Keyless entry system in side-view mirror

• US 20050190040A1
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: McCall, Clark E., Huntzicker, Fred W.
• Application Number:
  US10/997,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20050190040A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.54
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A keyless entry system for a vehicle includes a side-view mirror assembly and an input device integrated into the side-view mirror assembly. The input device includes an input interface that is operable to input a code. A controller receives the code and generates an action signal based on the code to initiate operation of a device of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A keyless entry system for a vehicle, comprising:

a side-view mirror assembly; and

an input device integrated into said side-view mirror assembly and including an input interface that is operable to input a code to initiate operation of a device within said vehicle.

2. The keyless entry system of claim 1 further comprising indicia associated with said input interface.

3. The keyless entry system of claim 1 wherein said side-view mirror assembly includes a mirror support that is positionable between a dormant position and an entry position.

4. The keyless entry system of claim 3 wherein said input device is integrated into said mirror support and is covered by a mirror housing when said mirror support is in said dormant position and is exposed when said mirror support is in said entry position.

5. The keyless entry system of claim 3 wherein an indicator is integrated into said mirror support and is covered by a mirror housing when said mirror support is in said dormant position and is exposed when said mirror support is in said entry position.

6. The keyless entry system of claim 1 wherein said input device is integrated into a mirror surface.

7. The keyless entry system of claim 6 wherein said input interface is operable in a visible mode and one of a translucent mode and an invisible mode.

8. The keyless entry system of claim 6 further comprising a display that is integrated into said mirror surface.

9. The keyless entry system of claim 8 wherein said display is operable in a visible mode and one of a translucent mode and an invisible mode.

10. The keyless entry system of claim 1 further comprising a display that is integrated into said mirror surface, said display providing indicia corresponding to said input interface.

11. The keyless entry system of claim 10 wherein said display is operable in a visible mode and one of a translucent mode and an invisible mode.

12. A door assembly of a vehicle, comprising:

a door;

a side-view mirror assembly attached to said door; and

a keyless entry system having an input device integrated into said side-view mirror assembly and including an input interface that is operable to input a code that is sent to a control module, which generates an action signal based on said code to initiate operation of a device of said vehicle.

13. The door assembly of claim 12 further comprising indicia associated with said input interface.

14. The door assembly of claim 12 wherein said side-view mirror assembly includes a mirror support that is positionable between a dormant position and an entry position.

15. The door assembly of claim 14 wherein said input device is integrated into said mirror support and is covered by a mirror housing when said mirror support is in said dormant position and is exposed when said mirror support is in said entry position.

16. The door assembly of claim 14 wherein an indicator is integrated into said mirror support and is covered by a mirror housing when said mirror support is in said dormant position and is exposed when said mirror support is in said entry position.

17. The door assembly of claim 12 wherein said input device is integrated into a mirror surface.

18. The door assembly of claim 17 wherein said input interface is operable in a visible mode and one of a translucent mode and an invisible mode.

19. The door assembly of claim 17 further comprising a display that is integrated into said mirror surface.

20. The door assembly of claim 19 wherein said display is operable in a visible mode and one of a translucent mode and an invisible mode.

21. The door assembly of claim 12 further comprising a display that is integrated into said mirror surface, said display providing indicia corresponding to said input interface.

22. The door assembly of claim 21 wherein said display is operable in a visible mode and one of a translucent mode and an invisible mode.

23. The door assembly of claim 12 wherein said device includes a locking mechanism that includes a locked mode to lock said door in a closed position and an unlocked mode to enable said door to open to an open position.

24. The door assembly of claim 23 said action signal transitions said locking mechanism between said locked mode and said unlocked mode.

25. A mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a mirror housing;

a mirror supported within said mirror housing; and

a keyless entry system including an input device integrated into said mirror housing and including an input interface that is operable to input a code that is sent to a control module, which generates an action signal based on said code to initiate operation of a device of said vehicle.

26. The mirror assembly of claim 25 further comprising indicia associated with said input interface.

27. The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein said side-view mirror assembly includes a mirror support that is positionable between a dormant position and an entry position.

28. The mirror assembly of claim 27 wherein said input device is integrated into said mirror support and is covered by a mirror housing when said mirror support is in said dormant position and is exposed when said mirror support is in said entry position.

29. The mirror assembly of claim 27 wherein an indicator is integrated into said mirror support and is covered by a mirror housing when said mirror support is in said dormant position and is exposed when said mirror support is in said entry position.

30. The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein said input interface is integrated into a mirror surface as a touch pad.

31. The mirror assembly of claim 30 wherein said touch pad is operable in a visible mode and one of a translucent mode and an invisible mode.

32. The mirror assembly of claim 30 further comprising a display that is integrated into said mirror surface.

33. The mirror assembly of claim 32 wherein said display is operable in a visible mode and one of a translucent mode and an invisible mode.

34. The mirror assembly of claim 25 further comprising a display that is integrated into said mirror surface, said display providing indicia corresponding to said input interface.

35. The mirror assembly of claim 34 wherein said display is operable in a visible mode and one of a translucent mode and an invisible mode.