VWGoA - Ex. 1006
`Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Petitioner
`
`1
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 20
`
`5,917,405
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 29, 1999
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`Sheet 4 of 20
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`5,917,405
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 29, 1999
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`Sheet 5 of 20
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 29, 1999
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`Sheet 6 of 20
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`5,917,405
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 1999
`
`Sheet 7 of 20
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`5,917,405
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`so
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`61
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`START
`(APPARATUS
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`RECEIVE
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`0
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`76
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`9
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`71
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`IS
`
`8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 1999
`
`Sheet 8 of 20
`
`5,917,405
`
`
`
`
`
` IS
`VEHICLE
`
`IGNITION
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`RE-ENABLE
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`IGNITION
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`75
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` 76
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`VEHICLE
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`SYSTEM(S)
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`
`
`
`RETURN
`
`76
`
`FIG. 6
`
`(CONTINUED)
`
`9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 1999
`
`Sheet 9 of 20
`
`5,917,405
`
`200
` ACTIVATE
`
`
`GLOBAL
` 201
`
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`SYSTEM DEVICE
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`POSITIONING
`
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`VEHICLE
`
` CALCULATE
`
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`POSITION
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`DATA
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`
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`
`202
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`GEOGRAPHICAL
`YES
`POSITION OR LOCATION
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`REQUESTED?
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`POSITION OR
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`LOCATION
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`VEHICLE
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`POSITION
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`DATA
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`2°‘
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`IS
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`TRANSMISSION
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`TIME UP?
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`LOCATING DEVICE
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`IS THE
`VEHICLE POSITION AND
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`I E-ACTIVATED?
`
`
`
`RETURN
`
` 208
`
`FIG. 7
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 1999
`
`Sheet 10 of 20
`
`5,917,405
`
`25°
`
`251
`
`ACTIVATE
`RECEIVER
`
`252
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`RECEIVE
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`DATA
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`253
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`IN
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`GEOGRAPHIC
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`LOCATION?
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`256
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`254
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`LOCATION
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`DATA
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`CALCULATE
`GEOGRAPHIC
`
`
`
`
`LOCATION
`
`FIG. 8
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 1999
`
`Sheet 11 of 20
`
`5,917,405
`
`258
`
`255
`
`OUTPUT
`DATA
`
`259
`
`250
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`MORE THAN
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`IS
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`ONE LOCATION
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`YES
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`
`CALCULATE
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`MOVEMENT
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`DISPLAY
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`TRACK
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`261
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`
`OPERATION?
`
`
`
`CONTINUE
`SYSTEM 14
`
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`
`NO
`
`DE-ACTIVATE
`SYSTEM 14
`
`AND RETURN
`
`262
`
`FIG. 3
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 1999
`
`Sheet 12 of 20
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`5,917,405
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 1999
`
`Sheet 13 of 20
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`5,917,405
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`U.S. Patent
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`99919,2n.uJ
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`02cl
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`5,917,405
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`U.S. Patent
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 1999
`
`Sheet 20 of 20
`
`5,917,405
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`5,917,405
`
`1
`CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHODS
`FOR VEHICLES
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 08/587,628,
`filed Jan. 17, 1996,
`abandoned, which in turn is a continuation application of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/489,238, filed Jun. 12,
`1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,244, which in turn is a
`continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`08/073,755, filed Jun. 8, 1993, abandoned. This application
`is also a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 08/622,749, filed Mar. 27, 1996, now
`pending.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention pertains to a remote-controlled
`The present
`control, monitoring and/or security apparatus and method
`for vehicles, motor vehicles, marine vessels and vehicles,
`aircraft, recreational vehicles, residential premises and/or
`commercial premises and,
`in particular,
`to a remote-
`controlled control, monitoring and/or security apparatus and
`method for exercising and/or providing remote-controlled
`immediate, as well as deferred, control, monitoring, security,
`anti-theft and/or theft deterrent functions for vehicles, motor
`vehicles, marine vessels and vehicles, aircraft, recreational
`vehicles, residential premises and/or commercial premises.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Anti-theft devices for vehicles and premises are known in
`the prior art for preventing and/or thwarting the theft of a
`vehicle and/or of a premises. Vehicle recovery devices or
`systems are also known for recovering a motor vehicle.
`These known anti-theft and/or vehicle recovery devices may
`be of the active or passive variety and are typically available
`in many forms (i.e. steering wheel locks, hood locks, igni-
`tion system cut-off devices, alarms, vehicle homing devices
`with associated receiving devices, etc.). In some cases, these
`devices may be of a very simple design, while in other cases,
`they may be of a more sophisticated design. However, as is
`well known, these known anti-theft and/or vehicle recovery
`devices or systems may be easily defeated by thieves, and
`especially, by professional thieves and/or have other disad-
`vantages associated with their use. Experience has shown
`that even the most sophisticated of anti-theft devices may be
`defeated by an experienced, and determined, thief, and that
`vehicle recovery systems also have drawbacks associated
`with their use.
`
`In the case of some vehicle recovery devices, their use
`may be limited by the availability, or lack thereof, of the
`corresponding tracker or receiver device(s) in the particular
`locality, or the lack of same by the law enforcement depart-
`ment in a particular area.
`In recent times, an even more disturbing criminal practice,
`involving the theft of motor vehicles, has rendered most
`anti-theft devices virtually useless. This criminal practice,
`known as car-j acking, has gained widespread attention.
`Car-jacking usually occurs when a thief or thieves confront
`a motorist or motor vehicle operator, when the motor vehicle
`engine is running, or when the car thief obtains easy access
`to the motor vehicle ignition keys and to the motor vehicle,
`either by force or by the threat of force, thereby bypassing,
`and rendering useless, any of the widely known anti-theft
`and/or theft-deterrent devices, thereby gaining control and/
`or possession of the motor vehicle. In these instances, the
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`motorist or motor vehicle operator is well advised to sur-
`render the motor vehicle. However, once surrendered, the
`motor vehicle is virtually lost to the car thief.
`Anti-theft and/or theft-deterrent devices which attempt to
`defeat the ultimate vehicle theft, such as caused by car-
`jacking, by disabling the motor vehicle during the
`“getaway”, such as by shutting off power to the motor
`vehicle engine, have major disadvantages and drawbacks in
`that they could shut-off the vehicle engine at an inopportune
`instant in time, thereby causing a dangerous condition to
`exist which could lead to an accident and resulting injuries
`to individuals as well as damage to property. These accidents
`may arise when the motor vehicle power is suddenly shut-off
`while the vehicle is in motion, which condition could cause
`the vehicle to suddenly, or even gradually, lose power on a
`roadway or highway, while traveling at a moderate or at a
`high rate of speed and/or when a power steering and/or a
`power braking system, which derives its power from the
`vehicle engine, suddenly loses power upon the loss of the
`engine power. As noted above, accidents such as these may
`result in injuries to people, both inside and outside the
`vehicle, as well as property damage caused by, and to, the
`vehicle.
`
`The above described disadvantages and drawbacks of the
`prior art devices may also pose accident liability concerns to
`those manufacturers and/or sellers of these devices, as well
`as to the owner or operator of the motor vehicle, as these
`entities and/or individuals may be held liable for the injuries
`and/or the damages sustained as a result of the above
`described accidents.
