Keyless entry system for automatically operating automotive door locking devices without manual operation

Claim 2

A keyless entry system for an automotive door lock comprising: a door lock actuator for operating said door lock between a first locking position and a second unlocking position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter for transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies said transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; and a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said door lock actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said door lock between said first locking position and said second unlocking position, said controller cyclically and repeatedly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal transmitted from said radio code signal transmitter, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code for detecting the presence of an authorized transmitter in the vicinity of said controller by detecting whether said unique code matches said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, and operating said door lock actuator from said second door unlocking position to said first door locking position in response to an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal.

Claim 3

A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises a manually operable switch mounted on the external surface of a vehicle body and associated with said controller, said manually operable switch temporarily triggering said controller to transmit said radio demand signal irrespective of said given timing.

Claim 4

A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises a detector for detecting a prdetermined disabling condition and disabling said keyless entry system when said predetermined disabling condition is detected.

Claim 5

A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said detector detects when an ignition key is in a key cylinder.

Claim 6

A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises a timer for measuring elapsed time, said timer being reset and started periodically at a timing determined relative to transmission of said radio demand signal for measuring a given period of time, and wherein said controller operates said door lock actuator if said radio code signal is absent within said given period of time.

Claim 7

A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controller is responsive to said radio code signal for operating said door lock actuator to actuate said door lock to said second unlocking position.

Claim 8

A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said controller controls said door lock actuator to hold said door lock in said second unlocking position while said radio code signal is present.

Claim 9

A keyless entry system for an automotive door lock comprising: a door lock actuator for actuating said door lock between a first locking position and a second locking position; a manually operable switch mounted on the external surface of a vehicle body for manual operation from outside of the vehicle; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter for transmitting a radio code signal containing a a unique code which identifies said transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said door lock actuator for controlling operation of said actuator, said controller also being connected to said manually operable switch to sense manual operation of said manually operable switch, said controller regularly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing and being responsive to manual operation of said manually operable switch for temporarily transmitting said radio demand signal irrespective of said given timing, receiving said radio code signal transmitted by said radio code signal transmitter, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code to detect the presence of an authorized transmitter in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, to operate said door lock to said second unlocking position when said unique code and said preset code match, and to detect an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for detecting that said transmitter is out of a predetermined radio communication range and to operate said door lock actuator to hold said door lock in said first locking position while said radio code signal is absent in said predetermined radio communication range.

Claim 10

A keyless entry system for an automotive door lock comprising: a door lock actuator for actuating said door lock between a first locking position and a second locking position; a manually operable switch mounted on the external surface of a vehicle body for manual operation from outside of the vehicle; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter for transmitting a radio code signal containing a a unique code which identifies said transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said door lock actuator for controlling operation of said actuator, said controller also being connected to said manually operable switch to sense manual operation of said manually operable switch, said controller regularly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing and being responsive to manual operation of said manually operable switch for temporarily transmitting said radio demand signal irrespective of said given timing, receiving said radio code signal transmitted by said radio code signal transmitter, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code to detect the presence of an authorized transmitter in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, to operate said door lock to said second unlocking position when said unique code and said preset code match, and to detect an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for detecting that said transmitter is out of a predetermined radio communication range and to operate said door lock actuator to hold said door lock in said first locking position while said radio code signal is absent in said predetermined radio communication range.

Claim 11

A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 8, which further comprises a detector for detecing a predetermined disabling condition and disabling said keyless entry system when said predetermined disabling condition is detected.

Claim 12

A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said detector detects when an ignition key is in a key cylinder.

Claim 13

A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a time for measuring elapsed time, said timer being reset and started periodically at a timing determined relative to transmission of said radio demand signal for measuring a given period of time, and said controller operates said door lock actuator when said radio code signal is absent for said given period of time.

Claim 14

A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said controller is responsive to said radio code signal for operating said door lock actuator to operate said door lock to said second unlocking position.

Claim 15

A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said controller controls said door lock actuator to hold said door lock in said second unlocking position while said radio code signal is present.

Claim 16

An automatic operation system for a lock mechanism of a closure which operably closes an opening of an enclosed space defined within a vehicle, comprising: a lock actuator associated with said closure for operating said lock mechanism between a first locking position and a second unlocking position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies said transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said lock actuator for operating said lock mechanism between said first locking position and said second unlocking position, said controller cyclically and repeatedly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code for detecting that an authorized transmitter is in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, and operating said lock actuator from said second unlocking position to said first locking position in response to an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal.

Claim 17

An automatic operation system for a lock mechanism of a closure which operably closes an opening of an enclosed space defined within a vehicle, comprising: a lock actuator associated with said closure for operating said lock mechanism between a first locking position and a second unlocking position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies said transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said lock actuator for operating said lock mechanism between said first locking position and said second unlocking position, said controller cyclically and repeatedly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code for detecting that an authorized transmitter is in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, and operating said lock actuator from said second unlocking position to said first locking position in response to an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal.

