Patent Application
20070216516
The following relates to a security system and method for an in-vehicle remote transmitter.
A detailed description and accompanying drawing are set forth below.
With reference to
In that regard, training such an in-vehicle remote transmitter may involve learning and reproducing a wireless control signal from a remote control transmitter provided as part of the home appliance system. In such circumstances, the in-vehicle remote transmitter may include a receiver for receiving a wireless control signal from such an existing remote transmitter. Alternatively, programming such an in-vehicle remote transmitter may involve selecting operating information from a storage device or memory provided with the in-vehicle remote transmitter, according to which the in-vehicle remote transmitter will subsequently operate.
In any event, once trained or programmed, such an in-vehicle remote transmitter allows for operation of a home appliance without the need for the existing remote control transmitter provided with the home appliance. For example, an appropriately trained or programmed in-vehicle remote transmitter allows for operation of a garage door operating system without the need for the existing garage door remote control transmitter.
In operation, therefore, such a trained or programmed in-vehicle remote transmitter allows for entry into a garage, and possibly an attached residence or business. As a result, unauthorized entry into a vehicle having such an in-vehicle remote transmitter may also permit unauthorized entry into such a garage, residence or business.
Thus, there exists a need for a security system and method that would prevent unauthorized use of an in-vehicle remote transmitter for entry into a garage, and possibly a residence or business. That is, there exists a need for a security system and method that would prevent an unauthorized user of a vehicle from using an in-vehicle remote transmitter for unauthorized entry into a garage, residence or business.
Referring now more specifically to
As previously noted, remote transmitter (12) is built-in to a vehicle (not shown), typically as part of a system or component of a vehicle interior. In-vehicle remote transmitter (12) comprises an antenna (14) for use in at least transmitting wireless control signals (16) for controlling a home appliance or home appliance system. In-vehicle remote transmitter (12) also comprises a plurality of buttons (18). Buttons (18) may be provided as activation buttons for activating in-vehicle remote transmitter (12) to transmit wireless control signals (16) when actuated by an operator. Buttons (18) may also be provided as input buttons for inputting information from an operator to in-vehicle remote transmitter (12). Buttons (18) may also be provided with lights or lighted icons either thereon or associated therewith that may act as output devices in order to provide information from in-vehicle remote transmitter (12) to an operator.
Still referring to
More specifically, the vehicle may be determined to be in an authorized state by controller (20) where a vehicle key containing a proper immobilization chip has been inserted into the vehicle ignition or, in the case of passive entry, a vehicle transponder fob is within the vehicle. Alternatively, the vehicle may be determined to be in an authorized state upon receipt by the vehicle of a proper wireless remote entry signal, such as a command signal from a remote keyless entry transmitter or any type of signal from a passive entry fob transponder. The status of the vehicle immobilization system or remote entry system, or the reception of any immobilization or remote entry signals can be ascertained via a vehicle bus (22) and/or from a vehicle module, such as an immobilization module, remote entry module, or a body control module (BCM) (not shown). In that regard, a vehicle immobilization system status signal or a vehicle remote entry system status signal may be provided to the controller (20) via a vehicle bus (22).
Still further, a determination whether or not the vehicle is in an authorized state may be made by controller (20) based on whether a key has been inserted into the lock cylinder, and preferably placed in an “accessory” position. In that regard, the power supply of the in-vehicle remote transmitter (12), such as from the vehicle battery, can be made dependent upon such a key insertion. Determination of whether or not the vehicle is in an authorized state in this fashion is a lower cost alternative, but provides a lower level of security since it does not assure that the key inserted in the lock cylinder to place the vehicle in an “accessory” mode is an authorized key.
Further still, the vehicle can be determined to be in an authorized state and/or the in-vehicle remote transmitter (12) can be enabled by controller (20) based on an operator actuating one or more buttons (18) in a proper combination, sequence or pattern. In such a fashion, the in-vehicle remote transmitter (12) may also be enabled for operation by an authorized vehicle operator even in the absence of a proper vehicle ignition key, fob transmitter, or fob transponder.
In-vehicle remote transmitter (12) could also be provided with a controller (20) in the form of a radio frequency or low frequency receiver and/or an authorization system (similar to a vehicle immobilization system) (not shown) well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In such an embodiment, if the controller (20) receives a proper, authentic, or authenticated signal, such as an identification signal, then the in-vehicle transmitter (12) is enabled, authorised, permitted or allowed to operate or transmit and/or transmits a wireless control signal for controlling a home appliance or home appliance system in response to an operator actuation of an activation button (18). While such an implementation would be less cost effective, in contrast to those described above, such an implementation would provide for direct enablement or authorization of in-vehicle remote transmitter (12).
According to any of the embodiments described, the security system (10) determines whether or not the vehicle is in an authorized state. Such a determination may be made in response to an actuation of an activation button (18) by an operator, or independently. Nevertheless, if the determined vehicle state is authorized, then in-vehicle remote transmitter (12) is enabled, permitted, allowed or authorized to transmit and/or transmits a wireless control signal (20) for controlling a home appliance or home appliance system in response to receiving an input signal representing an actuation of an activation button (18) of in-vehicle remote transmitter (12).
Referring now to
If the determined (54) vehicle state is not authorized, receipt (52) of an input signal representing an actuation of an activation button by an operator is again checked. However, if the determined (54) vehicle state is authorized, then the in-vehicle remote transmitter is enabled, authorized, permitted, or allowed to transmit and/or transmits (56) a wireless control signal for controlling a home appliance or home appliance system in response to operator actuation of an activation button. It should be noted that the method (50) depicted in
From the foregoing it can be seen that the security system (10) and method (50) described herein overcome the problems noted above. More particularly, the security system (10) and method (50) described herein prevent unauthorized use of an in-vehicle remote transmitter (12) for entry into a garage, and possibly a residence or business. The security system (10) and method (50) described herein do so by determining whether or not the vehicle is in an authorized state. The security system (10) and method (50) described herein may make such a determination based on information from any of a number of vehicle modules and/or systems, such as a body control module, a vehicle immobilization system, a vehicle remote entry system, and/or others.
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
