Keyless access system and method for a truck and truck equipped with such a system

A keyless access system is provided for a truck including a tractor area and a cargo area provided with at least an access door. This system includes a main control unit located in the tractor area and adapted to interact with a customer identification device to selectively operate a control access arrangement which allows or prevents access to a driver cabin of the truck, a secondary control unit located in or near the cargo area and adapted to interact with the same customer identification device and to selectively operate an actuator which locks or unlocks the access door, and a bidirectional telecommunication arrangement between the main and secondary units.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

This invention concerns a keyless access system for a truck including, amongst others, a cargo area. This invention also concerns a truck equipped with such a system, a control unit to be used in such a system and a method to be implemented with such a system.

Keyless systems have been known to allow an easy access to a personal vehicle because the user does not have to open a door with a key in so far as a customer identification device or CID, which is often in the form of a remote controller or an electronic card or tag, is recognized by the system when the user comes close to a door or a vehicle.

An active electronic keyless access system is a system where a user actuates his remote controller, e.g. by pressing a button, to unlock a door of the vehicle. A passive keyless access system is a system where the user has a customer identification device which can exchange information with an onboard control unit without being manually actuated by the user. This invention applies to an active keyless access system and to a passive keyless access system.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,521, keyless systems have been used to control access to a cargo zone of a truck, which facilitates the work of the driver. When the driver wants to access the cargo zone, he must actuate a transmitter to generate a signal processed to open a rear access door. When exiting the storage area, the driver must tap a switch to close and lock the door. With this system, the driver must remember to open the rear door of the truck before leaving his seat and must not forget to close the door when re-entering the cabin. This is tedious, especially for vehicles which are used to deliver goods in several locations, like stores, in a city.

On the other hand, keyless access systems have been designed in order to control access and, in some instances as in FR-A-2 815 149, control an auxiliary equipment like an audio device. Such systems are not adapted for trucks. No known systems take into account the fact that the driver of a truck might wish to exit the cabin and to go to a rear door in order to access a cargo area, without having to remember to actuate a transmitter before leaving the cabin or a switch before leaving the cargo area.

The invention aims at providing a keyless access system which facilitates the work of a driver by providing an easy, automatic and secure access to the cargo area of a truck.

To this purpose, the invention concerns a keyless access system for a truck including a tractor area and a cargo area provided with at least an access door, this system comprising:a main control unit located in the tractor area and adapted to interact with a customer identification device to selectively operate access means which allow or prevent access to a driver cabin of the vehicle,a secondary control unit located in or near the cargo area and adapted to interact with the same customer identification device and to selectively operate an actuator which locks or unlocks the access door, andbi-directional telecommunication means between the main unit and the secondary unit.

Thanks to the invention, the secondary unit can be used to lock or unlock the access door to the cargo area depending on the fact that a person standing near this door and outside the truck has or not a customer identification device, hereafter called “CID”, known by the system as valid to access the cargo area.

According to further aspects of the invention, this system might incorporate one or several of the following features:The communication means between the main and secondary units are wireless.The secondary unit is adapted to interact with a CID in order to collect data from this device and to send some information representative of these data to the main unit which is adapted to determine, on the basis of the information received from the secondary unit, if the access door is to be opened for this CID and, if such is the case, to send to the secondary unit, a clearance signal for this door.Each main or secondary unit is connected to at least an activation switch, at least a lock actuator, at least an antenna adapted to send an activation signal towards a CID and/or to receive a response signal from the CID. Preferably, each unit is connected to a low frequency antenna adapted to emit the activation signal towards a CID and to a high frequency antenna adapted to receive a response signal from the CID.The secondary control unit comprises means to collect data from a CID, means to send to the main access unit a signal representative of the data collected from the CID1means to receive from the main control unit a clearance signal and means to selectively operate, upon reception by the receiving means of a clearance signal from the main unit, an actuator which unlocks an access door to a cargo area of the vehicle.Independent power supply means are provided, in or near the cargo area, for the secondary access unit.The system is a passive keyless access system.

The invention also concerns a truck including a tractor area and a cargo area provided with at least an access door, this vehicle being provided with a keyless access control system as explained here-above.

According to a first embodiment, such a truck includes a tractor and a trailer, said main unit being mounted on the tractor whereas the secondary unit is mounted on the trailer. According to another embodiment, the truck comprises a cargo structure fixed on a frame belonging to a tractor, the main unit being mounted on the tractor, whereas the secondary unit is mounted on the structure.

The invention also concerns a control unit which can be used as a secondary unit in a system as mentioned here-above. This unit comprises means to collect data from a CID, means to send to a remotely located other control unit a signal representative of the data collected from the CID, means to receive from this other unit a clearance signal and means to selectively operate, upon reception by the receiving means of a clearance signal from the other unit, an actuator which unlocks an access door to a cargo area of a truck.

