U.S. patent application number 09/212811 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-15 for method and apparatus for enabling and disabling certain functions of an automobile.
Invention is credited to BISHOP, RONALD D..
Application Number | 20010040503 09/212811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26750359 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010040503 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BISHOP, RONALD D. |
November 15, 2001 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING AND DISABLING CERTAIN FUNCTIONS
OF AN AUTOMOBILE
Abstract
An apparatus and method designed for use with a vehicle that
remotely activates an audio warning device prior to disabling the
ability for the driver to start the vehicle. The apparatus is
installed in the vehicle and includes a special pager receiver that
decodes paging messages sent from a paging transmitter site. The
pager receiver is electrically connected to a controller which
interprets the coded message. An in-vehicle digital radio
transmitter then sends a wireless transmission to digital radio
receivers installed in the vehicle. Each digital radio receiver is
incorporated in a package that includes an electrical connection to
an electromagnetic relay. The relay is plugged into the electrical
circuits of the vehicle which activate certain devices or
functions, such as the starter motor, ignition system, power door
locks, headlamps, horn, and other system that may use electrical
relays. The digital radio receivers decode the transmissions from
the in-vehicle transmitter and decide whether to open or close
their respective relays, thus disabling or enabling certain devices
or functions in the vehicle. The invention finds applicability for
use by lender institutions in order to disable vehicles when the
owner has not kept his account current.
Inventors: |
BISHOP, RONALD D.; (TRABUCO
CANYON, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David B. Woycehowsky, Esq.
LUCE FORWARD HAMILTON & SCRIPPS LLP
600 West Broadway
Suite 2600
San Diego
CA
92101
US
|
Family ID: |
26750359 |
Appl. No.: |
09/212811 |
Filed: |
December 16, 1998 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60069726 |
Dec 16, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/426.11 ;
340/425.5; 701/36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2325/202 20130101;
B60R 25/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/426 ;
340/425.5; 701/36 |
International
Class: |
B60R 025/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for disabling at least one function in a vehicle,
said apparatus being mounted in the vehicle and comprising: a
receiver for receiving a remote signal; a controller, connected to
said receiver, for determining whether said remote signal includes
a predetermined signal and, if so, for instructing a transmission
of a command to disable a function in the vehicle; a wireless
transmitter, connected to said controller, for transmitting the
command; and at least one switching device, said switching device
including: a switch for disabling the function of the vehicle, and
a second receiver, said second receiver for receiving the command
transmitted by said wireless transmitter and for controlling said
switch in order to disable the function.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second receiver
includes an antenna for detecting the command transmitted by said
wireless transmitter, and a second controller, connected to said
antenna and responsive to said command, for controlling said switch
in order to disable the function.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined
signal includes an identification of the vehicle.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined
signal further includes a command for disabling a specific function
of the vehicle.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes
a starter, and said switch is for disabling the starter.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, based upon a
subsequent remote signal, said controller instructs transmission of
a command to re-enable the function in the vehicle.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of said switching devices, each switching device being
operatively connected so as to enable and/or disable a respective
function in the vehicle, and further wherein said command
identifies at least one of said plurality of switching devices.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function is at
least one of: disabling a starter motor of the vehicle; disabling
an ignition system of the engine; disabling door locks; disabling
head lamps; and disabling access to a storage compartment.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes
a relay device unassociated with said apparatus, and said switching
device is substantially identical in appearance to the relay device
so as to inhibit detection of said switching device.
10. An apparatus for enabling and/or disabling at least one
function in a vehicle, said apparatus being mounted in the vehicle
and comprising: a receiver for receiving a remote signal; a
controller, connected to said receiver, for determining whether
said remote signal includes a predetermined signal and, if so, for
instructing a transmission of a command to enable or disable a
function in the vehicle; a wireless transmitter, connected to said
controller, for transmitting the predetermined command; and at
least one switching device, said switching device including: a
switch for enabling or disabling the function of the vehicle, and a
second receiver, said second receiver for receiving the command
transmitted by said wireless transmitter and for controlling said
switch in order to enable or disable the function.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said second
receiver includes an antenna for detecting the command transmitted
by said wireless transmitter, and a second controller connected to
said antenna and responsive to the command, for controlling said
switch in order to enable or disable the function.
12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined
signal includes an identification of the vehicle.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined
signal further identifies a function of the vehicle and whether the
function is to be enabled or disabled.
14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the vehicle
includes a starter, and said switch is for enabling and disabling
the starter.
15. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, based upon said
remote signal, said controller instructs transmission of a command
to enable and/or disable a plurality of functions in the
vehicle.
16. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the function is at
least one of: disabling a starter motor of the vehicle; disabling
an ignition system of the engine; disabling door locks; disabling
headlamps; disabling access to a storage compartment; and enabling
a sound device.
17. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the vehicle
includes a relay device unassociated with said apparatus, and said
switching device is substantially identical in appearance to the
relay device so as to inhibit detection of said switching
device.
18. A method for disabling at least one function in a vehicle,
comprising: receiving a remote signal at the vehicle; determining
whether said remote signal includes a predetermined signal and, if
so, transmitting a wireless command from the vehicle to disable a
function in the vehicle; receiving said wireless command in the
vehicle; and disabling the function in response to receipt of said
wireless command.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said wireless command
includes an identifying portion, said identifying portion
identifying the function to be disabled.
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein said predetermined
signal includes an identification of the vehicle.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said predetermined
signal further identifies a a function to be disabled.
22. The method according to claim 18, wherein the vehicle includes
a starter, and said function is disablement of the starter.
23. The method according to claim 18, further comprising
automatically enabling the function after a predetermined period of
time.
24. The method according to claim 18, wherein the function is at
least one of: disabling a starter motor of the vehicle; disabling
an ignition system of the engine; disabling door locks; disabling
headlamps; and disabling access to a storage compartment.
25. A method for enabling and/or disabling at least one function in
a vehicle, comprising: receiving a remote signal at the vehicle;
determining whether said remote signal includes a predetermined
signal and, if so, transmitting a wireless command from the vehicle
to enable or disable a function in the vehicle; receiving said
wireless command in the vehicle; and enabling or disabling the
function in response to receipt of said wireless command.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said wireless command
includes an identifying portion, said identifying portion
identifying the function to be enabled or disabled.
27. The method according to claim 25, wherein said predetermined
signal includes an identification of the vehicle.
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said predetermined
signal further identifies a a function and whether the function is
to be enabled or disabled.
29. The method according to claim 25, wherein the vehicle includes
a starter, and said function is disablement of the starter.
30. The method according to claim 25, wherein said enabling or
disabling step disables the function and enables the function after
a predetermined period of time.
31. The method according to claim 25, wherein the function is at
least one of: disabling a starter motor of the vehicle; disabling
an ignition system of the engine; disabling door locks; disabling
headlamps; disabling access to a storage compartment; and enabling
a sound device.
32. The method according to claim 25, wherein said step of
receiving a remote signal is preceded by a lender agency
precipitating a transmission of the remote signal.
33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the lender has a
financial interest in the vehicle, and method further comprises:
said transmission of said remote signal only upon dissatisfaction
of the lender agency with its financial interest in the vehicle.
Description
[0001] The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus
for enabling and/or disabling certain devices or functions in a
vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Remote control devices which disable certain functions of
automobiles are in the prior art. These devices are integrated into
car alarms and carjacking/theft deterrent systems, and allow a
person whose car has been stolen to call the stolen automobile
using a telephone or, in some cases, a pager in order to inform the
theft deterrent system that the automobile has been stolen. The
theft deterrent system will then disable the automobile, such as by
stopping the motor. In these prior art systems, a hard-wired
network of wires connects an antenna to a controller, and the
controller to a solenoid or other switch which, when activated or
deactivated as the case may be, causes one of the automobile's
functions to be disabled. As a typical example, the theft deterrent
system of the prior art will cause the automobile's engine to stop
running. In these prior art systems, the focus is on stopping the
automobile as soon as possible so that a thief will not go far and
the automobile will be recovered swiftly.
[0003] Other prior art systems use cellular phone technology to
transmit a signal to open locked doors, as a service to customers
who have locked their keys in the automobile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In marked contrast to the prior art, one object of the
present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for
communicating in a wireless manner between specific electrical
components in a vehicle in order to disable and/or enable certain
functions in the vehicle.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
method and apparatus which permits a loan agency, credit agency,
rental agency, law enforcement agency, or any other agency which
wishes to have some control over the operation of a vehicle, to
disable and perhaps re-enable the starter or other function in a
vehicle.
[0006] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an apparatus which can enable and disable certain functions of an
automobile, but which is virtually impossible to detect or
locate.
[0007] These and other objects of the present invention are
achieved by an apparatus for disabling at least one function in a
vehicle, said apparatus being mounted in the vehicle and comprising
a receiver for receiving a remote signal; a controller, connected
to said receiver, for determining whether said remote signal
includes a predetermined signal and, if so, for instructing a
transmission of a command to disable a function in the vehicle; a
wireless transmitter, connected to said controller, for
transmitting the command; and at least one switching device, said
switching device including a switch for disabling the function of
the vehicle, and a second receiver, said second receiver for
receiving the command transmitted by said wireless transmitter and
for controlling said switch in order to disable the function.
[0008] One of more of the objects of the present invention are also
achieved by an apparatus for enabling at least one function in a
vehicle, said apparatus being mounted in the vehicle and comprising
a receiver for receiving a remote signal; a controller, connected
to said receiver, for determining whether said remote signal
includes a predetermined signal and, if so, for instructing a
transmission of a command to enable or disable a function in the
vehicle; a wireless transmitter, connected to said controller, for
transmitting the predetermined command; and at least one switching
device, said switching device including a switch for enabling the
function of the vehicle, and a second receiver, said second
receiver for receiving the command transmitted by said wireless
transmitter and for controlling said switch in order to enable the
function.
[0009] One of more of the objects of the present invention are also
achieved by a method for disabling at least one function in a
vehicle, comprising receiving a remote signal at the vehicle;
determining whether said remote signal includes a predetermined
signal and, if so, transmitting a wireless command from the vehicle
to disable a function in the vehicle; receiving said wireless
command in the vehicle; and disabling the function in response to
receipt of said wireless command.
[0010] One of more of the objects of the present invention are also
achieved by a method for enabling and/or disabling at least one
function in a vehicle, comprising receiving a remote signal at the
vehicle; determining whether said remote signal includes a
predetermined signal and, if so, transmitting a wireless command
from the vehicle to enable or disable a function in the vehicle;
receiving said wireless command in the vehicle; and enabling or
disabling the function in response to receipt of said wireless
command.
[0011] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from a review of the detailed description and
accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the description
and examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present
invention, are not intended to limit the breadth of the invention
since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope
of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given below, together with the
accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only,
and thus are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the
present invention. In the drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a general overview of an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIGS. 2(a) through 2(d) are circuit diagrams showing how the
slave relays according to the present invention are connected to
control vehicle functions.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a representation of the operation of an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 4(a) through 4(f) show different embodiments of the
main and slave units according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a vehicle starter system usable
with the present invention.
[0018] FIGS. 6(a) through 6(e) show the connection of certain slave
units within a circuit according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring initially to FIG. 1, which shows a general
overview of a system which employs the present invention, the
system includes a communication station having a main transmitter
15 that is at a fixed location. The main transmitter 15 is able to
transmit a digital signal over a radio frequency to a main receiver
1 which is maintained on board automobile 13. Preferably, the main
transmitter 15 and the main receiver 1 are pager-type transmitters
and receivers such that the radio signal is simultaneously
transmitted from a plurality of transmitters 15 throughout the
geographical territory where the automobile may be located. In this
manner, regardless of the location of the automobile, the
transmitted signal can be received by the main receiver 1 on board
the automobile. Preferably, both the transmitter and receiver are
digital type radio equipment to allow the use of encoded digital
signals. In this manner the security and reliability of the system
can be maximized.
[0020] Although FIG. 1 illustrates an automobile 13, it should be
understood that the present invention can be used with any type of
vehicle, including land, sea, and air vehicles. Moreover, because
the physical manifestation of the transmitter 15 is not critical to
the operation of the present invention, satellite or other
non-stationary communication stations can also be used.
[0021] In FIG. 1, a controller 2 is shown installed in the trunk of
automobile 13. A controller 2, which is preferably a micrologic
controller such as a microprocessor, interprets the coded message
received by the main receiver 1. The controller 2 is in electrical
communication with the main receiver 1. Also connected to the main
receiver 1 and the controller 2 is a wireless digital radio
transmitter 3 capable of transmitting a series of predetermined
digital codes. This digital radio transmitter 3 is capable of
transmitting digital codes to a plurality of digital receivers 4, 9
installed in the automobile. Preferably, a distinct encoded signal
is used for each relay or system to be enabled or disabled. By
sending one or more encoded signals, operation of one or more
systems can be controlled. As those skilled in the art will
appreciate, through the use of encoded digital signals transmitted
from the transmitter 3, a secure and reliable system is provided
which, through the use of a single main receiver 1, can operate a
plurality of relays and thus a plurality of functions in the
automobile.
[0022] Typically, a vehicle is provided with manual switches which
the user controls in order to activate an accessory or other
vehicle function. For example, a button might activate the door
locks, and a key might activate the starter motor. The circuits for
these accessories are relay-based, meaning that a relay is used to
isolate the manual switch from the high power loop between the
vehicle battery (or other power source) and the accessory itself.
