Vehicle diagnostic system
A keyfob has an electronic controller, a plurality of command inputs, a keyfob antenna and a feedback device. The plurality of command inputs, the keyfob antenna and the feedback device are in electronic communication with the controller. The controller is configured to send signals to a vehicle door lock system in response to operation one or more of the plurality of command inputs that instruct the vehicle door lock system to switch at least one door between a locked state and an unlocked state. The controller is further configured to enter a diagnostic mode in response to a predetermined operation of the plurality of command inputs such that in the diagnostic mode the keyfob operates as a diagnostic tool that detects an operating state of at least one of the keyfob and the vehicle door lock system.
1. A vehicle diagnostic system, comprising:
a keyfob having an electronic controller, a plurality of command inputs, a keyfob antenna and a feedback device, the plurality of command inputs, the keyfob antenna and the feedback device being in electronic communication with the electronic controller,
the electronic controller being configured to send signals to a vehicle door lock system of a vehicle separated from the keyfob in response to operation one or more of the plurality of command inputs of the keyfob that instruct the vehicle door lock system to switch at least one door between a locked state and an unlocked state,
the electronic controller being further configured to enter a first diagnostic mode in response to a first predetermined operation of the plurality of command inputs such that in the first diagnostic mode the keyfob detects an operating state of the keyfob and in response to a second predetermined operation of the command inputs of the keyfob, the electronic controller enters a second diagnostic mode in which the keyfob operates as a diagnostic tool used to diagnose one-by-one output of each of a plurality of antennas of the vehicle door lock system by moving the keyfob one-by-one into closer proximity to each of the plurality of antennas as compared to the proximity of the keyfob to the other antennas, thereby detecting an operation state thereof, and
the electronic controller operates the feedback device to provide an indication of the operating state of the keyfob and each of the plurality of antennas of the vehicle door lock system of the vehicle.
2. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 1 , wherein
the keyfob is powered by an internal battery, and
the electronic controller is configured operate the feedback device indicating the operating state of the internal battery in the first diagnostic mode.
3. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 2 , wherein
the operating state of the internal battery detected by the electronic controller of the keyfob includes an electric power producing state of the internal battery.
4. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 2 , wherein
the electronic controller is configured operate the feedback device indicating the operating state one-by-one of the plurality of antennas of the vehicle door lock system in the second diagnostic mode.
5. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 1 , wherein
the feedback device is one of a light emitting diode (LED) or a haptic device configured to produce vibrations within the keyfob.
6. A vehicle diagnostic system, comprising:
a vehicle door lock system of a vehicle that includes a plurality of vehicle antennas within a vehicle body structure that are configured to transmit signals to the keyfob;
a keyfob having an electronic controller, a plurality of command inputs, a keyfob antenna and a feedback device, the plurality of command inputs, the keyfob antenna and the feedback device being in electronic communication with the electronic controller,
the electronic controller being configured to enter a diagnostic mode in response to a predetermined operation of the plurality of command inputs such that in the diagnostic mode the electronic controller operates as a diagnostic tool used to diagnose one-by-one output of each the plurality of vehicle antennas by moving the keyfob one-by-one into closer proximity to each of the plurality of antennas as compared to the proximity of the keyfob to the other antennas, and doing so for each one of the antennas, one-by-one detecting an operation state thereof and, provides an indication via the feedback device of the operational state of each of the plurality of vehicle antennas of the vehicle.
7. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 6 , wherein
the electronic controller of the keyfob is further configured to send signals to the vehicle door lock system in response to operation of one of the plurality of command inputs instructing the vehicle door lock system to switch at least one door to one of a locked state and an unlocked state.
8. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 6 , wherein
the keyfob is powered by an internal battery, and
the electronic controller is further configured operate the feedback device indicating the operating state of the internal battery in the diagnostic mode.
9. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 8 , wherein
the operating state of the internal battery detected by the electronic controller of the keyfob includes an electric power producing state of the internal battery.
10. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 9 , wherein
the feedback device is a light emitting diode (LED).
11. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 10 , wherein
the electronic controller is configured to operate the LED such that predetermined numbers of blinks are produced indicating the electric power producing state of the internal battery.
12. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 6 , wherein
the feedback device is a haptic device configured to produce vibrations within the keyfob.
13. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 6 , wherein
the feedback device is a light emitting diode (LED).
14. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 6 , wherein
the plurality of command inputs includes at least two buttons having contact/no contact switches operated by pushing on corresponding ones of the at least two buttons, and
the predetermined operation of the plurality of command inputs causing the electronic controller to enter the diagnostic mode includes simultaneously pressing on all of the at least two buttons for a predetermined period of time.
15. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 14 , wherein
the predetermined period of time is at least 10 seconds.
16. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 6 , wherein
the plurality of command inputs includes three separate buttons each having its own contact/no contact switch operated by pushing on corresponding ones of the three buttons, and
the predetermined operation of the plurality of command inputs causing the electronic controller to enter the diagnostic mode includes simultaneously pressing on all of the three buttons for a predetermined period of time.
17. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 16 , wherein
the predetermined period of time is at least 10 seconds.
18. The vehicle diagnostic system according to claim 6 , wherein
the electronic controller of the keyfob includes a timing circuit, and
the electronic controller is further configured such that after entering the diagnostic mode and determining that a predetermined period of time has passed, the electronic controller exits the diagnostic state.