Remote control car starter

• US 4,928,778 A
• Filed: 12/11/1987
• Issued: 05/29/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Remote Automatic Control & Electronics Incorporated 204-2229 Kingston Road Scarborough Ontario Canada
• Original Assignee: Remote Automation & Control Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Tin, Joshua K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, David M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAMBY, RICHARD M
• Application Number:
  US07/131,998
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 180/167, 180/287, 123/179 B, 123/179 BG, 290/38 C, 290/38 E, 290/DIG. 3, 307/10 R, 307/10 AT, 340/63, 340/539, 340/696, 340/825.31, 340/825.56, 340/825.69
• US Class Current: 180/167
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 Remote means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 25/02 by signalling back receiving station to transmitting station

Abstract

It is known to remotely control an automobile component and like devices. However, security, to protect against unauthorized control, and the user'"'"'s ignorance of the condition of the remotely controlled component, remain problems. This invention provides a security code mechanism to protect against unauthorized communications from controlling the component; and two way communications between the user'"'"'s remote controller and the component, so that the user is informed of the condition of the controlled component.

Claims

1. A system for remotely controlling a component of a vehicle, the system comprising a remote controller operable by a user, and a mainset mounted at any suitable location on the vehicle, to be controlled by said remote controller, wherein said remote controller includes:

(a) remote controller code generating means for generating a remote controller command code for controlling the vehicle component, said command code having a characteristic;

(b) remote controller transmission means, responsive to said remote controller code generating means, for transmitting said remote controller command code to said mainset;

(c) remote controller reception means for receiving a feedback code transmitted from said mainset, indicative of the condition of the vehicle component controlled in accordance with said command code;

(d) remote controller indicator means, responsive to said remote controller reception means and to said transmitted feedback code, for providing the user an indication correlatable with said transmitted feedback code;

and wherein said mainset includes

(a) mainset reception means for receiving said command code transmitted from said remote controller transmission means;

(b) mainset security means, responsive to said mainset reception means, having a mainset characteristic, for producing a verification that said command code characteristic matches said mainset characteristic;

(c) mainset implementation means, responsive to said verification and said mainset reception means, and coupled to the vehicle component, for implementing the control function on the vehicle component in accordance with said command code;

(d) mainset feedback means, coupled to the vehicle component, for generating said feedback code indicative of the condition of the vehicle component following the implementation of said command code; and

(e) mainset transmission means, responsive to said mainset feedback means, for transmitting said feedback code to said remote controller reception means, said mainset feedback means having means for generating said feedback code with a characteristic and said remote controller having security means, responsive to said remote controller reception means and coupled to said remote controller indicator means, said remote controller security means having (i) a remote controller characteristic, (ii) means for producing a verification that said transmitted feedback code characteristic matches said remote controller characteristic, and (iii) means for rendering said remote controller indicator means unresponsive to said transmitted feedback code if there is no verification.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said command code characteristic is a security code and said mainset characteristic is a security code.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said feedback code characteristic is a security code and said remote controller characteristic is a security code.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said command code characteristic is a security code and said mainset characteristic is a security code.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said command code characteristic is a sequence of pulses modulated in a predetermined method, and said mainset characteristic is a demodulation of a sequence of pulses in a predetermined method.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said feedback code characteristic is a sequence of pulses modulated in a predetermined method, and said remote controller characteristic is a demodulation of a sequence of pulses in a predetermined method.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said command code characteristic is a sequence of pulses modulated in a predetermined method, and said mainset characteristic is a demodulation of a sequence of pulses in a predetermined method.

8. A system according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said mainset security means has a timing means, responsive to said mainset reception means, for measuring a time interval from the reception by said mainset reception means of said transmitted command code and for disabling said mainset reception means if said time interval measured exceeds a predetermined time period.

9. A system according to claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein said mainset security means has a timing means, responsive to said mainset reception means, for measuring a time interval from the reception by said mainset reception means of said transmitted command code and for disabling said mainset reception means if said time interval measured exceeds a predetermined time period.

