Patent Publication Number: US-6713895-B1

Title: Key fob for vehicular remote keyless entry systems

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An increasingly common feature of new vehicles is remote keyless entry. The remote keyless entry system uses a relatively small transmitter housed in a portable key fob which communicates with a receiver installed in the vehicle for locking and unlocking power door, trunk, and/or liftgate locks. The key fob includes buttons or switches which correspond with controls in the transmitter to perform the intended function. Some key fobs include additional features, such as a panic switch for sounding an alarm installed in the vehicle. 
     Typically, a vehicle manufacture will use the same key fob for many different models of vehicle having remote keyless entry. Therefore, the key fobs for different models of vehicle can look identical even though the vehicle platforms a different. Confusion between which key fob operates which vehicle can occur when an individual or household has more than one vehicle from the same manufacturer. 
     Commonly, key fobs are made of a plastic housing which include an integral loop formed therein. The loop serves the purpose of retaining a separate key ring for retaining a plurality of keys. Often, this single loop is not sufficient to house the number of keys and items a consumer would like to have attached to their key fob. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a vehicular key fob for a vehicular remote keyless entry system. The key fob includes a main body which houses electronics for activating the remote keyless entry system. The key fob further includes first and second components, such as faceplates and/or rings having different identifying indicia. The first and second components are releasably secured to the main body, such that they can be interchanged to function as visual or tactile identifiers to avoid confusion between similar key fobs. 
     Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective of a first embodiment of a key fob, in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main body of the key fob of FIG. 1, wherein a different faceplate and ring are illustrated being attached to the main body. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the key fob of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective vie of an alternate embodiment of a key fob, in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the key fob of FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     There is illustrated in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a key fob, indicated generally at  10 , in accordance with the present invention. The key fob generally includes a main body  12 , a replaceable faceplate  14 , a replaceable ring  16 , and a latch  18 . 
     There is illustrated in FIG. 2, alternate embodiments of a faceplate  14   a  and a ring  16   a . The faceplate  14  has different indicia than the faceplate  14   a , as indicated by the stipples on the faceplate  14  of FIG. 1 but lacking on the faceplate  14   a  of FIG.  2 . Similarly, the ring  16  has different indicia than the ring  16   a , as indicated by the stipples on the ring  16  of FIG. 1 but lacking on the ring  16   a  of FIG.  2 . Examples of indicia include, color, texture, markings, and material composition. Any suitable indicia can be used which provides a visual or tactile difference therebetween. The faceplate  14  of FIG. 1 is preferably similar in structure to the faceplate  14   a  of FIG. 2, and like reference numbers will be used for similar structures and features. Likewise, the ring  16  of FIG. 1 is preferably similar in structure to the ring  16   a  of FIG. 2, and like reference numbers will be used for similar structures and features. As described below, the faceplates  14  and  14   a  and the rings  16  and  16   a  are removably attached to the main body  12  of the key fob  10 . The faceplates  14  and  14   a  and/or the rings  16  and  16   a  function as replaceable components having different identifying indicia which can be used to notify the user of the key fob that they are using a particular one of multiple key fobs, each having its own different identifying indicia. For example, a household may have two vehicles where each vehicle uses a key fob  10 . If both key fobs were identical, it would be difficult to initially identify which key fob relates to which vehicle. However, in accordance with the present invention, the first key fob can include the faceplate  14  and/or ring  16 , and the second key fob  10  can include the faceplate  14   a  and/or ring  16   a . The difference in the indicia provides a visual or tactile identification. It should be understood that the faceplates  14  and  14   a  and the rings  16  and  16   a  are examples of components of the key fob  12  which can be replaceable and that any suitable structure of the key  10  illustrated or not illustrated can be used as indicia identifying. 
     The main body  12  can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic. The illustrated embodiment of the main body  12  has a relatively flat irregularly shape having rounded features. It should be understood that the main body  12  can have any shape and size suitable for use as a portable key fob. The main body  12  houses electronics for a transmitter for a vehicle remote keyless entry system. The electronics can include electrical circuits, switches, batteries, indicator lights, and antennas. The electronics can be housed completely within the main body  12  or protrude outwardly therefrom. As best shown in FIG. 2, the main body  12  preferably includes a plurality of switches or buttons  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  which are connected to the electronic circuit (not shown) of the keyless entry system, as will be described in detail below. The buttons  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  preferably extend outwardly from the main body  12  and are preferably operated by depressing the buttons against the main body  12 . The main body  12  further includes a pair of indicator lights, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  30  and  32 , the reason for which will be explained below. 
     The faceplate  14  is removably attached to the main body  12 , and can be removably attached by any suitable structure. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the main body  12  can include a plurality of attachment members  34  extending outwardly from the main body  12 . The attachment members  34  frictionally engage with a plurality of recesses  36  formed in the lower surface of the faceplate  14 , as viewing FIG.  2 . Of course, the faceplate  14  can be removably attached to the main body  12  by any suitable manner. 
