Abstract:
A home and auto security system that enables a user to activate and deactivate various items, such as the locking and unlocking of a door, the turning on and off of lights, and the activation and deactivation of a security system, with the use of a wireless transmitter in a key fob. The key fob includes various buttons such that when depressed, signals are transmitted from the key fob. A receiver/controller is positioned in a building or home and a vehicle, such that upon the reception of a signal from the transmitter of the key fob, a predetermined function is carried out by the receiver/controller. The key fob includes a security device to prevent unauthorized users from operating the transmitter in the key fob.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates security systems for buildings, more specifically but not by way of limitation to a security system for preventing unauthorized access to a building as well as for controlling certain environment settings of the building, such as the lighting, with the security system being controllable by a wireless remote.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The safety of a society&#39;s people and possessions are a principal concern of any populace. In order to ensure that there is an overall feeling of protection and security within a governmental boundary, various agencies are created, manned, and maintained. Among the basic organized forces that can intervene for and on behalf of individuals and groups are police agents, and fire and rescue agents. With a strong set of organized and well equipped protective departments readily available, a community can function under an atmosphere of security and peace.  
         [0003]     Even with all of the organized forces, safety begins with an individual. A property owner, for example, will implement safety measures designed to protect their possessions from theft or damage. These measures include the use of locks on windows and doors, as well as electronic alarm or security systems. Many of these safety measures utilized by individuals require keys to be activated and deactivated. Key and locks are utilized by millions of people, not only in household applications, but also for automobiles, offices, mailboxes, garages and safety deposit boxes, just to name a few. However, there are many disadvantages in using a key and lock setup. For example, when returning home at night, it is often very difficult to find a key, especially when at the bottom of a pocketbook. Additionally, once found, it is often difficult to be able to see the keyhole to insert the key. The difficulties are compounded when the homeowner&#39;s hands are full of bags or packages. As can be appreciated, the longer a homeowner stands outside their locked door attempting to gain access to their home, the less safe they are.  
         [0004]     Therefore there is a need for a security system that facilitates the access to ones building in a manner as to minimize the amount of time a user is proximate to the locked entrance. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0005]     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a wireless transmitter keychain and a receiver in accordance with principles of the present invention;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom partial perspective view of the wireless transmitter keychain as similarly shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0009]     Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are designated with identical reference numerals throughout the views and figures and wherein the various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a wireless controlled security system  100 . As illustrated the wireless controlled security system  100  includes a wireless transmitter  110  and a receiver/controller  120 .  
         [0010]     Wireless transmitter  110  includes various actuators or buttons, such as buttons  130 ,  140 ,  150 ,  160  and  170 , and a light  180 . Each of the various buttons can be of different shapes and position on the wireless transmitter  110  to facilitate the user being able to determine which button or series of buttons to depress just by feeling the shape and position of the buttons. For example, round buttons  130  and  140  could be the unlock and lock buttons for a door, while square button  150  could be programmed for arming a security system and triangular button  170  could be programmed for disarming the security system. Additionally, star shaped button  160  could be programmed to turn on lights in the house when depressed. As is further illustrated, wireless transmitter  110  includes a key ring  200 , such that the entire wireless transmitter  110  is incorporated in a typical sized key fob. As can be appreciated, one advantage of wireless controlled security system  100  utilizing a wireless transmitter  110  is that it facilitates easy unlocking of a door and easy arming/disarming of a security system, especially when the user&#39;s hands are filled, such as when carrying packages.  
         [0011]     It is contemplated that buttons  130 ,  140 ,  150 ,  160  and  170  of wireless transmitter  110  could also be constructed with illuminating material such that they glow in the dark or could be illuminated by a light within wireless transmitter  110 . Additionally, buttons  130 ,  140 ,  150 ,  160  and  170  could be of varying colors.  
         [0012]     Receiver/controller  120  would be programmed to receive signals transmitted from wireless transmitter  110  and would control, among other things, the locking and unlocking of a door, the operation of lights, and the arming and disarming of a security system. In a preferred embodiment, receiver/controller  120  would be connected to or integrated with a door, such that the control of locking and unlocking the door would be easily facilitated.  
         [0013]     In operation, when a user depresses one of the buttons on wireless transmitter  110 , a signal is transmitted from the wireless transmitter  110 , and if the user is within operating range of receiver/controller  120 , receiver/controller  120  will receive the transmitted signal. In response to the received signal, receiver/controller  120  will perform a programmed function. For example, if a user is approaching a door, and depresses button  130 , wireless transmitter  110  will send a signal corresponding to the depression of the unlock button  130 . In response to the receiving of the unlock signal, receiver/controller  120  will control the unlocking of the door.  
