VEHICLE ACCESS SYSTEM INCLUDING AN ELECTRONIC KEY AND A VALET MODE OF OPERATION

Abstract: A vehicle access system includes a passive signaling device that provides an authorization signal without requiring any manual activation by the user. The system controller performs a plurality of functions provided that a proper or valid authorization code is received from the passive signaling device. The system operates in a second mode where a reduced number of vehicle access functions are permitted. The second mode of operation is referred to as a valet mode. The invention includes a variety of ways to set the system to work in the valet mode whenever control of the vehicle is surrendered to a valen parking attendant or mechanic, for example.

Description: VEHICLE ACCESS SYSTEM INCLUDING AN ELECTRONIC KEY AND A VALET MODE OF OPERATION R ACKOROUND OF THF TNVFNTTON Traditionally, access to vehicles including entry and operation have required a mechanical key inserted into a mechanical lock to open a door or turn on the ignition, for example. More recently, keyless entry systems have become popular. Keyless vehicle access systems typically include a remote signaling device that requires a user to activate at least one manual switch. These switches are typically incorporated onto a key fob. By activating the appropriate switch, various functions such as unlocking the vehicle doors or trunk or remotely turning on the ignition of the vehicle are possible provided that the individual with the signaling device is within a chosen range 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 a vehicle receives signals from the passive signaling device without requiring any manual activation by the user. Such passive signaling devices are proposed to be used as electronic keys to allow a driver to start a vehicle by pushing a button rather than by placing a physical key into a conventional ignition lock. Those skilled in the art are always striving to make improvements to vehicle access systems. With the incorporation of the added convenience of keyless systems, additional challenges and problems are presented. This invention provides a enhanced vehicle access system that utilizes a passive signaling device. Further, this invention provides specific control features to address the situation where a valet or technician is provided access to the vehicle. SUMMARY OF THF TNVFNTTON In general terms, this invention is a vehicle access system that includes a passive signaling device that provides an authorization signal without requiring any manual activation by a user. A controller that responds to a command signal after receipt of a proper authorization signal operates in a first mode where a plurality of vehicle access functions are available. The controller also operates in a second mode where a reduced number of vehicle access functions are available. The second mode of operation is particularly useful when the vehicle is entrusted to a valet or service technician. In one example, access to the vehicle storage compartments is denied in the second mode of operation. This invention includes a variety of ways to set the system to operate in the valet mode, where reduced vehicle access is provided. 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 accompanied the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. BRTFF HFSΓRTPTTON OF THF PR AWTNOS Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system designed according to this invention. Figure 2 schematically illustrates further features of a system designed according to this invention. Figure 3 illustrates a remote signaling device designed according to this invention. Figure 4 illustrates another signaling device of this invention. DFTATT FT) DFSCRTPTTON OF THF PRFFFRRFD FMRODTMFNT A vehicle access system 20 includes a passive signaling device 22. The passive signaling device provides an authorization signal to a controller 24 supported on the vehicle. The passive signaling device does not require any manual activation by a user. In the illustrated embodiment, the passive signaling device 22 is a card that is conveniently carried about by a user. The passive signaling device 22, which may also referred to as an electronic key or smart card within this specification, can take a variety of other forms. The controller 24 preferably controls various components or elements of the vehicle. For example, the controller 24 preferably controls the operation of door locks 26 when a proper authorization signal is received from the passive signaling device 22. In one example, operation of a door handle 28 is interpreted by the controller 24 as a command signal to open the door. If the proper authorization code is received from the signaling device 22, then the controller 24 operates the door lock 26 to provide access to the vehicle. The controller 24 preferably also controls a trunk lock 30 to provide access to the vehicle trunk. The controller 24 preferably also operates to control a vehicle ignition through control panel 32 within the interior of the vehicle. The system 20 preferably operates in two different modes. A first mode provides a vehicle owner with access to all aspects of the vehicle. In the first mode, the controller 24 performs a plurality of functions to provide the vehicle owner with the desired access to the vehicle. In a second mode, the controller 24 preferably limits the functions that are available to an individual having a passive signaling device 22. This mode can be referred to as a valet mode because it is contemplated to be used when the vehicle is entrusted to a valet parking attendant. Another use for the second mode is when the vehicle is provided to a mechanic or technician. In the second mode, a reduced number of functions are available so that the passive signaling device can not be used to gain access to the vehicle trunk, for example, or other portions of the vehicle that the vehicle owner does not wish to be readily available to a valet or mechanic. Figure 2 schematically illustrates an interior 40 of the vehicle including a steering wheel 42 and a display 44 that operate in a conventional manner. The control panel 32 preferably includes an on switch 50 that allows a driver to turn on the vehicle ignition. An off switch 52 is activated when it is desired to turn off the vehicle engine. The on switch 50 and the off switch 52 preferably are always activated when a proper authorization code is provided to the controller 24. That way, a valet or mechanic is able to turn the vehicle engine on and off as necessary to drive the vehicle. In one example, two different electronic keys 22 are used. One for the vehicle owner provides unlimited access to the vehicle. A second, valet card 22 provides an authorization signal that the controller interprets to only allow limited access to the vehicle. The example of Figure 2 also includes a mechanical lock 54 that is operated by a mechanical key 56. The lock 54 can be set by the vehicle owner to switch the system 20 into the valet mode of operation. In this example, the same passive signaling device 22 may be utilized by a valet. If the lock 54 is appropriately set, the controller 24 will only permit limited access to the valet even though the valet has the electronic key 22, which would normally provide the vehicle owner with complete access to the vehicle. Another feature illustrated in Figure 2 is a second control panel 60. A control switch 62 preferably is useable only by the vehicle owner and can be used to set the controller to operate in the valet mode prior to surrendering control of the vehicle and the electronic card 22 to a valet or mechanic. While the switch 62 is operable to set the controller 24 to operate in a valet mode, another switch 64 preferably is operable to set the passive signaling device 22 to operate in a valet mode. When the switch 64 is activated, the passive signaling device 22 provides only limited authorization codes that are interpreted by the controller