System and method for programming keys to vehicle to establish primary and secondary drivers

• US 8,922,357 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2012
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Miller, Thomas Lee, Bennie, Brian, Watkins, Scott Alan, Gusta, Michael L., Reed, Eric L.
• Primary Examiner(s): KING, CURTIS J
• Application Number:
  US13/550,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20120280786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/426.14
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, a method for programming keys to a vehicle to establish primary keys and secondary keys to control vehicle functionality is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a key identification signal from a first key. The method further comprises generating a key status signal indicative of whether the first key is one of a primary key and a secondary key in response to the key identification signal. The method further comprises transmitting the key status signal to a vehicle interface display. The method further comprises allowing a user to change a status of at least one of the first key and an additional key with the vehicle interface display in response to determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key.

Claims

1. A method for changing status of a vehicle key, the method comprising:

wirelessly receiving a signal at the vehicle from a transmitter positioned on a present key, the signal indicative of the present key being one of a primary key and a secondary key, and the primary key for providing greater control over vehicle functionality than that of the secondary key;

determining a number of keys that are programmed as the primary key;

selectively changing status of the present key, at the vehicle, from the primary key to the secondary key after determining that the present key corresponds to the primary key;

tracking a number of miles driven by the vehicle; and

displaying the number of miles driven by the vehicle on a vehicle interface display, the number of miles being accumulated while the vehicle is driven with the present key being programmed as the secondary key.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling the primary key to activate or deactivate at least one vehicle feature.

3. A system for changing status of a vehicle key, the system comprising:

a controller configured to wirelessly receive a signal from a transmitter on a present key, the signal indicative of the present key being one of a primary key and a secondary key, and the primary key for providing greater control over vehicle functionality than that of the secondary key, the controller being further configured to determine a number of keys that are programmed as the primary key; and

a vehicle interface configured to;

determine whether the present key corresponds to one of the primary key and the secondary key based on information from the controller;

selectively change status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key after determining that the present key corresponds to the primary key;

track a number of miles driven by a vehicle; and

display the number of miles driven by the vehicle on a vehicle interface display, the number of miles being accumulated while the vehicle is driven with the present key being programmed as the secondary key.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the vehicle interface is further configured to change a status of an additional key with at least one switch after determining that the present key corresponds to the primary key.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the signal corresponds to at least one of received key serial number and received encryption data that is used to authorize an engine start and the controller including a look up table having at least one of stored key serial number and stored encryption data.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the controller is further configured to compare the at least one of the received key serial number and the received encryption data to the at least one of the stored key serial number and the stored encryption data to determine whether the present key is the primary key or the secondary key.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the vehicle interface is further configured to display a total number of keys that are programmed as primary keys and a total number of keys that are programmed as secondary keys.

8. The system of claim 3 wherein the controller is a Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) controller and data included within the signal is used to authenticate starting an engine of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 3 wherein the controller is a Passive Entry Passive Start (PEPS) controller and data included within the signal is used to perform at least one of granting access to an occupant for entry into the vehicle and authenticating engine startup of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 3 further comprising a backup slot configured to receive the present key and wherein the controller is a Passive Entry Passive Start (PEPS) controller operably coupled to the backup slot and being arranged such that prior to changing status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key, the present key is inserted into the backup slot.

11. The system of claim 3 wherein the primary key is configured to activate or deactivate at least one vehicle feature.

12. A method comprising:

wirelessly receiving a signal from a transmitter of a present key to indicate that the present key is one of a primary and secondary key;

determining a number of keys that are programmed as the primary key;

selectively changing status of the present key from the primary key to the secondary key when the present key is the primary key;

tracking a distance driven by a vehicle; and

displaying the distance on a vehicle display, the distance being accumulated when driving with the present key being the secondary key.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising enabling the primary key to activate or deactivate at least one vehicle feature.