MULTIUSER VEHICLE UTILIZATION SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC KEY THEREOF

• US 20110264304A1
• Filed: 02/18/2011
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
• Original Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
• Inventors: Burzio, Gianfranco
• Granted Patent: US 8,269,601 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/202 Personal digital assistant [PDA]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00476 dynamically
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00841 by a portable device
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed

Abstract

A vehicle utilization system and method permitting use of vehicles having respective identification codes includes a key having a memory for storing enabling codes enabling use of the vehicles; and an enabling device, in each vehicle, permitting use of the vehicle by a user in possession of the key, if the enabling code stored in the key meets given conditions. The system also includes a programming device for generating the enabling codes as a function of the identification codes of the vehicles, and for storing the generated enabling codes in the key.

Claims

1. A vehicle utilization system permitting use of vehicles having respective identification codes, the system comprising:

a key housing a memory configured to store therein a first enabling code enabling use of a first vehicle;

an enabling unit in the first vehicle configured to enable use of the first vehicle by the user in possession of the key, if the first enabling code stored in the key meets given conditions; and

a programming unit configured to generate the first enabling code as a function of the identification code of the first vehicle by processing the identification code of the first vehicle, and to store the first enabling code in the key,

wherein the memory is configured to store therein at least a second enabling code, in addition to the first enabling code, for enabling use of a second, different, vehicle usable by the user by means of the key, and generated by the programming unit as a function of a respective identification code of the second vehicle;

and wherein the first vehicle has one or more respective adjustable devices, and the memory is configured to store personal data relative to personal settings of the one or more adjustable devices;

the enabling unit in the first vehicle being configured to read the personal data from the memory to activate adjustment of the one or more adjustable devices, and to store in the memory a set of last personal settings of the one or more adjustable devices, reflecting adjustments made by the user on the one or more adjustable devices, thereby automatically updating the personal data in the key without any user intervention after the user has adjusted the one or more adjustable devices.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the second vehicle has one or more respective adjustable devices, and the memory is configured to store personal data relative to personal settings of the one or more adjustable devices in the first and second vehicles, in association with the respective first and second enabling codes.

3. A system as defined in claim 2, wherein the memory includes at least a first and a second record, the first and second records including a first field storing the enabling code for the corresponding first and, respectively, second vehicle, and a second field storing the personal data for the one or more adjustable devices of the corresponding first and, respectively, second vehicle.

4. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the key is provided with a processing circuit coupled to the memory, and the enabling unit in the first vehicle includes a processing unit, the processing unit being coupled to the one or more adjustable devices through a communication bus, so as to receive therefrom information related to the last settings, and being configured to transmit the information to the processing circuit in the key, thereby the processing circuit updates the personal data stored in the memory.

5. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the key is provided with a processing circuit coupled to the memory, and the enabling unit in the first vehicle is coupled to the processing circuit in the key via a short range wireless link.

6. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the enabling unit in the first vehicle is configured to erase the user personal settings of the one or more adjustable devices, once use of the first vehicle is interrupted by the user.

7. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the enabling unit is configured to activate adjustment of the one or more adjustable devices, only upon provision of a security code by the user.

8. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the key is a personal key of the user.

9. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the key is a universal key.

10. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the enabling unit is configured to read the enabling code stored in the key.

11. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the programming unit is configured to generate a number of different enabling codes as a function of the same identification code.

12. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the one or more adjustable devices comprise at least one device selected from the group comprising an automatic driver'"'"'s seat, an air conditioning system, an automatic rearview mirror, a car radio, a satellite navigation system, and a cellular communication system.

13. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the programming unit is configured to set an authorization level for use of the first vehicle, associating with the enabling code additional data relative to the set authorization level;

and the enabling unit is configured to permit use of the first vehicle by the user in accordance with the additional data.

14. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the key comprises a data transmission unit for transmitting at least the enabling code, the enabling unit comprises a data receiving unit for receiving the data transmitted by the data transmission unit a processing unit configured to process the received enabling code;

a comparing unit configured to compare the processed enabling code with the identification code; and

an actuating unit, responsive to the comparing means, configured to enable use of the first vehicle, if the processed enabling code matches the identification code.

15. A system as defined in claim 14, wherein the programming unit comprises an encryption stage configured to encrypt of the enabling code;

and the processing unit comprises a decryption stage configured to decrypt the received enabling code.

16. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein encryption employs a public key and a private key.

17. A system as defined in claim 14, wherein the data receiving unit and the data transmission unit comprise radio-frequency transceivers.

18. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the programming unit is implemented in a Personal Digital Assistant.

19. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the key is in the form of a USB key.

20. A method for vehicle utilization by a user, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) utilizing a portable key having a first enabling code corresponding to a first vehicle;

(b) gaining access to the first vehicle after the enabling code has been verified, the user thereby entering the first vehicle;

(c) adjusting settings of one or more devices in the first vehicle by the user; and

(d) storing the adjusted settings in the portable key while the user is still inside the first vehicle, the storing being accomplished without the user having to perform any further intervention after the adjustment in step (c).

21. A method as defined in claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

re-adjusting the settings of the one or more devices in the first vehicle; and

re-storing the re-adjusted settings in the portable key while the user is still inside the first vehicle, the storing being accomplished without the user having to perform any further intervention after the re-adjustment of the one or more devices.

22. A method as defined in claim 21, further comprising the steps of:

removing the portable key from the first vehicle;

stopping the first vehicle;

returning the portable key to the first vehicle;

communicating the re-adjusted settings of the one or more devices from the portable key to the first vehicle; and

adjusting the one or more devices to the re-adjusted settings, the adjusting being accomplished without the user having to perform any intervention after the portable key has re-entered the first vehicle.

23. A method as defined in claim 22, further comprising the step of utilizing the portable key to gain access to and adjust device settings of a second vehicle.

24. A method as defined in claim 23, wherein the one or more adjusted and re-adjusted settings comprise at least one of a driver'"'"'s seat setting, an air conditioning setting, a mirror setting, a car radio setting, a satellite navigation system setting, or a cellular communication system setting.