Vehicle security system using drivers license, time of day and passive tag

• US 5,519,260 A
• Filed: 02/24/1994
• Issued: 05/21/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RFC Capital Holdings Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hinkle-Washington Joint Venture
• Inventors: Washington, Valdemar L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US08/201,929
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1-10.6, 180/287, 180/271, 123/198 DB, 123/198 DC, 123/146.5 A, 235/382.5, 364/424.01, 364/424.05, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.33, 340/825.34, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/426, 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 307/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/23 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A system is provided for use with an automotive vehicle having a normally disabled ignition system. Each driver license is encoded with indicia, such as a magnetic strip, indicative of the identity of the driver. This driver'"'"'s license is inserted into a reader container in the vehicle which then generates an identification signal representative of the identity of the driver'"'"'s license. A microprocessor then compares the identification signal from the driver'"'"'s license with prerecorded computer memory representative of the authorized driver(s) for the vehicle. When the driver'"'"'s license identification signal matches the stored data in memory, the microprocessor generates an output signal which enables the vehicle ignition system. Alternatively, when the driver'"'"'s license identification signal does not match the stored data, a radio transmitter transmits the driver'"'"'s license identification signal to a central station which compares this signal against stored data representative of a plurality of different drivers. If a match is obtained, the central station generates a radio signal back to a radio receiver at the vehicle which is read by the microprocessor and the microprocessor then generates an output signal which enables the ignition system. Alternatively, a timer is employed to allow operation of the vehicle only during prescribed time periods. In still a further modification, the system includes a radio receiver which receives a radio signal from a transmitter on an ankle bracelet worn by a person with a restricted drivers license. Once the receiver detects the radio signal from the bracelet, a microprocessor compares the current time with a time schedule containing time periods during which operation of the vehicle by the selective person is unauthorized. In the event that operation of the vehicle is unauthorized, the microprocessor generates a disabled signal which disables operation of the vehicle.

Claims

1. For use with an automotive vehicle having a normally disabled ignition system, a system for selectively enabling said ignition system comprising:

a driver'"'"'s license unique to a driver,

encoded indicia on said driver'"'"'s license representative of the identity of the driver,

means for reading said encoded indicia and for generating an identification signal representative thereof,

memory means for storing data representative of authorized drivers for the vehicle,

means for comparing said identification signal with said stored data in said memory means,

means for enabling the vehicle ignition system when said identification signal corresponds to said stored data,

a central station containing stored data representative of a plurality of driver'"'"'s licenses,

a radio transmitter in the vehicle responsive only when said identification signal does not correspond to said stored data for transmitting a signal representative of the identification signal to the central station,

means at said central station for receiving the representative signal and for comparing the received representative signal with stored data at the central station,

means responsive to said comparison at said central station for transmitting an output signal by radio signal to the vehicle,

a radio receiver at said vehicle for receiving said output signal from said central station and for enabling said ignition system in response thereto.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said encoded indicia comprises a magnetically encoded strip on said driver'"'"'s license.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said comparing means comprises a microprocessor.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a key pad for manually entering data, means for comparing data entered through said key pad with said identification signals, and means for selectively enabling the ignition system as a result of said last comparison.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising means for determining if said driver'"'"'s license is restricted to preset times of use and, if so, means for selectively enabling the vehicle ignition only during preset time periods.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the vehicle has a transmission operable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and comprising means for disabling said system when the transmission is in said engaged position.

7. For use with an automotive vehicle having an ignition system, a system for permitting operation of the vehicle only during preset time periods consisting of:

a clock having an output signal indicative of the time of day,

a timer circuit which receives said clock output signal and generates an ignition system enabling signal only when said clock signal is within a preset time period,

means for connecting said ignition signal enabling signal to the vehicle ignition system to thereby enable the vehicle ignition only during said preset time period.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 and further consisting of means for adjusting said preset time period.