Wireless security, telemetry and control system

• US 20050012640A1
• Filed: 07/15/2003
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autosafe International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Autosafe International Incorporated
• Inventors: Stevens, Frank, Kong, Qin
• Granted Patent: US 6,980,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.170
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network

Abstract

The present invention relates to a security, telemetry and control system which utilizes wireless communication between a control unit and smart relay(s) within the vehicle and also utilizes wireless communication between the vehicle and a remote base station to monitor and protect a vehicle or piece of equipment against unauthorized users and thieves.

Claims

1. A wireless security, telemetry and control system for a mobile piece of equipment comprising:

at least one smart relay unit associated with a selected function of said mobile piece of equipment, said at least one smart relay unit having means for receiving wireless communication from a main control unit;

a main control unit located within said piece of equipment having a means for transmitting wireless communication to said at least one smart relay, said main control unit also having a means of establishing a user ID;

whereby said main control unit establishes said user ID and thereafter sends a wireless communication to said smart relay to enable or disable said function of said mobile piece of equipment to which it is associated.

2. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 1 wherein means for transmitting wireless communication from said main control unit to said at least one smart relay unit includes a radio frequency transmitter.

3. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 1 wherein means for transmitting wireless communication from said-main control unit to said at least one smart relay unit includes a low frequency transmitter.

4. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 1 wherein means for transmitting wireless communication from said main control unit to said at least one smart relay unit includes an infra red transmitter.

5. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 1 wherein said smart relay unit includes a means for transmitting wireless communication to said main control unit, and said main control unit includes a means for receiving wireless communication from said smart relay unit.

6. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 5 wherein means for transmitting wireless communication from said at least one smart relay unit to said main control unit includes a radio frequency transmitter.

7. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 5 wherein means for transmitting wireless communication from said at least one smart relay unit to said main control unit includes a low frequency transmitter.

8. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 5 wherein means for transmitting wireless communication from said at least one smart relay unit to said main control unit includes a infra red transmitter.

9. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 5 wherein said main control unit includes a memory for storing said wireless communications received from said smart relay;

wherein said stored communications can be downloaded to a external electronic device in electrical communication with said main control unit.

10. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 1 wherein said means for establishing a user ID includes at least one electronic key, said electronic key constructed and arranged for electrical communication with an electronic key receiver, said electronic key receiver secured within said mobile piece of equipment and in electrical communication with said main control unit.

11. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 10 wherein said electronic key includes a user code in read only memory whereby said user code is programmed into said read only memory via a computer and a writer interface.

12. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 10 wherein said electronic key includes a user code in random access memory whereby said user code is programmed into said random access memory via a computer and a reader-writer interface.

13. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 1 wherein said main control unit includes at least one two-way communication system for transmission of data from said main control unit to a remote base station and transmission of commands from said remote base station to said main control unit.

14. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 13 wherein said two-way communication system is a two-way pager system.

15. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 14 wherein said two-way pager communication system includes ReFlex type communication protocol.

16. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 13 wherein said two-way communication system is a two-way cellular-system.

17. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 11 wherein said at least one smart relay includes a basic mode wherein said at least one smart relay has normally open electrical contacts and said function of said mobile piece of equipment to which it is associated will not function until said main control unit transmits a allow function signal to said at least one smart relay.

18. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 5 wherein said at least one smart relay includes a smart mode wherein said at least one smart relay has normally closed electrical contacts and said smart relay unit monitors for attempted use of said function of said mobile piece of equipment to which it is associated, whereby upon an attempted use of said function said smart relay unit transmits a signal to said main control unit if said main control unit transmits an accepted identification back to said smart relay said function is allowed to operate, if said main control unit transmits an unaccepted identification to said smart relay said smart relay is opened thereby preventing said function from operation;

wherein said smart relay mode hides said smart relay from diagnostic equipment and the mobile equipment'"'"'s on-board computer.

19. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 5 wherein said at least one smart relay includes a sensing mode wherein said relay utilizes at least one analog sensor for monitoring a function of the mobile equipment, converts the sensed analog data to a digital signal and transmits said digital data to the main control unit;

wherein at least one of the following parameters is sensed and data is transmitted to said main control unit;

electrical, speed, pressure, temperature, fluid level, fluid flow, load, opening of the trunk, hood, doors, windows, movement of the vehicle or within the vehicle, ultrasonic, microwave and radar motion, vibration, sound discrimination, differential pressure electrical switches.

20. The wireless security, telemetry and control system of claim 5 wherein said at least one smart relay includes a sensing mode wherein said relay utilizes at least one digital sensor for monitoring a function of the mobile equipment and transmits said sensed digital data to the main control unit;

wherein at least one of the following parameters is sensed and data is transmitted to said main control unit;

electrical, speed, pressure, temperature, fluid level, fluid flow, load, opening of the trunk, hood, doors, windows, movement of the vehicle or within the vehicle;

ultrasonic, microwave and radar motion, vibration, sound discrimination, differential pressure, electrical switches.