Security for remote operation devices

• US 5,955,981 A
• Filed: 12/12/1996
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karur S. Rangan
• Original Assignee: Karur S. Rangan
• Inventors: Rangan, Karur S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US08/766,324
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 341/176, 341/173, 340/825.69, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/426, 307/10.4, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 341/173
• 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

Abstract

A remote controlled system for providing security measures includes an input interface through which a user can provide commands to secure and access a remote object. A security unit is coupled to the input interface and is responsive to the commands to perform protective functions. A transmission control unit is coupled to the security unit and is responsive to the protective functions to transmit signals to the remote object.

Claims

1. A system for providing security measures for a remote operation device, comprising:

an input interface through which a user can provide commands to secure and access a remote operation device and a remote object;

a security unit coupled to said input interface and responsive to said commands to perform protective functions; and

a transmission control unit including a transmitter, coupled to said security unit and responsive to said protective functions to transmit signals to said remote object;

whereby the input interface, security unit, and transmission control unit provide security for the remote operation device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said commands permit access to said remote operation device and said remote object during a transmitter armed mode and prevent access to said remote operation device and said remote object during a transmitter disarmed mode.

3. A security system for providing security measures for a remote operation device, comprising:

an input interface configured to receive user inputs for securing and accessing a remote operation device and a remote object;

a security unit disposed within said input interface for providing protective measures to permit and prevent security and access of said remote object; and

a transmission control unit comprising a transmitter, coupled to said security unit, and responsive to said user inputs by transmitting signals to permit security and access of said remote object, said transmitter being enabled to transmit said signals during a transmitter armed mode to permit access of said remote object, said transmitter being prevented from transmitting said signals during a transmitter disarmed mode;

whereby the input interface, security unit, and transmission control unit provide security for the remote operation device.

4. The security system of claim 3 wherein said transmitter is enabled to transmit said signals during said armed mode to permit security of said remote object.

5. The security system of claim 3 wherein said input interface comprises:

a keypad configured to receive said user inputs for securing and accessing said remote operation device and said remote object.

6. The security system of claim 5 wherein said keypad comprises:

a first key which can be actuated to secure a first compartment of said remote object;

a second key which can be actuated to access a second compartment of said remote object;

a third key which can be actuated to access said first compartment; and

a fourth key which can be actuated to locate said remote object.

7. The security system of claim 6 wherein said first compartment comprises:

a passenger area in said remote object.

8. The security system of claim 6 wherein said second compartment comprises:

a storage area in said remote object.

9. The security system of claim 3 wherein said security unit comprises:

a security code register for storing a first value;

an entered code register connected to said input interface for storing a second value;

a code comparator, connected to said entered code register and to said security code register, for comparing said first value and said second value; and

an arm/disarm switch connected to said input interface for enabling said transmitter to transmit signals responsive to said user inputs.

10. The security system of claim 9 wherein said arm/disarm switch enables said transmitter to transmit signals for accessing said remote operation device and said remote object.

11. The security system of claim 9 wherein said arm/disarm switch enables said transmitter to transmit signals for securing said remote object.

12. The security system of claim 9 wherein said security unit further comprises:

a first decision logic circuit connected to said code comparator for enabling said armed mode when said first value and said second value are equal and for enabling said disarmed mode when said first value and said second value are not equal.

13. The security system of claim 9 wherein said security unit further comprises:

a second decision logic circuit connected to said entered code register for deleting said second value in said entered code register if an additional value is entered into said entered code register when said entered code register is at a maximum count;

whereby the length of the first value is protected from disclosure.

14. The security system of claim 9 wherein said security unit further comprises:

an AND gate having an output connected to said arm/disarm switch, having a first input connected to said first decision logic circuit and having a second input;

a time delay switch connected to said second input of said AND gate, said time delay switch and said AND gate being configured to enable said disarmed mode if at least one of said user inputs is entered prior to expiration of a first predetermined time period;

whereby the AND gate and the time delay switch authenticate an authorized user.

15. The security system of claim 14 wherein said time delay switch includes an armed duration feature for setting said armed mode to a second predetermined time period;

whereby use of said input interface after arming is for a limited time duration to provide security from unauthorized use of the remote operation device.

16. The security system of claim 14 wherein said time delay switch includes an inactivity timeout feature which turns off said transmitter during said disarmed mode upon expiration of a third predetermined time period which is longer than said first predetermined time period.

