Patent Application
20160217676
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle and, more particularly, to a smart key reminder system therefor.
Vehicles often include wireless systems to lock and unlock the vehicle. Wireless keys, often referred to as “smart keys,” offer a level of convenience for vehicle users to perform various functions from a distance. The smart key operates as a transmitter to send commands to the vehicle to, for example, permit ignition upon pressing a button in the cabin when the key is within a particular range, or unlocking the door when the key is within a particular range and the user grasps the door handle.
Described herein is a smart key reminder system. The disclosed smart key reminder system prevents a user from mistakenly leaving a vehicle with the wireless smart key in his possession when the vehicle is running, which would otherwise result in the next driver without a key being stranded once the vehicle is turnoff. When the key travels more than a predefined distance from the vehicle when the vehicle is running, the smart key reminder system will send the person in possession of the smart key and/or vehicle occupants a warning not to leave the next driver without a key. A smart key system for a vehicle described herein can include a wireless smart key operable to receive an alert in response to a location of the wireless smart key with respect to the vehicle if the vehicle is operating. The alert thereby provides a reminder to prevent the user from mistakenly leaving the operating vehicle with the wireless smart key in his possession.
A smart key system for a vehicle includes, according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment, a sensor system operable to detect a wireless smart key; a control system in communication with the sensor system and the wireless smart key, the control system operable to identify a location of a wireless smart key with respect to the vehicle and send an alert to the wireless smart key in response to the location of the wireless smart key with respect to the vehicle and whether the vehicle is operating.
A smart key system includes, according to another disclosed non-limiting embodiment, a wireless smart key operable to receive an alert in response to a location of the wireless smart key with respect to the vehicle and if the vehicle is operating.
A method for alerting a user of a vehicle that remains operating includes, according to another disclosed non-limiting embodiment, identifying a location of a wireless smart key with respect to the vehicle and sending an alert to the wireless smart key.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.
Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
Described herein is a smart key reminder system. The smart key reminder system prevents a user from mistakenly leaving a vehicle with the wireless smart key in his possession when the vehicle is running, which would otherwise result in the next driver without a key being stranded once the vehicle is turnoff. When the key travels more than a predefined distance from the vehicle when the vehicle is running, the smart key reminder system will send the person in possession of the smart key and/or vehicle occupants a warning not to leave the next driver without a key. The smart key reminder system includes a control system in communication with a sensor system and a wireless smart key. The control systems identifies a location of the wireless smart key with respect to the vehicle and sends an alert to the wireless smart key in response to the location of the wireless smart key with respect to the vehicle when the vehicle is operating.
The sensor system 24 may include various sensors operable to identify that the wireless smart key 28 is within a predetermined range. In one disclosed non-limiting embodiment illustrated in
The control system 26 is operable in conjunction with the sensors 32, 34, 36 to identify the wireless smart key 28 to place particular vehicle doors into an unlock standby mode prior to unlocking by a user such as via actuating the door handle. The control system 26 is also operable in conjunction with the sensors 38 to identify that the wireless smart key 28 is within the vehicle cabin, i.e., range R4, to place the vehicle ignition in a standby mode prior to ignition by a user such as by pressing a start button.
The control system 26 generally includes a control module 40 with a processor 42, a memory 44, and an interface 46. The processor 42 may be any type of microprocessor having desired performance characteristics. The control module 40 may be a portion of a central vehicle control, a stand-alone unit, or other system such as a cloud-based system. The memory 44 may include any type of computer readable medium that stores the data and control algorithms 48 described herein. Operational software for the processor 42 and or other systems may also be stored in the memory 44.
The interface 46 facilitates communication with other systems such as the sensor system 24, the wireless smart key 28, and other on board and off board systems. On board systems include, but are not limited to, a vehicle head unit 60 and various sensors such as the sensors 32, 34, 36, 38. Off board vehicle systems include but are not limited to, remote systems such as the wireless smart key 28. The interface 46 may thereby include wired and wireless communication systems such as satellite, cellular, and wireless radios using various types of wireless data communication protocols, e.g., Bluetooth™, ZigBee, ANT™, WiFi, WiMax, and other wireless technology standards to exchange data.
The wireless smart key 28 may include, or be included in via software or electronics, various devices such as, for example, a key fob 50, a personal electronic device 52 (e.g. a tablet, smart phone, or other mobile device), or a wearable device 54 (e.g., a watch, eyeglasses, or other device). That is, the wireless smart key 28 as defined herein includes any device that can be carried or worn by the driver that provides a haptic or other alert capability such as a vibration, light, and/or sound capability. It should be appreciated that each vehicle 20 typically has multiple wireless smart keys 28 associated therewith. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the alert may include a text message or other such communication should the personal electronic device 52 be operable as the wireless smart key 28.
With reference to
Initially, in step 202, the location of the wireless smart key 28 is determined. In one example, the sensors 32, 34, 36 may identify whether the wireless smart key 28 is within one or more of the ranges R1-R3 and/or located within range R4 (i.e., within the vehicle cabin 38) (
Next, in step 204 of
Next, in step 206 of
Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the control system 26 may utilize triangulation of the wireless smart key 28 to determine that the user is walking away from the vehicle 20 with the wireless smart key 28 (
Should no proper wireless smart key 28 be within range R4, i.e., within the vehicle cabin 38, or the user is determined to be leaving a predefined area adjacent to the vehicle 20 while the vehicle 20 is operating, the control module 40 sends an alert to the wireless smart key 28 (step 208). The alert may include, for example, a vibration, light, or sound generated by the wireless smart key 28 to gain the attention of the user that indicates the vehicle 20 is still operating. That is, the smart key 28 receives a signal from the control module 40 to trigger the alert. The alert may also be communicated to the vehicle head unit 60 so those in the vehicle are alerted that no proper wireless smart key 28 is present within the vehicle 20.
Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the wireless smart key 28 includes GPS module such that the control module 40 need only communicate with the wireless smart key to request a position thereof. That is, the wireless smart key 28 tracks itself and need only communicate its position to the control module 40 which can then determine a relative position with respect to the control module 40. Location and velocity may be associated with the various ranges as discussed above so that the smart key 28 receives a signal from the control module 40 to trigger the alert.
The use of the terms “a,” and “an,” “the,” and similar references in the context of description (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or specifically contradicted by context. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity). All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. It should be appreciated that relative positional terms such as “forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like are with reference to the normal operational attitude of the vehicle and should not be considered otherwise limiting.
Although the different non-limiting embodiments have specific illustrated components, the embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.
It should be appreciated that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should also be appreciated that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other arrangements will benefit herefrom.
Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present disclosure.
The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Various non-limiting embodiments are disclosed herein, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that various modifications and variations in light of the above teachings will fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is therefore to be appreciated that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described. For that reason the appended claims should be studied to determine true scope and content.