Claim 18

An automatic operation system for a lock mechanism of a closure which operably closes an opening of an enclosed space defined within a vehicle, comprising: a lock actuator for operating said door lock between a first locking position and a second unlocking position; a manually operable switch mounted on the external surface of a vehicle body for manual operation from outside of the vehicle and within a predetermined communication range defined in the vicinity of said closure; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies said transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said lock actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said lock mechanism between said first locking position and said second unlocking position, said controller regularly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing and being responsive to manual operation of said manually operable switch for temporarily transmitting said radio demand signal irrespective of said given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter at every occurrence of said radio demand signal, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code for detecting the presence of an authorized transmitter in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, to operate said lock mechanism to said second unlocking position when said unique code and said preset code match, and for detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for detecting said transmitter being out of said predetermined radio communication range and to operate said lock actuator to hold said door lock at said first locking position while said radio code signal is absent in said predetermined radio communication range.

Claim 19

An automatic operation system for a lock mechanism of a closure which operably closes an opening of an enclosed space defined within a vehicle, comprising: a lock actuator for operating said door lock between a first locking position and a second unlocking position; a manually operable switch mounted on the external surface of a vehicle body for manual operation from outside of the vehicle and within a predetermined communication range defined in the vicinity of said closure; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies said transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said lock actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said lock mechanism between said first locking position and said second unlocking position, said controller regularly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing and being responsive to manual operation of said manually operable switch for temporarily transmitting said radio demand signal irrespective of said given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter at every occurrence of said radio demand signal, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code for detecting the presence of an authorized transmitter in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, to operate said lock mechanism to said second unlocking position when said unique code and said preset code match, and for detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for detecting said transmitter being out of said predetermined radio communication range and to operate said lock actuator to hold said door lock at said first locking position while said radio code signal is absent in said predetermined radio communication range.

Claim 20

An automatic operation system for a lock mechanism of a closure which operably closes an opening of an enclosed space defined within a vehicle, comprising: a lock actuator associated with said closure for operating said lock mechanism between a first locking position and a second unlocking position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies an authorized transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said lock actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said lock mechanism between said first locking position and second unlocking position, said controller cyclically and repeatedly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter, detecting said authorized transmitter which transmits said radio code signal matching with said preset code in the vicinity of said closure by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal and holding said lock mechanism at said second unlocking position while said authorized transmitter is present in the vicinity of said closure, and detecting said authorized transmitter moving away from said closure for operating said lock actuator from said second unlocking position to said first locking position by detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for operating said lock mechanism to said first locking position.

Claim 21

An automatic operation system for a lock mechanism of a closure which operably closes an opening of an enclosed space defined within a vehicle, comprising: a lock actuator associated with said closure for operating said lock mechanism between a first locking position and a second unlocking position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies an authorized transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said lock actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said lock mechanism between said first locking position and second unlocking position, said controller cyclically and repeatedly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter, detecting said authorized transmitter which transmits said radio code signal matching with said preset code in the vicinity of said closure by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal and holding said lock mechanism at said second unlocking position while said authorized transmitter is present in the vicinity of said closure, and detecting said authorized transmitter moving away from said closure for operating said lock actuator from said second unlocking position to said first locking position by detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for operating said lock mechanism to said first locking position.

Claim 22

An automatic operation system for a lock mechanism of a closure which operably closes an opening of an enclosed space defined within a vehicle, comprising: a lock actuator for operating said door lock between a first locking position and a second unlocking position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies an authorized transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said lock actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said lock mechanism between said first locking position and said second unlocking position, said controller regularly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter at every occurrence of said radio demand signal, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code to detect the presence of an authorized transmitter in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, to operate said lock mechanism to said second unlocking position when said unique code and said preset code match, and for detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for detecting said transmitter being out of said predetermined radio communication range so as to operate said lock actuator to hold said door lock at said first locking position while said radio code signal is absent in said predetermined radio communication range.

Claim 23

An automatic operation system for a lock mechanism of a closure which operably closes an opening of an enclosed space defined within a vehicle, comprising: a lock actuator for operating said door lock between a first locking position and a second unlocking position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies an authorized transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said lock actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said lock mechanism between said first locking position and said second unlocking position, said controller regularly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter at every occurrence of said radio demand signal, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code to detect the presence of an authorized transmitter in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, to operate said lock mechanism to said second unlocking position when said unique code and said preset code match, and for detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for detecting said transmitter being out of said predetermined radio communication range so as to operate said lock actuator to hold said door lock at said first locking position while said radio code signal is absent in said predetermined radio communication range.

Claim 24

An automatic operation system for a vehicular device comprising: an actuator associated with said vehicular device between a first active position and a second not inactive position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies said transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said vehicular device between said first position and said second position, said controller cyclically and repeatedly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code for detecting the presence of an authorized transmitter in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, and operating said lock actuator from said second position to said first position in response to an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal.

