United States Patent (19)
`Flick
`
`54) BIOMETRIC CHARACTERISTIC VEHICLE
`CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING
`VERIFICATION AND RESET FEATURES
`
`76 Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick, 5236 Presley Pl,
`Douglasville, Ga. 30135
`
`c:
`
`Notice:
`
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`21 Appl. No.: 09/034,702
`
`22 Filed:
`
`Mar. 4, 1998
`Related U.S. Application Data
`63 Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/622,515, Mar.
`25, 1996, which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`08/423,570, Apr. 14, 1995, Pat. No. 5,654,688.
`(51) Int. Cl." ..................................................... G08C 19/00
`52 U.S. Cl. .................... 340/825.69; 340/539; 340/426;
`340/825.72; 340/825.31
`58 Field of Search ......................... 340/825.69, 825.72,
`340/825.37, 825.32, 426,825.3, 539; 341/176,
`174
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,383.242 5/1983 Sassover et al.,
`4.881,148 11/1989 Lambropoulos et al..
`4,928,098 5/1990 Dannhaeuser.
`4,975,969 12/1990 Tal.
`5,049,861
`9/1991 Stouffer.
`5,055,701 10/1991 Takeuchi.
`5,099.226 3/1992 Andrews.
`5,103.221
`4/1992 Memmola.
`5,146,215 9/1992 Drori.
`5.243,322 9/1993 Thompson et al. .
`5,252,966 10/1993 Lambropoulos et al..
`5,278,547
`1/1994 Suman et al..
`5,365.225 11/1994 Bachhuber.
`5,406.274 4/1995 Lambropoulos et al..
`5,412,379 5/1995 Waraksa et al..
`5,442,341
`8/1995 Lambropoulos.
`5,469,506 11/1995 Berson et al..
`5,513,105 4/1996 Krones.
`
`USOO6140939A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,140,939
`*Oct. 31, 2000
`
`5,563,579 10/1996 Carter.
`5,654,688 8/1997 Allen et al..
`5,867,802 2/1999 Borza r 701/35
`5,920,642 2/1999 Merjanian ............................... 382/126
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0.535 555 A1 9/1992 European Pat. Off. ........ E05B 49/OO
`
`43 25 221A1 7/1993 Germany - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - B6OR 25/00
`91/15645 10/1991 WIPO ............................. E05B 49/00
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Lexus, 1995 Repair Manual SC400 SC300, vol. 3, (first
`printing Jan. 10, 1994) pp. BE-479–BE-522.
`Primary Examiner Brian Zimmerman
`ASSistant Examiner Anthony A. ASongwed
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath &
`Gilchrist, PA.
`ABSTRACT
`57
`A control System for a vehicle includes a controller for
`learning a unique biometric characteristic of an individual to
`define a learned individual capable of causing performance
`of a function associated with the vehicle, for example. The
`controller performs biometric characteristic verification to
`generate an indication relating to whether a new individual
`has been learned by the controller. The control system is
`advantageously used, in one embodiment, for a vehicle
`security system. Biometric characteristic verification may
`also be incorporated in a remote keyleSS entry System, and
`remote engine Starting System, for example. In one
`embodiment, the biometric characteristic verification is
`based upon the controller being recently entered into the
`biometric characteristic learning mode. According to
`another embodiment, the biometric characteristic Verifica
`tion is based upon a number of learned individuals, a change
`in that number, or a change in a learned biometric charac
`teristic. The indication may be provided at the vehicle or
`remote therefrom by any of a light, a Visual display, a
`Vibration transducer, a speech message generator, and an
`audible Signal generator, for example. A previous Set of
`authorized biometric characteristics may be readily reset or
`restored to operate the System if unauthorized biometric
`characteristics have been more recently added
`
`70 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`80 /
`
`29
`
`BIOMETRIC
`SENSOR
`
`11
`VEHICLE
`SECURITY
`CONTROLLER
`
`SREN
`DOOR LOCKS
`ENGINEENABLE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BIOMETRIC
`CHARACTERISTIC
`RESET
`
`BIOMETRIC
`CHARACTERISTIC
`VERIFICATION
`
`83
`
`82
`
`IPR2022-00602
`Apple EX1016 Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`6,140,939
`
`
`
`11
`
`20
`
`21
`
`22a
`
`22b
`
`23
`
`24
`
`25
`
`26
`
`27
`
`28
`
`29
`
`IGNITIONSWITCH
`
`KEY IN SENSOR
`
`SENSORTRIGGER #1
`
`SENSORTRIGGER #2
`
`TRUNKSWITCH
`
`HOOD SWITCH
`
`DOORS SWITCHES
`
`PRE-WARNINPUT
`
`VALET SWITCH
`
`LOCK SWITCHES
`
`BIOMETRIC SENSOR
`
`FIG. 1.