17. The security system of claim 9 wherein said security unit further comprises:

a third decision logic circuit connected to said arm/disarm switch and configured to output an armed mode signal during said armed mode and a disarmed mode signal during said disarmed mode;

a secured usage counter connected to said third decision logic circuit, and configured to receive said armed mode signal and to count the occurrence of said user inputs during said armed mode;

a fourth decision logic circuit connected to said secured usage counter, to said arm/disarm switch and to said transmission control unit, and configured to permit access of said remote operation device and said remote object in response to said user inputs during said armed mode if the value of said secured usage counter is less than a predetermined counter value, said fourth decision logic circuit further being configured to prevent access of said remote operation device and said remote object during said armed mode if the value of said secured usage counter rises to said predetermined counter value.

18. The security system of claim 17 wherein said fourth decision logic circuit permits said transmitter to emit signals responsive to said user inputs by actuating said arm/disarm switch.

19. The security system of claim 6 wherein:

said transmitter enables security of said remote object by emitting a first predetermined frequency corresponding to said first key, said transmitter enables access of said remote object by emitting a second predetermined frequency corresponding to said second key and a third predetermined frequency corresponding to said third key, and said transmitter enables location of said remote object by emitting a fourth predetermined frequency corresponding to said fourth key.

20. The security system of claim 19 wherein said first key is coupled to said transmitter so that said first predetermined frequency is emitted upon actuation of said first key.

21. The security system of claim 19 wherein said first key is coupled to said security unit.

22. The security system of claim 3 wherein said transmission control unit is an integrated circuit assembly.

23. The security system of claim 3, further comprising:

a power supply disposed within said input interface for providing power to said security unit and to said transmission control unit.

24. A security system for providing security measures for a remote operation device, comprising:

receiving means for receiving user inputs for securing and accessing a remote operation device and a remote object;

security means coupled to said receiving means for providing protective measures to permit and prevent security and access of said remote operation device and security and access of said remote object; and

transmission means, capable of being in an armed mode or in a disarmed mode, coupled to said security means for transmitting signals to permit access and security of said remote object;

whereby the receiving means, security means, and transmission means provide security for a remote operation device.

25. The security system of claim 24 wherein said security means comprises:

first means for permitting access of said remote object in response to said user inputs during an armed mode and for preventing access of said remote object during a disarmed mode.

26. The security system of claim 25 wherein said security means further comprises:

second means for permitting security of said remote object during an armed mode and during a disarmed mode.

27. The security system of claim 25 wherein said security means further comprises:

third means for permitting security of said remote object in response to said user inputs during an armed mode and for preventing security of said remote object during a disarmed mode.

28. The security system of claim 25 wherein said security means further comprises:

first storing means for storing a first value;

second storing means for storing a second value;

comparing means, coupled to said first storing means and to said second storing means, for comparing said first value with said second value; and

first decision means coupled to said comparing means for enabling said armed mode if said first value and said second value are equal and for enabling said disarmed mode if said first value and said second value are not equal.

29. The security system of claim 28 wherein said security means further comprises:

second decision means coupled to said second storing means for deleting said second value stored in said second storing means if an additional value is stored in said second storing means when said second storing means is at a maximum count;

whereby the length of the first value is protected from disclosure.

30. The security system of claim 29 wherein said security means further comprises:

means coupled to said first decision means for enabling said disarmed mode if said user inputs are entered prior to expiration of a first predetermined time period;

whereby the means provide an authentication of an authorized user.

31. The security system of claim 30 wherein said security means further comprises:

means coupled to said enabling means for setting said armed mode to a second predetermined time period;

whereby use of said receiving means after arming is for a limited time duration to provide security from unauthorized use of the remote operation device.

32. The security system of claim 31 wherein said security means further comprises:

switching means coupled to said receiving means for permitting transmission of said signals in response to said user inputs to permit access of said remote object.

33. The security system of claim 32 wherein said security means further comprises:

third decision means for generating an armed mode signal during said armed mode and for generating a disarmed mode signal during said disarmed mode;

counter means coupled to said third decision means for receiving said armed mode signal and for counting the occurrence of said user inputs; and

fourth decision means coupled to said counter means for permitting access of said remote object in response to said user inputs during said armed mode if the value of said counter means is less than a predetermined value and for preventing access of said remote object during said armed mode if the value of said counter means rises to said predetermined value.

