AU739172B2

AU739172B2 - An entry system

Info

Publication number: AU739172B2
Application number: AU71930/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nicholas James Bonnett; Gianfranco Pavatich
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 1997-10-10
Filing date: 1998-06-17
Publication date: 2001-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-17
Also published as: EP0908589B1; EP0908589A2; EP0908589A3; DE59814178D1; ES2299197T3; AU7193098A

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Robert Bosch GmbH of Postfach 30 02 20, D-70442 Stuttgart, Germany Gianfranco PAVATICH Nicholas James BONNETT Davies Collison Cave, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia "An entry system" Invention Title: Details of Associated Provisional Application No. P09730/97 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of TofOsming it known to us: P:\OPER\DBW\P09730.97- 17/6/98 -2- AN ENTRY SYSTEM The present invention relates to an entry system, particularly for vehicles.

Entry systems for vehicles are currently divided into passive entry systems and active entry systems. Both include an electronic key, normally in the possession of a person wishing to enter the vehicle, and a base station mounted in the vehicle for communication with the key. To enable entry to the vehicle, the key and the base station execute a secure communications protocol to determine whether entry is authorised.

Passive entry systems use a transponder as the electronic key which normally does not include any activation buttons and communicates with a base station when it is within a predetermined distance from the base station. Such systems are normally not entirely passive in that the base station may be only activated for communication by some action of the person wishing to enter, such as lifting a door handle of the vehicle. Passive entry systems however

S

suffer the disadvantage that they are susceptible to "relayed attacks". The attacks involve thieves assuming or knowing the key is somewhere in the vicinity of the vehicle, and then employing electronic equipment to detect and amplify communication signals between the base station and the key, whilst if necessary activating the base station, for example, by lifting a door handle.

Active entry systems employ an electronic key which includes buttons that need to be activated by a user to execute the communications protocol. These systems are therefore more secure than passive entry systems, because possession and activation of the key is required to gain entry. Nevertheless, active entry systems suffer the disadvantage that they do not have the convenience of use and operation of a passive entry system.

P:\OPER\DBW\PO97.3097 1716/98 -3- In accordance with the present invention there is provided an entry system for a secure area, including a base station in said secure area, and an electronic key for executing a communications protocol with said base station in order to gain entry to said secure area, characterised in that said key is adapted to communicate with said base station to enable and disable passive entry with said system.

The present invention also provides an entry system for a secure area, including a base station in said secure area, and an electronic key for executing a communications protocol with said base station in order to gain entry to said secure area, characterised in that said key is adapted to communicate with said base station to enable and disable a restricted mode of said system, wherein in said restricted mode, access to said secure area is restricted.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described, by way of S.example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of an entry system; and Figure 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the entry system.

An entry system 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, includes an electronic transponder key 4 and a base station 6 located in a vehicle 8. The key 4 and the base station 6 are able to communicate with one another by a radio frequency link. The key 4 includes standard transponder components such as an antenna 20, receiver 22, transmitter 24 and microprocessor 26 with non-volatile memory 28. Similarly the base station 6 in the vehicle 8 also includes standard components, such as an antenna 30, a transceiver 32, a microprocessor 34 with non-volatile memory 36. The base station 6 is part of or connected to communicate with an electronic control unit 38 of the vehicle 8 which controls most electronic functions of the vehicle including immobilisation.

The base station 6 is able to communicate with the electronic key 4 as a passive entry system where the base station 6 excites the key 4 to initiate and activate the secure communications protocol. The base station 6 is also programmed to include configuration P:\OPER\DBW\PO9730.97 17/6/98 -4flags and/or parameters stored in the memory 36 which can be set by the key 4 to disable passive entry, and thereby require a specific initiation signal from an activated key 4 to execute the secure communications protocol. The configuration flags and/or parameters can also be set so that the system 2 operates in a timer mode where the base station disables passive entry for or after a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, the configuration flags and/or parameters can be set so the system 2 operates in a porter mode where the key only enables access to certain areas of the vehicle 8, and access to other areas, such as the boot or glove box is prevented or restricted. The system 2 accordingly has four modes of operation, o*e.

a passive entry mode, an active entry mode, the timer mode and the porter mode. The current mode of operation is indicated by enable and disable LEDs 10 and 12. Activation of the enable LED 10 signals the passive entry mode is operational, activation of the disable LED 12 signals the active entry mode is operational, display of both LEDs indicates the timer *.mode, whereas activation of both LEDs twice indicates the porter mode. To limit power consumption, the LEDs 10 and 12 only remain activated for a brief flash period, and the operation mode can be checked by depressing two buttons 14, 16 of the key 4 simultaneously.

The modes can each be selected and configured by a user using the key 4 to communicate with the base station 6 and adjust the configuration flags and/or parameters. To enter a programming operation, where the modes can be selected and configured, requires a predetermined sequence of the buttons 14, 16 to be depressed, for example by depressing certain buttons simultaneously or in a predetermined order.

The key 4 includes three standard buttons 14 for active entry control and an additional fourth button 16 to configure the system 2 for one of the four operation modes. To enable or disable passive entry, and accordingly switch between the passive entry and active entry modes, the fourth button 16 needs only to be pressed to toggle between the four modes, and accordingly toggle between activating the LEDs 10 and 12.

To set the time for the timer mode, the fourth button 16 needs to be depressed until the enable LED 10 turns on, and then whilst the fourth button 16 remains depressed, one of the other buttons 14 is pressed so as to increment the time delay for the timer mode by a P:\OPER\DBW\P09730.97 1716198 predetermined number of hours for each press. To then enable the timer mode the fourth button 16 is simply pressed to toggle between the modes until both LEDs 10 and 12 are turned on simultaneously. In the timer mode, the system 2 will operate as follows, depending on the system's configuration: disable passive entry for the predetermined period time, on entering the timer mode; (ii) disable passive entry after the predetermined period time, on entering the timer mode; or (iii) disable passive entry after a predetermined period time following locking of the vehicle 8.

To enable the porter mode, the fourth button 16 is pressed until both the LEDs 10 and 12 flash on and then off twice. The four buttons 14 and 16 are then used to enter a four digit security personal identification number (PIN), with each button 14 to 16 representing a digit.

On entry of the PIN, the LEDs 10 and 12 will flash three times, indicating that the PIN needs to be reentered for confirmation. On entering the correct PIN a second time, the LEDs 10 and 12 will flash three times again to acknowledge entry of the correct PIN. Confirmation of the PIN is only required if it is selected by the user and not preset on manufacture of the key.

Access to the vehicle 8 is then restricted, in that the key cannot be used to access restricted areas, such as the boot and/or glove box of the vehicle 8. Entry of the PIN means that the same PIN needs to be entered to disable the porter mode. Again, the fourth button 16 needs to be depressed until the LEDs 10 and 12 turn on then off twice. The four buttons 14 and 16 can then be used to enter the correct PIN. If the correct PIN is entered, the LEDs 10 and 12 will alternately flash three times, to indicate that the porter mode has been disabled. With this configuration, the key which is secured by entry of the PIN and has been placed in the porter mode, can be handed to a valet or porter.

Alternatively, to avoid the necessity to enter the PIN, an owner can be provided with at least two keys, which are identical except each key stores a unique signature in the memory of the key 4. When one key is used to enter the porter mode, the base station 6 receives and P:\OPER\DBW\PO9730.97 17/6/98 -6stores the unique signature code in the memory 36. Only the key with the stored signature code can then be used to disable the porter mode. The owner of the vehicle may therefore simply provide a second key to the valet or the porter, which cannot be used to display the porter mode. On disabling the porter mode the signature code is erased from the base station 6. As a third alternative, the base station 16 permanently stores a master key signature code which is stored in a master key provided to owner with other keys. Accordingly only the master key can be used to enter and disable the porter mode. For this arrangement, the master key is always held by the owner and needs to be marked or colour coded.

10 The key 4 further includes an audible alert device 40, which is controlled by the microprocessor 26 to emit a short audible tone whenever the key receives a validation signal from the base station 6. The base station 6 transmits the validation signal when it enables *.entry to the vehicle 8, and can also transmit the validation signal when a new operation mode is entered. This has the advantage when the possessor of a key 4 is within range of the vehicle, the possessor will be aware when entry to the vehicle is enabled, either by the key held by the owner or some other party, for example an unauthorised person.

To assist a user, the key 4 can be provided with an LCD display, instead of the LEDs and 12, which is driven by the microprocessor 26. The LCD display is incorporated in the key 4 and can be activated to provide prompts to the users to enable them to easily move between the four modes of operation. An LCD display, as alternative, or in addition, can also be mounted in the vehicle 8 and connected to the base station 6 to provide a similar display as that provided by the display of the key 4. The buttons on the key 4 can be used, or additional control buttons added to the vehicle 8.

