Keyless entry system

• US 6,414,586 B1
• Filed: 03/13/1996
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yoshizawa, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Application Number:
  US08/614,767
• Time in Patent Office: 2,302 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.5, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.6, 340/825.31, 340/825.6, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00285 immobilizer
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00301 starting ignition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00619 by using capacitive transmission
• 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 keyless entry system for use with a key for operation within the key receptacle to start an engine. The key is arranged to transmit a first ID code specified therefor when the key is operated within the key receptacle to start the engine. The transmitted first ID code is compared with a second ID code registered in an antitheft control unit. The engine is permitted to start if the transmitted first ID code is identical with the registered second ID code. A mobile transmitter is used for transmitting a third ID code specified therefor along with a command for vehicle door lock/unlock remote control. The transmitted third ID code is compared with a fourth ID code registered in a keyless entry control unit. The remote control specified by the transmitted command is permitted if the transmitted third ID code is identical with the registered fourth ID code. The keyless entry control unit registers the fourth ID code therein based on the transmitted first ID code.

Claims

1. A keyless entry system for use with an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a key receptacle, comprising:

a key for operation within the key receptacle to start the engine, the key including means for transmitting a code signal including a first ID code specified therefor when the key is operated within the key receptacle to start the engine;

a receiver for receiving the code signal transmitted from the key;

antitheft control means for comparing the first ID code of the received code signal with a second ID code registered therein to permit the engine to start when the received first ID code is identical with the registered second ID code;

a mobile transmitter for transmitting a third ID code specified therefor along with a command for vehicle door lock/unlock remote control;

means associated with the receiver for registering a fourth ID code based on the first ID code of the code signal received by the receiver; and

keyless entry control means for comparing the transmitted third ID code with the fourth ID code registered therein to permit the remote control specified by the transmitted command when the transmitted third ID code is identical with the registered fourth ID code.

2. The keyless entry system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second and fourth ID codes are identical.

3. The keyless entry system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ID code is transmitted with a weak electromagnetic wave for reception in a first range and the third ID code is transmitted with a strong electromagnetic wave for reception in a second range wider than the first range.

4. A keyless entry system for use with an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a key receptacle, comprising:

a key for operation within the key receptacle to start the engine, the key including means for transmitting a code signal including a first ID code specified therefor when the key is operated within the key receptacle to start the engine, and means for transmitting the first ID code along with a command for vehicle door lock/unlock remote control;

a receiver for receiving the code signal transmitted from the key;

antitheft control means for comparing the first ID code of the received code signal with a second ID code registered therein to permit the engine to start when the received first ID code is identical with the registered second ID code;

means associated with the receiver for registering a third ID code based on the first ID code of the code signal received by the receiver; and

keyless entry control means for comparing the transmitted first ID code with the third ID code registered therein to permit the remote control specified by the transmitted command when the transmitted first ID code is identical with the registered third ID code.

5. The keyless entry system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the key includes a capacitive transducer having a capacitor charged with an electromagnetic wave transmitted from the antitheft control means, a battery, and means for transmitting the first ID code with a power from the charged capacitor when only the first ID code is transmitted and with a power from the battery when the first ID code is transmitted along with the command.

6. A keyless entry system for use with an automotive vehicle, comprising:

an antitheft transmitter to transmit a keyless entry ID code;

an antitheft receiver disposed in the vehicle to receive the keyless entry ID code transmitted by the antitheft transmitter;

a keyless entry transmitter to transmit a keyless entry ID code;

a keyless entry receiver to receive the keyless entry ID code transmitted by the keyless entry transmitter;

a keyless entry memory disposed in the vehicle; and

a keyless entry controller connected to the antitheft receiver and storing the keyless entry ID code in the keyless entry memory when the antitheft receiver receives the keyless entry ID code, the keyless entry controller locking and unlocking a door of the vehicle when the keyless entry ID code received by the keyless entry receiver is identical to the keyless entry ID code stored in the keyless entry memory.

7. The keyless entry system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the keyless entry controller stores the keyless entry ID code when the keyless entry ID code is absent in the keyless entry memory.

8. The keyless entry system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the antitheft transmitter transmits the keyless entry ID code with a weaker signal than the keyless entry transmitter transmits the keyless entry ID code.

9. The keyless entry system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

a key receptacle disposed in the vehicle;

a key operated within the key receptacle to start an engine of the vehicle; and

an antitheft controller to permit starting of the engine when the antitheft receiver receives an authorized antitheft ID code,

wherein the antitheft receiver is disposed in the key receptacle, and

wherein the antitheft transmitter is disposed in the key and transmits the keyless entry ID code when the key is operated in order to start the engine.

10. The keyless entry system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the antitheft receiver has an antenna to transmit a trigger signal to the antitheft transmitter when the key is operated in order to start the engine, and

wherein the antitheft transmitter transmits the keyless entry ID code in response to the trigger signal.