Telematics vehicle security system and method
The invention provides a method of and system for authorizing use of a mobile vehicle, in which an entry signal is received and a disarm alarm prompt from an in-vehicle telematics unit is provided in response to the entry signal. A determination is made as to whether a disarm alarm response is received and an authorization procedure is initiated based on the disarm alarm response.
1. A method for authorizing use of a mobile vehicle, comprising:
receiving an entry signal;
providing a disarm alarm prompt from an in-vehicle telematics unit in response to the entry signal, the telematics unit configured to send and receive radio transmissions from a wireless carrier system;
determining whether a disarm alarm response is received; and
initiating an authorization procedure based on the disarm alarm response.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the entry signal is selected from the group consisting of a door unlock signal, a door opening signal, a door proximity sensor signal, an occupancy sensor signal, a motion sensor signal, an ignition attempt signal, and a vehicle-entry indicator.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the disarm alarm prompt is selected from the group consisting of an audible tone, a repeating tone, a sequence of tones, a voice prompt, a flashing light, and a visual signal.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the disarm alarm response comprises a verbal input or a button input.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein determining whether the disarm alarm response is received comprises monitoring for a disarm alarm response and comparing the disarm alarm response to a set of pre-authorized disarm alarm responses.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the use of the mobile vehicle is authorized when the disarm alarm response matches one of the set of pre-authorized disarm alarm responses.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating the authorization procedure comprises enabling ignition of the mobile vehicle when the disarm alarm response is authorized within a prescribed period of time.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating the authorization procedure comprises disabling ignition of the mobile vehicle and originating a call from the mobile vehicle to a call center when the disarm alarm response is not authorized within a prescribed period of time.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the call comprises an identification number associated with the mobile vehicle and a set of global positioning system location coordinates of the mobile vehicle.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an authorization inquiry from a call center when the disarm alarm response is not authorized within a prescribed period of time;
submitting an authorization inquiry reply in response to the authorization inquiry; and
initiating a call from the call center to a predetermined phone number or a security service based on the authorization inquiry reply.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
enabling ignition of the mobile vehicle based on the authorization inquiry reply.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
arming an alarm system within the mobile vehicle based on one of a verbal command or a button push.
13. A system for authorizing use of a mobile vehicle, comprising:
means for receiving an entry signal;
means for providing a disarm alarm prompt from an in-vehicle telematics unit in response to the entry signal, the telematics unit configured to send and receive radio transmissions from a wireless carrier system;
means for determining whether a disarm alarm response is received; and
means for initiating an authorization procedure based on the disarm alarm response.
14. The system of claim 13 further comprising:
means for receiving an authorization inquiry from a call center when the disarm alarm response is not authorized within a prescribed period of time;
means for submitting an authorization inquiry reply in response to the authorization inquiry; and
means for initiating a call from the call center to a predetermined phone number or a security service based on the authorization inquiry reply.
15. The system of claim 14 further comprising:
means for enabling ignition of the mobile vehicle based on the authorization inquiry reply.
16. The system of claim 13 further comprising:
means for arming an alarm system within the mobile vehicle based on one of a verbal command or a button push.
17. A computer usable medium including a program for authorizing use of a mobile vehicle, comprising:
computer program code to receive an entry signal;
computer program code to provide a disarm alarm prompt from an in-vehicle telematics unit in response to the entry signal, the telematics unit configured to send and receive radio transmissions from a wireless carrier system;
computer program code to determine whether a disarm alarm response is received; and
computer program code to initiate an authorization procedure based on the disarm alarm response.
18. The computer usable medium of claim 17 further comprising:
computer program code to receive an authorization inquiry from a call center when the disarm alarm response is not authorized within a prescribed period of time;
computer program code to submit an authorization inquiry reply in response to the authorization inquiry; and
computer program code to initiate a call from the call center to a predetermined phone number or a security service based on the authorization inquiry reply.
19. The computer usable medium of claim 18 further comprising:
computer program code to enable ignition of the mobile vehicle based on the authorization inquiry reply.
20. The computer usable medium of claim 17 further comprising:
computer program code to arm an alarm system within the mobile vehicle based on one of a verbal command or a button push.
21. A vehicle security system, comprising:
an in-vehicle telematics unit including a global positioning system receiver and an embedded cell phone, the telematics unit configured to send and receive radio transmissions from a wireless carrier system;
a voice-recognition system operably connected to the telematics unit; and
a vehicle-use sensor electrically coupled to the telematics unit;
wherein the vehicle-use sensor provides an entry signal to the telematics unit when the vehicle is entered, the voice-recognition system determines a response to an alarm prompt provided by the telematics unit when the entry signal is provided, and a call is made to a call center when the response to the alarm prompt is not authorized.
22. A method for authorizing use of a mobile vehicle, comprising:
receiving an entry signal;
providing a disarm alarm prompt from an in-vehicle telematics unit in response to the entry signal, the telematic unit configured to send and receive radio transmissions from a wireless carrier system;
determining whether a disarm alarm response is recieved;
initiating an authorization procedure based on the disarm alarm response; and
receiving an authorization inquiry from a call center when the disarm alarm response is not authorized within a prescribed period of time.