USRE42915E1 - Vehicle security control apparatus - Google Patents

Vehicle security control apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
USRE42915E1
USRE42915E1 US12/654,172 US65417209A USRE42915E US RE42915 E1 USRE42915 E1 US RE42915E1 US 65417209 A US65417209 A US 65417209A US RE42915 E USRE42915 E US RE42915E
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
vehicle
control apparatus
security control
code
switch
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US12/654,172
Inventor
Hiroki Okada
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.)
Toyota Motor Corp
Original Assignee
Toyota Motor Corp
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 Toyota Motor Corp filed Critical Toyota Motor Corp
Priority to US12/654,172 priority Critical patent/USRE42915E1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of USRE42915E1 publication Critical patent/USRE42915E1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/20Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
    • B60R25/24Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/01Fittings 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
    • B60R25/04Fittings 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
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07CTIME 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
    • G07C9/00Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/00174Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
    • G07C9/00309Electronically 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
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07CTIME 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
    • G07C9/00Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/00174Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
    • G07C9/00309Electronically 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
    • G07C2009/00507Electronically 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 keyless data carrier having more than one function
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07CTIME 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
    • G07C9/00Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/00174Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
    • G07C2009/00753Electronically 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
    • G07C2009/00769Electronically 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
    • G07C2009/00793Electronically 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 by Hertzian waves

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vehicle security control apparatus and, more particularly, to a vehicle security control apparatus that performs code comparison through communication with a portable device and, based on the result of comparison, permits or prohibits of use of a vehicle.
  • JP3-21575 describes a technology in which when a person operates a manual switch provided in the vehicle, communication between a secret code transmitter carried by the person and a receiver provided in a vehicle is performed.
  • the code signal from the transmitter is compared with a pre-stored code by a code comparator provided in the vehicle. If the comparison signified that the operating person is an authorized user, the running power circuit of the vehicle is turned on and it is possible to unlock the vehicle via the manual switch provided in the vehicle.
  • a vehicle security control apparatus includes a portable device capable of being carried and transmitting a signal, a vehicle-installed device, located within the vehicle, that receives the signal from the portable device, a determiner that determines whether to permit or prohibit use of the vehicle based on a result of a code comparison through communication between the vehicle-installed device and the portable device, a connecting portion within the vehicle, a switch device that can connect to the connecting portion, and a determination backup device that determines whether to permit or prohibit the use of the vehicle by performing the code comparison with the switch device connected to the connecting portion if it is impossible for the determiner to determine whether to permit or prohibit use of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle security control apparatus performs the code comparison through cooperation of the switch device connected to the connecting portion of the vehicle and the determination backup device, the apparatus can permit use of the vehicle even if the battery of the portable device is exhausted or radio interference occurs.
  • the vehicle security control apparatus may further include a connection detector that (1) detects a connection between switch device and the connecting portion and (2) operates the determination backup device.
  • the vehicle security control apparatus may also include an operation prohibiter that prohibits the determiner from operating if the determination backup device is operating.
  • connection detector operates the determination backup device only when the switch device is connected to the connecting portion, useless electric power consumption is prevented and the danger of radio interference is eliminated even if the determination backup device and the determiner use the same signal frequency.
  • the switch device may be at least a portion of the portable device, i.e. may be formed by a portion of the portable device or the entire portable device.
  • the vehicle security control apparatus may further include a door open-close permitting device that permits a door to be opened or closed if the determination backup device determines to permit the use of the vehicle.
  • the door may be opened or closed.
  • the vehicle security control apparatus may further include an engine start permitting device that permits an engine of the vehicle to be started if the determination backup device permits use of the vehicle.
  • the engine of the vehicle may be started and the vehicle can be driven.
  • the vehicle may have a detachable start switch for starting the engine, and the connecting portion may be provided at a position from which the start switch is detachable.
  • the connecting portion is provided at a position from which the start switch is detachable, at least a portion of the portable device can be connected to the connecting portion and operated to start the engine when the battery of the portable device is depleted or occurrence of radio interference in substantially the same manner as a conventional key is used.
  • the vehicle security control apparatus may further include a steering unlock permitting device that permits a steering of the vehicle to be unlocked if the determination backup device determines that the use of the vehicle is authorized.
  • the steering of the vehicle may be unlocked and the vehicle can be driven.
  • At least a portion of the switch device that can connect to the connecting portion may have a transponder circuit that transmits a specific code.
  • the determination backup device may receive the specific code from the transponder and compare the specific code with a pre-stored code specific to the vehicle.
  • the transponder circuit of the portable device transmits a specific code.
  • the determination backup device receives the specific code from the transponder circuit and compares the code with the pre-stored code specific to the vehicle. Hence, it becomes possible to determine whether the portable device is an authorized portable device corresponding to the vehicle.
  • a range of a permitted uses of the vehicle determined by the determination backup device may be restricted relative to a range of permitted uses of the vehicle determined by the determiner.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the vehicle-installed device of the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the portable device of the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of communication between the first and second transmitting antennas and the portable device
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the engine start operation executed by an ECU in the apparatus of the invention
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are a sectional view and a plan view of an embodiment of the ignition switch according to the apparatus of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the portable device in the apparatus of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the emergency operation executed by the ECU of the apparatus of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the failure check operation executed by ECU of the apparatus of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the vehicle-installed device of the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention.
  • a vehicle-installed device 10 has two antennas, a first transmitting antenna 11 and a second transmitting antenna 12 .
  • the first transmitting antenna 11 may be located a door handle of a vehicle (four-wheeled vehicle).
  • the second transmitting antenna 12 may be located near an instrument panel in a compartment of the vehicle.
  • the first transmitting antenna 11 is connected to a first transmitter portion 14 and the second transmitting antenna 12 is connected to a second transmitter portion 16 .
  • the first transmitter portion 14 and the second transmitter portion 16 are connected to an electronic control unit (ECU) 20 .
  • ECU electronice control unit
  • the ECU 20 supplies first and second request codes to the first transmitter portion 14 and the second transmitter portion 16 , respectively.
  • the first and second request codes are modulated to provide request signals having a frequency of, for example, 134 kHz, which are transmitted from the first transmitting antenna 11 and the second transmitting antenna 12 to a portable device 60 .
  • the first transmitter portion 14 and the second transmitter portion 16 may be combined into a single circuit.
  • the vehicle also has with a receiving antenna 22 .
  • a signal received from the portable device 60 by the receiving antenna 22 which has a signal frequency of, for example, 300 MHz, is demodulated by a receiver circuit 24 and then supplied to the ECU 20 .
  • a memory 26 is connected to the ECU 20 . Pre-stored in the memory 26 are a plurality of codes that are different from one another. For example, a first code for a door lock, a second code for engine start, a transponder ID code, and the like.
  • the memory 26 is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM or the like, so that the stored content is retained even if power supply is cut off.
  • An operation detector portion 28 detects various switch operations performed by a user. For example, the operation detector portion 28 detects an operation performed on an ignition switch and supplies a corresponding operation detection signal to the ECU 20 .
  • a door open-close detector portion 30 detects an open or closed state of a driver's side door (or of each door of the vehicle) and sends a corresponding detection signal to the ECU 20 .
  • An immobilizer switch 32 detects connection of a transponder portion of the portable device to the instrument panel, and supplies a corresponding detection signal to the ECU 20 .
  • the ECU 20 is also connected to a steering lock portion 40 , an immobilizer portion 42 , a door locking portion 44 , an immobilizer amplifier 46 , and a communication check transponder circuit 100 .
  • the steering lock portion 40 is a mechanism for mechanically prohibiting operation of a steering.
  • the immobilizer portion 42 is a mechanism for prohibiting fuel supply and ignition operation.
  • the door locking portion 44 is a mechanism for locking and unlocking all the doors.
  • the immobilizer amplifier 46 supplies power to a transponder circuit of an emergency key via high-frequency waves and supplies an ID code received from the transponder circuit to the ECU 20 .
  • the ECU 20 is also connected to an engine control portion 48 .
  • the engine control portion 48 is capable of controlling the start of an engine 50 by using a self-starting motor and is also capable of controlling stop of the engine 50 .
  • the communication check transponder circuit 100 supplies a specific transponder ID code to the ECU 20 .
  • the ID code is compared with the ID code stored in the memory to check for a failure of such determination backup means as the ECU 20 .
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the portable device of the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention.
  • the portable device 60 has a transmitting antenna 62 and a receiving antenna 64 .
  • the antennas 62 , 64 are connected to a transmitter-receiver circuit 66 .
  • the transmitter-receiver circuit 66 is connected to an ECU 68 .
  • the request signal received from the vehicle-installed device 10 via the receiving antenna 64 has a signal frequency of, for example, 134 kHz.
  • the request signal is demodulated by the transmitter-receiver circuit 66 and then supplied to the ECU 68 .
  • the ECU 68 reads first and second codes from a memory 70 , and supplies the codes to the transmitter-receiver circuit 66 .
  • the first and second codes are modulated by the transmitter-receiver circuit 66 , so that corresponding to each code, a signal having a frequency of, for example, 300 MHz, is transmitted from the transmitting antenna 62 to the vehicle-installed device 10 .
  • the portable device 60 is provided with a separate transponder circuit 72 .
  • the transponder circuit 72 has therein a resonance circuit and a register. Upon receiving high-frequency waves transmitted from the immobilizer amplifier 46 via an immobilizer coil, the transponder circuit 72 stores the energy of high-frequency waves as electric power into the resonance circuit, and transmits its specific transponder ID code read from the register. The transponder ID code is supplied to the ECU 20 of the vehicle-installed device 10 via the immobilizer coil and the immobilizer amplifier 46 .
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of communication between the first and second transmitting antennas 11 , 12 and the portable device 60 .
  • the first signal request having a frequency of 134 kHz is transmitted from the first transmitting antenna 11 of the vehicle-installed device 10 .
  • the second request signal having a frequency of 134 kHz is transmitted from the second transmitting antenna 12 of the vehicle-installed device 10 .
  • the portable device 60 Upon receiving the first or second request signals, the portable device 60 sends back a signal of a frequency of 300 MHz obtained by demodulating the first or second code in accordance with the received request signal.
  • the signal of the frequency of 300 MHz received by the receiving antenna 22 of the vehicle-installed device 10 is demodulated by the receiver circuit 24 and then supplied to the ECU 20 .
  • the ECU 20 thus receives the first or second code.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the engine start operation executed by the ECU 20 in the apparatus of the invention.
  • the ECU 20 executes this operation periodically (for example, every 200 ms) while all the relevant mechanisms and the like are locked.
  • step S 10 in FIG. 4 the ECU 20 causes the first transmitter portion 14 to transmit the 134 kHz request signal obtained by modulating the first request code from the first transmitting antenna 11 .
  • step S 12 the ECU 20 determines whether an answer signal has been received from the portable device 60 by the receiver circuit 24 . If an answer signal is received, the operation proceeds to step 14 , in which the ECU 20 compares the demodulated code supplied from the receiver circuit 24 with the first code stored in the memory 26 .
  • step S 12 If it is determined in step S 12 that an answer signal has not been received from the portable device 60 , or if it is determined in step S 14 that the demodulated code does not conform to the first code, the operation goes back to step S 10 . If an answer signal is received from the portable device 60 and the demodulated code conforms to the first code, the operation proceeds to step S 16 .
  • step S 14 If a user carrying an authorized portable device 60 approaches the vehicle, the portable device 60 receives, via the receiving antenna 64 , the 134 kHz request signal obtained by modulating the first request code, The portable device then transmits, via the transmitting antenna 62 , the 300 MHz signal obtained by modulating the first code in accordance with the first request code. Therefore, it is determined in step S 14 that the demodulated code conforms to the first code, and the operation proceeds to step S 16 . In step S 16 , the ECU 20 controls the door locking portion 44 to unlock all the doors since it has been determined that the user has approached the vehicle is carrying the authorized portable device 60 .
  • step S 18 the ECU 20 causes the second transmitter portion 16 to transmit the 134 kHz request signal obtained by modulating the second request code, from the second transmitting antenna 12 provided in or near the instrument panel in the compartment.
  • step S 20 ECU 20 determines whether an answer signal to the second request code has been received from the portable device 60 by the receiver circuit 24 . If an answer signal is received, the ECU 20 compares, in step S 22 , the demodulated code supplied from the receiver circuit 24 with the second code stored in the memory 26 . If an answer signal is not received, or if the demodulated code does not conform to the second code, the operation goes back to step S 18 . If an answer signal is received from the portable device 60 and the demodulated code conforms to the second code, the operation proceeds to step S 24 .
  • the ECU 20 controls the steering lock portion 40 to unlock the steering lock.
  • the ECU 20 further controls the immobilizer portion 42 to cancel the prohibition of fuel supply to the engine 50 and cancel the prohibition of the ignition operation, in step S 24 .
