RU2684222C2 - Method and system for unlocking of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transportation.SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a vehicle access system and method. Vehicle access system implementing the method comprises: lockable door lock and a control unit that causes the lock to unlock when receiving a coded signal that matches a predetermined coded signal, recorded in the control unit and represents a combination of actions on at least one previously existing component of the vehicle. Control unit is adapted to compare the received coded signal with a predetermined coded signal.EFFECT: access to a vehicle without using keys is provided.10 cl, 3 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of systems and / or methods for locking vehicle doors and / or accessing a vehicle.

In one specific aspect, the present invention is suitable for use as systems and methods for unlocking or accessing a vehicle without a key.

In the future, it will be convenient to describe the invention with respect to systems and methods for unlocking or accessing a vehicle without a key, however, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited only to such use.

BACKGROUND

Throughout this description of the invention, the use of the word "inventor" in the singular may be construed as a reference to one (singular) inventor or more than one (many) inventors of the present invention.

It should be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices, acts, or information in this description of the invention is included in the description of the context of the present invention. Furthermore, the discussion throughout this description of the invention is due to the understanding of the inventor and / or the identification by the inventor of certain problems of the prior art. Moreover, any discussion of material, such as documents, devices, actions or information in this description of the invention, is included in the composition to clarify the context of the invention in terms of knowledge and experience of the inventor and, accordingly, any such discussion should not be construed as an assumption that what - Some of the materials form part of the basis of the prior art or well-known versatile knowledge in the relevant field of technology in Australia, or elsewhere, on or earlier than the priority date of disclosure and the claims described in the materials of this application.

If the driver brought his vehicle to a specific place, and then wants to leave the vehicle, a constant dispute was what to do with the keys to the vehicle. Keys can be stored by a person, but this is not always advisable. For example, if the vehicle was brought to the beach, and the user, for example, wants to surf, it is considered impractical to take the keys to the vehicle into the water or leave the keys on the beach or near the vehicle, as the keys may be lost or stolen.

Some prior art systems have built various keyless systems. It is known that vehicles must accordingly have keyless entry vehicle door systems, such as wireless or radio frequency systems, which transmit a code that, when received by the vehicle, will enable the vehicle doors to unlock. Similar systems are also used to operate the ignition system to start a vehicle engine. Examples of these coded wireless unlocking systems are disclosed in EP 1218228, US20120229253 and US6072403. These systems, however, require the user to wear a “tag” or transmitter instead of a key to allow access to the vehicle. If the tag or transmitter is lost, misplaced or saturated with water, then access is not possible, just as if the vehicle key had been lost or misplaced. Moreover, the 'code' can be reproduced by sophisticated copy software, thus allowing unauthorized access to the vehicle in the event that a third party has received the code.

Other systems also use unlocking car doors without a key, but without the need for a transmitter. For example, the system disclosed in US 4673914 provides a keyless entry vehicle door unlocking system for a vehicle in which a digital keypad is provided on an outer surface of a vehicle door so that a user selects a digital combination that sends an encoded signal to a control unit that, in in turn, unlocks the door lock. Another other example is provided in GB 2252783, which provides a vehicle door locking system including a lockable door lock, a micro switch responsive to the operation of the door lock, and an external lock release controlled by a central control unit in the vehicle after receiving the correct encoded signal out of door constipation. The encoded signal can be generated in four “digits”, each digit corresponds to the number of individual actuations or “jerks” on the door lock / handle. Upon receipt of the correct encoded signal, the constipation release is urged to unlock. These systems, however, require that an additional “hardware” part be installed, such as a keypad or microswitches that respond to the operation of the door lock. Additional hardware increases the value of the vehicle and can also become damaged over time and thus become unusable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and / or system for permitting access to a vehicle or unlocking a vehicle.

An additional objective of the embodiments described herein is to overcome or mitigate at least one of the above disadvantages of prior art systems or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art systems.

In a first aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of a device and / or system for allowing access to a vehicle, comprising: enabling the coding sequence to be formed by actuating at least one pre-existing vehicle component, recording the coding sequence in control unit, and in response to at least one component forming an encoded sequence as a recognition avaemoy control unit, allowing access to the vehicle.