Finally, the invention concerns a method which can be implemented with the system mentioned here-above in order to control access to a cargo area of a truck. This method comprises at least the following steps of:

a)—detecting an unlock request of an access door to a cargo area of the vehicle,

b)—sending, from a first control unit located in or near the cargo area, a challenge signal towards a CID,

c)—receiving a signal corresponding to a response of the device,

d)—verifying, in a main control unit located in a tractor area of the vehicle, if the received signal corresponds to a valid identification code,

e)—if the received signal corresponds to a valid identification code, sending from the main unit to the first unit, a clearance signal,

f)—when a clearance signal is received in the first unit from the main unit, sending an actuation signal to an actuator which mechanically unlocks the access door.

According to a first approach, before step c), the response signal of the CID is received by the first unit and then a signal representative of this response signal is sent by the first unit to the main control unit. Alternatively, during step c), the response signal of the CID is received directly by the main control unit.

Advantageously, the signal transmission between the first and main units is wireless. According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the challenge signal is a low frequency signal whereas the response signal is a high frequency signal and communication between the first and main units takes place in high frequency mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The truck1represented onFIGS. 1 and 2includes a tractor2and a trailer3hooked onto the tractor and defining a cargo area31where goods to be transported can be stored. The tractor2defines a tractor area21where no goods are to be stored and which comprises, amongst others, the driver cabin22and the engine compartment23of tractor2. Cabin22is provided with two lateral doors22A and22B, door22A being located next to the driver's seat.

A keyless access system100is provided to control access to cabin22for a user U bearing a customer identification device or CID200. This CID is a small dimension electronic device, in the form of a tag or a, credit card or somewhat bigger, which is adapted to emit, when receiving a predetermined challenge signal, a response signal comprising an alphanumerical identification sequence which is specific to each CID. System100includes a main unit101which is fed with electrical power from the main electrical circuit25of tractor2. Unit101is connected to an activation switch102A located near the handle22C of driver's door22A, this switch being suitable to send to unit101a signal Si when handle22C is being touched by user U. Unit101is also connected to a low frequency antenna103A located on the driver's side of cabin22. When unit101receives signal S-i, unit101computes an alphanumerical sequence. Then, it sends to antenna103A an actuation signal S2corresponding to this sequence. Then, antenna103A sends a low frequency radio challenge signal S3which also corresponds to the computed sequence and which is supposed to be received by CID200. When it receives signal S3, CID200calculates a response signal S4which is sent as a high frequency radio signal and received by a high frequency antenna104connected to unit101. Signal S4received by antenna104is then verified by unit101and, if it is found that CID200permits access to cabin22, unit101sends a signal S5to an actuator105A which mechanically unlocks door22A. Unit101is also connected to an activation switch102B, a low frequency antenna103B and an actuator105B located on the passenger's door22B side and which are supposed to be used as explained here-above when a user wants to access cabin22by the passenger's side.

According to an optional aspect of the invention, unit101is associated with a passive go unit110which is capable of recognizing CID200when this device is within cabin22in order to allow starting of the engine and driving of tractor2, without having to use a mechanical key. Thanks to unit101, the driver can very easily access cabin2, as long as he has with him his CID200, either in his hand, or in his pocket or in a bag that he carries with him.

A secondary unit151is mounted in area31, close to the roof33of trailer3, in the vicinity of its back doors32A and32B. This secondary unit is connected to an activation switch152, a low frequency antenna153, a high frequency antenna154and an actuator155, in a way similar to the connection between items101to105.

Unit151is also connected to a battery156located in its vicinity and providing electrical current when necessary.

Unit151could be located elsewhere in or near area31, on trailer3, although one advantage of having unit151near access doors32A and32B is to be able to use short range communication means, like low frequency antenna153, between unit151and a CID200.

Bi-directional wireless communication means are respectively associated to unit101, as a first module107, and to unit151, as a second module157. For the sake of security, and in order to take into account that a trailer may be used with different tractors, unit151does not store tile confidential information relating to tile fact that one CID authorizes or not access to the cargo area31of a truck1. However, unit151is used to determine whether or not a user having a CID may access this area through doors32A and32B. The left part ofFIG. 4corresponds to the steps of the access control method performed by unit101and its associated equipments when a user tries to access zone31, whereas the central part corresponds to the steps performed by unit151and the associated equipments and the right part corresponds to the steps performed by CID200. The last digit of their references corresponds to the chronological order of the method steps. The two first digits correspond to the parts by which they are performed (10for unit101and its associated equipments in area21,15for unit151and its associated equipments in area31and20for CID200).

At the beginning, unit101is in sleeping mode as shown by step1001, whereas unit151is also in sleeping mode, as shown by step1501. When a user wants to open one of the back doors32A or32B1he touches a corresponding handle which is detected by actuation switch152in a first active step1502where a signal S′i goes from switch152to unit151.

Thereafter, in a further step1503, unit151computes a challenge signal in the form of a first code or CODE1and a random number N. This calculated signal is forwarded to antenna153in an activation signal S′2and emitted as a challenge signal S′3towards the CID200of the user.

