Vehicle security system and method

Abstract

A method and apparatus for validating a vehicle operator. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an input device for allowing entry of vehicle operator identification information, a transceiver for transmitting a message and receiving a response to the message, an interface for allowing a processor to communication with a vehicle sub-system, and a processor connected to the input device, the transceiver, and the interface, the processor for receiving the vehicle operator identification information from the input device, for generating the message comprising the vehicle operation identification information and providing the message to the transceiver, for receiving the response from the transceiver and for controlling the vehicle sub-system, via the interface, based on the response.

I Claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for validating a vehicle operator, comprising: 
 an input device for allowing entry of vehicle operator identification information;    a memory for storing pre-defined identification information;    a processor for comparing said pre-defined identification information to said vehicle operator identification information and generating a message based on the comparison, said message indicating whether or not said pre-defined identification information matched said vehicle operator identification information; and    a transceiver for transmitting said message to a remote location in response to the comparison.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said transceiver is further for receiving a second message from said remote location in response to said message, said second message instructing said processor to control a vehicle function.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein controlling a vehicle function comprises enabling operation of a vehicle.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein controlling a vehicle function comprises impairing operation of a vehicle.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an interface for allowing said processor to communicate with a vehicle sub-system; wherein    said processor is further for transmitting an instruction to said vehicle sub-system, in response to said comparison, for impairing operation of a vehicle.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises preventing said vehicle from starting.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises disabling a vehicle ignition system.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises impairing a vehicle fuel system.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises flashing a vehicle headlight, a vehicle taillight, or a vehicle interior light.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises sounding a vehicle horn.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises impairing a vehicle transmission.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein impairing operation of a vehicle transmission comprises limiting the number of gears that may be used during operation of said vehicle.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an interface for allowing said processor to control a vehicle sub-system connected to said interface; wherein    said processor is further for transmitting a command to said vehicle sub-system, in response to said comparison, for enabling operation of a vehicle.    
     
     
         14 . Cancelled  
     
     
         15 . Cancelled  
     
     
         16 . Cancelled  
     
     
         17 . Cancelled  
     
     
         18 . Cancelled  
     
     
         19 . Cancelled  
     
     
         20 . Cancelled  
     
     
         21 . Cancelled  
     
     
         22 . Cancelled  
     
     
         23 . Cancelled  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for validating a vehicle operator, comprising: 
 a transceiver for receiving a message from a vehicle, said message indicating either a successful or an unsuccessful validation onboard said vehicle, and for transmitting a response to said message;    a processor for evaluating said message and for generating said response to said message, said response comprising instructions for controlling operation of said vehicle.    
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising an interface for sending a notification of said message to a third party.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein said response is generated by said processor in accordance with instructions from said third party.  
     
     
         27 . Cancelled  
     
     
         28 . Cancelled  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising a memory, said memory comprising said instructions for controlling operation of said vehicle, wherein said processor generates [[a]] said response in accordance with said instructions.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein controlling operation of said vehicle comprises impairing operation of said vehicle.  
     
     
         31 . A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a method for validating a vehicle operator, said method comprising operations of: 
 receiving vehicle operator identification information from a user interface;    storing pre-defined identification information;    comparing said pre-defined identification information to said vehicle operator identification information;    generating a message based on said comparison, said message indicating whether or not said pre-defined identification information matched said vehicle operator identification information; and    transmitting said message to a remote location in response to said comparison.    
     
     
         32 . The signal-bearing medium of  claim 31  further comprising operations of receiving a second message from said remote location in response to said message, said second message comprising instructions for controlling operation of a vehicle.  
     
     
         33 . The signal-bearing medium of  claim 32 , wherein controlling operation of said vehicle comprises enabling operation of said vehicle.  
     
     
         34 . The signal-bearing medium of  claim 32 , wherein controlling operation of said vehicle comprises impairing operation of said vehicle.  
     
     
         35 . The signal-bearing medium of  claim 31 , further comprising the operation of sending a command to a vehicle sub-system, in response to said comparison, for impairing operation of said vehicle.  
     
     
         36 . The signal-bearing medium of  claim 35 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises preventing said vehicle from starting.  
     
     
         37 . The signal-bearing medium of  claim 35 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises disabling a vehicle ignition system.  
     
     
         38 . The signal-bearing medium of  claim 35 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises impairing a vehicle fuel system.  
     
     
         39 . The signal-bearing medium of  claim 35 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises flashing a vehicle headlight, a vehicle taillight, or a vehicle interior light.  
     
     
         40 . The signal-bearing medium of  claim 35 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises sounding a vehicle horn.  
     
     
         41 . The signal-bearing medium of  claim 35 , wherein impairing operation of said vehicle comprises impairing a vehicle transmission.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein impairing operation of a vehicle transmission comprises the operation of limiting the number of gears that may be used during operation of said vehicle.  
     
     
         43 . The signal-bearing medium of  claim 1 , further comprising the operation of transmitting an instruction to a vehicle sub-system, in response to said comparison, for enabling Cite operation of said vehicle.  
     
     
         44 . Cancelled  
     
     
         45 . Cancelled  
     
     
         46 . Cancelled  
     
     
         47 . Cancelled  
     
     
         48 . Cancelled  
     
     
         49 . Cancelled  
     
     
         50 . Cancelled  
     
     
         51 . Cancelled  
     
     
         52 . Cancelled  
     
     
         53 . A method for validating a vehicle operator, comprising: 
 receiving a message from a vehicle, the message indicating either a successful or an unsuccessful validation onboard said vehicle;    evaluating said message;    generating a response to said message, said response comprising instructions for controlling operation of said vehicle; and    transmitting said response to said vehicle.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  further comprising sending a notification of said message to a third party.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising receiving instructions from said third party, wherein said response is generated in accordance with said instructions.  
     
     
         56 . Cancelled  
     
     
         57 . Cancelled  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 53  further comprising; 
 storing said instructions for controlling said vehicle, wherein said response comprises said instructions.  
 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein controlling operation of said vehicle comprises impairing operation of said vehicle.