Communications: electrical – Selective – Intelligence comparison for controlling
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-09
2001-02-20
Horabik, Michael (Department: 2635)
Communications: electrical
Selective
Intelligence comparison for controlling
C200S06145M, C340S005510
Reexamination Certificate
active
06191682
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Scope of Invention
This invention is directed to an automotive keyless entry system and more specifically, to an automotive keyless entry system having a unique sensor, preferably including a piezoelectric crystal as a means of actuation.
2. Prior Art
Many keyless entry systems for unlocking automotive vehicles have been disclosed in prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,325 issued to Haygood et al, describes a system that utilized a computerized keyboard system as a means to enter a digital code. Upon entering the correct digital code, the vehicles electric door lock system would in turn be activated. Additionally, a plurality of other operations could be performed by entering further numerical values. U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,915 issued to Anderson III et al, disclosed a system having a means for defining an interrogation zone, responsive to a coded marker as a means for generating and verifying the correct access code.
Another contribution to the art was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,392 issued to Takeuchi et al, whereas a keyless entry system employed a remote radio code transmitter as a means to activate the vehicles electric lock system.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,242, Sassover teaches an automobile anti-theft system which relies on a hand-held coded transmitter. A tap actuated lock and method of actuating the lock is disclosed by Salem in U.S. Pat. No. 4,197,524. This invention is somewhat closer to the present invention but is distinguished in that a plurality of taps in coded sequence are required to actuate this system and the sensor is of a conventional nature such as an unmodified piezoelectric crystal, a microphone and the like.
Although the above contributions presented significant technological advances in the art, widespread public acceptance has been limited due to the cost of the systems. Also, installing these systems as an aftermarket add-on to the vehicle, presented a task that not only was excessively labor intensive, but if professionally installed has proven too costly for the majority of the motoring public.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a keyless entry system and sensor for unlocking the door locks of a vehicle. The sensor, preferably in the form of a piezoelectric crystal, is secured at a discrete location to an inner concealed surface of a body panel of the vehicle and electrically connected to an electronic signal processing module having an output relay. The output relay is electrically connected with the power control relay of the door lock, the sensor being structured to afford entry into a locked vehicle by sharply tapping the outer surface of the body panel at the exact location and limited area where the sensor has been discretely secured and concealed from view.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a keyless entry system that is inexpensive to construct and easy to install as a means for gaining entry into a locked motor vehicle.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a means for affording entry into a locked vehicle by adding a simple device to the existing electric lock system of the vehicle.
A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle keyless entry system that is quickly and easily operated only by the owner or user knowledgeable about the system.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a uniquely configured sensor for producing an electrical signal in response to a tap of the fingernail and the like which must be placed in a very small, discrete area of a body panel known only to the owner of a vehicle to unlock a vehicle door having electrically powered door locks.
In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The foregoing objects can be accomplished by providing a keyless entry system comprising the following:
1. A sensor cooperating with a vibration transmissive outer panel of a motor vehicle, such sensor being capable of responding to a discrete tapping action of the operator;
2. A means of conveying the sensor output to an electronic circuit module of the invention for the purpose of processing sensor output;
3. The circuit module being capable of processing sensor output to provide a means for actuating the motor vehicle electric door lock system.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a uniquely structured sensor including a piezoelectric crystal is secured to an inner surface of a motor vehicle outer body panel at a specific location known only to the owner. It should be further understood that the sensor is secured to the body panel in such a manner as to provide a relatively permanent attachment of the sensor so as to avoid being jarred loose during normal vehicle operation, storage or maintenance.
According to the invention, although not limited to, the sensor, in one embodiment is secured to the concealed inner surface of the vehicle body panel by use of a cyanoacrylate adhesive, although double sided adhesive foam as described below is preferred. An electrical conductor that has been previously attached to the output of the sensor is routed to an electronic processing module mounted on the vehicle. The electronic processing module includes an operational amplifier configured as a voltage follower circuit which receives an electrical signal from the sensor upon the sensor being mechanically stimulated by a discrete tapping action by the operator. Such stimulation can be achieved by sharply tapping as by fingernail the outer surface of the body panel at the exact location and very limited area where the transducer has been secured to the inner surface of the panel.
Upon the voltage follower of the circuit receiving the electrical sensor output signal, the circuit produces a more reliable signal that is directed to the triggering input of a monostable multivibrator. Upon the multivibrator being triggered by the sensor signal, the normally lower output voltage level increases to a higher voltage level for a specific limited duration of time, and is directed to activating a cooperating electromechanical relay. The higher voltage output of the relay, having been connected in parallel with the higher voltage output of the existing vehicle door lock control relay, causes a higher voltage to actuate the door lock mechanism actuators.
Although the embodiment of the invention described above has been applied to a motor vehicle electric door lock system, a plurality of other applications such as unlocking the rear deck lid or energizing an electric window motor may be realized by directing the invention to other such existing systems within the vehicle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4197524 (1980-04-01), Salem
patent: 4205325 (1980-05-01), Haygood et al.
patent: 4383242 (1983-05-01), Sassover et al.
patent: 4868915 (1989-09-01), Anderson
patent: 4885572 (1989-12-01), Iwata et al.
patent: 4912460 (1990-03-01), Chu
patent: 4973958 (1990-11-01), Hirano et al.
patent: 5134392 (1992-07-01), Takeuchi
Horabik Michael
Prescott Charles J.
Shimizu M.
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