WO2009009316A1

WO2009009316A1 - Method for using a mobile communication device to activate a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2009009316A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/068513
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonas Graphenius
Original assignee: Graphenius Inc.
Priority date: 2007-07-09
Filing date: 2008-06-27
Publication date: 2009-01-15

Abstract

The method is for activating a vehicle. A mobile communication device (10) has a key function (12, 16) mounted thereon. The key function (12, 16) is movably attached to the communication device (10). A code is entered on the communication device (10) to activate the key function (12, 16). The key function (12, 16), mounted on the device (10), is used to activate a vehicle (11).

Description

METHOD FOR USING A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE TO ACTIVATE A VEHICLE

Technical Field

The method relates to a method for using a mobile communication device to activate a vehicle.

Background of Invention

Conventional keys have been used to open up and start vehicles. One problem with the use of conventional keys is that the vehicles are relatively easy to break into and to start for unauthorized people. There is a need for a more secure way to lock and unlock cars and to start and turn off cars and other vehicles.

Summary of Invention

The method of the present invention provides a solution to the above-outlined problems. More particularly, the method is for activating a vehicle. A mobile communication device has a key function mounted thereon. The key function is movably attached to the communication device. A code is entered on the communication device to activate the key function. The key function, mounted on the device, is used to activate a vehicle.

Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a communication device with a protruding key;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the communication device with an card inserted therein; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a communication device and a side view of a vehicle.

Detailed Description

With reference to Fig. 1, a communication device 10 of the present invention, such as a mobile telephone or any other suitable electronic device, may have an expandable and removable key 12 mounted thereon. The key 12 is movable between the expanded position shown in Fig. 1 and a retracted position (not shown) wherein the key 12 is either inserted or folded into the device 10. The key 12 may have the form of a regular key or the shape of a card that may be used to digitally start or activate a vehicle. The key 12 may also operate with wireless signals 42. The key 12 may be moved from the retracted position to the extended position by either unfolding the key from a side 13 of the device 10 or from, for example, a mid-section 15 of the backside of the device 10. This may also be done electronically by pushing command keys on the device 10 or by manually pulling out the key 12. The key 12 may be removable from the mobile device 10 and may be placed anywhere in the device 10, as desired. It is also possible to attach a separate chip card, such as a conventional SIM card, to the key. The chip code has a pin code that enables the user to start the engine with the key. The chip code may communicate by wireless technology with computer of the vehicle so that the locking of the ignition may be released.

The key 12 may be used to start a vehicle 11, as best shown in Fig. 3, by inserting and turning the key 12 into an ignition device 22. It is also possible to use a keyless electronic lock and activation device 14 on the communication device 10 to lock and unlock the vehicle by using wireless and coded information that are connected directly to a database 24 of the vehicle so as to automatically ignite or start an engine 26 of the vehicle. The device 14 may also be used to lock or unlock a lock 28 of a door 30 and all other doors etc. of the vehicle. For example, any wireless communication technology may be used, such as Blue tooth, to transfer information from the mobile device 10 to the ignition device 22 and the lock 28 of the vehicle 11. In other words, the vehicle may be unlocked and started without using a key and the operator simply enters commands on the communication device 10 and/or the electronic lock and activation device 14 to unlock and start the vehicle 11.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the mobile communication device 10 may have a removable electronic card 16 inserted therein. Preferably, the card 16 has a coded computer chip 32 so that it may be used as a "key" to activate the engine 26 of the vehicle 11, unlock and lock doors 30 and all other locks on the vehicle 11. The card 16 may be extended from the mobile device 10. For example, the card 16 may be manually pushed in or automatically be pulled into the device 10 by entering commands on the device 10. Alternatively, the card 16 may be coded and be inserted into an opening 34 in an instrument panel 36 of the vehicle 11 next to the ignition device 22 to activate/start the vehicle 11. It is also possible to remove the card from the device 10 and use a loose card 16 that is in electronic communication with the electronic system and the database 24 of the vehicle 11. The device 10 may also send a wireless release signal to the ignition 22 prior to the card 16 being inserted into the opening 34 to start the engine. The engine may not start without the release code from the device 10 even though the card 16 is inserted into the opening 34.

The device 10 may have a voice activated microphone 18 to may be used to record and recognize the voice of the user to activate a key function so that the vehicle may be unlocked/locked and started/turned off by voice activation by the user's voice. For example, the vehicle 11 may be designed so that the ignition of the vehicle may not be activated or the key 12 inserted into the ignition opening until the microphone 18 has recognized the pre-approved voice of the user. The device 10 may also be designed so that the key 12 or card 16 is not folded out until the device 10 has recognized the voice in the microphone 18. The microphone 18 may be programmed to recognize many voices.

The microphone 18 may even prevent the user from driving the vehicle when the user is under the influence of alcohol. The microphone 18 may recognize that the speak pattern of the user is not normal and therefore will not approve or recognize the user's voice.

In this way, the device 10, including the three different key systems, may be used to activate or de-activate the vehicle 11 such as unlocking and locking all the door locks or activating and deactivating the ignition 22 of the vehicle 11. The ignition 22 may be digitally or electronically connected to the device 10 as one unit so that the device 10 may be used to open the doors of the vehicles, start the engine by deactivating a digital security filter 40 to obtain extra protection.

The engine 26 of the vehicle 11 may be directly connected to the ignition system 22 that, in turn, may be directly connected to the various key devices of the communication device 10.

The mobile communication device 10 may be used to control the ignition 22, doors and engine by either using all three key devices or by using one or many key devices together or separately.

The vehicle 11 may have a start controller that requires a coded key such as requiring the user to insert the user's identification card 16 into the opening 34 in the instrument panel 36 of the vehicle to show that the user is authorized to start and drive the vehicle. The card shows who the rightful owner is and the identification card shows personal information regarding who has the right to drive the vehicle. Preferably, the identification card, driver's license, passport or other government authorized identification document is included in the database 24 of the car key system of the present invention. However, it is possible to start and operate the vehicle without such identification documents.

The device 10 may include a coloring agent device 50 that is triggered when there is an attempt to break into or tamper with the device 10.

The card 16 may also be used to transfer information to the computer database 24 of the vehicle by inserting the card into a second opening 44 of the vehicle's computer. The card 16 may also be used to transfer information from one mobile device 10 to another mobile device by inserting the card 16 into an opening of the other mobile device.

Even if the key 12 is pulled out by force, the thief cannot open the door or start the engine even though the correct key is used as long as the code has not been entered into the communication device. Also, as indicated above, the coloring agent is triggered when the key is pulled out by force. It may be possible to design the key 12 and the mobile communication device 10 so that the key 12 may be used without requiring any code.

It is also possible to let the SIM card, a chip or a coded card be used to activate the telephone instead of punching in a code by inserting a card into the car key to activate the key and identification to provide access i.e. the access to the car key is made possible by this activation. It is also possible to activate the key by putting a fingerprint over a display where the processor or scanner in the key reads the finger print to confirm identity before providing access i.e. to the person that has the authority via a prior registration that the person has done. It is also possible for several users to register fingerprints to gain access to the activation code of the key so that the scanner can verify that the user has correct identification before activating and providing access to key so that the car can be started and doors opened etc. In addition to the correct fingerprint, the system may require a numerical code or coded magnetic identification next to the ignition lock. It may also be possible to insert a card into the key to identify the correct owner so that the key may be used.

As indicated above, it is also possible to use a magnet that emits the correct magnetic signal or code to the key by pressing it against the key that has a magnet also that may be used to determine that the magnetized code is correct by laying them against one another to gain access to the car key in order to start the car. The magnet may be activated or coded by using a computer and without the extra coded magnet it is not possible to start the car. In other words, both magnets are required to start the car. One magnet may be stored in the wallet or be mounted on a wrist watch so that only the owners of the magnet has access to the key since both magnets are required to activate the car key. The magnet system may also be combined with a card reader that requires a personal identification code.

The card in the key may be linked to wireless communication devices such as via mast and the telephone systems that are in communication with the car engine and the door lock of the car. In this way, the coded car key may either require a code or a finger print identification. The car key may be divided into two parts so that one part may be stored away from the second part of the key to further improve the security and to make theft of both the car and the key parts more difficult.

By having an identification card that includes a pre-programmed computer chip, the rightful owner may gain access to the key by inserting the card into the key. The card may be programmed and requires various personal identification codes and other suitable code methods. When the card is inserted into the key a light may lit to indicate that the card is valid and that it is okay to unlock the car. The card may be blue tooth equipped so that it may be traced via satellite after theft. Without the card the car key cannot be used. The card function may be combined with a other codes that are entered by the user in addition to the finger print identification mentioned above. It could be possible to control the card via telecommunication so that the card may be turned off should the card or car be stolen. When the card is turned off the car may stop functioning after a couple of minutes or so.

As indicated above, the card may also have a magnetic function that is coded via a magnetic coding that is programmed via a computer i.e. a magnetic card that may be put on the key to activate the key so that the car may be started with the key. The magnetic card may have connections for USB and other transferring methods and wireless communication methods .

The car key may be split into two parts and is only usable by pairing the two parts together since one part transfers information to the second part via information from a computer or a mobile phone. The key may be split to make sure only the authorized user has access to the car.

The lock of the car key may have touch buttons or other buttons. The lock may include both numbers and letters including a control button that may be used to shift between letters and numbers to make it possible to use both numbers and letters when designing the codes. The key board of the key may also include special symbols as necessary. All the above systems may be used on a mobile telephone or other electronic devices that are in communication with the car key that is mounted thereon with a code lock and include the identification system.

The car key may also include a mp3 player that may be up-loaded via programming or electronic transmission via a USB cable or other transferring methods that may be mounted on the car key. The car key may also store music and may be used to transfer music directly to the sound system of the car. The car key may include a display that reads the finger print of the user and by reading the finger print or prints the car key may be activated. A built-in programmed photo cell operated camera may photograph, read the print and approve access to the car key. The various security systems may be used together or separately. The reading of the finger print may be done by infrared light such as lasers, if desired. The various systems may be used to provide access to the door and to the engine. It may also be possible to use the car key on conventional locks such as door locks and other such locks .

While the present invention has been described in accordance with preferred compositions and embodiments, it is to be understood that certain substitutions and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims

Claims

Claims :

1. A method of activating a vehicle, comprising: providing a mobile communication device (10) having a key function (12, 16) mounted thereon, the key function (12, 16) being movably attached to the communication device (10); entering a code on the communication device (10) to activate the key function (12, 16); and using the key function (12, 16) mounted on the device (10) to activate a vehicle (11) .

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the key function being a key (12) and extending the key (12) from the mobile communication device (10)

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the communication device (10) sending a release signal to an ignition (22) of the vehicle (11) prior to the key function (12, 16) entering the ignition.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the method further comprises a microphone (18) on the communication device (10) recognizing a voice of a user prior to enabling activation of the ignition (22) .

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises using a removable card (16) to start an engine (26) of the vehicle (11) .

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the communication device (10) sending a wireless release signal (42) to the ignition (22) upon receipt of the code entered by a user.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the communication device (10) releasing a coloring agent .

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises entering the code on the communication device (10) to extend a key (12) mounted to the communication device (10) .

9. The method according to claim 5 wherein the method further comprises entering the code on the communication device (10) to program the card (16) prior to inserting the card into an opening (34) of the instrument panel (36) on the vehicle (11) .