10. A system according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said remote controller further comprises:

(a) timing means, responsive to the reception of said transmitted feedback code by said remote controller reception means, for measuring a time interval; and

(b) automatic shutoff means, coupled to said remote controller transmission means and responsive to said timing means when said time interval measured exceeds a predetermined time period, for generating a command code for deactivating the vehicle component, for automatic transmission by said remote controller transmission means.

11. A system according to claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein said remote controller further comprises:

(a) timing means, responsive to the reception of said transmitted feedback code by said remote controller reception means, for measuring a time interval; and

(b) automatic shutoff means, coupled to said remote controller transmission means and responsive to said timing means when said time interval measured exceeds a predetermined time period, for generating a command code for deactivating the vehicle component, for automatic transmission by said remote controller transmission means.

12. A system for remotely controlling a component of a device having an engine, the system comprising a remote controller operable by a user, and a mainset mounted at any suitable location on the device, to be controlled by said remote controller, wherein said remote controller includes:

(a) remote controller code generating means for generating a remote controller command code for controlling the device component, said command code having a characteristic;

(b) remote controller tramsmission means, responsive to said remote controller code generating means, for transmitting said remote controller command code to said mainset;

(c) remote controller reception means for receiving a feedback code transmitted from said mainset, indicative of the condition of the device component controlled in accordance with said command code;

(d) remote controller indicator means, responsive to said remote controller reception means and to said transmitted feedback code, for providing the user an indication correlatable with said transmitted feedback code; and

wherein said mainset includes

(a) mainset reception means for receiving said command code transmitted from said remote controller transmission means;

(b) mainset security means, responsive to said mainset reception means, having a mainset characteristic, for producing a verification that said command code characteristic matches said mainset characteristic;

(c) mainset implementation means, responsive to said verification and said mainset reception means, and coupled to the device component, for implementing the control function on the device component in accordance with said command code;

(d) mainset feedback means, coupled to the device compolnent, for generating said feedback code indicative of the condition of the device component following the implementation of said command code; and

(e) mainset transmission means, responsive to said mainset feedback means, for transmitting said feedback code to said remote controller reception means, said mainset feedback means having means for generating said feedback code with a characteristic and said remote controller having security means, responsive to said remote controller reception means and coupled to said remote controller indicator means, said remote controller security means having (i) a remote controller characteristic, (ii) means for producing a verification that said transmitted feedback code characteristic matches said remote controller characteristic, and (iii) means for rendering said remote controller indicator means unresponsive to said transmitted feedback code if there is no verification.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said command code characteristic is a security code and said mainset characteristic is a security code.

14. A system according to claim 12, wherein said feedback code characteristic is a security code and said remote controller characteristic is a security code.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said command code characteristic is a security code and said mainset characteristic is a security code.

16. A system according to claim 12, wherein said command code characteristic is a sequence of pulses modulated in a predetermined method, and said mainset characteristic is a demodulation of a sequence of pulses in a predetermined method.

17. A system according to claim 12, wherein said feedback code characteristic is a sequence of pulses modulated in a predetermined method, and said remote controller characteristic is a demodulation of a sequence of pulses in a predetermined method.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein said command code characteristic is a sequence of pulses modulated in a predetermined method, and said mainset characteristic is a demodulation of a sequence of pulses in a predetermined method.

19. A system according to claims 13, 12, 14 or 15, wherein said mainset security means has a timing means, responsive to said mainset reception means, for measuring a time interval from the reception by said mainset reception means of said transmitted command code and for disabling said mainset reception means if said time interval measured exceeds a predetermined time period.

20. A system according to claims 16, 17 or 18, wherein said mainset security means has a timing means, responsive to said mainset reception means, for measuring a time interval from the reception by said mainset reception means of said transmitted command code and for disabling said mainset reception means if said time interval measured exceeds a first predetermined time period.

21. A system according to claims 13 or 14, wherein said remote controller further comprises:

(a) timing means, responsive to the reception of said transmitted feedback code by said remote controller reception means, for measuring a time interval; and

(b) automatic shutoff means, coupled to said remote controller transmission means and responsive to said second timing when said time interval measured exceeds a predetermined time period, for generating a command code for deactivating the device component, for automatic transmission by said remote controller transmission means.

