Transponder communication and control system for a vehicle

• US 20020084887A1
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.), CNH Industrial America LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Dix, Peter J., Berger, Alan D., Arshad, Mohammad J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,952,156 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A method and system for controlling the operation of a vehicle is disclosed that includes a radio frequency transponder and a vehicle configured to respond to data stored in the transponder by preventing or disabling operation of the vehicle under certain conditions indicated by data stored in the transponder. A communications controller receives the data from the transponder, then monitors the operation of the vehicle to make sure it is operated within the limits that are stored in the transponder. By communicating with other controllers on the vehicle that are in charge of other subsystems, it receives information relating to whether the operational limits of the vehicle have been approached or exceeded, and takes appropriate action in that event. the action may include not enabling the vehicle initially, or disabling the vehicle, or causing an operator display to indicate which limit has been exceeded or approached.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the operation of a vehicle with a radio communications circuit configured to communicate with a vehicle operator'"'"'s handheld radio frequency transponder, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing the vehicle having the bi-directional radio communications circuit;

b. providing the radio transponder to the vehicle operator;

c. generating electromagnetic radiation from the radio communications circuit;

d. bringing the transponder within the range of the electromagnetic radiation;

e. energizing the transponder by the electromagnetic radiation;

transmitting first information from the transponder after the step of energizing the transponder;

f. receiving at the reader circuit the first information transmitted by the transponder; and

g. controlling at least one subsystem of the vehicle in response to the first information received at the transponder.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the radio transponder includes the step of providing the radio transponder with a low-power microcontroller configured to receive its operating power from the electromagnetic radiation.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of providing the radio transponder includes the step of molding the radio transponder into a vehicle ignition key.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of providing a radio transponder includes the step of embedding the radio transponder in a hand-held card.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of providing a radio transponder includes the step of mechanically bonding the radio transponder to a vehicle ignition key.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the first information includes the step of transmitting a digital value that identifies the operator.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of controlling at least one subsystem includes the step of comparing the digital value that identifies the operator with a value previously stored in the vehicle'"'"'s controller.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of controlling at least one subsystem of the vehicle includes the step of disabling the operation of one or more of the following subsystems:

a. a fuel pump of the vehicle;

b. a hydraulic system of the vehicle;

c. a starting system of the vehicle;

d. an electrical system of the vehicle;

e. a transmission of the vehicle; and

f. an engine of the vehicle.

9. A method of controlling the operation of a vehicle in response to data received from a radio transponder, the vehicle having a short-range radio transceiver configured to selectively energize the transponder when it is in close proximity to an operator'"'"'s station of the vehicle, the method including the steps of:

a. storing data in the transponder indicative of the operator;

b. bringing the transponder into close proximity of the operator'"'"'s station of the vehicle;

c. generating by the vehicle of an electromagnetic field sufficient to energize the transponder;

d. downloading from the transponder to the vehicle the data indicative of the operator;

e. comparing by the vehicle of the downloaded data indicative of the operator with data previously stored in the vehicle; and

f. limiting the functionality of the vehicle based upon the step of comparing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the data indicative of the operator includes data indicative of the vehicle operational parameters.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the operational parameters include a distance traveled.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the operational parameters include a geographical area in which the vehicle may be driven.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the operational parameters includes times of the day during which operation is permitted.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the operational parameters include an elapsed time of operation.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the operational parameters include a maximum engine load.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the operational parameters include a maximum speed of the vehicle.

18. The system for controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 17, wherein the control system is configured to set a vehicle speed limit based upon the data received from the transponder.

19. The system for controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 17, wherein the control system is configured to set a maximum engine RPM based upon the data received from the transponder.

20. The system for controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 17, wherein the control system is configured to set a maximum engine load based upon the data received from the transponder.

21. The system for controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 17, wherein the control system is configured to disable the vehicle after a predetermined amount of time of operation based upon the data received from the transponder.

22. The system for controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 17, wherein the control system is configured to disable the vehicle if it travels outside a predetermined geographical area of operation.

17. A system for controlling the operation of a vehicle comprising:

a. a portable radio transponder including a microcontroller and an digital memory, wherein the digital memory includes data indicative of an operator of a vehicle;

b. a vehicle further comprising;

i. a transponder reader circuit configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation sufficient to energize and enable the transponder to transmit the data at a transponder radio frequency; and

ii. a control system configured to input the data from the transponder reader circuit and to control operation of the vehicle in response to the data.

23. The system for controlling the operation of a vehicle wherein the control system is configured to prevent the operation of the vehicle outside of predetermined time intervals each day based upon the data received from the transponder.