FR2821809A1 - ALARM SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle alarm system of the type comprising a data read/write unit which is positioned in the vehicle and which can communicate with a chip (1B) which stores the data and which is placed on an authorised driver of the vehicle. Said read/write unit comprises means for verifying the presence of the chip (1B), transmitting an identification request to the chip (1B9) and verifying the identification of said chip. Furthermore, the unit comprises means enabling it to move into pre-alarm status in the event of the absence or non-identification of the chip (1B), means enabling it to move into alarm status in the event of the absence of the chip (1B) or the non-identification of said chip by the unit in its pre-alarm status and means for cutting the power supply to the vehicle engine in the event of the absence of the chip (1B) or the non-identification of the latter by the unit in its alarm status.

Description

<Desc / Clms Page number 1>

 The subject of the present invention is an alarm system for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, of the type in which a data read-write box, positioned in said vehicle, and provided capable of communicating with a chip storing data, comprises means suitable for: - checking the presence of said chip, transmitting an identification request to said chip, - checking the identification of said chip.

 The use of systems of this type in various fields and in particular in the automotive field is already known and has been the subject of a few publications.

 Document WO 9936296, for example, presents a remote control device for opening a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a data read-write module capable of communicating with a chip storing data.

 A verification of the identification of said chip is carried out by the read-write module to result, as the case may be, in unlocking or not unlocking said lock.

 The document EP0933740 relates, for its part, to an anti-theft radiofrequency system, in which a chip storing data is associated with an object, while a device for reading and writing the data stored on said chip makes it possible to detect the presence of the latter and trigger, if necessary, an alarm system.

 Another similar system is disclosed in document EP 0905656.

 The invention relates here to an electronic device capable of being fixed on a subject to be monitored remotely.

 Said system consists of a chip, positioned on said subject, storing an identification number, and a data read-write device provided capable of interrogating said chip periodically to verify its presence and identity and then issue, to a remote location, the data relating to this query.

 Finally, the document FR2781076 proposes a security system for a motor vehicle in which, with a view to the issue

<Desc / Clms Page number 2>

 of an authorization, the system proceeds to an identification operation by means of electromagnetic signals exchanged remotely between an identification center and an identifier.

 In summary, all the systems mentioned above make it possible to identify or monitor an object or a subject, and, if necessary, to trigger an alarm or other action such as the non-opening of a door of a motor vehicle.

 However, none of them offers a solution to a new type of aggression encountered more and more frequently by motor vehicle owners, namely snatching.

 Indeed, under the threat of a weapon, an aggressor can at the present time, and this despite the sometimes most sophisticated anti-theft devices, force a driver to give up his car, his boat, his motorcycle, or other, once the engine started.

 In fact, the anti-theft systems currently used are only intended for vehicles in a standstill situation, without power, and without the presence of the owner.

 The object of the present invention is, therefore, to overcome this drawback, by proposing an anti-theft system in which the vehicle is systematically associated with its owner or with any authorized driver.

 In other words, and in a particularly advantageous manner, only an authorized driver, and identified as such, may use a vehicle equipped with an alarm system according to the present invention.

 To this end, the latter relates to an alarm system for a motor vehicle, of the type in which a data read-write box, positioned in said vehicle, and provided capable of communicating with a chip storing data, comprises means capable of: - checking the presence of said chip, transmitting an identification request to said chip, - checking the identification of said chip, characterized in that:

<Desc / Clms Page number 3>

. en cas d'absence ou de non identification de ladite puce, ledit boîtier comporte des moyens lui permettant de passer dans un état de préalarme, lesdits moyens étant aptes à : émettre un signal sonore durant un temps prédéterminé, - procéder à une nouvelle vérification de la présence de ladite puce, - procéder à une nouvelle demande et vérification d'identité de ladite puce, et + en cas d'absence de ladite puce ou de non identification de ladite puce, par ledit boîtier dans son état de préalarme, ce dernier comporte des moyens lui permettant de passer dans un état d'alarme, lesdits moyens étant aptes à : émettre un second signal sonore durant un laps de temps prédéterminé,

- procéder à une nouvelle vérification de la présence de ladite puce, - procéder à une nouvelle demande et vérification d'identité de ladite puce, et . en cas d'absence de ladite puce ou de non identification de ladite puce, par ledit boîtier dans son état d'alarme, ce dernier comporte des moyens permettant de couper l'alimentation du moteur dudit véhicule automobile.

