Transponder authorization system and method

• US 20070241862A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Original Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Inventors: Esser, Erik, Dimig, Steven, Salah, Abdel, Feucht, Michael, Ritz, Alan
• Application Number:
  US11/402,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20070241862A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.620
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2063 Ignition switch geometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00373 whereby the wake-up circuit is situated in the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A transponder authorization system and method. The transponder authorization system can include an operator device having a transponder and an antenna coupled to a powersports vehicle. The antenna can generate a field. The transponder authorization system can also include an authorization system electrically connected to the antenna and an ignition switch. The transponder authorization system can also include a button coupled to the ignition switch. The button can be pushed by an operator to actuate the ignition switch. The transponder can receive and transmit a signal when in the presence of the field. The authorization system can verify the signal in order to start the powersports vehicle.

Claims

1. A transponder authorization system for use with a starting system of a powersports vehicle, the transponder authorization system comprising:

an operator device including a transponder;

an ignition switch coupled to the powersports vehicle;

an antenna coupled to the powersports vehicle;

an authorization system electrically connected to the antenna and the ignition switch; and

a button coupled to the ignition switch;

the button actuating the ignition switch when pushed by an operator, the authorization system sending a signal to the antenna, the antenna generating a field, the transponder receiving and transmitting a signal when in the presence of the field, and the authorization system verifying the signal in order to start the powersports vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the operator device includes one of a fob, a glove, a helmet, an article of clothing, and a ring.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the operator device includes a battery to power the transponder for a longer range of use from the antenna.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the antenna includes a coil wrapped around a cylinder coupled to the button.

5. The system of claim 1 and further comprising a mounting bracket coupled adjacent to the button in order to store an operator device including a bladeless fob.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the ignition switch is coupled to one of a throttle lever and a brake lever.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the ignition switch is used to start an engine of the powersports vehicle and a kill switch is used to stop the engine of the powersports vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1 and further comprising a safety interlock device coupled to a seat of the powersports vehicle and electrically connected to the ignition switch.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the powersports vehicle is one of an all-terrain vehicle, a snowmobile, a personal water craft, a boat, a motorcycle, a construction machine, and a lawn mower.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the authorization system is not powered before the ignition switch is actuated, is powered when the ignition switch is actuated, and remains powered after the ignition switch is released until a change of state.

11. A method of starting a powersports vehicle, the method comprising:

positioning an operator device with a transponder within a range of an antenna coupled to a powersports vehicle;

pushing a button to actuate the ignition switch;

generating a field from the antenna;

receiving and transmitting a signal from the transponder in the presence of the field; and

verifying the signal in order to start the powersports vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11 and further comprising wearing the operator device in one of a fob, a glove, a helmet, an article of clothing, and a ring.

13. The method of claim 11 and further comprising increasing the range of the transponder by providing battery power to the transponder.

14. The method of claim 11 and further comprising pushing the button by actuating a switch under a cover.

15. The method of claim 11 and further comprising storing a bladeless fob in a mounting bracket coupled adjacent to the button.

16. The method of claim 11 and further comprising pressing one of a throttle lever and a brake lever to push the ignition switch.

17. The method of claim 16 and further comprising actuating the ignition switch to start an engine of the powersports vehicle and pushing a kill switch to stop the engine of the powersports vehicle.

18. The method of claim 11 and further comprising activating a safety interlock device by sitting on a seat of the powersports vehicle.

19. The system of claim 11 wherein the signal is verified by an authorization system, and further comprising not powering the authorization system before the ignition switch is actuated, powering the authorization system when the ignition switch is actuated, and continuing to power the authorization system after the ignition switch is released until a change of state.

