Remote control for multiple vehicles

Abstract

A key fob for use in accessing first and second motor vehicles includes a portable housing defining a hole for receiving a key chain and first and second motor vehicle selector buttons connected to integrated circuit logic within the housing and accessible through the housing. The fob further includes at least one function selector button connected to the integrated circuit logic and accessible through the housing. The integrated circuit logic is configured to select the first or second motor vehicle upon activation of the first or second motor vehicle selector buttons respectively. The integrated circuit logic controls a lock of the selected motor vehicle upon activation of the function selector button.

1 . A key fob for use in accessing first and second motor vehicles, comprising: 
 a portable housing defining a hole for receiving a key chain;    integrated circuit logic enclosed within the housing;    first and second motor vehicle selector buttons connected to the integrated circuit logic and accessible through the housing;    at least one function selector button connected to the integrated circuit logic and accessible through the housing; and    wherein the integrated circuit logic is configured to select the first or second motor vehicle upon activation of the first or second motor vehicle selector buttons respectively and further configured to control a lock of the selected motor vehicle upon activation of the function selector button.    
   
   
       2 . A key fob, comprising: 
 a portable housing;    integrated circuit logic enclosed within the housing;    a plurality of motor vehicle selector buttons connected to the integrated circuit logic and accessible through the housing;    at least one function selector button connected to the integrated circuit logic and accessible through the housing; and    wherein the integrated circuit logic is configured to select a motor vehicle upon activation of one of the plurality of motor vehicle selector buttons corresponding to the selected motor vehicle and further configured to control a function of the selected motor vehicle upon activation of the at least one function selector button.    
   
   
       3 . The key fob of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 a signaling device; and    wherein the signaling device is configured to indicate when the at least one function selector button has been activated.    
   
   
       4 . The key fob of  claim 2  wherein the housing defines a hole for receiving a key chain.  
   
   
       5 . The key fob of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 memory connected to the integrated logic; and    wherein the integrated logic is configured to enter into a learn mode for detecting at least one control signal for controlling a function of a motor vehicle and storing the detected control signal in the memory and further configured to associate the detected control signal with the at least one function selector button.    
   
   
       6 . The key fob of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 wherein the integrated logic is configured to detect, store, and associate a unique control signal with each of the at least one function selector buttons.    
   
   
       7 . The key fob of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 a signaling device; and    wherein the signaling device is configured to indicate when the learn mode has been entered into.    
   
   
       8 . The key fob of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 a signaling device; and    wherein the signaling device is configured to indicate when the integrated logic has successfully detected, stored, and associated the at least one control signal with its corresponding function selector button.    
   
   
       9 . The key fob of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 a signaling device; and    wherein the a signaling device is configured to indicate when the learn mode has been exited.    
   
   
       10 . The key fob of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 at least one mode selector button connected to the integrated circuit logic and accessible through the housing; and    wherein the integrated logic is configured to enter into the learn mode upon activation of the at least one mode selector button.    
   
   
       11 . The key fob of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 wherein the integrated logic is configured when in the learn mode to exit the learn mode upon activation of the at least one mode selector button.    
   
   
       12 . The key fob of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 wherein the integrated logic is configured to exit the learn mode after the lapse of pre-determined time period.