Method and apparatus for providing a personal security system

• US 20040190720A1
• Filed: 03/27/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnitracs LLC (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Harvey, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,561,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner

Abstract

A personal security system (PSS) for use by an operator of a vehicle. The vehicle includes communication logic to communicate with a central station via a communication channel. The personal security system comprises timing logic that operates to measure a predetermined time period in response to receiving an actuation signal. The timing logic outputs a completion signal at the end of the predetermined time period. The personal security system also comprises message logic coupled to the timing logic that operates to generate a distress message in response to receiving the completion signal. The distress message is transmitted to the central station by the communication logic using the communication channel.

Claims

1. A personal security system for use by an operator of a vehicle, the personal security system comprising:

timing logic operable to measure a predetermined time period in response to receiving an actuation signal, and wherein the timing logic outputs a completion signal at the expiration of the predetermined time period; and

message logic coupled to the timing logic and the communication logic, the message logic operable to generate a message in response to receiving the completion signal.

2. The personal security system of claim 1, further comprising communication logic, wherein the message comprises a distress message and the communication logic is for wirelessly transmitting the distress message to a central station.

3. The personal security system of claim 1, further comprising security logic coupled to the timing logic, the security logic comprising logic to generate the actuation signal in response to an input by the operator.

4. The personal security system of claim 1, further comprising a switch that generates the actuation signal in response to an input by the operator.

5. The personal security system of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a vehicle control message that is used to control one or more vehicle systems.

6. The personal security system of claim 2, wherein the communication logic is further for receiving a security instruction message in response to sending the distress message, the security instruction message for controlling operation of the vehicle.

7. The personal security system of claim 6, wherein controlling operation of the vehicle comprises disabling the vehicle.

8. The personal security system of claim 3, further comprising:

a portable personal security accessory for transmitting an override signal; and

a receiver for receiving the override signal and generating the message upon receipt of the override signal.

9. The personal security system of claim 3, wherein the security logic comprises logic to receive a vehicle information indicator and logic to generate the actuation signal in response to the vehicle information indicator.

10. A method for providing a personal security system for use by an operator of a vehicle, the method comprising:

activating timing logic to measure a predetermined time period in response to an actuation signal;

generating a completion signal after the timing logic measures the predetermined time period; and

generating a message in response to the completion signal.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising transmitting the message to a central station, wherein the message comprises a distress message.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein activating the timing logic comprises receiving an actuation signal generated in response to an input by the operator.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the message comprises a vehicle control message used to control one or more vehicle systems in response to the completion signal.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving a security instruction message transmitted from the central station in response to the distress message.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating a vehicle control message in response to the security instruction message.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of receiving an override signal generated from a personal security accessory worn by the operator, wherein the message is generated upon receipt of the override signal.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein activating the timing logic comprises receiving an actuation signal generated in response to a vehicle information indicator.

18. A personal security system for use by an operator of a vehicle, the personal security system comprising:

means for activating timing logic to measure a predetermined time period in response to an actuation signal;

means for generating a completion signal after the timing logic measures the predetermined time period; and

means for generating a message in response to the completion signal.

19. A personal security system for use by an operator of a vehicle, comprising:

an input device for entering an activation signal indicating the start of an activity;

a timer for measuring a predetermined time period starting at a time when the activation signal is received, the timer further for sending a completion signal after the predetermined time period has expired; and

a processor for generating a message in response to receiving the completion signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a transmitter, wherein the message comprises a distress message that is transmitted to a central station.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a receiver for receiving a response from the central station, the response comprising instructions for controlling a vehicle function.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a vehicle interface, wherein said message comprises a vehicle control message that is sent to the vehicle interface, the vehicle control message for controlling a vehicle function.