APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE TO A COMMUNICATION DEVICE KEYPAD IN A VEHICLE

• US 20140210592A1
• Filed: 01/25/2013
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Van Wiemeersch, John Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/750,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20140210592A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 1/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00373 whereby the wake-up circuit is situated in the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/65 using means for sensing the user's hand
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for interfacing a personal communication device (PCD) to a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a vehicle module and a communication keypad device (CDK). The vehicle module is configured to detect a first signal indicative of an unlock command in connection with a passive entry operation to detect an access device. The CDK is positioned on the vehicle and is configured to determine whether the PCD has been positioned within a predetermined distance from the vehicle in the event the vehicle module is unable to detect the access device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for interfacing a personal communication device (PCD) to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a vehicle module configured to detect a first signal indicative of an unlock command in connection with a passive entry operation to detect an access device; and

a communication keypad device (CDK) for being positioned on the vehicle and for determining whether a portable communication device (PCD) has been positioned within a predetermined distance from the vehicle in the event the vehicle module is unable to detect the access device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the CDK includes a first receiver for wirelessly receiving a second signal from the PCD to determine if the PCD has been positioned within the predetermined distance of the vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first receiver is a near field communication (NFC) transceiver.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the CDK is configured to determine that the PCD is within the predetermined distance from the vehicle in response to the NFC receiver receiving a second signal from the PCD to establish a secured connection with the PCD.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the vehicle is configured to receive a control signal indicative of any one of a lock all operation, an unlock all doors, a release a decklid in the vehicle, power open/close a liftgate, activate/deactivate an auto-unlock operation, a programming of unique codes, a panic alarm operation, a toggle between a one step and two-step unlock operation, and a remote start operation from the PCD in response to the PCD being within the predetermined distance from the vehicle.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the control signal is a Bluetooth based signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the access device is a keyfob.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the PCD includes a display for receiving a predetermined code from a user to perform any one of lock all command, unlock all doors, release a decklid in the vehicle, power open/close a liftgate, activate/deactivate auto-unlock, program unique codes, panic, toggle between one step and two-step unlock, and remote start.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vehicle module is configured to detect the first signal in response to a door handle contact or actuation.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the CDK is not visible to a user.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the CDK is positioned on one of a side face on a door, a seam of the door in the vehicle, a fuel door compartment, and on a truck/lift-gate brow above a license plate.

12. A method for interfacing a personal communication device (PCD) to a vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting a first signal indicative of an unlock command in connection with a passive entry operation to detect an access device; and

determining, with a communication keypad device (CDK), whether the PCD has been positioned within a predetermined distance from the vehicle in the event the access device is not detected.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the access device is a keyfob.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein detecting the first signal further comprises detecting the first signal in response to a door handle contact or actuation.

13. The method of 12 further comprising wirelessly receiving, at the CDK, a second signal from the from the PCD to determine if the PCD has been positioned within the predetermined distance of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein wirelessly receiving at the CDK further comprises wirelessly receiving, at a near field communication (NFC) receiver, the second signal from the PCD to determine if the PCD has been positioned within the predetermine distance of the vehicle to establish a secured connection between the vehicle and the PCD.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising determining that the PCD is within the predetermined distance from the vehicle in response to the NFC transceiver receiving the second signal from the PCD.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving a control signal indicative of any one of a lock all operation, an unlock all doors, a release a decklid in the vehicle, power open/close a liftgate, an activate/deactivate an auto-unlock operation, programming of unique codes, a panic operation, a toggle between a one step and two-step unlock operation, and a remote start operation from the PCD in response to the PCD being within the predetermined distance from the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the control signal is a Bluetooth based signal.

20. A vehicle apparatus comprising:

a vehicle module configured to detect a signal indicative of an unlock command in connection with a door handle contact or actuation to detect an access device; and

a communication keypad device (CDK) and for determining whether a portable communication device (PCD) has been positioned within a predetermined distance from the vehicle via near field communication (NFC) in the event the vehicle module is unable to detect the access device.