Selective current reduction enabled with electrically deactivated key fob
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorsThomas G. Kracker, Brian K. Lickfelt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Smart key fob with an integrated rechargeable battery and a replaceable battery. Transfer of charge from the replaceable battery to the rechargeable battery is configured to occur only during a period of time when the key fob remains motionless to reduce RF interference with polling operation of the key fob's transceiver to determine presence of the mother-vehicle nearby. Optionally, the poling operation of the transceiver is reduced or ceased during periods of motionlessness of the key fob.
Claims15
An electronic device, comprising:
- a first electrical battery integrated therewith;
- a second electrical battery in electrical communication with the first battery;
- a motion sensor configured to detect a movement of the electronic device;
- and
- a processor operably connected to the first and second batteries and the motion sensor and configured to effectuate charging of the first electrical battery using energy from the second electrical battery only when the electronic device is stationary, based on results of detection performed by the motion sensor.
A method for charging a first battery of a vehicular key fob having a processor and a transceiver associated therewith, the method comprising:
- receiving, with the processor, data representing status of motion of the vehicular key fob;
- and
- operating electrical circuitry of the vehicular key fob to effectuate one or more of transferring of electrical charge from a second battery to the first battery when said data indicates that the vehicular key fob has been stationary for a period of time longer than or equal to a threshold duration;
- and
- preventing a transfer of charge from the second battery to the first battery when said data indicates that the vehicular key fob is moving.
A vehicular system comprising:
- a vehicle having a communication unit adapted to transmit an radio signal identifying said vehicle;
- and
- an electronic device autonomously powered by a first battery and equipped with electronic circuitry that is adapted to
- poll said radio signal to determine proximity of said electronic device to said vehicle and, when a period of unchanged operational status of the electronic device exceeds a predetermined duration, effectuate at least one of (i) transferring electrical charge to said first battery, and (ii) ceasing the polling of said radio signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.