Background of the invention

This invention relates to a vehicle security system. The invention has particular application to a key assembly controlled secure access vehicle security system. As used herein the expression "key assembly" includes devices for permitting access by a driver to a vehicle and/or for permitting the driver to operate the vehicle upon correct use of the device by the driver. Cards and keys are examples of key assemblies.

Description of the prior art

Vehicle security systems are well known. It is also known to provide identification cards or security access devices which include memory and circuitry enabling the memory to be read from, written to or otherwise modified. Such cards can include electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and are known in the art as "smartcards". Such devices are disclosed in US patents 4675516, 4725924, 4727246, 4733061 and 4764666.

A secure access control system having a "smart" key assembly is described in our copending International Application PCT/AU93/00576.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a useful alternative to known vehicle security systems.

This invention in one aspect resides broadly in a secure access vehicle security system including:- at least one driver access key assembly having a data processing assembly including processor means and data storage means controlled by the processor means to store data relating to the use of the driver access key assembly by a driver, the data storage means receiving and storing identification data representative of a driver for distinguishing a driver authorised to use the driver access key assembly and/or the vehicle;

at least one vehicle access controller adapted to communicate with a driver access key assembly, the vehicle access controller having a data processing assembly including processor means and data storage means for storing data representative of a vehicle, and driver identity verification means for verification of the identity of the user of a driver access key assembly by comparison with the identification data stored in the driver access key assembly data storage means, and interface means whereby a vehicle access controller can communicate with a driver access key assembly; whereby access to a vehicle by an unauthorised driver is prevented and whereby, if a driver has access to a vehicle, the vehicle access controller cooperates with the vehicle operating system to allow the vehicle to be operated only by an authorised driver.

It is preferred that the interface means includes at least one interface assembly operable by a driver to input data to the vehicle access controller. Preferably an access interface assembly is located in at least one of the vehicle doors to facilitate authorised access to the vehicle and an operating interface assembly is located in the vehicle to facilitate authorised operation of the vehicle upon access thereto. The operating interface assembly can include any suitable input means whereby the driver is able to communicate with the vehicle access controller. The input means can be a microphone for recording the voice instructions of a driver. However it is preferred that the input means includes a keypad.

In a preferred embodiment the access interface assembly includes receiving means for closely receiving and releasably retaining a driver access key assembly whereby communication is established between the vehicle access controller and the driver access key assembly by the interface means.

The data which is representative of a vehicle and is stored in the data storage means of a vehicle access

controller may include the make, model and year of the vehicle, registration details, serial numbers of all major parts and components, and a log of any changes to major parts. The identification data which is representative of a driver and is stored in the data storage means of the driver access key assembly may include name, address, age, licence number etc. The identification data may also optionally include identification image data relating to personal physical characteristics of a driver. Such characteristics could include skin print images, finger prints, finger profiles or voice tones. Facial characteristics such as the image of the face, interocular separation or retina detail could also be used but are less likely to be practical for ordinary usage.

The driver identity verification means may verify a driver's identification by comparing a PIN entered by the driver with a PIN stored in the driver access key assembly data storage means. The driver identity verification means in each vehicle access controller may also verify identification image data optionally stored in the driver access key assembly data storage means. Thus the driver identity verification means may optionally include sensing means for sensing personal physical characteristics of a driver.

The sensing means may sense a range of personal physical characteristics as described above. Thus the sensing means may sense skin print images or finger prints as described in Australian patent applications 87582/91 and 67230/90, or finger profiles as described in Australian patent application 55243/90. Alternatively the sensing means may sense voice tones. The sensing means may include camera means for sensing facial characteristics of a driver. The facial characteristics may be the image of the face, interocular separation or retina identification.

In one preferred embodiment the driver identity

verification means includes sensing means for sensing an actual identifiable physical feature, and a comparator for comparing the stored identification data with data representative of the actual identifiable physical feature sensed by the sensing means.

It is preferred that the respective data processing assemblies for the driver access key assemblies and the vehicle access assemblies include encryption codes for further security of access. Suitable the vehicle operating system in the form of the on-board vehicle engine management and operation computer contains encrypted access codes unigue to individual vehicles.

It is preferred that the driver access key assembly data storage means and the vehicle access controller data storage means each stores vehicle event data representative of events associated with interaction between a particular vehicle and a particular vehicle driver. In such an arrangement it is further preferred that the vehicle event data is updated when an event associated with a driver and a vehicle occurs.

