System and method for signaling a device at a remote location over a wireless network

• US 5,588,038 A
• Filed: 12/05/1994
• Issued: 12/24/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Page Star, Inc.
• Original Assignee: JFA Tech Incorporated
• Inventors: Snyder, Bernard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chernoff, Michael B.
• Application Number:
  US08/349,548
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/59, 379/57, 379/63, 379/60, 379/44, 340/426, 340/539, 340/993, 340/825.44, 340/825.49, 455/33.1, 455/54.1, 455/12.1, 290/38 C
• US Class Current: 340/7.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1016 Remote signals alerting owner or authorities, e.g. radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/10 Position of receiver fixed by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements , e.g. omega or decca systemsG01S5/12 takes precedence ; beacons and receivers cooperating therewith G01S1/306, G01S1/308
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18567 Arrangements for providing additional services to the basic mobile satellite telephony service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A system and method for communicating with a remote location, such as a vehicle or building, the system including a calling transceiver, a central transceiver, and a satellite. In the system and method, the calling transceiver and the central transceiver (or central switching facility) are used to transmit a forward wireless communication over-the-air, through the satellite, and to a pager transceiver located in the remote location in order to control a device located in the remote location. Upon receiving the signal, the pager transceiver generates a first signal, which is received by a tripping circuit, which in turn generates a second signal. The second signal causes a switch to trip, which thereby controls the device located at the remote location. The pager transceiver also has the capacity to transmit reverse wireless communications through the satellite, which allows monitoring of the device.

Claims

1. A system for remotely stopping a vehicle theft, comprising:

a transmitter for generating a calling code and a predetermined security code;

a central switching unit for receiving said calling code and said predetermined security code and for generating a forward wireless communication including said calling code and said predetermined security code;

a satellite for receiving and transmitting said forward wireless communication;

a pager transceiver, located in a vehicle, for receiving said wireless communication and for transmitting a reverse wireless communication, wherein said pager unit is responsive to said calling code and generates a first signal in response to receiving said predetermined security code;

a tripping circuit, responsive to said first signal and located in said vehicle, for generating a second signal; and

a switch, responsive to said second signal and located in said vehicle, for disabling said vehicle;

wherein said pager transceiver is a digital transceiver that receives and sends only low-power short digital data packets and that cannot receive digital and analog voice transmissions;

wherein said reverse wireless communication can be relayed through said satellite to said central switching unit.

2. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the transmitter comprises a telephone for dialing code, said code generating the forced wireless communication, said code including a remote location pager number corresponding to the pager transceiver and a predetermined security code.

3. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the switch includes an ignition interrupt device for stopping operation of an engine in the vehicle.

4. The System recited in claim 1, further comprising an alarm system, said alarm system being responsive to the tripping circuit.

5. The system recited in claim 1, further comprising a homing circuit, responsive to the tripping circuit, for generating a homing signal.

6. The system recited in claim 1 wherein said vehicle has a fuel supply, and wherein the action caused by the switch impedes said fuel supply.

7. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the reverse wireless communication includes a status signal reporting a condition in the vehicle.

8. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the reverse wireless communication is responsive to the forward wireless communication.

9. A method for remotely stopping a vehicle theft, comprising:

first transmitting a forward signal by a transmitter, said signal including a calling code and a predetermined security code;

first receiving said forward signal by a central switching unit;

second transmitting said forward signal by said central switching unit;

satellite relaying said forward signal to a pager transceiver located in a vehicle;

second receiving said forward signal by said pager transceiver if said calling code corresponds to said pager transceiver;

generating a tripping pulse by said pager transceiver in response 1o response said predetermined security code, said tripping pulse having a low voltage;

converting said tripping pulse from said low voltage to a higher voltage by a tripping circuit, said tripping circuit being located in the vehicle and consisting of a voltage step-up circuit for increasing the voltage of said first signal from said low voltage to said higher voltage;

tripping a switch located in said vehicle in response to conversion of said tripping pulse from said low voltage to said higher voltage, thereby disabling said vehicle; and

third transmitting a reverse signal by said pager transceiver, wherein said reverse signal can be satellite relayed to said central switching unit;

wherein said pager transceiver is a digital transceiver that receives and sends only low-power short digital data packets and that cannot receive digital and analog voice transmissions.

