Vehicle security system having enhanced control features
First Claim
1. A vehicle security system comprising:
- a controller for performing a predetermined one of a plurality of functions responsive to receipt of a predetermined command signal; and
a remote transmitter for sending to said controller a predetermined command signal from a plurality of banks of command signals, said remote transmitter comprisingcommand means comprising a plurality of first momentary contact switches and means associated with each switch of said plurality of first momentary contact switches for transmitting a first respective command signal responsive to depressing each switch for less than a first time period and for transmitting a second respective command signal responsive to depressing each switch for more than the first time period, respective first and second command signals for said plurality of first switches defining a corresponding bank of command signals from the plurality of banks of command signals, andbank selector means operatively connected to said command means and comprising a second switch and means associated therewith for selecting one of the plurality of banks of command signals for said command means.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle security system includes a controller for performing a function responsive to receipt of a corresponding command signal, and a remote transmitter for sending a command signal from a plurality of banks of command signals. More particularly, the remote transmitter includes a plurality of first momentary contact switches for transmitting a first respective command signal responsive to depressing the switch for less than a first time and for transmitting a second respective command signal responsive to depressing the switch for more than the first time. The remote transmitter also includes a bank selector switch for selecting one of the plurality of banks of command signals. A valet switch is included for placing the controller in a valet mode, such as to permit a service technician or valet to use the vehicle without triggering an alarm. The controller permits switching to the valet mode responsive to activating the valet switch whether the ignition switch is on or off and the controller is in the disarmed mode. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.
77 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A vehicle security system comprising:
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a controller for performing a predetermined one of a plurality of functions responsive to receipt of a predetermined command signal; and a remote transmitter for sending to said controller a predetermined command signal from a plurality of banks of command signals, said remote transmitter comprising command means comprising a plurality of first momentary contact switches and means associated with each switch of said plurality of first momentary contact switches for transmitting a first respective command signal responsive to depressing each switch for less than a first time period and for transmitting a second respective command signal responsive to depressing each switch for more than the first time period, respective first and second command signals for said plurality of first switches defining a corresponding bank of command signals from the plurality of banks of command signals, and bank selector means operatively connected to said command means and comprising a second switch and means associated therewith for selecting one of the plurality of banks of command signals for said command means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A remote transmitter for sending predetermined command signals from a plurality of banks of command signals to a vehicle security system controller, said remote transmitter comprising:
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a housing; command means carried by said housing and comprising a plurality of first momentary contact switches and means associated with each switch of said plurality of first momentary contact switches for transmitting a first respective command signal responsive to depressing each switch for less than a first time period and for transmitting a second respective command signal responsive to depressing each switch for more than the first time period, respective first and second command signals for said plurality of first switches defining a corresponding bank of command signals from the plurality of banks of command signals; and bank selector means operatively connected to said command means and comprising a second switch and means associated therewith for selecting one of the plurality of banks of command signals for said command means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for operating a remote transmitter of a vehicle security system for sending predetermined command signals from a plurality of banks of command signals to a vehicle security system controller, the remote transmitter comprising a plurality of first momentary contact switches, said method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a first respective command signal responsive to depressing each of the plurality of first momentary contact switches for less than a first time period and transmitting a second respective command signal responsive to depressing each switch for more than the first time period, respective first and second command signals for the plurality of first switches defining a corresponding bank of command signals from the plurality of banks of command signals; and selecting one of the plurality of banks of command signals for the plurality of first momentary contact switches. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A vehicle security system comprising:
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at least one vehicle sensor; alarm indication means for indicating an alarm at the vehicle; a valet switch accessible to a user within the vehicle; and a controller operatively connected to said at least one vehicle sensor, said alarm indication means, and said valet switch, said controller switchable between an armed mode, a disarmed mode, and a valet mode, said controller in the armed mode being capable of generating an alarm responsive to triggering of said at least on vehicle sensor, said controller in the disarmed mode preventing generation of an alarm responsive to triggering of said at least on vehicle sensor and switching to the armed mode in response to the elapse of a predetermined time period, said controller in the valet mode preventing generation of an alarm responsive to triggering of said at least one vehicle sensor, said controller further comprising ignition monitoring means for determining whether a vehicle ignition switch is in an off position or an on position, and valet control means for permitting switching to the valet mode responsive to activating said valet switch when said controller is in the disarmed mode and when said ignition switch is in the off position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method for operating a vehicle security system comprising of a controller switchable between an armed mode, a disarmed mode, and a valet mode, the controller in the armed mode being capable of generating an alarm responsive to triggering of at least one vehicle sensor, the controller in the disarmed mode preventing generation of an alarm responsive to triggering of the at least one vehicle sensor and switching to the armed mode in response to the elapse of a predetermined time period, the controller in the valet mode preventing generation of an alarm responsive to triggering of at least one vehicle sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a valet switch accessible to a user within the vehicle; and switching to the valet mode responsive to activating the valet switch when the controller is in the disarmed mode and irrespective of whether a vehicle ignition is in an on or off position. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A vehicle security system comprising:
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at least one vehicle sensor; alarm indication means for indicating an alarm at the vehicle; a valet switch accessible to a user within the vehicle; and a controller operatively connected to said at least one vehicle sensor, said alarm indication means, and said valet switch, said controller switchable between an armed mode, a disarmed mode, and a valet mode, said controller in the armed mode being capable of entering an alarm responsive to triggering of said at least on vehicle sensor, said controller in the disarmed mode preventing generation of an alarm responsive to triggering of said at least on vehicle sensor and switching to the armed mode after a predetermined time period, said controller in the valet mode preventing generation of an alarm responsive to triggering of said at least one vehicle sensor, said controller further comprising ignition monitoring means for determining whether a vehicle ignition switch is in an off position or an on position, valet control means for permitting switching to the valet mode responsive to activating said valet switch when said ignition switch is in one of the on position and off position and said vehicle controller is in the disarmed mode, and signature valet means for permitting entry into one of the valet and disarmed modes from the armed mode only if the vehicle ignition switch is on, and the valet switch is activated a predetermined plurality of times within a predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method for operating a vehicle security system comprising a controller switchable between an armed mode, a disarmed mode, and a valet mode, the controller in the armed mode being capable of generating an alarm responsive to triggering of a least one vehicle sensor, the controller in the disarmed mode preventing generation of an alarm responsive to triggering of the at least one vehicle sensor and switching to the armed mode after a predetermined time period, the controller in the valet mode preventing generation of an alarm responsive to triggering of the at least one vehicle sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a valet switch accessible to a user within the vehicle; switching to the valet mode responsive to activating the valet switch when a vehicle ignition switch is in one of an on position and an off position and the controller is in the disarmed mode; and entering into one of the valet and disarmed modes from the armed mode only if the vehicle ignition switch is in the on position, and the valet switch is activated a predetermined plurality of times within a predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification