GB2340169A - A security system - Google Patents

A security system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2340169A
GB2340169A GB9816372A GB9816372A GB2340169A GB 2340169 A GB2340169 A GB 2340169A GB 9816372 A GB9816372 A GB 9816372A GB 9816372 A GB9816372 A GB 9816372A GB 2340169 A GB2340169 A GB 2340169A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
security system
security
vehicle
time slot
control means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9816372A
Other versions
GB9816372D0 (en
GB2340169B (en
Inventor
Kevin Trevor Talbot
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MG Rover Group Ltd
Original Assignee
MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MG Rover Group Ltd filed Critical MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority to GB9816372A priority Critical patent/GB2340169B/en
Publication of GB9816372D0 publication Critical patent/GB9816372D0/en
Publication of GB2340169A publication Critical patent/GB2340169A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2340169B publication Critical patent/GB2340169B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
    • G07C9/00309—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
    • G07C9/00309—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
    • G07C2009/00365—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks in combination with a wake-up circuit
    • G07C2009/00373—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks in combination with a wake-up circuit whereby the wake-up circuit is situated in the lock
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C2209/00—Indexing scheme relating to groups G07C9/00 - G07C9/38
    • G07C2209/60—Indexing scheme relating to groups G07C9/00174 - G07C9/00944
    • G07C2209/63—Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)