As used herein the expression "vehicle event" includes locking and unlocking a vehicle and starting and stopping the motor of a vehicle. A vehicle event can include the metering and payment of a passenger fare in a taxi cab. It is preferred that the respective data storage means also store the time of occurrence of each vehicle event and that the respective key assemblies and access control assemblies include timing means for generating timing signals indicative of the time of occurrence and/or duration of each vehicle event.

Vehicles utilising the security system of this invention may be custom-built for use therewith. However to enable older vehicles to use the security system, the vehicles may be provided with retrofit interface means for providing data transfer between an existing operating system in an older vehicle, ie a computer control processor unit, and a vehicle access controller installed in the older vehicle.

In another aspect this invention resides broadly in an operating system for a fleet of vehicles, the operating system including a secure access vehicle security system as defined in any one of the preceding statements wherein each vehicle includes a vehicle access controller as described above.

As used herein the expression "fleet of vehicles" means a plurality of vehicles having at least one common operating characteristic. Examples of fleets of vehicles include a fleet of company cars, a transport trucking group, a taxi company, a bus company, a railway system, a fleet of fork lifts etc.

The operating system for a fleet of vehicles may include a central computer assembly, and communication means for transferring data from the vehicle access controllers to the central computer assembly.

In a further aspect this invention resides broadly in a method of securing access to a vehicle, the method including:- providing an authorised driver of a vehicle with a driver access key assembly having a data processing assembly including processor means and data storage means controlled by the processor means to store data relating to the use of the driver access key assembly by the driver, the data storage means receiving and storing identification data representative of the driver for distinguishing the driver authorised to use the driver access key assembly and/or drive the vehicle, and positioning the driver access key assembly in interface means located on the vehicle whereby a vehicle access controller communicates with a driver access key assembly, the vehicle access controller having a data processing assembly including processor means and data storage means for storing data representative of the vehicle, and driver identity verification means for verification of the identity of the user of a driver access key assembly by comparison with the identification data stored in the driver access key assembly data

storage means; whereby access to the vehicle by an unauthorised driver is prevented and whereby, if a driver has access to the vehicle, the vehicle access controller cooperates with the vehicle operating system to allow the vehicle to be operated only by an authorised driver.

Brief description of the drawings

In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:-

FIG 1 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle security system, and FIG 2 is a schematic block diagram of an operating system for a fleet of vehicles.

Detailed description of the invention

As can be seen schematically in FIG 1, a security system 10 for a motor vehicle 78 has a key assembly 12 for driver access and a vehicle access controller 22 located on board vehicle 78 and connected to vehicle computer 50 which controls vehicle operating system 40 illustrated schematically as including engine 66. Other components of vehicle 78 illustrated schematically include doors 42 and 44, ignition system 68 and locking actuator 70 which when activated under the control of the vehicle access controller 22 and/or vehicle computer 50 locks or unlocks locking mechanisms 72 and 74 located in doors 42 and 44 respectively. An alarm 76 can be similarly actuated in the event of attempted theft or interference.

Doors 42 and 44 also have key slots 31 and 33 respectively for receiving a driver key assembly 12, and a further key slot 35 is located adjacent the dashboard for receiving the key assembly in manner similar to the conventional keyed ignition. A keypad 46 is located adjacent key slot 35 for entry by a driver of a personal

identification number (PIN) when the driver has gained access to the vehicle. Key slots 31, 33 and 35 have connectors 32, 34 and 36 respectively for establishing electrical connection with connector 38 of driver key assembly 12 when located therein, thereby establishing communication between driver key assembly 12 and vehicle access controller 22. Key slots and key access assemblies suitable for use in this invention are described in copending International Application

Driver key assembly 12 has a data processing assembly 14 having processor means 16 controlling operation of data storage means 17 to store data 18 relating to the use of the driver access key assembly 12 by a driver and identification data 20 representative of a driver for distinguishing a driver authorised to use the driver access key assembly and/or the vehicle. Data storage means 17 may also store data 52 representative of a drivers full driving history, ie suspensions, offences, medical problems etc. The identification data 20 which is representative of a driver and is stored in the data storage means 17 includes name, address, age, licence number and PIN.

