Vehicle key system and methods for using the same

A vehicle key system includes a transmitting device issuing optical signals and a receiving device. The transmitting device includes a light source module. An optical signal with predetermined Identification (ID) information is generated by the light source module and the optical signal is converted into an electrical signal. A signal receiving module of the receiving device verifies the electrical signal and controls a vehicle to unlock. An electronic energy is converted into an electromagnetic signal and the electromagnetic signal is broadcast. A wireless charging receiver of the transmitting device receives the electromagnetic signal and generates the electronic energy. The present disclosure also provides a method for using the vehicle key system.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to security systems.

BACKGROUND

A smart key system enables the locking and opening of doors of a vehicle without using a mechanical key. In this smart key system, wireless communication is performed between a portable electronic key which is carried by a user and a control device mounted in a vehicle. When a request from a regular user is confirmed by checking the ID information of both sides, the opening of the doors is permitted, for example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle key system10. The vehicle key system10can include a transmitting device100and a receiving device200mounted in a vehicle (not shown). The transmitting device100and the receiving device200can communicate by optical signals. In this embodiment, the transmitting device100can be a smart key for the vehicle.

The transmitting device100can include a signal emission module110, a light source module120, a wireless charging receiver130and a wireless signal controller140.

The signal emission module110can be configured to generate a regulating signal and can control the light source module120to generate an optical signal with predetermined Identification (ID) information. The signal emission module110can include a modulator111and a signal converter112. The modulator111can generate a predetermined input signal. In another embodiment, the modulator111can include a plurality of buttons, and a predetermined input signal can be generated by triggering the plurality of buttons. The signal converter112can convert the input signal to a dimming control signal. The signal converter112can transmit the dimming control signal to the light source module120and control the light source module120to generate the optical signal with a predetermined ID information.

The light source module120can generate the optical signal with the predetermined ID information by the control of the signal emission module110. In this embodiment, the light source module120can include a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), and the light emitted by the LEDS can be visible light. The light emitted by the light source module120can travel in a straight line of slight, and the ID information can be directly obtained in the straight line when within sight to improve the anti-theft performance of the vehicle. The light emitted by the light source module120can be visible light configured for illumination and intensity in the dark.

The wireless charging receiver130can receive an electromagnetic signal configured for wireless charging and can convert the electromagnetic signal to electronic energy.

The wireless signal controller140can be configured to control the wireless charging receiver130and transmit the electronic energy generated by the wireless charging receiver130to the signal emission module110and the light source module120. Therefore, the transmitting device100can itself work without a separate power source.

The receiving device200can include an optical signal conversion controller210, a signal receiving module220, an unlock module230, a power conversion controller240, a vehicle battery250, and a wireless charging transmitter260.

The optical signal conversion controller210can be configured to receive the optical signal generated by the light source module120and convert the optical signal with the predetermined ID information into an electrical signal having matching ID information which is based on the predetermined ID information. The optical signal conversion controller210can be used with a condenser lens and a filter lens.

The signal receiving module220can be configured to receive and authenticate the electrical signal converted by the optical signal conversion controller210. The signal receiving module220can include a memory member221and an identifying member222. The memory member221can save a signal sample. The identifying member222can compare the electrical signal received from the optical signal conversion controller210with the signal sample and send a controlling signal to the unlock module230if the comparison reveals the correct ID information.

The unlock module230can be electrically coupled to the signal receiving module220and can be configured to lock or unlock the vehicle.

The power conversion controller240can be configured to control the vehicle battery250and convert the electronic energy generated by the vehicle battery250into the electromagnetic signal.

The wireless charging transmitter260can be configured to transmit the electromagnetic signal to the wireless charging receiver130by the control of the power conversion controller240.

In another embodiment, the wireless charging transmitter260and the wireless charging receiver130can be paired to avoid the electronic energy of the vehicle battery250from being stolen by other wireless charging receivers.

In another embodiment, the transmitting device100can further include a battery (not shown) electrically coupled to the wireless signal controller140. The wireless signal controller140can transmit the electronic energy generated by the wireless charging receiver130to the battery.

The signal sample can be generated by the receiving device200and be saved in the memory member221when the vehicle key system10is first used.

FIG. 2illustrates a flowchart in accordance with an example embodiment. The example method is provided by way of example, as there are a variety of ways to carry out the method. The method described below can be carried out using the configurations illustrated inFIG. 1, for example, and various elements of the figure are referenced in explaining example method. Each block shown inFIG. 2represents one or more processes, methods or subroutines, carried out in the example method. Furthermore, the illustrated order of blocks is by example only and the order of the blocks can change. Additional blocks may be added or fewer blocks may be utilized, without departing from this disclosure. The example method can begin at block101.

At block101, a power conversion controller240of a vehicle (not shown) can convert an electronic energy generated by a vehicle battery250into an electromagnetic signal configured for wireless charging. A wireless charging transmitter260can broadcast the electromagnetic signal by the control of the power conversion controller240.

At block102, a wireless charging receiver130can generate an electronic energy based on electromagnetic induction when the wireless charging receiver130is close to the vehicle.

At block103, a wireless signal controller140can transmit the electronic energy generated by the wireless charging receiver130to a signal emission module110and a light source module120.

At block104, the signal emission module110can generate a regulating signal to control the light source module120.

At block105, the light source module120can generate an optical signal with predetermined Identification (ID) information with the controlling of the signal emission module110.

At block106, an optical signal conversion controller210can convert the optical signal into an electrical signal with a matching ID information.

At block107, a signal receiving module220can authenticate the electrical signal converted by the optical signal conversion controller210.

At block108, if the authentication is successful, the signal receiving module220can control an unlock module230to unlock the vehicle.

In another embodiment, if the user would not like to charge an transmitting device100, the process can begin at block104.

In another embodiment, if the authentication is failure, the vehicle key system can been in an alarm state.