Key fob

• US 10,580,236 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2018
• Issued: 03/03/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ulysse Mcconnell
• Original Assignee: Ulysse Mcconnell
• Inventors: McConnell, Ulysse
• Primary Examiner(s): Cao, Allen T
• Application Number:
  US15/898,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20190259230A1
• Time in Patent Office: 744 Days
• Field of Search: 340 57- 574
• 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 2009/00396 starting with prompting the keyless data carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• 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

A key for locking and unlocking a car is disclosed, which is configured to send a first signal which, when the car is locked and the first signal is received, causes the car to unlock, and to send a second signal which, when the car is unlocked and neither the first signal nor the second signal is received, causes the car lock, and the key sends the first signal only upon a signal from a user to unlock the car. The car recognizes a first wireless transmission which, when the car is locked and the first signal is received, causes the car to unlock, and recognizes a second wireless transmission such that, when the car is unlocked and neither the first nor the second signal is received, causes the car to lock, and the first signal is received only upon a user giving a signal to unlock the car.

Claims

1. A key for locking and unlocking a car, configured to send an unlock time window signal which, when the car is locked and the unlock time window signal is received, causes the car to unlock, and to send an identification signal such that, when the car is unlocked and neither the unlock time window signal nor the identification signal is received, the car will lock, wherein the key sends the unlock time window signal only upon a signal from a user to unlock the car.

2. The key of claim 1, wherein the key sends the unlock time window signal for at least a predetermined duration upon a signal from a user to unlock the car.

3. The key of claim 2, wherein the predetermined duration is approximately 5 minutes.

4. The key of claim 1, wherein the key sends the unlock time window signal wirelessly as a radio broadcast.

5. The key of claim 1 wherein the signal from a user to unlock the car comprises pressing an unlock button.

6. The key of claim 1 wherein the key sends the identification signal continuously or at regular intervals.

7. The key of claim 1 wherein the car locks only when it is also no longer in operation.

8. A car which recognizes a first wireless transmission which, when the car is locked and an unlock time window signal is received, causes the car to unlock, and recognizes a second wireless transmission such that, when the car is unlocked and neither the unlock time window nor an identification signal is received, causes the car to lock, wherein the unlock time window signal is sent only upon a user giving a signal to unlock the car, and the identification signal is sent without the user giving a signal to unlock.

9. The car of claim 8, wherein the car locks only after it has stopped operation and receives neither signal.

10. The car of claim 8 which only locks after a delay.

11. The car of claim 8 which sends a presence signal to indicate presence to the key.

12. The car of claim 8 wherein the key responds to the presence signal by continuing to send the unlock signal.

13. The car of claim 11 wherein sending the identification signal comprises sending no signal.

14. A method of locking and unlocking a car, comprising sending an unlock time window signal which, when the car is locked and the unlock time window signal is received, causes the car to unlock, and sending an identification signal such that, when the car is unlocked and the identification signal is no longer received, causes the car to lock, wherein the unlock time window signal signal is sent only upon a signal from a user to unlock the car.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein sending the unlock time window signal comprises sending the unlock time window signal for at least a predetermined duration upon a signal from a user to unlock the car.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined duration is approximately 5 minutes.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the key sends the unlock time window signal wirelessly as a radio broadcast.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the signal from a user to unlock the car comprises pressing an unlock button.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the identification signal is sent continuously or at regular intervals.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the car locks only after it has stopped operation and receives neither signal.