Keyless access control device for motor vehicles and method for carrying out a keyless access authorization control in motor vehicles

• US 6,714,119 B1
• Filed: 06/07/2001
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Mindl, Anton, Kerkmann, Detlef
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHIMIZU, MATSUICHIRO
• Application Number:
  US09/857,667
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.2, 340/5.6, 340/5.72, 340/5.62, 340/5.5, 340/10.3, 340/10.33, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/10.1, 307/10.1, 235/282.5, 235/382, 702/78
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00396 starting with prompting the keyless data carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00412 the transmitted data signal being encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A keyless access control device and method for a motor vehicle includes a controller, transceiver, and a mobile transponder. The transceiver transmits a low frequency signal (LF) to the transponder and, in response, the transponder transmits a first high frequency (HF) signal to the transceiver. The controller moves a vehicle door handle into a position in which the door handle can be actuated by a user in response to receipt of the first HF signal by the transponder. The transceiver transmits a second HF signal to the transponder in response to actuation of the door handle by the user. The transponder transmits an encrypted HF signal to the transceiver based on the second HF signal. The transceiver processes the encrypted HF signal to determine whether the user is authorized to enter the vehicle. The controller unlocks the vehicle door in response to the transceiver indicating that the user is authorized.

Claims

1. A keyless access control device for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a locked door and a door handle movable between first and second states, wherein in the first state the door handle is enabled to be actuated by a motor vehicle user in order to open the door when the door is unlocked, and in the second state the door handle is disabled from being actuated by a motor vehicle user, the device comprising:

a controller associated with the motor vehicle and operable for moving the door handle between the first and second states, the controller further operable for unlocking the door;

a transceiver associated with the motor vehicle, the transceiver operable for transmitting a low frequency (LF) code signal and for transmitting and receiving high frequency (HF) code signals; and

a transponder associated with the motor vehicle user, the transponder operable for receiving an LF code signal and for transmitting and receiving HF code signals;

wherein the transceiver transmits an LF code signal to the transponder and, in response, the transponder transmits a first HF code signal to the transceiver for low-level verification that the motor vehicle user has authorization to enter into the motor vehicle;

wherein the controller moves the door handle from the second state in which the door handle is disabled from being actuated by a motor vehicle user to the first state in which the door handle is enabled to be actuated by the motor vehicle user in response to receipt and identification of the first HF code signal by the transceiver;

wherein the transceiver transmits a transponder inquiry HF code signal to the transponder in response to actuation of the door handle by the motor vehicle user;

wherein the transponder processes the transponder inquiry HF code signal to generate an encrypted HF code signal, wherein the transponder transmits the encrypted HF code signal to the transceiver for high-level verification that the motor vehicle user has authorization to enter into the motor vehicle;

wherein the transceiver processes the encrypted HF code signal in order to determine whether the transponder is authorized to enable motor vehicle user entry into the motor vehicle;

wherein the controller unlocks the door while the motor vehicle user is actuating the door handle in response to the transceiver indicating that the motor vehicle user is authorized to enter into the motor vehicle.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the door handle has a movable mechanical cover which prevents actuation by the motor vehicle user when the door handle is in the second state and enables actuation by the motor vehicle user when the door handle is in the first state.

3. A keyless access control method for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a locked door and a door handle movable between first and second states, wherein in the first state the door handle is enabled to be actuated by a motor vehicle user in order to open the door when the door is unlocked, and in the second state the door handle is disabled from being actuated by a motor vehicle user, the method comprising:

transmitting a low frequency (LF) code signal from a transceiver associated with the motor vehicle to a transponder associated with the motor vehicle user;

transmitting a first high frequency (HF) code signal from the transponder to the transceiver in response to receipt of the LF code signal for low-level verification that the motor vehicle user has authorization to enter into the motor vehicle;

moving the door handle from the second state in which the door handle is disabled from being actuated by a motor vehicle user to the first state in which the door handle is enabled to be actuated by the motor vehicle user in response to receipt and identification of the first HF code signal by the transceiver;

transmitting a transponder inquiry HF code signal from the transceiver to the transponder in response to receipt of the first HF code signal and actuation of the door handle by the motor vehicle user;

processing the transponder inquiry HF code signal with the transponder to generate an encrypted HF code signal;

transmitting the encrypted HF code signal from the transponder to the transceiver for high-level verification that the motor vehicle user has authorization to enter into the motor vehicle;

processing the encrypted HF code signal with the transceiver in order to determine whether the transponder is authorized to enable motor vehicle user entry into the motor vehicle; and

unlocking the door while the motor vehicle user is actuating the door handle in response to the transceiver indicating that the motor vehicle user is authorized to enter into the motor vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein:

moving the door handle to the first state in response to receipt of the first HF code signal by the transceiver includes moving a mechanical cover associated with the door handle to a position which enables actuation of the door handle by the motor vehicle user.