Vehicle access controller 22 has a data processing assembly 24 having processor means 26 controlling operation of data storage means 25 to store data 28 representative of a vehicle, identification data 48 representative of drivers and driver key assemblies authorised to access the vehicle, and data 54 representative of the current use of the vehicle by the driver using driver key assembly 12 and also of the history of the vehicle, ie when entered and driven and by which driver. The identification data 48 which is representative of a vehicle and is stored in the data storage means 25 includes the make, model and year of the vehicle, registration details, serial numbers of all major parts and components, and a log of any changes to major parts.

Vehicle access controller 22 has verification means 30 for verifying the identity of the user of a driver access key assembly 12 by comparing the identification data 20 stored in the driver access key assembly storage means 17 with identification data 48 stored in the vehicle access controller storage means 25. Once access has been gained to the vehicle and the driver enters a PIN by keyboard 46, verification means 30 compares the PIN entered by the user of key assembly 12 with that stored in memory and if these correspond, ignition system 68 is enabled so that the vehicle engine 66 can be started.

Timing means 56 and 58 is incorporated in vehicle access controller 22 and driver key assembly 12 respectively and under the control of the respective processor means 26 and 16, can provide timing data for storing in respective data storage means 25 and 17 to provide event times and durations for a historical record. If the vehicle is an older vehicle to which the security access system is to be fitted, a retrofit assembly kit 80, shown in dotted outline in FIG 1, is connected between the on-board computer 50 and vehicle access controller 22. Retrofit assemblies are customised and will vary in accordance with the make and model of vehicle to which the security system of the invention is to be fitted and serve to enable a standard vehicle access controller to operate in substantially the majority of vehicles. As can be seen in FIG 2 in another aspect the invention provides an operating system for a fleet of vehicles 60a, 60b .... 6On each having a vehicle access controller and all operators or drivers having an individual driver key assembly. The operating system includes a central computer assembly 62 and a communication bus 64 for transferring data from the vehicle access controllers to the central computer assembly.

In use, a driver inserts a personalised key assembly in the key slot in the driver's door. The key assembly communicates with the vehicle's access controller which compares the coded identification data on the key assembly with the identification data stored in its own memory. If the key assembly is one which the access controller recognises as being authorised to have access, the door will unlock. If a match is not made and the key assembly is not one programmed into the access controller as having authority, the doors will remain locked and after a given number of attempts to insert the card the alarm 76 will sound.

When a driver has gained access to a vehicle, the key assembly is inserted in the dashboard key slot and the driver enters his or her PIN. If the PIN is one which the access controller recognises as being authorised to provide access to the vehicle and corresponds with the PIN recorded for the particular key assembly, the ignition system will be enabled so that the driver can start the engine. If a match is not made or the PIN is not one programmed into the access controller as having authority, the ignition system will remain locked and the engine cannot be started. After a given number of attempts to start the engine, alarm 76 will sound. Similarly, if the driver's history data in the on-board memory indicates that the driver's licence is suspended, or for example that the licence is not endorsed for the particular type of vehicle, the ignition system will remain locked. .. All events are recorded as history data in the memories of both the on-board access controller and the driver's key assembly.

It can thus be seen that the invention enables a vehicle access controller to communicate with a driver access key assembly whereby access to a vehicle by an unauthorised driver is prevented and whereby, if a driver has access to a vehicle, the vehicle access controller cooperates with the vehicle operating system to allow the

vehicle to be operated only by an authorised driver.

It will be appreciated that a secure access vehicle security system in accordance with the present invention has many advantages. The invention enables a driver's record to be interlinked with a vehicle being driven and can provide not only a particularly high level of vehicle access security, but also secure records of a vehicle's driven history and a driver's driving history. The provision of a secure intelligent driver key, on-board processor storage capacity and the ability to check driver identity enables secure operation and record keeping. The provision of encryption codes provides extremely secure access because the access codes change on each entry. By keeping a record of a vehicle, prevention and tracking of theft is facilitated.

The fleet system allows for supervisory control as well as extended remote control. The vehicle control system in accordance with this invention also provides a facility for central updating whilst monitoring all vehicles and has the capacity depending on the base to vehicle communication to generate virtually real time information from all vehicles. Moreover a central computer failure does not cause the system to fail and individual vehicle operation can continue because of the provision of on-board processor facilities and the high level security provided by the intelligent card.

It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.