Passive entry sensor system

Abstract

Passive entry sensor systems and associated sensors are disclosed. The system sensor is locatable in the handle of a door and can provide an electromagnetic radiation beam transmitted either along the length of the handle between opposite ends thereof or between the handle and the door such that the sensor can detect at least a partial interruption of the beam by a user actuating the handle. The system can include an independent optical locking switch for actuation by a user to lock the door which locking switch comprises a shutter for intercepting the beam so as to flag the sensor. The system can include a power-up switch for actuation by a user to power-up the system, back-up switches for detecting a pull on the handle, indicators for indicating system status to the user, and backlight and ground light lighting.

1 . A passive entry sensor system for use in a keyless access system comprising:
 a door handle mountable on an exterior of the skin of a door; said door handle having a rear aperture;   a reflector mountable on said door skin exterior and beneath said door handle;   a sensor having an electromagnetic radiation emitter for transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation and an electromagnetic radiation detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation beam;   wherein said sensor is incorporated in an optical enclosure located in said door handle between opposing ends thereof such that, when said door handle and said reflector are mounted to the door skin exterior, said sensor can transmit said beam through said rear aperture of said handle towards the door skin exterior and can detect the beam reflected back by said reflector; and   whereby, in use, the sensor can detect at least a partial interruption or other change in transmission of the beam caused by a user actuating the door handle.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor includes a signal processor coupled to said detector such that said processor can detect a change in beam transmission caused by the user actuating said locking switch and such that the processor can detect a change in transmission caused by the user actuating the handle, said processor providing corresponding output control signals to an access control mechanism for controlling the operation of a locking device. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said optical enclosure further includes at least one LED and at least one lens or other optical element for allowing passage of light from said sensor through at least one corresponding aperture of said door handle such that said at least one LED can be activated by a control module to illuminate the door beneath the handle and/or the ground below the handle. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said optical enclosure is connected via a wire harness to a connector, said connector being insert molded into one end of said door handle or left floating. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one LED located in said optical enclosure; and
 a window integrally formed in said optical enclosure; said window being disposed in a front aperture of said handle.   
   
   
       6 . A vehicle passive entry sensor system for use in a keyless access system comprising:
 a vehicle door handle having opposing ends mounted on an exterior of a skin of a vehicle door with an opening between said vehicle handle and said vehicle door skin;   a reflector located on said vehicle door skin beneath said vehicle handle;   a sensor having an electromagnetic radiation emitter for transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation and an electromagnetic radiation detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation beam;   wherein said sensor is incorporated in an optical enclosure located in said vehicle door handle between said opposing ends thereof such that said sensor can transmit said beam through a rear aperture of said vehicle door handle into said opening and onto said reflector located on said vehicle door skin exterior and can detect the beam reflected back by said reflector;   whereby, in use, the sensor can detect at least a partial interruption or other change in transmission of the beam caused by a user actuating the vehicle door handle to open the vehicle door.   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said sensor includes a signal processor coupled to said detector such that said processor can detect a change in beam transmission caused by the user actuating said locking switch and such that the processor can detect a change in transmission caused by the user actuating the vehicle door handle, said processor providing corresponding output control signals to an access control mechanism for controlling the operation of a locking device. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said optical enclosure further includes at least one LED and at least one lens or other optical element for allowing passage of light from said sensor through at least one corresponding aperture of said vehicle door handle such that said at least one LED can be activated by a control module to illuminate the vehicle door skin beneath the handle and/or the ground below the vehicle door handle. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said optical enclosure is connected via a wire harness to a connector, said connector being insert molded into one end of the vehicle door handle or left floating. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one LED located in said optical enclosure; and
 a window integrally formed in said optical enclosure; said window being disposed in a front aperture of said vehicle door handle.   
   
   
       11 . A method of providing keyless access to a vehicle door, the method comprising the steps of:
 generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation; transmitting said electromagnetic radiation beam from a vehicle door handle to an exterior of a skin of a vehicle door beneath said door handle;   reflecting said electromagnetic radiation beam back from said vehicle door skin to said vehicle handle;   detecting at said vehicle door handle said reflected electromagnetic radiation beam;   
     at least partially interrupting the beam by actuating the vehicle handle;
 sensing at least a partial interruption of the beam or other change in transmission of the beam caused by the user actuating the vehicle handle; 
 generating a first output signal in response to sensing said change in beam transmission caused by actuating the vehicle handle; 
 processing said first output signal to provide an actuation signal; and sending said actuation signal to an access control mechanism to unlock said door or like structure.