Hand-held transmitter for the remote control of various vehicle systems

• US 5,541,571 A
• Filed: 01/26/1995
• Issued: 07/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Brenner, Peter, Ochs, Siegfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C.
• Application Number:
  US08/378,718
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/825.31, 340/825.5, 70/237, 70/256, 70/257, 70/336, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.3
• US Class Current: 340/5.62
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/043 the shank being pivotably mounted on the bow, e.g. for storage
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0096 Electronic keys comprising a non-biometric sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00992 mechanical key
• 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 70/5889 For automotive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5973 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7441 Key

Abstract

The invention relates to a hand-held transmitter for the remote control of various vehicle systems with integrated normal key. A housing has electronics and the normal key connected to the said housing, and a sensor system which detects positions or movements of the normal key. Here, a code for the remote-controlled actuation of at least the lock system of the vehicle is emitted as a function of the signals of the sensor system.

Claims

1. Hand-held transmitter for remote control of vehicle systems, which hand-held transmitter has a housing with electronics and an integrated normal key bit, the normal key bit being connected to the housing and movable between at least first and second positions relative to the housing, and being operable to mechanically actuate a vehicle lock system and a vehicle ignition lock, said hand-held transmitter further having means for emitting a code for remote-controlled actuation of at least the vehicle lock system, wherein:

the hand-held transmitter has a sensor for detecting position of the normal key bit relative to the housing; and

the code of the hand-held transmitter for remote-controlled actuation of at least the vehicle lock system is emitted as a function of detected position of the normal key bit relative to the housing or detected movement of the normal key bit relative to the housing, from one of said first and second positions into the other of said first and second positions.

2. Hand-held transmitter according to claim 1, wherein:

the normal key bit of the hand-held transmitter has a first engaged position for activation of a vehicle system, and a second engaged position resting against the housing; and

a code which actuates the vehicle lock system is emitted when a position of said normal key bit detected by the sensor no longer corresponds to a preceding position of said normal key.

3. Hand-held transmitter according to claim 1, wherein:

the normal key bit of the hand-held transmitter has a drive position for activation of the vehicle, and a rest position resting against the housing;

a code which unlocks the vehicle lock system is emitted when the sensor detects movement of the normal key bit from said rest position into said drive position; and

a code which locks the vehicle lock system is emitted when the sensor detects movement of the normal key from said drive position into said rest position.

4. Hand-held transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the hand-held transmitter has an interrogation device for detecting a state of the lock system.

5. Hand-held transmitter according to claim 4, wherein a warning is issued by the hand-held transmitter when, after emission of a code which locks the vehicle lock system, said interrogation device detects that the vehicle lock system is locked.

6. Hand-held transmitter according to claim 2, wherein the hand-held transmitter has an interrogation device for detecting a state of the lock system.

7. Hand-held transmitter according to claim 6, wherein a warning is issued by the hand-held transmitter when, after emission of a code which locks the lock system, said interrogation device detects the vehicle lock system is locked.

8. Hand-held transmitter according to claim 3, wherein the hand-held transmitter has an interrogation device for detecting a state of the lock system.

9. Hand-held transmitter according to claim 8, wherein a warning is issued by the hand-held transmitter when, after emission of a code which locks the lock system, said interrogation device detects that the vehicle lock system is locked.

10. A hand-held transmitter for remote control of vehicle systems, comprising:

a housing containing electronics, including code emitting means for emitting a code for remote-controlled actuation of at least a vehicle lock system;

a normal key bit which is connected to the housing and is moveable between at least first and second positions relative to the housing, said normal key bit being operable to mechanically actuate said vehicle lock system and a vehicle ignition lock; and

a sensor for detecting position of the normal key bit relative to the housing;

the code emitted by said code emitting means for remote control actuation of at least the vehicle lock system being emitted as a function of detected position of the normal key bit relative to the housing or detected movement of the normal key bit relative to the housing, from one of said first and second positions into the other said first and second positions.