Remote keyless entry system for motor vehicles

• US 6,522,029 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2000
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Hilaire, Daniel L., Bell, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): POLK, SHARON A
• Application Number:
  US09/702,152
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.6, 307/10.8, 362/465, 362/541, 362/499, 123/179.2, 123/179.4, 340/457.3
• US Class Current: 307/10.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A keyless entry system for a motor vehicle is modified to be operable when the vehicle'"'"'s engine is running and the vehicle'"'"'s park brake is set. Keyless entry systems conventionally include an ignition switch position signal source and a door lock module having an enable input connected to the source of the ignition position signal. The disclosure teaches connecting the output of the ignition switch position sensor to the door lock modulo enable input through the part brake lamp. The enable input to the door lock module is then connected in common with the a park brake lamp switch. When the park brake lamp switch is closed by setting the park brake and activates the park brake lamp, the ignition position feed signal on the enable input is sunk by the switch and the potential level on the enable Is reduced, enabling the door lock module to operate as though the ignition switch had been moved to off.

Claims

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

a common bus;

an ignition position sensor coupled to apply an ignition position signal to the common bus;

a remotely actuable door lock module having an enable input tied to the common bus;

a park brake; and

a park bake lamp switch having an open state and a closed state responsive to the position of the park brake, the park brake lamp switch being coupled between the common bus and ground for sinking the ignition position signal in its closed state.

2. A keyless entry system for a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a park brake lamp connected between the ignition position feed signal source and the enable input, being responsive to the state of the park brake lamp switch for turning on and off.

3. A keyless entry system for a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the door lock module is responsive to signal on the enable input for executing timed extinguishment of a dome light.

4. A keyless entry system for a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a daylight running lights module having an enable input tied to the common bus.

5. A keyless entry system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a sensor for generating a signal on an output indicating an ignition position;

a chassis ground;

a door lock module having an enable input coupled to the output from the sensor,

a remote actuator for the door lock module;

a park brake; and

a switch connected by a first terminal to the enable input and by a second terminal to the chassis ground, said switch being opened and closed responsive to the position of the park brake, the switch sinking the ignition position signal when closed.

6. A keyless entry system for a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a park brake lamp connected between the output from the sensor and the enable input to the door lock module.

7. A keyless entry system for a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a daytime running tight control module having an enable input connected to the output from the sensor.

8. A keyless entry system for a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 7, the door lock module further comprising a dome lamp control mechanism having an enable input connected to the output for the ignition position signal.

9. A keyless entry system for a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 8, wherein the dome lamp control mechanism provides timed extinguishment of a vehicle dome light when the ignition position signal has been sunk by closure of the switch.