This avoids the possibility of unwanted power entering the manual
switch and perhaps giving a shock to the user. These accessories
and features may include, without limitation, the relay 5 for the
starter motor 7, and relays for the ignition system, power door
locks, trunk release, headlamps, automobile horn and any other
relay-based electrical system within the automobile 13. An example
would be a manual switch such as a key to starting the vehicle's
engine.
[0023] The slave units according to the present invention and as
described later herein, are used in conjunction with the
pre-existing relay devices mounted within the vehicle. The slave
units include respective receivers, controllers, and their own
internal relays or switches which operate in order to enable or
disable a vehicle function with which the slave unit is associated.
In effect, the relay or switch of the inventive slave unit will
override the open/closed state of the vehicle's pre-existing
relay.
[0024] Also shown in FIG. 1 is an ignition switch 8. A slave relay
5 according to the present invention is connected to the digital
receiver 4 and lies in a circuit between the ignition switch 8 and
a starter solenoid 6. Solenoid 6 is connected to starter motor 7.
As will become apparent upon further description, these components
can be used to prevent the vehicle from being started.
[0025] Many digital receivers 4 may be used in the present
invention, each embodied as a slave unit having its own electrical
relay or switch. The slave units may include, without limitation,
the relay 5 for the starter motor 7, and relays for the ignition
system, power door locks, trunk release, headlamps, automobile horn
and any other relay-based electrical system within the automobile
13. Again, the relay or switch in the slave unit will be in
addition to the pre-existing relay of the relay-based vehicle
function. As seen in FIG. 2(a), the slave relay 203 is connected
between the manual switch 213, such as a key lock for ignition
switch 8, and the vehicle accessory or function 205, such as
starter motor 7 (FIG. 1) which performs the function of starting
the vehicle's engine.
[0026] The vehicle accessory 205 is connected in a high power loop
207 to a power source 211 and a pre-existing relay 209. A manual
switch 213 is also connected to the pre-existing relay 209 in a low
power loop 215. Assuming that the pre-existing relay 109 is
normally open, the user may actuate the manual switch 213 in order
to close the pre-existing relay 209. Once the pre-existing relay is
closed, the high power loop 207 is closed thereby supplying power
to vehicle accesory 205. Thus the manual switch activates the
vehicle accessory. However, the slave unit according to the present
invention is also inserted into the high power loop 207 thereby
adding another relay or electronic switch to the loop. Assuming
that the slave unit relay 203 is normally closed, the vehicle
accessory is activated as just described. But if the receiver 201
detects a command to open the slave unit relay 203 then the relay
203 is opened thereby disabling the high power loop 207 and thus
the vehicle accessory 205. In other words, even if the user
actuates the manual switch 213, the vehicle accessory 205 will be
unable to activate because it will not receive any power. For
example, if the slave unit relay 203 is in the power line for the
vehicle's starter motor, then opening the relay 203 will disable
the user from engaging the starter motor thereby preventing the
vehicle's engine from starting.
[0027] As an alternative to the above, and depending on the vehicle
accessory being controlled, it is possible to use a normally open
switch for the slave unit relay 203.
[0028] The connection of the slave unit relay 203 to the vehicle
power source 211 is omitted from FIG. 2(a) for simplicity. The
receiver 201 contains appropriate circuitry such as a programmed
microprocessor for interpreting commands transmitted from the
master in-vehicle transmitter 3 and for opening the relay 203 when
the relay 203 is identified in the command 202. In this manner, the
present invention allows a digital paging signal to disable or
enable certain features and accessories in the vehicle.
[0029] In FIG. 2(b), another embodiment of the present invention is
shown. A slave unit having a receiver 219 and relay 217 is
connected in the low power loop 215 between the manual switch 213
and the power source 211, instead of in the high power loop 207
which includes the power source 211, the vehicle accessory 205 and
the pre-existing relay 209. As with FIG. 2(a), the connection of
the relay 217 to the vehicle's battery or other power source is
omitted for simplicity. In this embodiment, the ability of the
manual switch 213 to close the normally open pre-existing relay 209
is disabled when the normally closed slave unit relay 217 is
opened. Opening the slave unit relay 217 opens the low power loop
215, thereby removing power from the pre-existing relay 209
rendering it incapable of closing.
[0030] In FIG. 2(a), the slave unit relay 203 must be able to
tolerate whatever peak power may exist within the high power loop
207. Preferably, the relay 203 is the same type of electromagnetic
relay that is used for the pre-existing relay 209. However, it is
more preferable from the point of view of cost to design one
standard slave unit relay 203 which can be used in any of the high
power loops present in a plurality of vehicle types. Although a
high power relay 203 can be used in the embodiment of FIG. 2(b), it
is also possible to use a weaker relay as the slave unit relay 217
because it is used in a lower power loop 215. The weaker slave unit
relay 217 can be of the electromagnetic type but it can also be a
simply electronic switch. It can be as simple as a two-input AND
gate having the power source on one input line, an ON/OFF signal on
the other input line, and the output leading to the manual switch.