such that only certain vehicle access functions are permitted. Another possibility within the scope of this invention is to provide a keypad 66 that allows a vehicle owner to selectively program the controller 24 to provide certain access functions responsive to specific passive signaling devices. The control panel 60 preferably is only operable by a vehicle owner. In one example, the control panel 60 sets the controller 24 into the valet mode. Upon receiving an appropriate authorization signal from the card 22, the controller automatically reverts to the first, full- accessibility mode of operation. A variety of ways to limit the use of the control panel 60 are within the scope of this invention. Given this description, those skilled in the will be able to suitably design a control panel 60 that insures that only a vehicle owner is able to set the system into the standard mode of operation or the valet mode accordingly. Figure 3 illustrates another feature of this invention. In this example, the passive signaling device 22 has a first portion 70 and a second portion 72. The two portions 70 and 72 are separable using any conventional connecting means. In one example, the first portion 70 snap fits with the second portion 72. In another example, a latching connection is provided to selectively hold the first portion 70 and second portion 72 together. When a vehicle owner desires to provide limited access to a valet or mechanic, the vehicle owner simply removes the second portion 72 from the first portion 70. By providing only the first portion 70 of the passive signaling device 22 to a valet, limited authorization codes are provided to the controller, which result in limited access to the vehicle. When the second portion 72 is connected with the first portion 70, then the passive signaling device 22 is capable of providing the authorization codes necessary to allow complete access to the vehicle. In one example, the second portion 72 provides an independent authorization signal. In another example, the connection between the first portion 70 and second portion 72 results in an electrical connection that enables the passive signaling device 22 to provide the necessary authorization signal for complete access to the vehicle. Figure 4 illustrates another feature of this invention. In this example, the passive signaling device 22 is provided with a manual switch 74. This signaling device 22 preferably is provided to a valet or mechanic. Manual activation of the switch 74 preferably is required to enable the valet the limited access to the vehicle. In another example, the controller 24 will only respond to a signal from the signaling device 22 in the valet mode if the passive signaling device is placed in a specific location on or within the vehicle. Given this description, those skilled in the art will realize that a variety of combinations of the features disclosed in this specification are possible to provide limited access to a valet or mechanic where a vehicle includes an electronic key arrangement. Given this description, those skilled in the art will be able to choose from among commercially available electronic components or to suitably program a controller to perform the functions described in this specification. 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 necessarily depart from the purview and spirit of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims: CT ATMS 1. A vehicle access system, comprising: a passive signaling device that provides an authorization code without requiring any manual activation by a user; and a controller that performs vehicle access functions, the controller operating in a first mode where a plurality of access functions are available only when the authorization code from the passive signal is received and the controller operating in a second mode where a reduced number of access functions are available. 2. The system of claim 1, including a second signaling device and wherein the controller operates in the first mode responsive to receiving the authorization code from the passive signaling device and in the second mode when the authorization code is received from the second signaling device. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second signaling devices are passive and comprise cards, respectively. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the second signaling device is a removable portion of the passive signaling device. 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the second signaling device includes at least one switch that is activated by a user to generate the authorization signal. 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller only responds to the authorization signal from the second signaling device when the second signaling device is placed near a specific location relative to the vehicle. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second mode is a valet mode that includes denying access to vehicle storage compartments. 8. The system of claim 1, including a control element that is selectively operated to cause the controller to operate in only the second mode. 9. The system of claim 8, including a mechanical lock supported on the vehicle for locking the controller into operating in only the second mode and a mechanical key to operate the lock. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the control element includes at least one switch that is operable to set the controller to operate in only the second mode. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the control element includes at least one switch that is operable to set the passive signaling device to provide a modified authorization signal and the controller operates in the second mode responsive to the modified authorization signal. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the control element includes at least one switch that is activated to place the controller into the second mode and the controller does not require the passive signaling device authorization signal to operate in the second mode and wherein the controller automatically returns to the first mode of operation responsive to receiving the authorization signal from the passive signaling device. 13. A vehicle access system, comprising: at least one passive signaling device that provides an authorization code without requiring any manual activation by a user; and a controller that performs vehicle access functions, the controller operating in a normal mode where a plurality of access functions are available only responsive to the authorization code from the passive signaling device and the controller operating in a valet mode where a reduced number of access functions are available. 14. A method of controlling a vehicle access system that includes a passive signaling device that provides an authorization signal without requiring manual activation by a user, comprising the steps of: (a) performing at least one of a plurality of vehicle access functions responsive to the authorization signal from the passive signaling device in a normal mode of operation; and (b) performing at least one of a reduced number of vehicle access functions in a valet mode. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein step (B) includes operating in the valet mode responsive to the authorization signal from the passive signaling device. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein step (B) includes operating in the valet mode responsive to a modified authorization signal from the passive signaling device. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein step (B) includes operating in the valet mode responsive to a different authorization signal from another signaling device. 18. The method of claim 14, including selectively setting the authorization signal from the passive signaling device to correspond to the valet mode.

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: E05B49
IPC codes: B60R25, E05B49, E05B65, G07C9