System and method for programming keys to vehicle to establish primary and secondary drivers

• US 8,237,554 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Miller, Thomas Lee, Bennie, Brian, Watkins, Scott Alan, Gusta, Michael L., Reed, Eric L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): KING, CURTIS J
• Application Number:
  US12/139,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20090309697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/426.36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, a method for programming keys to a vehicle to establish primary keys and secondary keys to control vehicle functionality is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a key identification signal from a first key. The method further comprises generating a key status signal indicative of whether the first key is one of a primary key and a secondary key in response to the key identification signal. The method further comprises transmitting the key status signal to a vehicle interface display. The method further comprises allowing a user to change a status of at least one of the first key and an additional key with the vehicle interface display in response to determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key.

Claims

1. A method for programming keys to a vehicle to establish primary keys and secondary keys to control vehicle functionality, the method comprising:

receiving a key identification signal from a present key;

generating a key status signal indicative of the present key being one of a primary key and a secondary key in response to the key identification signal;

transmitting the key status signal to a vehicle interface display;

enabling a user to change status of the present key from a primary key to a secondary key with the vehicle interface display after determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key;

determining if the present key is an only remaining key from a plurality of programmed keys that corresponds to the primary key; and

preventing the user from changing status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key if the present key is the only remaining key that corresponds to the primary key.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising preventing the user from changing the status of the present key after determining that the key status signal corresponds to the secondary key.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising tracking the number of miles driven by the vehicle and displaying the number of miles driven by the vehicle on the vehicle interface display while the vehicle is driven with the present key if the present key is programmed as the secondary key.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising electronically transmitting the key identification signal from the present key prior to receiving the key identification signal.

4. A system for programming at least one key to a vehicle to establish one of a primary key and a secondary key for controlling vehicle functionality based on whether the at least one key is the primary or the secondary key, the system comprising:

a controller configured to receive a key identification signal from a present key and to generate a key status signal indicative of whether the present key is one of the primary key and the secondary key in response to the key identification signal;

a vehicle interface display including at least one switch and configured to;

receive the key status signal;

determine whether the key status signal corresponds to one of the primary key and the secondary key;

enable a user to change a status of the present key via the at least one switch from the primary key to the secondary key after determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key;

determine if the present key is an only remaining key from a plurality of programmed keys that corresponds to the primary key; and

prevent the user from changing status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key if the present key is determined to be the only remaining key from the plurality of programmed keys that corresponds to the primary key.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the vehicle interface display is further configured to allow the user to change status of an additional key with the at least one switch after determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the key identification signal corresponds to at least one of received key serial number and received encryption data that is used to authorize an engine start and the controller including a look up table having at least one of stored key serial number and the stored encryption data.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the controller is further configured to compare the at least one of the received key serial number and the received encryption data to the at least one of the stored key serial number and the stored encryption data to determine whether the present key is the primary key or the secondary key.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein the vehicle interface display is further configured to display a total number of keys that are programmed as primary keys and a total number of keys that are programmed as secondary keys.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein the controller is a Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) controller and data included within the key identification signal is used to authenticate starting an engine of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 4 wherein the controller is a Passive Entry Passive Start (PEPS) controller and data included within the key identification signal is used to perform at least one of granting access to an occupant for entry into the vehicle and authenticating engine startup of the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 4 further comprising a backup slot configured to receive the present key and wherein the controller is a Passive Entry Passive Start (PEPS) controller operably coupled to the backup slot such that prior to allowing the user to change status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key with the at least one switch of the vehicle interface display, the present key is inserted into the backup slot.

16. The system of claim 4 wherein the present key is configured to electronically transmit the key identification signal prior to the controller receiving the key identification signal.

12. A system for programming at least one key to a vehicle to establish one of a primary key and a secondary key for controlling vehicle functionality based on whether the at least one key is the primary or the secondary key, the system comprising:

a controller configured to receive a key identification signal from a present key and to transmit a key status signal indicative of whether the present key is one of a primary key and a secondary key in response to the key identification signal;

a vehicle interface display configured to;

receive the key status signal;

determine whether the key status signal corresponds to one of the primary key and the secondary key;

enable a user to change a status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key after determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key;

determine if the present key is an only remaining key from a plurality of programmed keys that corresponds to the primary key; and

prevent the user from changing status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key if the present key is determined to be the only remaining key from the plurality of programmed keys that corresponds to the primary key.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the key identification signal corresponds to at least one of received key serial number information and received encryption data and the controller includes a look up table having at least one of stored key serial number information and stored encryption data.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the controller is further configured to compare the at least one of received key serial number information and received encryption data to the at least one of stored key serial number information and the stored encryption data to determine whether the present key is the one of the primary key and the secondary key.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the present key is configured to electronically transmit the key identification signal prior to the controller receiving the key identification signal.

18. A method for programming keys to a vehicle, the method comprising:

electronically transmitting a key identification signal from a present key;

determining whether the key identification signal corresponds to one of a primary key and a secondary key;

enabling a user to change status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key with a vehicle interface display after determining that the present key corresponds to the primary key;

determining if the present key is an only remaining key from a plurality of programmed keys that corresponds to the primary key; and

preventing the user from changing status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key if the present key is detected to be the only remaining key from a plurality of programmed keys that corresponds to the primary key.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising preventing the user from changing the status of the present key after determining that the key status signal corresponds to the secondary key.

20. An apparatus for programming at least one key to a vehicle to establish one of a primary key and a secondary key, the apparatus comprising:

a present key for transmitting a key identification signal to a controller that transmits a key status signal indicative of the present key being one of a primary key and a secondary key, in response to the key identification signal, to a vehicle interface device that (i) receives the key status signal, (ii) determines whether the key status signal corresponds to the one of the primary key and the secondary key, (iii) enables a user to change a status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key after determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key, (iv) determines if the present key is an only remaining key from a plurality of programmed keys that corresponds to the primary key, and (v) prevents the user from changing status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key if the present key is determined to be the only remaining key from the plurality of programmed keys that corresponds to the primary key.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the vehicle interface device is further configured to display a total number of keys that are programmed as primary keys and a total number of keys that are programmed as secondary keys.