  • the user is allowed to turn the ignition key start the engine 50 via the engine control portion 48 .
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are a sectional view and a plan view of an embodiment of the ignition switch according to the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention.
  • An ignition switch 80 is provided in the instrument panel in the compartment.
  • an operating knob 82 is turned to either an engine stop position (LOCK), an accessory position (ACC), an engine drive position (ON), or an engine start position (START) as indicated in a position indicator area 84 , in order to select a desired state of the engine and the electric power source of the vehicle.
  • LOCK engine stop position
  • ACC accessory position
  • ON engine drive position
  • START engine start position
  • a key is inserted in place of the operating knob 82 to select a state of the engine or the electric power source.
  • the operating knob 82 is provided instead of the conventional key.
  • a protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82 is fitted into a support portion 88 provided in the instrument panel as shown in FIG. 5A .
  • the operating knob 82 is removable from the support portion 88 .
  • the immobilizer switch 32 is disposed inside the instrument panel in such a manner as to face a distal end of the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82 while leaving a space therebetween. Since the distal end of the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82 is spaced from the immobilizer switch 32 , the immobilizer switch 32 is in an off-state.
  • An immobilizer coil 90 surrounds the support portion 88 . The immobilizer coil 90 is connected to the immobilizer amplifier 46 .
  • the communication check transponder circuit 100 is disposed in the vicinity of the immobilizer coil 90 .
  • the transponder circuit 100 has therein a resonance circuit and a resistor.
  • the transponder circuit 100 Upon receiving high-frequency waves transmitted from the immobilizer amplifier 46 via the immobilizer coil 90 , the transponder circuit 100 stores the energy of high-frequency waves as electric power into the resonance circuit, and transmits its specific transponder ID code read from the register.
  • the transponder ID code is supplied to the ECU 20 of the vehicle-installed device 10 via the immobilizer coil 90 and the immobilizer amplifier 46 .
  • the communication check transponder circuit 100 checks for failures of determination backup means such as the immobilizer amplifier 46 , the immobilizer coil 90 , and the ECU 20 , which are activated for comparing the ID with the portable device 60 .
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the failure check operation executed by the ECU 20 on the immobilizer amplifier 46 , the immobilizer coil 90 , and the like. This operation starts when an operation of the operation knob 82 , for example, is detected. The failure check operation is stopped when the immobilizer switch 32 detects the connection of the transponder portion 60 B of the portable device 60 to the support portion 88 . Referring to the same figure, first, it is determined whether the ignition switch 80 has been turned to start the engine, for example, and whether the ignition switch 80 is at the accessory position (ACC) for activating the accessories. If the ignition switch is at a position other than the accessory position, the failure check operation is not executed.
  • ACC accessory position
  • the failure check operation is not executed when the immobilizer switch 32 detects the connection of the transponder portion 60 B of the portable device 60 to the support portion 88 . Therefore, the failure check operation is executed (step 44 ) when an affirmative judgment is made in step 40 and a negative judgment is made in step 42 .
  • the failure check operation is started, first in step 46 , the ECU 20 causes the immobilizer amplifier 46 to output high-frequency waves having a frequency of, for example, 134 kHz, for a predetermined length of time. The high-frequency waves are supplied from the immobilizer amplifier 46 to the immobilizer coil 90 , and transmitted from the immobilizer coil 90 .
  • the communication check transponder circuit 100 which is provided in the vicinity of the immobilizer coil 90 , receives the high-frequency waves by using the resonance circuit, stores the energy of the high-frequency waves in the form of electric power, and transmits the specific communication check transponder circuit ID code in the form of a signal having a frequency of, for example, 134 kHz.
  • the ECU 20 stops the immobilizer amplifier 46 from outputting high-frequency waves, and reads a specific communication check transponder ID code supplied thereto by the immobilizer amplifier 46 amplifying and demodulating a signal received by the immobilizer coil 90 . Subsequently in step 48 , the ECU 20 determines whether the communication check transponder ID code has been received, and determines whether the received communication check transponder ID code conforms to the communication check transponder ID code stored in the memory 26 .
  • step 54 If a communication check transponder ID code is not received, or if the communication check transponder ID code supplied from the immobilizer amplifier 46 does not conform to the communication check transponder ID code stored in the memory, the operation proceeds to step 54 , and it is determined that the immobilizer amplifier 46 , the immobilizer coil 90 , and the like are abnormal. The user is informed of such abnormalities. On the other hand, if the supplied code conforms to the communication check transponder ID code stored in the memory, it is determined that the immobilizer amplifier 46 , the immobilizer coil 90 , and the like are operating normally. Then, the operation proceeds to step 52 and the failure check operation is terminated.
  • this failure check operation it is possible to check periodically if there is any failure in determination backup means such as the immobilizer amplifier 46 , immobilizer coil 90 , the ECU 20 , and the like. Therefore, in an emergency case such as when the cell disposed in the portable device 60 becomes discharged, a problem of failing to spot the failure in these determination backup means until the time when the transponder portion 60 B of the portable device 60 is connected to the support portion 88 can be prevented.
  • determination backup means such as the immobilizer amplifier 46 , immobilizer coil 90 , the ECU 20 , and the like. Therefore, in an emergency case such as when the cell disposed in the portable device 60 becomes discharged, a problem of failing to spot the failure in these determination backup means until the time when the transponder portion 60 B of the portable device 60 is connected to the support portion 88 can be prevented.
  • the operation of the communication check transponder circuit is stopped when the immobilizer switch 32 detects the connection of the transponder portion 60 B to the support portion 88 .
  • the interference can also be prevented by disposing the communication check transponder circuit 100 at some distance from the immobilizer coil 90 . In detail, as shown in FIG.
  • a distance d3 between the communication check transponder circuit and the immobilizer coil 90 is longer than a distance d4 between the transponder portion 60 B of the portable device 60 connected to the support portion 88 and the immobilizer coil 90 (d3>d4).
  • This enables receiving of the ID code from the transponder portion 60 B with priority when there is a possibility of simultaneously receiving the signals from the transponder portion 60 B of the portable device 60 and the communication check transponder circuit 100 by the immobilizer amplifier 36 via the immobilizer coil 90 . Accordingly, the interference of the signals from the communication check transponder circuit 100 and the transponder circuit is prevented.
  • an output from the transponder portion 60 B may be set at a higher level than an output from the communication check transponder circuit.
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the portable device 60 of the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention.
  • the portable device 60 is separable into a main body portion 60 A and a transponder portion 60 B.
  • a protrusion 60 D formed in the transponder portion 60 B is firmly fitted into a recess 60 C formed in the main body portion 60 A, so that the portable device 60 is used as a single unit.
  • the main body portion 60 A and the transponder portion 60 B are separated from each other.
  • the protrusion 60 D of the transponder portion 60 B has substantially the same diameter as the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82 , and has a length d1 that is greater than a length d2 of the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82 .
  • the transmitting antenna 62 , the receiving antenna 64 , the transmitter-receiver circuit 66 , the ECU 68 , the memory 70 as shown in FIG. 2 , and a battery cell as a power source for these components are disposed in the main body portion 60 A.
  • the transponder circuit 72 is disposed in the transponder portion 60 B. It is also possible to dispose all of the transmitting antenna 62 , the receiving antenna 64 , the transmitter-receiver circuit 66 , the ECU 68 , the memory 70 , the cell, the transponder circuit 72 within the transponder portion 60 B.
  • the portable device 60 In an emergency case such as when the cell disposed in the portable device 60 becomes discharged, the portable device 60 is separated into the main body portion 60 A and the transponder portion 60 B. After the operating knob 82 of the ignition switch 80 is removed from the support portion 88 provided in the instrument panel, the protrusion 60 D of the transponder portion 60 B is inserted and fitted into the support portion 88 . Since the length of the protrusion 60 D of the transponder portion 60 B is greater than the length of the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82 , the distal end of the protrusion 60 D contacts the immobilizer switch 32 as indicated by a broken lines in FIG. 5 so that the immobilizer switch 32 is turned on.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the emergency operation executed by the ECU 20 of the apparatus of the invention. This operation starts when the immobilizer switch 32 turns on.
  • the ECU 20 causes the immobilizer amplifier 46 to output high-frequency waves having a frequency of, for example, 134 kHz, for a predetermined length of time.
  • the high-frequency waves are supplied from the immobilizer amplifier 46 to the immobilizer coil 90 , and transmitted from the immobilizer coil 90 .
  • the transponder circuit 72 provided in the transponder portion 60 B receives the high-frequency waves by using the resonance circuit, stores the energy of the high-frequency waves in the form of electric power, and transmits the specific transponder ID code in the form of a signal having a frequency of, for example, 134 kHz.
  • step S 32 the ECU 20 stops the immobilizer amplifier 46 from outputting high-frequency waves, and reads a code supplied thereto by the immobilizer amplifier 46 amplifying and demodulating a signal received by the immobilizer coil 90 .
  • step S 34 the ECU 20 determines whether the received code is a transponder ID code, that is, whether a transponder ID code has been received. If a transponder ID code has been received, the ECU 20 determines in step S 36 whether the received transponder ID code conforms to the ID code of the corresponding transponder circuit stored in the memory 26 .
  • step S 30 If a transponder ID code is not received, or if the code supplied from the immobilizer amplifier 46 does not conform to the ID code stored in the memory 26 , the operation goes back to step S 30 . If the supplied code conforms to the ID code stored in the memory 26 , the operation proceeds to step S 38 .
  • step S 38 the ECU 20 controls the steering lock portion 40 to release the steering lock, and controls the immobilizer portion 42 to cancel the prohibition of both the fuel supply to the engine 50 and the ignition operation.
  • the engine 50 is started by the engine control portion 48 .
  • the ECU 20 prohibits the unlocking of the trunk door and the fuel cap. This unlock prohibition prevents theft of articles stored in the trunk and restricts fuel supply at the time of the unauthorized start of the engine 50 for the purpose of stealing the vehicle or the like, so that the damage is minimized.
  • the vehicle-installed device 10 of the vehicle security control apparatus compares the code of the transponder portion 60 B of the portable device 60 with the code stored in the vehicle-installed device 10 when the transponder portion 60 B is inserted or connected to the support portion 88 provided in the instrument panel in the vehicle. Based on the result of code comparison, the apparatus determines whether to permit or prohibit use of the vehicle. Therefore, even at the time of depletion of the battery cell of the portable device 60 or occurrence of radio interference, the vehicle security control apparatus is able to permit the use of the vehicle. Furthermore, the immobilizer switch 32 detects the insertion or connection of the transponder portion 60 B to the support portion 88 and then operates the immobilizer amplifier 46 .
  • the immobilizer amplifier 46 is not operated and useless power consumption is prevented.
  • the transponder portion 60 B is inserted into the ignition switch 80 in place of the operating knob 82 , so that a user is allowed to start the engine of the vehicle by operating the transponder portion 60 B (that is, at least a portion of the portable device connected to a connecting portion) substantially in the same manner as a conventional key. Furthermore, since the transponder circuit 72 is brought close to the immobilizer coil 90 in the aforementioned situation, power supply to the transponder circuit 72 can be efficiently performed.
  • the portable device 60 is separable into the main body portion 60 A and the transponder portion 60 B, this construction is not restrictive.
  • it is possible to provide a protrusion in the portable device 60 so that the entire portable device 60 is connected to the support portion 88 provided in the instrument panel by inserting and fitting the protrusion into the support portion 88 .
  • the normal determining device may be stopped. That is, a step of stopping the inside-compartment request may be added before step S 30 in the flow chart shown in FIG. 7 . If this step is added, the communication between the immobilizer coil 90 and the transponder circuit 72 will not be hampered.
  • the immobilizer switch is disposed inside the instrument panel in such a manner as to face a distal end of the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82 while leaving a space therebetween, however, the position of the immobilizer switch is not limited to this.
  • the immobilizer switch may be disposed at any position as long as the connection of the transponder portion 60 B of the operation knob 82 to the instrument panel is detectable.
  • the invention is also applicable to an apparatus that permits a door, a trunk door or the like to be opened or closed.
  • a transponder starting coil similar to the immobilizer coil 90 is provided in a door handle or the like in a vehicle.
  • the portable device 60 is brought close to the transponder starting coil to start the transponder circuit 72 , and the door unlocking control is performed if the codes match.

