Vehicle access controller

• US 5,715,905 A
• Filed: 02/05/1997
• Issued: 02/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Research Products Corporation
• Original Assignee: Research Products Corporation
• Inventors: Kaman, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US08/794,420
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 180/287
• US Class Current: 180/287
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off

Abstract

The vehicular access controller includes input means for detecting an indicia of identity of a prospective user and central station control means for comparing the indicia of identity with an indicia of identity of an authorized user. The controller further includes activating means for activating the vehicle when the control means determines that the indicia of identity from the input means substantially matches the indicia of identity of the authorized user.

Claims

1. A vehicular access controller for limiting access to a vehicle of an organization to users authorized by the organization, such controller comprising:

input means located on the vehicle for detecting an indicia of identity of a prospective user;

central station control means of the organization for comparing the indicia of identity with an indicia of identity of an authorized user of the organization;

activating means located on the vehicle for activating the vehicle when the control means determines that the indicia of identity from the input means substantially matches the indicia of identity of the authorized user.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the input means further comprises a keyboard.

3. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the input means further comprises a card reader.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the control means further comprises a memory containing indicia of identity of a plurality of authorized users.

5. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the control means further comprises a central computer located at a remote location interconnected with the input means and activating means through a cellular, radio frequency data link.

6. The apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the cellular, radio frequency data link further comprises a cellular digital packet data network.

7. A vehicular access and control system for limiting access to a vehicle of an organization to authorized users of the organization, such vehicular and control system comprising:

input means located on the vehicle for detecting an indicia of identity of a prospective user;

a two-way wireless interconnect for transferring the indicia of identity to a central station;

control means at the central station for comparing the transferred indicia of identity with an indicia of identity of an authorized user of the authorized users of the organization and for transferring an activation signal to the vehicle through the two-way wireless interconnect upon determining a match; and

activating means located on the vehicle for activating the vehicle when the control means determines that the indicia of identity from the input means substantially matches the indicia of identity of the authorized user.

8. The apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the control means of the central station further comprises a first memory for storing indicia of identity of authorized users.

9. The apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the vehicle further comprises a controller for formatting data transfers including the indicia of identity and an identifier of the vehicle to the central station.

10. The apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the central station further comprises a second memory for storing indicia of identities and an identifier of a vehicle last transferring the indicia of identity.

11. The apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the input means further comprises a keyboard.

12. The apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the input means further comprises a card reader.

13. The apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the two-way wireless interconnect further comprises a cellular data packet network.

14. A vehicular access controller for limiting access to a vehicle of an organization to authorized users of the organization, such controller comprising:

one of a card reader, keyboard, fingerprint scanner and retinal scanner located on the vehicle which detects an indicia of identity of a prospective user;

a central station computer which compares the indicia of identity with an indicia of identity of an authorized user of the organization; and

a control circuit located on the vehicle which activates the vehicle when the control means determines that the indicia of identity from the input means substantially matches the indicia of identity of the authorized user.