Abstract:
A keypad assembly for use on a vehicular keyless entry system comprises a selectively concealable keypad coupled to a processor and accessible from the exterior of the vehicle and through which an access code may be manually entered. A mirror assembly is mounted on an exterior surface of the vehicle and includes a base fixedly coupled to the exterior surface and a mirror compartment rotatably coupled to the base and capable of being rotated between an extended, operational position and a folded, retracted position. The keypad is mounted on the base so as to be visible and accessible when the mirror compartment is in its folded retracted position and hidden and inaccessible when the mirror compartment is in it&#39;s extended, operational position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to keyless entry systems, and more particularly, to a keyless entry system for gaining access to a vehicle and employing a keypad mounted on the exterior of the vehicle in such a way that it may be selectively hidden from view. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many vehicles (i.e. automobiles, trucks, sport utility vehicles, etc.) are equipped with keyless entry systems that may include a portable fob having controls thereon that enable the user to unlock the vehicle&#39;s doors and perform other functions through encoded RF signals transmitted to a receiver located on the vehicle. Depending on the system, the user may also activate and deactivate alarms, turn lights on and off, and in some cases start the vehicle. 
     Certain of these vehicles, luxury cars in particular, may be equipped with door-mounted keyless entry systems. Such systems typically utilize a keypad positioned proximate a vehicle&#39;s door handle, thus enabling an authorized user to key in a numeric or alphanumeric code, and if the code is correct, the door or doors are automatically unlocked allowing the user to enter the vehicle. Inputting the correct code may also turn interior lights on, enable the ignition system, etc. 
     While such keypads are generally low in profile, certain shortcomings have been noted. For example, the fact that such keypads are typically positioned on the exterior door panel of a vehicle proximate the door handle, they are clearly visible and aesthetically displeasing to some. Furthermore, such keypads are accessible to unauthorized individuals and are therefore subject to being tampered with. In addition, such exteriorly mounted keyboards are exposed to the elements (i.e. dirt, rain, sunlight, etc.) that, over a period of time, may damage the keypad or otherwise reduce its operational life. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide a keyless entry system utilizing a keypad that is accessible from a vehicle&#39;s exterior but is automatically hidden from view and/or rendered inaccessible during certain modes of vehicle operation. For example, the keypad may be rendered inaccessible (out of sight) when the vehicle is being driven and made visible and accessible when an operator needs to use it; e.g. as when the vehicle is parked and the operator desires entry. It would further be desirable that the keypad be capable of being selectively hidden and/or rendered inaccessible by an operator of the vehicle from either the vehicle&#39;s interior or exterior. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a keyless entry system for use on a vehicle, the system comprising an onboard processor for receiving an access code and comparing the access code with a stored code, and a selectively concealable keypad coupled to the processor and accessible from the exterior of the vehicle through which the access code may be entered. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a keypad assembly for use on a vehicle. A mirror assembly is mounted on an exterior surface of the vehicle and comprises a base fixedly coupled to the exterior surface, and a mirror compartment rotatably coupled to the base and capable of being rotated between an extended, operational position and a folded, retracted position. The keypad is mounted on the base and is visible and accessible when the mirror compartment is in its folded, retracted position, and the keypad is hidden and inaccessible when the mirror compartment is in its extended, operational position. 
