Method for remote vehicle ignition enablement and disablement via broadband enabled security mechanisms

• US 20050156706A1
• Filed: 01/16/2004
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Slingshot IOT LLC
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hamilton, Rick Allen, Dawson, Christopher James, Fellenstein, Craig William, Luddy, Edward Noel II
• Granted Patent: US 7,088,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.720
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/202 Personal digital assistant [PDA]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer program are provided for remotely controlling the ignition of a vehicle. A variety of condition can be placed on vehicle for operation, such as time or geography, from a variety of remote wireless technologies. The ignition control system is also capable of effectively learning safe zones under which the vehicle can operate. Also, the ignition control system can cease operations upon request by an owner or law enforcement.

Claims

1. An apparatus for remotely controlling vehicle ignition, comprising:

a processor for initiating vehicle ignition or for disabling vehicle ignition, wherein the processor is at least configured to at least require that at least one predetermined, enumerated condition is at least satisfied;

a plurality of receivers at least configured to be coupled to the processor, wherein the plurality of receivers are at least configured to receive wireless data;

a plurality of transmitters configured to at least be coupled to the processor, wherein the plurality of transmitters are at least configured to transmit wireless data;

a manual ignition switch at least configured to be coupled to the processor, wherein the manual ignition switch at least allows a physical occupant of the vehicle to at least attempt vehicle ignition; and

a vehicle ignition switch at least coupled to the processor, wherein the vehicle ignition switch is configured to at least physically enable ignition and at least physically disable ignition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one receiver of the plurality of receivers is a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one receiver of the plurality of receivers is a pager network receiver.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one receiver of the plurality of receivers is a cellular network receiver.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one receiver of the plurality of receivers is a satellite receiver.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one transmitter of the plurality of transmitters is a pager network transmitter.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one transmitter of the plurality of transmitters is a cellular network transmitter.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one transmitter of the plurality of transmitters is a satellite transmitter.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor further comprises:

at least the ability to determine safe locations based on historical vehicle enablement;

at least the ability for a user or owner to remotely program safe locations; and

at least the ability for a user or owner to remotely predefine conditions for vehicle enablement.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises:

at least the ability for an owner or a user to remotely disable vehicle ignition; and

at least the ability for an owner or a user to remotely predefine conditions for vehicle disablement.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one predetermined condition is selected from the group comprising geographical area, time of usage, and user.

12. A method for remotely controlling vehicle ignition, comprising:

receiving at least one condition for enablement;

manually enabling or disabling of a manual ignition switch by a physical occupant;

determining if the at least one condition is satisfied;

if the at least one condition is satisfied, then enabling a vehicle ignition switch; and

if the at least one condition is not satisfied, then allowing the vehicle to remain diabled.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one condition is selected from the group comprising geographical area, time of usage, and user.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the receiving at least one condition is at least configured to be input by an owner or user remotely.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the receiving at least one condition further comprises:

compiling a history of usage;

determining safe zones based on the history; and

automatically enabling or disabling based on manual enabling or disabling of a manual ignition switch by a physical occupant.

16. A method for remotely controlling vehicle ignition, comprising:

receiving at least one condition for disablement; and

disabling a vehicle ignition switch.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the receiving at least one condition for disablement further comprises:

receiving an authorization code;

authenticating the authorization code;

if the authorization code is authentic, then accepting at least one condition for disablement;

if the authorization code is not authentic, then disregarding the at least one condition for disablement.

18. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one condition for disablement is selected from the group comprising a immediate stop command, geographical constraint, and time constraint.

19. A computer program product for remotely controlling vehicle ignition, the computer program product having a medium with a computer program embodied thereon, the computer program comprising:

computer code for receiving at least one condition for enablement;

manually enabling or disabling of a manual ignition switch by a physical occupant;

computer code for determining if the at least one condition is satisfied;

if the at least one condition is satisfied, then computer code for enabling a vehicle ignition switch; and

if the at least one condition is not satisfied, then computer code for allowing the vehicle to remain disabled.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the at least one condition is selected from the group comprising geographical area, time of usage, and user.

21. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the receiving at least one condition is at least configured to be input by an owner or user remotely.

22. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the receiving at least one condition further comprises:

computer code for compiling a history of usage;

computer code for determining safe zones based on the history; and

computer code for automatically enabling or disabling based on manual enabling or disabling of a manual ignition switch by a physical occupant.

23. A computer program product for remotely controlling vehicle ignition, the computer program product having a medium with a computer program embodied thereon, the computer program comprising:

computer code for receiving at least one condition for disablement; and

computer code for disabling a vehicle ignition switch.

24. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the receiving at least one condition for disablement further comprises:

computer code for receiving an authorization code;

computer code for authenticating the authorization code;

if the authorization code is authentic, then computer code for accepting at least one condition for disablement;

if the authorization code is not authentic, then computer code for disregarding the at least one condition for disablement.

25. The computer program product of claim 24, wherein the at least one condition for disablement is selected from the group comprising a immediate stop command, geographical constraint, and time constraint.