Abstract

A vehicle security control apparatus has a connecting portion within a vehicle for receiving a switch device and a determination backup device. The determination backup device determines whether to permit or prohibit use of the vehicle by performing a code comparison with the switch device connected to the connecting portion if a determiner is unable to determine whether to permit or prohibit the use of the vehicle. Therefore, the apparatus is able to permit use of the vehicle even if the battery of a portable device is depleted or radio interference occurs.

Description

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. HEI 10-196205 filed on Jul. 10, 1998, including the specification, drawings and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle security control apparatus and, more particularly, to a vehicle security control apparatus that performs code comparison through communication with a portable device and, based on the result of comparison, permits or prohibits of use of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are several related-art vehicle security control apparatuses that perform code comparison through communication with a portable device and, based on the result of comparison, either permits or prohibits of use of a vehicle.
JP3-21575, as for example, describes a technology in which when a person operates a manual switch provided in the vehicle, communication between a secret code transmitter carried by the person and a receiver provided in a vehicle is performed. The code signal from the transmitter is compared with a pre-stored code by a code comparator provided in the vehicle. If the comparison signified that the operating person is an authorized user, the running power circuit of the vehicle is turned on and it is possible to unlock the vehicle via the manual switch provided in the vehicle.
However, two potential drawbacks of the related technology is its dependency to signal power source and susceptibility to radio interference. For example, if the normal operation of the code comparison by the code comparator is hindered due to depletion of the power source cell of the secret code transmitter carried by a user, radio interference noises or the like, it becomes impossible to activate the vehicle's power circuit and unlocked the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle security control apparatus wherein at least a portion of a portable device is connected directly to a receptacle or connecting portion provided within a vehicle in order to perform code comparison and determine whether to permit or prohibit use of the vehicle, so that access to the vehicle can be permitted even if the battery cell of the portable device is exhausted or radio interference occurs.
In accordance with the invention, a vehicle security control apparatus includes a portable device capable of being carried and transmitting a signal, a vehicle-installed device, located within the vehicle, that receives the signal from the portable device, a determiner that determines whether to permit or prohibit use of the vehicle based on a result of a code comparison through communication between the vehicle-installed device and the portable device, a connecting portion within the vehicle, a switch device that can connect to the connecting portion, and a determination backup device that determines whether to permit or prohibit the use of the vehicle by performing the code comparison with the switch device connected to the connecting portion if it is impossible for the determiner to determine whether to permit or prohibit use of the vehicle.
Since the vehicle security control apparatus performs the code comparison through cooperation of the switch device connected to the connecting portion of the vehicle and the determination backup device, the apparatus can permit use of the vehicle even if the battery of the portable device is exhausted or radio interference occurs.
The vehicle security control apparatus may further include a connection detector that (1) detects a connection between switch device and the connecting portion and (2) operates the determination backup device. The vehicle security control apparatus may also include an operation prohibiter that prohibits the determiner from operating if the determination backup device is operating.
Because the connection detector operates the determination backup device only when the switch device is connected to the connecting portion, useless electric power consumption is prevented and the danger of radio interference is eliminated even if the determination backup device and the determiner use the same signal frequency.
The switch device may be at least a portion of the portable device, i.e. may be formed by a portion of the portable device or the entire portable device.
The vehicle security control apparatus may further include a door open-close permitting device that permits a door to be opened or closed if the determination backup device determines to permit the use of the vehicle.
Therefore, if use of the vehicle is permitted by the determination backup device, the door may be opened or closed.
The vehicle security control apparatus may further include an engine start permitting device that permits an engine of the vehicle to be started if the determination backup device permits use of the vehicle.
Therefore, if permission of the use of the vehicle is permitted by the determination backup device, the engine of the vehicle may be started and the vehicle can be driven.
Furthermore, in the vehicle security control apparatus, the vehicle may have a detachable start switch for starting the engine, and the connecting portion may be provided at a position from which the start switch is detachable.
If the connecting portion is provided at a position from which the start switch is detachable, at least a portion of the portable device can be connected to the connecting portion and operated to start the engine when the battery of the portable device is depleted or occurrence of radio interference in substantially the same manner as a conventional key is used.
The vehicle security control apparatus may further include a steering unlock permitting device that permits a steering of the vehicle to be unlocked if the determination backup device determines that the use of the vehicle is authorized.
Therefore, if use of the vehicle is authorized, the steering of the vehicle may be unlocked and the vehicle can be driven.
In the vehicle security control apparatus, at least a portion of the switch device that can connect to the connecting portion may have a transponder circuit that transmits a specific code. The determination backup device may receive the specific code from the transponder and compare the specific code with a pre-stored code specific to the vehicle.
Therefore, the transponder circuit of the portable device transmits a specific code. The determination backup device receives the specific code from the transponder circuit and compares the code with the pre-stored code specific to the vehicle. Hence, it becomes possible to determine whether the portable device is an authorized portable device corresponding to the vehicle.
Further, in the vehicle security control apparatus, a range of a permitted uses of the vehicle determined by the determination backup device may be restricted relative to a range of permitted uses of the vehicle determined by the determiner.
Therefore, if the use of the vehicle is permitted by the determination backup device, further permitted uses of the vehicle are restricted, so that in the case of a theft for example, the damage can be minimized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the vehicle-installed device of the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the portable device of the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of communication between the first and second transmitting antennas and the portable device;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the engine start operation executed by an ECU in the apparatus of the invention;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are a sectional view and a plan view of an embodiment of the ignition switch according to the apparatus of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the portable device in the apparatus of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the emergency operation executed by the ECU of the apparatus of the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the failure check operation executed by ECU of the apparatus of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the vehicle-installed device of the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle-installed device 10 has two antennas, a first transmitting antenna 11 and a second transmitting antenna 12. The first transmitting antenna 11 may be located a door handle of a vehicle (four-wheeled vehicle). The second transmitting antenna 12 may be located near an instrument panel in a compartment of the vehicle. The first transmitting antenna 11 is connected to a first transmitter portion 14 and the second transmitting antenna 12 is connected to a second transmitter portion 16. The first transmitter portion 14 and the second transmitter portion 16 are connected to an electronic control unit (ECU) 20.
The ECU 20 supplies first and second request codes to the first transmitter portion 14 and the second transmitter portion 16, respectively. The first and second request codes are modulated to provide request signals having a frequency of, for example, 134 kHz, which are transmitted from the first transmitting antenna 11 and the second transmitting antenna 12 to a portable device 60. However, the first transmitter portion 14 and the second transmitter portion 16 may be combined into a single circuit. The vehicle also has with a receiving antenna 22. A signal received from the portable device 60 by the receiving antenna 22, which has a signal frequency of, for example, 300 MHz, is demodulated by a receiver circuit 24 and then supplied to the ECU 20.
A memory 26 is connected to the ECU 20. Pre-stored in the memory 26 are a plurality of codes that are different from one another. For example, a first code for a door lock, a second code for engine start, a transponder ID code, and the like. The memory 26 is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM or the like, so that the stored content is retained even if power supply is cut off.
An operation detector portion 28 detects various switch operations performed by a user. For example, the operation detector portion 28 detects an operation performed on an ignition switch and supplies a corresponding operation detection signal to the ECU 20. A door open-close detector portion 30 detects an open or closed state of a driver's side door (or of each door of the vehicle) and sends a corresponding detection signal to the ECU 20. An immobilizer switch 32 detects connection of a transponder portion of the portable device to the instrument panel, and supplies a corresponding detection signal to the ECU 20.
The ECU 20 is also connected to a steering lock portion 40, an immobilizer portion 42, a door locking portion 44, an immobilizer amplifier 46, and a communication check transponder circuit 100. The steering lock portion 40 is a mechanism for mechanically prohibiting operation of a steering. The immobilizer portion 42 is a mechanism for prohibiting fuel supply and ignition operation. The door locking portion 44 is a mechanism for locking and unlocking all the doors.
The immobilizer amplifier 46 supplies power to a transponder circuit of an emergency key via high-frequency waves and supplies an ID code received from the transponder circuit to the ECU 20. The ECU 20 is also connected to an engine control portion 48. The engine control portion 48 is capable of controlling the start of an engine 50 by using a self-starting motor and is also capable of controlling stop of the engine 50.
The communication check transponder circuit 100 supplies a specific transponder ID code to the ECU 20. In the ECU 20, the ID code is compared with the ID code stored in the memory to check for a failure of such determination backup means as the ECU 20.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the portable device of the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the portable device 60 has a transmitting antenna 62 and a receiving antenna 64. The antennas 62, 64 are connected to a transmitter-receiver circuit 66. The transmitter-receiver circuit 66 is connected to an ECU 68.
The request signal received from the vehicle-installed device 10 via the receiving antenna 64 has a signal frequency of, for example, 134 kHz. The request signal is demodulated by the transmitter-receiver circuit 66 and then supplied to the ECU 68. The ECU 68 reads first and second codes from a memory 70, and supplies the codes to the transmitter-receiver circuit 66. The first and second codes are modulated by the transmitter-receiver circuit 66, so that corresponding to each code, a signal having a frequency of, for example, 300 MHz, is transmitted from the transmitting antenna 62 to the vehicle-installed device 10.
The portable device 60 is provided with a separate transponder circuit 72. The transponder circuit 72 has therein a resonance circuit and a register. Upon receiving high-frequency waves transmitted from the immobilizer amplifier 46 via an immobilizer coil, the transponder circuit 72 stores the energy of high-frequency waves as electric power into the resonance circuit, and transmits its specific transponder ID code read from the register. The transponder ID code is supplied to the ECU 20 of the vehicle-installed device 10 via the immobilizer coil and the immobilizer amplifier 46.
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of communication between the first and second transmitting antennas 11, 12 and the portable device 60. Referring to FIG. 3, the first signal request having a frequency of 134 kHz is transmitted from the first transmitting antenna 11 of the vehicle-installed device 10. The second request signal having a frequency of 134 kHz is transmitted from the second transmitting antenna 12 of the vehicle-installed device 10. Upon receiving the first or second request signals, the portable device 60 sends back a signal of a frequency of 300 MHz obtained by demodulating the first or second code in accordance with the received request signal. The signal of the frequency of 300 MHz received by the receiving antenna 22 of the vehicle-installed device 10 is demodulated by the receiver circuit 24 and then supplied to the ECU 20. The ECU 20 thus receives the first or second code.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the engine start operation executed by the ECU 20 in the apparatus of the invention. The ECU 20 executes this operation periodically (for example, every 200 ms) while all the relevant mechanisms and the like are locked. In step S10 in FIG. 4, the ECU 20 causes the first transmitter portion 14 to transmit the 134 kHz request signal obtained by modulating the first request code from the first transmitting antenna 11. Subsequently in step S12, the ECU 20 determines whether an answer signal has been received from the portable device 60 by the receiver circuit 24. If an answer signal is received, the operation proceeds to step 14, in which the ECU 20 compares the demodulated code supplied from the receiver circuit 24 with the first code stored in the memory 26. If it is determined in step S12 that an answer signal has not been received from the portable device 60, or if it is determined in step S14 that the demodulated code does not conform to the first code, the operation goes back to step S10. If an answer signal is received from the portable device 60 and the demodulated code conforms to the first code, the operation proceeds to step S16.
If a user carrying an authorized portable device 60 approaches the vehicle, the portable device 60 receives, via the receiving antenna 64, the 134 kHz request signal obtained by modulating the first request code, The portable device then transmits, via the transmitting antenna 62, the 300 MHz signal obtained by modulating the first code in accordance with the first request code. Therefore, it is determined in step S14 that the demodulated code conforms to the first code, and the operation proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the ECU 20 controls the door locking portion 44 to unlock all the doors since it has been determined that the user has approached the vehicle is carrying the authorized portable device 60.
Subsequently in step S18, the ECU 20 causes the second transmitter portion 16 to transmit the 134 kHz request signal obtained by modulating the second request code, from the second transmitting antenna 12 provided in or near the instrument panel in the compartment. Subsequently in step S20, ECU 20 determines whether an answer signal to the second request code has been received from the portable device 60 by the receiver circuit 24. If an answer signal is received, the ECU 20 compares, in step S22, the demodulated code supplied from the receiver circuit 24 with the second code stored in the memory 26. If an answer signal is not received, or if the demodulated code does not conform to the second code, the operation goes back to step S18. If an answer signal is received from the portable device 60 and the demodulated code conforms to the second code, the operation proceeds to step S24.