`
`---------
`
`AUX OUTPUTS #1-4
`
`SREN/LIGHTS
`
`B-STATE GREEN LED
`
`B-STATERED LED
`
`VALET LED
`
`PAGER
`
`DOME LIGHT
`
`AUDIBLE TONE
`
`CENTRAL LOCK
`
`STARTER KILL
`
`ARMED OUTPUT
`
`ALPHANUM. DISPLAY
`
`SPEECH MESSAGE
`
`VIBRATION TRANS.
`
`30
`
`31
`
`32
`
`33
`
`34
`
`35
`
`36
`
`37
`
`41
`
`42
`
`43
`44
`
`45
`46
`
`IPR2022-00602
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`6,140,939
`
`
`
`BIOMETRIC
`SENSOR
`
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`6,140,939
`
`1 VEHICLE
`SECURITY
`CONTROLLER
`
`50
`
`
`
`TX CODE
`RESET
`
`80
`
`
`
`29
`
`BIOMETRIC
`SENSOR
`
`
`
`11
`VEHICLE
`SECURITY
`CONTROLLER
`
`SREN
`DOOR LOCKS
`ENGINE ENABLE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BIOMETRIC
`CHARACTERISTIC
`RESET
`
`BIOMETRIC
`CHARACTERISTIC
`VERIFICATION
`
`83
`
`82
`
`FIG. 4.
`
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`6,140,939
`
`85
`
`/
`
`50
`REMOTE TX
`-- - - -
`- - - - - -
`BIOMETRIC
`SENSOR
`
`
`
`
`
`86
`VEHICLE
`REMOTE START
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`SENSORS
`
`ENGINE START
`
`FIG. 5.
`
`82
`
`90 /
`
`DOOR LOCKS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REMOTE TX
`BiOMETRIC
`SENSOR
`
`a- - we - - - - - - - - - -
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BIOMETRIC
`CHARACTERISTIC
`VERIFICATION
`
`82"
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`6,140,939
`
`60
`
`61
`
`65
`
`67
`
`69
`
`DISARMED MODE
`
`MONITORIGNITION
`
`63
`
`IGNITION
`TURNED ON
`
`
`
`NO
`
`YES
`DETERMINE NO.
`
`FLASH LED FOR
`NO. OF CODED TX'S
`
`68
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10 SECONDS
`SINCE IGNITION
`ON ?
`
`YES
`
`STOP
`
`FIG. 7.
`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`6,140,939
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`START
`
`MONITOR DOOR
`POSITION
`
`110
`
`112
`
`HAS
`DOOR OPENED
`THEN CLOSED
`
`114
`
`HAS LEARN
`MODE BEEN
`ENTERED OR TX
`CODE CANGED
`
`116
`
`YES
`
`HAS TIME
`t-T1
`ELASED
`
`HAS TIME
`T< t <T2
`ELASED
`
`HAS TIME
`T2< t <T3
`ELASED
`NO
`
`YES
`
`GENERATE 1ST
`DURATION INDICATION
`
`120
`
`YES
`
`GENERATE 2ND
`DURATION INDICATION
`
`124
`
`
`
`YES
`
`GENERATE 3RD
`DURATION INDICATION
`
`128
`
`FIG. 8.
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`6,140,939
`
`140
`
`ATV
`WARNING
`PERIOD OVER
`
`164
`
`DELETE HOLD
`FILE, MOVE TEMP.
`TO CURRENT FILE
`
`ENTER TX
`LEARN MODE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1ST NEW
`.
