Keyless entry device and method for powering the keyless entry device

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable code for powering a keyless entry device for a vehicle, the code when executed by a processor, performs an action comprising:

• charging a rechargeable battery using a charging battery;
• sending a short range transmission from the keyless entry device to the vehicle using at least one of:
• the charging battery and the rechargeable battery, when the short range function is selected using at least one short range function button;
• and
• sending a long range transmission from the keyless entry device to the vehicle using at least one of:
• the charging battery and the rechargeable battery, when the long range function is selected using at least one long range function button,
• wherein the charging battery has a charging battery state of charge, the rechargeable battery has a rechargeable battery state of charge, and the rechargeable battery has a larger burst current delivery capacity than the charging battery,
• wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery includes determining a short length of time of the charging using a value of a counter of the keyless entry device;
• wherein the short length of time of the charging is equal to a first predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a first predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a second predetermined counter value, and the short length of time of the charging is equal to a second predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a third predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a fourth predetermined counter value;
• and
• wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery is stopped, when at least one of the following occurs:
• the short length of time has elapsed, any button of the keyless entry device is actuated, a smart trigger is detected by the keyless entry device, a stop charge command is received by the keyless entry device from the vehicle, the rechargeable battery state of charge exceeds a predetermined third state of charge threshold, or the charging battery state of charge is below a predetermined charging battery low charge threshold.

A keyless entry device for a vehicle, comprising:

• a rechargeable battery having a rechargeable battery state of charge for sending at least one of:
• a short range transmission to the vehicle via a transceiver and a long range transmission to the vehicle via the transceiver;
• a charging battery having a charging battery state of charge for sending at least one of:
• the short range transmission to the vehicle via the transceiver and the long range transmission to the vehicle via the transceiver, wherein the rechargeable battery has a larger burst current delivery capacity than the charging battery;
• a battery charger for charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery;
• at least one short range function button that, when actuated, causes at least one of:
• the charging battery and the rechargeable battery to send the short range transmission via the transceiver;
• at least one long range function button that, when actuated, causes at least one of:
• the charging battery and the rechargeable battery to send the long range transmission via the transceiver;
• and
• a counter module for determining a short length of time of the charging, when charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery,
• wherein a value of the counter decreases, when the rechargeable battery state of charge is greater than a first predetermined state of charge threshold, and the value of the counter increases, when the rechargeable battery state of charge is less than a second predetermined state of charge threshold,
• wherein the short length of time of the charging is equal to a first predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a first predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a second predetermined counter value, and the short length of time of the charging is equal to a second predetermined short charge time, when the value of the counter is greater than or equal to a third predetermined counter value and less than or equal to a fourth predetermined counter value;
• and
• wherein charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery is stopped, when at least one of the following occurs:
• the short length of time has elapsed, any button of the keyless entry device is actuated, a smart trigger is detected by the keyless entry device, a stop charge command is received by the keyless entry device from the vehicle via the transceiver, the rechargeable battery state of charge exceeds a predetermined third state of charge threshold, or the charging battery state of charge is below a predetermined charging battery low charge threshold.