Therefore, if the user carrying the authorized portable device 60 has entered the compartment of the vehicle, the ECU 20 controls the steering lock portion 40 to unlock the steering lock. The ECU 20 further controls the immobilizer portion 42 to cancel the prohibition of fuel supply to the engine 50 and cancel the prohibition of the ignition operation, in step S24. As a result, the user is allowed to turn the ignition key start the engine 50 via the engine control portion 48.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are a sectional view and a plan view of an embodiment of the ignition switch according to the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention. An ignition switch 80 is provided in the instrument panel in the compartment. As shown in FIG. 5B, an operating knob 82 is turned to either an engine stop position (LOCK), an accessory position (ACC), an engine drive position (ON), or an engine start position (START) as indicated in a position indicator area 84, in order to select a desired state of the engine and the electric power source of the vehicle.
In a conventional vehicle, a key is inserted in place of the operating knob 82 to select a state of the engine or the electric power source. In the invention, however, since the portable device 60 is employed as an electronic key, the operating knob 82 is provided instead of the conventional key. In this embodiment, a protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82 is fitted into a support portion 88 provided in the instrument panel as shown in FIG. 5A. The operating knob 82 is removable from the support portion 88.
The immobilizer switch 32 is disposed inside the instrument panel in such a manner as to face a distal end of the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82 while leaving a space therebetween. Since the distal end of the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82 is spaced from the immobilizer switch 32, the immobilizer switch 32 is in an off-state. An immobilizer coil 90 surrounds the support portion 88. The immobilizer coil 90 is connected to the immobilizer amplifier 46.
Further, the communication check transponder circuit 100 is disposed in the vicinity of the immobilizer coil 90. The transponder circuit 100 has therein a resonance circuit and a resistor. Upon receiving high-frequency waves transmitted from the immobilizer amplifier 46 via the immobilizer coil 90, the transponder circuit 100 stores the energy of high-frequency waves as electric power into the resonance circuit, and transmits its specific transponder ID code read from the register. The transponder ID code is supplied to the ECU 20 of the vehicle-installed device 10 via the immobilizer coil 90 and the immobilizer amplifier 46. In an emergency case such as when the cell disposed in the portable device 60 becomes discharged, the communication check transponder circuit 100 checks for failures of determination backup means such as the immobilizer amplifier 46, the immobilizer coil 90, and the ECU 20, which are activated for comparing the ID with the portable device 60.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the failure check operation executed by the ECU 20 on the immobilizer amplifier 46, the immobilizer coil 90, and the like. This operation starts when an operation of the operation knob 82, for example, is detected. The failure check operation is stopped when the immobilizer switch 32 detects the connection of the transponder portion 60B of the portable device 60 to the support portion 88. Referring to the same figure, first, it is determined whether the ignition switch 80 has been turned to start the engine, for example, and whether the ignition switch 80 is at the accessory position (ACC) for activating the accessories. If the ignition switch is at a position other than the accessory position, the failure check operation is not executed. Further, the failure check operation is not executed when the immobilizer switch 32 detects the connection of the transponder portion 60B of the portable device 60 to the support portion 88. Therefore, the failure check operation is executed (step 44) when an affirmative judgment is made in step 40 and a negative judgment is made in step 42. When the failure check operation is started, first in step 46, the ECU 20 causes the immobilizer amplifier 46 to output high-frequency waves having a frequency of, for example, 134 kHz, for a predetermined length of time. The high-frequency waves are supplied from the immobilizer amplifier 46 to the immobilizer coil 90, and transmitted from the immobilizer coil 90. The communication check transponder circuit 100, which is provided in the vicinity of the immobilizer coil 90, receives the high-frequency waves by using the resonance circuit, stores the energy of the high-frequency waves in the form of electric power, and transmits the specific communication check transponder circuit ID code in the form of a signal having a frequency of, for example, 134 kHz.
Next, the ECU 20 stops the immobilizer amplifier 46 from outputting high-frequency waves, and reads a specific communication check transponder ID code supplied thereto by the immobilizer amplifier 46 amplifying and demodulating a signal received by the immobilizer coil 90. Subsequently in step 48, the ECU 20 determines whether the communication check transponder ID code has been received, and determines whether the received communication check transponder ID code conforms to the communication check transponder ID code stored in the memory 26. If a communication check transponder ID code is not received, or if the communication check transponder ID code supplied from the immobilizer amplifier 46 does not conform to the communication check transponder ID code stored in the memory, the operation proceeds to step 54, and it is determined that the immobilizer amplifier 46, the immobilizer coil 90, and the like are abnormal. The user is informed of such abnormalities. On the other hand, if the supplied code conforms to the communication check transponder ID code stored in the memory, it is determined that the immobilizer amplifier 46, the immobilizer coil 90, and the like are operating normally. Then, the operation proceeds to step 52 and the failure check operation is terminated.
By executing this failure check operation, it is possible to check periodically if there is any failure in determination backup means such as the immobilizer amplifier 46, immobilizer coil 90, the ECU 20, and the like. Therefore, in an emergency case such as when the cell disposed in the portable device 60 becomes discharged, a problem of failing to spot the failure in these determination backup means until the time when the transponder portion 60B of the portable device 60 is connected to the support portion 88 can be prevented.
In the above mentioned embodiment, to prevent the transmitting signals transmitted by the communication transponder circuit and the transponder portion 60B of the portable device 60 from interfering with each other, due to the communication transponder circuit and the transponder portion 60B simultaneously transmitting signals corresponding to the immobilizer amplifier 90, the operation of the communication check transponder circuit is stopped when the immobilizer switch 32 detects the connection of the transponder portion 60B to the support portion 88. However, the interference can also be prevented by disposing the communication check transponder circuit 100 at some distance from the immobilizer coil 90. In detail, as shown in FIG. 5, a distance d3 between the communication check transponder circuit and the immobilizer coil 90 is longer than a distance d4 between the transponder portion 60B of the portable device 60 connected to the support portion 88 and the immobilizer coil 90 (d3>d4). This enables receiving of the ID code from the transponder portion 60B with priority when there is a possibility of simultaneously receiving the signals from the transponder portion 60B of the portable device 60 and the communication check transponder circuit 100 by the immobilizer amplifier 36 via the immobilizer coil 90. Accordingly, the interference of the signals from the communication check transponder circuit 100 and the transponder circuit is prevented. Further, to make it possible to receive the ID code from the transponder portion 60B with priority, an output from the transponder portion 60B may be set at a higher level than an output from the communication check transponder circuit.
FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the portable device 60 of the vehicle security control apparatus of the invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the portable device 60 is separable into a main body portion 60A and a transponder portion 60B. Normally, a protrusion 60D formed in the transponder portion 60B is firmly fitted into a recess 60C formed in the main body portion 60A, so that the portable device 60 is used as a single unit. For use in an emergency case, for example, in a case where the battery cell of the portable device 60 becomes discharged, the main body portion 60A and the transponder portion 60B are separated from each other. The protrusion 60D of the transponder portion 60B has substantially the same diameter as the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82, and has a length d1 that is greater than a length d2 of the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82.
The transmitting antenna 62, the receiving antenna 64, the transmitter-receiver circuit 66, the ECU 68, the memory 70 as shown in FIG. 2, and a battery cell as a power source for these components are disposed in the main body portion 60A. The transponder circuit 72 is disposed in the transponder portion 60B. It is also possible to dispose all of the transmitting antenna 62, the receiving antenna 64, the transmitter-receiver circuit 66, the ECU 68, the memory 70, the cell, the transponder circuit 72 within the transponder portion 60B.
In an emergency case such as when the cell disposed in the portable device 60 becomes discharged, the portable device 60 is separated into the main body portion 60A and the transponder portion 60B. After the operating knob 82 of the ignition switch 80 is removed from the support portion 88 provided in the instrument panel, the protrusion 60D of the transponder portion 60B is inserted and fitted into the support portion 88. Since the length of the protrusion 60D of the transponder portion 60B is greater than the length of the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82, the distal end of the protrusion 60D contacts the immobilizer switch 32 as indicated by a broken lines in FIG. 5 so that the immobilizer switch 32 is turned on.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the emergency operation executed by the ECU 20 of the apparatus of the invention. This operation starts when the immobilizer switch 32 turns on. In step 30 in FIG. 7, the ECU 20 causes the immobilizer amplifier 46 to output high-frequency waves having a frequency of, for example, 134 kHz, for a predetermined length of time. The high-frequency waves are supplied from the immobilizer amplifier 46 to the immobilizer coil 90, and transmitted from the immobilizer coil 90.
The transponder circuit 72 provided in the transponder portion 60B receives the high-frequency waves by using the resonance circuit, stores the energy of the high-frequency waves in the form of electric power, and transmits the specific transponder ID code in the form of a signal having a frequency of, for example, 134 kHz.
Subsequently in step S32, the ECU 20 stops the immobilizer amplifier 46 from outputting high-frequency waves, and reads a code supplied thereto by the immobilizer amplifier 46 amplifying and demodulating a signal received by the immobilizer coil 90. Subsequently in step S34, the ECU 20 determines whether the received code is a transponder ID code, that is, whether a transponder ID code has been received. If a transponder ID code has been received, the ECU 20 determines in step S36 whether the received transponder ID code conforms to the ID code of the corresponding transponder circuit stored in the memory 26. If a transponder ID code is not received, or if the code supplied from the immobilizer amplifier 46 does not conform to the ID code stored in the memory 26, the operation goes back to step S30. If the supplied code conforms to the ID code stored in the memory 26, the operation proceeds to step S38.
If a user inserts the transponder portion 60B of the authorized portable device 60, instead of the operating knob 82, into the support portion 88 provided in the instrument panel, the ECU 20 enters an emergency mode. In step S38, the ECU 20 controls the steering lock portion 40 to release the steering lock, and controls the immobilizer portion 42 to cancel the prohibition of both the fuel supply to the engine 50 and the ignition operation. As a result, when the user turns the transponder portion 60B to the predetermined position, the engine 50 is started by the engine control portion 48. In the emergency mode, the ECU 20 prohibits the unlocking of the trunk door and the fuel cap. This unlock prohibition prevents theft of articles stored in the trunk and restricts fuel supply at the time of the unauthorized start of the engine 50 for the purpose of stealing the vehicle or the like, so that the damage is minimized.
As described above, the vehicle-installed device 10 of the vehicle security control apparatus compares the code of the transponder portion 60B of the portable device 60 with the code stored in the vehicle-installed device 10 when the transponder portion 60B is inserted or connected to the support portion 88 provided in the instrument panel in the vehicle. Based on the result of code comparison, the apparatus determines whether to permit or prohibit use of the vehicle. Therefore, even at the time of depletion of the battery cell of the portable device 60 or occurrence of radio interference, the vehicle security control apparatus is able to permit the use of the vehicle. Furthermore, the immobilizer switch 32 detects the insertion or connection of the transponder portion 60B to the support portion 88 and then operates the immobilizer amplifier 46. Therefore, if at least a portion of the portable device is not connected to the ignition switch 80, the immobilizer amplifier 46 is not operated and useless power consumption is prevented. In addition, there is substantially no danger of cross talk or radio interference even if a determination backup device and a determining device use signals of the same frequency. Therefore, the same signal frequency can be used for the determination backup device and the determining device, so that the efficiency in utilizing high frequency waves improves.
At the time of depletion of the battery of the portable device or occurrence of radio interference, the transponder portion 60B is inserted into the ignition switch 80 in place of the operating knob 82, so that a user is allowed to start the engine of the vehicle by operating the transponder portion 60B (that is, at least a portion of the portable device connected to a connecting portion) substantially in the same manner as a conventional key. Furthermore, since the transponder circuit 72 is brought close to the immobilizer coil 90 in the aforementioned situation, power supply to the transponder circuit 72 can be efficiently performed.
Although in the foregoing embodiments, the portable device 60 is separable into the main body portion 60A and the transponder portion 60B, this construction is not restrictive. For example, it is possible to provide a protrusion in the portable device 60, so that the entire portable device 60 is connected to the support portion 88 provided in the instrument panel by inserting and fitting the protrusion into the support portion 88. It is also possible to provide a support portion in the operating knob 82 of the ignition switch 80, so that the operating knob 82 is not removed from the ignition switch 80 but the protrusion 60D of the transponder portion 60B is fitted into the support portion of the operating knob 82.
If the immobilizer switch 32 shown in FIG. 5 is turned on and therefore the emergency mode is entered, the normal determining device may be stopped. That is, a step of stopping the inside-compartment request may be added before step S30 in the flow chart shown in FIG. 7. If this step is added, the communication between the immobilizer coil 90 and the transponder circuit 72 will not be hampered. Further, in the abovementioned embodiment, the immobilizer switch is disposed inside the instrument panel in such a manner as to face a distal end of the protrusion 86 of the operating knob 82 while leaving a space therebetween, however, the position of the immobilizer switch is not limited to this. The immobilizer switch may be disposed at any position as long as the connection of the transponder portion 60B of the operation knob 82 to the instrument panel is detectable.
Although the foregoing embodiments are designed to permit the engine to be started, the invention is also applicable to an apparatus that permits a door, a trunk door or the like to be opened or closed. For this application, a transponder starting coil similar to the immobilizer coil 90 is provided in a door handle or the like in a vehicle. At the time of depletion of the battery of the portable device 60 or occurrence of radio interference, the portable device 60 is brought close to the transponder starting coil to start the transponder circuit 72, and the door unlocking control is performed if the codes match.
While the present invention has been described with reference to what are presently considered to be preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments or constructions. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (19)

1. A vehicle security control apparatus comprising:
a portable device capable of being carried and of transmitting a signal;
a vehicle-installed device that receives the signal from the portable device, the vehicle-installed device being provided in a vehicle;
a determiner that determines whether a use of the vehicle is authorized based on a result of code comparison through remote communication between the vehicle-installed device and the portable device;
a connecting portion provided in the vehicle;
a switch device provided in the portable device and connectable to the connecting portion; and
a determination backup device, in communication with the switch device connected to the connecting portion, that permits the use of the vehicle by performing the code comparison when the switch device is connected to the connecting portion and the determiner has not determined whether use of the vehicle is authorized.
2. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable device transmits corresponding signals corresponding to signals received from the vehicle-installed device, and the determiner compares the corresponding signals with a code pre-stored in the vehicle-installed device side.
3. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a range of permitted uses of the vehicle determined by the determination backup device is restricted relative to a range of a permission of the use of the vehicle determined by the determiner.
4. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection detector that detects a connection of the switch device to the connecting portion and operates the determination backup device.
5. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation prohibiter that prohibits the determiner from operating if the determination backup device is operating.
6. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the switch device comprises a transponder circuit that transmits a specific code, and the determination backup device receives the specific code from the transponder and compares the specific code with a predetermined code specific to the vehicle.
7. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle includes a detachable start switch for starting the an engine of the vehicle, and the connecting portion is provided at a position from which the start switch is detached.
8. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an engine start permitting device that permits an engine of the vehicle to be started if the determination backup device determines that the use of the vehicle is authorized.
9. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a steering unlock permitting device that permits a steering of the vehicle to be unlocked if the determination backup device determines that the use of the vehicle is authorized.
10. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch device that connects to the connecting portion transmits a specific code, and the determination backup device receives the specific code from the switch device and compares the specific code with a prestored code specific to the vehicle.
11. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a range of permitted uses of the vehicle determined by the determination backup device is restricted relative to a range of permitted uses of the vehicle determined by the determiner.
12. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a door open-close permitting device that permits a door to be opened or closed if the determination backup device determines that the use of the vehicle is authorized.
13. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an engine start permitting device that permits an engine of the vehicle to be started if the determination backup device determines that the use of the vehicle is authorized.
14. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a range of permitted uses of the vehicle determined by the determination backup device is restricted relative to a range of permitted uses of the vehicle determined by the determiner.
15. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a steering unlock permitting device that permits a steering of the vehicle to be unlocked if the determination backup device determines that the use of the vehicle is authorized.
16. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication check transponder circuit provided in the a vicinity of the determination backup device for communicating with the determination backup device; and a checking device for performing the code comparison through communication between the communication check transponder circuit and the determination backup device for conforming that the determination backup device operates normally.
17. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the check checking device is operated at a predetermined time interval.
18. A vehicle security control apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising an alarm for alarming a user when a check by the check checking device is not performed normally.
19. A vehicle security control apparatus comprising:
a portable device capable of being carried and of transmitting a signal;
a vehicle-installed device that receives the signal from the portable device, the vehicle-installed device being provided in a vehicle;
a determiner that determines whether a use of the vehicle is authorized based on a result of code comparison through remote communication between the vehicle-installed device and the portable device;
a connected portion provided in the vehicle;
a switch device provided in the portable device and connectable to the connecting portion; and
a determination backup device, in communication with the switch device connected to the connecting portion, that permits the use of the vehicle by performing the code comparison when the switch device is connected to the connecting portion and the determiner has not determined whether use of the vehicle is authorized;
wherein the vehicle includes a detachable start switch for starting an engine of the vehicle, and the connecting portion is provided at a position from which the start switch is detached.
US12/654,172 1998-07-10 2009-12-11 Vehicle security control apparatus Expired - Lifetime USRE42915E1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/654,172 USRE42915E1 (en) 1998-07-10 2009-12-11 Vehicle security control apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP19620598 1998-07-10
JP10-196205 1998-07-10
US09/349,162 US6259168B1 (en) 1998-07-10 1999-07-09 Vehicle security control apparatus
US12/654,172 USRE42915E1 (en) 1998-07-10 2009-12-11 Vehicle security control apparatus

