Keyless remote entry system

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a door lock of a vehicle having an automatic door locking circuit includes a signal sensor and a removable control unit that is responsive to the signal sensor. The removable control unit generates a door lock state change signal when the signal sensor receives a signal having a first predetermined code value. A first controllable switch that is responsive to the removable control unit is removably couplable to the automatic door locking circuit. The first controllable switch is able to override the automatic door locking circuit so that when the door lock state change signal is asserted, the controllable switch applies power to the automatic door locking circuit, thereby causing a change of state of the door lock.

1 . A method of controlling door lock state of a plurality of vehicles, each of the plurality of vehicles including a door lock control unit that controls a door lock, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. coupling each of a plurality of removable control units to a corresponding door lock control unit of each of the plurality of vehicles so that each control unit is capable of causing a state change of the door lock of a corresponding vehicle upon sensing a predetermined code;    b. configuring the predetermined code of each control unit to a single common code; and    c. programming a transmitter to generate the single common code upon receiving an input from a user.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 a. transmitting a supervisor code to each control unit, receipt of which by each control unit placing the control unit in a state that causes the control unit to set the predetermined code to a new code; and    b. transmitting the new code to each control unit.    
   
   
       3 . A method comprising: 
 a. on an automobile sales lot, parking vehicles for sale wherein the automobiles each include an electronic door locking system;    b. adapting the electronic door locking systems of each of the vehicles for sale so that each of the systems is responsive to a wireless signal that causes the door locking system to open at least one door of the vehicle; and    c. using a wireless transmitter to generate the wireless signal to open the door of a vehicle, wherein the same wireless transmitter and wireless signal can be used to open a door of a plurality of the vehicles.    
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3 , further including adapting the ignition system of the vehicle so that it is disabled such that the vehicle cannot be started using a key for the vehicle unless and until it is activated by the wireless signal.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4 , further including leaving the keys for vehicles locked in the vehicles on the sales lot.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , further including a sales agent using the wireless transmitter to open a door of a vehicle and enable the ignition system so that the vehicle key can be used to start the vehicle.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the wireless transmitter transmits at a power level that is low enough to require the transmitter to be in close proximity to the vehicle in order for the vehicle to be responsive to the signal.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus comprising an electronic device to be located in a vehicle to receive a wireless signal and generate control signals to an automobile door lock and ignition system, wherein the control signals cause at least one door to open and the ignition system to switch from a disabled state to an enabled state, wherein in the disabled state a key for the vehicle does not work to start the vehicle, and in an enabled state a key for the vehicle operates to start the vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . A vehicle comprising: 
 a. an ignition system;    b. a door locking system;    c. a vehicle key that is used to open a door of the vehicle and start the vehicle with the ignition system;    d. an electronic device coupled to the ignition system and the door locking system responsive to a wireless signal and that generates control signals to cause at least one door to open and the ignition system to switch from a disabled state to an enabled state, wherein in the disabled state the key for the vehicle does not work to start the vehicle, and in an enabled state the key for the vehicle operates to start the vehicle.