`O TX CODE
`RCVD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ATV
`WARNING
`PERIOD
`
`
`
`STARTATV
`WARNING PERIOD
`
`
`
`MOVE TX CODES
`FROM CURRENT
`FILE TO HOLD FILE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MAINTAIN
`HOLD FILE
`
`DELETE TX
`CODES IN
`TEMP. FILE
`
`RESTART ATV
`WARNING
`PERIOD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LEARN NEW
`TX CODES
`TO TEMP. FILE
`
`EXIT LEARN
`MODE USE
`TX CODES
`INTEMP. FILE
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 9.
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 31, 2000
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`6,140,939
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`START
`
`170
`
`NO
`
`ATV
`WARNING
`PERIOD
`
`
`
`172
`
`YES
`
`TOGGLE IGNITION
`
`174
`
`WI5 SEC. IGN. ON,
`RECEIVE TX CODE
`
`176
`
`RCV. CODE
`MATCH HOLD
`FILE 2
`
`
`
`YES
`DELETE CODES
`INTEMP. FILE
`
`MOVE CODES FROM
`HOLD FILE TO
`CURRENT FILE
`
`TURN OFF ATV
`WARNING
`
`SIREN CHRP TO
`
`178
`
`18O
`
`182
`
`184
`
`186
`
`188
`
`FIG. 10.
`
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`

`

`6,140,939
`
`1
`BIOMETRIC CHARACTERISTIC VEHICLE
`CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING
`VERIFICATION AND RESET FEATURES
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`The present application is a continuation-in-part applica
`tion of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/622,515 filed
`Mar. 25, 1996, now pending which, in turn, is a
`continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/423,570 filed Apr. 14,
`1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,688.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to the field of control
`Systems, and more particularly, to a vehicle control System,
`Such as for vehicle Security.
`
`15
`
`2
`Sensed and compared against a previously learned reference
`fingerprint to allow opening of the vehicle door or starting
`of the engine. AS biometric Sensors become more rugged,
`reliable and less expensive, their use in Vehicle control
`Systems is expected to increase. Unfortunately, conventional
`vehicle Security Systems using remote transmitters,
`transponders, and even biometric readers are still Subject to
`a Security threat based upon unauthorized learning of a
`uniquely coded transponder, token, or biometric
`characteristic, for example. Once Such a code or identifying
`characteristic has been learned by a would-be thief without
`the owner's knowledge, the thief can return to the vehicle
`and defeat the Security System.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an
`object of the invention to provide a vehicle control System
`and related method including a biometric Sensor and con
`troller for reducing the risk of an unauthorized individual
`being able to control the vehicle function, Such as to disarm
`the vehicle Security System.
`It is still another object of the present invention to provide
`a System and method for reducing the risk of an unautho
`rized individual controlling the function, and also permitting
`the owner to readily return the System to the correct oper
`ating condition after an unauthorized individual's biometric
`characteristic has been learned.
`These and other objects, features, and advantages in
`accordance with the present invention are provided by a
`vehicle function control System including a biometric char
`acteristic Sensor, and a controller at the vehicle for control
`ling at least one vehicle function responsive to the biometric
`characteristic sensor. The controller preferably includes bio
`metric characteristic learning means for learning the unique
`biometric characteristic of an individual to define at least
`one learned individual capable of controlling the vehicle
`function, and biometric characteristic verifying means for
`generating an indication relating to whether a new individual
`has been learned by the learning means to thereby alert the
`user of a potentially unauthorized individual capable of
`controlling the vehicle function.
`The biometric sensor may be positioned at the vehicle or
`be carried by a handheld remote transmitter, for example.
`The biometric characteristic Sensor may be one of a finger
`print Sensor, a voice pattern Sensor, a facial pattern Sensor,
`a skin pattern Sensor, a venous pattern Sensor, a hand Sensor,
`or a retinal Scanner, for example.
`The biometric characteristic learning means may be Swit
`chable between a learning mode permitting learning of at
`least the biometric characteristic of an individual, and a
`Secure mode. In one embodiment, the biometric character
`istic learning means may include biometric characteristic
`deleting means for deleting all prior learned individuals
`based upon entering the learning mode.
`The biometric characteristic verifying means may further
`include learning mode entered indicating means for indicat
`ing that the learning mode has been entered. The learning
`mode entered indicating means may comprise time lapse
`means for indicating when the learning mode has last been
`entered. The time lapse means, in turn, may comprise means
`for progressively indicating a passage of time Since the
`learning mode has last been entered.