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/349,162 Reissue US6259168B1 (en) 1998-07-10 1999-07-09 Vehicle security control apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
USRE42915E1 true USRE42915E1 (en) 2011-11-15

Family

ID=16353954

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/349,162 Ceased US6259168B1 (en) 1998-07-10 1999-07-09 Vehicle security control apparatus
US12/654,172 Expired - Lifetime USRE42915E1 (en) 1998-07-10 2009-12-11 Vehicle security control apparatus

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/349,162 Ceased US6259168B1 (en) 1998-07-10 1999-07-09 Vehicle security control apparatus

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (2) US6259168B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3578001B2 (en)
DE (1) DE19932222B4 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9802571B2 (en) 2014-10-01 2017-10-31 Conduent Business Services, Llc Method and system for vandalism and/or loitering detection using video
US10384642B2 (en) 2013-07-17 2019-08-20 Conduent Business Services, Llc Methods and systems for vehicle theft detection and prevention using a smartphone and video-based parking technology

Families Citing this family (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19916966C5 (en) * 1999-04-15 2006-09-21 Daimlerchrysler Ag Electronic Zündstartschalter- and steering wheel lock device
PL341930A1 (en) * 1999-08-10 2001-02-12 Payment Prot Systems Method of enabling and disabling an equipment in time-depended manner
US6195648B1 (en) * 1999-08-10 2001-02-27 Frank Simon Loan repay enforcement system
FR2807374B1 (en) * 2000-04-10 2002-07-05 Suma Invest Holding METHOD FOR MANAGING THE OPERATION OF AN ANTI-THEFT SECURITY DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND THE DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD
DE10059991A1 (en) * 2000-12-02 2002-06-06 Bosch Gmbh Robert Device for the keyless operation of a motor vehicle
US7071819B2 (en) * 2001-07-05 2006-07-04 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Remote control lock operation system for vehicles
JP3552703B2 (en) * 2002-02-14 2004-08-11 日産自動車株式会社 Electronic key device for vehicles
JP2003269019A (en) * 2002-03-14 2003-09-25 Calsonic Kansei Corp Radio device for vehicle
US6937138B2 (en) * 2002-03-25 2005-08-30 Craig T. Underdahl Keyless remote door locking system
US6873247B2 (en) * 2002-10-25 2005-03-29 Lear Corporation Combined vehicle immobilizing and steering column control system
JP4126224B2 (en) * 2002-12-19 2008-07-30 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 Engine start control device
JP4217520B2 (en) * 2003-04-16 2009-02-04 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 Switch device
DE102004026815A1 (en) 2003-06-03 2005-01-13 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Engine start-up switch for motor vehicle, is operated such that electromagnetic wave is transmitted to two different regions to perform control actions, respectively on switching operation element to engine start and control positions
JP4391767B2 (en) 2003-06-03 2009-12-24 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 Engine start switch and portable device
FR2857316B1 (en) * 2003-07-08 2006-08-18 Siemens Ag ELECTRONIC ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
FR2858592B1 (en) * 2003-08-06 2006-03-17 Delphi Tech Inc SYSTEM FOR STARTING A MOTORIZED VEHICLE
JP2005083011A (en) * 2003-09-05 2005-03-31 Denso Corp Portable unit of vehicle electronic key system and vehicle electronic key system
US20060053848A1 (en) * 2004-09-14 2006-03-16 Riad Ghabra Vehicle ignition lock
JP2006205936A (en) * 2005-01-28 2006-08-10 Denso Corp Engine starting control system
DE102005014343C5 (en) * 2005-03-24 2012-11-08 ASTRA Gesellschaft für Asset Management mbH & Co. KG stocker
JP2006321453A (en) * 2005-05-20 2006-11-30 Yamaha Motor Co Ltd Vehicle control device for saddle riding type vehicle
DE602006011238D1 (en) * 2005-06-09 2010-02-04 Mazda Motor A keyless entry system and method for a vehicle
JP4922388B2 (en) * 2006-03-16 2012-04-25 コンティネンタル オートモーティブ システムズ ユーエス, インコーポレイティッド How to reduce authentication waiting time in immobilizer system
JP5051214B2 (en) 2009-12-25 2012-10-17 株式会社デンソー In-vehicle failure detection device
DE102012106522A1 (en) * 2012-07-18 2014-01-23 Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg Method for authenticating a driver in a motor vehicle
JP6234474B2 (en) * 2013-11-07 2017-11-22 アルプス電気株式会社 Keyless entry system
US9666005B2 (en) 2014-02-14 2017-05-30 Infinitekey, Inc. System and method for communicating with a vehicle
JP6262681B2 (en) * 2015-03-26 2018-01-17 Kddi株式会社 Management device, vehicle, management method, and computer program
KR102098137B1 (en) 2016-04-15 2020-04-08 가부시키가이샤 덴소 System and method for setting real-time location
US10131225B2 (en) * 2016-09-22 2018-11-20 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Combination key and gear selection knob
CN113490147A (en) 2016-12-14 2021-10-08 株式会社电装 System and method for establishing location information about portable device and vehicle

