Smart card authorization system, apparatus and method

• US 6,572,015 B1
• Filed: 07/02/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Norton, Stephen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nowlin, April
• Application Number:
  US09/897,620
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/382, 235/384, 235/451, 235/382.5, 235/492, 180/287, 307/10.2
• US Class Current: 235/382
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02 operating on the steering mechanism
• 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

Disclosed is a system, apparatus and method for enabling the operation of a vehicle or other equipment by using a smart card for transmitting an authorization code to the vehicle or the other equipment. Without the authorization code from the smart card the vehicle or other equipment in inoperable.

Claims

1. A system for authorizing control of at least two devices associated with a vehicle, comprising:

a passive non-battery wireless smart card;

a vehicle having a controller for communicating with the passive non-battery wireless smart card and each of the devices, wherein the controller includes;

a wireless smart card reader, wherein the wireless smart card reader is for receiving an authorization code wirelessly transferred from the passive non-battery wireless smart card via radiated electromagnetic energy; and

a processor for controlling each of the devices, wherein at least one of the devices is not associated with a starting mechanism; and

a power supply for energizing the passive non-battery wireless smart card by radiating electromagnetic energy from the power supply to the passive non-battery wireless smart card, wherein the power supply is external to the passive non-battery wireless smart card and is other than a power supply provided in the wireless smart card reader located in the vehicle.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage in communication with the smart card reader.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the smart card is a contactless radio frequency smart card.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the smart card is a contactless infrared smart card.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the smart card is a combination smart card.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the devices selected from the group consisting of a starter, a lock, a steering mechanism, a radio, an anti-lock breaking system, a fuel injection mechanism, an engine speed governor, a transmission, a clutch, a tire air pressure control system and a keyless entry system.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller prevents all devices associated with the vehicle from operating unless a proper authorization code is provided from the smart card.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the smart card reader is selected from the group consisting of a contactless smart card reader, a contact smart card reader, a combination smart card reader and a hybrid smart card reader.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a memory in communication with the controller.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the authorization code is modified after a predetermined number of uses and the modified code is stored in the smart card.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the authorization code is modified after each use.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless smart card reader transmits a signal to the power supply and in response thereto the power supply radiates the electromagnetic energy for energizing the passive non-battery wireless smart card when the smart cart is located in proximity to the vehicle.

13. A wireless smart card controller for controlling at least two devices associated with a vehicle, comprising:

a wireless smart card reader, for receiving an authorization code wirelessly transferred from a passive non-battery wireless smart card via radiated electromagnetic energy;

wherein the passive non-battery wireless smart card is energized by a power supply by radiating electromagnetic energy from the power supply to the passive non-battery wireless smart card upon the power supply receiving a signal from the passive non-battery wireless smart card reader; and

wherein the power supply is external to the passive non-battery wireless smart card and is other than a power supply provided in the wireless smart card reader located in the vehicle; and

a processor in communication with the wireless smart card reader, wherein the processor controls the operation of the devices in accordance with the authorization code, and wherein at least one of the devices is not associated with a starting mechanism.

14. The wireless smart card controller according to claim 13, further comprising a storage in communication with the processor.

15. The wireless smart card controller according to claim 13, further comprising a memory in communication with the processor.

16. The wireless smart card controller according to claim 13, further comprising an interface in communication with the processor.

17. The wireless smart card controller according to claim 16, wherein the interface is adapted for controlling the operation of devices selected from the group consisting of a starter, a lock, a steering mechanism, a radio, a braking system, a fuel injection mechanism, an engine speed governor, a transmission, a clutch, a tire air pressure control system and a keyless entry system.

18. The smart card controller of claim 13, wherein the wireless smart card reader transmits a signal to the power supply and in response thereto the power supply radiates the electromagnetic energy for energizing the passive non-battery wireless smart card when the smart cart is located in proximity to the vehicle.

19. A method of authorizing operation of at least two devices associated with a vehicle, comprising:

energizing a passive non-battery wireless smart card from a power supply by radiating electromagnetic energy from the power supply to the passive non-battery wireless smart card, wherein the power supply is external to the passive non-battery wireless smart card and is other than a power supply provided in the wireless smart card reader located in the vehicle;

locating an authorization code to operate the devices associated with the vehicle within a predetermined proximity to the vehicle;

wirelessly transferring the authorization code from a the passive non-battery wireless smart card containing the authorization code to a wireless smart card reader;

reading the authorization code;

determining whether the authorization code matches a stored authorization code; and

when the authorization code matches the stored authorization code, providing access for controlling the devices authorized, wherein at least one of the devices is not associated with a starting mechanism.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein locating an authorization code comprises locating a radio frequency smart card within the predetermined proximity to the vehicle.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein locating an authorization code comprises locating an infrared smart card within the predetermined proximity to the vehicle.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein locating an authorization code comprises locating a combination smart card within the predetermined proximity of the vehicle.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein locating an authorization code comprises contacting a combination smart card with a contact smart card reader associated with the vehicle.

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein providing access for controlling the one or more devices authorized includes providing access for controlling vehicle functions selected from the group consisting of a starting the vehicle, locking the vehicle, steering the vehicle, operating a radio, operating an anti-lock breaking system, operating a fuel injection mechanism, controlling an engine, shifting a transmission, operating a clutch, operating a tire air pressure control system and operating a keyless entry system.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting a signal to the power supply from the wireless smart card reader and in response thereto radiating the electromagnetic energy from the power supply for energizing the passive non-battery wireless smart card when the smart cart is located in proximity to the vehicle.