GB2434880A

GB2434880A - Authorisation system for a vehicle identifying a number of vehicle profiles

Info

Publication number: GB2434880A
Application number: GB0525820A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pat Keenan; Tim Kinch
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd; Nissan Technical Centre Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-20
Filing date: 2005-12-20
Publication date: 2007-08-08
Also published as: GB0525820D0

Abstract

An authorisation system for a vehicle, the system comprising: identification means for authorising ignition of the vehicle and storing a unique identification code; storage means for storing at least one vehicle profile; and selection means for selecting one of the vehicle profiles in response to the unique identification code; whereby vehicle operation is regulated in response to the selected vehicle profile. The identification means is preferably a key and the unique identification code may be stored on a transponder housed in the key. Each stored vehicle profile may indicate a range at which a characteristic of the vehicle may operate, and the characteristic may be controlled by a vehicle management system such as an engine control module (ECM).

Description

Improvements Relating to Vehicle Authorisation The invention relates to

an apparatus and method for improving the safety of a vehicle which is used by more than one driver. In particular, the invention relates to specifying the operating characteristics of the vehicle depending on which driver is using the vehicle.

Often a vehicle is shared between several drivers with differing levels of driving experience. For example, a parent may allow their son or daughter to use their car soon after passing their driving test, or a husband and wife may share a vehicle. When a vehicle is shared between drivers it is desirable to tailor the operating characteristics of the vehicle, such as the power available to the driver, to the driving experience or other requirements of the driver who is using the vehicle at that time. For example, a parent may wish to prevent their son or daughter from having access to the full power of a vehicle. Also, it is preferable that a young driver, or a driver with speeding penalties, is prevented from driving at high speeds.

In some countries, such as the UK, in order to legally drive a vehicle on a public highway the driver of the vehicle must hold a valid insurance policy covering the driver for third party liability. The cost of such an insurance policy is in part worked out according to the driving experience of the driver(s) of the vehicle -the less driving experience a driver of the vehicle has, the higher the risk of an accident.

Consequently, insurance premiums for less experienced or young drivers are typically higher than those for older and more experienced drivers. Therefore, the cost of a parent's motor insurance premium will likely increase if they add a recently qualified driver, such as their son or daughter, to their motor insurance policy.

Other factors which determine the cost of vehicle insurance include the sex of the drivers and the size of the vehicle's engine. Statistically, women are safer drivers than men and have less serious accidents; therefore, their motor insurance premiums are generally lower than those for men driving identical vehicles. Powerful vehicles with large engines are deemed to be riskier to drive than less powerful vehicles and are

I

thus more expensive to insure, especially if those vehicles are to be driven by inexperienced drivers.

A system for limiting the power available to a specific driver of a vehicle is used in the two-mode ignition system of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-i. In this system, two keys are required to limit the power and start the vehicle -a first key engages with a first lock to set the power available to the driver (for example, 80% of the total power available) and a second key engages with an ignition lock to start the vehicle. The first lock restricts the power of the engine by sending a signal to the engine management system which closes one of the inlet valves and shuts down one of the fuel injectors to each cylinder of the engine.

Engine power limitation systems are employed by some modem vehicles in the event of a breakdown. For example, a vehicle may suffer a non-immobilising fault which is detected by a sensor in the vehicle and recorded in the vehicle's engine management system. If necessary, the engine management system will limit the power generated by the engine (this is known to those skilled in the art as "limp-home mode") to protect the vehicle from excessive damage and extend the driveable time of the vehicle to allow it to be taken to the nearest garage for repair.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for increasing the safety of inexperienced drivers in vehicles, especially high performance vehicles, which are shared between several drivers. In particular, the invention seeks to tailor the characteristics of a vehicle to a specific driver of the vehicle, for example, by restricting the engine power available to the driver. As a consequence of being able to restrict the power available to the driver of a vehicle, the invention also seeks to provide a means for reducing the cost of insurance premiums for vehicles shared by several drivers.

Against this background, the present invention resides in an authorisation system for a vehicle, the system comprising: identification means for authorising ignition of the vehicle and storing a unique identification code; storage means for storing at least one vehicle profile; and selection means for selecting one of the vehicle profiles in response to the unique identification code; whereby vehicle operation is regulated in response to the selected vehicle profile.

Preferably, the identification means is a key and the unique identification code may be stored on a transponder housed in the key.

In contrast to the Corvette system, the present invention does not require one key to start the vehicle and another to set the vehicle profile. Thus, starting a power limited vehicle using a system according to the present invention is made much simpler.

