Portable memory automobile ignition system

• US 7,233,857 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2005
• Issued: 06/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uatc, LLC (Uber Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Colin Paul Cahoon
• Inventors: Cahoon, Colin Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Hieu T.
• Application Number:
  US11/236,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20060161320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 701/115, 701/102, 701/1, 307/10.1, 307 104- 106
• US Class Current: 701/115
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/302 Airplanes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/306 Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/307 using data concerning maintenance or configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates

Abstract

A portable memory device used in substitution of an automobile key and interfaced with an automobile onboard computer and ignition system. The portable memory device contains data that, when read by the onboard computer, enables the ignition system. The portable memory device is read and write capable, thereby allowing for data to be used by the onboard computer in conjunction with several automobile systems, and allowing for data to be transferred from said systems to the portable memory device by the onboard computer.

Claims

1. An ignition system for a transportation conveyance comprising:

a portable memory device receiving port;

an onboard processing unit in electrical communication with said port and the ignition system; and

a portable memory device, wherein said memory device is read and write capable and has a storage capacity of at least 64 MB, wherein further said portable memory device is inserted into said port, thereby allowing data transfer from said device to said processing unit for initiating the operation of the transportation conveyance.

2. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein said portable memory device is a USB portable flash drive.

3. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein said portable memory device receiving port is a USB port located near the operator'"'"'s position inside the conveyance.

4. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein said portable memory device is read in order to enable operator preference settings for the conveyance components, said components comprising mirrors and an adjustable seat.

5. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein said portable memory device is accessible for the transfer of data from the portable memory device to an entertainment media in the conveyance.

6. The ignition system of claim 5 wherein said entertainment media comprises a radio.

7. The ignition system of claim 5 wherein said entertainment media comprises an audio/visual system.

8. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein said portable memory device interfaces with an onboard navigation system.

9. The ignition system of claim 8 wherein said onboard navigation system is a Global Positioning System.

10. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein said portable memory device interfaces with engine controls.

11. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein said portable memory device interfaces with system monitors.

12. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein said portable memory device uses FireWire technology.

13. A transportation conveyance ignition system that utilizes a read and write capable portable memory device in lieu of an ignition key, said ignition system comprising:

a portable memory device receiving port; and

an onboard processing unit in electrical communication with said port and the ignition system;

wherein said portable memory device is inserted into said port, thereby allowing data transfer from said processing unit for initiating the operation of the conveyance.

14. The ignition system of claim 13 wherein said portable memory device is a USB portable flash drive.

15. The ignition system of claim 13 wherein said portable memory device receiving port is a USB port located near the operator'"'"'s position inside the conveyance.

16. The ignition system of claim 13 wherein said portable memory device is read in order to enable operator preference settings for conveyance components, said components comprising side mirrors and an adjustable seat.

17. The ignition system of claim 13 wherein said portable memory device has a storage capacity of at least 64 MB.

18. A conveyance ignition system comprising:

a USB port located near the operator'"'"'s position inside the conveyance;

an onboard processing unit in electrical communication with said port and the ignition system; and

a USB portable flash drive;

wherein said USB portable flash drive is inserted into said USB port, thereby allowing data transfer from said drive to said processing unit for initiating operation of the conveyance.

19. The ignition system of claim 18 wherein said portable memory device is read in order to enable operator preference settings for conveyance components, said components comprising side mirrors and an adjustable seat.

20. The ignition system of claim 18 wherein said portable memory device has a storage capacity of at least 64 MB.