AU712014B2 - Access and operation control system - Google Patents

Description

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SPECIFICATION

FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: "ACCESS AND OPERATION CONTROL SYSTEM" Applicant:

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Gampbell Jamnes 10 0 PrQ4x>. -1 174 Z .9.0*9 9 *9-0 C C *9

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*9 0 .1 9 The invention is described in the following statement: 2 This invention relates particularly to a system that is able to be utilised for control of access to a building, motor vehicle or other area of control such as motor vehicle or machine operation, or which is adapted for alarm arming and disarming or other security or convenience purposes.

The invention will be described with particular reference to its use in association with a motor vehicle. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to use with motor vehicles and may be used in buildings, including domestic premises, for secure and convenient access control, as well as for controlling the operation of machinery or other equipment.

Many forms of electrical and electronic access and operational control systems have previously been proposed. In one arrangement, commonly used with motor vehicles, a manually operable, actuating module is used to send coded radio signals to an operating module located in the vehicle. On receipt and validation of the coded iadio signals, the operating module enables electrical systems of the a.*a vehicle and/or disables an alarm system and/or unlocks or locks vehicle doors. Such a system may be used to unlock, or lock access doors, a vehicle boot, tailgate, petrol filler door or the like. However such a system requires the location of the actuating amodule and manual operation by the user, and such operation must occur while within the )perating range. The delay and possible frustration in locating and operating the actuating module reduce its convenience and the security of the operator if immediate access to the vehicle is desired. The operating range may vary greatly witlh actuating module power, varying operating module performance and interference from electrical noise sources that can lead to mis-operating of the operating riodule. This in turn can compromise vehicle security if the doors are left unlocked or the alarm is not set.

Actuating modules that are passive in that they require no conscious active operation by the user have been developed in the 1980's by Nissan in Japan and General Motors in the United States of America; however, despite overcoming the difficulties associated with manually operated actuating modules as described above, they still have shortcomings. An operational deficiency with such systems is that when loading and unloading the vehicle with an assistant, the vehicle locks when the bearer of the actuating module leaves the vicinity (defined by the operating range) of the vehicle, thereby blocking access to the assistant. A further operating difficulty is that, the vehicle may remain unlocked if the actuating module bearer remains within the operating range, though possibly physically isolated from the vehicle such as in a room adjoining the parking area. All such systems that employ bi directional communication require the installation of transmitter, receiver, antenna systems and control logic both in the vehicle and in the actuating module, requiring significant modification of the vehicle with the associated cost of such additional equipment and installation.

Another known form of security system, used particularly in buildings, ".:."involves a passive actuating module that is energised by a field from the operating 15 system. The actuating module then returns a code to the operating system. This form of security requires both energising and sensitive read circuitry in the .operating system. In addition it does not provide a convenient means of over-riding the system if desired even by a person authorised to do so.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved form of security system that alleviates the disadvantages of known systems.

It is also desirable to provide a system that increases the convenience in access and operational control in the broad range of situations that are encountered in daily life.

It is also desirable to provide a system that is economical to manufacture and install in vehicles or other applications.

One aspect of this invention provides an access and operational control system for controlling access, alarm control and/or other functional operation of a building, vehicle or other structure comprising a transmitter module having electromagnetic radiation transmitting means, transmitter control means to cause the transmitting means to transmit a signal at predetermined intervals, receiver means DCC:TG:#27160.RS2 4 August 1999 4 associated with the structure and adapted to receive a transmitted signal and to effect a predetermined control of said functional operation, and manually operated means on said transmitter module to cause transmission of one or more alternate signals to override the predetermined control.

Preferably, said receiving means effects a different predetermined control of said functional operation of said structure in the absence of a transmitted signal from the transmitting means in a predetermined period.

In one particular form of this invention as applied to a motor vehicle, the transmitting module is a radio transmitter periodically emitting a coded signal and also able to emit a modified code stream in response to operation of a button. The S• receiver can detect this signal as long as it is within the range defined by the S• effective radiated power of the transmitter and effective sensitivity of the receiver o000 0 0 and antenna assembly in the environment in which it is used. The signal is fed to the operating module that allows access by unlocking doors, and vehicle operation by enabling the starter, fuel pump and/or ignition system when the periodic signal is 0..':received. When the signal is not present, the doors are locked and starter, fuel 0pump and/or ignition system disabled. If the operating module detects that the "button has been pressed the operating module enters a manually over-ridden mode.

