US4898010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyless entry system for automotive vehicles
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-10-25
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Granted: 1990-02-06
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Expires: 2008-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A keyless entry system comprises a locking key holder having a key lock pin, an actuator for operating the key lock pin, and a controller which detects a unique identification code of the authorized user and a preset identification code and outputs an activating signal for operating vehicular devices, such as a door lock and/or the actuator. The key may be safely kept in the locking key holder and cannot be removed therefrom unless the unique code has been received. Thus, the necessity for the user to carry a mechanical key is eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Tohru Futami
- 👤 Mikio Takeuchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:38
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/20; B60R25/23; B60R25/24; B60R25/248; G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00309; G07C9/00658; G07C9/00674; G07C9/0069; G07C2009/00388; G07C2009/00404; G07C2009/00753; G07C2009/00769; G07C2009/00793; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5889; Y10T70/5973; Y10T70/5978; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7051; Y10T70/7062; Y10T70/7068; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/7768
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A keyless entry system for automobiles comprising: input means for inputting a unique identification code signal; control means having a code memory, said control means which, when said unique identification code signal matches with a preset identification code signal stored in said memory, outputs a coincidence signal; locking key holder means disposed in the vehicular cabin for safely keeping a key, said locking key holder means which, only when receiving said coincidence signal from said control means, allows the key to be operated or to be removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A keyless entry system for automobiles comprising: input means for inputting a unique identification code signal; control means having a code memory, said control means which, when said unique identification code signal matches with a preset identification code signal stored in said memory, outputs a coincidence signal; locking key holder means disposed in the vehicular cabin for safely keeping a key, said locking key holder means which, only when receiving said coincidence signal from said control means, allows the key to be operated or to be removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said input means includes a portable transmitter or a plurality of manually operable keyboard switches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said locking key holder means includes a key receiving hole defining an internal space for receiving said key, a key lock pin normally biased in such a manner that said pin projects into said key receiving hole, and an actuator for releasing said key lock pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said locking key holder means is located in an instrument panel in the vehicular cabin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said locking key holder means further includes a LED segment for illuminating the key.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
A keyless entry system for automobiles comprising: a portable transmitter; receiving means for receiving a unique identification code signal from said portable transmitter; discriminating means for discriminating said unique identification code signal from a preset identification code signal, said discriminating means outputting a coincidence signal when these identification codes match each other; key storing means disposed in the vehicular cabin for receiving a key; key lock means for locking said key in an internal space defined by said key storing means; key lock releasing means for unlocking said key lock means in response to said coincidence signal from said discriminating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
A keyless entry system for automobiles comprising: a portable transmitter; receiving means for receiving a unique identification code signal from said portable transmitter; discriminating means for discriminating said unique identification code signal from a preset identification code signal, said discriminating means outputting a coincidence signal when these identification codes match each other; key storing means disposed in the vehicular cabin for receiving a key; key lock means for locking said key in an internal space defined by said key storing means; key lock releasing means for unlocking said key lock means in response to said coincidence signal from said discriminating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said receiving means comprises a pair of directional antennas, each of which is designed to receive and transmit radio signals to and from said transmitter, the directivity of said pair of antennas being at right angles to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said discriminating means includes a CPU for totally controlling said keyless entry system and a code memory storing said preset identification code.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said key lock means includes a key lock pin normally biased in such a manner that said pin projects into said key storing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said key lock releasing means includes an actuator activating according to said coincidence signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
A keyless entry system for automobiles comprising: a portable transmitter for inputting a unique identification code signal; control means having a code memory, said control means which, when said unique identification code signal matches with a preset identification code signal stored in said memory, outputs a coincidence signal; a request switch connected to said control means so that said control means outputs a request signal to said transmitter only when said request switch is manually operated; said portable transmitter transmitting said unique identification code signal in response to said request signal; locking key holder means disposed in the vehicular cabin for safely keeping a key, said locking key holder means which, only when receiving said coincidence signal from said control means, allows the key to be operated or to be removed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
A keyless entry system for automobiles comprising: a portable transmitter for inputting a unique identification code signal; control means having a code memory, said control means which, when said unique identification code signal matches with a preset identification code signal stored in said memory, outputs a coincidence signal; a request switch connected to said control means so that said control means outputs a request signal to said transmitter only when said request switch is manually operated; said portable transmitter transmitting said unique identification code signal in response to said request signal; locking key holder means disposed in the vehicular cabin for safely keeping a key, said locking key holder means which, only when receiving said coincidence signal from said control means, allows the key to be operated or to be removed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said request switch is mounted on an outer door handle and/or an instrument panel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said key locking holder means is located in an instrument panel, an ignition key cylinder or other mechanical key cylinders in the vehicular cabin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
95 words
A keyless entry system for automobiles comprising: input means for manually inputting a unique identification code signal; discriminating means for discriminating said unique identification code signal from a preset identification code signal, said discriminating means outputting a coincidence signal when these identification codes match each other; key storing means disposed in the vehicular cabin for receiving a key; key lock means for locking said key in an internal space defined by said key storing means; key lock releasing means for unlocking said key lock means in response to said coincidence signal from said discriminating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
95 words
A keyless entry system for automobiles comprising: input means for manually inputting a unique identification code signal; discriminating means for discriminating said unique identification code signal from a preset identification code signal, said discriminating means outputting a coincidence signal when these identification codes match each other; key storing means disposed in the vehicular cabin for receiving a key; key lock means for locking said key in an internal space defined by said key storing means; key lock releasing means for unlocking said key lock means in response to said coincidence signal from said discriminating means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said input means comprises a plurality of keyboard switches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said discriminating means includes a comparator for comparing said unique identification code with said preset identification code and a code memory storing said preset identification code.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said key lock means includes a key lock pin normally biased in such a manner that said pin projects into said key storing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said key lock releasing means includes an actuator activating according to said coincidence signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A keyless entry system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said plurality of keyboard switches are mounted on an outer door handle and/or an instrument panel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-05 | 1993-08-07 | 1994-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-05 | 1997-08-07 | 1998-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-05 | 2001-08-07 | 2002-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |