Remote control lock operation system for vehicles

• US 7,071,819 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ota, Atsuo, Orita, Masayoshi, Konno, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US10/178,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20030024754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,470 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.1, 340/427, 340/426.11, 340/426.13, 340/426.17, 340/426.2, 340/426.21, 340/5.31, 340/5.7, 340/426.36, 340/426.28, 340/432, 307/9.1, 307/142, 307/139, 307/125, 307/10.2, 702/77, 702/52
• US Class Current: 340/427
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/306 Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02 operating on the steering mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00785 by light
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5956 Steering mechanism with switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

A remote control lock operation system for a vehicle capable of unlocking a mechanical locking mechanism for mechanically disabling traveling of the vehicle by a infrared signal, without using the key. Components of the system include a handheld remote control transmitter, a receiver, a mechanical locking mechanism, a lock actuator and control unit, and wiring sections for connecting the lock actuator and the receiver to the control unit mounted in a common module housing contained on the vehicle body. The main components of the system, including the wiring section leading to the lock actuator, are unitized and integrate into the common module housing in order to prevent unauthorized unlocking of the lock. Also provided is a mobile communication terminal having an infrared transmitting port, and a method for using of the terminal. The mobile communication terminal for operating the remote control lock operation device, even when the remote control transmitter is lost, or for some other reason is not available.

Claims

1. A remote control lock operation system for vehicles, comprising:

a hand-held transmitter;

a receiver capable of receiving the signal transmitted by the transmitter;

a mechanical locking mechanism for mechanically disabling travel of the vehicle;

a lock actuator capable of at least unlocking the mechanical locking mechanism;

a control unit for determining whether or not the signal received by the receiver is acceptable, and operating and controlling the lock actuator based on the received signal when the signal is acceptable; and

a common module housing mounted below a handlebar on a body of the vehicle, the housing enclosing the receiver, the mechanical locking mechanism, the lock actuator, the control unit, and wiring sections connecting the lock actuator and the receiver to the control unit,

the common module housing being disposed in a space between a front body cover and an inner cover of the vehicle,

wherein a signal receiving portion of the receiver is directed rearwardly from a central portion of the inner cover, the inner cover extending upwardly and rearwardly over the common module housing so that the signal receiving portion of the receiver is not exposed from above.

2. The remote control lock operation system for vehicles according to claim 1, further comprising drive enable signal generating means controlled by the control unit based on the signal received by the receiver and capable of generating a drive enable signal for enabling actuation or operation of the engine and being mounted in the common module housing together with the wiring section for connecting the means to the control unit.

3. The remote control lock operation system for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein a part of power distribution circuit for distributing a power from a battery to the respective vehicle mounted electric equipment, a main relay for opening and closing the part of the power distribution circuit, and a main switch for turning the main relay on and off are mounted in the common module housing.

4. The remote control lock operation system for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle comprising a front fork for rotatably supporting the front wheel, a steering shaft rotatably supported on a front portion of the vehicle body for linking a front fork and a steering handle to steer and operate the front wheel, a front body cover for covering a front side of the steering shaft, and an inner cover connected to the front body cover for covering a rear side of the steering shaft, in that the common module housing is disposed in a vehicle body space formed between the front body cover and the inner cover, and provided with a signal receiving portion of the receiver on a rear surface thereof so as to be exposed toward the rear through an opening of the inner cover, and in that the mechanical locking mechanism is a handle locking mechanism capable of locking the rotation of the steering shaft.

5. The remote control lock operation system for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the portable transmitter is a mobile communication terminal and further comprises:

an infrared transmitting port capable of transmitting an infrared signal,

input operation means for commanding transmission of the infrared signal from the infrared transmitting port arbitrarily, and

transmission control means for allowing the infrared signal corresponding to prescribed identification data to be transmitted from the infrared transmitting port in response to an input operation on the input operation means.

13. The remote control lock operation system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is disposed on a rear surface of the common module, and the mechanical locking mechanism projects out from an opposite side the common module and engages with a vehicle locking hole.

15. The remote control lock operation system according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical locking mechanism is secured to the vehicle through an opening of the inner cover.

17. The remote control lock operation system according to claim 1, wherein the wiring section is hidden and protected in the common module housing so as not to be exposed to the outside, dishonest unlocking, and thus theft of the vehicle by connecting the wiring section directly to a battery power source or changing connection thereof may be effectively prevented.

6. An emergency operating system for operating and controlling a lock actuator of an infrared remote control lock operation device, comprising:

a remote control transmitter capable of transmitting an infrared signal corresponding to prescribed identification data;

a remote control receiver capable of receiving the infrared signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter;

a lock actuator coupled to the locking mechanism;

a control unit for controlling the operation of the lock actuator according to the received signal when the signal received by the remote control receiver corresponds to the prescribed identification data without using the remote control transmitter;

a service center capable of transmitting a command signal as needed to the mobile communication terminal;

a mobile communication terminal having an infrared transmitting port that is capable of transmitting an infrared signal, the mobile communication terminal including receiving means capable of receiving a command signal transmitted from the service center, and transmission control means for allowing an infrared signal corresponding to the prescribed identification data to be transmitted from the infrared transmitting port upon receipt of the command signal,

wherein the service center includes communication means for receiving notification from the user, and information storage means in which information for identifying a user upon receipt of notification is stored in advance.

7. The emergency operating system for operating and controlling the lock actuator of the infrared remote control lock operation device according to claim 6,

further comprising a common module having mounted on a vehicle body for housing the receiver, the mechanical locking mechanism, the lock actuator, the control unit, and wiring sections connecting the lock actuator and the receiver to the control unit.

8. The emergency operating system for operating and controlling the lock actuator of the infrared remote control lock operation device according to claim 6, wherein the mobile communication terminal is a mobile phone.

9. The emergency operating system for operating and controlling the lock actuator of the infrared remote control lock operation device according to claim 6, wherein the mobile communication terminal is a laptop computer, an electronic notebook, a mobile game machine, or a wristwatch.

14. The emergency operating system for operating and controlling the lock actuator of the infrared remote control lock operation device according to claim 6, wherein the receiver is disposed on a rear surface of the common module, and the mechanical locking mechanism projects out from an opposite side the common module and engages with a vehicle locking hole.

16. The emergency operating system for operating and controlling the lock actuator of the infrared remote control lock operation device according to claim 6, wherein the mechanical locking mechanism is secured to the vehicle through an opening of the inner cover.

10. A method of emergency operation for operating and controlling a lock actuator of an infrared remote control lock operation device including a remote control transmitter capable of transmitting an infrared signal corresponding to prescribed identification data, a remote control receiver capable of receiving the infrared signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter, a lock actuator coupled to the locking mechanism, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the lock actuator according to the received signal when the signal received by the remote control receiver corresponds to the prescribed identification data without using the remote control transmitter, the method comprising the steps of:

entering a transmission program in advance into the mobile communication terminal having an infrared transmitting port capable of transmitting an infrared signal and a capability of receiving a command signal transmitted from a service center so that the terminal transmits an infrared signal corresponding to prescribed identification data from the infrared transmitting port according to the command signal transmitted from the service center;

identifying a user when the service center has received notification from the user;

facing the infrared transmitting port on the mobile communication terminal toward an infrared receiving portion on the remote control receiver; and

transmitting the infrared signal corresponding to the prescribed identification data from the infrared transmitting port of the terminal toward the infrared receiving portion on the remote control receiver by transmitting the command signal from the service center to the mobile communication terminal based on the identification to operate and control the lock actuator.

11. The method of emergency operation for operating and controlling the lock actuator of the infrared remote control lock operation device according to claim 10, wherein the mobile communication terminal is a mobile phone.

12. The method of emergency operation for operating and controlling the lock actuator of the infrared remote control lock operation device according to claim 10, wherein the mobile communication terminal is a laptop computer, an electronic notebook, a mobile game machine, or a wristwatch.