         [0014]     For security purposes, it is contemplated that wireless transmitter  110  could be configured or programmed with various security features to prevent or prohibit unauthorized use. For example, wireless transmitter  110  could be programmed such that a pattern or certain combination of buttons is depressed in order to activate the normal operation of wireless transmitter  110 . Additionally it is contemplated that the signals transmitted from wireless transmitter  110  be encrypted to prevent an unauthorized receiver from utilizing or copying the signals.  
         [0015]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated a partial bottom perspective view of wireless transmitter  110 . As illustrated, wireless transmitter includes a power supply or battery access  210  to facilitate the removal and replacement of a power source, such as batteries. As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, wireless transmitter  110  could be constructed of various material, although good results have been achieved my making wireless transmitter  1110  out of plastic. It is further contemplated that various power supplies could be implemented, such as a rechargeable power supply, that could be recharged in a car.  
         [0016]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a preferred alternative embodiment of a wireless controlled security system  300 . Wireless controlled security system  300  includes a wireless transmitter  310 , a home receiver controller  400  and a car receiver/controller  500 .  
         [0017]     Wireless transmitter  310  is a single wireless transmitter for activating/controlling multiple receiver/controllers. Wireless transmitter  310  includes a transmitter  312 , a keypad  314 , security  316 , and a light  318 . Keypad  314  can be either an alphanumeric keypad, pictorial buttons, a geometric shaped button keypad or a combination thereof. In operation, a button or combination of buttons from the keypad  314  is depressed, activating transmitter  312  to send a corresponding preprogrammed signal. As described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , wireless transmitter  310  could be implemented in a typical key fob. Additionally, various security features could be implemented in security  316 . Such as requiring the pressing of a certain combination of buttons on the keypad to activate the operation of wireless transmitter  310 . It is also contemplated that other security measures could be implemented into security  316  to prevent the unauthorized use, such as a finger print recognition system.  
         [0018]     Wireless transmitter  310  could be manufactured in various shapes and colors, including a single color or multiple colors and patterns, such that, for example, a user could pick a shape and or color pattern to match either their home or their car.  
         [0019]     Home receiver controller  400  is for placement in a home or building. Home receiver controller  400  is for controlling various components in a home or building such as a security system  410 , the locking/unlocking of doors  412 , the opening and closing of a garage door  414 , turning on/off lights  416 . A key override  418  could also be implemented such that if the transmitter is inoperable, a door could be unlocked and a security system be deactivated with the use of the key. It is contemplated that security system  410  include not only a typical alarm, but also a silent alarm or panic alarm, such that if a certain button or combination of buttons are depressed on keypad  314 , it will appear that the security system  410  has been deactivated, however, it will activate a silent alarm.  
         [0020]     Car receiver controller  500  is for placement in a car or other type of moving vehicle, such as but not limited to vans, minivans, SUVs and trucks. Car receiver controller  500  is for controlling various components in the vehicle, such as lights  510  which could include interior lights as well as headlights, an alarm system  512 , and for controlling the locking and unlocking of doors  514 . A key override  516  could also be implemented such that if the transmitter is inoperable, a door could be unlocked and a security system is deactivated with the use of the key. It is also contemplated that car receiver controller  500  could not only control the locking and unlocking of doors, but also, for vehicles so equipped, activate the opening and closing of automatic doors.  
         [0021]     In operation, when a user depresses one of the buttons of keypad  314  on wireless transmitter  310 , a signal is transmitted from the wireless transmitter  310 . If the user is interacting with car receiver/controller  500  and if the user is within operating range of the car receiver/controller  500 , car receiver/controller  500  will receive the transmitted signal. In response to the received signal, car receiver/controller  500  will perform a programmed function. For example, if a user presses the button or combinations of buttons to unlock a car door, when car receiver/controller  500  receives the appropriate signal, it will activate the unlocking of the car door. Similarly when a user depresses one of the buttons of keypad  314  on wireless transmitter  310 , a signal is transmitted from the wireless transmitter  310 . If the user is interacting with home receiver/controller  400  and if the user is within operating range of the home receiver/controller  400 , home receiver/controller  400  will receive the transmitted signal. In response to the received signal, home receiver/controller  400  will perform a programmed function. For example, if a user presses the button or combinations of buttons to unlock a door, when home receiver/controller  400  receives the appropriate signal, it will activate the unlocking of the door.  
         [0022]     In an alternative embodiment, it is contemplated that home receiver controller  400  and car receiver controller  500  could be configured to communicate with transmitter  310  a notice or warning that certain functions by controllers  400  and  500  have been performed. For example, if the an alarm has been activated, a signal will be communicated from home receiver controller  400  to transmitter  310 . Transmitter  310  will then communicate to the user such information, such as but not limited to a blinking light, vibration, or other indication mechanism.  
         [0023]     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.