. in the event of the absence or non-identification of said chip, said box includes means enabling it to enter a pre-alarm state, said means being able to: emit an audible signal for a predetermined time, - carry out a new verification the presence of said chip, - carry out a new request and verification of identity of said chip, and + in the event of the absence of said chip or of non-identification of said chip, by said box in its prealarm state, the latter includes means enabling it to enter an alarm state, said means being able to: emit a second sound signal during a predetermined period of time,

- carry out a new verification of the presence of said chip, - carry out a new request and verification of identity of said chip, and. in the absence of said chip or of non-identification of said chip, by said box in its alarm state, the latter comprises means making it possible to cut the power supply to the engine of said motor vehicle.

 According to a first particularly advantageous characteristic, said alarm system also includes timing means.

 Furthermore, said system is also characterized in that said means capable of emitting an audible signal consist of a buzzer and a potentiometer.

 According to an additional characteristic, said system comprises two dry contact relays.

 On the other hand, according to a preferred embodiment, said system includes a connection for ensuring the connection with a computer bus on board said vehicle.

 Finally, according to a last particularly advantageous characteristic, said chip storing data is placed on a

<Desc / Clms Page number 4>

 authorized driver of said vehicle, for example under a watch worn on the wrist.

- la figure 2 représente un dispositif selon la présente invention vu de profil. Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended figures in which: FIG. 1 represents a device according to the present invention seen from the front,

- Figure 2 shows a device according to the present invention seen in profile.

 The alarm system for a motor vehicle of which the present invention is the object consists, as can be seen in FIG. 1, of a read-write device 1A, provided capable of communicating with a chip 1B storing data.

 These two modules are dependent on each other and each include different elements.

 Thus, the device 1A is in the form of a module of reduced size, preferably embedded in a plastic or other composite material housing.

 The device 1A is equipped with a transmission and reception system enabling dialogue with the chip 1B to be ensured.

 This transmission and reception system consists of antennas 2, and 3.

 The device 1A further comprises means, not shown, for managing the energy, namely of the emitted electromagnetic field, ensuring the operation of the chip 1B.

 It also contains, conventionally, an intelligence such as a microprocessor making it possible to analyze the data stored on the chip 1B.

 The device 1A for reading and writing data according to the present invention also contains a certain number of additional means making it possible to control the supply of the vehicle, and if necessary to switch off the engine.

 Thus, the device 1A further comprises means 4 for managing and taking into account the power supply of the vehicle, generally constituted by a 12 Volt continuous battery, means

<Desc / Clms Page number 5>

 5 for cutting off the power to the motor, and means 6 ensuring a dry output contact.

 The device 1A furthermore comprises two other means involved in the operation of the alarm system according to the present invention, namely a buzzer 7 and a connection, not shown, for ensuring the connection with a computer bus possibly on board the vehicle.

 Furthermore, the device 1A is provided so as to operate in active master mode, and systematically interrogate the chip 1B.

 It is placed in the vehicle, near the driver's seat, while the antennas 2, 3 can be located, for example at the steering wheel, or in the ceiling light or in the trim of the door on the driver's side.

 As for the chip 1B, it is conventionally connected to an antenna allowing communication with the read-write device 1A, using a frequency as the case may be 125 Khz, 134.2 Khz, 13.56 Mhz, or even 2 , 4Ghz.

1A. The energy necessary for the operation of said chip 1B is remotely supplied by the electromagnetic field emitted by the device

1A.

On the other hand, the signal carried by the wave will preferably be demodulated to carry out the reading or writing processing.

 Thus, the 1B chip does not require battery-type energy, which allows it to have a great autonomy (of the order of 10 years), and to require no maintenance.

 The 1B chip is also preprogrammed at the factory with an identification code corresponding to the associated device 1A, with high reliability and perfect data security.

 This identification code makes it possible to ensure a large number of combinations, of the order of approximately 1012.

 On the other hand, the chip 1B is overmolded in a plastic or other composite material housing, as thin as possible, with a double-sided fixing, so as to allow use in

<Desc / Clms Page number 6>

 extreme conditions, including soiling, pressure and temperature ...