`
`Vehicle recovery systems are known which include a
`vehicle homing device, which is activated and which emits
`homing signals which are used to home in on, or to locate,
`the vehicle. These vehicle recovery systems usually require
`that the law enforcement agency have corresponding hom-
`ing signal receivers and/or equipment and that they be kept
`in operating condition, in order to effectively home in on, or
`locate, the vehicle. Unless the local police or law enforce-
`ment authorities have such equipment, the homing signal
`recovery device serves little purpose in recovering the
`vehicle in that
`locale. Other vehicle recovery systems
`require that a police report be made prior to an activation of
`the homing and/or recovery equipment, which practice
`could result
`in the loss of valuable time in the vehicle
`
`recovery process. The above problems concerning vehicle
`security are equally applicable to and present an equal or
`even greater problem in providing security for marine ves-
`sels and vehicles, aircraft and/or recreational vehicles.
`Providing security for residential premises and/or com-
`mercial premises is also of great concern, especially when
`such premises are left vacant for hours and/or days at a time.
`These concerns may arise while residential premises are left
`unoccupied during the working day, when second homes
`and/or vacation homes are left unoccupied for days, weeks
`and months at a time, and in commercial premises which
`may also be left unoccupied for long periods of time such as
`after working hours or during weekends or other prolonged
`periods of time when these premises may be closed and/or
`unoccupied. While anti-theft and/or security systems exist
`for residential and/or commercial premises, such systems
`fail to enable the owner or occupant and/or other authorized
`individual to conveniently and effectively exercise and/or
`perform control, monitoring and/or security functions with
`regards to these premises. The ability to conveniently and
`effectively enable one to exercise and/or to perform control,
`monitoring and/or security functions would prove to be
`invaluable in allowing owners, occupants and/or other
`
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`

`
`5,917,405
`
`3
`authorized individuals to exercise and/or to provide control,
`monitoring and/or security functions over these premises,
`from a remote location and at any time.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides an apparatus and a method
`for overcoming the disadvantages and drawbacks which are
`associated with the known prior art anti-theft and/or theft
`deterrent systems and, in particular, anti-theft and/or theft-
`deterrent systems for vehicles, marine vessels and vehicles,
`aircraft and recreational vehicles as well as for residential
`
`premises and/or for commercial premises.
`The apparatus of the present invention comprises a trans-
`mitter system for transmitting an electrical, an electronic, an
`electromagnetic or other suitable signal, transmittable over
`a communication system and/or medium, upon an activation
`by the owner or authorized user or operator of the vehicle,
`motor vehicle, marine vessel, aircraft, recreational vehicle,
`and/or the owner, occupant and/or authorized individual of
`and for the residential premises and/or the commercial
`premises. The transmitter should also consist of a user
`interface device and a transmitting device. The transmitter
`should also have a receiver associated therewith for receiv-
`
`ing signals. In this regard, the transmitter/receiver combi-
`nation may be replaced and/or implemented with and/or by
`a transceiver. The transmitter transmits a signal, in response
`to an authorized user or operator accessing and/or activating
`the apparatus.
`The transmitter system is a remote system, which may or
`may not be physically connected to the remainder of the
`apparatus. Further, the transmitter system is not located in
`the vehicle, motor vehicle, marine vessel or vehicle, aircraft,
`recreational vehicle, residential premises and/or commercial
`premises, but rather, is located external from, and/or sepa-
`rate and apart from, the vehicle.
`The apparatus also comprises a receiver for receiving the
`signals which are transmitted by the transmitter or trans-
`ceiver system. The receiver receives the signal(s) which is
`transmitted by the transmitter or transceiver and provides an
`indication, in the form of a signal transmission, back to the
`transmitter or transceiver and, in particular, the transmitter
`receiver, which signifies that a signal has been received by
`the apparatus. The receiver also generates data which is
`indicative of the signal, or a portion thereof, which has been
`received. The receiver should also be provided with its own
`transmitter. In this regard, this receiver/transmitter combi-
`nation may also be replaced and/or implemented with and/or
`by a transceiver.
`The transmitter/receiver combination should provide for
`the transmission and for the reception of a multitude of
`remote electrical, electronic, electromagnetic, and/or other
`suitable signals, over long distances and/or in a mobile
`and/or a wireless communications environment. Telephone
`signals and telephone communication devices can be uti-
`lized in the present invention as well as personal computers
`which can be utilized with telecommunications and/or other
`suitable communication systems and/or mediums.
