Vehicle security apparatus and method

• US 5,491,470 A
• Filed: 04/18/1994
• Issued: 02/13/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc.
• Inventors: Veligdan, James T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowler, Alyssa H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rinehart, Mark H.
• Application Number:
  US08/228,715
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.57, 340/539, 340/426, 340/429, 340/430, 341/35, 180/287, 180/288, 180/289, 180/107, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 70/277, 70/278, 70/DIG. 51
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/941 using an optical detector H03K17/968 takes precedence

Abstract

A vehicle security apparatus for use in a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising an optical key, a receptacle, a receiver and at least one optical fiber. The optical key has a transmitter having at least one first preprogrammed coded signal stored in a first electric circuit. The receptacle receives the optical key and at least one transmittable coded optical signal from the transmitter corresponding to the at least one preprogrammed coded signal stored in the first electric circuit. The receiver compares the at least one transmittable coded optical signal to at least one second preprogrammed coded signal stored in a second electric circuit and the receiver is adapted to trigger switching effects for at least one of enabling starting the motor vehicle and starting the motor vehicle upon determination that the at least one transmittable coded optical signal corresponds to the at least one second preprogrammed signal in the second electric circuit. The at least one optical fiber is operatively connected between the receptacle and the receiver for carrying the optical signal from the receptacle to the receiver. Also disclosed is a method for permitting only authorized use of a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle security apparatus for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

an optical key having a transmitter having at least one first preprogrammed coded signal stored in a first electric circuit;

a receptacle for receiving said optical key and at least one transmittable coded optical signal from said transmitter corresponding to said at least one first preprogrammed coded signal stored in said first electric circuit;

a receiver for comparing said at least one transmittable coded optical signal to at least one second preprogrammed coded signal stored in a second electric circuit and said receiver being adapted to trigger switching effects for at least one of enabling starting the motor vehicle and starting the motor vehicle upon determination that said at least one transmittable coded optical signal corresponds to said at least one second preprogrammed signal in said second electric circuit;

at least one optical fiber operatively connected between said receptacle and said receiver for carrying said optical signal from said receptacle to said receiver;

operatively connected means for starting the motor;

said transmitter having a light emitting diode for producing said optical signal, said receiver having a photo diode for detecting said optical signal, and said optical key having a means for rotatably initiating a sequential generation of said transmittable coded optical signals in said receptacle for starting the motor vehicle.

2. The vehicle security apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for rotatably initiating a sequential generation of said transmittable coded optical signals in said receptacle for starting the motor vehicle includes said optical key having a plurality of electrical contact pairs for engaging said receptacle.