Method to disable trunk lockout protection for smart entry

A smart entry system for a vehicle having a lockable trunk is provided. The smart entry system includes portable devices, an onboard transmitter for transmitting request signals to the portable devices, an onboard receiver for receiving identification signals from the portable devices, and a trunk lockout protection feature. The trunk lockout protection feature is configured to receive a command signal to either initiate a trunk lockout protection sequence to unlock the trunk in the event that one of the portable devices is locked in the trunk or to disable the trunk lockout protection sequence to permit the trunk to remain in a locked state in the event that one of the portable devices is locked in the trunk.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a smart entry key system and more specifically, to a smart entry key system and method to disable a trunk lockout protection feature of the system to thereby permit a key fob to be locked in a trunk of a vehicle.

Smart entry key systems are used by many vehicle manufactures in today's automotive market. Smart entry key systems are routinely used on four-door sedans, and sometimes on two-door coupes. Most smart key entry systems for these types of vehicles include a trunk lockout protection feature to prevent a key fob from being locked in the trunk. For example, these smart entry key systems can include a dedicated antenna to determine if a key fob is located in the trunk of the vehicle. Thus, if a key fob is locked in the trunk, an alarm will sound and the trunk will automatically unlock.

There are, however, circumstances when it may be desirable to lock the key fob in the trunk. For example, a person may wish to lock an extra key fob in the trunk of the vehicle for security reasons. Further, there may be circumstances where both the driver and passenger have a key fob and one or the other wishes to lock their key fob in the trunk. As mentioned above, however, in many current smart key entry systems, if the key is locked in the trunk the trunk will automatically unlock and open.

SUMMARY

According one aspect, a smart entry system for a vehicle having a lockable trunk is provided. Specifically, in accordance with this aspect, the smart entry system includes a plurality of portable devices, an onboard transmitter for transmitting request signals to the plurality of portable devices, an onboard receiver for receiving identification signals from the plurality of portable devices, and a trunk lockout protection feature configured to receive a command signal to initiate a trunk lockout protection sequence to unlock the trunk in the event that one of the plurality of portable devices is locked in the trunk and another portable device is not located within a plurality of predetermined areas and to disable the trunk lockout protection sequence to permit the trunk to remain in a locked state in the event that one of the plurality portable devices is locked in the trunk and another of the portable devices is located outside the vehicle within the plurality of predetermined areas.

According to another aspect, a trunk lockout protection method for a smart entry system for a vehicle is provided. In accordance with this aspect, a first request signal to locate a first portable device is transmitted. The first portable device is determined to be located in the trunk. A second request signal to locate a second portable device is transmitted. The second portable device is determined to be located within a plurality of predetermined areas. A trunk lockout protection sequence is disabled or initiated based on the location of the second portable device.

According to yet another aspect, a trunk lockout protection method for a smart entry system for a vehicle is provided. Specifically, a signal to locate a portable device is transmitted. The portable device is determined to be locked in the trunk. A trunk lockout protection setting is determined to be activated. A trunk lockout protection sequence is disabled or initiated based on the setting of the trunk lockout protection setting of the portable device.

According to still yet another aspect, a trunk lockout protection method for a smart entry system for a vehicle is provided. Specifically, in accordance with this aspect, a first portable device is confirmed to be located in the trunk. A signal from a second portable device is repeatedly transmitted a control unit while closing the trunk. The second portable device is confirmed not to be located within a plurality of predetermined areas. A trunk lockout protection sequence is disabled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating one or more exemplary embodiments,FIG. 1shows a schematic diagram for a smart entry system10for a vehicle12, which includes a lockable trunk13(shown schematically). The smart entry system10includes a control unit14, an onboard transmitter16, an onboard receiver18, a trunk lockout protection feature20, and multiple portable devices22a,22b.

It is to be appreciated that the present invention can incorporate any number of portable devices registered to a vehicle. For the purposes of simplicity, however, the present invention will be described with reference to two portable devices. Thus, the embodiment shown in the figures and described herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The onboard transmitter16may include an onboard transmitting antenna24for transmitting request signals26a,26b, which may be LF signals, to the portable devices22a,22b. Although not shown, the request signals26a,26bcan radiate from the antenna24in any direction. Further, the strength of the request signals26a,26bmay be stronger in any given direction. Similarly, the onboard receiver18may include an onboard receiving antenna28for receiving identification (or return) signals30a,30b, which may be RF signals, from the portable devices22a,22b. Although not shown, the onboard receiving antenna28may receive the identification signal30a,30bfrom any direction. Further, the strength of the identification signal30a,30bmay be stronger in any given direction.

The control unit14is operatively connected to the onboard transmitter16and the onboard receiver18, and provides communication coordination between the onboard transmitter16and the onboard receiver18. Further, the control unit14is configured to send a command signal32to the trunk lockout protection feature20based on the identification signals30a,30breceived from the portable devices22a,22b.

