Keyfob with digital file storage and vehicular system for the use thereof
View Patent ↗A keyfob is provided for use in a vehicle having a processor. The keyfob comprises a housing, a battery disposed within the housing, and control circuitry disposed within the housing and coupled to the battery. A memory coupled to the control circuitry is disposed within the housing and is configured to store data files therein accessible by the processor.
1. A keyfob for use in a vehicle having a processor and an ignition, the keyfob comprising:
a housing;
a battery disposed within said housing;
control circuitry disposed within said housing and coupled to said battery;
a memory disposed within said housing and coupled to said control circuitry, said memory configured to store digital audio files therein accessible by the processor;
a mechanical key fixedly coupled to said housing and keyed for use with the ignition; and
a plurality of data transmitting leads extending within said mechanical key and electrically coupled to said control circuitry, said plurality of data transmitting leads permitting said control circuitry to transmit data to the processor when said mechanical key is inserted into the ignition;
wherein said control circuitry is configured to transmit at least one of the stored digital audio files to the processor via said plurality of data transmitting leads when said mechanical key is inserted into the ignition.
2. A keyfob system for use in conjunction with a vehicle, comprising:
a processor deployed on the vehicle;
a first transceiver deployed on the vehicle and coupled to said processor;
an audio system coupled to said processor;
a keyfob, comprising:
a housing;
a battery disposed within said housing;
a memory disposed within said housing and configured to store a plurality of digital audio files therein;
control circuitry disposed within said housing and coupled to said memory and to said battery for communicating with said processor to enable said audio system to play selected ones of said plurality of digital audio files and
a second transceiver disposed within said housing and coupled to said control circuitry;
a receptacle located on the vehicle and coupled to said processor, said receptacle configured to receive said keyfob therein; and
an electromagnetic induction system deployed within said receptacle and configured to charge said battery when said keyfob is received by said receptacle;
wherein said control circuitry causes said second transceiver to wirelessly transmit data pertaining to said plurality of digital audio files to said first transceiver, and thus to said processor, when said keyfob is inserted into said receptacle.
3. A keyfob system according to claim 2 wherein said audio system is configured to play a selected one of said plurality of digital audio files as said selected one is received by said processor.
4. A keyfob system according to claim 2 further comprising a hard drive coupled to said processor, said hard drive for storing at least one of said selected ones of said plurality of digital audio files.
5. A keyfob system according to claim 2 wherein said processor is configured to automatically upload at least one of said plurality of digital audio files to said hard drive upon insertion of said keyfob into said receptacle.
6. A keyfob system according to claim 2 further comprising a computer docking station configured to be coupled to a computer to enable the computer to upload digital audio files to said memory.
7. A keyfob integration system deployed on a vehicle for use in conjunction with a keyfob including control circuitry, a battery, and a memory for storing a plurality of digital audio files, said keyfob integration system comprising:
an audio system;
a hard drive;
a receptacle for receiving the keyfob;
an electromagnetic induction system configured to charge said battery; and
a processor coupled to said audio system, to said hard drive, and to said receptacle, said processor configured to: (i) monitor said receptacle for insertion of the keyfob, (ii) query the control circuitry to determine if digital audio files are stored in the memory when the keyfob has been inserted into said receptacle, and (iii) if digital audio files are stored in the memory, automatically upload at least one of the digital audio files to said hard drive for accessing a selected one of said plurality of digital audio files when the keyfob is received by said receptacle to enable said audio system to play said selected one.
8. A keyfob integration system according to claim 7 further comprising a radio frequency transceiver coupled to said processor, said transceiver for enabling wireless communication between said processor and the keyfob.