It is within the level of skill for the artisan to use other
switches for the relay 217 as well.
[0031] The embodiments of FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) can be combined in
order to provide a redundant way to disable or enable the vehicle
accessory.
[0032] Using the present invention, it is possible for the
transmitter system 15 to send an instruction identifying a
particular vehicle and a particular function to be disabled or
enabled. The main receiver 1 receives and interprets the
instruction, and if the instruction identifies the vehicle 13, then
the in-vehicle transmitter 3 sends a wireless command to the slave
receivers which control the relay-based functions in the vehicle.
Only those receivers which are identified in and recognize the
wireless command will open or close their relay(s), as the case may
be, in order to disable or enable the vehicle function which is the
target of the command.
[0033] FIG. 2(c) illustrates yet another embodiment of the present
invention. The slave relay 219 is connected to the power source 211
in parallel with the manual switch 213. The relay 219 is a normally
open switch which, in its open state, allows the manual switch 213
to control the operation of the vehicle accessory. Upon receipt of
the appropriate command by the receiver 221, the slave relay 219
closes thereby supplying power to the pre-existing relay 209 and
forcing the relay 209 to close. By doing so, the slave relay 219
activates the vehicle accessory 205 regardless of the state of the
manual switch 213. This embodiment may be useful with accessories
such as vehicle lights, horn, or door locks in order to force them
to activate. The receiver 221 can also be programmed to
periodically open and close the slave relay 219 in order to flash
the vehicles lights, flash the horn, etc. As with the other
embodiments, it is possible to substitute a normally closed relay
for the normally open slave relay 219 in order to obtain opposite
enabled/disabled states.
[0034] FIG. 2(d) shows yet another embodiment of the present
invention. The slave unit relay 223 is connected in parallel with
the pre-existing relay 209. The slave unit relay 223 is a normally
open switch which, in its open state, allows the pre-existing relay
209 to control the operation of the vehicle accessory 205. Upon
receipt of the appropriate command by the receiver 225, the slave
unit relay 223 closes thereby supplying power to the vehicle
accessory 205 and forcing it to operate. By doing so, the slave
unit relay 223 activates the vehicle accessory 205 regardless of
the state of the manual switch 213 and/or the pre-existing relay
209. This embodiment may be used in situations such as those
described in relation to FIG. 2(c). In FIG. 2(d), however, the
slave relay 223 may have to withstand higher power than slave relay
219 of FIG. 2(c) because the vehicle accessory 205 likely consumes
more power than the coil of the pre-existing relay 209. As with the
other embodiments, it is possible to substitute a normally closed
relay for the normally open slave unit relay 223.
[0035] According to the present invention, pre-existing relays
which are used in the vehicle are supplemented with "smart" relays
whose open/closed state is controllable by the controller 2. If a
command from the controller 2 instructs the slave relay 5 to be
opened by the receiver 4, for example, then the user will be unable
to operate the starter motor 7 via the manual switch (here, vehicle
key) 8.
[0036] While the smart relays of the present invention are used
primarily as supplements to pre-existing relays, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that plural smart relays may be connected
in parallel or in series in order to provide redundancy or to
reduce system tampering or system disablement. The smart relays can
also be used to control functions which are not traditionally
controlled by relays. In addition, the circuitry according to the
present invention can be such that one smart relay controls a
plurality of vehicle functions.
[0037] The system according to the present invention also
preferably includes the digital radio receiver 9 which is connected
to a timer control 10 and to an audio warning unit 11. The audio
warning unit 11 can be a piezoelectric buzzer, a loudspeaker, or
any other device that makes an audible warning. In this manner, a
warning signal can be transmitted from the main transmitter 15 to
the main receiver 1, and the controller 2 can retransmit a warning
command through the digital radio transmitter 3 to the digital
receiver 9. Once received at receiver 9, the system initiates the
process of providing an audible warning to the users of the
automobile prior to, or at the same time as, enabling or disabling
a particular function of the automobile. For example, prior to
disabling the starter mechanism, the warning device can provide an
audio warning to the occupants of the vehicle that the starter
mechanism of the vehicle will be disabled unless the occupants
perform certain actions. Preferably, the timer control 10 will
provide a warning that is repeated over a predetermined period with
predetermined intervals, such as 10 beeps on the hour and half-hour
for 24 hours, so that the occupants will receive a plurality of
prior warnings of the enablement or disablement of certain
functions of the vehicle. At a later time, signals can be sent from
the main transmitter 15 for enabling or disabling those functions.