Citations (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62111083A (en) 1985-11-07 1987-05-22 株式会社アルファ Radio lock system of car
US4852680A (en) * 1988-04-07 1989-08-01 J. I. Case Company Vehicle anti-theft system with remote security module
JPH0321575A (en) 1989-06-20 1991-01-30 Honda Motor Co Ltd Vehicle theft preventive device
JPH0541672A (en) 1991-08-02 1993-02-19 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Outgoing trunk device
DE4434571A1 (en) 1993-10-01 1995-04-06 Marquardt Gmbh Electronic door-locking system on a motor vehicle
DE4410338A1 (en) 1994-03-25 1995-09-28 Telefunken Microelectron Data transmission system
DE19527488A1 (en) 1994-07-28 1996-02-08 Alexander Dipl Ing Strebel Portable, manual transmitter e.g. for vehicle central-locking remote control
JPH08150902A (en) 1994-11-29 1996-06-11 Kansei Corp Engine starter
JPH08207709A (en) 1995-02-08 1996-08-13 Honda Motor Co Ltd Burglarproof device for vehicle
US5561332A (en) 1994-06-10 1996-10-01 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicle anti-theft device having back-up means should the ECU fail, but preventing theft if the ECU was intentionally damaged
JP2539697B2 (en) 1990-04-27 1996-10-02 株式会社アルファ Double lock device
JPH0995215A (en) 1995-09-30 1997-04-08 Suzuki Motor Corp Vehicular theft prevention device
DE19605201A1 (en) 1996-02-13 1997-08-14 Marquardt Gmbh Electronic vehicle lock
WO1997037096A1 (en) 1996-04-03 1997-10-09 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Locking device for vehicles
US5684454A (en) 1994-12-28 1997-11-04 Mazda Motor Corporation Anti-vehicle-thief apparatus
JPH1082224A (en) 1996-09-09 1998-03-31 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Car control system and car control method
US5736935A (en) 1995-03-14 1998-04-07 Trw Inc. Keyless vehicle entry and engine starting system
US5805055A (en) * 1993-05-11 1998-09-08 Elementare Watson S.R.L. Antitheft system integrated with functions of security, information and navigation, based on electronic cartography, vocal synthesis and radio telecommunication
US5812067A (en) * 1994-05-10 1998-09-22 Volkswagen Ag System for recognizing authorization to use a vehicle
US6025653A (en) 1996-04-16 2000-02-15 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Engine start control device

Patent Citations (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62111083A (en) 1985-11-07 1987-05-22 株式会社アルファ Radio lock system of car
US4852680A (en) * 1988-04-07 1989-08-01 J. I. Case Company Vehicle anti-theft system with remote security module
JPH0321575A (en) 1989-06-20 1991-01-30 Honda Motor Co Ltd Vehicle theft preventive device
JP2539697B2 (en) 1990-04-27 1996-10-02 株式会社アルファ Double lock device
JPH0541672A (en) 1991-08-02 1993-02-19 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Outgoing trunk device
US5805055A (en) * 1993-05-11 1998-09-08 Elementare Watson S.R.L. Antitheft system integrated with functions of security, information and navigation, based on electronic cartography, vocal synthesis and radio telecommunication
DE4434571A1 (en) 1993-10-01 1995-04-06 Marquardt Gmbh Electronic door-locking system on a motor vehicle
DE4410338A1 (en) 1994-03-25 1995-09-28 Telefunken Microelectron Data transmission system
US5812067A (en) * 1994-05-10 1998-09-22 Volkswagen Ag System for recognizing authorization to use a vehicle
US5561332A (en) 1994-06-10 1996-10-01 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicle anti-theft device having back-up means should the ECU fail, but preventing theft if the ECU was intentionally damaged
DE19527488A1 (en) 1994-07-28 1996-02-08 Alexander Dipl Ing Strebel Portable, manual transmitter e.g. for vehicle central-locking remote control
JPH08150902A (en) 1994-11-29 1996-06-11 Kansei Corp Engine starter
US5684454A (en) 1994-12-28 1997-11-04 Mazda Motor Corporation Anti-vehicle-thief apparatus
JPH08207709A (en) 1995-02-08 1996-08-13 Honda Motor Co Ltd Burglarproof device for vehicle
US5736935A (en) 1995-03-14 1998-04-07 Trw Inc. Keyless vehicle entry and engine starting system
JPH0995215A (en) 1995-09-30 1997-04-08 Suzuki Motor Corp Vehicular theft prevention device
DE19605201A1 (en) 1996-02-13 1997-08-14 Marquardt Gmbh Electronic vehicle lock
WO1997037096A1 (en) 1996-04-03 1997-10-09 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Locking device for vehicles
EP0892134A1 (en) 1996-04-03 1999-01-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Locking device for vehicles
US6025653A (en) 1996-04-16 2000-02-15 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Engine start control device
JPH1082224A (en) 1996-09-09 1998-03-31 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Car control system and car control method

Non-Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Germany Patent Office, Official Letter issued Mar. 25, 2004 in German Patent Application No. 199 32 222.8-51 w/English-language Translation.
Germany Patent Office, Official Letter/Examination Report issued Oct. 30, 2007 in German Patent Application No. 199 32 222.8-51 w/English-language Translation.
Japanese Office Action with English-language translation issued Jan. 21, 2004 for Japanese Patent Application No. 11-187960.
Japanese Patent Office, Notification of Reason for Refusal mailed Jan. 21, 2004 in Japanese Patent Application No. H11-187960 w/English-language Translation.

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10384642B2 (en) 2013-07-17 2019-08-20 Conduent Business Services, Llc Methods and systems for vehicle theft detection and prevention using a smartphone and video-based parking technology
US9802571B2 (en) 2014-10-01 2017-10-31 Conduent Business Services, Llc Method and system for vandalism and/or loitering detection using video

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2000079868A (en) 2000-03-21
DE19932222B4 (en) 2012-06-14
JP3578001B2 (en) 2004-10-20
US6259168B1 (en) 2001-07-10
DE19932222A1 (en) 2000-01-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
USRE42915E1 (en) Vehicle security control apparatus
US6963794B2 (en) Locking system for a motor vehicle
US5945906A (en) Vehicle antitheft system
JP4476062B2 (en) In-vehicle control device
US5751073A (en) Vehicle passive keyless entry and passive engine starting system
US8237542B2 (en) Key system
JP3142508B2 (en) Vehicle electronic key device
JP4047715B2 (en) Security system and portable device for security system
US7545258B2 (en) Vehicle theft prevention system
US6127922A (en) Vehicle security system with remote systems control
US7489050B2 (en) Remote start-up control apparatus, and start-up control apparatus
US6191703B1 (en) Remote convience system and method with proximity-based disablement RFO preventing inadvertent function activation
JPH08246728A (en) Keyless entry device
JP2004027490A (en) Vehicle remote control system, and portable machine for vehicle remote control system
US6538559B1 (en) Remote control apparatus and remote control method
JP3799961B2 (en) Electronic key device for vehicle
JP3885022B2 (en) Vehicle antitheft device
JP3520786B2 (en) In-vehicle equipment remote control device
JP4600296B2 (en) Electronic key system for vehicles
JP4406189B2 (en) Engine start control system
JP4264193B2 (en) In-vehicle device remote control device
JP3582384B2 (en) In-vehicle equipment remote control device
JP4835372B2 (en) Smart keyless device for vehicle
JPH1082224A (en) Car control system and car control method
JP2001114072A (en) Smart entry system of vehicle

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12