Method and system for unlocking of objects

• US 7,443,281 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2003
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Teknisk Utveckling AB
• Inventors: Gudmundsson, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US10/248,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20030102958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,087 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.72, 340/5.54, 340/5.5, 340/5.51, 340/426.3, 340/426.4, 340/5.73, 340/5.65
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• 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 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

System and method for unlocking an object (20, 24, 25) for an authorized person, by transmitting an unlock signal and a device signal from a remote station (10) to the object and storing the same in a memory (125), by comparing the device signal with an input conducted by a person at the object, for verification of authorization of the person; and by unlocking the object by means of a locking unit (130) if the authorization of the person has been verified.

Claims

1. Method for unlocking an object for an authorized person, comprising:

transmitting an unlock signal and a device signal, said device signal designating at least one of a plurality of devices at the object, the devices selected from the group consisting of a door grip, a left mirror, a right mirror, an antenna, and a hood motor at the object, from a remote station to the object and storing the same in a memory;

comparing the device signal with one or more actuation inputs from at least one device conducted by a person at the object, for verification of authorization of the person; and

unlocking said object by means of the unlock signal if the authorization of the person has been verified.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, that, prior to transmitting the unlock signal and the device signal, a personal identification code of the person is transmitted to the remote station.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device signal indicates actuation of the device, as sensed by a sensor.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input is effective only after expiration of a predetermined first period of time after reception of the unlock signal from the remote station.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input is effective only during a predetermined second period of time after reception of the unlock signal from the remote station.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more activation inputs comprises a first input and second input and the second input has no effect, if authorization of the person has not been verified for the first input.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the object is a car and the motor is enabled to be started without a key by means of an enable signal if the authorization of the person has been verified.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of blocking an unlock signal if a non-designated device is activated.

8. A system for unlocking an object for an authorized person, said system comprising:

a remote station (10) for transmitting an unlock signal and a device signal, said device signal designating at least one of a plurality of devices at the object, the devices selected from the group consisting of a door grip, a left mirror, a right mirror, an antenna, and a hood motor at the object, to the object; and

a receiver unit and a control unit at the object for receiving and comparing the device signal with an actuation of at least one device conducted by a person at the object, for verification of authorization of the person, and for unlocking the object by means of the unlock signal if the authorization of the person has been verified.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the device signal is a signal which designates a device at the object and wherein a sensor means is provided for sensing actuation of the device and transmitting the sensor signal to the control unit.

10. The system according to claim 8, further comprising a first timer for providing a predetermined first period of time after reception of the unlock signal from the remote station, wherein the input is effective only after expiration of this first period of time.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein a second timer for providing a predetermined second period of time after reception of the unlock signal from the remote station, wherein the input is effective only during this second period of time.

12. An object such as a car, airplane, plant, house or other type of facility, the operation and/or entry of which is restricted to authorized persons, said object comprising:

a receiver unit for receiving a device signal, said device signal designating at least one of a plurality of devices at the object, the devices selected from the group consisting of a door grip, a left mirror, a right mirror, an antenna, and a hood motor, from a remote station and a control unit for comparing the device signal with an actuation of at least one device conducted by a person at the object, for verification of authorization of the person, and for unlocking a locking unit at the object, if the authorization of the person has been verified.