Vehicle security system
First Claim
1. A vehicle security system for use in a vehicle having an engine, said vehicle security system comprising:
- means for disabling said vehicle by preventing starting and operation of its engine;
a computerized key having means for transmitting a key number;
a keyport having means for coupling to said computerized key;
indicator means responsive to an input signal for producing system response indications;
memory means for storing a plurality of authorized key numbers;
processor means operatively coupled to said memory means to provide communication therebetween, said keyport, said means for disabling and said indicator means and having means for receiving said key number and for determining whether said key number matches one of said authorized key numbers;
means for timing the duration of coupling of said computerized key to said keyport;
mode means, responsive to said means for timing, for configuring said vehicle security system in a normal mode in which a computerized key is required for activation of said engine and for reconfiguring said vehicle security system in a valet mode in which no computerized key is required for activation of said engine once said means for timing exceeds a first time duration; and
said processor means causing said means for disabling to disable said vehicle and maintaining it disabled until said computerized key is received within said keyport and determined to match one of said authorized key numbers and producing said input signal applied to said indicator means to produce a system response indicator indicative of acceptance of said computerized key and activation of said vehicle in response to said match.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A processor includes a keyport located within a vehicle interior. The keyport is operative in combination with a computerized key capable of transmitting a numeric digital signal through the keyport to the processor and controller, The processor and controller is further coupled to a piezoelectric sounding element and to a control relay. The latter is inserted within the starting circuit of the host vehicle at a critical location which enables the relay to interrupt the vehicle starting circuit and render the engine of the vehicle unable to be started despite the use of the normal vehicle ignition key, The system is programmed by presentation of a computerized key to the key receptacle and maintaining the key within the receptacle for a predetermined time interval, The system is also operable in a valet mode in which the security system is temporarily disabled or in an any key mode in which the vehicle may be enabled by presentation of any computerized key having a numeric code within a predetermined family of numbers, The system also provides for the reprogramming of the processor and controller to accept new replacement keys in the event the user has lost the authorized keys. The system accommodates more than one key.
45 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A vehicle security system for use in a vehicle having an engine, said vehicle security system comprising:
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means for disabling said vehicle by preventing starting and operation of its engine; a computerized key having means for transmitting a key number; a keyport having means for coupling to said computerized key; indicator means responsive to an input signal for producing system response indications; memory means for storing a plurality of authorized key numbers; processor means operatively coupled to said memory means to provide communication therebetween, said keyport, said means for disabling and said indicator means and having means for receiving said key number and for determining whether said key number matches one of said authorized key numbers; means for timing the duration of coupling of said computerized key to said keyport; mode means, responsive to said means for timing, for configuring said vehicle security system in a normal mode in which a computerized key is required for activation of said engine and for reconfiguring said vehicle security system in a valet mode in which no computerized key is required for activation of said engine once said means for timing exceeds a first time duration; and said processor means causing said means for disabling to disable said vehicle and maintaining it disabled until said computerized key is received within said keyport and determined to match one of said authorized key numbers and producing said input signal applied to said indicator means to produce a system response indicator indicative of acceptance of said computerized key and activation of said vehicle in response to said match. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A vehicle security system method for use in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing means for disabling said vehicle in the absence of an on signal; providing a number transmitting key and a keyport for receiving a coupling portion of said number transmitting key; configuring the vehicle security system in a normal mode in which said key must be applied to said keyport to enable said vehicle; sensing the application of said key to said keyport and receiving its transmitted number; comparing said transmitted number to one or more stored authorized numbers; producing said on signal if said transmitted number matches one of said stored authorized number; timing the duration of application of said number transmitting key to said keyport; and configuring the vehicle security system in a valet mode of operation in response to application of said number transmitting key to said keyport beyond a first time interval, said valet mode characterized by producing said on signal without application of a number transmitting key to said keyport. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. For use in a vehicle, a vehicle security system comprising:
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a number transmitting key having a key number; means for coupling to said key and reading the key number thereof; means for preventing the starting and operation of said vehicle; indicator means for indicating information to a vehicle user; timing means for timing the duration of coupling of said key to said means for coupling; and processor means responsive to said timing means and said means for coupling to receive user input information based solely upon coupling of said number transmitting key to said means for coupling, the duration of said coupling and said key number to configure said vehicle security system in a selected one of a plurality of operating modes; - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification