Patent Abstract:
An unlocking device for automobiles that is able to be mounted on the interior of an automobile&#39;s rear window to facilitate reentry inside the automobile once a driver is locked out. The unlocking device is rectangular in shape and is mounted on the glass with suction cups. It is a stand alone module that is non evasive of the oem electronics of the automobile. The device is designed to receive dtmf tones from a cellphone operating in bluetooth mode. The device is universal in nature in that it is designed to enable unlocking for any automobile manufacturer&#39;s vehicle that uses an oem keyfob transmitter.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,991, issued Feb. 27, 2001, included by reference herein. 
         [0002]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,577,226, issued Jun. 10, 2003, included by reference herein. 
         [0003]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,492, issued Aug. 12, 2003, included by reference herein. 
         [0004]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,003, issued Sep. 7, 2004, included by reference herein. 
         [0005]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,853,853, issued Feb. 8, 2005, included by reference herein. 
         [0006]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,655, issued Apr. 25, 2006, included by reference herein. 
         [0007]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,242, issued Oct. 3, 2006, included by reference herein. 
         [0008]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,119,709, issued Oct. 10, 2006, included by reference herein. 
         [0009]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,617,975, issued Sep. 9, 2003, included by reference herein. 
         [0010]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,465, issued Feb. 29, 2000, included by reference herein. 
         [0011]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,076, issued Jan. 23, 2007, included by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]    The present invention relates to a car door unlocker and, more particularly, to a car door unlocking device that is controlled by a Blue tooth enabled cell phone. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The problem being that a driver locks himself out of his automobile by losing his keys or leaving the keys in the transmission. This problem has been addressed over the years in two distinct ways. The first way has been to create an aftermarket solution that would integrate with the car door locking system in an invasive manner. Only some individuals with technical knowledge and experience as well as alarm installers and automotive mechanics would be qualified to install the unlocking aftermarket product with a degree of competency. The second way of addressing this issue is to create a stand alone aftermarket product where the consumer could go to a retailer, purchase the product and install the product in their automobile without interfering with the automobile&#39;s electronic and door unlocking infrastructure. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,617,975 and 6,031,465 address this problem with an integrated solution of a reed switch keypad configured with the embedded electronics of a car manufacturer&#39;s rf transmitter. While such a solution offers the user a competent way of regaining access into their vehicle, it has limitations in that the invention is specific to only one car manufacturer. The embedded rf transmitter has a rolling code that is proprietary and the device cannot be used on other types and brands of automobiles by the user. 
         [0014]    The present invention attempts to address this limitation issue as well as take advantage of the prevailing trend of bluetooth technology in the consumer electronics market. The invention is a stand alone device. It is operated with a user&#39;s bluetooth enabled cellphone and has the capability of being transferrable to most cars that have an oem rf stand alone keyfob transmitter. In this embodiment the transmitters electronics are left alone. The keyfob body of the transmitter is integrated with a solenoid actuator that literally pushes the unlock button on the keyfob. 
         [0015]    This created module is able to plug into a universal module that is operated with a bluetooth cellphone. The invention uses a dtmf decoder to decode the audio signals generated by the cellphone keypad. After the dtmf decoder board decodes the tones it drives a relay to the solenoid to unlock the car door. The plug in feature offers up the ability for many different automobiles to be serviced by this invention with the user only having to purchase the plug in module that is custom fitted to the particular car&#39;s oem keyfob transmitter. 
         [0016]    Solution Number One: Tap-a-Lock System. 
         [0017]    Description: a microphone module is adhered to a side window panel. The module is connected by wire to a microprocessor that is in turn wired to the car door locks. Tapping a certain morse code like signal on the window panel will tell the microprocessor to actuate and open the car door locking system. 
         [0018]    Solution Number Two: Reed Switch Key Pad System. 
         [0019]    Description: a set of reed switches that have a corresponding number that are wired into a microprocessor. A code is inputted into the microprocessor that is comprised of any combination of the reed switches. The microprocessor is also wired into a car manufacturers keyfob. 
         [0020]    When a magnet is passed over the reed switches that constitute the code the microprocessor reads the code and closes the unlock circuit on the keyfob to open the door. 
         [0021]    Solution Three: Telephonic Unlocker Pager 
         [0022]    Description: a module with an rf receiver is wired into the car door unlocking system. When the module is called by any telephone it unlocks the car door. 
         [0023]    Solution Four: Pop-a-Lock System 
         [0024]    Description: When a driver locks key in car he calls a mobile mechanic to come and unlock the car door. 
         [0025]    Shortcomings of Solution Number One: Tap-a-Lock System. 
         [0026]    The tap-a-lock module requires invasive wiring into the car by a third party. If system develops trouble car must be taken back to installer for service. If car is ever sold the system would have to be removed by the installer requiring additional cost to owner. 
         [0027]    Shortcomings of Solution Number Two: Reed Switch Key Pad System. 
         [0028]    The car manufacturers keyfob circuitry is wired into the microprocessor. It is not interchangeable with other car manufacturer keyfobs. 
         [0029]    Shortcomings of Solution Three: Telephonic Unlocker Pager 
         [0030]    Invasive installation into the car door unlocking system. A monthly subscription for the telephone paging service to operate the rf module. 
         [0031]    Shortcomings of Solution Four: Pop-a-Lock System 
         [0032]    Time spent waiting for a mobile mechanic to come and open the car door. Cost of unlocking service. The automobile might be in a location where the mobile unlocking service is unavailable. 
         [0033]    It would be advantageous to provide a . . . car door locking device that is easy to install, requires no technical knowledge and is completely independent of the automobile&#39;s electronics. 
         [0034]    It would also be advantageous to provide a . . . car door unlocking device that has the capability of unlocking any car manufacturer&#39;s automobile door and for the user to be able to use it on any car/truck he owns. 
         [0035]    It would further be advantageous to provide a . . . car door unlocking device where the user can easily program a password to access the unlocking capability of the device. The password can be changed from the outside of the car without the user touching the device at all. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided . . . an unlocking device for automobiles that is able to be mounted on the interior of an automobile&#39;s rear window to facilitate reentry inside the automobile once a driver is locked out. The unlocking device is rectangular in shape and is mounted on the glass with suction cups. It is a stand alone module that is non evasive of the oem electronics of the automobile. The device is designed to receive dtmf tones from a cellphone operating in bluetooth mode. The tones from the cellphone are decoded by an integrated dtmf decoder board within the module. The dtmf tones are sent through a bluetooth module that is paired with the user&#39;s cellphone for bluetooth connectivity. The bluetooth module is connected to the dtmf decoder board to send the received dtmf tones into an audio input on the dtmf decoder board. Once the dtmf decoder board receives the dtmf tones and decodes them it drives a relay to a plug in module that houses the automobile&#39;s particular keyfob transmitter. The plug in module has an integrated push/pull solenoid which receives the relay signal from the dtmf decoder board and pushes the unlock button on the keyfob transmitter. This unlocking process is initiated by the user retrieving a magnet from the exterior of the automobile and swiping it against the glass surface under which the stand alone module is affixed by suction cups. A magnetic proximity switch within the stand alone module is then activated. It will then turn on a timing circuit that will in turn power on the stand alone module&#39;s dtmf decoder board and the bluetooth module. Once the unlocking operation is complete the timing circuit will turn off power to the dtmf decoder board and the bluetooth module to save battery life. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  is an electrical wiring diagram view of the major components of the universal module and how they connect electrically; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a cut away view of the universal module showing the arrangement of four of the major components; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a detail view of the second module that houses the push/pull solenoid and the keyfob oem transmitter; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart view of the timing circuit that powers the device on and off. 
       
    
    
       [0042]    For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0043]    The invention is composed of five central components which create two separate modules. 
         [0044]    The five components are as follows: 
         [0045]    1) Magnetic proximity switch  111  (reed switch) 
         [0046]    2) Timing circuit  101   
         [0047]    3) Bluetooth module  102   
         [0048]    4) Dtmf decoder board5) Solenoid actuator  117   
         [0049]    FIG. ONE shows the electrical relationship between the major components of the invention (wiring diagram). 
