Electronic access security and keyless entry system

• US 20040027237A1
• Filed: 08/06/2002
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TriMark Corporation
• Original Assignee: TriMark Corporation
• Inventors: Houdek, Julie M., Magner, Dave, McIntosh, Rick
• Granted Patent: US 7,119,709 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.54
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00674 with switch-buttons

Abstract

A system for providing secured access to a vehicle, a remote communications device for sending a signal for controlling a first set of functions associated with the vehicle, a receiver associated with the vehicle and adapted to receive the signal, an access module operatively connected to the vehicle and adapted to provide control of a second set of functions of the vehicle by a user from outside of the vehicle, where the first set of functions may be similar or different from the second set of functions, a plurality of actuators disposed within the vehicle and wherein at least a portion of the first set of functions or at least a portion of the second set of functions are associated with at least one of the plurality of actuators and a controller module electrically connected to the receiver, the access module, and the plurality of actuators.

Claims

1. A system for providing secured access to a vehicle, comprising:

a remote communications device for sending a signal for controlling a first set of functions associated with the vehicle;

a receiver associated with the vehicle and adapted to receive the signal;

an access module operatively connected to the vehicle and adapted to provide control of a second set of functions of the vehicle by a user from outside of the vehicle;

a plurality of actuators disposed within the vehicle and wherein at least a portion of the first set of functions and at least a portion of the second set of functions are associated with at least one of the plurality of actuators; and

a controller module electrically connected to the receiver, the access module, and the plurality of actuators.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the access module includes a vehicle-mountable keypad accessible from outside of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first set of functions is a sub set of the second set of functions.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a plurality of zones and wherein at least one of the plurality of actuators is associated with each of the zones.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the vehicle-mountable keypad requires entry of a security code prior to controlling the second set of functions of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote communications device is housed in a key chain fob.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second access module operatively connected to the vehicle, the second access module electrically connected to the controller module and wherein at least one of the plurality of actuators disposed within the vehicle is associated with a third set of functions.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the third set of functions is different from the first and second sets of functions.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the actuators is associated with a compartment door.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of sensors associated with the vehicle and electrically connected to the controller module.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of switches disposed within the vehicle and electrically connected to the controller module.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second controller module in network communication with the controller module.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller module is adapted to enable or disable a vehicle function.

15. A system for providing secured access to a vehicle, comprising:

a remote communications device for sending a signal for controlling a first set of vehicle functions associated with the vehicle;

a receiver associated with the vehicle and adapted to receive the signal;

a first access module operatively connected to the vehicle and adapted to provide control of a second set of vehicle functions of the vehicle by a user from outside of the vehicle;

a plurality of zones associated with the vehicle, each of the zones having at least one electronically controlled switch;

a first controller module electrically connected to the receiver, the first access module, and the at least one electronically controlled switch;

the first set of vehicle functions associated with at least one of the plurality of zones;

the second set of vehicle functions associated with at least one of the plurality of zones; and

the first set of vehicle functions at least partially different from the second set of vehicle functions.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the at least one electronically controlled switch is an actuator.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the vehicle functions include locking a first door and unlocking the first door using the actuator.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the vehicle functions include opening a first compartment using the actuator.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the vehicle functions include switching a light on or off.

20. The system of claim 15 further comprising a second access module for providing a third set of vehicle functions, the third set of functions associated with at least one of the plurality of zones, the third set of vehicle functions different from the first set of vehicle functions and the second set of vehicle functions.

21. The system of claim 15 further comprising a second controller module in network communication with the first controller module.

22. The system of claim 15 further comprising at least one sensor electrically connected to the first controller module.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one sensor is adapted for detecting that a vehicle door is ajar.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one sensor is adapted for detecting that a vehicle engine is running.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one sensor is adapted for detecting that a key is in the ignition.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein the vehicle functions include disabling the remote transmitter.

27. The system of claim 22 wherein the controller module is adapted to enable or disable a vehicle function.

28. A system for providing secured access to a vehicle, comprising:

a remote communications device for sending a signal for controlling a first set of vehicle;

a receiver associated with the vehicle and adapted to receive the signal;

an access module operatively connected to the vehicle and adapted to provide control of a second set of vehicle functions by a user from outside of the vehicle;

a plurality of electronic switches associated with the vehicle and wherein at least a portion of the first set of functions or at least a portion of the second set of functions are associated with at least one of the plurality of electronic switches;

at least one sensor for monitoring a vehicle state;

a controller module electrically connected to the receiver, the access module, the plurality of electronic switches, and the at least one sensor.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the at least one electronically controlled switch is an actuator.

30. The system of claim 28 wherein the vehicle functions include locking a first door and unlocking the first door using the actuator.

31. The system of claim 28 wherein the vehicle functions include opening a first compartment using the actuator.

32. The system of claim 28 wherein the vehicle functions include switching a light on or off.

33. The system of claim 28 further comprising a second access module for providing a third set of vehicle functions, the third set of functions associated with at least one of the plurality of zones.

34. The system of claim 28 further comprising a second controller module in network communication with the first controller module.

35. The system of claim 28 wherein the at least one sensor is adapted for detecting that a vehicle door is ajar.

36. The system of claim 28 wherein the at least one sensor is adapted for detecting that a vehicle engine is running.

37. The system of claim 28 wherein the at least one sensor is adapted for detecting that a key is in the ignition.

38. The system of claim 28 wherein the vehicle functions include disabling the remote transmitter.

39. The system of claim 28 wherein the at least one sensor is a switch.