`Alternately, the biometric characteristic verifying means
`may include learned individual number indicating means for
`indicating a number of learned individuals. The biometric
`characteristic verifying means may also alternately include
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Vehicle security systems are widely used to deter vehicle
`theft, prevent theft of valuables from a vehicle, deter
`Vandalism, and to protect vehicle owners and occupants. A
`typical automobile Security System, for example, includes a
`central processor or controller connected to a plurality of
`vehicle Sensors. The Sensors, for example, may detect open
`ing of the trunk, hood, doors, windows, and also movement
`of the vehicle or within the vehicle. Ultrasonic and micro
`wave motion detectors, vibration Sensors, Sound
`discriminators, differential pressure Sensors, and Switches
`may be used as Sensors. In addition, radar Sensors may be
`used to monitor the area proximate the vehicle.
`The controller typically operates to give an alarm indica
`tion in the event of triggering of a vehicle Sensor. The alarm
`indication may typically be a flashing of the lights and/or the
`Sounding of the vehicle horn or a Siren. In addition, the
`vehicle fuel Supply and/or ignition power may be selectively
`disabled based upon an alarm condition.
`A typical Security System also includes a receiver asso
`ciated with the controller that cooperates with one or more
`remote transmitters typically carried by the user as
`disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,242 to Sass
`over et al. The remote transmitter may be used to arm and
`disarm the vehicle Security System or provide other remote
`control features from a predetermined range away from the
`vehicle.
`Other vehicle Security Systems may be associated with the
`ignition of the vehicle. More particularly, one type of
`conventional vehicle Security System includes a passive
`transponder either carried by the keychain or embedded in
`the ignition key. When the transponder is positioned adja
`cent the ignition Switch, the transponder is inductively
`powered and transmits a uniquely coded Signal to a receiver
`in the vehicle. When a properly coded transponder is
`detected, the vehicle engine may be allowed to Start, for
`example. In other words, an ignition or fuel cutoff is
`normally operative to prevent the engine from Starting or
`running, unless the proper transponder is Sensed.
`Accordingly, vehicle Security is increased. In addition, the
`Security System may have multiple transponders capable of
`disabling the ignition or fuel cutoff to thereby permit opera
`tion of the vehicle. These uniquely coded transponderS may
`be added or deleted from the vehicle controller.
`Unfortunately, the owner of the vehicle may not know that
`a transponder has been added without authorization.
`Another variation of vehicle Security Systems includes a
`reader or Sensor, Such as for Sensing biometric information
`from a user. For example, the fingerprint of a user may be
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
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`

`6,140,939
`
`3
`learned individual change indicating means for indicating a
`change in a number of learned individuals or means for
`generating an indication relating to whether a new individual
`has been learned by the learning means. The verifying
`means may further comprise activating means for causing
`the indicating means to generate an indication.
`Another aspect of the invention relates to the ease of
`returning the System to operate from a previous authorized
`Set of biometric characteristics or individuals. According to
`this aspect, the vehicle function control System preferably
`further includes biometric characteristic reset means for
`permitting the user to restore at least one previously learned
`individual and remove at least one more recently learned
`individual. The biometric characteristic verifying means
`may enter a warning mode and remains in the warning mode
`for a predetermined warning time responsive to a new
`individual being learned. In addition, learned biometric
`characteristics designated as current are capable of control
`ling at least one vehicle function, and characteristics desig
`nated hold are capable of being changed to current. Thus, the
`biometric characteristic reset means may include means for
`changing at least one biometric characteristic from current to
`hold responsive to learning a new biometric characteristic.
`The biometric characteristic reset means preferably fur
`ther comprises means for learning at least one new biometric
`characteristic as a temporary code which is also capable of
`controlling at least one vehicle function. The reset means
`may also include means for deleting hold biometric
`characteristics, and converting temporary biometric charac
`teristics to current responsive to expiration of the predeter
`mined warning time. In addition, the biometric characteristic
`reset means may delete temporary codes and maintain hold
`characteristics responsive to learning a new biometric char
`acteristic when in the warning mode.
`The biometric characteristic reset means may include
`restore means for restoring hold characteristics to current
`characteristics, and for deleting temporary characteristics
`responsive to learning a new biometric characteristic match
`ing a hold characteristic and when in the warning mode.
`Also, the restore means may cause exit from the warning
`mode.
`A method aspect of the invention is for controlling at least
`one vehicle function based upon a biometric characteristic of
`a user. The method preferably comprises the Steps of:
`Sensing the biometric characteristic of a user; providing a
`controller at the vehicle for controlling at least one vehicle
`function responsive to the biometric Sensing, learning the
`biometric characteristic of at least one individual into the
`controller to define a learned individual capable of control
`ling the vehicle function; and generating an indication
`relating to whether a new individual has been learned into
`the controller to thereby alert the user of a potentially
`unauthorized individual capable of controlling the vehicle
`function. The method may also include the Step of restoring
`at least one previously learned biometric characteristic and
`removing at least one more recently learned characteristic.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle
`Security System according to the invention.
`FIG. 2 is a Schematic diagram of a remote transmitter for
`the vehicle Security System according to the invention.
`FIG. 3 is a Schematic diagram of a remote control vehicle
`Security System according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a Schematic diagram of a vehicle Security control
`System including a biometric characteristic Sensor according
`to the invention.
`
`1O
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`FIG. 5 is a Schematic diagram of a vehicle remote engine
`Starting control System including a biometric characteristic
`Sensor carried by a remote transmitter according to the
`present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a Schematic diagram of a vehicle remote keyleSS
`entry control System including a biometric characteristic
`Sensor carried by a remote transmitter according to the
`invention.
`FIGS. 7 and 8 are flow charts illustrating examples of
`remote transmitter verification according to the invention.
`FIG. 9 is a first flow chart illustrating a portion of the
`transmitter code reset feature in accordance with the present
`invention.
`FIG. 10 is a second flow illustrating another portion of the
`transmitter code reset feature in accordance with the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`The present invention will now be described more fully
`hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.
`This invention may, however, be embodied in many different
`forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodi
`ments Set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are pro
`Vided So that this disclosure will be thorough and complete,
`and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those
`skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements
`throughout.
`Referring now to the schematic block diagram of FIG. 1,
`a vehicle Security System 10 according to one aspect of the
`invention is first described. The security system includes a
`controller 11 which, in turn, in the illustrated embodiment,
`includes a central processing unit or microprocessor 12
`operating under Stored program control.
`In the illustrated embodiment, a transmitter and receiver
`13 are connected to the microprocessor 12 for receiving
`Signals from a remote transmitter and for transmitting Sig
`nals to a remote unit, as will be described in greater detail
`below. As would be readily understood by those skilled in
`the art, the transmitter portion of the controller 11 may not
`be needed in Some embodiments of the invention, An
`antenna 13a is illustratively connected to the transmitter and
`receiver 13.
`In the illustrated embodiment, the microprocessor is also
`operatively connected to a memory (EEPROM) 14 and an
`input interface 15 and an output interface 16. As would be
`readily understood by those skilled in the art, the micropro
`ceSSor 12 may alternately or additionally have its own
`on-board memory.
`The input interface 15 is illustratively connected to vari
`ous vehicle input devices including: an ignition Switch 20, a
`key in the ignition Sensor 21, two Zone Sensors 22a, 22b;
`conventional trunk hood and door pin Sensors or Switches
`23, 24, and 25, respectively; and door lock Switches 28. In
`addition, a pre-warn sensor 26 and valet Switch 27 also
`provide inputs to the controller 11 in the illustrated embodi
`ment.
`A biometric sensor 29 is also connected to the controller
`11. The biometric sensor 29 may be any of a number of
`types, Such as a Sensor for fingerprints, retinal patterns,
`Speech recognition patterns, facial recognition pattern, Skin
`patterns, hand patterns, venous patterns, etc. as would be
`readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. The biometric
`Sensor 29 is for Sensing a unique characteristic of the
`
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`S
`individual which can be compared to Stored reference data
`to determine whether the individual has previously been
`authorized to operate the controller 11 as will also be
`appreciated by those skilled in the art.
`Other inputs are also contemplated by the present inven
`tion and are generally described herein by the term Sensor.
`In addition, an input signal may also be received from a
`remote transmitter 50 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 2, the
`remote transmitter 50 may also include a biometric sensor
`59 mounted thereto. In particular, a fingerprint sensor of the
`integrated circuit type may be especially Suitable as a
`biometric sensor 29, 59 given its compact size and ease of
`integration with other electronic components.
