EXTERIOR MOUNTED ACCESS DEVICE CONTROL FOR A VEHICLE PASSIVE ENTRY SYSTEM

Abstract: A vehicle access system utilizes an authentication code from a passive signaling device before access to the vehicle will be granted. Simple operation of a manually operated device supported on the exterior of the vehicle combined with the presence of the proper authentication code provides a vehicle owner with the desired access. Additional access functions are possible without requiring complicated actions by the vehicle owner. Additionally, security features ensure that the passive signaling device is outside of the vehicle near the entry point whenever a vehicle access command is generated.

Description: EXTERIOR MOUNTED ACCESS DEVICE CONTROL FOR A VEHICLE PASSIVE ENTRY SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in using passive signaling devices, which are sometimes referred to as "smart cards" or "electronic keys." More particularly, this invention includes a strategy to control access to a vehicle having a smart car entry system. Keyless vehicle access systems are increasingly incorporated into modern day vehicles. One example includes a keyless entry system where a vehicle owner utilizes manual switches on a keyfob to accomplish functions such as unlocking the vehicle doors or trunk or remotely turning on the ignition of the vehicle. A more recently proposed system includes a passive remote signaling device such as a card that is carried by a vehicle owner. The system controller on the vehicle receives signals from the passive signaling device without requiring any manual activation by the user. It has been proposed to use such passive signaling devices to enable a driver to turn a vehicle engine on or off without requiring a mechanical key. The system controller only responds to switch activation when an appropriate authentication code is received from a valid passive signaling device. Those skilled in the art are always striving to improve upon existing systems. This invention provides unique vehicle access capability using a passive signaling device. Additionally, this invention provides additional control features for security purposes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general terms, this invention is a vehicle access system that includes a passive signaling device that provides an authentication code without requiring any manual activation by a user. A manually operated device (such as a door handle) is supported on an exterior of the vehicle that is operated to generate a command to perform an access function. A controller detects operation of the manually operated device and only performs the requested access function when the authentication code is received from the passive signaling device. The controller preferably sends an initiation signal, to which the passive signaling device automatically responds. Another feature of this invention is that it prevents unauthorized access to the vehicle when the passive signaling device is inside of the vehicle interior. The controller preferably is programmed to detect the presence of the passive signaling device and its location. In one example, the controller will only permit the access function to be performed when the passive signaling device is outside of the vehicle and near the manually operated device that generated the command for the access function. The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiments. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system designed according to this invention. Figure 2 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle access system 20 including a passive signaling device 22. In the illustrated example, the passive signaling device 22 is a card that is conveniently carried about by a vehicle owner. The passive signaling device of this invention may be referred to as an electronic key within this specification. The passive signaling device 22 provides an authentication code or signal to a controller 24 supported on the vehicle. The passive signaling device does not require any manual activation by the user to generate the authentication code. The controller 24 preferably is programmed to control access devices that permit access to the vehicle. A key pad 26 is one such device while a door handle 28 is another such device. The key pad 26 or the door handle 28 preferably are associated with one or more switches that are activated to generate a command signal that is interpreted by the controller 24. The command signals preferably indicate the desired access to the vehicle. The controller 24 preferably is programmed to only perform the desired access function when a valid authentication code is received from the passive signaling device 22. The controller 24 preferably is programmed to perform a variety of access functions depending on the command signals received. Example access functions include unlocking all vehicle doors, locking all vehicle doors, double locking all vehicle doors, opening one or more windows, closing one or more windows, and opening or closing a vehicle sunroof. In one example, operation of the door handle 28 ultimately results in unlocking the corresponding door, provided that a valid authentication code is received from the passive signaling device 22 responsive to an initiation signal from the controller 24. Operation of one or more of the keys on the key pad 26 provides the ability to perform a corresponding function, such as unlocking all vehicle doors. A system designed according to this invention provides greater versatility to a vehicle owner with increased convenience compared to prior systems. Provided that the authentication from the electronic key 22 is valid, the keypad may be used without requiring the car owner to memorize sequences of keys for the various functions. Instead, the authorization code allows for simple, single-key operation, for example. Another feature of this invention is to prevent unauthorized access to the vehicle by another individual other than the vehicle owner. For example, it is desirable to prevent a "car j acker" from approaching the vehicle and being able to operate the door handle 28 to gain access to the vehicle while the vehicle owner and the passive signaling device 22 are inside of the vehicle. Accordingly, the controller 24 preferably is programmed to only perform the vehicle access function (such as unlocking the door) when the passive signaling device 22 is determined to be outside of the vehicle and most preferably near the vehicle access point of the manually operated device. Figure 1 schematically illustrates a sensor 30 that detects whether the passive signaling device 22 is within the interior of the vehicle. Similarly, a sensor 32 is positioned to detect the presence of a passive signaling device outside of the vehicle near the key pad 26 or door handle 28. these sensors provide information to the controller to determine the location of the electronic key 22 and to control the access function accordingly. The controller 24 preferably