     According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a keyless entry system for use on a vehicle. An onboard processor receives an access code and compares the access code to a stored code. A selectively concealable keypad is coupled to the processor and is accessible from the exterior of the vehicle through which the access code may be manually entered. A mirror assembly is mounted on an exterior surface of the vehicle and comprises a base fixedly coupled to the exterior surface and a mirror compartment rotatably coupled to the base and capable of being rotated between an operational position and a retracted position. The keypad is mounted on the base so as to be hidden and inaccessible when the mirror compartment is in the operational state and visible and accessible when the mirror compartment is in the retracted position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a vehicle having a keypad exteriorly mounted proximate the vehicle&#39;s door-handle as is typical with known keyless entry systems; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of a keypad suitable for use on the vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the major components of a keyless entry system; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cutaway top view of a known power folding mirror assembly in an unfolded configuration; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a power-foldable mirror assembly in its operational (i.e. unfolded) configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the mirror assembly shown in  FIG. 5  in its retracted (i.e. folded) configuration in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling the folding and unfolding of a power folding mirror. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a vehicle having a keypad exteriorly mounted proximate the vehicle&#39;s door handle as is typical with known keyless entry systems. As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  20  is shown having a front end  22 , a rear end  24 , a passenger compartment  26 , a driver&#39;s side door  28 , a door handle  30 , a rear view mirror  32 , and a keypad  34  mounted on an exterior panel of the vehicle; e.g. on the exterior of door  28  proximate door handle  30 . As described previously, keypad  34  operates in conjunction with a keyless entry system to enable an individual to manually enter a code to gain access to the vehicle. Keyboard  34  may be numeric or alphanumeric. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of a keyless entry keypad suitable for use on vehicle  20 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , keypad  34  includes a plurality of individual keys  36  each of which having provided thereon numerical designations and one or more of which may contain functional designations as is shown at  38 . While numeric designations have been utilized in the keypad shown in  FIG. 2 , it should be appreciated that other designations (e.g. alphabetic) may be utilized. Furthermore, while  FIG. 2  illustrates keys having a generally square or rectangular configuration, they may take any appropriate geometric shape. In operation, a user may perform a function such as tapping on a specific region (e.g. a window) to power up at least the electronics associate with the keypad and its inputs, perhaps lighting the keypad if desired. A user may gain entry to the vehicle by simply keying the appropriate code in a proper sequence via keypad  34 . Access to the vehicle&#39;s trunk or gasoline tank may be achieved by entering an appropriate code and then pressing key  38  or  40  respectively. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the major components of a keyless entry system. As can be seen, keypad  34  communicates with processor  42  having memory  44  associated therewith; preferably of the nonvolatile type. Processor  42  is coupled to control and distribution unit  46 . Control and distribution unit  46  provides an output along one of lines  48  to door lock  50 . Control and distribution unit  48  may also provide outputs for controlling lights, activating or deactivating security functions, starting the engine, starting the heater, and the like. Processor  42  and memory  44  may be of the conventional type and comprise well known microprocessor/memory configurations. 
     The system shown in  FIG. 3  is preferably battery operated. To save power, a vibration sensor  54  may be provided for powering up keypad  34  when it senses vibrations due to, for example, a tapping on a vehicle window. Battery power may also be preserved by providing a shut-down mode that is automatically entered after a preset number of incorrect attempts to enter the correct code via keypad  34 . 
     The operation of the keyless entry system shown in  FIG. 3  is well known. To gain access to a vehicle, an operator enters a code via keypad  34 . That code is transmitted to processor  42  where it is compared with a correct code stored in memory  44 . If the entered code and the stored code match, an appropriate signal is sent to control and distribution unit  46  which in turn will unlock door lock  50  thus enabling the operator to enter the vehicle and/or enabling other functions as described above. 
     Rearview/sideview mirrors are positioned on a vehicle to give an operator of the vehicle a view to the sides of and behind the vehicle. Exterior rearview/sideview mirrors extend from the side of the vehicle and generally include a mirror housing mounted on a base or appliqué on the vehicle. The base or appliqué is generally a low profile component fixedly mounted on the vehicle. The mirror housing contains a mirror and its adjustment mechanism. 
     Such mirrors on sport-utility vehicles and other large vehicles often extend a relatively large distance from the side of the vehicle. This may present difficulties when maneuvering the vehicle through such places as the service window of a bank, the drive-through of a restaurant, and the like. To minimize this problem, folding mirrors are provided. Some such mirrors must be operated manually; however, power folding mirrors are available and facilitate retracting the mirrors. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 , and like elements have been denoted with like reference numerals. Mirrors  32  comprise power folding sideview/rearview mirror assemblies. Each mirror  32  folds with respect to vehicle  20  about an axis  56  in a direction rearward of vehicle  10  as is shown by arrows  58 . When folded, the distance to which each mirror assembly  32  extends from vehicle  20  is substantially reduced. Mirror assemblies  32  may also break away in the forward direction as is shown by arrows  60 . 
     As stated previously, mirror assembly  32  is foldable between an operable position when the rearview mirror extends outwardly from the side of the vehicle, and a folded position when the rearview mirror is folded alongside the vehicle. In addition, the mirrors may have a breakaway feature which allows them to move forward or rearward if impacted.  FIG. 5  is a partial cutaway top view of a known power folding mirror assembly in an unfolded configuration. Mirror assembly  32  includes a base or appliqué  62 , a mirror housing  64 , and a mirror  68 . Base  62  and housing  64  may be made of any suitable material such as a polymeric material. Base  62  is preferably fixed to door  28  of vehicle  20 , and housing  64  moves with respect to base  62  during folding and unfolding. 
