Automatic detection of valet mode for smart entry systems
First Claim
1. A key fob cooperating with an associated mechanical key, the key fob comprising:
- a key fob housing including a slot for receiving the associated mechanical key;
a control in the housing for transmitting wireless signals to a vehicle to actuate components on the vehicle; and
a plurality of Hall effect switches in the housing, each Hall effect switch being in electrical communication with the control, wherein at least one of the Hall effect switches is configured to change a respective operating state based upon detecting a positive magnetic field and at least one other Hall effect switch is configured to change an operating state based upon detecting a negative magnetic field, wherein each Hall effect switch is associated with an integrated circuit and the integrated circuit is software configurable to output an output signal to the control and a respective magnetic field to selectively configure a respective magnetic field that is detected, which results in the change in the respective operating state of each Hall effect switch,wherein the slot is elongated in a first direction and is configured to receive a blade of a mechanical key, andwherein the housing includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a key head facing surface spanning between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the slot extends into the housing from the key head facing surface, wherein the plurality of Hall effect switches are disposed adjacent the key head facing surface and the key head facing surface has a smaller surface area as compared to the upper surface and the lower surface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A key fob assembly includes a mechanical key, a key fob, a control in the key fob, Hall effect switches in the key fob, and magnets associated with the mechanical key. The mechanical key is configured to cooperate with a mechanical lock. The key fob is configured to selectively connect with the mechanical key. The control in the key fob is for transmitting wireless signals to a vehicle to actuate components on the vehicle. The Hall effect switches in the key fob are each in electrical communication with the control. At least one of the Hall effect switches changes an operating state based on detecting a positive magnetic field and at least one other Hall effect switch changes an operating state based on detecting a negative magnetic field. Respective poles of the magnets are disposed such that connection of the mechanical key with the key fob in a storage position aligns the poles of the magnets with respective Hall effect switches for changing the operating state of the respective Hall effect switches.
18 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A key fob cooperating with an associated mechanical key, the key fob comprising:
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a key fob housing including a slot for receiving the associated mechanical key; a control in the housing for transmitting wireless signals to a vehicle to actuate components on the vehicle; and a plurality of Hall effect switches in the housing, each Hall effect switch being in electrical communication with the control, wherein at least one of the Hall effect switches is configured to change a respective operating state based upon detecting a positive magnetic field and at least one other Hall effect switch is configured to change an operating state based upon detecting a negative magnetic field, wherein each Hall effect switch is associated with an integrated circuit and the integrated circuit is software configurable to output an output signal to the control and a respective magnetic field to selectively configure a respective magnetic field that is detected, which results in the change in the respective operating state of each Hall effect switch, wherein the slot is elongated in a first direction and is configured to receive a blade of a mechanical key, and wherein the housing includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a key head facing surface spanning between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the slot extends into the housing from the key head facing surface, wherein the plurality of Hall effect switches are disposed adjacent the key head facing surface and the key head facing surface has a smaller surface area as compared to the upper surface and the lower surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A key fob assembly comprising:
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a mechanical key configured to cooperate with a mechanical lock, the mechanical key including a head including a key fob facing surface a blade connected with and extending from the head in a first direction, which is orthogonal to a plane defining the key fob facing surface, and a plurality of magnets in the head adjacent the key fob facing surface, each of the magnets disposed on a same side of the blade; a key fob configured to selectively connect with the mechanical key, the key fob including a key fob housing having a slot for receiving the blade of the mechanical key and a key head facing surface, wherein the slot extends into the housing from the key head facing surface, wherein key fob facing surface has a complementary shape to the key head facing surface; a control in the key fob for transmitting wireless signals to a vehicle to actuate components on the vehicle; a plurality of Hall effect switches in the key fob adjacent the key head facing surface, each Hall effect switch disposed adjacent one another and on a same side of the slot, each Hall effect switch being in electrical communication with the control and including software that selectively configures a respective magnetic field that is detected by each Hall effect switch, wherein at least one of the Hall effect switches changes an operating state based on detecting a positive magnetic field and at least one other Hall effect switch changes an operating state based on detecting a negative magnetic field; and respective poles of the magnets being disposed adjacent to the key fob facing surface such that insertion of the blade of the mechanical key into the slot in the key fob housing in a storage position aligns the poles of the magnets with respective Hall effect switches for changing the operating state of the respective Hall effect switches. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification