CA1306042C

CA1306042C - User identifying vehicle control and security device

Info

Publication number: CA1306042C
Application number: CA000566683A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Rudy T. Sanders; Lee Fleishman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-05-14
Filing date: 1988-05-13
Publication date: 1992-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2009-08-04
Also published as: GB2204542B; KR940002682B1; GB2204542A; DE3740638A1; KR880013726A; US4754255A; IT8883384A0; IT1221835B; FR2615152B1; FR2615152A1; GB8725312D0; JPS63287644A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a vehicle control and/or access control and/or anti-theft system for motor vehicles comprising data entry means designed to enter a predetermined signal, a decoder for processing the signal, means to recognize which one of a plurality of valid signals was entered, and means to control vehicle electrical functions in response to which valid signal was recognized. In the anti-theft system, operation of the vehicle is disabled by interrupting an essential vehicle circuit, and a method is provided together with the decoder for preventing the operation of the vehicle disabling system so that when the operator enters his specific signal the automobile can then be started and operated. In addition, the system monitors all points of entry into the vehicle, and also monitors various sensors for unusual disturbances. The system sounds a siren alarm and/or flashes the vehicle's interior lights, parking lights, and/or headlights, in the event of unauthorized entry or unusual disturbance. The system has the ability to differentiate between a plurality of authorized operators of the vehicle, and contains a logic processing device adapted to interface to automotive electrical functions such as memory devices programmed to adapt specific automotive functions to a plurality of operators. The system provides a diagnostics mode, enhanced exit supervision and a plurality of user-programmable features.

Description

2 ~ 13~04z 3 ¦ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I In recent years there has been a tremendous increase in 51 the rate o~ automobile thefts and vandalism and theft fro~
61 automobiles throughout the nation. Many different types of 7 automobile anti-theft systems have been designed and marketed.
8 Early systems utilized a unique key-operated switch located on 9 the vehicle's exterior to arm and disarm the system. These key-switch controlled systems had many shortcomings, including the 11 fact that the connecting wires of the key-switch itself could be 12 bypassed by anyone with knowledge of the automobile system. In 13 addition, the key could be stolen or easily duplicated and used 14¦ by the thief himself.
15¦ Later systems sought to remedy the shortcomings of the 16 earlier key-switch systems, by eliminating the key-switch itself.
17 These "keyless" systems utilized various means to eontrol arming 18 and disarming, including switches hidden from plain view withln 19 the passenger compartment, the vehicle's own ignition switch, and digital keypads. However, these "keyless" systems also 21 suffered from a significant shortcoming: if a door to the 22 passenger compartment were opened, the alarm would only sound 23 after an entry delay time, so as to allow the owner enough time 24 to enter the passenger compartment and disarm the system. During this delay time, a thief could ste~l the stereo unit or other 26 contents of the automobile, and furthermore damage the 27 automobile or even defeat the alarm sysgem, and steal the 28 automobi ~ ( ~3~?6~Z
1 ¦ Most recent systems attempt to remedy the entry delay 2 ¦ shortcoming by employing remote control techniques. The vehicle 3 ¦ owner utilizes a small transmitter to disarm the system from 41 outside of the vehicle prior to entry. ~owever, even the~e 51 systems suffer the disadvantage of the earliest key-switch types: ¦
61 a lost or stolen trflnsmitter could be used by the thief himself.

8 It is an object of the present invention to provide a 9 vehicle control and/or anti-theft system which is highly effective and eesy to use.
11 It is ~ further object of the invention to provide a new 12 and novel vehicle anti-theft system providing more security than 13 any system previously manufactured. This is accomplished by the 14 u~e of a programmable owner input digital code system in which the code may be entered to disarm the system by remote control, 16 so as to eliminate the need for any entry del`ay time~ In 17 addition, the system o~ this invention provides added optional 18 convenience and security features heretofore unavailable. It is a 19 further object to provide a new and special type of "user identification" which identifies which of several different 21 legitimate operators is using the system, and thus the 22 automobile, at any given time. The system can differentlate 23 between seversl different legitimate operators and interface to 24 a plurality of operator-specific memory controlled automotive functions such flS driver's seat position, steering wheel tilt 26 and telescope position~ mirror position, radio station presets, 27 climate control settings, maximum vehicle speed, cellular mobile 28 ~ ephone operation, phone nunber seIecti OD S , etc.

.

I ( ~3~6~4;~
1 I It is still a further object of the invention to provide 2 ¦ a diagnostics mode o~ operation which provides the means to 31 evaluate the integrity of the system and its various peripheral 41 components at any given time.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
6 The operational characteristics of this inventlon are 7 divided into two major funetional groups: (l) security and system 8 control functions, and (2) us1er identification functions, i.e.
9 identification of, and differentiation between, several individuals who are each authorized to operate the vehicle. This 11 application describes one possible embodiment of this invention.
12 One of the components comprising this embodiment is a 13 Xeypad/Transmitter, which is slightly larger than ~ pocket watch 14 and which may be attached to the operator's keychain if desired.
The Keypad/Transmitter features twelve pushbuttons labeled with 16 the numbers zero through nine, asterisk (*), and pound ~#) 17 symbol. The Keypad/Transmitter is used to broadcast a personal 18 multi-digi t code to disarm the system from outside o~ the 19 vehicle prior to entry. In addition to, or as an alternative to the Keypad/Transmitter, several Single-Button Transmitters may 21 also be utilized. Each of the single-button transmitters is 22 encoded so AS to broadcast a unique digital code whenever the 23 transmitter's button is depressed.
24 As a back-up in the event that the Keypad/Transmitter or the Single-Button Transmitters are lost, a Keypad Command Center 26 is mounted within the passenger compartment of $he vehicle. The 27 Keyp~d Command Center provides an array o~ pushbuttons similar to 28 ~ se of the Keyped/Trensmitter, along wi-h ~ plorsllty of ~ ( ~3~6~
1 ¦ indicator L~Ds and a piezo element audio sounding device.
2 ¦ The integrity of the system of this invention is not 31 compromised should a Keypad/Transmitter be 108t or stolen~ The 41 Keypad/Transmitter can be used to disarm the system only if its 51 owner's personal multi-digit code is entered correctly. The code 6 may contain from as few as 3 to as many as 9 digits. In thls 7 manner, the remote digital system provides more than one billion 8 possible codes from which the owner can choose. In addition, 9 each system is factory-assigned to any one of a plurality of different digital channels. As a result9 billions and billions 11 of unique disarm codes are available.
12 Once the system has been armed by means of either the 13 Keypad/Transmitter or an encoded single-button transmitter, a 14 loud electronic siren alarm will be tripped instantly upon any unauthorized entry into or disturbance o~ the vehicle unless the 16 system is first disarmed by the owner. Therefore, the vehicle 17 and its contents are far more secure from theft than with less 18 sophisticated, entry-delay-type alarms.
19 The system's Microprocessor or other logic processing device can be set up to decode a multiple num~er o~ codes, so 21 that for instance there can be a master code for the '~master 22 operator", a sepsrate code ~or a second operator, such as a 23 spouse, and separate codes for other operators, such as 24 employees, or even a temporary code for the mechanic. Only the "master operator" can program the system. That is, only the 26 master code will allow the "master operator" to engage the 27 programming mode, whereas the other user codes do not allow 28 programming. Once the program mode has been engaged, the master I ( ~L3~60~
1 ¦ operator may then establish (program) the other access codes, a 2 ¦ well as alter the master code itself.
3 ¦ Upon entry of any of the valid Rccess codes (upon either 41 the Keypad/Transmitter or the Keypad Command Çe,~ter), or receipt of the predetermined digital signal from any of the single-button 6 transmitters, a binary output from the syste.~'s Microprocessor 7 represents which of the valid codes was decoded, or which one of 8 the Single-Button Transmitters was used. This is intended as an 9 identification of the person operating the vehicle at that time.
With that information, the system is capable of interfacing with 11 and controlling things such as memory seat positions, mirror 12 position, steering wheel tilt/telescope position, radio station 13 presets, climate control settings, navigation control or speed 14 control. The system can also control whether or not certain items will operate, such as a mobile telephone or an audlo 16 entertainment system, based upon which operator is using the 17 vehicle at that time.
18 Another benefit of the unique Keypad/Transmitter is that 19 multi-car families may protect all of their vehicles by installing an additional system in each of the other vehicles.
21 They can then selectively disarm the system in any one vehicle 22 so protected, with any one Reypad/Transmitter, simply by 23 en~ering the specific multi-digit code for that vehicle and 24 authorized operator.
The arming method of this invention categorizes it as a 26 "passive7' system. This means that if the system is no~ actively 27 armed by the operator through the use of either the 28 Keypad/Transmitter or one of the Single-Button Transmitters, the ( :~L3~
1 system will automatically srm itself after an exit delay time 2 whenever the ignition key is turned of~. The exit delay time 3 allows the driver and p~ssengers enough time to exit the vehicle 4 and take with them any packages or belonging~, The exit delay time may be ~et by the master operator from 10 to 120 seconds.

6 If the system has been armed in this manner 9 and any of the do~rs 7 to the passenger compartment is subsequently opened, the system 8 will provide an entry delay time (instead of tripping the alarm 9 siren instantly), to allow the authorized operator to disarm the system by entering his personal access code upon the Keypad 11 Comnand Center. If the system is not disarmed prior to the 12 expiration of the entry delay time, the system's alarm siren is 13 then tripped. The entry del~y time m~y be set by the master 14 operator from 1 to 45 secondsO Unauthorized opening of the vehicle's engine compartment or luggage compartment will cause 16 the system's alarm siren to be tripped instantly (without ~ny 17 entry delay) regardless of the method used to arm the system.
18 If, after the system has been armed, it detects a 19 disturbance to a sensor (sound, motion9 impact, shock, etc.), the alarm siren will be tripped after a one second delay.
21 However, if the system had been armed passively, rather than 22 actively with a transmitter, and subsequently detects the opening 23 of a passenger compartrnent door during the one second delay 24 initiated by a disturbance to a sensor7 the alarm siren will not be tripped at the end of the one-second delay. Instead, the 26 entry delay is begun. This one-second delay is intended to 27 prevent false Qlarms that might otherwise occur i~ a sensor 28 ; re nds, for ex=mple, to r key being inserted into the ¦ ( ~3G6(~142 1 ¦ vehi~le's door to unlock it upon normal entry.
21 In addition, a "valet mode" is provided to override the 3 automatic passive arming feature to allow for extended loading 4 and unloading, vehicle service, parking att@Pd~ts, etc.
The automatic "pns:~ive" arming ~eature of this 6 invention provides enh~nced exit supervi~ion in a manner that 7 has heretofore never been accomplished in thls field. This 8 system allows a much shorter exit delay time than is now common, 9 thereby providing greater security. It does this by monitoring the state of all trigger inputs in several protection "zones."
11 These zones are the passenger compartment, the engine 12 compartment, the trunk, and additional l'sensor zones" for such 13 devices as motion, impact, and/or glass breakage sensors. The 14 system monitors all zones continuously. When the ignition key is turned off, the system automatically begins its passlve arming 16 process. If all of the zones are secure at that time, normal 17 arming takes place. If all the zones are secure for the duration 18 of the exit delay, the system will arm. If during the exit 19 delay, any one of the zones become active (such as if R door is opened), the exit delay is temporarily suspended ~nd reset to 21 its maximum time value and when the vehicle is again secure, the 22 exit delay begin~ again. In this way, the operator can remove 23 the ignition key, open the door and exit from the cer, leaving 24 the door open to remove personal belongings from the car end the system will not activ~te until all doors are closed. The denger 26 of this fea~ure is that there could be a point of entry such as 27 the hood, which if open (or if it "appeared" to the system to be 28 open a the result of e pinched Wire)~ would inte~rUpe the 1 ~3~60~Z
1 ¦ passive arming cycle without the knowledge o~ the operator. If 2 ¦ this were allowed to continue, the system would never arm.
3 ¦ The system oi this invention solve~ this serious 4 ¦ problem by continuously monitoring all protect~' zones many 51 times per second. If any of the protected zones are not secure 61 when the ignition key is turned off, that information is stored 71 in the Microprocessor. The passive arming cycle proceeds with 8 the exit delay '1counting down," ignoring the unsecured zone. When 9 the exit delay time l~pses, the system would be allowed to arm and protect all zones other than the one that was not secured 11 when the ignition key was turned of~. If the unsecured zone 12 becomes secure during the exit delay period, the Microprocessor 13 automatically begins monitoring $hat zone for supervised exit.
14 If the unsecured zone becomes secure after the exit delay time h~s lapsed and the system has armed, the Microprocessor 16 automatically begins monitoring that zone for unauthorized 17 entry.
18 During the arming cycle, the red LED on the Keypad 19 Command Center is on but blinks off once per second, and the Keypad Command Center's piezo element beeps once per second. If 21 any door is opened, the piezo element stops beeping but the red 22 LED continues to blink off at the once-per-second rate. If the 23 door is then closed, the piezo starts beeping again, once per 24 second during the arming cycle, then stops when the system is armed.
2G IY there is an unsecured zone at the time the ignition 27 key is turned off, the piezo element will beep 3 times per 2B ond (insteAd of once per second) to WArn the operator thAt At ( 313~6Q~Z

1 least one zone will not be protected when the system arms. ~f 2 the zone is subsequently secured during the 0xit delay time, the 3 piezo will beep at its normal rate of once per second for the 4 remainder of the exit delay time.
If the vehicle operator actively a.ms the system 6 utilizing one of the transmitters, there is no entry delay or exit delay. If all zones are secure when the system receives the 8 arming command broadcast from the transmitter, the alarm siren 9¦ will "chirp" once and the vzhicle's interior lights, parking 10¦ and/or headlights will flash once as multiple acknowledgements 11 that the system has armed and the vehicle is protected. However, 12 if there is a zone that is not secure when the operator attempts 13 to arm the system with a transmitter, the system will immediately 14 arm and protect the secured zones, leaving the unsecured zone(s) unprotected7 In this instance, upon receipt of the arming command 16 broadcast from the transmitter, the alarm siren will '1chirp"
17 three times instead of the usual single chirp, and the vehicle's 18 interior lights, parking andlor headl;ghts will flash three times 19 instead of their usual single flash. The operator can then return to the vehicle and check to see which zone is not secure9 21 perhaps utili~ing the system's diagnostics mode discussed in 22 detail later.
23 As an extension of the system's ability to monitor the 24 zones individually and continuously, if the alarm siren is 2~ tripped in response to unauthorized entry or disturbance, it will 26 continue to sound for the specific time duration programed by the 27 master operator. Once this time duration has lapsed, the alarm 28 siren will stop sounding, unless a zone is not secure. In thls ( ~L3~6~Z

1 instance, the alarm siren will continue to sound. If the alarm 2 sounds for 8 minutes continuously, the zone causing it to sound 3 is then ignored by the Microprocessor, ~llowing the system to 4 reset ~stop sounding the alarm) and continue monitoring the remaining zones for unauthorized entry. The ignored zore is not 6 completely ignored, however. IE it subsequently becomes secured, 7 i~ will again be monitored for unauthorized entry.
8 This maximum alarm sounding time feature is handled 9 somewhat differently with regard to sensors such as glass brea~age dete~tor, shock~ vibration or motion sensors. Since 11 the- output response from these devices~ when stimulated, is a 12 short -duration pulse, as opposed to the continuous trigger 13 condition presented by an open door, the system will accumulate 14 the overall length of time that the alarm sounds i~ tripped repeatedly by such sensors. When the cumulative time reaches a 16 total of 8 minutes, the sensor zone responsible will then be 17 ignored until the system is disarmed by the operator. The 18 benefit of this feature is the minimization of chronic false 19 alarms resulting from, for example, a motion sensor adjusted too sensitively which reacts unneeessarily to passing traffic.
21 Additional features of this invention include the 22 following:
23 Ignition or starter bypass. The engine cannot be 24 started unless the system is disarmed.
If, when $he system is armed, it deteets an attempt in 26 progress to disarm the system by means of either random or 27 sequential broadcast of digital da$a representing possible disarm Z8 es, the rlerm siren will be tripped ii the rttempt continues ~ ~3~,~0a~z ~ l 1 ¦ beyond a predetermined time limit.
21 As a back-up in the event that the Keyp~/Transmitter or 31 the Single-Button Transmitters are lost, an internally mounted 4 keypad command center with a plurality of indicator L~s and a piezo audio sounding device is provided. One LED ~lashes when 6 the system is armed to provide notice to any thief that the car 7 is protected by an alarm system. Other LEDs indicate the valet 8 mode and program mode.
9 Outputs are provided to engage electromechanical actuators so as to lock and unlock the doors to the passenger 11 compartment concurrent with remote control arming and disarming, 12 respectively.
13 Additional outputs are provided to enable remote control 14 functions su~h as trunk or rear hatch opening, garage door opening and closing, and engine starting, using the 16 Keypad/Transmi$ter.
17 Automatic memory functions such as seat position 18 settings, radio station presets and elimate control settings can 19 be preset for each user, and initiated remotely from the Keypad/Transmitter, any one of the Single-Button Tr~nsmitter~, or 21 other data entry means such as a vehicle mounted data entry device~
22 The nominal operating range of the system is 23 approximately fifty feet in line of sigh~. No receiver antenna 24 i9 required on the outside of the vehicle~ The batteries used in the transmitters are commonly available batteriesO The 26 battery li~e is normally about one year.
27 The system's parameters programmed by the master 28 operator are maintained virtually forever by a nonvolatile random ( ~L3~0~2 1 access memory device such as one sold under the name "NoYram", a 2 trademark of XICOR Corp. No reserve battery i8 needed to 3 maintain the memory. If the vehicle's battery is diseonnected 4 or becomes exhausted, all system parameters, pius the arm, disarm, or valet status of the system at the ~ime of power loss, 6 will be intact when power is restored to the system.
7 There are various two-button combinations that can be 8 entered upon either the Keypad/Transmit~er or the internally-9 mounted Keypad Command Center as comnands to the system. These are, for instance, depressing buttons 5 and 8 simultaneously for 11 a panic alarm which will instantly trip the alarm siren (from up 12 to fifty feet away if initiated from the remote 13 Keypad/Transmitter) regardless o~ the operating mode tha~ the 14 system is in. Depressing buttons 4 and 6 simultaneously is an auxiliary command which could be used to open the trunk.
16 Depressing buttons 6 and 9 simultaneously is a second auxiliary 17 command which could be used, for inst~ncè, for starting of the 18 automobile. Depressing buttons 8 and 9 simultaneously could 19 activate a separate garage door opener ~ransmitter. The system is designed so that these particular commands can be initiated at 21 any time from the internal keypad command center in the 22 automobile. However, these 2-button commands, with the 23 exception o~ the panic command, can only be initiated with the 24 Keypad/Transmitter within 3D seconds after a valid access code is entered. This is a safety feature so that other 26 Keypad/Transmitters on the same channel won't activate these 27 particular commands.
28 rhe system is designed to provide addltional two-button 3L3~ Z ( 1 commands that can only be initiated from the Keypad Command 2 Center within the passenger compnrtment. These commands Pre used 3 to alter the system's operating charactePisti~s, For example, 4 depressing the numbers 8 and 0 simultaneously engages the diagnostics mode which provides a means of evaluating the 6 integrity of the system and its peripheral components.
7 Depressin~ buttons 2 and 4 simultaneously will allow a pager to 8 be active even if the system is not armed. That is, if the 9 operator carries a remote pager which signals when the alarm sounds, this command will enable the pager to respond to 11 unauthorized entry or disturbances even if the siren itself does 12 not sound. Thus, the pager reacts to all trigger inputs that 13 would activate the alarm siren if armed. This is called the 14 silent mode of operation and can be used, for instance, when parking in a hospital zone or if the operator is in a restaurant 16 and wants to know if the vehicle is entered even though the 17 alarm system is not armed.
18 An additional two-button comm~nd that can be used is, 19 for instance, depressing numbers 2 and 6 simultaneously which causes the system to ignore any disturbances, such as nolse, 21 motion, impact, or ultrasonic, that might be detected by one or 22 more of the sensors that comprise the system's sensor æones of 23 protection. In this mode, the system will only monitor points of 24 entry, such as passenger compartment doors, trunk and hood. This could be used for example when parking in a high nolse or 26 vibration area.
27 ~en the system's diagnostics mode is engaged (by 28 simultaneously depressing the numbers 8 and 0 on the Keypad ( ~3C~6Q4Z
1 Command Center), the LEDs on the Keyp~d Command Center will 2 display the status of the trigger input zones. The yellow LED, 3 which is normally the valet mode indicator, Will illuminate when 4 the hood and/or trunk is open. The red LEP, which is normally the arm/disarm status indicator, will illuminate when any door 6 to the passenger comp~rtment is open, and the green LED, 7 normally the program mode indicntor, will illuminate whenever 8 any one of the sensors that CoMprise the sensor zones, such as 9 the glass breakage detector, shock, vibration or motion sensor detects a disturbance. The operator can thus monitor how the 11 system is operating and if there is an intrusion indication, 12 which zone or zones of the system are causing the intrusion 13 indication.
14 In the diagnostics mode, the Keypad Command Center's piezo element provides an audible indication of the performance 16 of the transmitter and receiver sections of the system. The 17 piezo element converts signals received by the system's receiver 18 into an audio tone. Under normal conditions, if the system's 9 receiYer i5 functioning properly, and no transmitter is broadcasting, random background static will be heard from the 21 Keypad Command Center's piezo element. I~ a button is depressed 22 on a transmitter and an audio tone is heard from the Keypad 23 Command Center's pie~o element, then the system's transmitter is 24 working properly; but if no audio tone is heard, either the system is not receiving the signal from the transmitter, or the 26 transmitter itself is not functioning properly. In this way, 27 using the diagnostics mode, the operator can evaluate how the 28 system's transmitter and receiver are operating. The ~ ( ~3~ 2 1 ¦ diagnostics mode can also be utilized so that all output devices 2 ¦ of the system can be individually tested. For instance, 31 depressing a predetermined button on the Keypad Command Center 4 would cause the siren to sound, another button might cause the headlights to flash. In this mann~r all output aspects of the 6 system may be evaluated for their operability.
7 If the system's alarm siren is tripped in response to 8 unauthorized entry or unusual disturbance during the operator's 9 absence, the system will inPorm the operator of this fact when he or she returns to the vehicle. This "attempted theft indication"
11 is comprised of several elements:
12 l. The red status LED on the Keypad Command Center will 13 be blinking rapidly rather than slowly, and 14 2. If the operator disarms the system by entering a disarm code upon the Keypad Command Center, the Keypad Command Center's piezo element will emit eight beeps in rapid succession, 17 or 18 3. If the operator disarms the system u~ing a 19 transmitter, the alarm siren will issue a long blast, instead of 2Q the usual two 1'chirps," and the vehicle's interior lights and 21 parking and/or headligh$s will flash on ~or one full second, 22 instead oP the usual two'short flashes.
23 The red status LED on the internal keypad of the system 24 gives several indications:
Z5 l. If it is on continuously, it is indicating that the 26 system is disarmed;
27 2. If it is blinking on slowly, it is indicating that 2a e system is armed; 17 ( 13~0~ ( 1 3. I~ the inverse of (2) occurs, that is, if the red LED
2 is blinking off slowly, it is indicating that the arming cycle is 3 in progress;
4 4. If it is flashing rapidly, it is indi~ating that the alarm siren has been tripped during the operator's absence;
6 5. If it is off, either the Valet Mode or the Program 7 Mode of the system is engaged. If the Valet Mode is engaged, the 8 yellow LED will be illuminated. If the Program Mode is engaged, 9 the green LED will be illuminated.
When the Program Mode is engaged, the "master operator"
11 has the ability to program various operating characteristlcs or 12 parameters of the system. There are a multiple number of 13 programmable parameters of the system. ~or example, the 14 following are nine programmable parameters:
1 through 4 are the four access codes available to the 16 system, that is, the one master code and three additional 17 subordinate access codes;
18 5. Whether or not the sensor zones are monitored;
19 6. Whether or not the siren chirps to acknowledge arm and disarm commands received from a transmitter. In an srea 21 such as a hospital zone, this could be ~urned off, leaYing only 22 the flashing of the vehicle's interior li~h$s and parking and/or 23 headlights as acknowledgements of remote arm/disarm commands;
24 7. The entry delay time can be programmed;
8. The exi~ delay time can be programmed. The entry 26 delay time ~7) and the exit delay time (8) are defaults, that is, 27 they are time periods that the system provides only when the ii8 syste Is rrmed prssively. Whrn the system is rrmed rctively ~3~604Z
1 using a transmitter, the entry delay time and exit delay time are 2 not utilized.
3 9. The alarm sounding duration ti~ can also be 4 programmed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
6 Other objects and features of the invention will be 7 described in reference to the drawings in which:
8 Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the keypad/transmit 9 ter oi' the present invention;
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the single-button 11 transmitter;
12 Figure 3 is a blo~k diagram showing the remote 13 communication elements of the present invention;
14 Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the input-output system of the present invention;
16 Figure 5 is Q block diagram of the user identlfication 17 system of the present invention. -18 Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown the block 19 diagram of the Keypad/Transmitter. A battery 12 provides the power i'or the Keypad/Transmitt~r. The battery 12 is connected to 21 a power switch 13 which operates a9 the power supply switch for 22 the unit. The switch 13 is a transistor or other active 23 semi-conductor device which receives a turn-on control signfll 24 whenever any button or buttons of the keypad 11 is (are) depressed. The keypad 11 of the Keypad/Transmitter is normally a 26 simple one-o~-twelve/comnon buss keypad. A diode matrix 14 27 encodes the depression of a specific button or buttons of the 28 `keypad 11 into specific binary coded data for processing by a ( ~IL3~;0~2 f 1 serial data generator 15. The binary coded data from the diode 2 matrix 14 is fed into a predetermined plurality o~ the address 3 inputs of the serial data generator 15. Remaining address inputs 4 of the serial data generator 15 comprise the channel assig~nent means 17. Each of the address inputs of the serial data generator 6 15 that comprise the channel assignment means 17 may be 7 selectively connected to the positive side of the battery 12, or 8 to the negative side of the battery 12, or left unconnected. The 9 serial datQ generator 15 is compatible to the Keypad/Transmitter decoder 33 as shown on Figure 3 and described later. The serial 11 data generator 15 is designed to convert the binary coded data 12 from diode matrix 14, and the data comprisin~ the channel 13 assignment, into a specific digital pulse train, unique to the 14 keypad button or buttons depressed. Serial data generator 15 incorporates an oscillator which is used to establish the 16 encoding and pulse train timing. This oscillator signal is also 17 connected to a piezo disk 16 to produce an audible tone whenever 18 a button or buttons of the keypad 11 is (are) depressed. A
1g transmitter 18, for instance, is a high frequency colpits oscillator, or other similar oscillator configurations. It is 21 activated by base bias established by the pulse train output 22 generated by the serial data generator 15.
23 Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown the single-24 button transmitter block diagr~m. The Single-Button Transmitter is powered by a battery 21 connected to a power switch 22. The 26 switch is depressed by the operator to activate the 27 single-button transmitter. A predetermined plurality of the 28 address inputs of the serial data generator 25 are connected to ( ~IL3~6~
1 the access code encoder 23, while the remaining address inputs oi 2 the serial data generator 25 are connected to the user 3 identification assignment means 24. The access code encoder 23 4 and the user identi~ication assignment means 24 are used to 5 selectively connect each of the address inputs of the serial d~ta 6 generator 25 to either the positive side o~ the battery 21, or 7 negative side of the battery 21, or left unconnected. The access 8 code for all of the Single-Button Transmit~ers associated with a 9 particular system, as determined by the acGess code encoder 23, will be the same, while the user identifieation assignment of ll eaeh of the Single-Button Transmitters associated with a 12 particular system, as determined by the user identlfication 13 assignment means 24, will vary. Thus, a plurality o~ unique 14 Single-Button Transmitters could be used to provide system access to a plurality of different operators, while each operator could 16 be uniquely detected and identified by the system. The serial 17 data generAtor 25 is compatible to the single-button transmitter 18 decoder 34 as shown on Figure 3 and described later. The serial l9 data generator 25 is designed to convert the information represented by the configuration of the uccess code encoder 23, 21 and the- user identification assignment 24, into a specific 22 serial digital pulse train, unique to that particular single-23 button transmitter. Serial data generator 25 incorporates an 24 oscillator which is used to establish the encoding and pulse train timing. This oscillator signal is also connected to 26 piezo disk 26 to produce an audible tone whenever the power 27 switch 22 is depr~ssed. A transmit~er 27, for instance, is a high 2B frequency colpits oscill~tor, or other similsr oscillAtor ( ~3~6~2 1 configurations. It is activated by base bias established by the 2 pulse train output generated by the serial data ~nerator 25.
3 Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a block 4 diagram of the remote communica~ions sys~em of the invention.
Keypad/Transmitters 30, of the type described in Figure 1, and 6 Single-Button Transmitters 31, of the type ~escribed in Figure 2, 7 are shown. A vehicle mounted data entry device ~OA may also be 8 used. When activated, the transmitter(s) 30 and/or 31¦
9 broadcast their signals on an infrared, RF, or other carrier to a Receiver 32. The Receiver 32 is adapted to receive the broadcast 11 from both Keypad/Transmitters 30 and single-button transmitters 12 31. The Receiver 32 ean, if it is an R~ receiver, include a super 13 regenerative amplifier and detector or other RF receiver which 14 reproduces the transmitted pulse coded information. A signal conditioner and level shifter can be biased to greatly amplify 16 the signal. Also, hysteresis can be provided to reduce the 17 effects of background noise and increase range. The vehicle 18 mounted data en~ry de~ice 30A is connected directly to the 19 Microprocessor 38.
U~en the ReceiYer 32 receives Q broadcast signal, the 21 serial digital data it extracts from the broadcast signal is 22 simultaneously fed to Keypad/Transmitter decoder 339 to the 23 single-button transmitter decoder 34, and to the diagnostics 24 logic circuits, described later.
Address inputs of the Keypad/Transmitter Decoder 33 are 26 connected to the channel assignment means 35. The channel 27 assignment means 35 is used to conf igure the address inputs of 28 t Keyped/rrensmitter decoder 33 so as to metch the ( ~3~;0~Z
1 configuration of the channel assignment mean~ 17 (described in 2 Figure lJ of the Keypad/Transmitter 30. This is done to prevent 3 the recognition of serial digital data ~ro~ the Receiver 32 4 unless the datQ was broadcast from a Keypad/Transmitter whose channel assignment means 17 had been configured so as to match 6 the configuration of the channel assignment means 35 o~ the 7 Keypad/Transmitter Decoder 33.
8 When the Keypad/Transmitter decoder 33 processes 9 matching-channel serial digital data from the Receiver 3a, a valld transmission signal 36 is generated, along with binary ll coded Keypad/Transmitter data 37 that is representative of the 12 specific keypad button or buttons depressed on the 13 Keypad/Transmitter~ The valid transmission signal 36, and the 14 binary coded Keypad/Transmitter data 37 is fed to a lS Microprocessor 38, which then processes the binary coded 16 Keypad/Transmitter data 37 to determine which specific button or 17 buttons of the Keypad/Transmitter was (were) depressed. The 18 Microprocessor 38 continues to process data from the l9 Keypad/Transmitter Decoder 33 to determine if a valid sequential multi-digit access code has been broadcast. A plurality of 21 specific sequential multi-digit access codes used to operate the 22 system may be programmed into the memory of the microprocessor 23 38 by the operator. Other logic processing devices such as gate 24 arrays, programmable logic arrays9 or tr~nsistor and integrated circuit logic can be used in place of a microprocessor.
26 The Microprocessor 38 can be programmed to cause the 27 alarm to sound whenever a valid ~ransmission signal 36 from the 2B yped/Trhnsmitter decoder 33 is present in excess ol 9 ( ~3~6~
1 predetermined anti-scan integration time (approximately 10 2 seconds). If a Keypad/Transmitter 30 were used to randomly 3 broadcast different codes, in an attempt to determine the proper 4 code sequence, and this attempt exeeeded approximately 10 seconds in duration, the alarm would sound.
6 The Microprocessor 38 can also be programmed to provide 7 a panic alarm which will cause the alarm to sound for whatever 8 period of time is preset by the user or until reset. The panic 9 alarm can be triggered, for example, by simultaneously depressing 2 predetermined Keypad/Transmitter buttons. The 11 panic &larm can be set to sound even if a valid access code has 12 been entered to disarm the system.
13 Single-button transmitter decoder 34 processes serial 14 digital data from the Receiver 32 when the data is broadcast by a single-button transmitter 31. The access code data means 39 is 16 used to configure a predetermined plurality of the address 17 inputs of $he Single-Button Transmitter ~ecoder 34 so as to match 18 the configuration of the access code encoder 23 (described in 19 Figure 2) of the Single-Button Transmitter 31. This is done to prevent the recognition of serial digital data from the Receiver 21 32 unless the dat~ was broadcast from a Single-Button Transmitter 22 31 whose access code encoder 23 had been configured so as to 2 match the configuration of the access code data means 39 o the 2 Single-Button Transmitter Decoder 34.
2 A user identification system is provided to identify which of the plurality of single-button transmitters 31 has 2 activated the system~ or which of R plurality of valid sequential 2 multi-digit access codes has been entered upon either the .

( ~3~6~
1 Keypad/Transmitter 30 or the Keypad Command Center 44 ~described 2 in Figure 4) located within the vehicle. This can be done, for 3 example, by reserving the flddress inputs of the single-button 4 transmitter decoder 34 that correspond to the address inputs 5 comprising the user identification assignment means 24 of the 6 serial data generator 25 (described in Figure 2) of the single-7 button transmitter 31. The reserved addresses of the single-8 button Transmitter Decoder 34 comprise the user identification 9 data 40. The address inputs of the single-button transmitter decoder 34 comprising the user identification data 40 are 11 connected to the Microprocessor 38. The Microprocessor 12 continuously cyeles these addressss through all of the possible 13 logical states.
14 When the Single Button Transmitter Decoder 34 recognizes that a signal broadcast by a Single-Button Transmitter 31 matches 16 both the preprogrammed addresses comprising the access code data 17 39 and one of the possible logic states of the addresses 18 comprising the user ID dats 39, a valid transmission signal 41 is 19 generated by the Single-Button Transmitter Decoder 34 and sent to the Microprocessor 38. The Microprocessor 38 determines which 21 one of the plurality of single-button transmitters has been 22 activated, based upon the logic state of the address input~ of 23 the Single-Button Transmitter Decoder 34 comprising the user ID
2 data 40 at the time the match was detected. A serial digital data signal representing the particular Slngle-Button Transmitter, and 26 thus the user identification, is generated by the Microprocessor 27 38 at its user ID output 42. Additionally, when a valid multi-2a ~ it sccess code has been received irom the ireyp:d/Trensmitter ~3~6~9L2 1 30 or k~ypad command center 44 (described in Pigure 4), the 2 Microprocessor 38 generates a serial ~i~it~ data signal 3 at its user ID output 42 that represents the us@r number ass~gned 4 by the operator to the specific multi-digit access code received.
Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown the 6 input-output block diagram of the invention. The seri~l digital 7 data output from the Receiver 32 (described in Figure 3) is fed 8 into the diagnostics logic, LED and piezo driver circuitry 43.
9 The Keypad Command Center 44 incorporates 3 LEDS (yellow 45, red 46, and green 47) and a piezo 48. Control signals for the 3 LEDs 11 45, 46, and 47 and the p.ezo 48 are also connected to the 12 diagnostics logic, LED and pie~o driver circuitry 43. The 13 individual buttons 49 of the Keypad Command Genter 44 comprise a 14 simple one-of-twelve/common buss keypad. Signals from the one-of-twelve/common buss keypad 49 connect directly to the 16 Microprocessor 38.
17 An input signal conditioner 50 connects trigger input 18 signals, which signal the system when invasion of the system has 19 occurred, to the Microproces~or 38. The trigger inputs include signals from the hood 51, the trunk 52, the sound and!or shock 21 sensor~s) 53, the ignition 54, and door sensors 55 and 5B. When 22 the system is disarmed, either by a broadcast from the 23 Keypad/Transmitter of one of the plurality o~ valid multi-digit 24 access codes, or the broadcast from one of the plurality o encoded single~button transmitters, the vehicle's dome light 26 illuminates for 30 seconds or until the ignition is turned on.
27 This is done through the dome light relay 57, and provides a 2B l oonv ence ~Dr the operrtor.

( ~ Z

1 These signals are ied to the Microprocessor which 2 controls the output signal conditioning 58 to operate all the 3 various peripheral components of the system. These components 4 include the siren 59 if an inYasion has occurred, a pu.~e circuit 60 to flash the vehicle's parking lights if an invasion 6 has occurred, a silent paging transmitter 61, if desired; the 7 release of the hood lock 62, door lock 63, door unlock 64, a 8 engine interrupt relay 65, trunk release 66, an auxiliary for 9 other functions 67, an external LED 68, and garage door opener control 69. Other functions, of course, can be programmed into 11 tha system.
12 Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a block diagram of 13 the invention~s user identification system. The Microprocessor 14 38 monitors valid transmission signals 36 and 41 ~rom the Keypad/Transmitter decoder 33 and the single-button transmitter 16 decoder 34 ~described in Figure 3)~ Whenever a valid transmission 17 signal 36 is recognized by the Microprocessor 38, or whenever a 18 valid sequential multi-digit access code is entered (either upon 19 the Keypad Command Center within the vehicle or upon the Keypad/Transmitter), a serial digital data signal from the user 21 ID output 42 of the Microprocessor 38 is presented to a user ID
22 decoder 70~ There can also be a User, Date, Time, and Odometer 23 Recorder 71 to record which one of the plurality Qf authorized 2 operators used the automobile, along with the date, time, and 2~ vehicle odometer reading at that time. Additionally, at the time of determination of the specific user operating the system~ a 27 systems interface processor 72 can automatically control, 28 ough the automobile memr,ry system:

~3~6~)~Z ( 1 the electronic entertainment systems 73;
2 the positions of the driver1s seat, mirrors, an~
3 steering wheel 74;
4 the climate control 75;
the engine control such as maximum permissible spesd 76;

6 as well as any other specific user identification 7 function 77, such as a cellular phone.

8 The engine interrupt relay 65, of the present inventlon 9 can be connected to various parts of the automobile such as the starter and/or the ignition system to disable the vehicle until 11 such time as the system is disarmed by the operator. These 12 various disablin~ methods are well known in prior vehicle alarm 13 systems when utilized with a key or other single-button device as 14 shown in United States Patents 3,987,40~ or 4,143,368. In addition, the various sensors for detecting intrusion into the 16 vehicle placed in the doors, the trunk, the hood and includlng 17 devices such as motion detectors or sound detector devices are 18 also well known in the art.
19 As stated, the advantage o the device of the present invention is the use of a user-specific digital access code, 21 which may be input from within the vehicle or broadcast by remote 22 control. With the device of the present invention, an owner can 23 use one Keypad~Transmitter to arm or disarm any num~er of 24 automobiles within a group such as a family, each with a different keypad code and have in his possession only the one 26 Keypad/Transmitter. In addition, each of the ~embers of the 27 family can haYe a separate access code identifiable by the system 28 which can automatically control Yarious automatic automobile 1~ ~8 - , -.

( 3~ 2 ( 1 functions such as seat position, mirror position, radio station 2 preset control, etc. In addition, the Keypad/Transmitter allows 3 the operator to broadcast a variety o s~gnals to the system 4 including signals to open the trunk, l~k and/or unlock the doors, trip a panic alarm in the event of at~ack or assault, and 6 even start the vehicle's engine by remote control if desired.
7 These functions, as well as the entry and exit delay time, are B all programmable through the Microprocessor, thus giving the 9 operator control over his vehicle never before achieved.
Having thus described the inventlon, it is desired that 11 the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended 12 claims.

17 cI~im:

2~ 29

Claims

Claim 1. A vehicle security system for a vehicle having an electrical system comprising, a transmitter designed to transmit a specially encoded predetermined digital signal which constitutes a valid signal, a receiver for receiving the digital signal, means to determine whether the digital signal transmitted is one of a plurality of valid signals means adapted to process valid signals, means to identify which one of the plurality of valid signals was received means to control vehicle functions or system functions in response to which valid signal was received.
Claim 2. The device of Claim 1 in which the transmitter comprises a keypad containing a plurality of individually labeled keys adapted to transmit a plurality of predetermined digital signals.
Claim 3. The device of Claim 1 in which the transmitter comprises single button transmitter means containing means to differentiate among a plurality of single button transmitters, each from the other.
Claim 4. The device of claim 1 in which the transmitter comprises vehicle mounted data entry means adapted to enter specific encoded signals.
Claim 5 The device of Claim 3 in which said means to differentiate among single button transmitters comprises user identification assignment means.
Claim 6. A vehicle security system for a vehicle having an electrical system comprising, a transmitter designed to transmit a specially encoded predetermined digital signal, which constitutes a valid signal, a receiver for receiving the digital signal, means to determine whether the digital signal transmitted is one of a plurality of valid signals, means adapted to process valid signals, means to identify which one of the plurality of valid signals was received, means connected to the vehicle electrical system to disable the vehicle by inhibiting an essential vehicle electrical circuit, means to prevent the operation of the vehicle disabling system, means to detect an intrusion into to vehicle, means to signal that an intrusion has occurred, a means to engage or arm the vehicle security system.
Claim 7. The device of Claim 6 in which the transmitter comprises a keypad containing a plurality of individual labeled keys adapted to transmit a plurality of predetermined digital signals.
Claim 8. The device of Claim 6 in which the transmitter comprises single button transmitter means containing means to differentiate among a plurality of single button transmitters, each from the other.
Claim 9. The device of Claim 6 in which the transmitter comprises vehicle mounted data entry means adapted to enter specific encoded signals.
Claim 10. The device of Claim 8 in which said means to differentiate among single button transmitters comprises user identification assignment means.
Claim 11. The device of Claim 1 comprising recorder means to record pertinent data at the time of valid signal recognition.
Claim 12. The device of Claim 11 in which said recorder means records at the time of valid signal recognition, the identity of the user, the date, time, location, and/or odometer reading of the vehicle.
Claim 13. The device of Claim 6 comprising an alarm siren and means to activate said alarm siren upon detection of an intrusion.
Claim 14. The device of Claim 13 comprising means to generate a plurality of audible siren chirps to indicate the arm to disarm or disarm to arm change of status of the system.
Claim 15. The device of Claim 6 wherein the means to detect intrusions comprises a plurality of trigger means located at points of entry of the vehicle, and/or sensors adapted to detect sound, motion, vibration or glass breakage.
Claim 16. The device of Claim 6 wherein the vehicle comprises a key activated ingition system, and entry doors, comprising means to automatically arm the system when the key has been turned to its off position, or removed from the ignition.
Claim 17. The device of Claim 16 comprising an exit delay timer means adapted to delay the arming of the system for a predetermined exit delay time period after the last door of the vehicle has been closed.
Claim 18. The device of Claim 17 comprising means to program the length of the exit delay time period.
Claim 19. The device of Claim 17 comprising means to suspend the exit delay time period if any intrusion into the vehicle is detected prior to the expiration of the exit delay time period.
Claim 20. The device of Claim 15 comprising means to continuously monitor all intrusion trigger means and store all intrusion occurances and means to notify the operator that an intrusion has occurred.
Claim 21. The device of Claim 20 wherein the means to notify the operator of an intrusion comprises means to cause the siren alarm to sound a long blast upon entry of a valid disarm signal.
Claim 22. The device of Claim 6 comprising a vehicle mounted keypad, said key pad comprising a plurality of light signal devices, one of which is adapted to glow constantly when the system is disarmed, flash slow-blinking-on when the system is armed, flash slow-blinking-off during the exit delay period and flash quickly when an intrusion has occurred.
Claim 23. The device of Claim 22 wherein the means to notify the operator of an intrusion comprises an audio transducer located in the vehicle mounted keypad.
Claim 24. The device of Claim 22 in which the vehicle mounted keypad comprises three LEDS, one to indicate the arm/disarm status, a second LED to indicate a valet mode, an a third LED to indicate a programming mode.
Claim 25. The device of Claim 1 comprising means to control vehicle functions or vehicle accessory devices in response to which valid signal was recognized.
Claim 26. The device of Claim 2 or 4 comprising means to open the trunk of the vehicle in response to recognition of a predetermined valid signal.
Claim 27. The device of Claim 2 or 4 comprising means to lock and unlock the vehicle doors in response to recognition of predetermined valid signal.
Claim 28. The device of Claim 2 or 4 comprising means to activate the alarm siren in response to recognition of a predetermined valid signal.
Claim 29. The device of Claim 2 or 4 comprising anti-scan means adapted to activate an alarm siren whenever transmission of signals occurs in excess of a predetermined maximum time.
Claim 30. The device of Claim 13 comprising means to reset the system and stop the alarm siren after a predetermined time period if no further intrusion is detected.
Claim 31. The device of Claim 13 comprising means to flash the vehicle lights during the time the alarm siren is activated.
Claim 32. The device of Claim 13 comprising means to silence the alarm but flash the vehicle lights to either indicate arm/disarm status or to indicate an intrusion.
Claim 33. The device of Claim 1 comprising means to allow the operator to program features of the system.
Claim 34. The device of Claim 33 in which said means to program the system comprises means to program: the disarm codes, whether or not specific trigger means are monitored whether or not the alarm siren chirps to acknowledge arm and disarm commands, the entry and exit delay time periods and the alarm sounding duration time period.
Claim 35. The device of Claim 33 where only one of the plurality of valid signals will permit programming of the system.
Claim 36. The device of Claim 1 comprising means to override the selected parts of the system, and to place those parts in a non-operating state.
Claim 37. The device of Claim 6 comprising means to automatically arm the system when the ignition key has been turned to its off position, or, in the alternative, to automatically arm the system from the remote transmitter.
Claim 38. The device of Claim 15 comprising means to arm the system but ignore an unsecured trigger zone and monitor all remaining trigger zones.
Claim 39. The device of Claim 1 or 6 comprising a non-volatile random access memory device adapted to retain the memory of all system parameters in the event power is disconnected or discharged.
Claim 40. The device of Claim 22 comprising diagnostics mode means adapted to test the operability of a plurality of aspects of the system.
Claim 41. The device of Claim 40 comprising an audio transducer device adapted to evaluate the quality of the transmitted signal received by the receiver from the transmitter.
Claim 42. The device of Claim 40 comprising means to activate the LEDs to indicate which trigger zones show a intrusion.

Claim 43. An anti-theft vehicle security system for vehicle having an electrical system comprising a radio frequency transmitter designed to transmit a series of predetermined digital pulses by modulating a predetermined RF
carrier initiated by a remote keypad containing a plurality of individually labeled keys or a uniquely coded single button transmitter, a receiver for receiving the digital signals, a data decoder for decoding the transmitted pulses to determine any one of a plurality of valid transmission which constitute a disarm code, a microprocessor adapted to receive a valid transmission signal, means to identify which one of a plurality of valid signals was transmitted, means connected to the vehicle electrical system to disable the vehicle by inhibiting an essential vehicle electrical circuit, means to prevent the operation of the vehicle disabling system, means to detect an intrusion into the vehicle, means to signal that an intrusion has occurred.
Claim 44. The device of Claim 43 wherein the vehicle comprises a key activated ignition system, comprising an exit time delay period means adapted to automatically arm the system at a predetermined time period after the ignition key is turned off.
Claim 45. The device of Claim 44 comprising means to suspend the exit time delay period during any period in which an open door is detected during the exit time delay period.
Claim 46. The device of Claim 43 in which the microprocessor scans the means to detect an intrusion continuously to determine whether an intrusion has occurred.

Claim 47. The device of Claim 46 comprising means for the microprocessor to ignore a non-door intrusion if detected during the entry time delay period.
Claim 48. The device of Claim 46 comprising means to terminate the automatic exit time delay period, by the use of the remote transmitter.
Claim 49. The device of Claim 45 comprising an entry delay time period and means to ignore the entry delay time period as a result of arming the system by the use of the remote transmitter.
Claim 50. A vehicle control system for a vehicle having an electrical system and electrically controlled automotive functions comprising, a data entry means designed to transmit a specially encoded predetermined signal, a receiver for receiving the signal, means to determine whether the signal transmitted is one of a plurality of valid signals, a logic processing device adapted to receive valid signals, means to identify which one of a plurality of valid signals was transmitted, means connected to the vehicle electrical system to control the electrically controlled automotive functions in response to which one of the valid signals was received.
Claim 51. The device of Claim 50 in which the transmitter comprises a keypad containing a plurality of individually labeled keys adapted to transmit a plurality of predetermined digital signals.
Claim 52. The device of Claim 50 in which the transmitter comprises single button transmitter means containing means to differentiate among a plurality of single button transmitters, each from the other.
Claim 53. The device of Claim 50 in which the transmitter comprises a vehicle mounted data entry means.
Claim 54. The device of Claim 50 comprising recorder means to record pertinent vehicle data at the time of valid signal reception.