Shielded communications system

• US 9,646,441 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2015
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dry, Alan George
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, BRIAN E
• Application Number:
  US14/729,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20160358395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00325 and the lock having only one limited data transmission range
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00785 by light
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00952 Electronic keys comprising a mechanical key within their housing, e.g. extractable or retractable emergency key
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/64 using a proximity sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A system includes a vehicle receiver and a fob. The fob includes a shield which defines a shield cavity. A transmitter is located with the shield cavity and is programmed to send signals to the vehicle receiver. The shield cavity is shielded to direct signals transmitted by the transmitter toward the vehicle receiver when the fob engages and is pushed toward the vehicle receiver.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a vehicle receiver;

a fob including;

a shield defining a shield cavity; and

a transmitter located within the shield cavity, the transmitter configured to send signals to the vehicle receiver;

wherein the shield cavity is shielded to direct signals transmitted by the transmitter toward the vehicle receiver when the fob engages and is pushed toward the vehicle receiver.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the fob transmitter includes a light emitting diode.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the light emitting diode includes at least one of an infrared light emitting diode, a visible light emitting diode and an ultraviolet light emitting diode.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle receiver includes a photodiode.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fob includes:

a base defining a base cavity;

wherein the shield is slidably disposed in and extends from the base cavity.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the fob further includes a switch disposed in the base cavity and wherein the switch is activated when the shield is pushed into the base cavity.

7. The system of claim 5, further including a spring disposed between the base and the shield, wherein:

the spring biases the shield away from the switch; and

pushing the fob toward the vehicle receiver activates the switch.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a vehicle display configured to illuminate a target area surrounding the receiver; and

a proximity detection system configured to activate the display upon detection of the fob near the receiver.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the fob includes a communication system configured to wirelessly communicate with the proximity detection system.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a vehicle transmitter,

wherein the fob further includes a receiver disposed in the shield cavity and configured to receive messages from the vehicle transmitter.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the fob includes a computer including a memory and a processor storing instructions executable by the processor such that the computer is programmed to:

transmit, via the fob transmitter, a first message identifying the fob;

receive from the vehicle transmitter, a second message authorizing the fob to transmit a vehicle entry code; and

transmit, via the fob transmitter, a third message including the vehicle entry code.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a vehicle computer including a memory and a processor storing instructions executable by the processor such that the computer is programmed to:

receive, from the fob transmitter, a first message identifying the fob;

transmit, from the vehicle transmitter, a second message authorizing the fob to transmit a vehicle entry code;

receive, from the fob transmitter, a third messaging including the vehicle entry code; and

based at least in part on the third message, send a command to a controller to unlock a vehicle door.

13. A fob comprising:

a base defining a base cavity;

a shield disposed in and extending from the base cavity and defining a shield cavity having an inner surface and an open end;

an optical transmitter disposed in the shield cavity;

wherein the inner surface of the shield cavity directs radiation from the optical transmitter toward the open end of the shield cavity.

14. The fob of claim 13, further comprising:

a switch disposed in the base cavity;

a spring disposed between the base and the shield, the spring biasing the shield away from the switch;

wherein;

pushing the shield into the base cavity activates the switch; and

activating the switch enables transmission by the optical transmitter.

15. The fob of claim 14, further comprising:

an optical receiver disposed in the shield cavity;

a computer including a memory and a processor storing instructions executable by the processor such that the computer is programmed to;

receive an authorization message via the optical receiver;

transmit a message via the optical transmitter based at least in part upon receipt of the authorization message.