Claim 25

An automatic operation system for a vehicular device comprising: an actuator associated with said vehicular device between a first active position and a second not inactive position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies said transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said vehicular device between said first position and said second position, said controller cyclically and repeatedly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code for detecting the presence of an authorized transmitter in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, and operating said lock actuator from said second position to said first position in response to an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal.

Claim 26

An automatic operation system for a vehicular device comprising: an actuator for operating said vehicular device between a first active position and a second inactive position; a manually operable switch mounted on the external surface of a vehicle body for manual operation from outside of the vehicle and within a predetermined communication range defined in the vicinity of said closure; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies said transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said vehicular device between said first position and said second position, said controller regularly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing and being responsive to manual operation of said manually operable switch for temporarily transmitting said radio demand signal irrrespective of said given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter at every occurrence of said radio demand signal, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code to detect the presence of an authorized transmitter in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, to operate said vehicular device to said second position when said unique code and said preset code match, and for detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for detecting said transmitter out of said predetermined radio communication range so as to operate said actuator to hold said lock at said first position while said radio code signal is absent in said predetermined radio communication range.

Claim 27

An automatic operation system for a vehicular device comprising: an actuator for operating said vehicular device between a first active position and a second inactive position; a manually operable switch mounted on the external surface of a vehicle body for manual operation from outside of the vehicle and within a predetermined communication range defined in the vicinity of said closure; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies said transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said vehicular device between said first position and said second position, said controller regularly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing and being responsive to manual operation of said manually operable switch for temporarily transmitting said radio demand signal irrrespective of said given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter at every occurrence of said radio demand signal, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code to detect the presence of an authorized transmitter in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, to operate said vehicular device to said second position when said unique code and said preset code match, and for detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for detecting said transmitter out of said predetermined radio communication range so as to operate said actuator to hold said lock at said first position while said radio code signal is absent in said predetermined radio communication range.

Claim 28

An automatic operation system for a vehicular device comprising: an actuator associated with said vehicular device between a first active position and a second inactive position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies an authorized transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said vehicular device between said first position and said second position, said controller cyclically and repeatedly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter, detecting said authorized transmitter which transmits said radio code signal matching with said preset code in the vicinity of said closure by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal and holding said vehicular device at said second position while said authorized transmitter is present in the vicinity of said closure, and detecting said authorized transmitter moving away from said closure for operating said lock actuator from said second position to said first locking position by detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for operating said vehicular device to said first position.

Claim 29

An automatic operation system for a vehicular device comprising: an actuator associated with said vehicular device between a first active position and a second inactive position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies an authorized transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said vehicular device between said first position and said second position, said controller cyclically and repeatedly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter, detecting said authorized transmitter which transmits said radio code signal matching with said preset code in the vicinity of said closure by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal and holding said vehicular device at said second position while said authorized transmitter is present in the vicinity of said closure, and detecting said authorized transmitter moving away from said closure for operating said lock actuator from said second position to said first locking position by detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for operating said vehicular device to said first position.

Claim 30

An automatic operation system for a vehicular security device comprising: a lock actuator for operating said vehicular device between a first security active position and a second security inactive position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies an authorized transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said lock actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said vehicular device between said first position and said second position, said controller regularly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter at every occurrence of said radio demand signal, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code to operate said actuator for detecting said transmitter matching therewith in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, to operate said vehicular device to said second position when said unique code and said preset code match, and for detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for detecting said transmitter being out of said predetermined radio communication range so as to operate said lock actuator to hold said vehicular device at said first position while said radio code signal is absent in said predetermined radio communication range.

Claim 31

An automatic operation system for a vehicular security device comprising: a lock actuator for operating said vehicular device between a first security active position and a second security inactive position; a pocket-portable radio code signal transmitter transmitting a radio code signal containing a unique code which identifies an authorized transmitter, said radio code signal transmitter being responsive to a radio demand signal to be activated to transmit said radio code signal; a controller mounted on a vehicle and electrically connected to said lock actuator for controlling operation of said actuator for operating said vehicular device between said first position and said second position, said controller regularly transmitting said radio demand signal at a given timing, receiving said radio code signal from said radio code transmitter at every occurrence of said radio demand signal, comparing said unique code in the received radio code signal with a preset code to operate said actuator for detecting said transmitter matching therewith in the vicinity thereof by detecting said radio code signal containing said unique code matching with said preset code at every occurrence of transmission of said radio demand signal, to operate said vehicular device to said second position when said unique code and said preset code match, and for detecting an absence of said radio code signal at the occurrence of said radio demand signal for detecting said transmitter being out of said predetermined radio communication range so as to operate said lock actuator to hold said vehicular device at said first position while said radio code signal is absent in said predetermined radio communication range.