PASSIVE ENTRY SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A passive entry system for permitting access to an authorized user, the passive entry system comprising:
- a handle associated with a door and having a latch for opening the door, the handle including an external surface defining an interior;
a lock associated with the handle for securing the latch; and
a plurality of sensors disposed in the interior of the handle and operable in a coupled state and a decoupled state, the plurality of sensors providing a long-range proximity sensor when combined in the coupled state and having a target zone for detecting the user approaching the door, at least one of the plurality of sensors including an unsecuring sensor for unlocking the door when in the decoupled state upon the detection of the authorized user'"'"'s hand touching the handle.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A passive entry system is provided for permitting an authorized user access to a vehicle, building, or the like. The passive entry system includes a handle associated with a door and equipped with a plurality of sensors disposed in the handle'"'"'s interior. The plurality of sensors can be coupled together to form a long-range proximity sensor capable of detecting a user in a target zone provided by the long-range proximity sensor. Upon subsequent validation of the user as an authorized user, the plurality of sensors may be decoupled to provide for individual detection of corresponding actions by the user'"'"'s hand, including an intent to enter based upon a touching of the handle.
105 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A passive entry system for permitting access to an authorized user, the passive entry system comprising:
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a handle associated with a door and having a latch for opening the door, the handle including an external surface defining an interior; a lock associated with the handle for securing the latch; and a plurality of sensors disposed in the interior of the handle and operable in a coupled state and a decoupled state, the plurality of sensors providing a long-range proximity sensor when combined in the coupled state and having a target zone for detecting the user approaching the door, at least one of the plurality of sensors including an unsecuring sensor for unlocking the door when in the decoupled state upon the detection of the authorized user'"'"'s hand touching the handle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19)
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11. A method for permitting access through a door by an authorized user according to a passive entry system, the method comprising:
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detecting the user breaching a target zone of the door having a handle, the handle including a plurality of sensors coupled together to provide a long-range proximity sensor; validating the user to determine if the user is authorized; and upon validation of the user, decoupling the plurality of sensors to allow one or more of the plurality of sensors to detect a hand event associated with the user and corresponding to a system function. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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20. A vehicle equipped with a passive entry system for permitting access to the vehicle by an authorized user, the vehicle comprising:
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a door pivotably attached to the vehicle for providing access to the vehicle'"'"'s interior; a movable handle for opening the door and having a corresponding movable latch, the handle including an external surface and an interior; a lock associated with the handle for securing the latch; a plurality of sensors disposed in the interior of the handle and operable in a coupled state and a decoupled state, the plurality of sensors forming a long-range proximity sensor when combined in the coupled state providing a target zone for detecting the user approaching the door; and a wireless communication module for communicating with an electronic key in the vicinity of the vehicle in order to validate the user'"'"'s authorization upon the detection of the user in the target zone; wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors includes an unsecuring sensor for unlocking the door when in the decoupled state upon the detection of the authorized user'"'"'s hand touching the handle.
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Specification