20. A transponder authorization system for use with a starting system of a powersports vehicle, the transponder authorization system comprising:

an operator device including a transponder;

an ignition switch, a button, an antenna, and a mounting bracket coupled to the powersports vehicle; and

an authorization system electrically connected to the antenna and the ignition switch;

the mounting bracket receiving the operator device in order to position the transponder within a field of the antenna, the button actuating the ignition switch when pushed by an operator, the authorization system sending a signal to the antenna, the antenna generating the field, the transponder receiving and transmitting a signal when in the presence of the field, and the authorization system verifying the signal in order to start the powersports vehicle.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the operator device includes a bladeless fob.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the antenna includes a coil wrapped around a cylinder coupled to the button.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the ignition switch is used to start an engine of the powersports vehicle and a kill switch is used to stop the engine of the powersports vehicle.

24. The system of claim 20 and further comprising a safety interlock device coupled to a seat of the powersports vehicle and electrically connected to the ignition switch.

25. The system of claim 20 wherein the powersports vehicle is one of an all-terrain vehicle, a snowmobile, a personal water craft, a boat, a motorcycle, a construction machine, and a lawn mower.

26. The system of claim 20 wherein the mounting bracket includes an extension and the extension includes a pocket to receive a bladeless fob.

27. The system of claim 20 wherein the authorization system is not powered before the ignition switch is actuated, is powered when the ignition switch is actuated, and remains powered after the ignition switch is released until a change of state.

28. An ignition system for use with an operator device including a transponder and a starting system of a powersports vehicle, the ignition system comprising:

an ignition switch, a button, and an antenna coupled to the powersports vehicle; and

an authorization system electrically connected to the antenna and the ignition switch;

the button actuating the ignition switch when pushed by an operator, the authorization system sending a signal to the antenna, the antenna generating the field, and the authorization system verifying a signal from the transponder in order to start the powersports vehicle.

29. The system of claim 28 and further comprising a mounting bracket that receives the operator device in order to position the transponder within a field of the antenna.

30. The system of claim 28 wherein the antenna includes a coil wrapped around a cylinder coupled to the button.

31. The system of claim 28 wherein the ignition switch is coupled to one of a throttle lever and a brake lever.

32. The system of claim 28 wherein the ignition switch is used to start an engine of the powersports vehicle and a kill switch is used to stop the engine of the powersports vehicle.

33. The system of claim 28 and further comprising a safety interlock device coupled to a seat of the powersports vehicle and electrically connected to the ignition switch.

34. The system of claim 28 wherein the powersports vehicle is one of an all-terrain vehicle, a snowmobile, a personal water craft, a boat, a motorcycle, a construction machine, and a lawn mower.

35. The system of claim 28 wherein the authorization system is not powered before the ignition switch is actuated, is powered when the ignition switch is actuated, and remains powered after the ignition switch is released until a change of state.

36. An operator device for use with an ignition system and a starting system of a powersports vehicle, the operator device comprising:

a transponder that receives and transmits a signal when in the presence of a field; and

at least one of a bladeless fob, a glove, a helmet, an article of clothing, and a ring coupled to the transponder and being positioned within a range of an antenna in order to verify the signal and start the powersports vehicle.

37. The device of claim 36 and further comprising a battery to power the transponder for a longer range of use from the antenna.

38. A transponder authorization system for use with a latch of a storage facility, the transponder authorization system comprising:

an operator device including a transponder;

a wake-up switch coupled to the storage facility;

an antenna coupled to the storage facility;

an authorization system electrically connected to the antenna and the wake-up switch; and

a button coupled to the wake-up switch;

the button actuating the wake-up switch when pushed by an operator, the authorization system sending a signal to the antenna, the antenna generating a field, the transponder receiving and transmitting a signal when in the presence of the field, and the authorization system verifying the signal in order to open the latch.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein the operator device includes one of a fob, a glove, a helmet, an article of clothing, and a ring.

40. The system of claim 38 wherein the operator device includes a battery to power the transponder for a longer range of use from the antenna.

41. The system of claim 38 wherein the antenna includes a coil wrapped around a cylinder coupled to the button.

42. The system of claim 38 and further comprising a mounting bracket coupled adjacent to the button in order to store an operator device including a bladeless fob.

43. The system of claim 38 wherein the authorization system is not powered before the wake-up switch is actuated, is powered when the wake-up switch is actuated, and remains powered after the wake-up switch is released until a change of state.