Upon reception of signal S′3, CID200, which knows CODE1, computes random number N in a first step2004and then calculates in a further step2005a response signal which is a function of the same number N and a code specific to CID200, noted as CODE2. Signal S′4includes, amongst other, some identification data of CID200.

At the end of step2005, CID200sends a high frequency response signal S′4, including CODE2and the computed number N, which is received by antenna154in a further step1506.

Actually, signal S′4might be the same as or different from signal S4.

Response signal S′4is then forwarded to unit151in a step1507. Then, in a further step1508, unit151uses module157to re-direct signal S′4, as a signal Se, towards module107associated with unit101. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, antenna154and module157can be the same component. In other words, a single antenna can be used to receive signal S′4and send signal S6.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, signal S6re-directed by unit151towards unit151might be different from the signal S′4received from CID200. In particular, signal S6may incorporate only a part of signal S′4.

In all embodiments, number N, which is generated by unit151each time it is actuated, is incorporated within signal S6, so that unit101can extract the value of CODE2from signal S6. Therefore, unit101indirectly extracts CODE2from signal S′4| as it does for signal S4.

Signal S6is received by module107in a step1009. It is then transferred to unit101in a further step1010. In step1011, unit101verifies if the information included in signal S6correspond to a CID which permits opening of doors32A and32B.

If this is not the case, the method stops and no activation of actuator155takes place.

If the information collected from unit151corresponds to an authorized CID, unit101activates, in a further step1012, module107to send a clearance signal S7towards module157. This signal is received by module157in step1513and forwarded, in step1514, to unit151. When it receives the clearance signal S7, unit151sends to actuator155an actuation signal S′5so that actuator155mechanically unlocks doors32A and32B in step1515.

The low frequency used for transmitting signals S3and S′3can be of 125 kHz, whereas the high frequency used for transmitting signals S4, S′4, S6and S7is 433 MHz. Protocols like WIFI and Bluetooth can be used for the high frequency communication between modules107and157. The use of low frequency antennas103A,103B and153for signals S3and S′3makes it possible to precisely tune the maximum distance, or reach, of the communication between unit101or151and CID200. Therefore, there exist few risks that a door is unlocked when the authorized user is still far away from this door. On the contrary, the high frequency signals S4, S′4, S6and S7have a longer reach.

In the second embodiment of the invention represented onFIG. 5, the same steps as the ones mentioned here-above have the same references. Steps1001,1501,1502,1503,2004and2005are identical to the same steps onFIG. 4. In step2005, signal S′4is sent directly to antenna104where it is received in step1009. It is then transferred to unit101in step1010and steps1011,1012and1513to1515are identical to the equivalent steps inFIG. 4.

The invention is of particular interest for a truck provided with a trailer, as shown onFIGS. 2 and 3. However, as shown onFIG. 6, it can also be used for a truck1whose cabin22is supported on a frame24on which a cargo structure34is fixably mounted. Here again, a control access system including, amongst others, a main control unit101and a secondary control unit151can be used.

As shown onFIG. 6, the secondary control unit might be used to control access to a cargo area31via a side door32C of the truck.

The invention has been represented with the secondary unit151located in the cargo area31of a truck. In fact, this unit can also be located in the vicinity of this area, provided that it is close enough to the door or doors to be able to send, via its antenna153, signal S′3to CID200and to receive, via its antenna154, signal S4from CID200.

In the first embodiment, the fact that communication between modules107and157is wireless is of particular interest since no specific precaution must be taken when the trailer3is hooked onto a tractor2or when it is separated from this tractor.

One can consider a connection between the main and secondary units via wires, in particular for a truck with a rigid structure as represented onFIG. 6.

The invention has been described when used with a passive keyless access system. However, it may also be used with an active keyless access system. In such a case, activation switches102A1102B and152do not belong to system100.

List Of References1truck2tractor21tractor area22driver cabin22A driver door22B passenger door22C handle23engine compartment24frame25electrical circuit3trailer31cargo area32A back door32B back door32C side door33roof34cargo structure100system101main control unit102A activation switch102B activation switch103A low frequency antenna103B low frequency antenna104high frequency antenna105A actuator105B actuator107communication module110passive go unit151secondary control unit152activation switch153low frequency antenna154low frequency antenna155actuator156battery157communication module200customer identification device or CID1001step in tractor area211009step in tractor area211010step in tractor area211011step in tractor area211012step in tractor area211501step in or near cargo area311502step in or near cargo area311503step in or near cargo area311506step in or near cargo area311507step in or near cargo area311508step in or near cargo area311513step in or near cargo area311514step in or near cargo area312004step in CID2002005step in CID200U userSi signalS′i signalS2signalS′2signalS3challenge signalS′3challenge signalS4response signalS4response signalS5actuation signalS′s actuation signalS6redirected signalS7clearance signal