The warning system can include a visual warning in addition to or
instead of the audio warning.
[0038] It should also be understood that the command transmitted by
the controller 2 through the in-vehicle transmitter 3 may trigger
only the warning system, or may trigger both the warning system and
one or more of the appropriate slave relays. In this regard, the
warning system's timer control 10 may be provided with a memory
storing a plurality of different warnings. Upon interpreting the
incoming command from the transmitter 3, the warning system will
choose the proper one(s) of the stored warnings to sound and/or
show to the users of the automobile. The warnings can sound like a
recognizable buzz, a spoken instruction, etc. The visual warning
can be a flashing light, a scrolling set of words, etc. Typically,
the audio and visual warnings will use dedicated audio and visual
warning devices, but use of the vehicle's pre-existing audio and/or
visual devices is also possible.
[0039] In FIG. 3, a series of slave relays 4, 32-35 according to
the present invention are associated with respective functions in
the vehicle. For example, relay 4 controls the starter motor; relay
32 controls the door locks; relay 33 controls the headlamps; relay
34 controls the horn; relay 35 controls the trunk lid. In the
preferred embodiment, each relay 4, 32-35 will have a respective
receiver 5, 37-40 and. a respective identifier or address. The
warning system is not shown in FIG. 3, but preferably also has its
own receiver and its own identifier or address. The receivers 5,
37-40 include appropriate circuitry for detecting and interpreting
wireless signals. Such circuitry is well known to those skilled in
the art, and therefore it will not be elaborated herein. Main
receiver 1 is preferably a paging receiver compatible with digital
transmissions to/from the main transmitter 15. The controller 2
(FIG. 1) can be formed as a separate component or, as shown in FIG.
3, it can be incorporated into either the in-vehicle receiver 1 or
the in-vehicle digital radio transmitter 3. All three components 1,
2, 3 can also be integrated into one; this aspect of the invention
is not critical.
[0040] In operation, the main transmitter 15 will transmit a signal
such as a numeric code over the air to the in-vehicle receiver 1.
The signal may be a 900 MHz radio signal for maximum range and
clarity, and preferably includes a vehicle identifier which
identifies the vehicle to which the signal is addressed, and an
instruction to enable or disable a particular function or
functions. The receiver 1 passes the signal to the controller 2 for
interpretation. If the controller recognizes the signal as an
instruction to enable and/or disable one or more functions in the
vehicle, then the controller 2 transmits a command through the
in-vehicle transmitter 3 over the air to the digital receivers 5,
37-40 installed within the housing of relays 4, 32-35. The command
may include an address of the desired relay and an instruction to
enable or disable the function associated with that relay.
Alternatively, the command may include the address of a plurality
of desired relays, and instructions to enable and/or disable the
functions associated with those relays. Here, the address or
identity of the desired relay(s) may be in the form of a digital
(e.g., binary) address on a carrier wave, or a distinct
communication frequency for each slave, or a combination of the
two. Once the desired one(s) of the receivers 36-40 hears its
address, it will follow the instruction to either open or close the
associated relay 4, 32-35 in order to disable or enable the
function. Preferably, the relays are normally-closed relays,
allowing the command simply to contain the identity of the desired
slave relay. In this case, the slave relay's receiver will cause
the slave relay to switch states between open and closed whenever
it hears its address. The receiver 5, 37-40 may also include an
automatic timer which re-enables the function after a predetermined
period of time.
[0041] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b),
the main receiver 1 and digital radio transmitter 3 are installed
on a single platform 20, with the controller 2 being integrated
into the main receiver 1, the transmitter 3 or the platform 20.
Appropriate wired connections join them to each other, and a
suitable cover (not shown) encapsulates the components and shields
them from damage and from view. Covers are not shown in any of
FIGS. 4(a)-4(f), but they are preferably provided, and are
preferably formed with the same cosmetic appearance as the relays
that pre-exist in the vehicle. In this manner, the devices will
appear to be standard devices, thus making the system difficult to
locate or detect.
[0042] The components 1, 2, 3 could also be integrated into a
single printed circuit card. Together, these components form the
master relay control unit 22 that is small in size, on the order of
a few inches or smaller, making it easy to install out of sight. It
may include three electrical connectors 24 arranged at right angles
to one another in the manner arranged on prior art relay units.
