System and method for using a vehicle's key to collect vehicle data and diagnose mechanical problems, to store and compare security data to allow only authorized use of vehicles and a method to automatically set vehicle features usng the key

• US 20060155439A1
• Filed: 01/12/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John Andrew Slawinski, Timothy Chris Mitchell
• Original Assignee: John Andrew Slawinski, Timothy Chris Mitchell
• Inventors: Mitchell, Timothy Chris, Slawinski, John Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/033,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20060155439A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable

Abstract

A method for collecting, storing, interpreting and transmitting data from vehicles of all kinds allowing vehicle users and fleet managers to diagnose problems using the IntelaKey System, to transmit vehicle feature settings to on board vehicle computers, store and analyze vehicle operating data, recognize who the driver is at any particular time, transmit vehicle data to mechanical support personnel, record trip information and track vehicle maintenance. In addition, the IntelaKey System may be used for business in conjunction with accounting and dispatch software, and GPS systems to track hours for both billing and payroll purposes and travel routes for management of personnel efficiency. Daily work schedules, routes and work orders may be loaded on the IntelaKey for access via handheld or small personal computer by businesses or government field personnel. Governments may collect data from many IntelaKey Systems and users to analyze traffic patterns and vehicle emissions data.

Claims

1. A vehicle key system, the IntelaKey System, for collecting and storing, driver, trip and vehicle data for the purpose of securing the vehicle, setting driver preferences, storing current GPS and mapping trip data, analyzing trip information and diagnosing maintenance requirements, comprising:

a. A vehicle USB key (the IntelaKey) or other standard data storage and interface device which stores vehicle and driver data and is used as a vehicle key; and

b. a USB key port/slot (IntelaKey Ignition Switch) which connects to an IntelaKey Processor which connects to a vehicles computer control and monitoring systems, mechanical systems, GPS system, and sensors in the vehicle for collecting vehicle and driver information, reading the vehicle-related data from the vehicles computer system, storing the collected vehicle information on the IntelaKey and for starting the vehicle.

c. A memory in the vehicles key for storing data including vehicle sensor data collected from the control units and sensors throughout the vehicle, driver specific data, security codes, VIN numbers, GPS information, user and time information.

d. an interface micro processor (IntelaKey Processor) and program to determine and relay user settings from the IntelaKey to various vehicle devices and features;

e. A memory, processor and program (IntelaKey Processor) located in the vehicle and attached to the vehicles data bus for managing and collecting the vehicle data to be stored on the IntelaKey.

f. A PC compatible computer program (IntelaKey Software) to store, manipulate, manage and interpret data from an IntelaKey.

g. A key (IntelaKey) which incorporates a USB or other data storage device and collects data from a vehicles IntelaKey Processor.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 through 4, where the step for authenticating the IntelaKey is performed by comparing whether an authentication VIN number of the IntelaKey is the same as the VIN number of the vehicle, the user definable security code and the definable vehicle security code are the same as those recorded in the vehicles computer.

2. The system claimed in 1, where the IntelaKey has on its surface a fingerprint reader to enhance vehicle security by reading the key'"'"'s user'"'"'s fingerprint and comparing it to fingerprint information stored in the IntelaKey Processor ensuring the user is authorized to use the vehicle.

3. The system claimed in 1, where the IntelaKey has on its surface transmitter buttons to start the vehicle, unlock doors and set comfort features.

4. The system claimed in 1 where the IntelaKey includes an LED to indicate that the IntelaKey system is operating and if a vehicle is having mechanical trouble.

6. The system claimed in 1, where the IntelaKey must be inserted in the IntelaKey Ignition Switch to drive the vehicle.

7. The system claimed in 1 where all sensors regarding auto performance including but not limited to speed, rpm'"'"'s oil pressure, tire pressure, emissions, transmission temperature and all other sensor data are read and stored by the IntelaKey Processor and recorded on the IntelaKey.

8. The system claimed in 1 where parts and fluid service records are stored including auto service dates, parts used with part numbers and shop records for vehicle maintenance on both the IntelaKey and the IntelaKey Processor.

9. A method claimed in 7 where performance data stored on the IntelaKey specific to a user changes the performance settings for a vehicle.

10. The system claimed in 1 and 9 where the software is a vehicle diagnostic tool run on a PC or network which uses data stored on an IntelaKey or IntelaKeys and displays maintenance requirements and information based on diagnostic results on a PC monitor.

11. A method as described in 9 that includes a USB docking station (IntelaKey Docking Station) that holds, monitors user access and IntelaKey use and uploads data from multiple IntelaKeys to a PC or computer network.

12. The system claimed in 1 through 4 and 6 though 9 where all information may be stored for multiple vehicles and recorded on one IntelaKey allowing that IntelaKey to operate multiple vehicles.

13. The system as claimed in 1 through 4 and 6 through 8 where the software includes:

a. a database containing acceptable operating and diagnostic parameters to compare to the IntelaKey data; and

b. A reporting system in the software that makes recommendations on actions to be taken to maintain the vehicle at optimum performance levels.

c. A time, date, GPS and mapping data analysis method that reports times, routes and layovers for vehicles.

14. The method claimed in 1 and 8 where the vehicles computer collects output signals from vehicle speed sensors, injectors, brakes, and electronic sensors including time and date, driving states, driver'"'"'s characteristics and updates to current trip information and stores them on the IntelaKey.