Description

2340169 A Security Svstem This invention relates to security systems and
in particular to a security svstem suitable for use in a vehicle. The system also sutable for protecting other areas such as, for example, buildings.
It is known to provide a protected area, such as a vehicle, with a passive entry security system and one such system is disclosed in EP 0 218 251. It is a problem with such security systems that they may be susceptible to attack from thieves using a relay system. To attempt to bypass the securitV system, a first thief approaches the vehicle and lifts the door handle so as to cause the vehicle to transmit its interrogation code. This first thief carries a transponder which relays the interrogation signal from the vehicle to a second transponder carried by an accomplice who is close to the legitimate portable transponder. The second transponder in turn relays the signal to the legitimate portable transponder so that the legitimate transponder sends its response signal which is relayed in a similar manner back to the vehicle. The first thief may now enter the vehicle and if passive remobilisation is also used then the first thief may also drive the vehicle away.
One attempt to overcome this problem is disclosed in DE 40 20 445 in which the vehicle mounted security controller aliocates a specific time slot for reception of the response signal and any signal received outside that time slot is ignored. The time slot may., for example., be defined by a propagation delay whose duration is limited to that defined only when the portable transponder is immediately adjacent to the vehicle. In this manner the additional propagation delay through the thieves' transponders would extend the delay before reception of the code from the portable transponder beyond the duration of the time slot.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved security system suitable for use in a vehicle.
According to the invention there is provided a securitv system suitable for use in a vehicle, the security system comprising a security control unit arranged in use to transmit an interrogation signal and a portable transponder arranged in use to transmit a response signal on receipt of said interrogation signal, the security unit being arranged to perform a predetermined security function upon receipt of said response signal.
wherein the portable transponder includes a user activated control means which is arranged to ensure that the response signal can only be transmitted after said control means has been activated.
It may only be possible to transmit the response signal during a time slot which starts on or after activation of the control means. The time slot may be any one or more of, a predetermined duration, programmable, or extendible.
If the time slot is extendible, this is preferably achieved by, further activation of the control means. In addition, or in the alternative, the time slot mav be extendible by the security control unit automatically under predetermined circumstances. The predetermined circumstances may include the presence of the portable transponder within a predetermined range of the security control unit.
The predetermined security function may comprise the release of a lock mechanism to allow a closure member of a vehicle or other protected area to be opened and may include the opening of said closure member within the time slot.
In the case of an extendible time slot, the security control unit may be arranged to perform a second security function during the extension of the time slot which may comprise the enabling of one or more sub-systems of a vehicle. NAlien the security system is fitted to a vehicle, the second security function may comprise the enabling of operation of a power train component of the vehicle, which may comprise a prime mover.
The security system may further comprise an indicating means which is arranged to indicate when the control means has been activated. NN"hen the security system is fitted to a vehicle, the indicating means may comprise a light emitting de-,-Ice visible from the exterior of the vehicle.
The control means mav be activated by a push button and may be further activated to ensure that the response signal can no longer be transmitted.
The portable transponder may further include a user operated lock and unlock means arranged to transmit lock and unlock commands to the security unit, said lock and unlock means being arranged to operate in parallel to the user activated control means.
The invention also provides: a vehicle including a security system according to the inventim a security control unit for such a security system-, and a portable transponder for such a security system.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle including a security system according to the invention.
Referring to the figure, a vehicle 10 has a security control unit 12 which is arranged to selectively lock and unlock a vehicle closure member which is in the form of a door 14. The door 14 has a door handle 16 which includes a microswitch (not shown separately) which is arranged to indicate to the securitv control unit 12 when the door handle 16 is operated. The door 14 also includes a door-mirror mounted transponder 18 which is arranged to transmit signals generated by the control unit 12 and to relay to that control unit 12 signals received from outside the vehicle 10.
The security control unit 12 is also arranged to enable and disable the operation of a prime mover 20 by controlling the operation of its associated power train controller 22. Other power train elements (none shown) such as an electronically controlled transmission may also be enabled and disabled in a similar fashion.
The security system further comprises a portable transponder 24 which is carried by a user. The portable transponder 24 includes a pick up coil receiver unit 26 which is tuned to receive signals transmitted by the transponder 18 and to pass these signals to a control logic 28.
The portable transponder 24 further comprises a transmitter 30 which is under the control of the control logic 28 and arranged to selectively transmit signals to the transponder 18.
The portable transponder 24 includes a lock button 32 and an unlock button 34 using which a user can send a lock signal S2 and an unlock signal S3 to the transponder 18 to lock and unlock respectively the door 14 and substantially simultaneously to disable and enable the power train 5 controller 22.
If a user presses a passive enable button 36 included on the portable transponder 24, the control logic 28 enters a passive entry mode which operates in parallel to the lock and unlock buttons 32, 34. In the passive entry mode, a user carrying the transponder 24 approaches the vehicle 10 and operates the door handle 16. Upon this operation, the security control unit 12 sends a command signal S1 to the remote transponder 24, which is picked up by the receiver unit 26 and relayed to the control logic 28. The control logic 28, upon receipt of a valid command signal S1. transmits a response signal S4 to the transponder 18 which in turn relays this to the securitv control unit 12 which then unlocks the door 14 and allows entry to the vehicle 10.
The passive entry mode lasts initialiv for a time slot of predetermined length which is programmed into a timer 38. This time slot may, for example, be pre-set 'in the order of 5 to 10 minutes. In this manner, a user can activate the passive entry mode whilst still out of range of the vehicle 10 and, so long as he or she operates the handle 16 before the end of this time slot, the security control unit 12 will unlock the door 14. The duration of the time slot mav be altered at the user's option using a programming means (not shown) which may, for example, comprise a service diagnostic aid.
By enabling the passive entry feature initiall'y for only a pre-set time slot on or after the passive enable button 36 has been pressed, it becomes more difficult for the security system to be bypassed using relaN transmitters (not shown) because the user will only enable this feature when he or she is not far from the vehicle 10. The user benefits from improved system security without losing the convenience afforded by a passive entry system. In this manner, for example, a user who has to carry baggage to the vehicle 10 can press the passive enable button 36 place the transponder 24 in their pocket and gain entry to the vehicle 10 within the time slot provided without having to operate the unlock button 34.
For further convenience, the time slot provided for the passive entrv feature may be extended by further operation of the passive enable button 36, for example by pressing it for a longer period or by a predetermined number of times. In addition or in the alternative, the time slot may be automatically extendible by the security control unit 12 under predetermined circumstances such as, for example, the presence of the portable transponder 24 in a predetermined range of the vehicle 10 or by detection of the opening of a closure member of the vehicle 10 within the initial time slot.
The extended time slot could be used. for example, to facilitate passive remobilisation of the power train controller 22 upon actual entry of the portable transponder 24 to the vehicle 10 so as to re-enable the prime mover 20. Other sub-systems of the vehicle 10, such as an electronically controlled transmission, a vehicle telephone or a navigation system (none shown), could also be enabled in a similar fashion during the extended time slot.
As a further enhancement, an indicating device visible from outside the vehicle 10, such as a light emitting diode, could be provided to indicate to a user when the passive mode is enabled and therefore when the time slot is running.
In a modification to the invention, no time slot is used and the passive entrv mode is both enabled and disabled using the passive mode button 36.
In a further modification to the invention, the lock and unlock buttons 32, 34 are eliminated and the only button on the portable transponder is the passive mode button 36. The security system then relies solely on the user operating the passive enable button 36 to be able to access the protected area.

Claims (22)