10. The method recited in claim 9 wherein the reverse signal includes a status signal reporting a condition in the vehicle.

11. The method recited in claim 9 wherein the reverse signal is responsive to the forward signal.

12. The method recited in claim 9 wherein said vehicle has a vehicle ignition, the method further comprising interrupting said vehicle ignition in response to the tripping step.

13. The method recited in claim 9, further comprising activating an alarm system in response to the tripping step.

14. The method recited in claim 9, further comprising generating a homing signal in response to the tripping step.

15. A system for remotely stopping a vehicle theft, consisting essentially of:

a pager transceiver, located in a vehicle, for receiving a forward wireless communication, for generating a first signal in response to receiving said forward wireless communication, and for transmitting a reverse wireless communication, said forward wireless communication begin transmitted by a transmitter to a central switching unit, said switching unit transmitting said forward wireless communication to a satellite, said satellite relaying said forward wireless communication transmitted from said central switching unit to said pager transceiver, said forward wireless communication and reverse wireless communication consisting of a digital data packet, and said forward wireless communication including a calling code corresponding to said pager transceiver and a predetermined security code, said first signal being generated by said pager transceiver in response to receiving said predetermined security code, wherein said reverse wireless communication can be relayed through said satellite to said central switching unit;

a tripping circuit, responsive to said first signal and located in said vehicle, for generating a second signal; and

a switch, responsive to said second signal, for disabling said vehicle;

wherein the absence of said predetermined security code in said forward wireless communication prevents said pager transceiver from generating said first signal; and

wherein said pager transceiver is a digital transceiver that receives and sends only low-power short digital data packets and that cannot receive digital and analog voice transmissions.

16. The system recited in claim 15 wherein the reverse wireless communication includes a status signal reporting a condition in the vehicle.

17. The system recited in claim 15 wherein the reverse wireless communication is responsive to the forward wireless communication.

18. A system for remotely stopping a vehicle theft, comprising:

a transmitter for generating a calling code and a predetermined security code;

a central switching unit for receiving said calling code and said predetermined security code and for generating a forward wireless communication including said calling code and said predetermined security code;

a satellite for receiving and transmitting said forward wireless communication;

a pager transceiver, located in a vehicle, for receiving said forward wireless communication and for transmitting a reverse wireless communication, said pager transceiver being responsive to said calling code and generating a pager signal in response to receiving said predetermined security code, said pager signal having a low voltage;

a tripping circuit, responsive to said pager sisal and located in said vehicle, for generating a tripping signal, said tripping signal having a higher voltage than said pager signal, said tripping circuit including a voltage step-up circuit for converting the voltage of said pager signal from said low voltage to said higher voltage; and

an actuator, responsive to said tripping signal, for disabling said vehicle;

wherein said pager transceiver is a digital transceiver that receives and sends only low-power short digital data packets and that cannot receive digital and analog voice transmissions;

wherein the absence of said predetermined security code in said forward wireless communication prevents said pager transceiver from generating said first signal; and

wherein said reverse wireless communication can be relayed through said satellite to said central switching unit.

19. A system for remotely signaling a door locking system in a vehicle, said door locking system being located in said vehicle, comprising:

a transmitter for generating a calling code and a predetermined security code;

a central switching unit for receiving said calling code and said predetermined security code and for generating a forward wireless communication including said calling code and said predetermined security code;

a satellite for receiving and transmitting said forward wireless communication;

a pager transceiver, located in said vehicle, for receiving said forward wireless communication and for transmitting a reverse wireless communication, said pager transceiver being responsive to said calling code and generating a pager signal in response to receiving said predetermined security code;

a tripping circuit, responsive to said pager signal and located in said vehicle, for generating a tripping signal; and

an actuator, responsive to said tripping signal and located in said vehicle, for locking and unlocking said door locking system in said vehicle;

wherein said pager transceiver is a digital transceiver that receives and sends only low-power digital data packets and that cannot receive digital and analog voice transmission;

wherein the absence of said predetermined security code in said forward wireless communication prevents said pager transceiver from generating said first signal; and

wherein said reverse wireless communication can be relayed through said satellite to said central switching unit.

20. The system recited in claim 19 wherein the reverse wireless communication includes a status signal reporting a condition in the vehicle.

21. The system recited in claim 19 wherein the reverse wireless communication is responsive to the forward wireless communication.