Component replacement warning system

Details Component replacement warning system Component replacement warning system

2003-03-05

2004-11-23

Crosland, Donnie L. (Department: 2636)

Communications: electrical

Land vehicle alarms or indicators

Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...

C340S426100, C340S005800, C340S568100, C307S009100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06822560

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This application claims the priority of German Application No. 102 09 766.6, filed Mar. 5, 2002, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a component replacement warning system for a transportation device, which monitors the unauthorized removal or installation of a component the transportation device, wherein the component replacement warning system includes a first communication device that is firmly connected to the transportation device, a second communication device that is connected to the component, and an electronic authorization verification device that checks whether a component which is connected to the second communication means is installed in the means of transportation provided therefor in an authorized fashion.
Safety functions and comfort functions in transportation device are implemented increasingly with electrical or electronic control devices and the appropriate sensors and actuators. For example, in motor vehicles, control devices for airbag functions and an airbag as corresponding actuator are provided. With regard to the comfort functions as well, motor vehicles are equipped with complex electronic systems, which are fixedly installed in the motor vehicles during manufacturing, but can be replaced as complete modules in a repair shop if they fail. Due to the costs for such complicated comfort and safety systems, there is an increase in the number of incidents where entire electronic components are removed from the means of transportation by unauthorized persons, for example in the event of a theft, and are installed in other vehicles involved in accidents or in stolen vehicles. In contrast to conventional theft warming systems and alarm systems, which prevent the theft of the entire vehicle, the component replacement warning system protects additionally only individual components that are fixedly installed in the vehicle. This prevents the replacement of components that are critical for safety reasons and whose incorrect installation leads to subsequent damage.
German Patent DE 195 41 742 C1 discloses a theft warning device for protecting the entire motor vehicle. The theft warning device contains a radio link via which, for example, the theft of the vehicle is automatically reported to a receiver, for example a mobile telephone. The receiver additionally contains a signal interface, allowing a central monitoring station to be informed automatically in case of vehicle theft. In the disclosed embodiment, a vehicle located in a parking lot or a parking garage is monitored for theft by the attendant's booth, and information about the theft is also forwarded in parallel to the vehicle owner. A warning system for monitoring individual components that are fixedly installed within the motor vehicle is not described in the above-mentioned patent document.
German Patent DE 33 13 481 C2 discloses a device for marking and identifying motor vehicles, wherein a high frequency transmitter emits electromagnetic waves, which are received by an electronic module that is attached for example to the vehicle floor. The electronic module self-destructs in the event of unauthorized interference or removal and contains a high frequency receiver with an antenna so that the electromagnetic waves are converted into supply voltage for the components of the electronic module, allowing electronic data to be read and restored. An additional electric current supply for the electronic module is therefore not required. The electronic module stores specific vehicle data before its production and specific vehicle data during and after its production. By means of additional search functions, a targeted identification of the vehicles in the individual manufacturing stages is possible and marking of the vehicle also allows for plant-internal control during production, assembly and in the distribution of the components.
The high frequency transmitter is a transponder, which transmits, on the one hand, electromagnetic waves in order to make available a read or write requirement and simultaneously the energy supply for the electronic module that is attached to the vehicle. The electronic module stores production data during manufacturing of the vehicle. The patent document does not describe an alarm system that would be triggered upon replacement of special components, but it discloses, instead, a documentation system during the production, maintenance and use of the vehicle.
German Patent DE 29 19 753 describes a device for automatically identifying objects with a stationary interrogation unit and a response unit that is attached to the object. Various fields of application are provided for the device for the automatic identification of objects pursuant to the description. Apart from identifying animals and documents, it also describes the application in forgery-proof vehicle identifications. A stationary transmitter transmits an interrogation signal, whereupon an electronic component arranged in the identification transmits the stored identification data back to the stationary transmitter and receiver units. It also provides for vehicle data to be stored in the electronic component. If the electric component in the identification does not transmit any data or transmits erroneous data back to the transponder, a forgery of the identification or theft of the identification can be assumed. It also involves a documentation system where the identification or vehicle data in the electronic component is stored on the identification. Beyond that, the identification is a component that is attached on the exterior of the vehicle after production, which is replaced multiple times during the life of the vehicle when the vehicle owner changes.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a component replacement warning system for components that are installed within a means of transportation during manufacturing, wherein the system detects the unauthorized removal or installation of a component and generates a warning signal or prevents the components from being cleared.
The object is attained by a communication means configured as a transponder that emits a test signal to the other communication means, wherein the other communications means obtains energy from the electromagnetic test signal and generates a test response signal for the transponder so that the electronic authorization verification device detects the unauthorized removal or installation of an unauthorized component and a warning device either blocks the component installed in the means of transportation with regard to its function or transmits an alarm signal.
Pursuant to the invention, by monitoring the means of transportation with a transponder, a detection is made as to which components are installed within the means of transportation. The transponder transmits electromagnetic waves so that a communication means that is connected to a component can return a response signal, which is then received by the receiver of the transponder. As a result, a communication is transmitted which, on the one hand, provides an opening code that permits only an authorized inquiry of the component data, and, on the other hand, a code word is transmitted to the component, whereby a conclusion can be made as to the means of transportation in which the component is installed.
At the manufacturer, the component is programmed from the start with information based on which permissible or unauthorized installation in a means of transportation can be determined. The component then detects whether it has been installed in the authorized means of transportation, for example the original vehicle. Should the component have been installed in another means of transportation, the component and/or the electronic authorization verification device of the component detects the erroneous or unauthorized installation during the inquiry with a transponder containing the code of a wrong vehicle. The electronic authorization verification device of the component can then p

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