US 5,513,105 AGranted

Vehicle security system

OwnerDaniel K. Kronesinventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A processor includes a keyport located within a vehicle interior. The keyport is operative in combination with a computerized key capable of transmitting a numeric digital signal through the keyport to the processor and controller, The processor and controller is further coupled to a piezoelectric sounding element and to a control relay. The latter is inserted within the starting circuit of the host vehicle at a critical location which enables the relay to interrupt the vehicle starting circuit and render the engine of the vehicle unable to be started despite the use of the normal vehicle ignition key, The system is programmed by presentation of a computerized key to the key receptacle and maintaining the key within the receptacle for a predetermined time interval, The system is also operable in a valet mode in which the security system is temporarily disabled or in an any key mode in which the vehicle may be enabled by presentation of any computerized key having a numeric code within a predetermined family of numbers, The system also provides for the reprogramming of the processor and controller to accept new replacement keys in the event the user has lost the authorized keys. The system accommodates more than one key.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A vehicle security system for use in a vehicle having an engine, said vehicle security system comprising:

means for disabling said vehicle by preventing starting and operation of its engine;
a computerized key having means for transmitting a key number;
a keyport having means for coupling to said computerized key;
indicator means responsive to an input signal for producing system response indications;
memory means for storing a plurality of authorized key numbers;
processor means operatively coupled to said memory means to provide communication therebetween, said keyport, said means for disabling and said indicator means and having means for receiving said key number and for determining whether said key number matches one of said authorized key numbers;
means for timing the duration of coupling of said computerized key to said keyport;
mode means, responsive to said means for timing, for configuring said vehicle security system in a normal mode in which a computerized key is required for activation of said engine and for reconfiguring said vehicle security system in a valet mode in which no computerized key is required for activation of said engine once said means for timing exceeds a first time duration;
and
said processor means causing said means for disabling to disable said vehicle and maintaining it disabled until said computerized key is received within said keyport and determined to match one of said authorized key numbers and producing said input signal applied to said indicator means to produce a system response indicator indicative of acceptance of said computerized key and activation of said vehicle in response to said match.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/251,213Filed 31 May 1994
Granted: 30 Apr 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B60R 25/20
Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles: means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
B60R 25/04
Operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens: operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
B60R 25/2009
Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off: antitheft state indicator
B60R 25/24
Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off: using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user