Keyless vehicle entry receiver having a diagnostic mode of operation wherein a code comparison is not performed

• US 5,684,337 A
• Filed: 03/08/1996
• Issued: 11/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Wallace, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US08/613,133
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1-10.6, 361/171, 361/172, 180/287, 180/289, 123/179.2, 70/256, 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/825.3-825.32, 340/825.34, 340/825.69, 340/825.72
• US Class Current: 307/10.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A receiver is presented herein for use in a keyless vehicle entry system for controlling a vehicle device function, such as unlocking a vehicle door, in response to a vehicle function request signal received from a portable transmitter. The receiver includes a controller having a normal mode of operation during which it receives a request signal and determines whether the request signal is valid and, if so, it initiates the vehicle device function. The controller has a diagnostic mode of operation during which it initiates the vehicle device function in response to receiving a request signal without determining whether the request signal is valid. Provision is made for switching between the modes of operation.

Claims

1. A keyless vehicle entry receiver for use in a system for controlling a vehicle device function in response to a vehicle function request signal received from a portable transmitter, said receiver comprising:

a controller having a normal mode of operation during which said controller receives said request signal and determines whether said request signal is valid and, if so, said controller initiates said vehicle device function;

said controller having a diagnostic mode of operation during which said controller initiates said vehicle device function in response to receiving said request signal without determining whether said request signal is valid; and

means for switching said controller between said modes of operation.

2. A receiver as set forth in claim 1 wherein said request signal includes a security code portion and a function code portion.

3. A receiver as set forth in claim 2 wherein said controller includes means operative during said normal mode of operation for determining whether said security code portion is valid.

4. A receiver as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for determining compares said received security code portion with a prestored security code.

5. A receiver as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controller is responsive to said switching means for selecting a particular one of said modes of operation.

6. A receiver as set forth in claim 1 wherein said request signal includes a security code portion and a function code portion and wherein said controller is operative during said diagnostic mode of operation for responding to said function code portion independently of said security code portion for initiating said vehicle device function.

7. A receiver as set forth in claim 1 wherein said request signal includes a function code portion and wherein said controller is responsive to said switching means selecting a said diagnostic mode of operation for initiating said vehicle device function in response to said function portion of said request signal and independently of whether said request signal is valid.