Remote Controllable Locking Device for a Vehicle

• US 20090113961A1
• Filed: 09/27/2006
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Muller, Ulrich
• Application Number:
  US11/992,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20090113961A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/256
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/22 Keys with devices for indicating whether the last operation was locking or unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5973 Remote control

Abstract

The invention relates to a remote controlled locking device for vehicles, a stationary lock being located inside the vehicle and a portable electronic key (20) being in the possession of an authorized person. The key (20) comprises a display for actual data of the locking and/or operating states of the vehicle as well as a keypad for calling up this data and/or for controlling the future locking and/or operating states from the vehicle. In order to obtain small dimensions of the key, the invention provides that both the display as well as the keypad (22 to 24) are located at the same location in the key (20) and, to this end, a touch screen (21) is used.

Claims

1. A remote-controllable locking device for a motor vehicle (10) with at least one stationary lock (11 to 13) in the motor vehicle (10) and with a portable electronic key (20, 30) in the possession of an authorized person, where the key (20, 30) has a display for the current data of the locking and/or operating states of the motor vehicle (10) and a keypad for retrieving this data and/or for controlling the future locking and/or operating states of the motor vehicle (10), wherein both the display (22 to 24) and the keypad (22 to 24) are positioned in the same place in the key (20) and are formed by a touchscreen (21).

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the operating states of individual parts (11 to 15) of the motor vehicle or other devices (16 to 19) integrated in the motor vehicle are displayed and/or controlled as a function of the particular touch operation and touch operation sequence of the display screen (21).

3. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein, besides the locks (11 to 13) in the doors, trunk, or hatch of the motor vehicle, it is possible to display and/or control an auxiliary heater in the motor vehicle, the air conditioning system of the motor vehicle, the fuel tank level (18) of the motor vehicle, the state of charge of the batteries (17), the current odometer reading (16) and/or the number of miles the motor vehicle can still be driven with the present fuel tank level.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein navigation data for the present location of the motor vehicle (10), data for optical or acoustic position finding of the motor vehicle, the temperature inside and/or outside the motor vehicle, the temperature of individual devices in the motor vehicle, the present time of day (35), and/or the date of the next motor vehicle inspection can be displayed on the touchscreen (21).

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein during the startup of the display and/or the control function of the electronic key (20 to 30), a code keypad appears on the touchscreen (21) and is used by the authorized person to enter the specific PIN number for the electronic key (20, 30) and for the associated motor vehicle (10), and that the electronic key (20, 30) becomes or remains operationally ready only when the correct PIN number is entered.

6. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic key (20, 30) is part of an alarm system (18) of the motor vehicle and acts as an alarm signaling device in the event of a theft or break-in of the motor vehicle.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic key (20, 30) serves as an alarm for traffic congestion messages and/or its touchscreen serves to display traffic congestion messages, and that these traffic congestion messages are issued by a navigation system, which is located in the motor vehicle or integrated in the electronic key (20, 30) and into which a desired driving destination has been programmed.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein, when the device is not in use, the touchscreen (21) and the associated electronics in the key are shut off or placed in power-saving mode to preserve its power supply.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the electronic key (20, 20) turns on automatically when it is started.

10. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the electronic key is turned on manually by operation (26) of a switch (25) located on the housing of the electronic key.

11. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein when the electronic key (20, 30) is not being used, the display side of the touchscreen (21) is covered.

12. A device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the cover consists of a rotating flap, a sliding cover, or a slip cover.