The invention relates to a key system for a motor vehicle having a key with an access module for unlocking and/or opening a door of the motor vehicle and/or for starting the motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a data transfer system for a motor vehicle and a method for transferring data to or from a motor vehicle.
German Utility Model No. DE 91 03 374 U1 discloses a vehicle key having at least one integrated data memory which can store and output vehicle-specific data and/or freely selectable code words. The data memory is provided in the key housing and can be closed with a cover.
A further motor vehicle key is disclosed on the website www.schmeiler.net/projekte/fahrzeug/ef804695d40e0e601.html. Via the key's plug connection with the ignition lock it is possible to provide a power supply and a data transfer. A read or play device makes it possible to read out or listen to the data (e.g. songs) outside the vehicle. The read or play device has its own power supply and also supplies electric power to the motor vehicle key. The read or play device can communicate with a PC (Personal Computer) via a wireless connection known under the trademark name BLUETOOTH or via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection.
German Patent Application Publication No. DE 199 19 501 A1 discloses a device for storing operation-dependent vehicle data such as an odometer reading, a tank level, an average consumption or similar data in a memory element. The vehicle data can be made available outside the vehicle. For example, the vehicle data can be made available to a fleet management system. An electronic display unit provided in the vehicle and an immobilizer are coupled to one another with an inductive data transfer between the vehicle and the ignition key such that the data, which are present in the display unit, are transferred through the use of the inductive coupling between the vehicle and the key and are stored in a memory element in the key.
German Patent No. DE 195 13 498 C1 discloses an electronic vehicle key having a speech memory, a speech output unit and a control unit with a speech system function. By using the speech system function for example the parking spot of a vehicle can be stored in the key and can be output again as a speech output. A key equipped with a radio call reception function allows the transmission of radio call messages to the owner of the key.
Further keys for motor vehicles are disclosed in German Patent Application Publication No. DE 199 17 817 A1 and in German Patent Application Publication No. DE 102 44 001 A1.
Some motor vehicles sold by the AUDI corporation have a slot into which a memory card can be inserted for reading out data of the memory card.
It is an object of the invention to provide a key system for a motor vehicle, a data transfer system for a motor vehicle and a method for transferring data to or from a motor vehicle which overcome disadvantages of the heretofore-known methods and devices of this general type, which improve a data transfer with regard to a motor vehicle, which provide a robust data transfer with regard to a motor vehicle, and which reduce the cost of manufacturing a motor vehicle.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a key system for a motor vehicle, including:
a key having a memory module, an access module, and a data transfer module;
the memory module being a rewritable, user-removable memory module for storing user data;
the access module being configured to perform at least one function selected from the group consisting of unlocking a motor vehicle door, opening a motor vehicle door, and starting a motor vehicle; and
the data transfer module being configured to provide wireless access to the memory module.
In other words, according to the invention, there is provided a key for a motor vehicle wherein the key includes:
an access module for unlocking and/or opening a door of the motor vehicle and/or for starting the motor vehicle;
a memory module for storing user data, wherein the memory module is a rewritable memory module and wherein the memory module can be removed by a user; and
a data transfer module for a wireless access to the memory module.
An access module in accordance with the invention can be embodied mechanically and/or electronically. An access module in accordance with the invention may for example be a key and/or an electronic access to an electronic locking system. User data in accordance with the invention may for example be data for an infotainment system and/or data for a navigation system. In the course of a wireless access to the memory module it may be provided that a wireless access to data stored by the memory module is possible and/or that data for storage in the memory module are transferred wirelessly to the key. A user-removable memory module in accordance with the invention, i.e. a memory module which is removable by a user, is in particular a memory module that can be removed without effort by the user. A user-removable memory module in accordance with the invention is in particular a memory module that can be removed without the use of tools by the user.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the memory module is an SD (Secure Digital) memory card. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, data for an infotainment module and/or data for a navigation system are stored in the memory module.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the memory module is disposed in a housing of the key. In this case, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the key has an opening or slot for receiving the memory module, wherein a cover is provided on the housing for closing the opening.
The key may additionally include a memory that is fixedly connected to the key. It may be provided that data stored in this memory are transferred via the same interface of the key via which the data stored in the memory module are transferred.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the memory module stores infotainment data to be used by an infotainment system and/or navigation data to be used by a navigation system.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the key has a housing; and the memory module is disposed in the housing.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the key has an opening formed therein, the opening is configured to receive the memory module; and the housing has preferably a cover for closing the opening.
In accordance with the invention, there is also provided a data transfer system, including:
a motor vehicle having a door;
a key configured to perform at least one function selected from the group consisting of unlocking the door of the motor vehicle, opening the door of the motor vehicle and starting the motor vehicle;
the key having a rewritable, user-removable memory module configured to store user data;
the motor vehicle and the key being configured to establish a wireless communications connection between one another such that the motor vehicle has access to the memory module; and
a computer, the computer and the key being configured to establish a wireless communications connection between one another such that the computer has access to the memory module.
