US 5,635,916 A · Electronic security system

Abstract

Electronic security system for controlling access to an automotive vehicle. The security system includes a computer system having a processor subsystem connected to selectively enable or disable an ignition system of the automobile and a memory subsystem having ignition, valet and reprogramming key codes and first, second and third validation codes stored therein. To control access to the vehicle, an encoded signal containing a device code and an authorization code is propagated to the processor subsystem where the codes are compared to the ignition key, valet key, reprogramming key and validation codes. If the propagated device and authorization codes match the ignition key and first validation codes, the processor subsystem enables the ignition system for a pre-selected time period. If the propagated device and authorization codes match the valet key and second validation codes, the processor subsystem enables the ignition system. Finally, if the propagated device and authorization codes match the reprogramming key and third validation codes, the processor subsystem reprograms the memory subsystem to modify the key and/or validation codes.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An electronic security system for enabling an actuatable electrical system, comprising:

a relay electrically associated with said system such that said system is disabled when said relay is open and enabled when said relay is closed, said relay being normally open;
controller means having an output connected to said relay for controlling the opening and closing thereof;
means for propagating an encoded signal to said controller means;
said controller means further comprising means for determining whether said received encoded signal contains a first type of authorization code authorized to enable said system, means for closing said relay to enable said system if said received encoded signal contains said first type of authorization code authorized to enable said system and means for opening said relay to disable said system if said received encoded signal contains said first type of authorization code and said system is not actuated within a preselected time period.

1 more element

In an electronic security for an automotive vehicle having an engine/drive system, an electrical ignition system which controls the operation thereof and a relay, said electrical ignition system electrically connected to said engine/drive system via said relay, said electronic security system having a computer electrically connected to said relay to generate electrical signals which selectively enable or disable said ignition system by closing or opening said relay, a method of selectively enabling said ignition system after said ignition system has been disabled by said computer by opening said relay, comprising the steps of:

propagating an authorization code to said computer;
determining, by said computer, whether said propagated authorization code is of a first type of authorization code authorized to enable said disabled ignition system;
and
generating, by said computer, an enabling electrical signal which closes said relay if said propagated authorization code is of said first type of authorization code authorized to enable said disabled ignition system;
if said propagated authorization code is of said first type of authorization code, initiating, by said computer, a countdown of a preselected time period;
periodically determining, by said computer, during said countdown, if said engine/drive system has been switched on using said electrical ignition system;
and
generating, by said computer, a disabling electrical signal which opens said relay if said countdown reaches zero and said engine/drive system remains switched off.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electronic security system

Life of this patent

Electronic security system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13