22. A system according to claims 16, 17 or 18, wherein said remote controller further comprises:

(a) timing means, responsive to the reception of said transmitted feedback code by said remote controller reception means, for measuring a time interval; and

(b) automatic shutoff means, coupled to said remote controller transmission means and responsive to said timing means when said time interval measured exceeds a predetermined time period, for generating a command code for deactivating the device component, for automatic transmission by said remote controller transmission means.

23. A system for remotely controlling a component of a vehicle, the system comprising a remote controller operable by a user, and a mainset mounted at any suitable location on the vehicle, to be controlled by said remote controller, wherein said remote controller includes:

(a) remote controller code generating means for generating a remote controller command code for controlling the vehicle component, said command code having a characteristic;

(b) remote controller transmission means, responsive to said remote controller code generating means, for transmitting said remote controller command code to said mainset;

(c) remote controller reception means for receiving a feedback code transmitted from said mainset, indicative of the condition of the vehicle component controlled in accordance with said command code;

(d) remote controller indicator means, responsive to said remote controller reception means and to said transmitted feedback code, for providing the user an indication correlatable with said transmitted feedback code;

and wherein said mainset includes

(a) mainset reception means for receiving said command code transmitted from said remote controller transmission means;

(b) mainset security means, responsive to said mainset reception means, having a mainset characteristic, for producing a verification that said command code characteristic matches said mainset characteristic;

(c) mainset implementation means, responsive to said verification and said mainset reception means, and coupled to the vehicle component, for implementing the control function on the vehicle component in accordance with said command code;

(d) mainset feedback means, coupled to the vehicle component, for generating said feedback code indicative of the condition of the vehicle component following the implementation of said command code; and

(e) mainset transmission means, responsive to said mainset feedback means, for transmitting said feedback code to said remote controller reception means, said mainset security means having a timing means, responsive to said mainset reception means, for measuring a time interval from the reception by said mainset reception means of said transmitted command code and for disabling said mainset reception means if said time interval measured exceeds a predetermined time period.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein said command code characteristic is a security code and said mainset characteristic is a security code.

25. A system according to claim 23, wherein said command code characteristic is a sequence of pulses modulated in a predetermined method, and said mainset characteristic is a demodulation of a sequence of pulses in a predetermined method.

26. A system for remotely controlling a component of a vehicle, the system comprising a remote controller operable by a user, and a mainset mounted at any suitable location on the vehicle, to be controlled by said remote controller, wherein said remote controller includes:

(a) remote controller code generating means for generating a remote controller command code for controlling the vehicle component, said command code having a characteristic;

(b) remote controller transmission means, responsive to said remote controller code generating means, for transmitting said remote controller command code to said mainset;

(c) remote controller reception means for receiving a feedback code transmitted from said mainset, indicative of the condition of the vehicle component controlled in accordance with said command code;

(d) remote controller indicator means, responsive to said remote controller reception means and to said transmitted feedback code, for providing the user an indication correlatable with said transmitted feedback code;

(e) timing means, responsive to the reception of said transmitted feedback code by said remote controller reception means, for measuring a time interval; and

(f) automatic shutoff means, coupled to said remote controller transmission means and responsive to said timing means when said time interval measured exceeds a predetermined time period, for generating a command code for deactivating the vehicle component, for automatic transmission by said remote controller transmission means;

and wherein said mainset includes

(a) mainset reception means for receiving said command code transmitted from said remote controller transmission means;

(b) mainset security means, responsive to said mainset reception means, having a mainset characteristic, for producing a verification that said command code characteristic matches said mainset characteristic;

(c) mainset implementation means, responsive to said verification and said mainset reception means, and coupled to the vehicle component, for implementing the control function on the vehicle component in accordance with said command code;

(d) mainset feedback means, coupled to the vehicle component, for generating said feedback code indicative of the condition of the vehicle component following the implementation of said command code; and

(e) mainset transmission means, responsive to said mainset feedback means, for transmitting said feedback code to said remote controller reception means.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein said command code characteristic is a security code and said mainset characteristic is a security code.