15. The system claimed in 1 where the information on the IntelaKey may include purchase date, vehicle owner'"'"'s name, residence, telephone numbers, registration number, driver'"'"'s license number and email address.

16. The system claimed in 14 where sensors monitoring driving style including but not limited to speed, rpm'"'"'s, G-force, distance from other vehicles and braking speed sensor data are read and stored by the IntelaKey Processor and recorded on the IntelaKey as values change and then is compared to preset standards to determine the drivers driving style.

17. The system claimed in 9 and 14 through 16, where the IntelaKey Processor includes a program that interprets signals from, but not limited to these sensors, the vehicles speedometer, injectors, fuel pump, throttle valve position sensors, air volume sensors, temperature sensors, air intake sensors and exhaust sensors and transfers the signals to the IntelaKey Processor.

23. The method claimed in any of claims 9, 17 and 22 where the IntelaKey works multiple vehicles by storing multiple VIN numbers and user passwords, vehicle security codes, vehicle maintenance records and requirements and other vehicle databases.

18. A method claimed in 1 to automatically change convenience and performance settings inside a vehicle by using an IntelaKey or with radio transmission button located on the IntelaKey:

a. checking if an IntelaKey is inserted in the IntelaKey ignition position;

b. reading the comfort settings from the IntelaKey and loading the settings stored in the IntelaKey on the vehicles user feature controller;

c. loading comfort and performance settings based on radio transmission of the users identification;

d. monitoring comfort setting changes and if the comfort settings are changed, detecting and storing the changes if confirmed by the key holder; and

e. Loading new comfort setting to the IntelaKey.

19. The system claimed in 1 where there is a key hole/USB data port for reading the vehicle data and user data from the IntelaKey to the vehicle'"'"'s Intelakey Processor and transferring vehicle data stored on the vehicle'"'"'s IntelaKey Processor to the IntelaKey through the IntelaKey Ignition Switch.

20. The system as claimed in 1 through 8, 13, 14, 17, and 19 where all IntelaKey data collected on an IntelaKey may be transmitted over the airways via radio, cell phone or other transmission wave.

21. The system claimed in 1 where the vehicle data on the IntelaKey and IntelaKey Processor includes information about the particular vehicle including performance settings and its owner/driver including fingerprint data, user passwords, digital combinations, codes and other security data, vehicle maintenance data gathered from the vehicles computers and sensors, GPS data and maps, and date and time data.

22. The system claimed in 1 where software and hardware includes:

a a USB port on a PC and software compatible with all major PC operating systems for reading the vehicle-related data from the IntelaKey and for storing certain processed vehicle-related data in the IntelaKey; and

b. A data processing means for outputting all the diagnostic information and maintenance items from the vehicles main computer to the IntelaKey and from the IntelaKey to a PC and then using the IntelaKey Software or other compatible software and manufacturers diagnostic codes to output maintenance recommendations.

24. The system claimed in 1 where the vehicle interface includes:

a. A vehicle interface (IntelaKey Processor) connecting multiple vehicle diagnostic processors and sensors and the IntelaKey Processor to the ignition slot;

b. a sensor interface for formatting and transferring vehicle sensor output values to the IntelaKey Processor; and

c. a data input interface for relaying and changing feature setting stored in the IntelaKey to all user devices such as seat settings, mirror settings, radio station settings, performance settings and temperature settings.

d. A method to change a vehicle'"'"'s performance settings such as torque, horse power, fuel efficiency and top speed.

25. A fleet management PC interface and software which stores, holds and monitors multiple IntelaKeys for time and use data providing manager notification alarms based on programmed parameters.

26. The system claimed in 10 where IntelaKey data may be transferred from a PC, a network, either intranet or internet, and deliver the raw IntelaKey data to another computer which has the IntelaKey Software to analyze, store and report on the data.

27. The system as claimed in 25 and 26 where the software also stores all historical information to assist with diagnosis of any maintenance issues that arise from the IntelaKey Processor, The IntelaKey and the PC or network hosting the IntelaKey Software.

28. A method in which vehicle-related information is stored on the IntelaKey by collecting data from control units, computers and sensors inside a vehicle and then transfers commands to the respective control units inside the vehicle and receives responses to self diagnostic requests and for changing performance settings for carburetors, fuel pumps and ignition.

29. Executing a vehicle diagnosis program on a PC using IntelaKey Data.

30. Reading the vehicle-related data stored in the authenticated IntelaKey.

31. Running the diagnostics program, reading vehicle-related data and performing vehicle diagnosis;

and displaying the diagnostic results on a PC monitor using IntelaKey Data.

32. A method for diagnosing a vehicle by using the data stored on the IntelaKey including the information collected through any of 7, comprising steps of:

a. inserting the IntelaKey in the ignition port;

b. connecting the IntelaKey to a PC or through a network and authenticating whether the IntelaKey controlled vehicle needs to be serviced by a service provider who is using a PC and IntelaKey Data compatible software.

c. transferring the collected vehicle-related data from the IntelaKey to the PC if the IntelaKey is authenticated;

d. diagnosing the vehicle based on the collected vehicle-related data and storing the diagnostic results; and

e. Transferring the diagnostic results to a terminal, displaying the results on the terminal, and storing the results in the IntelaKey.

33. A method to use the digital radio as a number code system for entering combinations, as in a combination lock, to allow an authorized driver to engage the transmission.