Vehicle key with multi-user remote control

Abstract

 A vehicle key with multi-user remote control comprising several channels for the transmission, via a single transmitter, of several encoded signals destined for different user devices, characterised in that said transmitter (2) is provided with at least one removable card, containing a memory (20) in which the code of at least one transmission channel is memorized.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle key with multi-user remote control.

[0002] Vehicle keys (for automobiles, trucks, boats) are known provided with remote control to remotely activate and deactivate the central locking system, the alarm or the like. The remote control system generally comprises a transmitter housed with its power supply in the head of the key, and a receiver associated with the central control unit for the vehicle functions.

[0003] The control signal can be infrared, ultrasound, radio etc. and is encoded to ensure unequivocal correspondence between that transmitter and that receiver.

[0004] Multi-user remote control devices are also known, able to control several receivers and hence several user devices by means of a single portable transmitter. In this case the transmitter is provided with several pushbuttons corresponding to different transmission channels, usable for remotely transmitting the different encoded signals to different receivers, and hence for controlling different user devices.

[0005] Vehicle keys with multi-user remote control currently do not exist, it being thought inconceivable to use a strictly vehicle key for also remotely controlling more diverse user applications such as the opening of a garage door or the activation of a domestic burglar alarm system.

[0006] In this respect, although a vehicle is frequently temporarily loaned for use to a third person, this is not so in the case of the other user devices, the operation of which must remain exclusively with their owner.

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a vehicle key with multi-user remote control.

[0008] This and other objects which will be apparent from the ensuing description are attained, according to the invention, by a vehicle key with multi-user remote control comprising several channels for the transmission, via a single transmitter, of several differently encoded signals destined for different user devices, as described in claim 1.

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in detail hereinafter by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle key according to the invention, and

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the transmitter housed in the head of said key.

[0010] As can be seen from the figures, the key 2 according to the invention houses within the interior of its head a transmitter provided with a plurality of pairs of pushbuttons 4, 4', 6, 6' and 8, 8' intended to control different user devices, which in the illustrated example consist of the central locking system for the vehicle 10 (pushbuttons 4, 4'), a garage door opening system 12 (pushbuttons 6, 6') and a domestic burglar alarm system 14 (pushbuttons 8, 8').

[0011] The transmitter 2 can utilize signals of any type, for example radio-frequency, infrared or ultrasound.

[0012] In addition to the pushbuttons 4, 4', 6, 6', 8, 8', the transmitter of the key 2 comprises a microcontroller 16 for controlling the codes relative to the channels associated with the three pairs of pushbuttons, these codes being contained in an internal memory 18 for the channels associated with the pushbuttons 4, 4' and in a removable memory 20 for the channels associated with the pushbuttons 6, 6' and 8, 8'.

[0013] For this purpose the removable memory 20 is contained in a microchip associated with a card insertable into the head of the key 2 and connectable to the microcontroller 16 by a connector 22.

[0014] The key 2 also comprises a radio-frequency transmitter section 24 or an infrared transmitter section 26 or both, depending on the type of signals required to control the different user devices.

[0015] When the key 2 is in the hands of the owner of the various user devices, no precaution need be taken. However if the key is to be handed to another person for temporary use of the vehicle 10, the owner can remove the card containing the memory 20, in which the codes of the reserved user devices are memorized, to prevent undesirable use of the remote controller by an unauthorized person.

[0016] Even if the vehicle 10 is permanently transferred to another person, for example as a result of its sale, and the key 2 must therefore be transferred to the new owner, the previous owner can remove the card containing the memory 2 and insert it into another remote controller, provided it comprises a suitable seat to receive it.

[0017] In a different embodiment, not shown in the drawings, the removable card contains not only the memory with the codes for the reserved user devices, but also the microcontroller for controlling said codes. In this case the fixed microcontroller 16 controls only the codes relative to the central locking system for the vehicle 10.

Claims

1. A vehicle key with multi-user remote control comprising several channels for the transmission, via a single transmitter, of several encoded signals destined for different user devices, characterised in that said transmitter (2) is provided with at least one removable card, containing a memory (20) in which the code of at least one transmission channel is memorized.

2. A key as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising a plurality of pushbuttons (4, 4', 6, 6', 8, 8'), partly associated with transmission channels the codes of which are memorized in a memory (18) contained in said key (2), and partly associated with transmission channels the codes of which are memorized in the memory (20) contained in said removable card.

3. A key as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that in addition to containing said memory (20), said removable card also contains a microcontroller for controlling the codes memorized in this latter memory.

4. A key as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the removable card can be inserted into another remote controller

5. A key as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the removable card can be inserted into another vehicle remote controller.

6. A key as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that its transmitter is provided with a radio-frequency transmitting section (24).

7. A key as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that its transmitter is provided with an infrared transmitting section (26).

8. A key as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that its transmitter is provided with both a radio-frequency transmitting section (24) and an infrared transmitting section (26) which are usable according to the type of signals required for controlling the various user devices.

Drawing