Patent Publication Number: US-6337626-B1

Title: User recognition system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a radio burglar alarm apparatus, and more specifically to a user recognition system, that can actively and continuously detect the status of operation of the system. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Regular system recognition devices for use in a management system, for example, a motor vehicle burglar alarm system, commonly adopts a passive type single recognition method to recognize the code signal, i.e., the user uses a remote controller to directly activate/deactivate the vehicle burglar alarm. When the ON function is selected, the vehicle door lock is opened, enabling the vehicle engine to be started (the vehicle engine is unlocked at this time). When the OFF function is selected, the vehicle door lock and the vehicle engine are locked, and the alarm will be triggered if a vibration is detected. Because the passive type single recognition method is adopted, even if a hopping technique is employed, the system recognition device can easily be copied. 
     Lately, various vehicle positional systems were developed. However, these vehicle positional systems are still not safe in use because they adopt the same passive type single recognition method. 
     Further, if the user forgets to press the remote controller, the alarm of the vehicle burglar alarm system or vehicle positional system may be triggered accidentally, or the vehicle burglar alarm system or vehicle positional system may not be started. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. One object of the present invention is to provide a user recognition system, which actively and continuously runs a recognition action. Another object of the present invention is to provide a user recognition system, which is capable of matching with surrounding resources to run a multiplex recognition action. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a user recognition system, which provides two alert status for use when the user is in or not in a restricted area. 
     According to the present invention, the user recognition system comprises at least one transmitter, and a receiver. Each transmitter is carried by an individual user. The receiver is installed in the object (apparatus) to be detected and recognized. By means of matching the transmitter and the receiver with the object (apparatus), or the object (apparatus) with surrounding resources, the present invention provides two alert status. When an individual user carries one transmitter, approaches and uses the object or apparatus (restricted area) in which the receiver is installed, the system enters the first alert status. 
     When in the first alert status, the transmitter and the receiver actively and continuously run the recognition action, and the receiver immediately gives an alarm or SOS signal upon interruption of the receiving of the signal from the transmitter. 
     When the user leaves the object or apparatus in which the receiver is installed, the system enters the second alert status, and the receiver can match with the surrounding resources provided by the object or apparatus to give an alarm or SOS signal upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition. 
     The user recognition system can be used in our daily life, for example, the system can be used in a vehicle or building security system, or a computer user control system. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a transmitter for a user recognition system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of a receiver for a user recognition system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a flow chart explaining the operation of the present invention at the first alert status. 
     FIG. 4 is a flow chart explaining the operation of the present invention at the second alert status. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a user recognition system in accordance with the present invention is generally comprised of a transmitter  10 , and a receiver  20 . For easy understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained for use in a motor vehicle, In this case, the transmitter  10  is carried by the user, and the receiver  20  is installed in the motor vehicle. 
     The transmitter  10  comprises a transmitting circuit  11 , and a transmitting control circuit  12 , a vibration switch  15 , and a stop button  16 . 
     The transmitting circuit  11  has signal modulation and transmitting functions, and continuously produces a recognition signal and transmits the recognition signal into the air by radio. Because this radio transmitting technique is of the known art, it is not described herein in detail. 
     The transmitting control circuit  12  (that can be a microprocessor) comprises a code generator  13  and a time sequence generator  14 . The code generator  13  generates a code (that can be a fixed code or variable code), enabling the code to be transmitted with the signal. The time sequence generator  14  continuously controls the transmitting circuit  11  to transmit radio waves at a fixed time (for example  10  seconds or irregular time intervals). 
     The vibration switch  15  can be a mercury switch or solenoid switch connected to the transmitting control circuit  12  to detect the vibration of the transmitter  10 . When no vibration is detected within a predetermined length of time, the vibration switch  15  immediately switches off the transmitting control circuit  12 , thereby causing the transmitting circuit  11  to stop the transmitting of the recognition signal. 
     The stop button  16  is connected to the transmitting control circuit  12 . When clicked, the stop button  16  provides a stop signal to the transmitting control circuit  12 , thereby causing the transmitting circuit  11  to transmit the stop signal with the recognition signal to the receiver  20 . Upon receipt of the stop signal, the receiver  20  immediately stops the operation. For example, when the motor vehicle is used during an emergency, the user (car owner) switches off the system, preventing recognition errors. 
     The receiver  20  is installed in the motor vehicle to be protected, comprised of a microprocessor  21 , a receiving circuit  22 , a detection interface  23 , and a control interface  24 . 
