KEYFOB WITH DIGITAL FILE STORAGE AND VEHICULAR SYSTEM FOR THE USE THEREOF

• US 20080077292A1
• Filed: 09/25/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Gisler, Maurice J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,657,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0082 Keys or shanks being removably stored in a larger object, e.g. a remote control or a key fob general constructional details of electronic keys G07C9/00944
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture

Abstract

A keyfob is provided for use in a vehicle having a processor. The keyfob comprises a housing, a battery disposed within the housing, and control circuitry disposed within the housing and coupled to the battery. A memory coupled to the control circuitry is disposed within the housing and is configured to store data files therein accessible by the processor.

Claims

1. A keyfob for use in a vehicle having a processor, the keyfob comprising:

a housing;

a battery disposed within said housing;

control circuitry disposed within said housing and coupled to said battery; and

a memory disposed within said housing and coupled to said control circuitry, said memory configured to store digital files therein accessible by the processor.

2. A keyfob according to claim 1 wherein said memory is configured to store digital audio files.

3. A keyfob according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a receptacle configured to enable communication with the processor, and wherein said keyfob includes a portion configured to be inserted into the receptacle.

4. A keyfob according to claim 3 wherein said keyfob comprises a plurality of leads coupled to said control circuitry and extending through said housing and within said portion, said plurality of leads configured to electrically couple said control circuitry to the processor when said portion is inserted into the receptacle.

5. A keyfob according to claim 4 wherein said portion comprises a mechanical key fixedly coupled to said housing.

6. A keyfob according to claim 1 further comprising a transceiver disposed within said housing and coupled to said control circuitry, said transceiver configured to permit wireless communication between said control circuitry and the processor.

7. A keyfob according to claim 6 wherein said transceiver is a radio frequency transceiver.

8. A keyfob system for use in conjunction with a vehicle, comprising:

a processor deployed on the vehicle;

an audio system coupled to said processor; and

a keyfob, comprising;

a housing;

a battery disposed within said housing;

a memory disposed within said housing and configured to store a plurality of digital audio files therein; and

control circuitry disposed within said housing and coupled to said memory and to said battery for communicating with said processor to enable said audio system to play selected ones of said plurality of digital audio files.

9. A keyfob system according to claim 8 further comprising:

a first transceiver deployed on the vehicle and coupled to said processor; and

a second transceiver disposed within said housing and coupled to said control circuitry, said second transceiver and said first transceiver cooperating to permit wireless communication between said processor and said control circuitry.

10. A keyfob system according to claim 9 wherein said first transceiver and said second transceiver are configured to send and receive radio frequency signals.

11. A keyfob system according to claim 8 wherein said audio system is configured to play a selected one of said plurality of digital audio files as said selected one is received by said processor.

12. A keyfob system according to claim 8 further comprising a hard drive coupled to said processor, said hard drive for storing at least one of said selected ones of said plurality of digital audio files.

13. A keyfob system according to claim 12 further comprising a receptacle deployed on the vehicle and coupled to said processor, said receptacle for receiving said keyfob.

14. A keyfob system according to claim 13 wherein said processor is configured to upload at least one of said plurality of digital audio files to said hard drive after said keyfob is received by said receptacle.

15. A keyfob system according to claim 13 wherein said keyfob further comprises a mechanical key fixedly coupled thereto, said mechanical key configured to be inserted into said receptacle to electrically couple said control circuitry to said processor.

16. A keyfob system according to claim 8 further comprising a computer docking station configured to be coupled to a computer to enable the computer to upload digital audio files to said memory.

17. A keyfob integration system deployed on a vehicle for use in conjunction with a keyfob including a memory for storing a plurality of digital audio files, said keyfob integration system comprising:

an audio system;

a receptacle for receiving the keyfob; and

a processor coupled to said audio system and to said receptacle, said processor for accessing a selected one of said plurality of digital audio files when the keyfob is received by said receptacle to enable said audio system to play said selected one.

18. A keyfob integration system according to claim 17 further comprising a hard drive coupled to said processor, said processor configured to upload at least one of said plurality of digital audio files to said hard drive.

19. A keyfob integration system according to claim 17 wherein said audio system is configured to play said selected one as said selected one is received by said processor.

20. A keyfob integration system according to claim 17 further comprising a radio frequency transceiver coupled to said processor, said transceiver for enabling wireless communication between said processor and the keyfob.