Additionally, the present invention allows the selection of the vehicle profile from a store of more than one vehicle profile, while the Corvette system only has one selectable profile. This enables each driver of a vehicle using a system according to the present invention to have their own unique vehicle profile.

The storage means may be a body control module (B CM) or an engine control module (ECM) and similarly the selection means may be a body control module (BCM) or an engine control module (ECM).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system further comprises an authentication means co-operable with the identification means for reading the unique identification code. Preferably, the unique identification code is encrypted and may be associated with one of the vehicle profiles. Each stored vehicle profile may indicate a range at which a characteristic of the vehicle may operate.

The characteristic of the vehicle is preferably controlled by a vehicle management system which may be an engine control module (ECM). The characteristic may comprise any one or a combination of the following: the power generated by the vehicle's engine, the number of revolutions of the engine, the throttle applied to the engine, the rate at which of the ratio of fuel to air is increased and the number of engine cylinders in use. Preferably, the range at which the characteristic of the vehicle may operate is adjustable.

Advantageously, modification of any of the above vehicle characteristics is not as disruptive to the vehicle's engine as other such systems. For example, by closing one of the inlet valves and shutting down one of the fuel injectors to each cylinder of the engine, as discussed above for the Corvette system. This means that fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and the driving characteristics of the vehicle are unlikely to be greatly compromised by modifying the above operating characteristics.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle authorisation system may further comprise a log for recording the use of the vehicle. This enables third parties, for example insurance companies, to confirm in the event of an accident details such as who was using the vehicle, when they were using it and which vehicle profile they had access to. The log may be stored on the selection means, the identification means or the storage means. Preferably, the log includes means for logging the driver of the vehicle and may include details of the time and date of use of the vehicle and of the selected vehicle profile. Additionally, the log may include means for logging the mileage of the vehicle.

The invention further resides in a method of authorising the use of a vehicle, the method comprising: comparing a unique identifier against a store of unique identifiers, each identifier corresponding to a vehicle profile; selecting the vehicle profile corresponding to the unique identifier; and regulating vehicle operation in response to the selected vehicle profile.

The method may further comprise decrypting the unique identifier and may further comprise recording details of the use of the vehicle in a log.

The invention further resides in a computer program product comprising at least one computer program software portion which, when executed in an execution environment, is operable to implement one or more of the steps of the above method.

The invention further resides in a data storage medium having the or each computer software portion of the above computer program product is stored thereon.

Additionally, the invention further resides in a microcomputer provided with a data storage medium as described above.

The invention further resides in a vehicle comprising the authorisation system as described above.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an engine ignition system for a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a flow diagram showing an overview of a method for setting the power output of the vehicle depending on the driver of the vehicle; Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of recording the use of the vehicle; and Figure 4 is a table for identifying a driver of the vehicle according to the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, an ignition system 1 of a car includes an engine control module (ECM) 2 which communicates with a body control module (BCM) 4 which in turn receives and transmits radio signals 12 via an antenna amplifier 6 to an identification means, namely a transponder 10 housed in an ignition key 8.

The ECM 2 controls operation of the vehicle's engine. Examples of some of the aspects of the engine controlled by the ECM 2 include the timing and amount of fuel injected into each cylinder of the engine, the opening and closing of the engine valves and the timing of the ignition of fuel. The ECM 2 also controls the amount of power the engine produces. In the current embodiment of the invention the ECM 2 electronically manages the engine throttle by controlling how wide the throttle valve opens. In a diesel car the amount of fuel injected into the engines is controlled by the ECM2.

At the centre of the ignition system 1 is the BCM 4. In addition to controlling systems such as interior and external lighting, central locking and the vehicle's anti-theft alarm, the BCM 4 also communicates with the antenna amplifier 6 to validate a serial code, or unique identifier, stored in and transmitted from the transponder 10 of the key 8. Each driver of the car is given an ignition key 8 in which the transponder 10 is housed and which carries a unique serial code that is used by the BCM 4 to identify the driver of the car. A database 5, or other storage means, is contained within the BCM 4 which contains a table that identifies the corresponding driver for each serial code and an associated engine power setting for that driver. An example of such a table is shown in Figure 4.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the car is owned by Driver 1 who shares it with their husband (Driver 2) and son (Driver 3). Driver 1 has a clean driving licence, Driver 2 has speeding endorsements on his licence and Driver 3 has only recently passed his driving test; therefore, Drivers 1, 2 and 3 have access to 100%, 90% and 75% of the engine's power respectively.

The table shown in Figure 4 is created securely by the owner of the car or, for added security, by the car's manufacturer once each ignition key and hence each serial code has been assigned to each driver. In the present embodiment of the invention the power setting that each driver has access to is set by Driver 1. Once set, the power setting can by adjusted by Driver 1 when, for example, Driver 2's endorsements are spent or Driver 3 gains adequate driving experience.

The BCM 4 confirms the identity of the driver of the car and communicates with the ECM 2 to select the power setting of the car, as illustrated by a method 20 in Figure 2.

Method 20 commences with a driver of the car inserting at Step 22 their ignition key 8 into the ignition of the car. A signal is sent from the ignition to the BCM 4 notifying it of the insertion of the key 8. The BCM 4 then generates and transmits at Step 24 a cryptographic challenge message to the transponder 10 via the antenna amplifier 6.

The database 5 of the BCM 4 also contains a table of expected responses corresponding to the sent cryptographic challenge message. Upon receipt of the cryptographic challenge message the transponder 10 generates at Step 26 a response to the cryptographic challenge message which includes the unique serial code for that driver and sends it to the BCM 4 at Step 28.

The BCM 4 at Step 30 compares the response to the cryptographic challenge message against the table of expected responses. If the response is invalid then an "Invalid key" notification is displayed to the driver at Step 32 and a further cryptographic challenge is sent to the transponder at Step 24. Alternatively, if the response is valid the BCM 4 uses the database 5 to find the power setting that corresponds to the unique serial number sent in the response to the cryptographic challenge message. The corresponding power setting is sent to the ECM 2 at Step 34, which then limits the power of the engine to the received power setting by adjusting the degree to which the throttle valve is open, i.e. Driver 1 has access to the full power range of the car, and Driver 2 and Driver 3 have access to 90% and 75% of the power range of the car respectively.

In the event of an accident it will be necessary to determine which driver was using the car at the time of the accident. Figure 3 illustrates a method 40 for recording the use of the car by the drivers. Once a driver has inserted the ignition key 8 into the ignition of the car, method 40 commences at Step 34 of method 20 with the power setting for the car being sent from the BCM 4 to the ECM 2. For that driver the BCM 4 records at Step 42 the start mileage, power setting and the time and date that the driver began using the car. As a back-up, the start mileage, power setting and the time and date that the driver began using the car is also sent at Step 44 to the transponder and stored at Step 46 on the transponder 10.

When the driver has finished using the car they will inevitably at Step 48 remove the ignition key 8 from the ignition of the car. Alternatively, in the event of a breakdown or accident the engine will likely fail, thus cutting power to the car. When this occurs the BCM 4 at Step 50 will store the end mileage, power setting and time and date that the driver stopped using the car. Therefore, the last person to drive the vehicle is stored in the BCM 4 and that data can be retrieved by an insurance company to verify a claim in the event of an accident.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essential attributes. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims and other general statements herein rather than to the foregoing specific description as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. An authorisation system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

identification means for authorising ignition of the vehicle and storing a unique identification code; storage means for storing at least one vehicle profile; and selection means for selecting one of the vehicle profiles in response to the unique identification code; whereby vehicle operation is regulated in response to the selected vehicle profile.

2. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 1, wherein the unique identification code is encrypted.

3. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the system further comprises an authentication means co-operable with the identification means for reading the unique identification code.

4. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unique identification code is associated with one of the vehicle profiles.

5. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each stored vehicle profile indicates a range at which a characteristic of the vehicle may operate.

6. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 5, wherein the characteristic is controlled by a vehicle management system.

7. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 6, wherein the vehicle management system is an engine control module (ECM).

8. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the characteristic comprises the power generated by the vehicle's engine.

9. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 5 to 8, wherein the characteristic comprises the number of revolutions of the engine.

10. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 5 to 9, wherein the characteristic comprises the throttle applied to the engine.

II. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 5 to 10, wherein the characteristic comprises the rate at which of the ratio of fuel to air is increased.

12. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 5 or 11, wherein the characteristic comprises the number of engine cylinders in use.

13. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 5 to 12, wherein the range at which the characteristic of the vehicle may operate is adjustable.

14. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification means is a key.

15. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 14, wherein the unique identification code is stored on a transponder housed in the key.

16. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a log for recording the use of the vehicle.

17. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 16, wherein the log is stored on the selection means.

18. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 16, wherein the log is stored on the identification means.

19. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 16, wherein the log is stored on the storage means.

20. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 16 to 19, wherein the log includes means for logging a driver of the vehicle.

21. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 16 to 20, wherein the log includes details of the time and date of use of the vehicle.

22. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 16 to 21, wherein the log includes details of the selected vehicle profile.

23. The vehicle authorisation system according to any of Claims 16 to 22, wherein the log includes means for logging the mileage of the vehicle.

24. A method of authorising the use of a vehicle, the method comprising: comparing a unique identifier against a store of unique identifiers, each identifier corresponding to a vehicle profile; selecting the vehicle profile corresponding to the unique identifier; and regulating vehicle operation in response to the selected vehicle profile.

25. A method of authorising the use of a vehicle according to Claim 24, the method further comprising decrypting the unique identifier.

26. A method of authorising the use of a vehicle according to Claim 24 or 25, the method further comprising recording details of the use of the vehicle in a log.

27. A computer program product comprising at least one computer program software portion which, when executed in an execution environment, is operable to implement one or more of the steps of any one of Claims 24 to 26.

28. A data storage medium having the or each computer software portion of Claim 27 stored thereon.

29. A microcomputer provided with a data storage medium as claimed in Claim 28.

30. A vehicle comprising the authorisation system of any one of Claims 1 to 23.

31. A vehicle authorisation system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

32. A method of authorising the use of a vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An authorisation system for a vehicle, the system comprising: identification means for authorising ignition of the vehicle and storing a unique encrypted identification code; storage means for storing at least one vehicle profile; and selection means for selecting one of the vehicle profiles in response to the unique encrypted identification code; whereby vehicle operation is regulated in response to the selected vehicle profile.

2. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 1, wherein the system e S further comprises an authentication means co-operable with the identification means S.....

for reading the unique identification code. S...

3. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of the preceding S * S...

claims, wherein the unique identification code is associated with one of the vehicle.. : profiles.

4. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each stored vehicle profile indicates a range at which a characteristic of the vehicle may operate.

5. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 4, wherein the characteristic is controlled by a vehicle management system.

6. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 5, wherein the vehicle management system is an engine control module (ECM).

7. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the characteristic comprises the power generated by the vehicle's engine.

8. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the characteristic comprises the number of revolutions of the engine.

9. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 4 to 8, wherein the characteristic comprises the throttle applied to the engine.

10. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 4 to 9, wherein the characteristic comprises the rate at which of the ratio of fuel to air is increased.

11. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 4 to 10, : .: wherein the characteristic comprises the number of engine cylinders in use. * :* * * S.....

12. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 4 to 11, **..*.

wherein the range at which the characteristic of the vehicle may operate is adjustable. * S S...

13. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of the preceding.::: : claims, wherein the identification means is a key.

14. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 13, wherein the unique identification code is stored on a transponder housed in the key.

15. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a log for recording the use of the vehicle.

16. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 15, wherein the log is stored on the selection means.

17. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 15, wherein the log is stored on the identification means.

18. The vehicle authorisation system according to Claim 15, wherein the log is stored on the storage means.

19. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 15 to 18, wherein the log includes means for logging a driver of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 15 to 19, wherein the log includes details of the time and date of use of the vehicle.

21. The vehicle authorisation system according to any one of Claims 15 to 20, wherein the log includes details of the selected vehicle profile.

22. The vehicle authorisation system according to any of Claims 15 to 21, wherein: . the log includes means for logging the mileage of the vehicle. * : *:* * S S.....

23. A method of authorising the use of a vehicle, the method comprising: comparing a unique encrypted identifier against a store of unique encrypted identifiers, each identifier corresponding to a vehicle profile; : :: :* selecting the vehicle profile corresponding to the unique identifier; and * regulating vehicle operation in response to the selected vehicle profile.

24. A method of authorising the use of a vehicle according to Claim 23, the method further comprising decrypting the unique identifier.

25. A method of authorising the use of a vehicle according to Claim 23 or 24, the method further comprising recording details of the use of the vehicle in a log.

26. A computer program product comprising at least one computer program software portion which, when executed in an execution environment, is operable to implement one or more of the steps of any one of Claims 23 to 25.

27. A data storage medium having the or each computer software portion of Claim 26 stored thereon.

28. A microcomputer provided with a data storage medium as claimed in Claim 27.

29. A vehicle comprising the authorisation system of any one of Claims 1 to 22.

30. A vehicle authorisation system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

31. A method of authorising the use of a vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings. S. * * S S * *. ** S * S S * * * S

S..... * S

S.....

I S...

S S *.e. *.S.

S S