Independent Vehicle Security Method and Apparatus

• US 20180015905A1
• Filed: 05/18/2016
• Published: 01/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voyomotive, LLC
• Original Assignee: Voyomotive, LLC
• Inventors: Yorke, Peter, Sloan, Adam, Vogt, IV, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 11,524,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A vehicle authorization system with a transmitter/receiver capable of activating vehicle functions operably connected to the vehicle, a wireless transmitter/receiver for an authorized vehicle operator that receives communications from the vehicle transmitter/receiver, a sensor in the vehicle security transmitter/receiver that detects at least one vehicle access parameter via an electronic signal, wherein the vehicle transmitter/receiver communicates with the wireless transmitter/receiver responsive to the sensor detecting a second signal associated with the access parameter to affirm a verification signal from the wireless transmitter/receiver that upon verification permits vehicle access by the operator or upon improper or no response activates a vehicle function to prevent access or vehicle operation. The invention consists of a vehicle security device that can both monitor and control vehicle systems, and a user'"'"'s smart device. The invention is combined with the existing vehicle keys and fobs to provide a two-step authentication.

Claims

1. A vehicle authorization system for an authorized vehicle operator comprising:

a) a vehicle security transmitter/receiver capable of activating vehicle functions operably connected to the vehicle;

b) a wireless transmitter/receiver for an authorized vehicle operator that receives communications from the vehicle security transmitter/receiver;

c) a sensor in the vehicle that communicates with the vehicle security transmitter/receiver that detects at least one vehicle access parameter via an electronic signal;

d) wherein the vehicle security transmitter/receiver transmits to the wireless transmitter/receiver responsive to the sensor detecting a second signal associated with the access parameter to affirm a verification signal from the wireless transmitter/receiver that upon verification permits vehicle access by the operator or upon improper or no response activates a vehicle function to prevent access or vehicle operation.

2. A vehicle authorization system for an authorized vehicle operator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a user interface that allows the operator to configure the vehicle security transmitter/receiver via the wireless receiver.

3. A vehicle authorization system for an authorized vehicle operator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising where the vehicle security transmitter/receiver can establish independent secure wireless communication.

4. A vehicle authorization system for an authorized vehicle operator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a historical activity log.

5. A vehicle authorization system for an authorized vehicle operator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising notification signals to the wireless transmitter/receiver when specific events occur.

6. A vehicle authorization method for an authorized vehicle user comprising the steps of:

a) exchanging messages with a user'"'"'s smart device over a wireless communication link to a vehicle based transmitter;

b) determining if the user is authorized to access a vehicle;

c) granting the user access to the vehicle if the user is authorized; and

d) activating a security mode to limit access to the vehicle and/or to prevent the vehicle from starting if an authorized user is not present after access to the vehicle is requested or detected.

7. A vehicle authorization method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising user enabled conditions for operation of the smart device.

8. A vehicle authorization method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising activation by a user through direct input to the vehicle.

9. A vehicle authorization method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the transmitter is part of an existing ECU on the vehicle.

10. A vehicle authorization method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the transmitter can send actuation command requests to a plurality of ECUs on the vehicle.

11. A vehicle authorization method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the transmitter can send actuation command requests to actuate vehicle systems.

12. A vehicle security apparatus which authorizes access to a vehicle and allows the vehicle to start, comprising:

a) a user'"'"'s smart device that exchanges messages over a wireless communication link to create a message query,

b) a sensor in the vehicle that matches the message query to determine if the user is authorized to access to the vehicle,

c) granting the user access to the vehicle if the user is authorized and

d) activating a security mode to limit access to the vehicle and/or to prevent the vehicle from starting if an authorized user is not present and access to the vehicle is requested or detected.

13. A vehicle security apparatus which authorizes access to a vehicle and allows the vehicle to start as claimed in claim 12 further comprising an existing automatic lock and unlock system.

14. A vehicle security apparatus which authorizes access to a vehicle and allows the vehicle to start as claimed in claim 12 where the user'"'"'s smart device can establish independent secure wireless communication.

15. A vehicle security apparatus which authorizes access to a vehicle and allows the vehicle to start as claimed in claim 12 where the vehicle security device can communicate with other devices on the internet using standard internet communication protocols.

16. A vehicle security apparatus which authorizes access to a vehicle and allows the vehicle to start as claimed in claim 13 where the vehicle security device can maintain a historical activity log.

17. A vehicle security apparatus which authorizes access to a vehicle and allows the vehicle to start as claimed in claim 13 where the vehicle security device can send immediate specific activity notifications to the user when specific events occur.

18. A vehicle security apparatus which authorizes access to a vehicle and allows the vehicle to start as claimed in claim 12 where the specific activity notifications and can be sent to 3^rd parties.

19. A vehicle security apparatus which authorizes access to a vehicle and allows the vehicle to start as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a radio receiver.

20. A vehicle security apparatus which authorizes access to a vehicle and allows the vehicle to start as claimed in claim 19 where the vehicle security device monitors RF communication for attempts to compromise existing OEM vehicle security systems.