Vehicle security system and method

• US 20040204795A1
• Filed: 08/12/2002
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Doyle, Thomas F., Harvey, John, Segal, Michael L.
• Application Number:
  US10/217,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20040204795A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features

Abstract

A method and apparatus for validating a vehicle operator. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an input device for allowing entry of vehicle operator identification information, a transceiver for transmitting a message and receiving a response to the message, an interface for allowing a processor to communication with a vehicle sub-system, and a processor connected to the input device, the transceiver, and the interface, the processor for receiving the vehicle operator identification information from the input device, for generating the message comprising the vehicle operation identification information and providing the message to the transceiver, for receiving the response from the transceiver and for controlling the vehicle sub-system, via the interface, based on the response.

Claims

1. An apparatus for validating a vehicle operator, comprising:

an input device for allowing entry of vehicle operator identification information;

a memory for storing pre-defined identification information;

a processor for comparing said pre-defined identification information to said vehicle operator identification information and generating a message based on the comparison, said message indicating whether or not said pre-defined identification information matched said vehicle operator identification information; and

a transceiver for transmitting said message to a remote location in response to the comparison.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transceiver is further for receiving a second message from said remote location in response to said message, said second message instructing said processor to control a vehicle function.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein controlling a vehicle function comprises enabling operation of a vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein controlling a vehicle function comprises impairing operation of a vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface for allowing said processor to communicate with a vehicle sub-system;

wherein

said processor is further for transmitting an instruction to said vehicle sub-system, in response to said comparison, for impairing operation of a vehicle.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises preventing said vehicle from starting.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises disabling a vehicle ignition system.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises impairing a vehicle fuel system.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises flashing a vehicle headlight, a vehicle taillight, or a vehicle interior light.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises sounding a vehicle horn.

11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises impairing a vehicle transmission.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein impairing operation of a vehicle transmission comprises limiting the number of gears that may be used during operation of said vehicle.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface for allowing said processor to control a vehicle sub-system connected to said interface;

wherein

said processor is further for transmitting a command to said vehicle sub-system, in response to said comparison, for enabling operation of a vehicle.

43. The signal-bearing medium of claim 1, further comprising the operation of transmitting an instruction to a vehicle sub-system, in response to said comparison, for enabling Cite operation of said vehicle.

14. Cancelled

15. Cancelled

16. Cancelled

17. Cancelled

18. Cancelled

19. Cancelled

20. Cancelled

21. Cancelled

22. Cancelled

23. Cancelled

24. An apparatus for validating a vehicle operator, comprising:

a transceiver for receiving a message from a vehicle, said message indicating either a successful or an unsuccessful validation onboard said vehicle, and for transmitting a response to said message;

a processor for evaluating said message and for generating said response to said message, said response comprising instructions for controlling operation of said vehicle.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising an interface for sending a notification of said message to a third party.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said response is generated by said processor in accordance with instructions from said third party.

29. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a memory, said memory comprising said instructions for controlling operation of said vehicle, wherein said processor generates [[a]] said response in accordance with said instructions.

30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein controlling operation of said vehicle comprises impairing operation of said vehicle.

27. Cancelled

28. Cancelled

31. A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a method for validating a vehicle operator, said method comprising operations of:

receiving vehicle operator identification information from a user interface;

storing pre-defined identification information;

comparing said pre-defined identification information to said vehicle operator identification information;

generating a message based on said comparison, said message indicating whether or not said pre-defined identification information matched said vehicle operator identification information; and

transmitting said message to a remote location in response to said comparison.

32. The signal-bearing medium of claim 31 further comprising operations of receiving a second message from said remote location in response to said message, said second message comprising instructions for controlling operation of a vehicle.

33. The signal-bearing medium of claim 32, wherein controlling operation of said vehicle comprises enabling operation of said vehicle.

34. The signal-bearing medium of claim 32, wherein controlling operation of said vehicle comprises impairing operation of said vehicle.

35. The signal-bearing medium of claim 31, further comprising the operation of sending a command to a vehicle sub-system, in response to said comparison, for impairing operation of said vehicle.

36. The signal-bearing medium of claim 35, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises preventing said vehicle from starting.

37. The signal-bearing medium of claim 35, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises disabling a vehicle ignition system.

38. The signal-bearing medium of claim 35, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises impairing a vehicle fuel system.

39. The signal-bearing medium of claim 35, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises flashing a vehicle headlight, a vehicle taillight, or a vehicle interior light.

40. The signal-bearing medium of claim 35, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises sounding a vehicle horn.

41. The signal-bearing medium of claim 35, wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises impairing a vehicle transmission.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein impairing operation of a vehicle transmission comprises the operation of limiting the number of gears that may be used during operation of said vehicle.

44. Cancelled

45. Cancelled

46. Cancelled

47. Cancelled

48. Cancelled

49. Cancelled

50. Cancelled

51. Cancelled

52. Cancelled

53. A method for validating a vehicle operator, comprising:

receiving a message from a vehicle, the message indicating either a successful or an unsuccessful validation onboard said vehicle;

evaluating said message;

generating a response to said message, said response comprising instructions for controlling operation of said vehicle; and

transmitting said response to said vehicle.

54. The method of claim 53 further comprising sending a notification of said message to a third party.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising receiving instructions from said third party, wherein said response is generated in accordance with said instructions.

58. The method of claim 53 further comprising;

storing said instructions for controlling said vehicle, wherein said response comprises said instructions.

59. The method of claim 53, wherein controlling operation of said vehicle comprises impairing operation of said vehicle.

56. Cancelled

57. Cancelled