Key fob button sequence for accessing keypad reprogramming mode

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9725071-B2
Application number	US-201514630209-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 24, 2015
Priority date	Feb 24, 2015
Publication date	Aug 8, 2017
Grant date	Aug 8, 2017

Abstract

A vehicle includes a controller, in communication with a vehicle keypad and at least one key fob authorized to access the vehicle. The controller may be configured to enter a keypad programming mode responsive to receipt of a predefined sequence including button presses of fob controls of the at least one key fob; receive a personal code entered to the keypad; and store the personal code for comparison with keypad input of a user requesting to unlock the vehicle. The controller may also receive input to the keypad; and provide keypad access to vehicle unlock functionality when the input matches a personal code stored to the controller during a keypad programming mode previously entered responsive to receipt of a predefined sequence including button presses of fob controls of the at least one key fob.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle comprising:
a controller, in communication with a vehicle keypad and at least one key fob authorized to access the vehicle, configured to
enter a keypad programming mode responsive to receipt of a predefined sequence including button presses of fob controls of the at least one key fob;
receive a personal code entered to the keypad while in the keypad programming mode; and
store the personal code for comparison with keypad input requesting to unlock the vehicle received after exiting the keypad programming mode;

wherein the at least one key fob includes a first key fob and a second key fob, and the predefined sequence includes a button press from a first fob control located on the first key fob and a second button press of a second fob control located on the second key fob.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the predefined sequence includes a button press from one of the at least one key fob and a button press of the vehicle keypad.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
validate whether the vehicle is in a valet mode in which access is disabled to at least one of a subset of vehicle information and a subset of vehicle settings; and
when in the valet mode, prevent receipt of the predefined sequence from transitioning the vehicle into the keypad programming mode.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to transition out of valet mode responsive to input via the keypad of a passcode programmed to the vehicle when transitioning the vehicle into valet mode.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the fob controls include a lock control and an unlock control, and the predefined sequence includes a press of the lock control, followed by a press of the unlock control, followed by a press of the lock control, followed by a press of the unlock control.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
maintain a factory code installed to the controller upon manufacture;
receive input from the keypad to enter the keypad programming mode; and
enter the keypad programming mode responsive to receipt of the factory code via the keypad.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to delete or replace a factory code installed to the controller upon manufacture by a subsequently entered personal code.

8. A method comprising:
unlocking a door of a vehicle, by a vehicle controller communicating with a vehicle keypad and a key fob authorized to access the vehicle, responding to a personal code entered via the vehicle keypad, the personal code previously stored by the controller during a keypad programming mode entered responsive to receiving a predefined sequence including a button press from the key fob and a second button press from a second key fob.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
validating whether the vehicle is in a valet mode in which access is disabled to at least one of a subset of vehicle information and a subset of vehicle settings; and
when in valet mode, preventing receipt of the predefined sequence from transitioning the vehicle into the keypad programming mode.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising transitioning out of valet mode responsive to input via the keypad of a passcode programmed to the vehicle when transitioning the vehicle into valet mode.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the key fob includes fob controls including a lock control and an unlock control, and the predefined sequence includes a press of the lock control, followed by a press of the unlock control, followed by a press of the lock control, followed by a press of the unlock control.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
maintaining a factory code installed to the controller upon manufacture;
receiving input from the keypad to enter the keypad programming mode; and
entering the keypad programming mode responsive to receipt of the factory code via the keypad.

13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising not maintaining a factory code installed to the controller upon manufacture.

14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
receiving keypad input from a user requesting to unlock the vehicle; and
providing keypad access to vehicle unlock functionality to the user when the keypad input matches the personal code.

15. A vehicle comprising:
a controller, in communication with a vehicle keypad and at least one key fob authorized to access the vehicle, configured to
receive input to the keypad; and
provide keypad access to vehicle unlock functionality when the input matches a personal code stored to the controller during a keypad programming mode previously entered responsive to receipt of a predefined sequence including button presses of fob controls of the at least one key fob,

wherein the at least one key fob includes a first key fob and a second key fob, and the predefined sequence includes a button press from the first key fob and a second button press from the second key fob.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
maintain a factory code installed to the controller upon manufacture; and
provide for entering the keypad programming mode responsive to receipt of the factory code via the keypad.

17. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
validate whether the vehicle is in a valet mode in which access is disabled to at least one of a subset of vehicle information and a subset of vehicle settings; and
when in valet mode, prevent receipt of the predefined sequence from transitioning the vehicle into the keypad programming mode.

18. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the controller is further configured to provide keypad access to vehicle lock functionality regardless of whether the personal code is entered.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Miller Robert

Classifications

• G07C9/00

  Individual registration on entry or exit · CPC title

• B60R25/24 Primary

  using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user · CPC title

• G07C9/00174

  Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys (mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00) · CPC title

• G07C2209/08

  With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations · CPC title

• G07C2209/04

  Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights · CPC title