52. The security system of claim 29 wherein said security means further comprises:

third decision means for generating an armed mode signal during said armed mode and for generating a disarmed mode signal during said disarmed mode;

counter means coupled to said third decision means for receiving said armed mode signal and for counting the occurrence of said user inputs; and

fourth decision means coupled to said counter means for permitting access of said remote object in response to said user inputs during said armed mode if the value of said counter means is less than a predetermined value and for preventing access of said remote object during said armed mode if the value of said counter means rises to said predetermined value.

34. A method for providing security measures to a remote operation device comprising the steps of:

receiving user inputs for securing and accessing a remote operation device and a remote object;

providing protective measures to permit and prevent security and access of said remote operation device and said remote object; and

transmitting signals to permit access and security of said remote object;

whereby security is provided for said remote operation device.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein said step of providing protective measures further comprises the step of:

permitting access of said remote object in response to said user inputs during an armed mode and preventing access of said remote object during a disarmed mode.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein said step of providing protective measures further comprises the step of:

permitting security of said remote object in response to said user inputs during an armed mode and during a disarmed mode.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein said step of providing protective measures further comprises the step of:

permitting security of said remote object in response to said user inputs during an armed mode and preventing security of said remote object during a disarmed mode.

38. The method of claim 34 wherein said step of providing protective measures further comprises the steps of:

storing a first value in a first register;

storing a second value in a second register;

comparing said first value with said second value; and

enabling said armed mode when said first value and said second value are equal and enabling said disarmed mode when said first value and said second value are not equal.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein said step of providing protective measures further comprises the step of:

deleting said second value in said second register if an additional value is stored in said second register when said second register is at a maximum count.

40. The method of claim 34 wherein said step of providing protective measures further comprises the step of:

permitting transmission of said signals in response to said user inputs to permit access of said remote object.

41. The method of claim 34 wherein said step of providing protective measures further comprises the step of:

generating an armed mode signal during said armed mode and generating a disarmed mode signal during said disarmed mode;

receiving said armed mode signal and counting the occurrence of said user inputs; and

permitting access of said remote object in response to said user inputs during said armed mode if the occurrence of said user inputs is less than a predetermined value and preventing access of said remote object during said armed mode if the occurrence of said user inputs rises to said predetermined value.

42. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of:

setting said armed mode to a second predetermined time period.

43. An apparatus for providing security measures to a remote operation device comprising:

first means for providing a first mode which permits access of a remote operation device and a remote object in response to user inputs; and

second means for providing a second mode which prevents access of said remote operation device and said remote object;

whereby security is provided for said remote operation device.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising:

third means for permitting access of said remote object in response to said user inputs during said first mode if the occurrence of said user inputs is less than a predetermined value and for preventing access of said remote object if the occurrence of said user inputs rises to said predetermined value.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising:

fourth means for permitting security of said remote object in response to said user inputs during said first mode and for preventing security of said remote object during said second mode.

53. The apparatus of claim 43 further comprising:

fourth means for permitting security of said remote object in response to said user inputs during said first mode and for preventing security of said remote object during said second mode.

46. A method for performing security measures to a remote operation device comprising the steps of:

providing a first mode which permits access of a remote operation device and a remote object in response to user inputs; and

providing a second mode which prevents access of said remote operation device and said remote object;

whereby security is provided for said remote operation device.

47. The method of claim 46 further comprising the step of:

permitting access of said remote object in response to said user inputs during said first mode if the occurrence of said user inputs is less than a predetermined value and preventing access of said remote object if the occurrence of said user inputs rises to said predetermined value.

48. The method of claim 46 further comprising the step of:

permitting security of said remote object in response to said user inputs during said first mode and preventing security of said remote object during said second mode.

54. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of:

permitting security of said remote object in response to said user inputs during said first mode and preventing security of said remote object during said second mode.

49. A system for providing security measures to a remote operation device comprising:

a protection component configured to generate a first mode permitting access of a remote operation device and a remote object in response to user inputs and configured to generate a second mode preventing access of the remote operation device and the remote object; and

a transmitter coupled to said protection component for transmitting signals to permit access of the remote object.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein said protection component is configured to permit security of said remote object during said first mode and to prevent security of said remote object during said second mode.

51. The system of claim 49 wherein said protection component permits access of said remote object in response to said user inputs during said first mode if the occurrence of said user inputs is less than a predetermined value and prevents access of said remote object if the occurrence of said user inputs rises to said predetermined value.