Wireless anti-lockout system

• US 7,242,282 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2005
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward Pinckney Sr
• Original Assignee: Edward Pinckney Sr
• Inventors: Pinckney, Edward Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Toan N.
• Application Number:
  US11/032,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20060158322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.28, 340/426.29, 340/426.3, 340/5.72, 340/5.61, 340/457, 200/43.01, 200/43.11, 200/43.18, 200/61.44
• US Class Current: 340/426.28
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

The wireless anti-lockout system automatically unlocks a driver'"'"'s side door when the driver locks the car keys within the car. The anti-lockout system includes door-lock and trunk-lock sensors, a key chain transponder, transponder sensors and an occupant presence sensor. When the doors and trunk are locked, the key chain transponder is detected in the car, and an occupant is not detected, signals are sent to a microprocessor, which alerts a door lock control to unlock the driver'"'"'s side door and activates an alarm. Additional sensors may be added. The system may include a transmission sensor and a driver detection sensor, so that when a driver is not detected, or when the transmission gear is in park or neutral, in addition to the other three signal conditions, the door lock control unlocks the driver'"'"'s side door and an alarm is activated.

Claims

1. A wireless anti-lockout system for automatically unlocking a driver'"'"'s side door, comprising:

a plurality of door-lock sensors, each of the sensors generating a door-locked signal when a corresponding door lock is locked;

a trunk-lock sensor generating a trunk-locked signal when the trunk is locked;

a manually-activated trunk button for generating a trunk-locked signal when the trunk is open;

means for generating a key signal;

means for detecting the key signal and generating a key-detected signal;

an occupant sensor for generating an occupant signal when an occupant is absent;

a door lock control for locking and unlocking a door; and

means for receiving the door-locked signals, the trunk-locked signal from either the trunk-lock sensor or the trunk button, the key—

detected signal, and the occupant signal and for activating the door lock control to unlock the door when all of the signals are detected.

2. The wireless anti-lockout system according to claim 1, wherein the means for receiving the door-locked signals, the key-detected signal, and the occupant signal comprises a transceiver and a microprocessor coupled to the transceiver.

3. The wireless anti-lockout system according to claim 1, further comprising a driver detection sensor for generating a driver detection signal when the driver is absent.

4. The wireless anti-lockout system according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission sensor for generating a transmission signal when a transmission is in park or neutral.

5. The wireless anti-lockout system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an alarm; and

means for activating the alarm when all of the signals are detected.

6. The wireless anti-lockout system according to claim 1, wherein the means for generating a key signal is a transponder.

7. The wireless anti-lockout system according to claim 1, wherein the means for detecting a key signal and generating a key-detected signal is a transponder reader.

8. A wireless anti-lockout system for automatically unlocking a driver'"'"'s side door, comprising:

a plurality of door-lock sensors, each of the sensors generating a door-locked signal when a corresponding door lock is locked;

a trunk-lock sensor generating a trunk-locked signal when the trunk is locked;

a manually-activated trunk button for generating a trunk-locked signal when the trunk is open;

a transponder for generating a key signal;

a plurality of key readers for detecting the key signal and generating a key-detected signal;

an occupant sensor for generating an occupant signal when an occupant is absent;

a door lock control for locking and unlocking a door; and

means for receiving the door-locked signals, the trunk-locked signal from either the trunk-lock sensor or the trunk button, the key—

detected signal, and the occupant signal and the occupant signal and for activating the door lock control to unlock the door when all of the signals are detected.

9. The wireless anti-lockout system according to claim 8, wherein the means for receiving the door-locked signals, the key-detected signal, and the occupant signal comprises a transceiver and a microprocessor coupled to the transceiver.

10. The wireless anti-lockout system according to claim 8, further comprising a driver detection sensor for generating a driver detection signal when the driver is absent.

11. The wireless anti-lockout system according to claim 8, further comprising a transmission sensor for generating a transmission signal when a transmission is in park or neutral.

12. The wireless anti-lockout system according to claim 8, further comprising:

an alarm; and

means for activating the alarm when all of the signals are detected.