20 In over-ride mode the doors will change state each time the button is operated and 0 20 will remain in that state regardless of whether the periodic signal is present. The over-ride mode is cancelled by turning the ignition on while the periodic signal is present or reset to automatic mode by appropriate operation of a button on the actuating module. In the over-ride mode, while access to the vehicle is possible, the engine can remain disabled, being enabled only by turning the ignition on while the periodic signal is present.

In a variant of this system, the periodic transmission, while controlling automatic locking of the all vehicle doors, only controls unlocking of the driver's DCC:HHF:#27160.RSI1 8 July 1999 door; the unlocking of all doors only being activated when required by the actuating mechanismn on the actuating module.

Another form of the invention may be applied to an external door of a house, the reception of the periodic signal from the actuating module releases the latch on a loor so that it can be pushed open for easy access. When the periodic signal is not received, the latch locks requiring the use of a mechanical key and door handle le, -r to gain access. Again this can be over-ridden by operation of the button on the act iating module to force the latch to change between locked, unlocked and periodic si gnal detection states, thereby allowing access to other members of the family or guests without actuating modules or alternatively forcing the latch to remain locked even when an actuating module is nearby. This control may be S"extended to simultaneous locking and unlocking of all doors and windows in the house or building and arming of an alarm system.

oIn order that the invention be more readily understood, embodiments there of, v ill now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an actuating module; and Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an operating module for use with the actuati fig module of Fig. 1 and associated components of one embodiment of an access and operational control system in accordance with the present invention The system illustrated is for a passenger motor vehicle and the system is designed t, provide access and operational control by means of immobilizing the vehicle by interrupting the starter motor power feed.. Access is provided by doors provided v ith a locking mechanism that is operable by an electrical actuator, as is well knowil.

In accordance with the present invention, the actuating module of fig. 1 emits a pei 1odic signal by means of the radio transmitter circuit 14 that is powered from battery 11 and controlled by the encoder/controller 15. The encoder controller I N 6 is also povA ered from the battery 11 and periodically emits a signal at a data rate determine, by the value of the timing network 16, at a periodic interval detemined by the tim]i g network 12. It may also emit a continuous signal in response to operation fa switch 13 on the actuating module, which reduces the effective period between tr insmissions to zero, by modifying the time constant of timing network 12.

If the actuating module of fig. 1 is sufficiently close to the receiver 21 associated with the operating module of fig. 2, and a valid periodic transmission is received b the decoding and control logic 28, the control logic 28 will unlock the doors, by c riving the appropriate channel of the relay driver 27 so that the unlock relay 26 is nomentarily activated, energising the lock motors with the appropriate I polarity fo unlocking. If the control logic 28, also detects that the ignition circuit is high by me ans of the input stage 23, then the control logic 28 will drive the Sappropriate channel of the relay driver 27, so that the start enable relay 24 is activated a id so the starter circuit is completed.

If the periodic transmission transmitted by the actuating module of fig. 1 is not with a range of the receiver 21, the control logic 28 will lock the doors, by driving the appropriate channel of the relay driver 27 so that the lock relay 25 is I' momentari y activated, energising the lock motors with the appropriate polarity for locking. If the control logic 28, also detects that the ignition circuit is low by means of the inpu stage 23, then the control logic 28 will cease to drive the appropriate channel of he relay driver 27 so that the start enable relay 24 is de-activated, interruptin the starter circuit.

However if the switch 13 on actuating module of fig. 1 is operated while within rant e of receiver 21, the changing of state does not take place based on the reception c -otherwise of the periodic signal. Instead, state changes occur only when the switch 3 on the actuating module causes the continuous code to be emitted by the control logic 15 and hence radiated by transmitter 14, enabling a convenient means to tt mporarily force the system into the desired state in conditions only 7 occasional iy encountered. The first operation of the switch 13 may force the system to be locked and the starter interrupted regardless of the presence or otherwise of a valid dectable signal from the actuating module. The second operation of switch 13 may force the system to be unlocked regardless of the absence or otherwise of a valid decta ble signal from the actuating module, while the starter may remain only enableable when a valid detectable signal is received and ignition is detected as being high by input 23 and the control logic 28.