         [0050]    The bluetooth module  102 , dtmf decoder board  106 , timing circuit  101 , and reed switch constitute the first module known as the Universal Module. (FIG. TWO) The second module is composed of a custom enclosure that accommodates a particular car manufacturer&#39;s keyfob oem transmitter that has an integrated push pull type solenoid linear actuator. (FIG. THREE). This module is made to plug into the Universal Module. Another embodiment of this application would be to have the solenoid actuator  117  integrated with the components of the Universal Module and to have only the keyfob oem transmitter in it&#39;s custom enclosure plug into the Universal Module. 
         [0051]    The first primary component of the invention is the magnetic proximity switch  111  or reed switch. It is located on the inside face of the Universal Module and faces the automotive glass. When a magnet is brought close to it the reed switch will close and turn on a timing circuit  101  (FIG. FOUR) that will begin the operation of the device. The magnet can be located anywhere on the car&#39;s body for immediate retrieval when the driver initiates the unlocking process. 
         [0052]    The second primary component is the timing circuit  101 . When the timing circuit  101  is turned on by the reed switch  111 , two timing sequences are started. 
         [0053]    The first sequence is a five second timer that ends in the turning on of the bluetooth module  102 . The second sequence is a thirty second delay timer that will turn on the dtmf decoder board  106 . This delay is created to give the user time to connect to the bluetooth module  102  with a bluetooth enabled cellphone that has been previously paired to the bluetooth module  102 . When the dtmf decoder board  106  comes on the user will be ready with his cellphone in bluetooth mode to send the cellphone unlock code through the bluetooth module  102  to the dtmf decoder board&#39;s audio input. When the dtmf decoder board  106  receives the dtmf cellphone generated tones, it decodes the tones and drives a relay to the solenoid actuator  117  to push the keyfob oem transmitter unlock button  114  that will open the driver side car door. When the dtmf decoder board  106  comes on the timing circuit  101  will start a one minute timer that will turn the dtmf decoder board  106  off after one minute. Five seconds after the dtmf board turns off the timing circuit  101  will send a pulse to turn off the bluetooth module  102  thus preserving battery life for the dtmf decoder board  106  and the bluetooth module  102 . 
         [0054]    The third primary component is the bluetooth module  102 . The bluetooth module  102  is a stand alone module that is powered by a five volt battery source with a regulator. The bluetooth module  102  can be supplied by any one of many manufacturers in the market. This module is manufactured for any cellphone that has built in bluetooth connectivity. The bluetooth module  102  needs to be paired to the cellphone before operation. This is accomplished by tapping into the pairing circuit inside the module with an electrical wire that is affixed to a push to close circuit button  104  that is built into the side panel of the Universal Module  104 . To pair the bluetooth enabled cellphone to the bluetooth module  102  the user must first press and hold the push to close circuit button  104  on the side panel of the Universal Module for approximately seven seconds while looking into the sight hole  103  at the end panel of the Universal module. A flashing red and blue light can be seen in the sight hole  103  when the bluetooth module  102  enters the pairing stage. A four or more digit pin number is required by the bluetooth module  102  in order to successfully pair the cellphone to the bluetooth module  102 . Once the pin number is entered via the cellphone pairing is initiated and the cell phone joins to the bluetooth module  102 . When pairing is complete the bluetooth module  102  must be turned off for subsequent proper operation by holding the push to close circuit button  104  for approximately five seconds to turn off the bluetooth module  102 . Another way that the bluetooth module  102  and cellphone could be paired is to design the timing circuit  101  to turn on the pairing circuit in the bluetooth module  102  with a period of five seconds to initiate pairing between the bluetooth module  102  and the cellphone from outside the vehicle. After the five second time elapses the thirty second delay timer for the dtmf module would begin if pairing is not initiated. If pairing is initiated the thirty second delay timer would begin after the pairing process. The bluetooth module  102  can receive any sequence or combination of numbers from the cellphone keypad that can serve as the unlocking code. The bluetooth module  102  receives the cellphone&#39;s dtmf tones as an audio signal. This audio signal is fed into the dtmf decoder board&#39;s audio input  105  for decoding and driving the unlock relay for the solenoid actuator  117 . Another embodiment of the bluetooth feature would be to use a bluetooth chip that receives no audio dtmf tones but rather an electrical signal from the cell phone whereby a relay is actuated after signal is received to pulse the solenoid actuator  117 .This embodiment would work without a dtmf decoder board  106 . The final alternative embodiment would be where the user holds his cellphone up to the automobile glass window with the cellphone in speaker mode. The dtmf decoder board  106  would use a filter to negate distortion of the audible dtmf tones going through the glass from the cellphone speaker and allow the dtmf board to decode and drive a relay to the solenoid actuator  117 . 
