Dealer remote transmitter with time limited operability

• US 20030020601A1
• Filed: 07/27/2001
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magnadyne Corporation
• Original Assignee: Magnadyne Corporation
• Inventors: Caren, Barry L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,870,458 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00198 the keyless data carrier having more than one limited data transmission ranges
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00825 remotely by lines or wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed

Abstract

A system and method for controlling remotely controlled components of a plurality of vehicles in response to a short range common signal emitted by a transmitter that can operate the components only during specified time periods. A transmitter can be programmed to provide a relatively long range customer signal that can operate the components at any time. The system and method are operative on a mutually exclusive basis wherein the remotely controlled components only respond to the common signal or the customer signal.

Claims

1. A remote system for an automotive dealership having a number of vehicles with remotely controlled components, the system comprising:

a programmable transmitter for transmitting a common signal for controlling at least one remotely controlled component on at least one vehicle, the programmable transmitter being adjustable to select a signal transmission range;

a receiver for receiving the common signal and interacting the signal with the at least one component; and

a programming source for generating a programming signal for programming the transmitter for prohibiting operation of the remotely controlled component during at least one programmable period.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the selectable signal transmission range is sufficiently limited to only reach the receiver in the vehicle nearest the transmitter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal transmission range is in the range of between four to six feet.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote system is a remote keyless entry system.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the remotely controlled components is a vehicle security system.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the common signal is capable of arming/disarming the vehicle security system.

7. The system of claim 5, further comprising a door lock that operates in conjunction with the vehicle security system, wherein the door is locked when the vehicle security system is armed and the door is unlocked when the vehicle security system is disarmed.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the programming source is a computer that is adapted to provide a programming signal.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer is adapted to communicate the programming signal by a cable connected to the transmitter.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer is adapted to communicate the programming signal by a radio frequency received by the transmitter.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the programming signal is a digital bit stream transmitted over a radio frequency link.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one programmable period corresponds to a time when employees are not supposed to access the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one programmable period corresponds to specified times during a day.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the programming source programs the transmitter to transmit a customer signal, wherein the at least one component on only one vehicle is operable in response to the customer signal but is not responsive to the common signal when the customer signal is programmed.

15. A programmable transmitter for transmitting a signal to a remotely positionable receiver, the transmitter comprising;

an oscillator for transmitting the signal;

a programmable encoder for programming one type of signal transmitted by the oscillator;

a battery for providing power to the transmitter;

a control switch actuatable to initiate signal transmission by the oscillator;

a programmable interrupt prohibiting the oscillator from transmitting during specified periods; and

a time indicator for monitoring the specified periods.

16. The transmitter of claim 15, wherein the oscillator is adjustable to select a signal transmission range.

17. The transmitter of claim 15, wherein the programmable interrupt is adapted to receive a signal for programming the specified periods.

18. The transmitter of claim 15, wherein the encoder is adapted to receive a signal for directing the oscillator to transmit a customer signal or a common signal.

19. A method for arming/disarming a vehicle at an automotive dealership, the method comprising:

selecting the signal transmission range of the transmitter;

transmitting a signal from a programmable transmitter for arming/disarming a security system of the vehicle;

receiving the signal by a receiver for interacting the signal with the security system; and

generating a signal at a programming source for programming the transmitter to prohibit operation of the vehicle by the security system during at least one programmable period.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the programmable period corresponds to a time when employees are not supposed to access the vehicle.

21. A method for arming/disarming a vehicle at an automotive dealership, the method comprising:

selecting the signal transmission range of the transmitter;

transmitting a signal from a programmable transmitter for arming/disarming a security system of the vehicle;

receiving the signal by a receiver for interacting the signal with the security system; and

generating a signal at a programming source for programming the receiver to prohibit operation of the vehicle by the security system during at least one programmable period.