     Mirror housing  64  includes a cavity  70  therein that encloses an electrical mirror actuator  72  that is coupled to mirror  68 . Electric mirror actuator  72  is used to position mirror  68  with respect to housing  64 . Housing  64  is pivotable about axis  56 , and pivot arm  74  extends into cavity  70 . A motor  76  is coupled to a coupling mechanism  78  which is caused to rotate by motor  76  thereby causing housing  64  to move with respect to base  62 . Coupling mechanism  78  may include a pivot gear  80  and a link  82 . 
     Motor  76  is mounted within vehicle  20  and has an output shaft  84  mounted at shaft mount  86  to vehicle  20 . Shaft mount  86  permits output shaft  84  to rotate. Output shaft  84  includes a gear  88  (e.g. pinion gear) either coupled thereto or integrally formed therewith. Motor  76  is preferably coupled to base  62  by means of spring mount  92 . In this manner, motor  76  and output shaft  84  may move relative to coupling mechanism  78 . Shaft mount  86  permits output shaft  84  to pivot along an axis that is generally transverse to the rotational axis of gear  88 . 
     Coupling mechanism  78  includes pivot gear  80  that is mounted in the door and connected to link  82 . Link  82  is connected to housing arm  94  which is pivotally fixed with respect to housing  64  and extends from housing  64 . Pivot gear  80  pivots about an axis  96 , and one end of pivot gear  80  includes a segment gear  98  which is shaped like an arc. Segment gear  98  engages gear  88  of output shaft  84 . As output shaft  84  rotates, different points along the arc of segment gear  98  contact gear  88 . The arc of segment gear  98  is preferably centered around pivot gear axis  96  so that as segment gear  98  moves pivot gear  80  rotates about pivot gear access  96 . As pivot gear  80  rotates, link  82  moves housing arm  94  so that mirror housing  64  pivots about axis  56 . 
     Power folding mirrors are well known in the art and further discussion is not deemed necessary. However, the interested reader is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,230 issued Aug. 17, 1999 and entitled “POWER FOLDING REAR VIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,218B1 issued Jun. 5, 2001 and entitled “MIRROR ACTUATOR”. Likewise, keyless entry systems of a type which employ a keypad mounted on the exterior of a vehicle are well known in the art. For a further discussion, the interested reader is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 6,617,975B1 issued Sep. 9, 2003 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,492B1 issued Aug. 12, 2003 and entitled “KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM”. 
     As stated previously, it would be desirable to provide a keypad entry system wherein the keypad is located on a region of the exterior of the vehicle that may be concealed to improve the appearance of the vehicle, prevent unauthorized tampering, and reduce exposure to the elements. One such location may be on or within the base of a foldable rear view mirror such that the keyboard is only visible and accessible when the mirror is in its folded or retractable position.  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  are isometric views of a power foldable mirror assembly in its operational (i.e. unfolded) configuration and in its retracted (i.e. folded) configuration in accordance with the present invention. Referring first to  FIG. 7 , a keypad  100  is mounted on base  62  and is visible when mirror housing  64  is retracted. As can be seen, when mirror  64  is in its unfolded position ( FIG. 6 ) keyboard  100  is not visible and therefore not accessible. 
     Also, as stated previously, it would be desirable that the mirror be folded or retracted when the vehicle is in a predetermined state of operation and that the mirror be foldable at the discretion of the operator. Referring to  FIG. 8  which is a block diagram of an apparatus for achieving the desired operation, mirror actuator  102  which performs the near folding and unfolding functions is coupled to the vehicles PRNDL switch  104  and to the vehicles ignition switch  106 . Thus, for example, mirror actuator  102  may be activated to fold the mirror when the ignition switch is off and/or when the vehicle is in PARK. In a similar manner, an internal fold control switch  108  may be provided, for example, on the dashboard of the vehicle may be activated by the operator of the vehicle from within the passenger compartment. In addition, an external fold control switch  110  may be provided on the exterior of the vehicle (shown as being mounted on mirror housing  64  in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) may be provided to permit the operator to fold or retract the mirror at the operators discretion from the exterior of the vehicle. 
     Thus, there has been provided a keyless entry system employing a keypad which may be concealed to improve the appearance of the vehicle, prevent unauthorized tampering, and protect the keypad from the elements. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. For example, the keypad itself may be configured to slide or rotate into base  62  or housing  64 . The concealable keypad may be associated with a different part or region of the vehicle. For example, the keypad may be configured to be concealable in conjunction with the door handle, door trim, brand emblem, and the like. 
     It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment is only an example, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.