Vehicle control system including multi-digit control switch and associated methods

• US 6,480,095 B1
• Filed: 10/29/1999
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Flick, Kenneth E.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/430,149
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/5.21, 340/5.64, 340/5.72, 340/825.37, 340/825.72, 341/174, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00888 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed

Abstract

A vehicle control system is readily entered into a desired mode, yet provides high security for the user and includes a controller vehicle for performing at least one vehicle function responsive to a transmitter, such as a remote transmitter or passive transponder. The controller is switchable among a plurality of modes. The system also includes a switch at the vehicle that cooperates with the controller for switching the controller to a desired mode responsive to operation of the switch in a sequence corresponding to a multi-digit user code. The controller preferably counts operations of the switch, such as a momentary contact switch, occurring within a predetermined time of each other as a respective digit of the multi-digit user code. The controller, within a predetermined time window after a previous operation, counts successive operations of the momentary contact switch within a predetermined time of each other as a next digit of the multi-digit user code. Accordingly, the user can readily enter his multi-digit user code, while a would-be thief would be unable to try all of the possible multi-digit code permutations. The controller may be switchable to a transmitter learning mode, a valet mode, a coded override mode, or a feature programming mode, for example.

Claims

1. A vehicle control system comprising:

a transmitter to be carried by a user;

a controller at the vehicle for performing at least one vehicle function responsive to said transmitter, said controller being switchable among a plurality of modes; and

a depressable momentary contact switch at the vehicle and cooperating with said controller for switching said controller to a desired mode responsive to depressing of said depressable momentary contact switch in a sequence corresponding to a multi-digit user code;

said controller counting operations of said depressable momentary contact switch occurring within a predetermined time of each other as a respective digit of the multi-digit user code.

2. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein said controller, within a predetermined time window after a previous operation, counts successive operations of said depressable momentary contact switch within a predetermined time of each other as a next digit of the multi-digit user code.

3. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 further comprising an indicator for confirming entry of a digit of the multi-digit user code irrespective of whether the digit is correct or not.

4. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein said controller is switchable to a transmitter learning mode for learning at least one new uniquely coded transmitter.

5. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter generates a pseudorandomly coded signal.

6. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter comprises a remote transmitter.

7. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter comprises a passive transponder transmitter.

8. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein said controller is switchable to a valet mode.

9. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein said controller is switchable to a coded override mode.

10. A vehicle control system according to claim 9 wherein said controller still permits said transmitter to cause said controller to perform the at least one function in the coded override mode.

11. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein said controller is switchable to a feature programming mode.

12. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein the multi-digit user code comprises a two digit code.

13. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein each digit of the multi-digit user code is between one and nine.

14. A vehicle control system comprising:

a transmitter to be carried by a user;

a controller at the vehicle for performing at least one vehicle function responsive to said transmitter, said controller being switchable among a plurality of modes;

a switch at the vehicle and cooperating with said controller for switching said controller to a desired mode responsive to operation of said switch in a sequence corresponding to a multi-digit user code;

said controller counting operations of said switch occurring within a predetermined time of each other as a respective digit of the multi-digit user code; and

an indicator for confirming entry of a digit of the multi-digit user code irrespective of whether the digit is correct or not.

15. A vehicle control system according to claim 14 wherein said controller, within a predetermined time window after a previous operation, counts successive operations of said switch within a predetermined time of each other as a next digit of the multi-digit user code.

16. A vehicle control system according to claim 14 wherein said controller is switchable to a transmitter learning mode for learning at least one new uniquely coded transmitter.

17. A vehicle control system according to claim 14 wherein said transmitter generates a pseudorandomly coded signal.

18. A vehicle control system according to claim 14 wherein said transmitter comprises a remote transmitter.

19. A vehicle control system according to claim 14 wherein said transmitter comprises a passive transponder transmitter.

20. A vehicle control system according to claim 14 wherein said controller i s switchable to a valet mode.

21. A vehicle control system according to claim 14 wherein said controller is switchable to a coded override mode.

22. A vehicle control system according to claim 21 wherein said controller still permits said transmitter to cause said controller to perform the at least one function in the coded override mode.

23. A vehicle control system according to claim 14 wherein said controller is switchable to a feature programming mode.

24. A vehicle control system according to claim 14 wherein the multi-digit user code comprises a two digit code.

25. A vehicle control system according to claim 14 wherein each digit of the multi-digit user code is between one and nine.

26. A vehicle control system comprising:

a controller at the vehicle for performing at least one vehicle function responsive to a transmitted signal, said controller being switchable among a plurality of modes; and

a switch at the vehicle and cooperating with said controller for switching said controller to a desired mode responsive to operations of said switch in a sequence corresponding to a multi-digit user code;

said controller counting operations of said switch occurring within a predetermined time of each other as a respective digit of the multi-digit user code.

27. A vehicle control system according to claim 26 wherein said controller, within a predetermined time window after a previous operation, counting successive operations of said switch within a predetermined time of each other as a next digit of the multi-digit user code.

28. A vehicle control system according to claim 26 further comprising an indicator for confirming entry of a digit of the multi-digit user code irrespective of whether the digit is correct or not.

29. A vehicle control system according to claim 26 wherein said controller is switchable to at least one of a transmitter learning mode, a valet mode, a coded override mode, and a feature programming mode.

30. A vehicle control system according to claim 26 wherein the multi-digit user code comprises a two digit code.

31. A vehicle control system according to claim 26 wherein each digit of the multi-digit user code is between one and nine.

32. A vehicle control system according to claim 26 wherein said switch comprises a depressable momentary contact switch.

33. A method for switching a controller at a vehicle among a plurality of modes, the controller for performing at least one vehicle function responsive to a transmitter signal, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a depressable switch at the vehicle and connected to the controller;

depressing the switch in a sequence corresponding to a multi-digit user code and switching to a predetermined mode responsive thereto; and

using the controller to count operations of the switch occurring within a predetermined time of each other as a respective digit of the multi-digit user code.

34. A method according to claim 33 further comprising the step of, within a predetermined time window after a previous operation, using the controller to count successive operations of the switch within a predetermined time of each other as a next digit of the multi-digit user code.

35. A method according to claim 33 further comprising the step of confirming entry of a digit of the multi-digit user code irrespective of whether the digit is correct or not.

36. A method according to claim 33 wherein the predetermined mode is at least one of a transmitter learning mode, a valet mode, a coded override mode, and a feature programming mode.

37. A method according to claim 33 wherein the multi-digit user code comprises a two digit code.

38. A method according to claim 33 wherein each digit of the multi-digit user code is between one and nine.

39. A method according to claim 33 wherein the switch comprises a depressable momentary contact switch.