     The microprocessor  21  processes signal transmitted from the receiving circuit  22  or the detection interface  23 , and drives the control interface  24  to work subject to the nature of the signal received. 
     The receiving circuit  22  receives the radio wave signal transmitted from the transmitter  10 , then demodulates the signal, and then sends the demodulated signal to the microprocessor  21 , causing the microprocessor  21  to work subject to the nature of the signal received. Because the radio signal receiving technique is of the known art, it is not described herein in detail. 
     The detection interface  23  receives signal transmitted from the restricted area (for example, the inside of the motor vehicle). Upon receipt of signal, the detection interface  23  informs the microprocessor  21  to enter a first or second alert status, or detects the restricted area (this will be described further). 
     The control interface  24  is controlled by the microprocessor  21  to output a control signal to the outside for controlling an external apparatus, for example, a speaker to produce sound (this will be described further). 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the detection interface  23  is connected to the ignition switch  91  of the motor vehicle by an electric wire. When the user enters the motor vehicle and starts the ignition switch  91 , a start signal is transmitted from the ignition switch  91  to the detection interface  23 , thereby causing the microprocessor  21  to drive the receiver  20  into a first alert status. This first alert status occurs when the user or any other person enters the restricted area (for example, the inside of the motor vehicle). 
     It is to be understood that many detection apparatus or methods could be employed for enabling the receiver  20  to enter the first alert status. For example, the apparatus for triggering a start signal can be a safety belt switch in the motor vehicle, a computer in the motor vehicle, a generator in the motor vehicle, or the driver seat of the motor vehicle. When a person enters the motor vehicle and uses the apparatus, a start signal is triggered. 
     When entering the first alert status, the receiver  20  starts to receive the recognition signal from the transmitter  10 , enabling the received recognition signal to be by the microprocessor  21 . When the signal is recognized (for example, the code is recognized), and/or the recognition signal is received at the set time interval, for example, 10 seconds; the recognition signal will be rejected if it is not received at the set time interval), the receiver  20  is maintained in the receiving status. If the receiver  20  receives no signal after entering the first alert status, or the received signal is rejected, the microprocessor  21  drives the control interface  24  to provide a control signal to an alarm device  40 , causing it to output an alarm signal. 
     The alarm device  40  can be a speaker  41 , a flasher (directional or signal light), high voltage discharging apparatus, oil loop breaker, smoke generator, automatic dialer (to dial the telephone of a security organization or company), a tracer, etc. The alarm device  40  can be built in the receiver  20 . 
     If the transmitter  10  detects no vibration within the set time, it automatically turns off the transmitting control circuit  12 , causing the transmitting circuit  11  to stop the transmission of the recognition signal. If the transmitter  10  is lost in the motor vehicle, for example, left under the seat in the motor vehicle, and an intruder enters the motor vehicle to start the ignition switch  91  at this time, the receiver  20  is induced and enters the first alert status, however because the transmitter  10  is stopped from sending the recognition signal, the alarm device  40  will operate. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  2  and  4 , when the user switches off the ignition switch  91  and leaves the motor vehicle, the detection interface  23  immediately detects a second start signal from the off status of the ignition switch  91 , at this time the microprocessor  21  controls the receiver  20  to enter a second alert status. This second alert status is used when the user or any person who entered the motor vehicle leaves the restricted area (the motor vehicle). 
     In the example where the restricted area is a motor vehicle, a vibration/tilting switch  92  (sensor means) is installed in the motor vehicle and connected to the detection interface  23 . If the motor vehicle is vibrated or moved during the second alert status, the vibration/tilting switch  92  transmits a guard signal to the microprocessor  21  through the detection interface  23 , causing the microprocessor  21  to output a control signal to the alarm device  40  through the control interface  24 , and therefore the alarm device  40  is triggered to alarm. A variety of sensor means may be installed in the motor vehicle at different locations, and connected to the detection interface  23 . 
     The receiver enters the second alert status “automatically” when the detection interface  23  detects non-presence of the user or any other person in the restricted area. A start button  17  may be installed in the transmitter  10  for operation by the user to drive the transmitting circuit  11  after leaving the motor vehicle, causing the transmitting circuit  11  to transmit a second start signal to the microprocessor  21  of the receiver  20 , so as to drive the receiver  20  into the second alert status. 
     When in the first or second alert status, the system is maintained at the automatic, active, and continuous recognition detection status, and the user needs to pay attention to the management of the system. By means of the application of random coding and a stop button, the recognition accuracy of the system is greatly improved. 
     It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended for use as a definition of the limits and scope of the invention disclosed.