US 11,808,063 B2
Door unlock mechanism
Williamson Sy, Oak Park, MI (US); Emiliano Mario Piccinelli, Cavenago (IT); and Keith Walters, Bloomington, MN (US)
Assigned to STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza (IT); and STMicroelectronics, Inc., Coppell, TX (US)
Filed by STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate (IT); and STMicroelectronics, Inc., Coppell, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/178,201.
Application 18/178,201 is a division of application No. 16/375,577, filed on Apr. 4, 2019, granted, now 11,613,918.
Prior Publication US 2023/0203854 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. E05B 81/90 (2014.01); E05B 77/54 (2014.01); E05B 81/46 (2014.01); E05B 81/56 (2014.01); E05B 81/80 (2014.01); B60R 25/24 (2013.01); E05B 77/02 (2014.01)
CPC E05B 81/90 (2013.01) [E05B 77/54 (2013.01); E05B 81/46 (2013.01); E05B 81/56 (2013.01); E05B 81/80 (2013.01); B60R 25/24 (2013.01); E05B 77/02 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/531 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a keyless door latch system of a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:
detecting a failure of a primary unlocking component of the keyless door latch system or detecting an occurrence of an event associated with the vehicle; and
in response to detecting the failure of the primary unlocking component or the occurrence of the event, unlocking the door using a secondary unlocking component of the keyless door latch system, where the step of unlocking the door using the secondary unlocking component comprising:
receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal;
harvesting energy from the RF signal using a power controller of the keyless door latch system;
generating, by a microcontroller of the keyless door latch system, a control signal based on the received RF signal; and
in response to the control signal, actuating, by an actuator of the keyless door latch system coupled to the microcontroller, a mechanical coupling mechanism such that an external force, exerted from an exterior of the door, is transferred to the keyless door latch system to unlock the door, wherein the actuator is powered by the harvested energy, wherein the secondary unlocking component is a backup for the primary unlocking component of the keyless door latch system.