ELECTRONIC VEHICLE KEY

• US 20140062655A1
• Filed: 09/04/2012
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Craig Alexander Colburn
• Original Assignee: Craig Alexander Colburn
• Inventors: Colburn, Craig Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 9,058,704 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0019 the keyless data carrier having only one limited data transmission rangs
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00579 Power supply for the keyless data carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00587 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses

Abstract

An electronic vehicle key is provided. The electronic vehicle key includes a battery and a controller receptive to electrical power from the battery. The electronic vehicle key further includes a connecting circuit receptive to electrical power from a vehicle. The electronic vehicle key still further includes an interface circuit that is configured to provide an electrical connection between the connecting circuit and the controller, at least when the battery is ineffective for electrically powering the controller.

Claims

1. An electronic vehicle key comprising:

a battery;

a controller receptive to electrical power from the battery;

a connecting circuit receptive to electrical power from a vehicle; and

an interface circuit configured to provide an electrical connection between the connecting circuit and the controller at least when the battery is ineffective for electrically powering the controller.

2. The electronic vehicle key of claim 1 wherein the interface circuit is configured to provide an electrical connection between the controller and the battery.

3. The electronic vehicle key of claim 1 wherein the controller is electrically connected to the battery.

4. The electronic vehicle key of claim 1 wherein the interface circuit comprises a switching circuit.

5. The electronic vehicle key of claim 1 wherein the interface circuit comprises a mechanical switch.

6. The electronic vehicle key of claim 1 further comprising a recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery for recharging the battery.

7. The electronic vehicle key of claim 1 further comprising a sensing circuit electrically coupled to the battery for sensing power at the battery.

8. The electronic vehicle key of claim 1 further comprising a power conditioning circuit electrically coupled to the connecting circuit for conditioning electrical power from the vehicle.

9. The electronic vehicle key of claim 1 wherein the connecting circuit comprises a pair of contacts that is at least partially exposed external of the electronic vehicle key.

10. The electronic vehicle key of claim 1 wherein the connecting circuit comprises an inductive circuit.

11. A system for activating a vehicle comprising:

a receptacle disposed within the vehicle;

a first connecting circuit disposed at the receptacle, the first connecting circuit in communication with electrical power of the vehicle; and

a key comprising,

a housing configured to be received at the receptacle,

a battery disposed within the housing,

a controller disposed within the housing, the controller receptive to electrical power from the battery,

a second connecting circuit disposed at the housing, the second connecting circuit in communication with the first connecting circuit when the housing is received at the receptacle, whereby electrical power from the vehicle at the first connecting circuit is communicated to the second connecting circuit, and

an interface circuit disposed within the housing, the interface circuit configured to provide an electrical connection between the second connecting circuit and the controller at least when the battery is ineffective for electrically powering the controller.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

an engine control unit disposed within the vehicle;

a wireless receiver disposed within the vehicle and configured to communicate with the engine control unit; and

,

a wireless transmitter disposed within the housing, the wireless transmitter configured for communication with the wireless receiver, wherein the engine control unit enables an activation of the vehicle in response to the wireless receiver receiving a signal from the wireless transmitter.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the receptacle is disposed in a dashboard of the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the interface circuit is configured to provide an electrical connection between the controller and the battery.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the controller is electrically connected to the battery.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the interface circuit comprises a switching circuit.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the interface circuit comprises a mechanical switch.

18. The system of claim 11 further comprising a recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery for recharging the battery.

19. The system of claim 11 further comprising a sensing circuit electrically coupled to the battery for sensing power at the battery.

20. The system of claim 11 further comprising a power conditioning circuit electrically coupled to the second connecting circuit for conditioning electrical power from the vehicle.

21. The system of claim 11 further comprising a power conditioning circuit electrically coupled to the first connecting circuit for conditioning electrical power of the vehicle.

22. The system of claim 11 wherein the second connecting circuit comprises a pair of contacts that is at least partially exposed external of the housing.

23. The system of claim 11 wherein the first connecting circuit comprises a pair of contacts configured to accessible at the receptacle.

24. A method of activating a vehicle for operation, the method comprising:

determining a battery energy level of a battery in an electronic key;

transmitting electrical power from the vehicle to the electronic key in response to the determining the battery energy level;

transmitting a wireless signal from the electronic key;

receiving the wireless signal at the vehicle; and

activating the vehicle in response to receiving the wireless signal.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising recharging the battery with electrical power from the vehicle.

26. The method of claim 24 further comprising indicating the battery energy level.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the transmitting electrical power comprises conductive transmission of electrical power.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein the transmitting electrical power comprises inductive transmission of electrical power.