The trunk lockout protection feature20is configured to prevent one or both of the portable devices22a,22bfrom being unintentionally locked in the trunk13of the vehicle12, if an additional portable device is not located within predetermined areas33, as will be described further below. Specifically, when the trunk13is closed and locked, the onboard transmitter16transmits the request signals26a,26bto a trunk antenna35located in the trunk13of the vehicle12to determine if either of the portable devices22a,22bare locked in the trunk13. If one or both of the portable devices22a,22bare locked in the trunk13, the portable devices22a,22bwill receive the request signals26a,26b, via the trunk antenna35, and in turn transmit it's identification signal30a,30bto the control unit14via the onboard receiver18, thus, confirming that one or both of the portable devices22a,22bare locked in the trunk13. The control unit14then sends the command signal32to the trunk lockout protection feature20to initiate a trunk lockout protection sequence. The trunk lock protection sequence unlocks the trunk13to allow the operator to recover the portable device22aand/or22b. The trunk lockout protection sequence may also include an audible alarm to alert the operator that the portable device22aand/or22bis in the trunk13of the vehicle12. It is to be appreciated that the trunk lockout protection feature20may be a separate entity from the control unit14or may be configured within the control unit14as a module or a program.

The portable devices22a22b, which may be key fobs, includes a portable control unit34, a portable transmitter36, and a portable receiver38. The portable transmitter36may include a portable transmitting antenna40for transmitting identification signal30a,30bto the onboard receiver18. Similarly, the portable receiver38may include a portable receiving antenna42for receiving request signal26a,26bfrom the onboard transmitter16. Each of the portable devices22a,22bfurther includes a unique identification code, which is transmitted with the identification signal30a,30bfrom the portable device22a,22bto the onboard receiver18. The identification code for each portable device22a,22bis stored in the control unit14. Thus, the control unit14compares the identification code transmitted with the identification signal30a,30bwith the stored identification codes to identify a particular portable device22a,22b.

Referring toFIG. 2, an exemplary method to disable the trunk lockout protection feature20of the smart entry system10to thereby permit the purposeful locking of the portable device22a,22bin the trunk13will now be described. In step S100, after the trunk13of the vehicle12has been closed and locked, the control unit14commands the onboard transmitter16to send a first request signal26ato the trunk antenna35to locate one of the portable devices22a,22b. The trunk antenna13is configured to cover an area inside the trunk13, thus, preventing any false readings from a portable device located outside and adjacent to the trunk13. In step S102, the control unit14determines if a first portable device22ais located and locked in the trunk13. If the first portable device22ais not located and locked in the trunk13, the identification signal is not transmitted from the first portable device22ato the control unit14and the trunk13remains in a locked state, see step S104. If the first portable device22ais locked in the trunk13, the first portable device22a, upon receiving the first request signal26afrom the onboard transmitter16, via the trunk antenna35, will transmit a first identification signal30acontaining the unique identification code of the first portable device22ato the control unit14, via the onboard receiver18. The control unit14compares the identification code with the stored identification codes to confirm that the first portable device22ais located and locked in the trunk13.

Once the first portable device22ais determined to be locked in the trunk13, the method advances to step S106where a second request signal26bis transmitted to a plurality of antennas43that cover the predetermined areas33. For simplicity, the second request signal26bis shown as being transmitted to one of the plurality of antennas43. The predetermined areas33include the area surrounding and within the vehicle12that are within the transmitting range of the onboard and portable transmitters and receivers. The second request signal26bis transmitted to initiate a search for a second portable device22blocated in the predetermined areas33. In step S108, the control unit14determines if the second portable device22bis located in the predetermined areas33. If the second portable device22bis not located in the predetermined areas33, the second identification signal30bis not transmitted from the second portable device22bto the control unit14. Thus, the method proceeds to step S110where the trunk lockout protection sequence is initiated, as explained above. It should be noted that if the second portable device22bis not within the predetermined areas33, even though the second portable device22bmay in fact be outside the trunk13, the control unit14will presume that the second portable device22bcould be locked in the vehicle12or in the trunk13and, thus, will initiate the trunk lockout protection sequence, as explained above.

If the second portable device22bis located within the predetermined areas33, the second portable device22b, upon receiving the second request signal26b, will transmit the second identification signal30bcontaining it's unique identification code to the control unit14. The control unit14compares the identification code with the stored identification codes to confirm that the second portable device22bis located within one of the predetermined areas33. Once the second portable device22bis determined to be located outside the trunk13, the method advances to step S112where control unit14sends the command signal32to the trunk lockout protection feature20to disable the trunk lockout protection sequence. Once the trunk lockout protection sequence is disabled, the trunk13will remain in a locked state even though the first portable device22ais locked in the trunk13of the vehicle12. It is to be appreciated that in this situation, if the second portable device22bis then removed from the predetermined area33, the trunk13will remain in the locked state.

Referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B, another exemplary embodiment and method to disable the trunk lockout protection feature20of the smart entry system10to thereby permit the purposeful locking of the portable device22a,22bin the trunk13will now be described. Referring toFIG. 3A, the portable devices22a,22binclude vehicle functions44,46,48, such as, locking and unlocking a door or the trunk13, sounding an alarm, starting the engine, etc. The details of these functions will not be described herein, as they are well known to those skilled in the art. The portable device22a,22bfurther includes a trunk lockout protection setting50. The trunk lockout protection setting50has an activation (ON) mode and a deactivation (OFF) mode and is activated or deactivated by the operator. When the trunk lockout protection setting50is ON, the trunk lockout protection sequence is initiated if it is determined that one or both of the portable devices22a,22bare locked in the trunk13, as described above. When the trunk lockout protection setting50is OFF, the trunk lockout protection sequence is disabled, and the trunk13will remain in a locked state even if it is determined that at least one of the portable devices22a,22bis locked in the trunk13. The trunk lockout protection setting50may be actuated by a toggle on/off control button, a slide switch, a rotary switch, etc. Further, an audible and/or a visual indicator may be included to inform the operator of the current mode of the trunk lockout protection setting50.

Referring toFIG. 3B, at step S200, after the trunk13of the vehicle12has been closed and locked, the control unit14commands the onboard transmitter16to send the request signal26aand/or26bto the trunk antenna35. At step S202, the control unit14determines if the portable device22a,22bis locked in the trunk13. If the portable device22a,22bis not located in the trunk13, the identification signal30aand/or30bis not transmitted from the portable device22aand/or22bto the control unit14and the trunk13remains in a locked state, see step S204. If the portable device22aand/or22bis locked in the trunk13, the portable device22aand/or22b, upon receiving the request signal26aand/or26bfrom the trunk antenna35, will transmit the identification signal30aand/or30bcontaining the unique identification code of the portable device22aand/or22bto the control unit14. The control unit14compares the identification code with the stored identification codes to confirm that the portable device22aand/or22bis locked in the trunk13.

Once the portable device22aand/or22bis determined to be locked in the trunk13, the method advances to step S206, where the control unit14determines if a trunk lockout protection setting50is in the “ON” position. If the trunk lockout protection setting50is in the “ON” position, the method advances to step S208, where the control unit14sends the command signal32to the trunk lockout protection feature20to initiate the trunk lockout protection sequence, as explained above. If the trunk lockout protection setting50is not in the “ON” position, the method advances to step S210, where the control unit14sends the command signal32to the trunk lockout protection feature20to disable the trunk lockout protection sequence. Once the trunk lockout protection sequence is disabled, the trunk13will remain in a locked state even though one or both of the portable devices22a,22bis locked in the trunk13of the vehicle12.

Referring toFIG. 4, yet another exemplary embodiment and method to disable the trunk lockout protection feature20of the smart entry system10to thereby permit the purposeful locking of one of the portable devices22a,22bin the trunk13will now be described. In step S300, the first portable device22ais placed into the trunk13of the vehicle12and the operator begins to close a lid to the trunk13. In step S302, the control unit14confirms that the first portable device22ais located in the trunk13. Confirmation that the first portable device22ais located in the trunk13is performed in the same manner as described above in step S102(FIG. 2) and step S202(FIG. 3B). Specifically, the control unit14transmits the first request signal26ato the trunk antenna35. The first portable device22a, upon receiving the first request signal26avia the trunk antenna35, transmits the first identification signal30acontaining the first identification code of the first portable device22ato the control unit14. The control unit14compares the first identification code with the stored identification codes to confirm that the first portable device22ais locked in the trunk13.

In step S304, while the lid of the trunk13is being closed, the second identification signal30bfrom the second portable device22bis repeatedly transmitted to the control unit14. The repeated second identification signal30bmay be in the form of the operator repeatedly activating a vehicle function on the second portable device22b, such as the locking and unlocking of the vehicle door. The repeated transmitting of the second identification signal30bis a proactive measure in anticipation of the second request signal26btransmitted from the control unit14to the second portable device22bvia the plurality of antennas43. Thus, in step S306, the control unit14confirms that the second portable device22bis not located in the trunk13of the vehicle12and is located with one of the predetermined areas33. Confirmation occurs when the control unit14receives the repeated transmitted second identification signal30bcontaining the second identification code from the second portable device22band compares the second identification code with identification codes stored in the control unit14. Once confirmation occurs, the method proceeds to step308, where the control unit14sends the command signal32to the trunk lockout protection feature20to disable the trunk lockout protection sequence. Thus, the trunk13remains in a locked state even though the first portable device22ais locked in the trunk13of the vehicle12.

As mentioned above, the present invention can incorporate any number of portable devices registered to the vehicle. Thus, in another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the control unit14recognizes a total number of the plurality of portable devices22a,22bregistered to the vehicle12. Thus, when the trunk lockout protection sequence is disabled, the trunk13will remain in a locked state only if the number of the plurality of portable devices22a,22blocked in the vehicle and/or trunk is NOT equal to the total number of the plurality of portable devices22a,22bregistered to the vehicle. In this situation, the control unit14determines that at least one of the plurality of portable devices22a,22bis located outside the vehicle12and trunk13and will, thus, disable the trunk lockout protection sequence, as explained above.