock doors associated with the vehicle, and providing said remote keyless entry component with a connector to plug said remote keyless entry component into both a docking station on the vehicle, and into a home computer;

(2) plugging said remote keyless entry component into said docking station on a vehicle and transmitting diagnostic information to said remote keyless entry component; and

(3) removing said remote keyless entry component and plugging said remote keyless entry component into a home computer, and transmitting said diagnostic information over said home computer to a remote maintenance facility.