Keyless smart start system

• US 7,277,007 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Hein, David, Ghabra, Riad, LeMense, Thomas, Fawaz, Mike, Tang, Tom, King, Ronald, John, Nantz
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US10/249,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20040227615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,600 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.61, 340/5.62, 340/5.63, 340/5.64, 340/5.31, 340/5.72, 340/426.3, 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 340/426.36, 340/426.17, 307/10.5, 307/10.1, 307/10.3
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/406 Power supply in the remote key
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/06 mounted on or below dashboards

Abstract

An automotive keyless smart-start assembly 10 for use in an automobile 22 is provided including an automotive engine 18 having an operating condition and a stopped condition. An ignition controller 16, having a locked state and an unlocked state, is in communication with the automotive engine 18. A receptacle bin 20 is mounted to the automobile 22 and is in communication with the ignition controller 16. The receptacle bin 20 is movable between a closed position 34 and an open position 32. A portable electronic transmitter element 12, including a security code 14, communicates the security code 14 to the ignition controller 16 upon being positioned within the receptacle bin 20. The ignition controller 16 verifies the security code 14 and moves to the unlocked state upon verification. The receptacle bin 20 moves to the closed position 34 upon verification. An ignition button 19 is in communication with the ignition controller 16 and signals the ignition controller 16 to move the automotive engine 18 into the operating condition when the ignition controller 16 is in the unlocked state.

Claims

1. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly for use in an automobile comprising:

an automotive engine having an operating condition and a stopped condition;

an ignition controller in communication with said automotive engine, said ignition controller having a locked state and an unlocked state;

a receptacle bin mounted to the automobile and in communication with said ignition controller, said receptacle bin movable between a closed position and an open position;

a portable electronic transmitter element including a security code, said portable electronic transmitter element communicating said security code to said ignition controller upon said portable electronic transmitter element being positioned within said receptacle bin, said ignition controller verifying said security code, said ignition controller moving to said unlocked state upon verification of said security code, said receptacle bin moving to said closed position upon verification of said security code; and

an ignition button in communication with said ignition controller, said ignition button signaling said ignition controller to move said automotive engine into said operating condition when said ignition controller is in said unlocked state.

2. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said ignition button signals said ignition controller to move said automotive engine into said stopped condition when said automotive engine is in said operating condition.

3. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising:

a vehicle entrance door in communication with said receptacle bin, said receptacle bin moving into said open position when said vehicle entrance door is opened.

4. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said ignition button is positioned adjacent a gear shift element within the automobile.

5. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising:

a recharging component positioned within said receptacle bin, said recharging component communicating with said portable electronic transmitter element when said portable electronic transmitter element is positioned within said receptacle bin.

6. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising:

a manual eject button in communication with said receptacle bin, said manual eject button moving said receptacle bin into said open position without utilizing electric current.

7. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 6, wherein said manual eject button cannot move said receptacle bin into said open position while said automotive engine is in said operating condition.

8. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising:

an anti-rattle component positioned within said receptacle bin, said anti-rattle component minimizing noise within said receptacle bin.

9. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising:

an illuminated panel mounted on said receptacle bin, said illuminated panel indicating a status of said verification of said security code.

10. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said portable electronic transmitter element is integrated into a cell phone.

11. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said portable electronic transmitter element is integrated into a personal digital assistant.

12. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 1, wherein a speed pass transmitter is integrated into said portable electronic transmitter element.

13. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising:

an automotive personalization settings file stored in said portable electronic transmitter element; and

an automotive main controller in communication with said receptacle bin, said automotive main controller receiving said automotive personalization settings file from said portable electronic transmitter element when said portable electronic transmitter element is positioned in said receptacle bin.

14. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly for use in an automobile comprising:

an automotive engine having an operating condition and a stopped condition;

an ignition controller in communication with said automotive engine, said ignition controller having a locked state and an unlocked state;

a receptacle bin mounted to the automobile and in communication with said ignition controller;

a portable electronic transmitter element including a security code, said portable electronic transmitter element entering communication with said receptacle bin and communicating said security code to said ignition controller upon said portable electronic transmitter element being positioned within said receptacle bin, said ignition controller verifying said security code, said ignition controller moving to said unlocked state upon verification of said security code; and

an ignition button in communication with said ignition controller, said ignition button signaling said ignition controller to move said automotive engine into said operating condition when said ignition controller is in said unlocked state.

15. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 14, further comprising:

a valet fob transmitter element including a valet code, said valet fob transmitter element communicating said valet code to said ignition controller upon said valet fob transmitter element being positioned within said receptacle bin, said ignition controller verifying said valet code, said ignition controller moving to said unlocked state upon verification of said valet code; and

an automotive main controller in communication with said receptacle bin, said automotive main controller receiving said valet code from said valet fob transmitter element when said valet fob transmitter element is positioned in said receptacle bin, said automotive main controller entering a valet mode upon receiving said valet code.

16. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 14, wherein said receptacle bin communicates to said portable electronic transmitter element using low-frequency transmissions, said portable electronic transmitter element communicates to said receptacle bin using ultra-high-frequency transmissions.

17. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 16, further comprising:

a backup transmission system wherein said portable electronic transmitter element communicates to said receptacle bin using low-frequency transmissions.

18. An automotive keyless smart-start assembly as described in claim 14, further comprising:

an accessory code button in communication with an automotive main controller;

said accessory code button placing said automotive main controller in an accessory mode.

19. A method of starting an automotive engine comprising:

placing a portable electronic transmitter element within a receptacle bin positioned within an automobile;

communicating a security code from said portable electronic transmitter element to said receptacle bin;

communicating said security code to an ignition controller in communication with the automotive engine, said ignition controller having a locked state and an unlocked state;

verifying said security code;

moving said ignition controller to said unlocked state upon verification of said security code;

activating the automotive engine upon the pressing of an ignition button if said ignition controller is in said unlocked state.

20. A method of starting an automotive engine as described in claim 19, further comprising:

moving said receptacle bin from an open position to a closed position upon verification of said security code.