Integrated antenna for use with passive entry and ignition system

• US 6,380,643 B1
• Filed: 11/10/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Desai, Tejas B., Johnson, Susan, Losey, Allan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): FLEMING, FRITZ M
• Application Number:
  US09/709,846
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/10.5, 343/713, 180/273, 340/667
• US Class Current: 307/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• 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: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3241 particular used in keyless entry systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

An alternative arrangement for a passive entry and ignition system for a vehicle is disclosed. The passive system uses an electronically coded card or ‘smart card’ that electronically conveys identifying information to a single on board antenna. The single on board antenna is integrated into the roof panel of the vehicle using conventional wire or flat cable technology. The single antenna communicates to a vehicle control unit to enable actuation of various predetermined mechanical systems of a vehicle such as the vehicle entry system or the vehicle ignition system. In an alternative embodiment, the single on board antenna is integrated in an existing occupant detection mat located in the passenger seat of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A passive entry and ignition system for a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle user-carried smart card electronically coded with identifying data;

a seat positioned within a cab of said vehicle, and an antenna positioned in a seat bottom of said seat to scan for and receive said identifying data from said smart card;

a vehicle control that electronically responds to a signal from said antenna once a positive identification of said identifying data has been established, said vehicle control electronically enabling actuation of pre-determined mechanical systems of said vehicle; and

said seat bottom further includes an occupant detection mat including electronic components for identifying the weight of an occupant in said seat, and said antenna being incorporated into said mat.