Effortless entry system and method

• US 6,825,752 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2001
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Desai, Tejas B., Cutkosky, Mark, Nahata, Pratik Kumar, Li, Edwin T., Johnson, Susan A., Leifer, Tjarko
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne, Arlo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalencourt, Yves
• Application Number:
  US09/875,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20010052839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,273 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.64, 340/5.61, 340/5.62, 340/5.72, 340/545.3, 340/545.4, 340/545.2, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 180/273, 280/735
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/77 comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/78 as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/65 using means for sensing the user's hand
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

The vehicle port control system has a capaciflective sensor, a port, a lock securing the port, and a control unit. The capaciflective sensor senses the presence of objects a predetermined distance from the vehicle port. The sensor communicates its readings to the control unit, which controls the actuation of the lock.

Claims

1. A vehicle port control system comprising:

a capaciflective sensor for generating an electric field for sensing an object a predetermined distance about a vehicle port;

a lock for securing the port;

a latch for controlling opening and closing of said port; and

a control unit in communication with said capaciflective sensor, said control unit for controlling the actuation of said lock;

wherein said latch includes a sensor in communication with said control unit, said sensor for detecting movement of said latch.

2. The vehicle port control system of claim 1 wherein said sensor is an infrared sensor.

3. A vehicle port control system comprising:

a vehicle port;

a capaciflective sensor for generating an electric field for sensing an object a predetermined distance about said port;

a latch controlling opening and closing of said port; and

a control unit in communication with said capaciflective sensor, said control unit for comparing a signal from said capaciflective sensor with a predetermined threshold;

wherein said latch includes a sensor in communication with said control unit, said sensor for detecting movement of said latch.

4. A method of port control comprising the steps of:

establishing a voltage on a first surface;

establishing about the same voltage on a second surface spaced from the first surface;

establishing a lower voltage on a third surface spaced from the second surface, thereby propagating an electric field from the first surface, around the second surface, and to the third surface;

sensing changes in the electric field caused by the presence of an object in the electric field;

generating an electric signal based on the changes in the electric field;

comparing the electric signal to a predetermined threshold; and

controlling a port based on the comparison.

5. A vehicle port control system comprising:

a capaciflective sensor for generating an electric field for sensing an object a predetermined distance about a vehicle port;

a lock for securing the port; and

a control unit in communication with said capaciflective sensor, said control unit for controlling the actuation of said lock;

wherein said capaciflective sensor comprises a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, said first surface having a first voltage about the same as a second voltage on said second surface, said third surface having a third voltage lower than said first surface.

6. The vehicle port control system of claim 5 wherein said second surface is spaced between said first surface and said third surface.

7. A vehicle port control system comprising:

a capaciflective sensor for generating an electric field for sensing an object a predetermined distance about a vehicle port;

a lock for securing the port; and

a control unit in communication with said capaciflective sensor, said control unit for controlling the actuation of said lock;

wherein said capaciflective sensor is oriented to direct the electric field away from said lock.