초록 ▼

A keyless entry system includes a controller that operates in one of two modes. When an authentication signal is received from a passive signaling device, the controller operates in one mode that permits more convenient access to a user. When an authentication signal is not received from the passive

A keyless entry system includes a controller that operates in one of two modes. When an authentication signal is received from a passive signaling device, the controller operates in one mode that permits more convenient access to a user. When an authentication signal is not received from the passive signaling device, the controller requires another mode of operation from a manually operable signaling device. In one example, the manually operable signaling device is a numeric keypad. When an authentication signal from the passive signaling device is received, any single key can be manipulated to gain the desired access controlled by the system. When no authentication signal is present from the passive signaling device, then the controller preferably requires a specific sequence of key activation before access is permitted.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A keyless entry system, comprising: a passive signaling device that automatically provides an authentication signal; at least one other signaling device that provides a signal upon manual activation by a user; and a controller that requires a first mode of operation of the other signaling de

1. A keyless entry system, comprising: a passive signaling device that automatically provides an authentication signal; at least one other signaling device that provides a signal upon manual activation by a user; and a controller that requires a first mode of operation of the other signaling device when no authentication signal is received by the controller from the passive signaling device and permits operation of the other signaling device in a second mode of operation when an authentication signal from the passive signaling device is received. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the other signaling device comprises a keypad supported on a vehicle. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the keypad is supported on an exterior of the vehicle and a signal from the keypad is interpreted by the controller to permit access to the vehicle. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the keypad is supported on an interior portion of the vehicle and the controller interprets signals from the keypad to disable an ignition kill switch. 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the first mode of operation includes requiring a sequence of key operation using the keypad and the second mode of operation includes accepting activation of any single key on the keypad. 6. The system of claim 1 including an interior light in a vehicle and a manually manipulated door handle on the vehicle and wherein the controller illuminates the interior light upon manual manipulation of the door handle only when an authentication signal from the passive signaling device is received by the controller. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the passive signaling device comprises a transmitter on a card. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the passive signaling device comprises a transmitter on a key. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the other signaling device provides a first signal to the controller in the first node of operation and a second signal to the controller in the second mode of operation. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the other signaling device is capable of providing a plurality of signals to the controller, each of the signals indicating a different manual activation of the other signaling device. 11. A method of controlling a keyless entry system having a passive signaling device and at least one other signaling device that requires manual operation, comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether an authentication signal is received from the passive signaling device; (b) operating the system in a first mode of operation responsive to a first manual operation of the other signaling device when no authentication signal is received; and (c) operating the system in a second mode of operation responsive to a second manual operation of the other signaling device when an authentication signal is received. 12. The method of claim 11, including determining an amount of time that the authentication signal is present and operating the system in the second mode of operation only when the authentication signal has been present for less than a predetermined maximum. 13. The method of claim 12, including operating the system in the first mode of operation when the authentication signal has been present for more than the preselected maximum. 14. The method of claim 11, including operating the system in a first mode of operation that requires a first manner of manually manipulating the other signaling device and the second mode of operation includes accepting an alternative manner of operating the other signaling device. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the other signaling device comprises a keypad and step (b) includes requiring a sequence of keypad manipulations. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the other signaling device comprises a keypad and step (c) includes requiring only a single key manipulation.