In one aspect, there is also provided a vehicle locking system comprising a lockable door lock and a control unit operable to receive a predetermined encoded signal to cause the lock to be unlocked, wherein the encoded signal is generated by actuating at least one pre-existing component vehicle, and the control unit is adapted to compare the generated signal with a predetermined signal. Moreover, the signal is an encoded sequence. And also the signal can be formed in associative communication with other devices. Moreover, the control unit is a dashboard of a vehicle. The coding sequence can be configured by the user. Moreover, the sequence is user-configurable at any time. And also the sequence is configurable when the key is removed from the vehicle ignition. The signal is generated by actuating or moving any one of or any combination of switches and / or sensors of the vehicle. The sequence is formed by actuating or moving the lock and / or handle of the vehicle. And also the sequence is formed by at least one additional component of the vehicle. The sequence is also time dependent.

Also, in one aspect, there is provided a device adapted to permit access to a vehicle, said device includes: processor means adapted to operate in accordance with a predetermined set of instructions, said device, together with said set of instructions, are adapted to execute the claimed resolution method access to the vehicle.

A computer program product is also provided, including a computer-used medium comprising a machine-readable control program and a machine-readable system code embodied on said medium for permitting access to a vehicle, in association with a data processing system, said program product includes a machine-readable program on a computer-used medium for performing a method of allowing access to a vehicle.

Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the description of the invention and / or defined in the attached claims, forming part of the description of the invention.

In fact, embodiments of the present invention come from the understanding that pre-existing vehicle components can be used to generate (preferably self-configured) code recognized by the vehicle, and which will enable the vehicle to unlock, be accessed and / or use certain vehicle signs such as ignition. In addition to pre-existing vehicle components, other components added to the vehicle and user-specific devices, such as mobile phones, etc., can also be installed or used if required.

The advantages provided by the present invention include the following:

- the present invention preferably uses existing microswitches and / or vehicle features — for example, boot lid switches or door handles;

- the present invention can be included in the vehicle by the manufacturer for a relatively low cost and give a significant additional feature used by the owners of the vehicle;

- the present invention, alternatively or in combination, can use various additional input devices, such as switches, keypads, vibration sensors, etc. The present invention can be activated / deactivated and / or configured via a vehicle dashboard, and thus is preferably embodied in software;

- the present invention may be included in the sign of preventing theft of the vehicle if the vehicle is “hacked” and the keys are found inside the vehicle;

- the present invention may include a “master code” configured by the manufacturer if the user-defined code is forgotten or lost. Through the interface with the vehicle instrument panel, a certain number of codes can be “programmed” into the vehicle:

- for example, there may be a time code offered to the valet, and the conditions for the expiration of this code can be determined by the user,

- A unique code could be defined for inexperienced users of the vehicle, which limits some features or, say, engine power. The unique code may provide other people with the opportunity to access the vehicle in order to fold and lay out things, but protect them from driving or damage to the vehicle,

- rental cars can have codes easily programmed by the tenant with instructions on how to do this displayed on the instrument panel or ICC, for example, when the vehicle is turned off,

- the instrument panel can be programmed so that the master code erases existing codes defined by the tenant and protects future tenants;

- the present invention provides the flexibility to make a keyless vehicle a more viable offer;

- the present invention is relatively cost effective. Only software development costs are required in most basic forms of implementing the present invention;

- the present invention gives the technology of “key fob unlocking the car door without a key” the ability to be used, while the user may prefer to deactivate the key fob using the instrument panel or ICC;

- Using existing or additional cameras or vibration sensors, or microphones in the vehicle, you can approach the vehicle, unlock it and open the doors or trunk (where you can open it with a power drive) without using your hands. That is, hands may be busy shopping.

- the present invention provides the user with the ability to unlock the vehicle relatively immediately;

- the present invention provides the user with the ability to verify the code or verify his / her correct operation of the code before or while the vehicle is unlocked.