     The faceplate  14  preferably includes openings  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46  for exposing the buttons  20  and  33  and the LEDs  30  and  32 , respectively. The faceplate  14  can also include a pair of panels  48  and  50  flexibly attached to the faceplate  14 . The panels  48  and  50  can be moved relative to the faceplate  14  to actuate the buttons  24  and  26 . Although the faceplate  14 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 extends generally across the entire upper surface of the main body  12 , the faceplate  14  could be configured to cover only a portion of the main body  12  or multiple sides of the main body  12 . 
     The key fob  10  preferably includes the latch  18 . The latch includes an arm  52  pivotally attached to the main body  12  such as by a pin  54  and socket  56 . The arm  52  is preferably hook-shaped to function as a loop when engaged with the main body for retaining key, etc. The arm  52  includes an end  58  having a notch  60  formed therein which cooperates with a detent  62  formed in the main body  12  to provide a frictional engagement so that the end  58  of the arm  52  is secured to the main body  12 . Of course, any suitable latch structures can be used. 
     As stated above, the main body  12  supports electronic elements in particular for a remote keyless entry system. The functionality of the buttons  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  can be individualized for the consumer. Functionality options include activating features, including but not limited to, remote keyless entry system, trunk release, panic function, door release, door lock and unlock, and vehicle locator. The functionality of the buttons  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  in a preferred embodiment will now be described. 
     Actuation of the button  22  in a preferred embodiment functions as a trunk release. Actuation of the button  22  on the key fob  10  sends a signal to a signal receiving device (not shown) on the trunk latch of the vehicle (not shown). The received signal initiates a movement of the trunk latch, allowing access to the trunk compartment. 
     Actuation of the button  24  via the panel  48  in a preferred embodiment functions as a car locator. Actuation of the button  24  sends a signal to a signal receiving device (not shown) on the vehicle (not shown). In response, a device (not shown) on the vehicle sends a signal to the key fob  10 . An electronic portion (not shown) of the key fob  10  processes the signal received from the device on the vehicle and initiates an activation pattern for the LEDs  30  and  32  of the key fob  10 . The activation pattern of the LEDs  30  and  32  indicates the location of the automobile with respect to the key fob  10 . For example, when the panel  48  is pressed, the button  24  is activated. If the automobile is located in leftward direction of the key fob  10  in a certain orientation, the LED  30  of the key fob  10  lights or flashes in a distinctive pattern. If the automobile is located to the right of the key fob  10 , the LED  32  of the key fob  10  lights or flashes in a different distinctive pattern. 
     In another embodiment, the key fob  10  can include a liquid crystal display (LCD) (not shown) in addition to or in lieu of the LEDs  30  and  32 . In such an embodiment, when the panel  48  is pressed, the LCD, with or without the LEDs  30  and  32 , indicates the location of the automobile with respect to the key fob  10 . The LCD might also provide a map or directions to indicate the location of the automobile. 
     Actuation of the button  26  in a preferred embodiment functions as a panic button. When the panel  50  is pressed, the button  26  is activated. Actuation of the button  26  on the key fob  10  sends a signal to a signal receiving device (not shown) on the vehicle (not shown). The received signal results in an alert signal, such as a loud noise and/or bright light from the vehicle. The signal is preferably emitted from the vehicle but may be emitted from the key fob  10  or another structure. 
     Actuation of the button  20  in a preferred embodiment functions as an automobile door lock activator. Actuation of the button  20  sends a signal to a signal receiving device (not shown) on a door lock assembly (not shown). The received signal results in a vehicle door or plurality of doors being locked or unlocked. The button  20  can be depressed once, sequentially, or under a required duration of time to perform various lock and unlocking features. 
     The ring  16 , as well as the ring  16   a , is preferably a contiguous circular band and can be used for the storage of keys or other components, such as flashlights, pocket knives, etc. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ring  16  includes a raised portion  60  which receivably mates with a notch  62  formed in the faceplate  14 , thereby providing a frictional fit. Of course, the ring  16  can be removably attached to the key fob  10  by any suitable manner. 
     There is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternate embodiment of a key fob, indicated generally at  100 . The key fob  100  can incorporate any of the features of the key fob  10  described above and shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The key fob  100  preferably includes a main body  102  and a removable faceplate  104  which is preferably readily removable for ease of customization with identifying indicia for the consumer. 
     The key fob  100  also preferably includes a latch  106 , similar in structure as the latch  18  of the key fob  10 . The latch  106  includes an arm  108  preferably in the form of a U-shaped hook having a central portion  110  connecting a pair of co-planar legs  112 . As shown in FIG. 5, the legs  112  are preferably spaced from a portion of the main body  102  to form a gap  114 . The gap  114  permits the key fob  100  to be placed on a strip of material, such as clothing of a shirt or pants pocket, so that the material is sandwiched between the main body  102  and the legs  112 . The central portion  110  of the arm  108  can be bent outwardly, as shown in FIG. 5, for ease of insertion of the key fob  110  into the strip of material. 
     The key fob  110  preferably includes a button  120  provided in the faceplate  104 , and a button  122  provided between the faceplate  104  and the main body  102 . The functionality of the buttons  120  and  122  can be similar to the functionality of any one of the buttons  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  of the key fob  10 . 
     The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been described in its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its scope.