`Upon receiving the signal, the receiver generates a distinct
`signal which is indicative of the signal transmitted from the
`transmitter. At least a portion of the transmitted signal may
`include a valid access code, which accesses the receiver and
`the apparatus. The access code serves to provide for security
`measures which may be taken in conjunction with the use of
`the apparatus.
`The apparatus also comprises a controller or a central
`processing unit (CPU), which is electrically connected with
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`the receiver and which receives, or reads, whichever the case
`may be, the signal or signals, or portions thereof, which are
`generated by the receiver. The CPU also has associated
`therewith a read only memory device(s) and random access
`memory device(s). The data which is received by the
`receiver is processed by the apparatus.
`The CPU may also have a transmitter associated therewith
`for transmitting signals to the transmitter receiver or trans-
`ceiver.
`In this manner,
`the CPU of the apparatus may
`respond to a user data transmission, command, or inquiry
`with a transmitted signal.
`In the case of vehicles, motor vehicles, marine vessels and
`vehicles, aircraft and recreational vehicles (hereinafter
`referred to collectively as “vehicles”), the CPU is electri-
`cally connected and/or linked to the vehicle ignition system,
`which is located externally from the apparatus. The CPU
`may or may not be connected with and/or linked to the
`vehicle ignition system through an ignition system interface.
`The CPU may transmit signals to, as well as receive signals
`from, the vehicle ignition system. In this manner, the CPU
`and the vehicle ignition system may exchange information
`between each other.
`
`The CPU, upon receiving an appropriate signal from the
`receiver, and upon the completion of a data processing
`routine, may issue a suitable signal, to the vehicle ignition
`system. This signal may be one which will disable, re-enable
`and/or reset the vehicle ignition system. The CPU may also
`interrogate the ignition system and/or receive data from the
`ignition system which is indicative of ignition system status.
`The CPU may also be electrically connected and/or linked
`to the vehicle fuel system which is also located externally
`from the apparatus. The CPU may or may not be connected
`with and/or linked to the vehicle fuel system through a fuel
`system interface. The CPU is capable of issuing a signal, to
`disable, re-enable and/or reset the vehicle fuel system. The
`CPU may also interrogate and/or receive data from the fuel
`system which is indicative of fuel system status. The CPU
`may also provide control over the vehicle exhaust system in
`a similar fashion or in an analogous manner.
`The CPU may also be electrically connected and/or linked
`to at least one or more of a variety of vehicle equipment
`systems. The vehicle equipment system or systems are
`located externally from the apparatus and may or may not be
`connected and/or linked to the CPU via a respective and/or
`associated vehicle equipment system or systems interface.
`The vehicle equipment system or systems, which varies for
`each type of vehicle (i.e., vehicle, motor vehicle, marine
`vessel or vehicle, aircraft and/or recreation vehicle) may
`include, but is not limited to, an exterior and/or an interior
`siren or alarm, a horn, a vehicle exterior light system(s), a
`power door lock or other locking system or device, a hood
`locking system, a video recording device and/or a camera,
`and/or an audio recording device, for providing surveillance
`of the vehicle interior and/or exterior, an intercom system,
`for providing communications between vehicle users and/or
`occupants and the owner, operator and/or authorized
`individual, cellular or mobile phones and/or any one or more
`of the widely known vehicle anti-theft systems, alarm sys-
`tems and/or stolen vehicle and/or other type of vehicle
`recovery systems and/or devices.
`Each of the vehicle equipment systems, if utilized in
`conjunction with the apparatus, may be activated,
`de-activated, reset or in some other way controlled and/or
`monitored by the apparatus of the present invention. The use
`of any one or more of the vehicle equipment system or
`systems is optional.
`
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`
`5,917,405
`
`5
`The vehicle equipment system or systems receives signals
`from the CPU, which signals serve to activate, de-activate,
`or vice versa, whichever the case may be, the respective
`vehicle equipment system(s).
`The apparatus may also comprise a vehicle position and
`locating device which can be utilized in order to determine
`the position and/or the location of the vehicle. The vehicle
`position and locating device can be utilized so as to deter-
`mine the position of the vehicle anywhere in the world and
`provide for the transmission of vehicle position and/or
`location data, via an associated transmitter, to an appropriate
`system receiver so that vehicle position would be available
`to the owner, user and/or authorized individual and/or so that
`the vehicle may be located and/or tracked and recovered.
`The apparatus may also comprise a vehicle position and
`locating system receiver, which is employed for receiving
`and/or processing the data which is transmitted from the
`vehicle position and locating device.
`The vehicle position and locating device may comprise a
`positioning system computer and a global positioning device
`with associated global positioning system receiver. The
`vehicle position and locating device may also comprise a
`position data transmitter for transmitting the vehicle position
`and/or location data to the vehicle position system receiver.
`The vehicle position and locating device may also comprise
`a data base which contains digital and/or digitized map data,
`which can be utilized in order to determine the geographical
`position of the vehicle from the calculated “raw” position
`data obtained from the global positioning device. In this
`manner, vehicle position and/or location on a map may be
`obtained.
`
`Vehicle position and/or location data can be transmitted to
`the vehicle position system receiver which may be located
`at, or accessible to, the authorized user or operator and/or
`authorized individual at any location and/or at the location
`of an authorized office or agency, such as at a central security
`office or agency or local or regional law enforcement office
`or agency, which is duly authorized to receive the vehicle
`position and/or location data for the vehicle.
`The vehicle position and locating device may also per-
`form updated global positioning calculations so as to pro-
`vide for a tracking of a vehicle movement. The apparatus
`may also ascertain vehicle movement by monitoring and/or
`tracking vehicle position data as it is updated.
`The vehicle position system receiver may be equipped
`with an appropriate computer system and a receiver for
`receiving the data transmitted by the transmitter of the
`vehicle position and locating device.
`The vehicle position system receiver may comprise a
`CPU for controlling the operation of the system receiver
`which CPU is connected and/or linked to the receiver for
`receiving and/or for reading the vehicle position and/or
`location data. The system receiver may also comprise a user
`interface device, a display device, an output device and a
`database containing digital map data for use in determining
`geographical position of a vehicle. The system receiver may
`also comprise a transmitter for sending data and/or signals to
`the vehicle position and locating device and/or for transmit-
`ting signals to the CPU and/or to the transmitter receiver.
`The system receiver may also be utilized in conjunction
`with a home and/or a personal computer and/or other
`personal communications device and/or apparatus which
`may be utilized with an associated receiver or equivalent
`peripheral device(s).
`A home and/or personal computer, and/or other personal
`communications device and/or apparatus may also be uti-
`
`6
`lized for performing the functions of the transmitter and the
`vehicle position and locating system receiver. The apparatus
`may also be utilized in conjunction with a computer network
`such as an on-line service and/or on, or over, the Internet
`and/or the World Wide Web, by employing an appropriate
`server computer and/or an associated Web Site and/or Web
`Site technology in conjunction with an appropriate commu-
`nication medium.
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`Upon the occurrence, or the discovery thereof, of the theft
`of a vehicle, or simply in order to monitor vehicle status or
`location, the authorized user or operator may activate the
`apparatus by entering an access code into the transmitter or
`transceiver interface. Entry of a valid access code will
`activate a signal transmission from the transmitter or trans-
`ceiver to access the apparatus.
`The authorized user or operator can then transmit a
`command code from the transmitter or transceiver to the
`
`receiver of the apparatus. In a case when the vehicle has
`been stolen, the command code may be a vehicle disable
`command code.
