Procedure for operating a locking system for lockable objects

• US 5,790,043 A
• Filed: 06/30/1995
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG), Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG), Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Doerfler, Reiner, Hettich, Gerhard, Robitschko, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US08/497,598
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/825.54, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 70/256, 70/276, 70/277, 70/278, 70/262, 70/263, 70/264, 70/266, 70/267
• 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: G07C 2009/00341 keyless data carrier having more than one limited data transmission ranges
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• 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 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7057 Permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

A process to operate a locking system for lockable objects which features a key module having a remote control unit and a transponder for transmitting and receiving coded signals, and a lock module, fitted inside or on the lockable object, comprising a receiver unit for detection of coded signals, an evaluation unit for verification of coded signals, and a control unit for actually carrying out the unlocking or locking operation on the lockable object. A bidirectional data transmission between the key module and the lock module takes place before unlocking or locking of the object. On receiving an unlocking or locking signal sent out by the key module, the lock module will go into a waiting or standby mode and itself send out control signals by use of a transmission unit. When the user approaches the lockable object, one of the control signals will be received and evaluated by the transponder of the key module. The transponder will then transmit a control signal to the lock module activating the control unit to carry out the requested unlocking or locking operation if the proper control signal is received.

Claims

1. Process to operate a locking system for a lockable object which system has

a key module comprising a remote control and a transponder for transmitting and receiving coded signals, and

a lock module, fitted inside or on the lockable object, comprising a receiver unit for detection of coded signals, an evaluation unit for verification of coded signals, and a control unit for actually carrying out the unlocking or locking operation on the lockable object,

wherein, before unlocking or locking the object, a bidirectional data transmission between the key module and the lock module takes place, in that

on receiving an unlocking or locking coded signal transmitted by the key module, the lock module goes into a waiting or standby mode and itself sends out coded control signals by means of a transmission unit,

when the user approaches the lockable object, one of the coded control signals is received and evaluated by the transponder of the key module, and

the transponder transmits a further control signal to the lock module activating the control unit to unlock or lock the lockable object if the coded control signal received by the transponder is verified.

2. Process according to claim 1 wherein the control signals are transmitted by the transmission unit of the lock module at certain time intervals.

3. Process according to claim 1 wherein the control signals of the lock module transmission unit are transmitted within a predefinable time period.

4. Process according to claim 1 wherein the control signals are in the HF range and are transmitted by a transmission unit designed as a coil.

5. Process according to claim 1 wherein the locking status of the lockable object is indicated either optically or acoustically by a display device.

6. Process according to claim 1 wherein coded signals are transmitted by the transmission unit either via a remote control unit using an HF aerial activated by a pushbutton or via a transponder using an induction coil.

7. Process according to claim 6 wherein the coded signals transmitted by the remote control unit are sent out in the HF range.

8. Process according to claim 1 wherein access authorization for at least one door of a motor vehicle is obtained.

9. A process for operating a locking system for a lockable object which system includes a key module having a remote control unit and a transponder for transmitting and receiving respective coded signals, and a lock module, which is mounted inside or on the lockable object, and which has a receiver unit for detection of coded signals, an evaluation unit for verification of received coded signals, a transmission unit for transmitting coded signals, and a control unit for actually carrying out the unlocking or locking operation on the lockable object, said process comprising the steps of:

prior to unlocking or locking the object, carrying on a bidirectional data transmission between the key module and the lock module including the following steps, in sequence

causing the key module to transmit a coded unlocking or locking signal;

receiving the coded unlocking or locking signal transmitted by the key module in the lock module and verifying the received signal in the lock module;

following verification of the received signal, causing the lock module to go into a standby mode and transmit coded control signals;

receiving at least one of the transmitted control signals by the transponder of the key module when the user approaches the lockable object;

verifying the received coded control signal in the transponder of the key module; and

,

following verification of the received coded control signal, transmitting a further control signal from the transponder to the lock module to activate the control unit to actually unlock or lock the lockable object.

10. The process according to claim 9 wherein the coded control signals transmitted by the lock module are transmitted at certain time intervals.

11. The process according to claim 9 wherein the coded control signals transmitted by the lock module are transmitted within a predefinable time period.

12. The process according to claim 9 wherein the coded unlocking or locking signal are transmitted in the HF range and the subsequent coded control and further control signals are transmitted at a lower frequency and with a shorter range.

13. The process according to claim 9 further comprising indicating the locking status of the lockable object, either optically or acoustically, by a display device on the lockable object.

14. The process according to claim 9 wherein the lockable object is a motor vehicle, and wherein activation of the control unit unlocks or locks at least one door of the motor vehicle.