monitors and stores the identification of all passive signaling devices 22 within the interior of the vehicle during normal vehicle operation. When a command signal is generated by operation of the key pad 26 or door handle 28, for example, the controller seeks an authorization code from an electronic key 22. The controller then preferably compares the identification of the responsive passive signaling device 22 with the identification of all such devices that were located within the interior of the vehicle. If the passive signaling device 22 from which the authentication code was received is identified as having been inside of the vehicle, the controller 24 preferably again scans the interior of the vehicle. If the passive signaling device is located inside of the vehicle, the vehicle access function is denied. If however, the passive signaling device is now outside of the vehicle, then the controller 24 performs the desired vehicle access function. Figure 2 includes a flowchart diagram 40 that illustrates the preferred flow of steps taken by the controller 24 when performing a method of this invention. Most preferably, the vehicle access or entry function is not performed unless the passive signaling device is outside of the vehicle near the location of the manually operated device. This invention provides enhanced convenience to a vehicle owner by utilizing a passive signaling device to provide an authentication signal that allows a vehicle owner to gain entry to the vehicle. Additionally, a system designed according to this invention provides enhanced security features that prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to the vehicle when the vehicle owner is inside of the vehicle. The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from the purview and spirit of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by the following claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A vehicle access system, comprising: a passive signaling device that provides an authentication code without requiring any manual activation by a user; a manually operated device supported on an exterior of the vehicle that is operable to generate a command to perform an access function; and a controller that detects operation of the manually operated device and only performs the access function when the authentication code is received from the passive signaling device. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller only performs the access function if the passive signaling device is outside of the vehicle and near the location of the manually operated device. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller determines the presence of passive signaling devices within an interior of the vehicle and does not perform the access function if the passive signaling device from which the authentication code was received is within the interior of the vehicle. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller identifies all passive signaling devices within the interior of the vehicle and stores the identity of such devices, the controller determines if the identity of the passive signaling device from which the authentication code is received is stored, and the controller determines whether the passive signaling device is currently within the vehicle interior. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the manually operated device includes a door handle. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the manually operated device includes a keypad of selectively activated switches. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the keypad is operable in a first mode to generate a first command corresponding to a first access function and operable in a second mode to generate a second command corresponding to a second access function. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first command includes operating multiple locks supported on the vehicle. 9. A method of controlling a vehicle access system having a passive signaling device that provides an authentication code without requiring any manual activation by a user and a manually operated device supported on an exterior of the vehicle that is operated to generate a command corresponding to an access function, comprising the steps of: (A) detecting the command from operation of the manually operated device; (B) detecting the authentication code from the passive signaling device; and (C) performing the access function corresponding to the command if the authentication code is valid. 10. The method of claim 9, including performing step (C) only when the signaling device is outside of the vehicle and near the location of the manually operated device. 11. The method of claim 9, including identifying all signaling devices within an interior of the vehicle and only performing step (C) when the signaling device from which the authentication code was received is outside of the vehicle. 12. The method of claim 9, including only performing step (C) when the signaling device near the manually operated device is outside of the interior of the vehicle. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the manually operated device is operable in first mode to generate a first command and a second mode to generate a second command. 14. A system for controlling access to a vehicle, comprising: a passive signaling device that provides an authorization response signal without requiring any manual activation by a user; a manually operated device supported on the exterior of the vehicle that is operated to gain access to the vehicle; and a controller that permits successful operation of the manually operated device only when the passive signaling device is located outside of the vehicle near the manually operated device. 15. The system of claim 13, including a sensor that detects the authorization signal and is located near the manually operated device to detect the presence of the passive signaling device outside of the vehicle near the manually operated device. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the manually operated device comprises a door handle. 17. The system of claim 13, including a detector that detects the presence of the passive signaling device within an interior of the vehicle and wherein the controller will not perform the access function when the passive signaling device is within the interior of the vehicle.

Inventors: BAILLARGEON ROBERT C, BRENZ ANDREW C, COIL JEFFREY R, DESAI TEJAS B, JOHNSON CHRISTIAN O, ORLANDO KENNETH P, PFEFFER THOMAS W, PLICHTA RONALD J, PROEFKE DAVID T, UTTER THOMAS E, BAILLARGEON, ROBERT, C., BRENZ, ANDREW, C., COIL, JEFFREY, R., DESAI, TEJAS, B., JOHNSON, CHRISTIAN, O., ORLANDO, KENNETH, P., PFEFFER, THOMAS, W., PLICHTA, RONALD, J., PROEFKE, DAVID, T., UTTER, THOMAS, E.
Applicants: GEN MOTORS CORP, HUF NORTH AMERICA, SIEMENS AUTOMOTIVE CORP LP, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, SIEMENS AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B60R25
IPC codes: B60R25, E05B49, E05B65, G07C9