- the present invention is relatively cost effective. The present invention can be improved or improved, or independently configured by vehicle users using OpenNX (or a computer program open to an unlimited number of persons or vehicle application programmers);

- the present invention may be easy to learn and use by users. Users who are not aware of the presence of a sign will be automatically warned about its existence, operation and configuration procedures through the information displayed on the ICC dashboard of the vehicle;

- the invention provides a safety net for other vehicle protection systems. For example, in cases where the vehicle is started or operated by recognizing the user's personal attributes, such as a fingerprint reader on the engine start button or a person’s face recognition technology in the driver’s seat, other users not recognized by the vehicle may be allowed to operate the vehicle by code entry. If other signs of safe unlocking or operation of the vehicle in the vehicle fail, they may be replaced by entering a code.

An additional scope of applicability of the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and individual examples, along with indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given only as an illustration, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure in the materials of this application will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition, the disclosure, objectives, advantages and aspects of preferred or other embodiments of the present application can be better understood by specialists in the relevant field of technology by referring to the following description of embodiments, taken along with the accompanying drawings, which are given only as an illustration and, thus are not limiting of the disclosure provided in the materials of this application, and on which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a vehicle,

FIG. 2 illustrates a method according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, and

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment according to an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, the vehicle has a number of features or components that are typically provided, such as a control unit 101, door handles 102, 103, 104, 105, wheels 106, 107, 108, 109, trunk latch 110 and / or camera 115, 116, 117, 118 (e.g., from DAT (Driver Assistance Technology)). Sensors 111, 112, 113 and 114 of vibration or others may also be provided. It is contemplated that other user-specific devices or any existing vehicle components may be used in association with the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should not be limited only to the components listed above.

In accordance with the present invention, various components (not limited to any particular or specific one or combination of components) can be used to create the coding sequence used in the present invention. For example, and without limitation, vehicle components are used, whether on their own, or together with other devices, and may include any one of or any combination of:

- door handle (s),

constipation (s)

- vibration sensor (s),

- cameras from DAT systems (driver assistance technologies),

- trunk with switch,

- doors with a switch,

- BCM (body control panel),

- dashboards,

- CAN (local area network of controllers) of the vehicle,

- door locking systems,

- lock / key system and wireless locking / unlocking,

- other existing sensors on the vehicle,

- keyless operation could be achieved in association with vehicle settings and / or using face recognition technology, voice recognition inside or outside the vehicle,

- code (s) of the sequence,

- recognition and / or input from the user's personal devices, such as a mobile phone, etc.

In the case of using cameras, for example, from DAT systems (driver assistance technologies), these cameras are usually used facing forward, sideways and backward, in order to see objects around the car and give a warning signal. By combining face recognition technology with these cameras, the vehicle could recognize the user's signs and, in combination with a command (such as a hand signal or potentially a voice command), lock or unlock the vehicle. The database of persons in the vehicle can be configured using the instrument panel / ICC or it could be transmitted to the vehicle via a wireless communication line such as Bluetooth, WiFi, a mobile device, the Internet, etc. As soon as the vehicle recognizes the user, the commands suggested for the vehicle could also prepare the vehicle for the user in accordance with a predefined configuration set by the user and / or factory settings (i.e., starting air conditioning, lowering the windows, lowering the windows, heating the seats, and etc.).

According to the present invention, the control unit is adapted to receive a predetermined sequence of actuation of features and / or components. For example, the sequence may be to actuate door 5 three times, then door 4 two times, and then lock the trunk once. If this sequence is observed, then the vehicle can be encoded to unlock and provide access to the vehicle.

A sequence, code, or sequence code may be any one of or any combination of actions and may also be associated with other functions / software, such as face recognition and / or other functions / software, and / or in combination with another device and / or an element in spatial proximity, such as a mobile device and / or other element associated with the user. For example, using existing or additional cameras or vibration sensors, or microphones in the vehicle, you can approach the vehicle, unlock it and open the doors or trunk (where you can open it with a power drive) without using your hands, that is, your hands may remain busy shopping.

The sequence may also be time sensitive, for example, the actuation of the door may need to be kept apart for 1 or 2 seconds — the time distribution along with the actuation of the particular component are part of the sequence for unlocking the vehicle. For example, dialing a code (Morse code), such as, without limitation, the interval of long and short pulses or the number of short pulses, followed by a short pause and followed by another number of short pulses, etc.

The present invention can also provide for preventing theft of a vehicle if the vehicle is “hacked” and keys are found inside the vehicle. In this case, the engine immobilizer and / or steering column lock and / or hand brake may not be activated until the sequence code is entered correctly. In this case, the sequence could also be entered through the ICC or the dashboard, while the user is already in the vehicle. A person breaking into a vehicle is unlikely to know the sequence. An alarm can be activated after a predetermined time has passed without entering the correct sequence for the components of the vehicle to perceive the user in the vehicle (opening a door, a person sitting on a seat, etc.). The sequence entered through the ICC or the instrument panel may be the same code or a unique code.

The present invention may also include a “master code” configured by the manufacturer if a user-defined sequence is forgotten or lost. For example, the user is in a quandary after forgetting the sequence. The user can contact the representative of the manufacturer or the service center and, using the master code, the vehicle can be unlocked. If the master code is compromised (that is, disclosed to an unauthorized user), then, under the supervision of the manufacturer, the master code can be reconfigured / overwritten with a new master code.

Via the interface with the instrument panel, a certain number of codes can be “programmed” into the vehicle:

- for example, there may be a time code offered to the valet, and the conditions for the expiration of this code can be determined by the user,

- A unique code could be defined for inexperienced users of the vehicle, which limits some features or, say, engine power. This would provide parents the opportunity to limit, for example, the power or top speed of the vehicle without the need for a unique key or additional vehicle costs for unique switches. For example, if the user wants to prevent some other users from starting and using the vehicle (for example, the parent leaves the children unattended in the vehicle for a short period), then the start button (or other functions of the vehicle) could be quickly deactivated by interacting with the instrument panel or ICC (that is, when the engine is stopped, the instrument panel provides an option to prevent the engine from restarting until the code is entered through the ICC / panel The instrument or other means).

- The 'visitor code' may provide other people with the opportunity to access the vehicle in order to fold and lay out things, but to protect them from driving or damage to the vehicle.

- rental cars can have a 'tenant code', which provides an opportunity for easily programmable tenant codes, with instructions on how to do this displayed on the instrument panel or ICC, for example, when the vehicle is switched off, the instrument panel can be programmed so that the master The code clears or rewrites existing tenant-specific codes and protects future tenants.

The present invention provides the keyless entry vehicle key fob technology with the ability to be used, while the user may prefer to deactivate the key fob using the instrument panel or ICC.

The present invention may provide the user with the ability to unlock the vehicle immediately.

The present invention may provide the user with the ability to verify the code or verify his / her proper operation of the code before or while the vehicle is unlocked.

The present invention can be improved or improved, or independently configured by vehicle users using OpenNX (or a computer program open to an unlimited number of persons or vehicle application programmers);

The present invention may be easy to learn and use by users. Users who do not know about the presence of a sign can be automatically warned about its existence, operation and configuration procedures through the information displayed on the ICC dashboard of the vehicle;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the method begins by “turning off” the vehicle engine, as illustrated at 201. The central control unit then suggests 202 to set or determine the sequence for re-unlocking the vehicle’s door without a key for the vehicle according to the present invention. If the method of the present invention is not activated 203, then a 'regular' key for the vehicle can be used to gain entry to the vehicle. If the method of the present invention is selected 204, then the specific sequence can be pre-selected from the menu (in which a certain number of 'most preferred' sequences are predefined and listed for selection by the user) or individually created manually by the user at that time. Following selection or sequencing, the method of the invention may provide a sequence confirmation (not shown) and / or may notify the user of the time available to return to the vehicle before the battery power is depleted. Once the sequence is defined and put into operation, the user can certainly leave the keys inside the vehicle, if required, and close the doors 206. The vehicle can then be locked within the prescribed time, 207.

When the vehicle is locked 207, there may be an option to select to lock the vehicle immediately using the keys / remote key and / or by entering a sequence code. The advantage is immediate locking. The advantage of using a sequence can be to confirm to the user that he / she knows the correct code and can enter it correctly.

It is also possible that the user wants to carry the key / remote key with him, and that unlocking the car’s doors without a key using a code is useful, say, when different passengers of a vehicle disperse, for example, in a shopping center, and one of the passengers wants to open the vehicle to lay out some purchases, but they do not have keys.

In cases where vehicles have keyless entry keys for the vehicle’s door lock, when the instrument panel offers to activate / redefine the keyless entry for unlocking the keys, it may also provide a choice for deactivating the “keyless entry key lock”. This provides the “keyless entry vehicle key fob” with the option of being left in the vehicle while the vehicle is closed.

When the vehicle is to be unlocked, the user can enter the coding sequence 208 through the features and components of the vehicle, as previously defined. The control unit can verify that the combination of code and sensors is correct 209, for example, due to the time and the number of casts in the actions. If step 209 is not correct, the vehicle will not be unlocked, 210. There may be a possible number of attempts 211, after which, if not correct, the vehicle will remain locked until it is 'canceled' by another suitable vehicle.

If the sequence is correct, 212, the vehicle can be unlocked, the user can access keys 213 and use the vehicle in the usual way. As noted above, a sequence, code, or sequence code may be any one of or any combination of actions and may also be associated with other functions / software, such as face recognition and / or other functions / software, and / or combinations with another device and / or element in spatial proximity, such as a mobile device and / or other element associated with the user. This, in the singular or in any combination, may be required to unlock the vehicle. Moreover, the code and / or associated software / functions can also make the vehicle completely keyless, for example, as soon as the user unlocks the vehicles using the code, then the vehicle start button is connected to a power source and the vehicle can be operated .

The vehicle may be preconfigured to set a “state” in which the vehicle is “hacked” 214 based on the fact that the remote transmitter, door key and / or code are not used, and / or the vehicle detects that an input has been received , for example, by opening the door, controlling switches, seats or other sensors, etc. If a “cracked” state is established and an unauthorized user finds the keys and tries to activate the ignition or door lock, the vehicle may request 208 that an authorized code be entered using a code sequence at a predetermined location or by entering into the instrument panel or ICC (entertaining and command center). If the code is incorrect 210, the code may be requested again, and / or the vehicle immobilizer and / or steering column lock and / or hand brake are activated, that is, if the keys are in the vehicle and someone breaks into the car, the engine immobilizer and / or steering column lock and / or handbrake will not unlock until a code is entered. The code entered through the ICC or the instrument panel may be the same code or a unique code. If the entered code is correct 212/213, the vehicle can function fully.

In case the keys are used to unlock the doors of the vehicle 215, the present invention may still require the vehicle to request 208 that an authorized code be entered using a code sequence at a predetermined location or by entering into the instrument panel or ICC (entertaining command center).

In the case where the keys are in the vehicle and / or the code is forgotten, the manufacturer can determine a master code unique to the vehicle identification number (VIN), or the like. The master code can be permanently encoded in the vehicle or it can be configured according to the instructions from the manufacturer when the original permanent code was compromised.

Another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3. Vehicle electronics may be configured to enable a user to set a code 301 on the instrument panel 302. The user can then leave the vehicle — perhaps a timer (not shown) can be used until the vehicle is locked. At some point in time later, after the code is entered by the user, the code is transmitted 303 to the body control panel 304, BCM.

If the trunk release button 305 is to be applied in this embodiment, for example, the user can leave keys in the trunk before the vehicle is locked. The trunk release button 305 can be configured to be a “wake-up input device” 306. Upon returning to the vehicle, the user can (for example) simply knock out the code 301 using the intervals between short presses on the trunk button for each number. As noted above, for example, dialing a code (Morse code), such as, without limitation, the interval of long and short pulses or the number of short pulses, followed by a short pause and followed by another number of short pulses, etc. The correct code may initiate the BCM 304 to unlock one or more vehicle locks 307. The vehicle can additionally be indicated as unlocked, for example, by flashing indicators and opening the tailgate.

In the event of a hacking attempt, embodiments of the invention may be able to interpret too many attempts (input signals) on the tailgate as the alleged thief, and the system, for example, can take a timeout for a period of time (also defined by the user), say , 30 minutes before the next attempt is taken. Too many retries can also trigger an emergency and a vehicle safety response.

Although this invention has been described in connection with its specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is capable of additional modifications (s). This application is intended to cover any variations, applications or alterations of the invention, generally adhering to the principles of the invention and including such derogations from the present disclosure as falling within the well-known or ordinary practice in the field of technology to which the invention relates, and as may be applied to the essential the features outlined above.

Since the present invention can be embodied in several forms, without departing from the essence of the inherent characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments should not limit the present invention unless otherwise indicated, but rather should be interpreted broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims. The described embodiments in all respects should be considered as illustrative only and not limiting.

Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and the appended claims. Therefore, specific embodiments should be understood to illustrate the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, the item means plus function is meant to cover structures as performing a specific function, and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents because the nail uses a cylindrical surface to fasten the wooden parts, while the screw uses a spiral surface to fasten the wooden parts, in the environment of fastening the wooden parts, the nail and the screw are equivalent structures.

It should also be noted that, in cases where the flowchart is used in the materials of this application to demonstrate various aspects of the invention, it should not be construed as limiting the present invention to any particular logical flow or logical implementation. The described logic can be divided into different logical blocks (for example, programs, modules, functions or subprograms) without changing the general results and without leaving the true scope of the invention otherwise. Often, logical elements can be added, modified, not included, performed in different order, or implemented using different logical structures (for example, logic gates, loop organization primitives, conditional logic and other logical structures) without changing the general results and without leaving the true scope of the invention otherwise.

Various embodiments of the invention can be embodied in many different forms, including computer program logic for use with a processor (e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, or general purpose computer, and, in fact, any processor available for commercial purchase may be used to implement embodiments of the invention as a single processor, a serial or parallel set of processors in a system, and essentially TWO, examples of commercially available processors include, but are not limited to, Merced ™, Pentium ™, Pentium II ™, Xeon ™, Celeron ™, Pentium Pro ™, Efficeon ™, Athlon ™, AMD ™, and the like ), programmable logic for use with a programmable logic device (e.g., user programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other PLDs), discrete components, integrated circuits (e.g. specialized integrated circuits (ASICs)), or any other means, including any their combinations. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, advantageously, the entire exchange of information between users and servers is implemented as a set of computer program instructions that are converted into machine-executable form, as such, stored on a machine-readable medium and executed by a microprocessor under the control of the operating system.

Computer program logic that implements all or part of the functionality described in the materials of this application can be embodied in various forms, including in the form of source code, machine-readable form and various intermediate forms (for example, forms formed by assembler , compiler, linker or localizer). The source code may include a sequence of computer program instructions implemented in any of various programming languages (for example, object code, assembly language, or a high-level language such as Fortran, C, C ++, JAVA or HTML. Moreover, there are hundreds of available at the disposal of computer languages that can be used to implement embodiments of the invention, among the more common are Ada; Algol; APL; awk; Basic; C; C ++; Conol; Delphi; Eiffel; Euphoria; Forth; Fortran; HTML; Icon ; Java; Javascript; Lisp; Logo; Mathematica; MatLab; Miranda; Modula-2; Oberon; Pascal; Perl; PL / I; Prolog; Python; Rexx; SAS; Scheme; sed; Simula; Smalltalk; Snobol; SQL; Visual Basic; Visual C ++; Linux and XML.) For use with various operating systems or operating environments. The source code can define and use various data structures and communication messages. The source code can be in machine-executable form (for example, using an interpreter), or the source code can be converted (for example, using a translator, assembler or compiler) into a machine-executable form.

A computer program may be fixed in any form (e.g., source code form, machine-executable form, or intermediate form) permanently or temporarily on a material storage medium such as a semiconductor memory device (e.g., RAM (random access memory, RAM), ROM ( read-only memory, ROM), EEPROM (programmable ROM, PROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM, EEPROM, or programmable RAM on flash memory), magnetic memory device (for example, diskette or standing disk), an optical memory device (such as a CD-ROM (ROM on a CD) or a DVD-ROM (ROM on a digital multifunction disk)), a memory card for connecting to a PC (for example, a PCMCIA card), or another memory device. A computer program can be fixed in any form in a signal, such as a signal transmitted to a computer, using various communication technologies, including, but not limited to, analog technologies, digital technologies, optical technologies, wireless technologies (for example, Bluetooth ), network technolo s and firewall technologies. A computer program can be distributed in any form as a removable storage medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation (for example, boxed software) preloaded by a computer system (for example, a system ROM or a permanent disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board through communication system (for example, the Internet or the World Wide Web).

Hardware logic (including programmable logic for use with a programmable logic device) that implements all or part of the functionality described in the materials of this application can be developed using traditional manual methods, or it can be developed, registered, modeled or documented electronically using a variety of tools, such as CAD, a hardware description language (such as VHDL or A HDL), or the PLD programming language (for example, PALASM, ABEL, or CUPL). Hardware logic may also be included in display screens for implementing embodiments of the invention, and which may be segmented display screens, analog display screens, digital display screens, CRTs (CRTs), LED displays (light emitting diodes, LEDs) , plasma screens, a liquid crystal diode screen, and the like.

The programmable logic can be fixed permanently or temporarily on a material storage medium such as a semiconductor memory device (e.g., RAM (random access memory, RAM), ROM (read-only memory, ROM), EPROM (programmable ROM, PROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM, EEPROM, or programmable RAM on a flash memory), a magnetic memory device (such as a floppy disk or permanent disk), an optical memory device (such as a CD-ROM (ROM on a CD) or DVD-ROM (ROM on digitally multifunction disk)) or other memory device.The programmable logic can be fixed in a signal, such as a signal transmitted to a computer, using various communication technologies, including, but not limited to, analog technologies, digital technologies, optical technologies , wireless technology (such as Bluetooth), network technology, and network technology, programmable logic can be distributed as removable storage media with accompanying print or electronic okumentatsiey (e.g., shrink-wrapped software), preloaded

computer system (for example, on a system ROM or a permanent disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board through a communication system (for example, the Internet or the World Wide Web).

“Contains / containing” and “includes / including” when used in this description of the invention, are taken to prescribe the presence of the described features, whole parts, steps or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, whole parts, steps, components or their groups. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and claims, the words “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including” and the like should be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or comprehensive meaning; that is, in the sense of "including, but not as a limitation."

Claims (18)

1. A method of providing access to a vehicle, comprising the steps of: enable the coding sequence to be formed by performing a combination of actions on at least one preexisting vehicle component, write the coding sequence in the control unit, and in response to a combination of actions on at least one pre-existing vehicle component forming the sequence as the coding sequence recognized by the control unit, access to the vehicle is allowed. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which the control unit is a dashboard of a vehicle. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the coding sequence is user configurable. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sequence is user configurable at any time. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sequence is configurable when the key is removed from the vehicle ignition. 6. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 2, 4, 5, in which the sequence is formed by actuating or moving any one of or any combination of: vehicle keys driver interfaces such as brake switches, indicators, buttons on the steering wheel, hand brake switch, etc. vehicle sensors. 7. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 2, 4, 5, in which the sequence is formed by actuating or moving the lock and / or handle of the vehicle. 8. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 2, 4, 5, in which the sequence is formed by at least one additional component of the vehicle. 9. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 2, 4, 5, in which the sequence is also time-dependent. 10. A system for providing access to a vehicle, comprising: a lockable door lock and a control unit causing the lock to be unlocked upon receipt of an encoded signal matching a predetermined encoded signal recorded in the control unit and representing a combination of actions on at least one previously existing vehicle component,  moreover, the control unit is adapted to compare the received encoded signal with a predetermined encoded signal.

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