In other words, according to the invention, there is provided a data transfer system for a motor vehicle that includes a key, which has in particular one or more of the above-mentioned features, for unlocking and/or opening a door of the motor vehicle and/or for starting the motor vehicle, wherein the key includes a memory module for storing user data that can be removed by a user, wherein the memory module is rewritable, wherein the data transfer system includes a motor vehicle and a computer, in particular a computer that is spatially separated from the motor vehicle, wherein a wireless communications connection can be established between the motor vehicle and the key for an access to the memory module by the motor vehicle, and wherein a wireless communications connection can be established between the computer and the key for an access to the memory module by the computer.
A computer in accordance with the invention is in particular a computing device or external electronics device. A computer in accordance with the invention is in particular a PC (personal computer), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a cell phone, a digital camera, another motor vehicle or similar devices.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the memory module is an SD (Secure Digital) memory card. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, data for an infotainment module and/or data for a navigation system are stored in the memory module.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the memory module is disposed in a housing of the key. In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the key has in this case an opening for receiving the memory module wherein a cover for closing the opening is provided at the housing.
The key may additionally include a memory that is fixedly connected to the key. It may be provided that data stored in this memory are transferred via the same interface of the key via which the data stored in the memory module are transferred.
In accordance with the invention, there is further provided a method for transferring data to a motor vehicle, wherein the method includes the steps of:
providing a key configured to perform at least one function selected from the group consisting of unlocking a door of a motor vehicle, opening a door of the motor vehicle and starting the motor vehicle;
providing a rewritable, removable memory module;
inserting or placing the memory module in the key;
transferring data from a computer to the memory module;
starting the motor vehicle with the key; and
wirelessly transferring the data from the memory module to the motor vehicle.
In other words, according to the invention, there is provided a method for transferring data to a motor vehicle, wherein a rewritable and removable memory module is inserted or placed in a key for unlocking and/or opening a door of the motor vehicle and/or for starting the motor vehicle, which key has in particular one or more of the above-mentioned features, wherein the data are transferred from a computer to the memory module, wherein the motor vehicle is started by the key, and wherein the data are wirelessly transferred from the memory module to the motor vehicle.
In accordance with the invention, there is further provided a method for transferring data from a motor vehicle, that includes the steps of:
providing a key configured to perform at least one function selected from the group consisting of unlocking a door of a motor vehicle, opening a door of the motor vehicle and starting the motor vehicle;
providing a rewritable, removable memory module;
inserting or placing the memory module in the key;
wirelessly transferring data from the motor vehicle to the memory module; and
wirelessly transferring the data from the memory module to a computer.
In other words, according to the invention, there is provided a method for transferring data from a motor vehicle, wherein a rewritable and removable memory module is inserted or placed in a key for unlocking and/or opening a door of the motor vehicle and/or for starting the motor vehicle, which key has in particular one or more of the above-mentioned features, wherein the data are wirelessly transferred from the motor vehicle to the memory module, wherein the motor vehicle is started by the key, and wherein the data are wirelessly transferred from the memory module to a computer.
A motor vehicle in accordance with the invention is in particular a land vehicle which is operated individually in road traffic. Motor vehicles for the purpose of the invention are in particular not limited to land vehicles having a combustion engine.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a key system and a data transfer system as well as a data transfer method for a motor vehicle, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to
The key 2 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 includes an opening for receiving a memory module 3 and a cover 11 for closing the opening. In the present exemplary embodiment, the memory module 3 is embodied as an SD (Secure Digital) memory card.
The motor vehicle 5 includes an interface for the wireless communications connection 7 (e.g. BLUETOOTH) including corresponding software as well a man-machine interface and software for accessing and using the data stored in the memory module 3.
In a subsequent step 44, the key 2 is brought into the vicinity of the motor vehicle 5 and the motor vehicle 5 is started through the use of the mechanical key 10 or by pressing a starter button. Following step 44 is step 45 in which the motor vehicle 5 establishes the communications connection 7 on its own. Now a user can access the data which are stored on the memory module 3. In this way, it is for example possible to play music, to access e-mails, contacts and appointments, to view pictures and so forth. Furthermore, it is possible to transfer firmware updates to the motor vehicle 5, which have been downloaded from the internet and have been transferred to the memory module 3.
In a subsequent step 46, vehicle data such as an odometer reading, a tank level, an average fuel consumption, service information, personal comfort and convenience settings and trip information can be transferred from the vehicle 5 to the key 2. In a subsequent step 47, which includes steps 41 and 42, these data can be transferred from the key 2 to the computer 4. There may also be provisions for transferring these data in part over the internet to a service center.