Unlocking system for automobile vehicle doors and the like

A key cylinderless vehicle closure, comprising:

• an electric lock;
• control logic that controls operation of the electric lock;
• a mechanical release disposed within the vehicle closure that can be enabled with and disabled from the electric lock;
• an interrogating circuit that interrogates a portable object disposed outside the key cylinderless vehicle closure, wherein the interrogating circuit sends a signal to the electric lock authorizing the electric lock to be unlocked based on an object identification in the portable object;
• and
• a power supply that supplies power to the interrogating circuit and remotely powers the portable object when the interrogating circuit interrogates the portable object.

A system for unlocking a key cylinderless vehicle closure, comprising:

• an electric lock;
• control logic that controls operation of the electric lock, wherein the control logic supplies an unlocking signal to the electric lock during a normal operating condition to electrically release the electric lock and supplies a coupling signal during a vehicle power supply failure condition to enable the mechanical release to allow mechanical opening of the electric lock;
• a mechanical release that can be enabled with and disabled from the electric lock;
• a portable object having a coil and an object identification;
• an interrogating circuit that interrogates the portable object, wherein the interrogating circuit sends a signal to the electric lock authorizing the electric lock to be unlocked if object identification matches a circuit identification stored in the interrogating circuit;
• a power supply that supplies power to the portable object and the interrogating circuit, the power supply comprising an antenna that transmits a magnetic field to the coil in the portable object to power the coil when interrogating the portable object;
• a standby power supply separate from a main power supply of the vehicle and that supplies power to the interrogating circuit.