Key fob with valet and car locator feature

• US 6,386,007 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Lambert, Debbie Marie, Clark, Jonathan, Desai, Tejas, Johnson, Susan, Reese, Jeralyn
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Marc-Coleman, Marthe Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/586,450
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 704/08, 702/57, 702/783, 702/782, 704/13, 702/52, 704/56.R, 340/539
• US Class Current: 70/408
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/38 using adjustment of real or effective orientation of directivity characteristic of an antenna or an antenna system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that antenna or antenna system, e.g. to give a maximum or minimum signal G01S3/16, G01S3/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/40 adjusting orientation of a single directivity characteristic to produce maximum or minimum signal, e.g. rotatable loop antenna or equivalent goniometer system
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• 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 2209/64 using a proximity sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7073 Including use of a key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7876 Bow or head

Abstract

An improved key fob and key combination allows the mechanical key to be removed from the key fob and given to a valet attendant. The key is provided with a mechanical latch which may be easily removed from the key fob. When the key is removed, secured areas on the vehicle are locked. Moreover, the vehicle has limited operation when the mechanical key is not received with the key fob. In a second feature of this invention, a locator function on the key fob provides an indication of an approximate direction to a vehicle in a parking area. The key fob relies upon RF transmissions from the vehicle to determine an approximate direction to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A combined key and key fob comprising:

a mechanical key;

a key fob body including electronic switches for sending RF signals to a vehicle to actuate components on the vehicle; and

a mechanical attachment feature on said mechanical key for allowing said mechanical key to be removed from said key fob body, said attachment feature including at least one latch on one of said mechanical key, said latch being biased into an opening on one of said mechanical key and said key fob, said latch being biased to a relaxed position at which it will be received within an opening on the other of said mechanical and said key fob, and said latch being movable away from said bias position in said opening by manually moving said latch to a release position such that said mechanical key can be removed from said key fob body.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said latch is on said mechanical key which is biased into an opening on said key fob body and said latch being biased back outwardly of said opening when said mechanical key is to be removed from said key fob body.

3. A combination as recited in claim 2, wherein said key fob body has a sensor to sense when said mechanical key has been removed from said key fob body, and said sensor communicating with a control on said key fob body to send a signal to a vehicle associated with said key fob body that said mechanical key has been removed.

4. A combination as recited in claim 3, wherein said signal actuates security systems on the vehicle.

5. A combination as recited in claim 4, wherein said signal locks secured areas on the vehicle.

6. A combination as recited in claim 5, wherein said secured areas include the trunk and the glove compartment.

7. A combination as recited in claim 1, wherein a control associated with one of said key fob body and said mechanical key limits the operation of an engine associated with the vehicle when the mechanical key is removed from the key fob body.

8. A combination as recited in claim 1, wherein there are a pair of opposed latch members on two lateral sides of said mechanical key, said two lateral latch members being biased laterally outwardly to said locking position, and being manually movable laterally inwardly to said the least position.

9. A combination as recited in claim 8, wherein said latches are inserted along with a portion of said key into a central opening in said key fob body, said central opening having a laterally inwardly extending ledge spaced to define said opening and catch said latch members when said latch members are in said locked position.