Dealer remote transmitter with time limited operability

• US 20050146418A1
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magnadyne Corporation
• Original Assignee: Magnadyne Corporation
• Inventors: Caren, Barry L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,283,040 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.210
• 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 security system for a vehicle, comprising:

a receiver installed in the vehicle;

a transmitter that may be programmed to communicate with the receiver in a first mode and programmed to not communicate with the receiver in a second mode; and

a programming tool that is separate from the transmitter, the programming tool generating a programming signal for programming the transmitter in the first mode to communicate with the receiver during an authorized time period and for programming the transmitter in the second mode to inhibit communication with the receiver during an unauthorized time period.

2. The security system of claim 1 wherein the unauthorized time period corresponds to a time of day in which the vehicle is not intended to be operated.

3. The security system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter is adapted to communicate with a set of receivers in the first mode, each member of the set of receivers being disposed in a different vehicle.

4. The security system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter is adapted to communicate with a single receiver in the first mode.

5. The security system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a common signal to unlock doors of a plurality of vehicles during the authorized time period.

6. A security system for a vehicle, comprising:

a programming device disposed apart from the vehicle that generates a first control signal; and

a transmitter disposed apart from the programming device that receives the first control signal, the transmitter including a control switch for entering a command;

an oscillator that transmits a second control signal based upon the command, and

a programmable encoder for programming the second control signal transmitted by the oscillator;

wherein the first control signal inhibits the oscillator from transmitting the second control signal beginning at a specified time period.

7. The security system of claim 6 wherein the specified time period corresponds to a time of day when access to the vehicle is denied.

8. The security system of claim 6 wherein the programming device is a computer.

9. The security system of claim 6 wherein the control switch is actuated with a button disposed on the transmitter.

10. The security system of claim 6 wherein the oscillator transmits an RF signal.

11. The security system of claim 10 wherein the oscillator is adjustable to select a transmission range for the RF signal.

12. The security system of claim 11 wherein the transmission range is between approximately four to six feet.

13. A remote control system comprising:

a remotely controlled apparatus;

a programming device that is used to establish a time period and generates a signal based upon the time period; and

a transmitter incorporated with the programming device that receives the signal from the programming device, wherein control of the remotely controlled apparatus by the transmitter is inhibited at a predetermined time based upon the signal.

14. The remote control system of claim 13 wherein the remotely controlled apparatus is a vehicle security system.

15. The remote control system of claim 13 wherein the remotely controlled apparatus is a vehicle door lock.

16. The remote control system of claim 13 wherein the remotely controlled apparatus is a vehicle lighting system.

17. The remote control system of claim 13 wherein the remotely controlled apparatus is a vehicle air conditioning system.

18. The remote control system of claim 13 wherein the remotely controlled apparatus is a vehicle heating system.

19. The remote control system of claim 13 wherein the remotely controlled apparatus is a vehicle engine starter.

20. The remote control system of claim 13 wherein the programming device is a control switch.