Keyless entry with hidden keypad

• US 20060132282A1
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: McCall, Clark E., Huntzicker, Fred W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,327,215 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/23 using manual input of alphanumerical codes

Abstract

A keypad assembly for use on a vehicular keyless entry system comprises a selectively concealable keypad coupled to a processor and accessible from the exterior of the vehicle and through which an access code may be manually entered. A mirror assembly is mounted on an exterior surface of the vehicle and includes a base fixedly coupled to the exterior surface and a mirror compartment rotatably coupled to the base and capable of being rotated between an extended, operational position and a folded, retracted position. The keypad is mounted on the base so as to be visible and accessible when the mirror compartment is in its folded retracted position and hidden and inaccessible when the mirror compartment is in it'"'"'s extended, operational position.

Claims

1. A keyless entry system for use on a vehicle, the system comprising:

a processor on-board the vehicle for receiving an access code and comparing the access code with a stored code; and

a selectively concealable keypad coupled to said processor and accessible from the exterior of the vehicle through which said access code may be manually entered.

2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an exterior mirror assembly capable of being maneuvered into first and second configurations, said keypad becoming visible and accessible when said mirror assembly is in said first configuration and said keypad becoming hidden when said mirror assembly is in said second configuration.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein said mirror assembly comprises:

a base fixedly coupled to an external surface of said vehicle;

said keypad positioned on said base; and

a mirror compartment notably coupled to said base and capable of being rotated between an extended, operational position and a folded, retracted position, said keypad being concealed when said mirror compartment is in said extended, operational position.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein said mirror assembly is a power sideview/rearview mirror.

5. The system according to claim 4 wherein the vehicle includes a PRNDL switch coupled to said mirror assembly for folding said mirror when the vehicle is in PARK.

6. The system according to claim 4 wherein the vehicle includes an ignition switch coupled to said mirror assembly for folding said mirror when the vehicle'"'"'s ignition s off.

7. The system according to claim 4 further comprising an exterior control for folding said mirror.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein said exterior control is positioned on said mirror assembly.

9. The system according to claim 4 further comprising an interior control within the vehicle for folding the mirror.

10. The system according to claim 4 wherein said external surface is an exterior surface of the vehicle'"'"'s door.

11. A keypad assembly for use on a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a mirror assembly mounted on an exterior surface of the vehicle, the mirror assembly comprising;

a base fixedly coupled said exterior surface; and

a mirror compartment rotatably coupled to said base and capable of being rotated between an extended, operational position and a folded, retracted position; and

a keypad mounted on said base, the keypad being visible and accessible in said folded retracted position and said keypad being hidden in said extended, operational position.

12. A keypad assembly according to claim 11 wherein said mirror assembly is a power sideview/rearview mirror.

13. The system according to claim 11 wherein the vehicle includes a PRNDL switch coupled to said mirror assembly for folding said mirror when the vehicle is in PARK.

14. The system according to claim 11 wherein the vehicle includes an ignition switch coupled to said mirror assembly for folding said mirror when the vehicle'"'"'s ignition is off.

15. The system according to claim 11 further comprising an exterior control for folding said mirror.

16. The system according to claim 15 wherein said exterior control is positioned on said mirror assembly.

17. The system according to claim 11 further comprising an interior control within the vehicle for folding the mirror.

18. The system according to claim 11 wherein said external surface is an exterior surface of the vehicle'"'"'s door.

19. A keyless entry system for use on a vehicle, the system comprising:

an on-board processor for receiving an access code and comparing the access code to a stored code;

a selectively concealable keypad coupled to said processor and accessible from the exterior of the vehicle through which said access code may be manually entered; and

a mirror assembly mounted on an exterior surface of the vehicle, the mirror assembly comprising;

a base fixedly coupled to said exterior surface; and

a mirror compartment rotatably coupled to said base and capable of being rotated between an operational position and a retracted position, said keypad being mounted on said base so as to be hidden and inaccessible when said mirror compartment is in said operational position, and visible and accessible when said mirror compartment is in said retracted position.

20. A keyless entry system according to claim 19 wherein said mirror assembly is a power-folding sideview/rearview mirror.

21. A keyless entry system according to claim 20 wherein said mirror assembly further comprises an actuator for rotating said mirror compartment to said retracted position when said vehicle is in a predetermined mode of operation.

22. A keyless entry system according to claim 20 further comprising a switch on said mirror compartment for causing said mirror compartment to rotate.