Electronic vehicle key

• US 5,889,472 A
• Filed: 04/03/1996
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Wilhelmi, Volker, Nagel, Gerhard, Setzer, Jurgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEAULIEU, YONEL
• Application Number:
  US08/626,942
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/825.44, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/460, 340/474, 340/504, 235/380, 235/382, 235/382.5, 395/2.09, 395/2.1, 395/2.67, 364/424.04
• US Class Current: 340/5.33
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/025 with acknowledge back capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/023 with message or information receiving capability

Abstract

A vehicle key with an installed electronic system is used, for example, for wireless communication with the vehicle for controlling a vehicle locking system or a drive-away blocking system. The electronic vehicle key has a voice memory, a voice output unit, a control unit with a voice system function a radio call receiving device, a radio call information output unit and a control unit. By means of the voice system function, for example, the parking site of a vehicle can be stored in the key and can be emitted again in voice form. A key equipped with the radio call receiving function permits the transmission of radio call messages to the owner of the key.

Claims

1. Electronic vehicle key comprising:

a voice memory;

a control unit with a voice system function;

a receiver for receiving vehicle condition data transmitted from the vehicle by way of a non-voice wireless transmission path; and

a voice output unit for emitting as voice information, non-voice data received in the key from the vehicle via the wireless transmission path.

2. Electronic vehicle key according to claim 1, further comprising:

a voice input unit for inputting voice information into the voice memory.

3. Electronic vehicle key according to claim 1 further comprising:

a radio call receiver;

means for indicating a reception of a radio call message, by an acoustic signal sound.

4. Electronic vehicle key according to claim 1 wherein a call-back number contained in a received radio call message is emissible by way of the voice output unit controlled by the control unit in voice form.

5. Electronic vehicle key according to claim 3 wherein:

said receiver for receiving vehicle condition information is a first two way transmitter/receiver;

said radio call receiver is a second two way transmitter/receiver; and

said vehicle key further comprises a communication path between said first and second two way transmitter/receivers for transmission of data to and from a remote station via said electronic vehicle key.

6. Electronic vehicle key according to claim 5 wherein said data comprise vehicle condition information.

7. Electronic vehicle key according to claim 5 wherein said data comprise actuation information for controlling a vehicle disabling device on said vehicle.

8. Electronic vehicle key according to claim 5 wherein said data comprise information from a theft prevention system on said vehicle.

9. Electronic vehicle key comprising:

a radio call receiving device;

a radio call information output unit for outputting received radio call information;

a control unit for controlling the radio call receiving device and the radio call information output unit; and

a wireless non-voice data communication system between the key and the vehicle, including a wireless transmitter for transmitting to the vehicle information which is contained in received radio call messages.

10. Electronic vehicle key according to claim 9 wherein said vehicle has a drive-away blocking device, said electronic vehicle key further comprising:

means for transmitting at predetermined time intervals, by way of the wireless data communication system, usage release data which keep the drive-away blocking device deactivated, said transmitting of the usage release data being dependent upon periodic reception of usage-releasing radio call messages, and being terminated when the usage release data are no longer received.

11. Electronic vehicle key according to claim 9 wherein said vehicle has a burglary-theft warning system and a radio telephone, said electronic vehicle key further comprising:

means for receiving a radio call message automatically emitted by said radio telephone of the vehicle when the burglary-theft warning system is activated, which radio call message contains information concerning activation of the burglary-theft warning system; and

means for emitting a warning report upon the reception of such a radio call message.