Using this arrangement, the master relay control unit 22 can be
connected to receive power and ground from a plug installed in the
vehicle. It also may be plugged into a pre-existing relay plug in
the vehicle, in which case an electromagnetic relay 23 should be
included within the unit 22. The relay 23 could be made permanently
open or closed in order to enable whatever function is associated
with that relay. Alternatively, the relay 23 could be controllable
by the master relay control unit, thus making the master relay
control unit act as both the master and a slave. By using a
pre-existing relay plug, the main relay control unit 25 becomes
even more difficult to detect. Other physical designs for the
master control unit 25 are also possible since its appearance is
not critical to its operation. Preferably, however, the master
control unit 25 is installed in a place in the vehicle where it is
not easily detected.
[0043] As to the appearance of the slave units, they too are
preferably designed to look like the pre-existing relays. In order
to reduce the number of slave and pre-existing relay units in the
vehicle, it is also possible to incorporate two relays into the
slave unit, one which acts like the pre-existing relay and another
as the controllable slave relay. Such a design, however, results in
a bulky slave unit.
[0044] The transmitter 3 is preferably a 300 MHZ transmitter which
has sufficient range to be in radio communication with the digital
radio receivers placed throughout the automobile. Similarly, the
digital radio receivers 5, 37-40 and relays 4, 32-35 are designed
as slave units 25 to the master relay control unit 22, as shown in
FIGS. 4(c) and 4(d). Using receiver 5 and relay 4 as an example,
the digital radio receiver 5, which is preferably a 300 MHz
receiver, is incorporated in the relay slave unit 25 together with
the relay 4. The receiver 5 and relay 4 are preferably mounted on a
single relay platform 26 which operates a particular vehicle
function, such as the starter motor. Plugs 24 are also present to
permit the unit 25 to be connected into the appropriate relay plug
in the vehicle.
[0045] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 4(e) and 4(f),
the present system can function through the use of a stand alone
pager-type main receiver 1 installed on a particular relay platform
28 which operates a particular vehicle function, for example the
starter motor. In this configuration, the stand alone main receiver
1 includes the pager receiver which receives the signal from the
main transmitter 15 of a paging dispatch center in a manner already
explained, but rather than transmitting a command to a slave unit,
the stand alone main receiver 28 houses the relay 27 on the relay
platform 26. In this auxiliary embodiment, the main receiver is
necessarily plugged into the relay plug associated with the vehicle
function being controlled. It is possible to omit the in-vehicle
transmitter 3 because the main receiver 1 includes controller 2
(not shown) to perform the functions that otherwise would be
performed by one of the slave units. In other words, the embodiment
of FIGS. 4(e) and 4(f) houses both a relay which replaces the
vehicle's preexisting relay, and the slave relay or switch
explained in relation to FIGS. 2(a) through 2(d). The
transmitter-free embodiment shown in FIGS. 4(e) and 4(f) is useful
when only one function in the vehicle is to be enabled/disabled,
but it is also possible to mount several of such stand alone units
in the vehicle in order to control several functions, in which case
a respective identifier would be used for each stand alone unit and
all stand alone units would listen to the messages transmitted from
the paging transmitter 15.
[0046] Preferably, however, the transmitter 3 is used in the stand
alone main units. In this embodiment, the stand alone main unit
itself controls one of the vehicle's functions and, for all other
functions, it transmits commands to the slave units that are
associated with those functions.
[0047] Each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4(a)-4(f) allow for
easy installation of the present invention because most slave units
will simply be plugged into pre-existing or specially installed
plugs; the same is true for the stand alone main unit. The master
relay control unit can likewise be fitted into an existing relay
plug, or into a specially added relay plug, or it can be designed
in a completely different way. What is important is that the
present invention is extremely versatile in allowing its components
to be hidden from detection.
[0048] As stated earlier, vehicles are typically manufactured to
contain relays, such as a relay in the starter system. Because the
master and/or slave relay units of the present invention can be
manufactured as individual replacement relays for the vehicle's
factory installed relays, or as specially installed relay units, it
is possible to make their visual appearance identical or nearly
identical to that of the factory installed relays. For example, as
shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle 13 typically includes an ignition
switch 8 which is operated by a key 51. Electrical wires are
connected from the ignition switch 8 to a relay which, in the case
of FIG. 5, is substituted by an inventive slave relay unit 25
containing both the pre-existing relay for the starter system and
the slave relay or switch. Additional wires lead from the slave
relay unit 25 to a starter solenoid 6 and to the starter motor 8.
By employing the present invention, the user of the vehicle 13
remains unaware that the slave relay unit 25 is not the factory
installed relay, but rather a "smart" relay which is controlled by
an in-vehicle transmitter and can disable and enable the starter at
will. When the salve relay unit 25 receives a command with its
specific numeric address, it opens the relay and disables the
starter motor's electrical circuit. The starter motor 8 will not
engage the next time the driver attempts to start the car. This
method of disabling the car is advantageous and safer because the
vehicle is not stopped on the highway at high speeds, but rather
will become disabled once the engine is turned off. It should be
understood that the meaning of "disabling" and "enabling" a
function in the vehicle depends on the point of view. For example,
turning something "off" may be considered disabling that function,
and can also be interpreted as enabling a "lockout" state.