Alternatively, no additional button 16 or additional LED need to be added, and existing buttons 14 and an existing LED 10 of the key 4 can be used in a multi-functional manner. For example, two of the existing buttons 14 can be depressed simultaneously to toggle between the four operation modes. The timer may also be set by depressing two of the buttons simultaneously for a predetermined period of time and whilst the LED is flashing in P:\OPER\DBW\PO9730.97 17/6/99 -7a certain manner, one of the buttons 14 can be used to set the time delay. The mode of operation which the system 2 is in can be indicated by the flash frequency of the existing LED The entry system 2 is particularly advantageous as it provides the user with all of the convenience of a passive entry system, but enables the user to enhance the security of the system, when desired, to provide immunity against relayed security attacks. For example, if the authorised user is sleeping in a nearby motel room adjacent the vehicle the passive entry mode can be immediately disabled or disabled for or after a predetermined period of time oo 10 using the timer mode. The system 2 can be placed in a restricted access mode, and the key 4 will emit an audible tone when in range and the system 2 provides unauthorised access. The entry system 2 provides the convenience of a passive entry system and the security of an active entry system in a system which does not require any duplication of standard components, except perhaps for the minor addition of an additional control button key, visual indicators, and an audible tone device.

Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as hereinbefore described.

9oo*o*

Claims

1. An entry system for a secure area, including a base station in said secure area, and an electronic key for executing a communications protocol with said base station in order to gain entry to said secure area, characterised in that said key is adapted to communicate with said base station to enable and disable passive entry with said system.

2. An entry system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said key includes at least one control means for placing said system in a passive entry mode to enable said passive entry and for placing said system in an active entry mode to disable said passive entry.

3. An entry system as claimed in claim 2, wherein in said active entry mode, said at least one control means is adapted to activate execution of said communications protocol.

4. An entry system as claimed in claim 3, wherein in said passive entry mode, said base station is adapted to excite said key to activate said communications protocol.

5. An entry system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said passive entry is disabled after no use of said system for a predetermined period of time.

6. An entry system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said passive entry can be disabled for a predetermined period of time.

7. An entry system as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein said at least one control means can be used to place said system in a timer mode and set a predetermined period of time.

8. An untry system as claimed in claim 7, wherein in said timer mode, said passive entry is disabled after no use of said system for said predetermined period of time. P'\OPER\DBW\PO973097 17/6/98 -9-

9. An entry system as claimed in claim 7, wherein in said timer mode, said passive entry is disabled after no use of said system for said predetermined period of time following locking of said secure area.

10. An entry system as claimed in claim 7, wherein in said timer mode, said passive entry is disabled for said predetermined period of time.

11. An entry system as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein said at least one control means can be used to enable or disable a restricted mode of said system, wherein in said restricted *ooo 10 mode, access to said secure area is restricted. o S12. An entry system as claimed in claim 11, wherein a security code is entered using said at least one control means to enable or disable said restricted mode.

13. An entry system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said key stores a unique signature code which is sent to said base station 6 to disable said restricted mode.

14. An entry system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said key sends said signature code to said base station when said restricted mode is enabled. An entry system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said base station erases said signature code when said restricted mode is disabled.

16. An entry system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the key includes at least one visual indicator to indicate the mode of operation of said system.

17. An entry system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said at least one visual indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode. P:\OPER\DBW\PO9730.97 17/6/98

18. An entry system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said at least one visual indicator comprises a liquid crystal display.

19. An entry system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said secure area includes visual indicator means to indicate the mode of operation of said entry system. An entry system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said visual indicting means comprises a liquid crystal display. 1 0 21. An entry system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said key includes a device for emitting an audible tone when said key receives a predetermined signal from said base station. An entry system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base station communicates with an electronic control unit of said secure area.

23. An entry system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein said base station is part of an electronic control unit of the secure area.

24. An entry system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 23, wherein said at least one control means includes switch buttons for activation by a user of the key. An entry system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said secure area is a vehicle.

26. A vehicle including an entry system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

27. An entry system for a secure area, including a base station in said secure area, and an electronic key for executing a communications protocol with said base station in order to gain entry to said secure area, P:\OPER\DBW\PO9730.97 17/6/98 11 characterised in that said key is adapted to communicate with said base station to enable and disable a restricted mode of said system, wherein in said restricted mode, access to said secure area is restricted.

28. An entry system as claimed in claim 27, wherein a security code is entered using at least one control means of said key to enable or disable said restricted mode.

29. An entry system as claimed in claim 27, wherein said key stores a unique signature code which is sent to said base station to disable said restricted mode.

30. An entry system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said key sends said signature code to said base station when said restricted mode is enabled.

31. An entry system as claimed in claim 30, wherein said base station erases said signature 15 code when said restricted mode is disabled. 0000 goes** S S. 4 0000 .5 *00* 0 00 DATED this 17th day of June, 1998 ROBERT BOSCH GmbH By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE