# US 11,027,699 B2 · Backup key with wireless capabilities

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- Number: US 11,027,699 B2
- Document ID: US11027699B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/570,287
- Filed: 2019-09-13
- Published: 2021-03-18
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2019-09-13
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Hamid M. Golgiri; Aaron Matthew DeLong; Anthony Melatti; Patrick Lawrence Jackson Van Hoecke; Danielle Rosenblatt; John Van Wiemeersch
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027699B2

## CPC

- B60R 25/24: using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
- G07C 9/00309: {operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks}
- B60R 25/22: using mechanical identifiers
- G07C 9/00944: {Details of construction or manufacture}
- B60R 2325/101: Bluetooth®
- B60R 2325/103: Near field communication [NFC]
- G07C 2009/00952: {Electronic keys comprising a mechanical key within their housing, e.g. extractable or retractable emergency key}
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE

## Abstract

A keycard may include electronics to allow access to vehicle functions. A keycard system for a vehicle includes a plurality of sections of a stacking key, and a keycard, including a key holder defining a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve having an opening for receiving a respective one of the plurality of sections, wherein the key holder further includes electronics configured to wirelessly provide access to the vehicle. A foldable keycard includes hinged sections, each defining a base and a layer of a blade of a key extending therefrom; and an electronic vehicle access component arranged at the base of one of the sections opposite the blades, and configured to fold away from the blades to allow the keycard to be inserted into a lock.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A foldable keycard, comprising:
first and second sections, each defining a base and a layer of a blade of a key extending therefrom;
a hinge connecting the bases of the first and second sections, wherein the first section is configured to fold over the second section about the hinge so that a top surface of the first section is against a bottom surface of the second section and each of the layers of the blades align to form the blade of the key, and the first and second sections are configured to fold about the hinge into a storage position to form a collective flat surface; and
an electronic vehicle access component arranged at the base of one of the sections opposite the blades, and configured to fold away from the blades to allow the keycard to be inserted into a lock.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The foldable keycard of claim 1, wherein the electronic vehicle access component includes a battery and one or more of a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE) transceiver powered by the battery or an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transceiver powered by the battery.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The foldable keycard of claim 1, wherein the electronic vehicle access component includes a passive near-field communication transmitter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The foldable keycard of claim 1, wherein the electronic vehicle access component includes a battery and an active near-field communication transmitter powered by the battery.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The foldable keycard of claim 1, wherein the electronic vehicle access component includes, a battery, a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE) transceiver powered by the battery, and a near-field communication transmitter.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The foldable keycard of claim 1, wherein the electronic vehicle access component includes a battery.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The foldable keycard of claim 1, wherein the first section includes one or more protrusions configured to fit into corresponding recesses of the second section to secure the first and second sections together when folded.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The foldable keycard of claim 1, wherein the first section includes one or more magnets configured to attach to corresponding magnets on the second section to secure the sections together when folded.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The foldable keycard of claim 1, further comprising:
a third section, also defining a base and a layer of the blade of the key extending therefrom; and
a second hinge connecting the bases of the second and third second sections, wherein the second section is configured to fold over the third section about the second hinge so that a top surface of the second section is against a bottom surface of the third section to further form the blade of the key, and the second and third sections are configured to fold about the hinge into the storage position to further form the collective flat surface.