`The output interface 16 of the controller 11 may prefer
`ably be connected to a plurality of output devices. AS shown
`in FIG. 1, the outputs may include auxiliary relay outputs 30,
`Such as for window control, remote starting, or a remote
`alarm indication, as would be readily understood by those
`skilled in the art. A Siren and/or lights 31, and green and red
`light emitting diodes (LEDs) 32, 33 for dashboard mounting
`are also illustratively connected to the controller 11. Other
`outputs may be directed to a valet LED 34, a dome light 36,
`a central lock relay or lock control unit 41, a Starter kill
`circuit 42, and an armed relay output 43. In addition, other
`outputs may be directed to one or more of an audible tone
`generator 37, an alphanumeric display 44, a speech message
`annunciator 45, and a vibration transducer 46, as will be
`readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. Other similar
`indicating devices are also contemplated by the present
`invention, as would be readily understood by those skilled in
`the art.
`Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, a remote
`transmitter 50 in accordance with the invention is described
`The remote transmitter 50 includes a housing 51 and a
`plurality of first momentary contact switches 52a-52d car
`ried by the housing. A Second momentary contact Switch 53
`and an indicating light, Such as the illustrated LED 54 are
`also carried by or mounted on the housing 51. As would be
`readily understood by those skilled in the art, the remote
`transmitter 50 is typically relatively small and includes an
`opening 55 for facilitating connection to a vehicle key ring,
`for example. In addition, the remote transmitter 50 includes
`a central processing unit or microprocessor 56 operatively
`connected to the plurality of first Switches 52a-52d, the
`second Switch 53, LED 54, and biometric sensor 59. The
`biometric sensor 59 may be used to sense a biometric
`characteristic to be compared to Stored biometric character
`istic data. The Sensed data, once obtained, is compared to
`reference data to determine whether the individual has been
`authorized to Send the transmission, for example The remote
`transmitter 50 may transmit coded data representative of the
`Sensed biometric characteristic, or may process the Sensed
`biometric characteristic internally and permit or disable
`transmission based on the internal comparison as will be
`readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.
`The microprocessor is also connected to a transmitter
`and/or receiver circuit 57 and its associated antenna 57a for
`transmitting and/or receiving Signals to and from the con
`troller 11 of the vehicle security system 10. Accordingly, the
`term “remote transmitter” is used broadly herein to describe
`the embodiment also including receiver means.
`The remote transmitter 50 may also include a numeric or
`alphanumeric display 58, and a speaker 59 coupled to an
`audible tone generator or a Speech message generator, as
`may be provided by the microprocessor 56. A vibration
`transducer, not shown, may also be incorporated into the
`
`15
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`25
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`6,140,939
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`6
`remote transmitter 50 for communicating to the user as
`would be readily understood by those skilled in the art.
`The controller 11 preferably includes remote transmitter
`learning means 47 for permitting the addition or learning of
`a coded remote transmitter 50 to be capable of Switching the
`controller between armed and disarmed modes, for example.
`In the armed mode the controller 11 is capable of generating
`an alarm via alarm indication means, Such as the Siren and/or
`flashing lights 31. The controller 11 generates the alarm
`responsive to at least one of the vehicle Sensors, Such as the
`trunk, hood and door Switches 23, 24 and 25, or the other
`sensors 22a, 22b as would be readily understood by those
`skilled in the art. In the disarmed mode the controller 11 does
`not generate an alarm responsive to one or more of the
`vehicle Sensors So that the user may enter the vehicle, for
`example.
`The controller 11 preferably comprises remote transmitter
`Verifying means 49 for generating an indication relating to
`whether a new uniquely coded remote transmitter has been
`learned by the remote transmitter learning means 47. In
`addition, the remote transmitter learning means 47 is pref
`erably Switchable between a learning or program mode
`permitting learning of a unique code of a remote transmitter
`50, and a secure mode. As would be readily understood by
`those skilled in the art, the learning mode may be entered for
`a relatively short predetermined time and then automatically
`revert back to the secure mode to reduce the possibility of
`unauthorized remote transmitters being learned.