 The 1B chip operates in slave mode, or passive mode; systematically waiting for the device 1A to interrogate it.

 On the other hand, in order to allow the alarm system according to the present invention to solve the problem mentioned of vehicle theft snatching, said chip 1B will be provided capable of being positioned or camouflaged on an authorized driver of said vehicle, by example under the latter's watch, which will be facilitated by the very flat shape of said chip, as visible in FIG. 2.

 We will now describe the operating principle of the alarm system according to the present invention.

 Said system is in fact provided so as to present three operating modes: a normal mode, a pre-alarm mode and an alarm mode.

 When starting a vehicle equipped with such a system, the latter, operating in normal mode, immediately checks the presence of the chip 1B on the driver.

 The device 1A using its timing means will then, at regular time intervals, interrogate a volume located around it in a cone of up to one meter.

 If the presence of the chip 1B is detected in this volume, the device 1A then analyzes the identification code of said chip 1B, and the system remains in normal operating mode if the latter is recognized and correct.

 On the other hand, if the chip 1B is not detected in said volume or if its identification code is not recognized, the system goes into pre-alarm mode and the device 1A emits a first audible warning signal.

 In this pre-alarm mode of the system according to the present invention, the device 1A performs a new verification of the presence of said chip 1B during a predetermined period of time.

 If the chip 1A is detected, and its identification code is recognized by the device 1A, the system returns to normal operating mode.

<Desc / Clms Page number 7>

 On the other hand, if said chip 1B is still not detected within said volume, or if its identification code is not recognized, the system goes into alarm mode and the device 1A emits a second audible warning signal .

 This sound signal may be different from the first, and will for example be long while the first will have been short, in order to differentiate the two operating modes, pre-alarm and alarm, from each other.

 In alarm mode, the device 1A again checks the presence of the chip 1B, for a predetermined period of time, while emitting a series of close sound signals.

 If the 1B chip is detected during this phase, and if its identification code is recognized, the system returns to normal operating mode.

 On the other hand, if the chip 1B is still not detected or its code still incorrect, the means for managing the power of the engine, associated with the device 1A will be activated, to cut off said power, and stop the vehicle.

 The stopping of the vehicle may, if necessary, be done very gradually, by computer, in order to avoid any accident.

 It is thus clear from the above that the alarm system according to the present invention makes it possible to provide a solution to the problem of vehicle snatching, since only an authorized driver, in possession of a given identifier will have the possibility of using said vehicle.

 Any other driver will see the vehicle quickly immobilized and will therefore have to leave it almost at the place of the flight.

 Although the invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment, it is understood that it is in no way limited thereto and that various modifications can be made to it, without departing from the scope and of the spirit of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. Alarm system for a motor vehicle, of the type in which a data read-write box, positioned in said vehicle, and provided capable of communicating with a chip (1B) storing data, placed on an authorized driver of said vehicle automobile, comprises means (2,3) capable of: - checking the presence of said chip (1B), transmitting an identification request to said chip (1B), - checking the identification of said chip (1B), characterized in that: # in the event of the absence or non-identification of said chip (1B), said box includes means enabling it to enter a pre-alarm state, said means being able to:

 emit an audible signal for a predetermined time, - carry out a new verification of the presence of said chip (1B), - carry out a new request and verification of identity of said chip (1B), and

 + in the absence of said chip (IB) or of non-identification of said chip (IB), by said box in its prealarm state, the latter includes means enabling it to enter an alarm state, said means being able to: emit a second sound signal during a predetermined period of time,

 - carry out a new verification of the presence of said chip (1B), - carry out a new request and verification of identity of said chip (1B), and + in case of absence of said chip (1B) or not identification of said chip (1B), by said box in its alarm state, this <Desc / Clms Page number 9>  the latter includes means (5) for cutting off the power supply to the engine of said motor vehicle.  2. Alarm system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises timing means.  3. Alarm system according to claim 1, characterized in that the means capable of emitting an audible signal consist of a buzzer (7) and a potentiometer.  4. Alarm system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two dry contact relays (6).  5. Alarm system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a connection for ensuring the connection with a computer bus on board the vehicle.  6. Alarm system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chip (IB) which stores data is placed on an authorized driver of said vehicle.