IP Library Granted Patent US 10,131,321
Granted Patent B1
US 10,131,321 · App. 15/653,168 · Granted Nov 20, 2018

System for keyless valet parking

Inventors: Salman Ahsan (Livonia, MI); Vivekanandh Elangovan (Canton, MI); Kevin Thomas Hille (Plymouth, MI); Gregory William Farrey (Ypsilanti, MI); Thomas Kasper (Livonia, MI)
Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
B60R25/24G07B15/02B60R2325/101G07C2009/00753G07C2009/00769G07C2009/00825
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,131,321
App. No.
15/653,168
Granted
Nov 20, 2018
Kind
B1
Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for a system for keyless entry. An example vehicle includes a valet dongle, a dock configured to connect to the valet dongle; and a valet manager. The valet manager enables the valet dongle to authorize keyless entry and keyless ignition when (a) the valet dongle is removed from the dock while an ignition of the vehicle is on and (b) an authorized passcode is provided via an infotainment head unit.

Claims (23)

1. A vehicle comprising:

a valet dongle;

a dock configured to connect to the valet dongle; and

a processor executing instructions to enable the valet dongle to authorize keyless entry and keyless ignition when the valet dongle is removed from the dock while an ignition of the vehicle is on and an authorized passcode is provided via an infotainment head unit.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the valet dongle includes a wireless communication module, a button, and a connector.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the dock includes a port to engage with a connector of the valet dongle when the valet dongle is docked with the dock, and wherein, when the valet dongle is docked, the valet dongle is communicatively and electrically coupled to the vehicle.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the dock is recessed into a panel of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein to enable the valet dongle, the processor is to provide the valet dongle with a temporary authorization code that authorizes the keyless entry and the keyless ignition for a limited amount of time.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the processor is to, after enabling the valet dongle, instruct subsystems of the vehicle to enter a valet mode, the valet mode disabling or restricting features of the subsystems.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the processor is to disable the valet dongle after being enabled when the valet dongle is docked in the dock, an input to end a valet mode is received via the infotainment head unit, and an authorized mobile device is present.

8. The vehicle of claim 7 , wherein after disabling the valet dongle, the processor is to instruct subsystems of the vehicle to exit the valet mode.

9. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the processor is to enable the keyless ignition when the valet dongle is enabled and the valet dongle is docked in the dock.

10. A method comprising:

enabling, with a processor, a valet dongle associated with a vehicle to operate a keyless entry and a keyless ignition system when an authorized passcode is provided via an infotainment head unit while the valet dongle is engaged with a dock and an ignition of the vehicle is on;

after enabling the valet dongle, disabling the valet dongle when:

the valet dongle is docked in the dock,

an input to end a valet mode is received via the infotainment head unit, and

an authorized mobile device is present.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the valet dongle is not a phone or a key fob.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein enabling the valet dongle includes providing the valet dongle with a temporary authorization code that authorizes the keyless entry and the keyless ignition system, the temporary authorization code being valid for a limited period of time.

13. The method of claim 10 , including, after enabling the valet dongle, instructing subsystems of the vehicle to enter the valet mode, the valet mode disabling or restricting features of the subsystems.

14. The method of claim 13 , including, after disabling the valet dongle, instructing the subsystems of the vehicle to exit the valet mode.

15. The method of claim 10 , including enabling the keyless ignition when the valet dongle is enabled and the valet dongle is docked in the dock.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2017
From: AHSAN, SALMAN; ELANGOVAN, VIVEKANANDH; HILLE, KEVIN THOMAS; FARREY, GREGORY WILLIAM; KASPER, THOMAS
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 043036/0520 →
Cited By (2)
US 12,409,811 US 12,617,372