Patent ID: 6977576
Filing Date: 2005-12-20
Classification: B60R,B62H,G07C,G07F,H04Q,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of entering a user-programmed access code into a battery-powered electronic access control device having a keypad and a microprocessor-based control circuit including a microprocessor and a memory storing a permanent access code, comprising: pressing a first key on the keypad to enter the user-programmed access code and trigger a transition of the microprocessor from a sleep mode with reduced power consumption to an operation mode, the user-programmed access code comprising the first key and at least one subsequent keypad entry; pressing a program key on the keypad to indicate to the microprocessor initiation of a code programming operation, the program key being wired to one of multiple interrupt pins of the microprocessor; entering the permanent access code using alpha numerical keys on the keypad; after entering the permanent access code, entering the user-programmed access code using the alphanumerical keys of the keypad; and, wherein the keys on the keypad that trigger a transition of the microprocessor from a sleep mode with reduced power consumption to an operation mode include the alpha numerical keys.