Vehicle access controller

• US 5,660,246 A
• Filed: 11/09/1995
• Issued: 08/26/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Research Products Corporation
• Original Assignee: Research Products Corporation
• Inventors: Kaman, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US08/556,069
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 180/287
• US Class Current: 180/287
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off

Abstract

The vehicular access controller includes input means for detecting an indicia of identity of a prospective user and central station control means for comparing the indicia of identity with an indicia of identity of an authorized user. The controller further includes activating means for activating the vehicle when the control means determines that the indicia of identity from the input means substantially matches the indicia of identity of the authorized user.

Claims

1. A vehicular access and control system comprising:

a vehicle;

input means located on the vehicle for detecting an indicia of identity of a prospective user;

a controller located on the vehicle for formatting data transfers including the indicia of identity and an identifier of the vehicle to a central station;

a two-way wireless interconnect coupled to the controller for transferring the indicia of identity and the identifier of the vehicle to the central station;

control means at the central station for comparing the transferred indicia of identity with an indicia of identity of an authorized user and for transferring an activation signal to the vehicle through the two-way wireless interconnect upon determining a match;

memory at the central station for storing the received indicia of identity and identifier of the vehicle;

activating means located on the vehicle for activating the vehicle when the control means determines that the indicia of identity from the input means substantially matches the indicia of identity of the authorized user; and

a printer located on the vehicle and coupled to the central station through the wireless interconnect for printing messages from the central station.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the central station further comprises a message input means for receiving a message for an authorized user as well as an indicia of identity of the authorized user.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the central station further comprises a second controller for searching the second memory for an identifier of a vehicle last transmitting the indicia of identity of the authorized user.

4. The apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the central controller further comprises a third controller for transferring the message to the printer of the vehicle last transferring the indicia of identity of the authorized user.

5. A vehicular access and control system comprising:

a vehicle;

a printer located on the vehicle;

a cardreader located on the vehicle for detecting an indicia of identity of a prospective user;

a two-way radio frequency transceiver for transferring the indicia of identity to a central station;

a first computer at the central station for storing the transferred indicia of identity along with an identifier of the vehicle in a first computer memory, comparing the transferred indicia of identity with an indicia of identity of an authorized user and, upon determining a match, transferring an activation signal to the vehicle through the two-way radio frequency transceiver;

an interconnect located on the vehicle for activating the vehicle upon receipt of an activation signal from the control means;

a keyboard in communication with the central station for entering messages and indicia of identity of the authorized user; and

;

a second computer at the central station for identifying by reference to the first computer memory the vehicle transferring the indicia of identity of the authorized user and for transferring the message to the printer of the identified vehicle.

6. The apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the central station further comprises a two-way radio frequency transceiver.