This over-ride mode may be cleared by some means such as holding the switch 13 -or a period of time or turning the ignition lock switch to the "ignition" position s, that a high level is signal is detectable by input 23 and the control logic 28.

28. It will be appreciated that the "periodic" transmission, may not necessaril) be occurring at a fixed interval and may even be at random intervals, but within a ra ige of time such that response is adequate, but with some interval so as not to be c ntinuous. The periodic transmission might for example occur every one \to two secc nds.

Various modifications may be made in the design or construction of an access con rol and access and operational control system in accordance with the present inm ntion. In one modified form, the control module may only unlock the .20 driver's door when the periodic transmission is received, lock all doors when not -received ai d unlock all doors only when the switch on the actuating module is operated. I his system provides for maximum personal security by preventing unwanted ccess to other doors when the vehicle driver is entering the vehicle.

Other means of resuming automatic mode include provision of a second button to se nd another signal reserved for resumption of automatic mode, or providing t ie control logic in the operating module where by the manual over-ride signal frorr the actuating module causes toggling through "lock", "unlock" to "automatic states.

8 Forms of signal alteration to indicate operation of the manual over-ride include, bi t are not limited to, code modification, a detectably altered periodic interval wl ile the button is held, or if a separate lock button is used, suspension of periodic tr:.nsmission causing locking by default, as no signal would be detectable by the operati )nal module.

The system of the present invention provides a number of unique advantage and overcomes the difficulties in complexity and operation of previously referred ar A major advantage of the present invention is that it simultaneously provides t- e convenience of seemingly "automatic" access and operational control for most si uations, combined with the choice readily to hand to manually force the vehicle, bu ilding or system to remain in the operating or non-operating state as desired in he remainder of situations a combination of features unavailable in the prior art.

15 A further advantage of the present invention is its cost effectiveness and ease of apy lication through the simple unidirectional communication from actuating module to )perating module. The operating module need only be mounted in a POP convenient but preferably hidden location and basic wiring connections made as per a conventi( nal alarm system installation.

.P Yet another advantage over the prior art incorporating actuating modules without m nual switches, is that the functioning of the operating system and in particular It e response to detection of a actuating module by the operating module can be reac ily modified by the appropriate operation of the one or more switches on the actuati :g module which is readily accessible.

Claims (9)

1. An access and operational control system for controlling access, alarm control and/or other functional operation of a building, vehicle or other structure comprising a transmitter module having electromagnetic radiation transmitting means, transmitter control means to cause the transmitting means to transmit a signal at predetermined intervals, receiver means associated with the structure and adapted to receive a transmitted signal and to effect a predetermined control of said functional operation, and manually operated means on said transmitter module to cause transmission of one or more alternate signals to override the predetermined control. S

2. An access and operational control system according to claim 1 wherein said receiving means effects a different predetermined control of said functional operation of said structure in the absence of a transmitted signal from the S 15 transmitting means in a predetermined period.

3. An access and operational control system according to claim 2 wherein timer means causes said one predetermined control or said different predetermined control of said functional operation to be restored after a predetermined period, the predetermined control being restored being dependant on whether or not the receiver means receives said transmitted signal from said transmitter means.

4. An access and operational control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said override of said predetermined control obviates all control restrictions of the functional operations of the structure otherwise effected by said receiving means.

5. An access and operational control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein actuation of said manually operated override means causes said receiver means to switch between effecting said predetermined control and effecting no control of said functional of said structure.

6. An access and operational control system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said structure is a vehicle and said one predetermined DCC:HHF:#27160.RS1 8 July 1999 control comprises unlocking at least one vehicle door and disabling any alarm system fitted to the vehicle.

7. An access and operational control system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said structure is a vehicle and said override enables full access to the interior through all vehicle doors and boot/luggage compartment, under bonnet and vehicle fittings.

8. An access and operational control system according to claims 5, 6 or 7 when appended to claim 2 wherein said different predetermined control actuates any alarm system fitted to the vehicle and locks all doors and other compartments to prevent access to the vehicle.

9. An access and operational control system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 8 July 1999 CARTER SMITH BEADLE Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: AUSTRALIAN ARROW PTY LTD ,DCC:HHF:#27160.RS1 8 July 1999