Vehicle electronic key system

• US 8,093,987 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Kurpinski, Christopher, Keeling, Thomas, Wiegand, Michael, McBride, Justin, Chiba, Tanemichi, Aoyama, Keiichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): EUSTAQUIO, CAL J
• Application Number:
  US11/362,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20070200668A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,146 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.13, 340/5.64, 340/426.15, 340/5.72
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00507 keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

An electronic key system utilizes a single switch or sensor to perform multiple functions. The function of the single switch or sensor is changed based upon a condition of a component of the vehicle when a controller verifies the presence of a mobile unit. An indicator is utilized to tell an individual what the function of the switch screen is currently.

Claims

1. An electronic key system for a vehicle, the electronic key system comprising:

a mobile unit located outside of the vehicle;

a transmitter that transmits a signal to the mobile unit located outside of the vehicle;

a receiver that receives a code signal from the mobile unit in response to the signal transmitted by the transmitter, when the mobile unit is located outside of the vehicle and within a specified range of the transmitter;

a controller that verifies the code signal by comparing the code signal to a memorized signal, the controller changing a function of a component of the vehicle upon verification of the code signal; and

an indicator for indicating the function of the component as an indicated function after verification of the code signal, wherein the component is a switch and the function of the switch is changed between a door unlocking switch and a door locking switch, the switch being engageable with a user to invoke the indicated function, wherein the controller switches the function of the component to a lock function to lock a door of the vehicle in response to the mobile unit remaining outside of the vehicle and within the specified range of the transmitter for a specified period of time without a user engaging the component or the mobile unit.

2. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is a color of the switch.

3. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is a color of an illuminated portion of the vehicle.

4. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is a position of a mirror of the vehicle.

5. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is a color of a window of the vehicle.

6. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is a color of the component.

7. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is a color of an illuminated portion of the vehicle.

8. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is a position of a mirror of the vehicle.

9. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is a color of a window of the vehicle.

10. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein:

the indicator is a color of the switch, and

the switch displays the function of the switch.

11. The electronic key system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a door handle attached to the vehicle door, wherein;

the indicator is a color of a portion of the door beneath the door handle.

12. An electronic key system for a vehicle, the electronic key system comprising:

a key fob located outside of the vehicle;

a vehicle ECU that transmits a signal to the key fob located outside of the vehicle;

a vehicle receiver that receives a code signal from the key fob in response to the signal transmitted by the vehicle ECU, when the key fob is outside of the vehicle and within a specified range of the vehicle ECU;

a door handle with a single button on a door of the vehicle;

a controller that verifies the code signal by comparing the code signal to a memorized signal, the controller changing a function of the single button upon verification of the code signal; and

an indicator indicates the function as an indicated function of the single button after verification of the code signal, wherein the indicator comprises part of the single button, wherein the controller locks the door in response to the key fob remaining outside of the vehicle and within the specified range of the vehicle ECU for a specified period of time without a user engaging the single button or the key fob.

13. The electronic key system according to claim 12, wherein:

the function of the single button changes between a door unlocking switch and a door locking switch, the single button being engaged to invoke the indicated function.

14. The electronic key system according to claim 13, wherein:

the indicator further comprises an illuminated written word on the single button to indicate function of the single button.

15. The electronic key system according to claim 14, wherein:

the indicator further comprises a color of a window of the vehicle; and

the indicator further comprises a position of a rear view mirror of the vehicle.

16. The electronic key system according to claim 15, further comprising:

a vehicle door, wherein the indicator further comprises a color of a portion of the door beneath the door handle.

17. An electronic key system for a vehicle, the electronic key system comprising:

a mobile unit located outside of the vehicle;

a transmitter that transmits a signal from one antenna to the mobile unit located outside of the vehicle;

a receiver that receives a code signal from the mobile unit in response to the signal transmitted by the one antenna of the transmitter, when the mobile unit is located outside of the vehicle within a specified range of the one antenna of the transmitter;

a door handle on a vehicle door, wherein the switch is a single button in the door handle, and an indicator displays the function of the single button in an illuminated written word; and

a controller that verifies the code signal by comparing the code signal to a memorized signal, the controller changing a function of a switch of the vehicle upon verification of the code signal and controlling said indicator that indicates the function of the switch after verification of the code signal, wherein the function of the switch is changed between a door unlocking switch and a door locking switch, the switch being engageable by a user to invoke the function, and the indicator is a lighted color portion of the switch, wherein the controller locks the vehicle door in response to the mobile unit remaining outside of the vehicle and within the specified range of the one antenna of the transmitter for a specified period of time without a user engaging the switch or the mobile unit.

18. The electronic key system according to claim 17, wherein the single button is illuminated in a first color when the function is a door unlocking switch and a second color when the function is a door locking switch.