`It should also be noted that a vehicle
`
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`
`re-enable or reset command code, or any other suitable
`command code, monitoring code, etc., which would repre-
`sent a function or operation to be performed by the
`apparatus, may also be entered. The command code is then
`transmitted to, and received by, the receiver.
`The command code data is then transmitted to, or read by,
`the CPU for command code identification and for further
`
`processing, if necessary. In this manner, an authorized user
`or operator, upon learning of the theft of the vehicle, or
`simply attempting to ascertain the status and/or location of
`the vehicle, may easily access and/or activate the apparatus
`by simply “calling up” or transmitting a signal
`to the
`apparatus.
`In the case where the motor vehicle has been stolen, and
`the authorized user or operator wants to prevent and/or
`thwart the theft of the vehicle and recover the vehicle, the
`command code which may be entered may be a vehicle
`disable command code (disable code) which will disable the
`vehicle and activate the vehicle position and/or locating
`device. If the authorized user or operator desires to re-enable
`the vehicle, such as when the motor vehicle has been found
`or recovered, so as to render the vehicle re-enabled or
`operational,
`the command code to be entered may be a
`vehicle re-enable or reset command code.
`
`If a valid disable code is transmitted to the apparatus, the
`vehicle position and locating device is activated and various
`vehicle systems, including the vehicle ignition system, fuel
`or fuel pump system and/or exhaust system, and/or at least
`one or more of a variety of utilized vehicle equipment
`system(s), may either be activated, de-activated, or reset
`depending upon the circumstances.
`The operation of the vehicle position and locating device
`may proceed and continue simultaneously and/or concur-
`rently with the operation of the apparatus and the CPU. Any
`one or more of a vehicle equipment systems, including a
`vehicle alarm and/or homing device may also be activated.
`Upon the vehicle being found or recovered, such as in a
`manner resulting from utilizing the vehicle position and
`locating device, the authorized user or operator may once
`again access the apparatus by entering a valid access code
`and by then entering a valid re-enable or reset command
`code.
`
`The CPU may then issue a control signal to re-enable or
`reset the vehicle ignition system, vehicle fuel or fuel pump
`system and/or exhaust system and/or de-activate or
`re-activate, any one or more of the various vehicle equip-
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`5,917,405
`
`7
`ment systems which are utilized. The vehicle position and/or
`locating device may also be de-activated.
`Safeguards may be employed in order to prevent a wrong
`or a mis-dialed number or unauthorized transmission(s)
`from accidently accessing and activating the apparatus, and
`further, may serve to prevent an unauthorized or an
`unwanted disabling or re-enabling or setting or resetting of
`the vehicle ignition system, the vehicle fuel or fuel pump
`system and/or the vehicle exhaust system and/or the
`activation, de-activation, or resetting of any one or more of
`the various vehicle equipment systems which may be uti-
`lized.
`
`As noted above, a disable command code may cause the
`apparatus to activate a vehicle position and locating device
`which may operate simultaneously and/or concurrently with,
`and independently of, the operation of the apparatus and the
`CPU. Once activated,
`the vehicle position and locating
`device may activate the global positioning device which
`calculates vehicle position data by using well known global
`positioning calculation methods and/or techniques.
`Once the vehicle position data has been calculated, the
`position data can then be transmitted to the vehicle position
`system receiver which is located at
`the location of the
`authorized user or operator, or at
`the authorized office,
`agency or other entity. Geographic position and/or location
`data (i.e. street location, location on a map, etc.) for the
`vehicle may also be obtained by processing the position
`and/or location data in conjunction with digital map and/or
`other suitable data. The transmission of position data may be
`repeated for a predetermined time interval, after which the
`global positioning device may calculate updated position
`data. The vehicle position data which is received by the
`vehicle position system receiver may then be employed to
`find and/or to recover the vehicle. Vehicle position data may
`be updated, continuously and/or in some other suitable
`manner, by repeating the global positioning calculations.
`Vehicle po