Therefore, the context of the function might influence whether it
is being disabled or enabled.
[0049] FIG. 6(a) illustrates a block diagram of certain connections
in the present invention. The main receiver 1, the controller 2,
and the transmitter 3, all of which are mounted somewhere in the
vehicle and preferably as a main relay control unit 22, are powered
by the power source battery 61 of the vehicle. The vehicle's
battery may supply an inconsistent voltage, so a power-conditioning
circuit 63 may be needed. Because of the possibility of the battery
61 being disconnected in an effort to circumvent the present
invention, auxiliary power sources may be used, such as backup
batteries (not shown) housed within or near the receiver 1,
controller 2, and transmitter 3. Capacitors (not shown) may also be
used to store energy in the event that main power is disconnected.
It is also preferable to connect the main relay control unit and
the slave units to common ground.
[0050] In FIGS. 6(b)-6(d), block diagrams of the individual slave
relay units 25 are shown. Each unit 25 is capable of receiving the
commands transmitted from the wireless transmitter 3, interpreting
those commands, and deciding whether to open or close their
associated electromagnetic relays. The receiver on the unit 25
determines whether the incoming command identifies that relay by
address and, if so, uses the slave relay or switch (not shown)
either to pass a voltage signal from the vehicle's power source to
the associated pre-existing relay in order to close the relay, or
to stop passage of the voltage signal in order to open the
pre-existing relay. By opening a relay, the headlamp, horn, power
door locks, starter, etc., is disabled. In FIG. 6(e), a timer
controller 10 decides when to start and stop the audio and/or
visual warning unit, and also decides what type of audio and/or
visual warning to broadcast.
[0051] In operation, the present system can be utilized for a
number of purposes. For example, it can be used by a lending
institution 19 (FIG. 1) to ensure that the borrower keeps current
on his payments to the lending company. For example, if the
borrower becomes behind in his payments, the lender can, through
the transmission of the appropriate signal to the vehicle, initiate
the warning sequence in the vehicle. If the borrower does not take
the necessary actions to satisfy his account, the lender 19 can
later transmit a signal to disable the starter of the automobile.
In this manner, while the car itself will not be disabled if it is
already running, the car can be prevented from restarting after the
engine has been turned off. Once the borrower's account is brought
current, the system of the present invention can be used to
re-enable the starter system. In this case, the lender 19 can
either directly control the paging system 15 which transmits the
warning and disable signals or, as shown in FIG. 1, the lender 19
can be in communication through ISDN, dedicated lines, or whatever
type of communication is most convenient, with a separate entity
such as the National Dispatch Center (NDC) 16 which transmits such
signals using a proprietary nationwide communication network and a
nationwide paging service provider. The dispatch center 16
preferably has access to a customer database 18 in order to know
which vehicle to communicate with. The use of a paging system is
advantageous because it allows transmission of the signals to all
geographical regions where the vehicle may be, simultaneously. It
would be very difficult for a user to successfully escape the
geographical reaches of the lender 19.
[0052] Still further, the present system can be utilized by
automobile associations or rental companies to automatically unlock
the vehicle doors and/or trunk from a remote location upon
receiving information that the owner or renter has locked the keys
in the car. Still another use of the present invention is with law
enforcement. Cars can be immobilized by disabling the starter or
the ignition system, meaning that drivers convicted of automobile
violations such as driving under the influence can be prevented
from using their cars altogether by simply installing the present
invention. Drivers can also be prevented from using their cars
during certain hours of the day by disabling it at certain times
and re-enabling it at others. The re-enablement can be done by
subsequently transmitted signals, or by using an automatic timer
within the controller 2 or within the receiver 5, 32-35.
[0053] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, using the
foregoing combination of components, a system can be easily
installed within an automobile by simply replacing stock relays
with specialized relays as described above. In this manner, the
entire system is a wireless type system and does not require the
direct electrical connection of the main receiver with the
particular components through the automobile. As those skilled in
the art will appreciate, this will result in a much more cost
effective product in terms of component costs and installation.
[0054] The invention having been thus described, it will be obvious
that the same may be varied in many ways. For example, the relays
or switches used in the slave units can be temporary on/off
switches, such as relays, or permanent on/off switches such as
fuses. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from
the spirit and scope of the invention, but rather as modifications
intended to be encompassed within the scope of the following
claims.
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