GB2340171A - A vehicle security system - Google Patents
A vehicle security system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2340171A GB2340171A GB9816730A GB9816730A GB2340171A GB 2340171 A GB2340171 A GB 2340171A GB 9816730 A GB9816730 A GB 9816730A GB 9816730 A GB9816730 A GB 9816730A GB 2340171 A GB2340171 A GB 2340171A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- transponder
- security
- controller
- security system
- 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
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
- B60R25/20—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
- B60R25/24—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
- B60R25/01—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
- B60R25/04—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
-
- 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
- G07C9/00857—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys where the code of the data carrier can be programmed
-
- 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
- G07C2009/00753—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by active electrical keys
- G07C2009/00769—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by active electrical keys with data transmission performed by wireless means
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
Description
2340171 A Securitv Svstem This invention relates to security systems and
in particular to a securitv svstem for a vehicle.
It is known to provide a vehicle with a passive entry system and one such svstem is disclosed in EP 0 218 251. Using such a system, it is still common to retain the use of a conventional ignition key with an associated bulky ignition lock for starting the vehicle.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved security system for a vehicle.
According to the invention there is provided a security system for a vehicle, comprising a security controller arranged in use to selectively enable and disable the operation of an engine in response to communication with a remote transponder, wherein the security system further comprises a vehicle transponder which is arranged in use to receive a token code after operation of the engine has been enabled and which token code provides authority to the security controller to enable operation of the en 'ne when 91 the remote transponder is not in communication with the security controller.
9 The token code may remain valid for operation of the en ine until the 91 engine is stopped with the remote transponder in communication with the securit,,- controller.
The token code may remain valid for operation of the en ine until the 91 vehicle is locked from its outside using the remote transponder.
The securitv controller mav be arranged to switch off the engine if the remote transponder is not in communication with it and if communication with the vehicle transponder is also interrupted.
The token code may be passed to the vehicle transponder only after the operation of the engine is enabled by communication between the remote transponder and the security controller.
The securitv controller mav be arrancred to generate an alarm signal if in the remote transponder is removed from communication with the security controller while the vehicle transponder is likely to be in possession of the 15 token code.
The vehicle transponder may be removed from the vehicle but may be mechanically held in place in the vehicle whilst the engine is operating or the vehicle is moving.
The token code may be programmed into the vehicle transponder using a programming means, which may comprise a key-pad. The programming means may be arranged to program the token code into the vehicle transponder onl,,, temporarily.
The security system may comprise a passive entrv sN, stem of a vehicle and may in addition, or in the alternative. comprise a passive starting svstem of a vehicle.
The invention also provides a controller and a vehicle transponder for a security system according to the invention and also provides a vehicle including a security system according to the invention.
The invention will now be described bv way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure I is a schematic diagram of a vehicle including a security sy stem according to the invention.
Referring to the figure, a vehicle 10 includes an engine 12 which is controlled by an engine controller 14. The vehicle 10 further comprises a securitv controller 16 which is connected to the en ine controller 14 and is 91 4- arranged in use to selectively enable and disable the operation of the engine 12 through its connection to the engine controller 14.
The securitv controller 16 is matched to a remote transponder 18 which is carried by a user of the vehicle 10. The controller 16 and the remote transponder 18 form a passive entrv svstem for the vehicle 10 of the type known from EP 0 218 251.
The security controller 16 also communicates with a vehicle transponder 20 which is itself 20 also arranged to communicate with the en ine controller 14. The vehicle transponder 20 is portable but is normally kept in the vehicle 10. The security controller 16 and the vehicle transponder 20 form a passive starting system in co-operation with the remote transponder 18. In this svstem, when the remote transponder 18 is within range of the security controller 16, the security controller 16 enables the engine controller 14 so that the engine 12 can be started. The securitv provided by the remote transponder 18 allows the elimination of a conventional ignition switch and the provision of a simple push button (not shown) to start the engine 12.
When the engine 12 has been started in this manner, a token code is passed to the vehicle transponder 20 and token code remains valid for starting and running the engine 12 and for operating the vehicle 10 until the vehicle 10 is externally locked using the remote transponder 18.
In this manner, if a first user leaves the vehicle 10 and takes the remote transponder 18 with them, a second user can retain the vehicle transponder 20, which holds the token code required to use the vehicle 10.
The vehicle transponder 20 is similar in construction and operation to the remote transponder 18 and may be left in any convenient position in the vehicle 10, such as in a glovebox, or may be carried by the second user.
A warning means (not shown) such as a buzzer is provided and is used to alert a user who is leaving the vehicle 10 and carrying the remote transponder 18 if the vehicle transponder 20 is likely to be in possession of the token code. The likelihood of the vehicle transponder 20 still being in possession of the token code is Judged by the security controller 16, for example it might be determined as at its greatest when the engine 12 has been turned off and the driver's door opened and closed without the vehicle 10 being locked using the remote transponder 18 within a time slot of predetermined duration after the driver's door was shut. This improves securitv as it reduces the chances of a user leaving the vehicle 10 in an vulnerable state unintentionally, i.e. with a validated vehicle transponder 20 inside it 10.
In a modification to the invention, the vehicle transponder 20 is mechanically held in place in the vehicle 10 whilst the en ine 12 is running 91 or the vehicle is moving. This ensures that the eng-ine 12 will not cut out if for example, a driver were to pass a wallet containing the remote transponder 18 to a rear seat passenger and it 18 was to go out of range of the controller 16 whilst the vehicle is travellina at speed.
n In a further modification to the invention, a programming means such as a diagnostic aid or a key-pad could be connected to the controller 16 and arranged to be able to program the vehicle transponder 20 with the token code, or possibly even the full authority code if desired. This programming might be temporary, so as to get a stranded user home. or permanent, so as to replace a lost remote transponder 18. In this manner, a lost remote transponder 18 would not result in loss of vehicle use. Such a feature might also prove suitable for vehicle servicing where, for example, the key-pad could be used to temporally program in a token code which is adequate for a service agent to service the vehicle 10, but is not adequate to allow operation of a vehicle telephone.
This invention addresses a problem involved with passive starting. Several scenarios have been considered where the remote transponder 18 goes out of range of an associated transponder reader (not shown separately from the security controller 16) whilst the engine 12 is running, for example 7 - if the driver leaves the vehicle 10 and a passenger moves over to the driver's seat. The vehicle 10 might then be driven to another location and the engine 12 turned off. The original driver still holds the remote transponder 18 and the second driver is stranded, but not so if the second driver has the 5 vehicle transponder 20 and it is in possession of the token code.
An attempt to address the above problem without using the present invention often has an undesirable side effect. For example,. it would be possible to cause the security controller 16 to stop the engine 12 immediatelv if the remote transponder 18 goes out of range of the securitV controller 16. This arrangement could have unfortunate consequences where a driver passes a wallet (which happens to contain the remote transponder 18) to a rear seat passenger whilst driving on a motorway. This problem is best solved by the embodiment of this invention in which the vehicle transponder 20 is held fixed in place while the engine 12 is running, or alternatively while the vehicle 10 is moving, so that there is alwavs one or the other of the transponders 18, 20 in communication with the security controller 16 under those circumstances and the likelihood of the engine 12 being cut out is reduced.
A second attempt to address this problem might be the use of door switches (not shown) to determine when the driver leaves the vehicle 10. This attempt at a solution would require complex functionality to allow for all possible scenarios, such as the vehicle 10 being driven awav without a door being fully shut or a driver who exits through the passenger door.
The present invention therefore provides an improved solution to the problems described above which are associated with providing a passive starting system as part of a security system for a vehicle and enables the elimination of a conventional ignition switch and kev. The invention lends itself in particular to incorporation into a passive entrv svstem.
Claims (17)
1. A security system for a vehicle, comprising a security controller arranged in use to selectively enable and disable the operation of an engine in response to communication with a remote transponder, wherein the securitv svstem further comprises a vehicle transponder which is arranged in use to receive a token code after operation of the en ine has been enabled and which token code provides authority to the 91 security controller to enable operation of the en ine when the remote 91 transponder is not in communication with the security controller.
2. A security system according to Claim 1, wherein the token code remains valid for operation of the engine until the engine is stopped with the remote transponder in communication with the securitv controller.
3. A security system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the token code remains valid for operation of the engine until the vehicle is locked from its outside using the remote transponder.
4. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein the security controller is arranged to switch off the engine if the remote transponder is not in communication with it and if communication with the vehicle transponder is also interrupted.
10-
5. A security svstem according to any preceding claim, wherein the token code is passed to the vehicle transponder only after the operation of the engine is enabled by communication between the remote transponder and the security controller.
6. A securitv svstem according to any preceding claim, wherein the securitv controller is arranged to generate an alarm signal if the remote transponder is removed from communication with the security controller while the vehicle transponder is likely to be in possession of the token code.
7. A securitv system according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle transponder can be removed from the vehicle.
8. A securitv svstem according to any preceding claim. wherein the ,ehicle transponder mechanically held in place in the vehicle wh Ist the engine is operating or the vehicle is moving.
9. A securitv svstem according to any preceding claim, wherein the token code can be programmed into the vehicle transponder using a programming means.
10. A security system according to Claim 9, the programming means comprising a key-pad.
11. A security system according to 9 or Claim 10, the programming means being arranged to program the token code into the vehicle transponder only temporarily.
12. A security system according to any preceding claim comprising a passive entry system of a vehicle.
13. A security svstem according to any preceding claim comprising a passive starting system of a vehicle.
14. A security system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
15. A controller for a security system according to any preceding claim.
16. A vehicle transponder for a security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 14.
17. A vehicle including a security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 14.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9816730A GB2340171B (en) | 1998-08-01 | 1998-08-01 | A security system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9816730A GB2340171B (en) | 1998-08-01 | 1998-08-01 | A security system |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9816730D0 GB9816730D0 (en) | 1998-09-30 |
| GB2340171A true GB2340171A (en) | 2000-02-16 |
| GB2340171B GB2340171B (en) | 2002-05-01 |
Family
ID=10836514
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9816730A Expired - Fee Related GB2340171B (en) | 1998-08-01 | 1998-08-01 | A security system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2340171B (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5650774A (en) * | 1987-09-08 | 1997-07-22 | Clifford Electronics, Inc. | Electronically programmable remote control access system |
| EP0787875A2 (en) * | 1996-02-02 | 1997-08-06 | Trw Inc. | Portable transceiver for keyless vehicle entry system having phase delay |
-
1998
- 1998-08-01 GB GB9816730A patent/GB2340171B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5650774A (en) * | 1987-09-08 | 1997-07-22 | Clifford Electronics, Inc. | Electronically programmable remote control access system |
| EP0787875A2 (en) * | 1996-02-02 | 1997-08-06 | Trw Inc. | Portable transceiver for keyless vehicle entry system having phase delay |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2340171B (en) | 2002-05-01 |
| GB9816730D0 (en) | 1998-09-30 |
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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) | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20040801 |