Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – Of burglary or unauthorized use
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-19
2001-10-30
Trieu, Van T. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
Of burglary or unauthorized use
C340S425500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06310542
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a system for collecting vehicle data and preventing unauthorized vehicle use, and, in particular, a system for collecting data from various vehicle systems, information cards, and other external data sources and transmitting the collected data to external data receivers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over four thousand micro-processors currently operate the systems of a modem vehicle. Such micro-processors are currently used to control important vehicle systems, such as the ignition system, the fuel mixture and flow, the transmission system, and anti-lock braking systems. Each system is prone to malfunction, which may result in poor performance or complete breakdown of the vehicle. Upon such a malfunction, repair shops must subject the vehicle's systems to a series of diagnostic tests to locate the problematic system, thereby increasing the cost of repairs and maintenance on a vehicle.
In addition, car manufacturers spend a great deal of time and money researching and testing such systems and may not learn of poorly designed systems for many years. This delay decreases the ability of car manufacturers to quickly and efficiently replace poorly designed systems and, eventually, leads to increased costs to consumers. Moreover, car manufacturers would benefit from information, on a real-time basis, relating to how their vehicles are being driven, how their vehicles are performing with respect to, for example, gas mileage, brakes, accidents, parts replacements, etc. In addition, consumers can get first-hand, up to the minute information regarding vehicle performance before they purchase the vehicle. Such information allows manufacturers to design better, more efficient vehicles for realistic driving styles.
Furthermore, vehicle thefts cost consumers about seven billion dollars a year in insurance and replacement costs. In 1996, more than 1.3 million vehicles were stolen. Moreover, in New York City approximately one in every 48 vehicles was stolen in 1996. Vehicle thefts, such as car jacking, put people in physical danger and often result in tragedy. Presently, passive and active car alarms can be easily disabled by professional car thieves. More sophisticated systems, such as LO-JACK™, do aid law enforcement authorities in tracking down thieves. LO-JACK™, however, cannot prevent vehicle theft at its inception in that it does not disable the vehicle. In addition, there may be a time lapse between reporting the theft to the police, activating LO-JACK™, and reclaiming the vehicle. By the time the police locate the vehicle, it may be too late in that the vehicle may be dismantled in a “chop-shop.”
Thus, there is a need for a system that provides real-time data regarding the operation of a vehicle's systems and driving patterns. In addition, there is a need for a system that prevents unauthorized persons from driving a vehicle or decreases the incentive to steal the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for receiving, processing, and storing real-time data from various types of input, including but not limited to information from a vehicle's micro-processing systems, a driver information card, a vehicle information card, and physical attributes of the driver/owner.
The vehicle data system (hereinafter referred to as the “Vehicle Data System” or “VDS”) generally includes a processor mounted or otherwise installed in a vehicle. The processor (hereinafter referred to as the “Vehicle Data Processor” or “VDP”) is capable of receiving data from the vehicle's various mechanical and electrical/electronic system, micro-processing systems, information cards, and physical inputs. The data received can be processed and output to external entities and devices. In addition, the VDP controls the vehicle's ignition systems and can prevent unauthorized persons from starting the vehicle. The VDS is preferably equipped with a transmitting device capable of alerting law enforcement authorities of possible theft or tampering with the system. The VDS may be provided with a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) unit giving law enforcement authorities the ability to track the vehicle.
In a preferred embodiment, the user is prompted by the VDS to input some form of physical data, i.e. retinal scan, fingerprint, voice recognition, and to insert a driver and/or vehicle information card into a card reader/writer that is designed to work in conjunction with the VDP. The VDP matches the data to information stored in memory and grants authorization to the user. This method alleviates the problems associated with, for example, lost or misplaced keys. If the data does not create a match, the VDS will not permit the user to drive the vehicle. During the trip, the VDS constantly monitors the vehicle's systems and provides data regarding the operation of such systems. This data can be transmitted to law enforcement authorities, or transmitted or sold to repair shops, car manufacturers, or other third parties having an interest in the data such a system can accumulate.
If, at any time, the VDS is tampered with or disabled, the VDS is provided with a radio transmitter or a transponder, used to alert law enforcement authorities of such tampering. In this way, the present invention prevents a potential thief from by-passing the VDS.
It is envisioned that the system of the present invention would be desirable to many different entities, such as, for example, car manufacturers, repair shops, law enforcement authorities, environmental monitoring companies, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and insurance companies, to name a few. The present invention will decrease vehicle thefts as well as any unauthorized use, thereby lowering insurance costs. The present invention will also provide car manufacturers with valuable data about their vehicles, which may result in more efficient and reliable vehicles.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings, which are not to scale, are designed solely for the purpose of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.
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Web page designed by D-Zone Studios, found at http://www.ezpass.com/html/howit.html, entitled “How Does E-Z Pass Work?”, pp. 1-3, dated Aug. 9, 1999.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
Trieu Van T.
LandOfFree
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