`In one embodiment, the remote transmitter verifying
`means 49 comprises learning mode entered indicating means
`for indicating that the learning mode of the remote trans
`mitter learning means has been entered. More particularly,
`the learning mode entered indicating means preferably com
`prises time lapse means for indicating when the learning
`mode of the remote transmitter learning means has last been
`entered. This indication can be provided by progressively
`indicating the elapsed time Since the learning mode has last
`been entered.
`According to another approach or embodiment of the
`invention, the remote transmitter Verifying means 49 pref
`erably comprises learned remote transmitter number indi
`cating means for indicating a number of learned remote
`transmitters. In an embodiment where all remote transmit
`ters are deleted when a new one is learned, the number of
`learned transmitters may change indicating that an unautho
`rized transmitter has been learned. Alternately, the remote
`transmitter verifying means 49 may comprise learned
`remote transmitter change indicating means for directly
`indicating a change in a number of learned remote trans
`mitters. In yet another embodiment, the remote transmitter
`Verifying means 49 preferably comprises learned remote
`transmitter code change indicating means for indicating a
`change in a unique code of the learned remote transmitters.
`The remote transmitter verifying means 49 preferably
`includes remote transmitter indicating means for providing
`the indication. In other words, indicating means, Such as a
`dashboard mounted light emitting diode 32, 33, may be
`flashed a number of times corresponding to the number of
`coded remote transmitters in one embodiment. Accordingly,
`the user is ensured that only the coded remote transmitters
`50 under his control may operate the vehicle security system
`10, and that no other remote transmitters have been Surrep
`titiously coded to operate the controller.
`Other embodiments of remote transmitter indicating
`means include, for example, the audible tone generator 37,
`numeric display 44, Speech message generator 45 and vibra
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`tion transducer 46 driven by the controller and associated
`with the vehicle. The dome light 36, headlights 31, and other
`LED's 32, 33 and 34 may also be used to give an indication
`to the user relating to the remote transmitters coded to
`operate the controller 11.
`The remote transmitter indicating means may also be
`associated with or carried by a remote transmitter 50, or may
`be otherwise remote from the vehicle and be communicated
`to the remote site via a Satellite or cellular telephone
`connection. For example, the indication means may be
`provided by a light 54, an alphanumeric display 58, a speech
`or tone generator 59, and a vibration transducer, for
`example, carried by the remote transmitter 50 (FIG. 2).
`Alternately, a remote monitoring Station may be provided to
`monitor one or a plurality of vehicles in cooperation with the
`transmitter verifying means of each respective vehicle. In
`addition, a pager may be carried by the user to provide the
`indication.
`The indication given to the user may preferably be the
`number of coded remote transmitters currently capable of
`Switching the controller 11 to the disarmed mode from the
`armed mode. Alternately, the indication may be related to a
`change in the number of coded remote transmitters or a
`change in a code of a learned remote transmitter. The various
`indicating means and remote transmitter verifying means
`may also be used to Simply alert the user that the learning
`mode has been recently entered. Accordingly, the remote
`transmitter Verifying means 49 provides an indication relat
`ing to whether one or more remote transmitters has been
`added or learned without the owner's consent or knowledge.
`The indicating means may also further comprise repeater
`means for repeating an indication relating to the number of
`coded transmitters 50 for a predetermined time period or a
`predetermined number of repetitions.
`Should the user determine that an unauthorized remote
`transmitter has been added or learned to operate the con
`troller 11, the controller in one embodiment also preferably
`includes remote transmitter deleting means 48 for permitting
`deletion of the newly added unauthorized remote transmitter
`or all of the coded remote transmitters 50 capable of
`Switching the controller between the armed and disarmed
`modes. In one embodiment, the deleting means preferably
`comprises means for deleting all of the previously learned
`remote transmitters. All of the previously learned remote
`transmitters may be deleted based upon entering the learning
`mode, that is, either when the learning mode is initially
`entered or when the first remote transmitter is learned, for
`example. If all of the coded remote transmitters are deleted
`by the deleting means 48, the authorized transmitters may
`thereafter be added by the remote transmitter learning means
`47 as would be readily understood by those skilled in the art.
`AS described in greater detail below, in another embodiment,
`transmitter code reset means may be provided to remove a
`newly learned code and restore a previously learned code.
`The vehicle security system 10 also preferably includes
`activating means for activating the remote transmitter indi
`cating means responsive to a predetermined condition. For
`example, the indicating means may be