28. A system according to claim 26, wherein said command code characteristic is a sequence of pulses modulated in a predetermined method, and said mainset characteristic is a demodulation of a sequence of pulses in a predetermined method.

29. A system for remotely controlling a component of a device having an engine, the system comprising a remote controller operable by a user, and a mainset mounted at any suitable location on the device, to be controlled by said remote controller, wherein said remote controller includes:

(a) remote controller code generating means for generating a remote controller command code for controlling the device component, said command code having a characteristic;

(b) remote controller transmission means, responsive to said remote controller code generating means, for transmitting said remote controller command code to said mainset;

(c) remote controller reception means for receiving a feedback code transmitted from said mainset, indicative of the condition of the device component controlled in accordance with said command code;

(d) remote controller indicator means, responsive to said remote controller reception means and to said transmitted feedback code, for providing the user an indication correlatable with said transmitted feedback code;

and wherein said mainset includes

(a) mainset reception means for receiving said command code transmitted from said remote controller transmission means;

(b) mainset security means, responsive to said mainset reception means, having a mainset characteristic, for producing a verification that said command code characteristic matches said mainset characteristic;

(c) mainset implementation means, responsive to said verification and said mainset reception means, and coupled to the device component, for implementing the control function on the device component in accordance with said command code;

(d) mainset feedback means, coupled to the device compolnent, for generating said feedback code indicative of the condition of the device component following the implementation of said command code; and

(e) mainset transmission means, responsive to said mainset feedback means, for transmitting said feedback code to said remote controller reception means, said mainset security means having a timing means, responsive to said mainset reception means, for measuring a time interval from the reception by said mainset reception means of said transmitted command code and for disabling said mainset reception means if said time interval measured exceeds a predetermined time period.

30. A system according to claim 29, wherein said command code characteristic is a security code and said mainset characteristic is a security code.

31. A system according to claim 29, wherein said command code characteristic is a sequence of pulses modulated in a predetermined method, and said mainset characteristic is a demodulation of a sequence of pulses in a predetermined method.

32. A system for remotely controlling a component of a device having an engine, the system comprising a remote contoller operable by a user, and a mainset mounted at any suitable location on the device, to be controlled by said remote controller, wherein said remote controller includes:

(a) remote controller code generating means for generating a remote controller command code for controlling the device component, said command code having a characteristic;

(b) remote controller transmission means, responsive to said remote controller code generating means, for transmitting said remote controller command code to said mainset;

(c) remote controller reception means for receiving a feedback code transmitted from said mainset, indicative of the condition of the device component controlled in accordance with said command code;

(d) remote controller indicator means, responsive to said remote controller reception means and to said transmitted feedback code, for providing the user an indication correlatable with said transmitted feedback code;

(e) timing means, responsive to the reception of said transmitted feedback code by said remote controller reception means, for measuring a time interval; and

(b) automatic shutoff means, coupled to said remote controller transmission means and responsive to said timing means when said time interval measured exceeds a predetermined time period, for generating a command code for deactivating the device component, for automatic transmission by said remote controller transmission means;

and wherein said mainset includes

(a) mainset reception means for receiving said command code transmitted from said remote controller transmission means;

(b) mainset security means, responsive to said mainset reception means, having a mainset characteristic, for producing a verification that said command code characteristic matches said mainset characteristic;

(c) mainset implementation means, responsive to said verification and said mainset reception means, and coupled to the device component, for implementing the control function on the device component in accordance with said command code;

(d) mainset feedback means, coupled to the device compolnent, for generating said feedback code indicative of the condition of the device component following the implementation of said command code; and

(e) mainset transmission means, responsive to said mainset feedback means, for transmitting said feedback code to said remote controller reception means.

33. A system according to claim 32, wherein said command code characteristic is a security code and said mainset characteristic is a security code.

34. A system according to claim 32, wherein said command code characteristic is a sequence of pulses modulated in a predetermined method, and said mainset characteristic is a demodulation of a sequence of pulses in a predetermined method.