-9CLAIIMS
1. A security system suitable for use in a vehicle, the security system comprising a security control unit arranged in use to transmit an interrogation signal and a portable transponder arranged in use to transmit a response signal on receipt of said interrogation signal, the security unit being arranged to perform a predetermined security function upon receipt of said response signal, wherein the portable transponder includes a user activated control means which is arranged to ensure that the response signal can only be transmitted after said control means has been activated.
2. A security system according to Claim 1, wherein the response signal can only be transmitted during a time slot which starts on or after activation of the control means.
3. A security system according to Claim 2, wherein the time slot is of a predetermined duration.
4. A security system according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the duration of the time slot is programmable.
5. A security system according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the time slot is extendible.
6. A security system according to Claim 5, wherein the time slot is extendible by further activation of the control means.
A security system according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the time slot is extendible by the security control unit automatically under predetermined circumstances.
8. A security system according to Claim 7, the predetermined circumstances including the presence of the portable transponder within a predetermined range of the security control unit.
9. A security system according to any preceding claim,. the predetermined security function comprising the release of a lock mechanism to allow a closure member of a vehicle or other protected area to be opened.
10. A security system according to Claim 9, the predetermined circumstances including the opening of said closure member within the time slot.
11. A securitv svstem according to Claim 5 or any other claim when dependent thereon, wherein the security control unit is arranged to perform a second security function during the extension of the time slot.
12. A securitv system according to Claim 11, the second securi ity function comprising the enabling of one or more sub-systems of a vehicle.
13. A security system according to Claim 12. the second securitv function comprising the enabling of operation of a power train component of the vehicle.
14. A security system according to Claim 13, the power train component comprising a prime mover.
15. A security system according to any preceding claim, further comprising an indicating means which is arranged to indicate when the control means has been activated.
16. A security system according to Claim 15 when fitted to a vehicle, the indicating means comprising a light emitting device visible from the exterior of the vehicle.
17. A security system according to any preceding claim, the control means being activated by a push button.
18. A securitv svstem according to any preceding claim. wherein the control means can be further activated to ensure that the response signal can no longer be transmitted.
19. A security system according to Claim 9 or any other claim when dependent thereon, wherein the portable transponder further includes a user operated lock and unlock means arranged to transmit lock and unlock commands to the securitv unit, said lock and unlock means being arranged to operate in parallel to the user activated control means.
20. A securitv svstem substantialh- as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
21. A vehicle including a security system according to any preceding claim.
22. A security control unit for a security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 20.
A portable transponder for a security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 20.
GB9816372A 1998-07-29 1998-07-29 A security system Expired - Lifetime GB2340169B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9816372A GB2340169B (en) 1998-07-29 1998-07-29 A security system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9816372A GB2340169B (en) 1998-07-29 1998-07-29 A security system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9816372D0 GB9816372D0 (en) 1998-09-23
GB2340169A true GB2340169A (en) 2000-02-16
GB2340169B GB2340169B (en) 2002-12-11

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GB9816372A Expired - Lifetime GB2340169B (en) 1998-07-29 1998-07-29 A security system

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10250696A1 (en) * 2002-10-31 2004-05-13 Hella Kg Hueck & Co. A method for preventing collisions between components of sequential operations has a system of signalling the completion of each step to initiate the following step
US7791457B2 (en) 2006-12-15 2010-09-07 Lear Corporation Method and apparatus for an anti-theft system against radio relay attack in passive keyless entry/start systems
EP3064404A1 (en) * 2015-03-02 2016-09-07 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Function shutdown for an entry system for a vehicle
CN107054294A (en) * 2015-10-27 2017-08-18 福特全球技术公司 The system and method being additionally related to multi-functional passive entry for disabling on demand

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0218251A1 (en) * 1985-10-11 1987-04-15 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Patentabteilung AJ-3 Safety device for motor vehicles
DE4020445A1 (en) * 1990-02-03 1992-01-02 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Automobile antitheft device - uses defined time slot for reception of response code signal at stationary transponder within vehicle
US5515036A (en) * 1988-05-27 1996-05-07 Lectron Products, Inc. Passive keyless entry system
EP0808971A2 (en) * 1996-05-24 1997-11-26 Trw Inc. Keyless vehicle entry system employing portable transceiver having low power consumption

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0218251A1 (en) * 1985-10-11 1987-04-15 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Patentabteilung AJ-3 Safety device for motor vehicles
US5515036A (en) * 1988-05-27 1996-05-07 Lectron Products, Inc. Passive keyless entry system
DE4020445A1 (en) * 1990-02-03 1992-01-02 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Automobile antitheft device - uses defined time slot for reception of response code signal at stationary transponder within vehicle
EP0808971A2 (en) * 1996-05-24 1997-11-26 Trw Inc. Keyless vehicle entry system employing portable transceiver having low power consumption

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10250696A1 (en) * 2002-10-31 2004-05-13 Hella Kg Hueck & Co. A method for preventing collisions between components of sequential operations has a system of signalling the completion of each step to initiate the following step
US7791457B2 (en) 2006-12-15 2010-09-07 Lear Corporation Method and apparatus for an anti-theft system against radio relay attack in passive keyless entry/start systems
EP3064404A1 (en) * 2015-03-02 2016-09-07 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Function shutdown for an entry system for a vehicle
CN107054294A (en) * 2015-10-27 2017-08-18 福特全球技术公司 The system and method being additionally related to multi-functional passive entry for disabling on demand
CN107054294B (en) * 2015-10-27 2021-08-13 福特全球技术公司 System and method for on-demand disabling of passive entry

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9816372D0 (en) 1998-09-23
GB2340169B (en) 2002-12-11

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Expiry date: 20180728