KEYLESS VEHICLE SYSTEMS

摘要

A keyless vehicle entry and start system for motor vehicles includes an input device such as a keypad and a backup electrical power supply to unlock the door latch in the event the primary power supply fails, thereby eliminating the need for a lock cylinder. The door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the primary electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon receiving a signal from a mobile phone, and to supply electrical power from the backup electrical power supply to unlock the latch if an authorized code is input via the keypad. The system is configured to communicate with a portable wireless device such as a smartphone utilizing various frequency bands. The system permits entry and operation of a vehicle utilizing only a smartphone.

主权项

1. A keyless entry and keyless ignition system for vehicles, comprising:
a vehicle latch including an electrically powered lock; an exterior vehicle handle having a capacitive sensor; a keyless vehicle ignition system including a user input feature; a main electrical power supply operably connected to the electrically powered lock; a backup electrical power supply that is configured to provide electrical power to actuate and unlock the electrically powered lock in the event the main electrical power supply is unavailable; an exterior device configured to permit entry of an authorization code by a user; a vehicle control and communication system including a GPS system and first and second wireless transmitters and receivers, wherein the first transmitter and the first receiver are configured to transmit and receive short range wireless signals to and from, respectively, a wireless device, and wherein the second transmitter and second receiver are configured to transmit and receive cellular wireless signals to a cellular phone network; wherein the vehicle control and communication system is configured to provide a dormant mode in which short range wireless signals are not sent or received by the first transmitter and first receiver, respectively, and an awake mode in which the first transmitter and first receiver transmit and receive, respectively, short range wireless signals; wherein the control and communication system is configured to receive cellular wireless signals including GPS location data utilizing the second transmitter when the control and communication system is in the dormant mode, and wherein the control and communication system is configured to switch to the active mode and send a short range wireless verification signal request utilizing the first transmitter if a cellular wireless wakeup signal is received by the second receiver; wherein the control and communication system is configured to unlock the electrically powered latch if an authorized wireless identification signal is received from an authorized wireless mobile cellular device and if the capacitive sensor detects a user's hand engaging the exterior vehicle handle; wherein the control and communication system is configured to activate the keyless vehicle ignition system upon receiving a signal from the user input feature if an authorized wireless identification signal is received from an authorized wireless mobile cellular device; and wherein the control and communication system causes the vehicle latch to unlock utilizing electrical power from either the main electrical power supply or the backup electrical power supply if an authorized security code is input using the exterior device.