Process for operating a remote-controllable central locking installation of a vehicle

• US 5,479,154 A
• Filed: 10/06/1992
• Issued: 12/26/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Wolfram, Berthold
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, Gregg V.
• Application Number:
  US07/937,852
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.32, 377/9, 377/15, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 307/10.6, 307/115, 307/125
• US Class Current: 340/5.23
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00214 by one push button
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A process for operating a remote-controllable central locking installation of a vehicle by means of a transmitter, which can transmit coded signals--for example acoustically by means of ultrasound, optically by means of IR and/or by means of USW high-frequency waves--to a receiver fitted in or on the vehicle. An initialization is typically carried out before the actuation for the first time of the central locking installation, or a reinitialization is carried out before the next actuation of the same, to cancel the previous code, that is the code which can be used in future, or in the case of a changing code the relevant code set which can be used in future, being fixed for the first time or once again by the receiver being driven, for example by means of a special control code, into a state in which it can be (re)initialized. The receiver indicates that the receiver is ready for (re)initialization and/or after successful (re)initialization by means of an activation of the door locks.

Claims

1. A process for operating a remote-controllable central locking installation of a vehicle by means of a transmitter, which can transmit coded signals to a receiver fitted in or on the vehicle, an initialization being carried out before the actuation for the first time of the central locking installation, or a reinitialization being carried out to cancel the previous code, or in the case of a changing code the relevant code set which can be used in future, and to establish a new code or code set, by the receiver being set into a mode in which it can be (re)initialized, comprising the improvement that:

the receiver is set into a reprogram mode in which it can be reinitialized by electronic means for initializing within the receiver, said electronic means adapted to be triggered by actuation of a vehicle switch; and

the receiver indicates at the end of a successful (re)initialization by means of a perceptible actuation of the central locking installation of the vehicle that the receiver has been (re)initialized.

2. The process as claimed in patent claim 1, wherein the receiver indicates that it has successfully been driven into the state in which it can be (re)initialized by causing a perceptible actuation of the central locking installation.

3. The process as claimed in patent claim 1, wherein the actuation of the central locking installation is a moving of the door opening-and-closing pushbuttons fitted in the doors.

6. The process as claimed in patent claim 2, wherein the actuation of the central locking installation can be detected by the moving of the door opening-and-closing push buttons fitted in the doors.

4. A process for operating a remote-controllable central locking installation of a vehicle by means of a transmitter, which can transmit coded signals to a receiver fitted in or on the vehicle, the vehicle having an ignition switch operated by an ignition key an initialization being carried out before the actuation for the first time of the central locking installation, or a reinitialization being carried out to cancel the previous code, or in the case of a changing code the relevant code set which can be used in the future, and to establish a new code or code set, by the receiver being set in a reprogram mode in which it can be (re)initialized, comprising the improvement that:

the receiver is driven by means of an actuation of the ignition key.

5. The process as claimed in patent claim 4, wherein the actuation of the ignition key is the switching of the ignition key into an ignition switch position usual only during parking, according to a preselected rhythm.

7. The process as claimed in patent claim 4, wherein the actuation of the ignition key is a rapid switching on-and-off of the ignition a select number of times.

8. A method of initializing a remote controllable central locking installation for a vehicle having a remote transmitter and a receiver fixed to the vehicle and operatively connected to locks for doors of the vehicle, the receiver having electronic means for receiving and recording new instructions for recognizing future valid transmitter codes from a transmitter assigned to the vehicle when the electronic means is actuated to an initializing state, comprising the steps of:

providing that said electronic means is in electronic

communication with an electric switch which serves an

additional function on the vehicle;

providing that actuation of said electric switch triggers

the electronic means into the initializing state; and

actuating said switch to instigate the initializing state.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said electric switch is an ignition switch of the vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of actuating said switch is further defined as a repetitive actuating of said switch a preselected number of times and said electronic means is programmed to be triggered only after the switch communicates said preselected number of actuations thereto.

11. The method according to claim 9 comprising the further step of:

after said electronic means has reached an initializing state, providing that said receiver activates said locks as an indication thereof.

12. The method according to claim 11 comprising the further steps of:

after said indication has occurred, using said transmitter to send an initializing signal to said receiver; and

after said receiver successfully receives said signal, said receiver activates said locks as an indication thereof.

13. The method according to claim 9 comprising the further step of:

after said electronic means has reached an initializing state, providing that said receiver activates a display means present on the vehicle.