Remote control system with time limited operability

Abstract

A system and method for controlling remotely controlled components of a plurality of vehicles in response to a short range common signal emitted by a transmitter that can operate the components only during specified time periods. A transmitter can be programmed to provide a relatively long range customer signal that can operate the components at any time. The system and method are operative on a mutually exclusive basis wherein the remotely controlled components only respond to the common signal or the customer signal.

1 . A security system for a vehicle, the security system comprising: 
 a transmitter having an interrupt, the interrupt is programmable in a first mode to permit the transmitter to communicate with a receiver of the vehicle, the interrupt is programmable in a second mode to inhibit the transmitter from communicating with the receiver; and    a programming tool separate from the transmitter and configured to generate a programming signal for the interrupt, the programming signal having information setting an authorized time period in which the interrupt is programmed in the first mode to permit the transmitter to communicate with the receiver during the authorized time period and information setting an unauthorized time period in which the interrupt is programmed in the second mode to inhibit the transmitter from communicating with the receiver during the unauthorized time period.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the unauthorized time period corresponds to a time period in which the vehicle is not intended to be operated.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the authorized time period corresponds to a time period in which the vehicle is intended to be operated.    
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the transmitter is operable to communicate with a set of receivers while the interrupt is programmed in the first mode, each member of the set of receivers being of a different vehicle.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the transmitter is operable to communicate only with the receiver while the interrupt is programmed in the first mode.    
   
   
       6 . A security system comprising: 
 a programming device for generating a programming signal; and    a transmitter disposed apart from the programming device and operable for receiving the programming signal from the programming device, the transmitter including a switch for entering a command, wherein the transmitter transmits a command signal based upon the command;    wherein the programming signal includes information setting a time period in which the transmitter is inhibited from transmitting the command signal.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein: 
 the time period corresponds to a time of day when the transmitter is to be inhibited from transmitting the command signal.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein: 
 the programming device includes a computer.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 a programmable encoder for programming the command signal.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 6  wherein: 
 the command signal is a radio frequency (RF) command signal.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 6  wherein: 
 the transmitter is adjustable to select a transmission range for the command signal.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein: 
 the transmission range is between approximately four to six feet.    
   
   
       13 . A remote control system comprising: 
 a programming device for generating a signal having information setting a time period corresponding to a time of day in which a transmitter is inhibited from controlling a remotely controlled apparatus; and    a transmitter having a timer that monitors the time of day and a programmable interrupt that receives the signal from the programming device, wherein the programmable interrupt receives an indication of the time from the timer to inhibit the transmitter from controlling the apparatus during the time period set by the signal.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the remotely controlled apparatus includes at least one of a vehicle security system, a vehicle door lock, a vehicle lighting system, a vehicle air conditioning system, a vehicle heating system, and a vehicle engine starter.    
   
   
       15 . A security system comprising: 
 a programming device for generating a programming signal; and    a receiver disposed apart from the programming device and operable for receiving the programming signal from the programming device, the receiver is further operable for receiving command signals from a transmitter;    wherein the programming signal includes information setting a time period in which the receiver is inhibited from receiving the command signals.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein: 
 the time period corresponds to a time of day when the receiver is to be inhibited from receiving the command signals.    
   
   
       17 . A security system comprising: 
 a communications device programmable in a first mode in which the communications device is enabled and a second mode in which the communications device is disabled; and    a programming tool separate from the communications device, the programming tool configured to generate a programming signal defining at least one of a time period in which the communications device is to be enabled and a time period in which the communications device is to be disabled.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein: 
 the communications device is a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is operable for transmitting a command when the transmitter is enabled.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising: 
 a receiver for receiving the command from the transmitter.    
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein: 
 the communications device is a receiver of a vehicle, wherein the receiver is operable for controlling an apparatus of the vehicle in response to a command signal when the receiver is enabled.    
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising: 
 a transmitter for transmitting the command signal to the receiver.    
   
   
       22 . A programming device for programming at least one of a transmitter and a receiver of a vehicle security system, the programming device comprising: 
 a programming mode configured to generate a signal for receipt by the at least one of the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the signal defines time periods during which the at least one of the transmitter and the receiver is non-operational.    
   
   
       23 . A security system comprising: 
 a communications device programmable in at least one of a first mode in which the communications device is enabled and a second mode in which the communications device is disabled by a programming signal defining at least one of a time period in which the communications device is to be enabled and a time period in which the communications device is to be disabled.    
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein: 
 the communications device is a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is operable for transmitting a command when the transmitter is enabled.    
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24  further comprising: 
 a receiver for receiving the command from the transmitter.    
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 23  wherein: 
 the communications device is a receiver of a vehicle, wherein the receiver is operable for controlling an apparatus of the vehicle in response to a command signal when the receiver is enabled.    
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 a transmitter for transmitting the command signal to the receiver.