         [0055]    The fourth primary component is the dtmf decoder board  106 . The dtmf decoder board  106  is made by Intuitive Electronics as a servant component in various electronic applications. It is designed to receive any combination up to eight dtmf tones and to activate a circuit that will be a relay (in this case an unlock relay) to turn on an electrical apparatus (in this case the solenoid actuator  117 ). The dtmf board must be preprogrammed by the user to receive the user&#39;s selected dtmf code that is inputted by the cellphone keypad. The programming sequence is as follows: 
         [0056]    1) Apply power to the dtmf decoder board  106   
         [0057]    2) For four seconds the yellow led will blink. Within that four second window press the pound sign # to enter the programming mode. While in the programming mode the yellow led will remain on except when a valid dtmf digit is being decoded. 
         [0058]    3) Select the desired mode for programming. On this particular board the programming mode will be mode  2 . 
         [0059]    4) Press the total number of password digits desired. Valid entries are 0-9. 
         [0060]    5) Enter each digit of the password. It will be the number of password digits requested in step four. Valid password digits are 0123456789ABC*# 
         [0061]    This constitutes the programming sequence for the dtmf decoder board  106 . 
         [0062]    If a user wishes to change the password (unlock code) when the dtmf board is powered on and the yellow led light flashes, the pound # sign must be entered and then the previously user configured unlock code is entered after that to start the reprogramming sequence. 
         [0063]    Once the dtmf decoder board  106  is programmed it is ready to receive the audio signals from the bluetooth module  102  during the unlocking phase. The invention with the outside (of the automobile) pairing capability for the bluetooth module  102  as well as the outside of automobile capability of changing the password to the dtmf board would allow the user to use any bluetooth enabled cellphone to gain reentry back into his automobile with the assurance that he can change both pairing and password codes for his future personal access. 
         [0064]    The fifth primary component is the solenoid actuator  117 . The solenoid actuator  117  FIGURE THREE is the second module that plugs  118  into the Universal Module  108 . It is composed of an integrated push pull solenoid with an actuating rod  114  that rests on top of the unlock button of any car manufacturer&#39;s keyfob oem transmitter.  115 . The keyfob is seated in a custom molded enclosure that will be manufactured to fit the shape of the particular keyfob used by the driver. The unlock button on the keyfob will align with the solenoid&#39;s push pull rod end. As previously stated, another variation of this application would be to integrate the push pull solenoid into the envelope of the Universal Module and have only the keyfob in its custom molded enclosure to plug into the Universal Module in alignment with unlock button and solenoid actuation rod. 
         [0065]    Unlocker Mode Operation 
         [0066]    A) Driver locks self outside of car 
         [0067]    B) Driver retrieves magnet located on outside of car. 
         [0068]    C) The driver swipes the magnet against the reed switch section of the suction cup mounted Universal Module that is mounted on the inside of the automobile glass rear window initiating two timing sequences to turn on bluetooth module  102  and dtmf decoder boardD) User sets phone to bluetooth connection mode. 
         [0069]    E) After five seconds the bluetooth module  102  turns on. The user&#39;s cell phone will connect to the bluetooth module  102  when user depresses the cell phone connect button. When the bluetooth module  102  connects with the cellphone the user waits for the dtmf decoder board  106  to come on (30 second delay) with the dtmf decoder board  106  yellow led flashing for four seconds after which the user can enter their programmed unlock code through their cell phone to the bluetooth module  102  and then to the dtmf decoder board  106  for decoding and driving the unlock relay to the solenoid actuator  117 . 
         [0070]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0071]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1