Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – Of burglary or unauthorized use
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-07
2001-02-06
Lieu, Julie (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
Of burglary or unauthorized use
C340S425500, C340S870030, C340S870030, C340S870030, C340S870030, C340S539230, C307S010200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06184780
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of security systems and, more particular, to a security system for installation in a vehicle.
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 opening of the trunk, hood, doors, windows, and also movement of the vehicle or within the vehicle. Ultrasonic and microwave motion detectors, vibration sensors, sound discriminators, differential pressure sensors, and switches may also used as sensors. In addition, radar sensors may be used to monitor the area proximate the vehicle. The controller also typically operates to give an alarm indication 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 associated 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 Sassover et al. The remote transmitter may be used to arm and disarm the controller in the vehicle or provide other remote control features from a predetermined range outside the vehicle.
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,867 to Stouffer and U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,215 to Drori, the controller may include features to store and compare unique codes associated with a plurality of remote transmitters, each remote transmitter having its own unique code initially programmed therein. Transmitter codes may be added or deleted from the controller corresponding to the number of remote transmitters desired by the user. Unfortunately, a would-be thief gaining access to the controller may readily enter the programming or learn mode and install the code of an unauthorized remote transmitter. The owner would thus be unaware of such activity, until the thief returns with the unauthorized remote transmitter to disarm the security system and steal the vehicle.
A vehicle security system sold by Clifford under the trademark INTELLIGUARD 900 includes random code encryption of messages sent by a remote transmitter. Accordingly, a would-be thief who records a transmitted code cannot simply retransmit the same code to gain access to the vehicle. Rather, a different code is sent with each transmission of the remote transmitter. In other words, the security system is somewhat resistant to being disarmed by a code grabber or a code scanner. However, the security system simply ignores signals other than properly encrypted signals.
In addition, a typical security system includes a valet switch, for example, to permit the system to enter the so-called valet mode, wherein the alarm functions are disabled. The valet mode permits authorized use the vehicle by a technician or valet without concern for the vehicle alarm inadvertently being triggered. Typically, the valet switch is positioned away from plain view in the vehicle. A vehicle security system sold under the mark VIPER included the ability to enter the valet mode via a remote transmitter. The remote activation disabled security features of the system, but left convenience features still operable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a vehicle security system and related method having a more secure valet operation.
This and other objects, features and advantages in accordance with the invention are provided by a vehicle security system comprising a controller being switchable to a valet mode based upon determining a plurality of successive activations of a valet switch with each activation comprising at least one operation of the valet switch, and with at least one change in ignition switch position between successive activations of the valet switch. The security system also preferably includes at least one vehicle sensor, an ignition monitor for determining whether a vehicle ignition switch is in an off position or an on position, an alarm indicator for indicating an alarm, and all of which are preferably connected to the controller. The controller may be switchable to an armed mode in which the controller is capable of generating an alarm responsive to triggering of the at least one vehicle sensor. The controller when switched as explained above stops or prevents the generation of an alarm indication so that the user may still use the vehicle despite failure or loss of a remote transmitter, for example.
The controller may be switchable to the valet mode based upon determining the ignition switch being in the on position during each activation of the valet switch. In addition, the at least one change in ignition switch position may comprise a change to the off position.
The vehicle security system may also comprise at least one remote transmitter to be carried by the user, and a receiver at the vehicle for receiving signals from the at least one remote transmitter. The controller may be connected to the receiver for switching between an armed mode and a disarmed mode responsive to the at least one remote transmitter. In addition, the at least one remote transmitter may use a pseudorandom code.
A method aspect of the invention is for switching a vehicle security system to a valet mode responsive to activation of a valet switch and based upon the ignition switch position to provide enhanced security. More particularly, the method may include switching the controller to a valet mode based upon determining a plurality of successive activations of the valet switch with each activation comprising at least one operation of the valet switch, and at least one change in ignition switch position between successive activations of the valet switch.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4205300 (1980-05-01), Ho et al.
patent: 4327444 (1982-04-01), Court
patent: 4383242 (1983-05-01), Sassover et al.
patent: 4414541 (1983-11-01), Ho
patent: 4450437 (1984-05-01), Ho
patent: 4628400 (1986-12-01), Ho
patent: 4674454 (1987-06-01), Phairr
patent: 4754255 (1988-06-01), Sanders et al.
patent: 4812814 (1989-03-01), Elliott
patent: 4893240 (1990-01-01), Karkouti
patent: 5024186 (1991-06-01), Long et al.
patent: 5040990 (1991-08-01), Suman et al.
patent: 5049867 (1991-09-01), Stouffer
patent: 5103221 (1992-04-01), Memmola
patent: 5129376 (1992-07-01), Parmley
patent: 5132660 (1992-07-01), Chen et al.
patent: 5146215 (1992-09-01), Drori
patent: 5159334 (1992-10-01), Baumert et al.
patent: 5278547 (1994-01-01), Suman et al.
patent: 5285186 (1994-02-01), Chen
patent: 5309144 (1994-05-01), Lacombe et al.
patent: 5323140 (1994-06-01), Boyles
patent: 5365225 (1994-11-01), Bachhuber
patent: 5412379 (1995-05-01), Waraksa et al.
patent: 5467070 (1995-11-01), Drori et al.
patent: 5469151 (1995-11-01), Lavelle et al.
patent: 5534845 (1996-07-01), Issa et al.
patent: 5654688 (1997-08-01), Allen et al.
patent: 5801455 (1998-09-01), Borch et al.
patent: 5818329 (1998-10-01), Allen
patent: 5982277 (1999-11-01), Flick
patent: 6028505 (2000-02-01), Drori
patent: 6037859 (2000-03-01), Flick
patent: WO 92/02702 (1992-02-01), None
Lexus,1995 Repair Manual SC400 SC300, vol. 3, (first printing Jan. 10, 1994) pp. BE-479-BE-522.
Allen Geoffrey C.
Flick Kenneth E.
Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Flick Kenneth E.
Lieu Julie
LandOfFree
Vehicle security system having enhanced valet feature and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vehicle security system having enhanced valet feature and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vehicle security system having enhanced valet feature and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2575918