Knocking activated device and method for operating an electromechanical device responsive to a control signal

• US 6,556,124 B1
• Filed: 02/29/2000
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 9068-7005 Quebec Incorporated
• Original Assignee: 9068-7005 Quebec Incorporated
• Inventors: Laroche, André
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalencourt, Yves
• Application Number:
  US09/515,430
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/5.51, 340/870.11, 340/543, 340/825.64, 307/10.2
• US Class Current: 340/5.51
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/23 using manual input of alphanumerical codes
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00746 by knocking on a surface for inputting the code, e.g. detecting a series of taps on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00658 operated by passive electrical keys

Abstract

A knocking activated device and method for operating an electromechanical device responsive to a control signal. The knocking activated device has a vibration transducer for generating a signal in response to knockings on a solid object. It also has a storing system for storing data representative of a predetermined sequence of knocks. The device further comprises a user operable interface for changing the data stored in the storing system. The device also has a comparing system for comparing the signal generated by the vibration transducer with the data stored in the storing system to produce the control signal when the signal generated by the vibration transducer matches the predetermined sequence of knocks.

Claims

1. A knocking activated device for operating an electromechanical device responsive to a control signal, comprising:

a vibration transducer for generating a signal in response to knockings on a solid object;

storing means for storing data representative of a predetermined sequence of knocks;

a user operable interface for changing the data stored in the storing means; and

comparing means for comparing the signal generated by the vibration transducer with the data stored in the storing means to produce the control signal when the signal generated by the vibration transducer matches the predetermined sequence of knocks, the comparing means having an input connected to an ignition of a vehicle, and an output connected to the electromechanical device;

wherein the user operable interface comprises a programming button connected to the comparing means for setting the knocking activated device into a programming mode, thereby, when the ignition is activated, the data is stored or changed in the storing means by pressing and depressing the programming button a multiple number of times in a predetermined time.

2. The knocking activated device of claim 1, wherein the comparing means comprise discriminating means for discriminating the knockings detected by the vibration transducer into groups of knocks, each group of knocks being separated by a time period of one second to ten seconds.

3. The knocking activated device of claim 2, wherein the discriminating means is adapted to recognize that knocks separated by less than one second belong to a same group of knocks.

4. The knocking activated device of claim 3, wherein the comparing means and the discriminating means are embodied by a microprocessor provided with a software, and the storing means is embodied by a memory flash.

5. The knocking activated device of claim 1, wherein the vibration transducer is a microphone.

6. The knocking activated device of claim 4, further comprising a voltage regulator having an input for connection to a power source and an output for supplying the microprocessor and the memory flash.

7. The knocking activated device of claim 4, further comprising an output interface having an input connected to the microprocessor and an output for operating the electromechanical device.

8. The knocking activated device of claim 4, wherein the programming button is connected to the microprocessor, and a LED connected to the microprocessor is responsive to the button for interacting with a user during a programming of the knocking activated device.

9. The knocking activated device of claim 1, wherein the electromechanical device is an electric locking mechanism of the vehicle and the knocking activated device further comprises a velcro attachment for fixing the knocking activated device inside the vehicle.

10. A method for operating an electromechanical device responsive to a control signal, comprising the steps of:

(a) storing data representative of a predetermined sequence of knocks through a user operable interface;

(b) one step (a) has been performed at least one time, generating a signal in response to knockings on a solid object; and

(c) comparing the signal generated in step (b) with the data stored in step (a) to produce the control signal when the signal generated in step (b) matches the predetermined sequence of knocks; and

wherein steps (a), (b), and (c) are performed by an electronic apparatus having an input connected to an ignition of a vehicle, and an output connected to the electromechanical device, the method further comprising steps of;

(i) activating the ignition of the vehicle;

(ii) once the ignition is activated, pressing a programming button of the apparatus for a predetermined amount of time; and

(iii) once steps (i) and (ii) have been performed, pressing and depressing the programming button a multiple number of times in a predetermined period thereby storing or changing the data.

11. The method for operating the electromechanical device according to claim 10, wherein steps (a), (b), and (c) are performed by an electronic apparatus having an output connected to the electromechanical device, and wherein step (a) comprises the steps of:

(i) activating the user operable interface; and

(ii) once step (i) has been performed, entering data through the user operable interface for storing or changing the data.

12. The method for operating the electromechanical device according to claim 10, wherein steps (a), (b), and (c) are performed by an electronic apparatus having an output connected to the electromechanical device, and wherein step (a) comprises the steps of:

(i) pressing a programming button of the apparatus for a predetermined amount of time; and

(ii) once step (i) has been performed, pressing and depressing the programming button a multiple number of times in a predetermined period thereby storing or changing the data.

13. The method for operating the electromechanical device according to claim 10, wherein the signal generated in step (b) is processed with the following steps before said signal is used in step (c):

(i) discriminating the knockings into groups of knocks, each group of knocks being separated by a time period of one to ten seconds; and

(ii) recognizing that the knocks that are separated by less than one second belong to the same group of knocks.