Electronic vehicle key

Details Electronic vehicle key Electronic vehicle key

1997-10-21

2001-12-11

Horabik, Michael (Department: 2635)

Communications: electrical

Selective

Intelligence comparison for controlling

C340S005200, C340S005330, C340S005420, C340S426110

Reexamination Certificate

active

06329901

ABSTRACT:

This application claims the priority of German patent document 196 43 759.8, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an electronic vehicle key.
German patent document DE 195 13 498 C1 describes an electronic vehicle key of the generic type which is part of a vehicle security system in which an immobilizer is activated in the vehicle if a vehicle communication device on the vehicle no longer receives use-enabling data from a key communication device arranged in the electronic vehicle key. The outputting of the use-enabling data by the vehicle key is associated with the regular reception of use-enabling radio call information which is transmitted by a control centre and received and decoded by a radio receiver in the vehicle key.
However, a disadvantage of this arrangement is that, under unfavourable circumstances when the use-enabling radio call information can no longer be received, the immobilizer could be unintentionally activated. In addition, the radio receiver in the vehicle key is always in an active state and continuously draws power.
German patent document DE 44 09 166 C1 discloses that a key controller, which has a credit memory that is filled up with sums of money by a control centre and can be emptied by relevant events, is provided for electronic vehicle key communication. However, this publication does not solve the problem of improving the protection against theft for a motor vehicle or of preventing undesired activation of an electronic immobilizer.
German patent document DE 44 15 052 A1 discloses a vehicle security system in which a controller with a radio transceiver for a mobile radio network is provided in the vehicle. The controller is connected to an immobilizer on the vehicle, and transmits from time to time a message to a control centre via the mobile radio network. The controller activates the immobilizer if the vehicle has not received any use-enabling radio call information from the control centre after a specific number of operational events.
The object of the present invention is to develop an electronic vehicle key of the generic type described above, in which the risk of undesired activation of an electronic immobilizer in the vehicle is effectively.
This object is achieved by the vehicle key arrangement according to the invention, in which, a radio receiver in the vehicle key receives radio call information transmitted by a control centre, and a key communication device communicates with a vehicle communication device in an associated vehicle, the signals transmitted by the key communication device to the vehicle communication device serving to activate or deactivate an immobilizer on the vehicle. In addition, a key controller, which administers a mobility account, is provided in an electronic vehicle key of the generic type. Use-enabling radio call information, which is transmitted by the control centre and received by means of the radio receiver in the key, is registered by the key controller as “credit” in the mobility account. Conversely, relevant events are processed by the key controller as “debits” in the mobility account. The associated vehicle can be started up or operated only for as long as the “credit” in the mobility account has not dropped below a prescribed account value, referred to below as “zero” account value.
The radio call information transmitted by the control centre is transmitted in an encoded form and decoded and checked by the key controller. For encoding or decoding the radio call information, it is possible to use various known methods, of which further details will not be given here.
The “credit” in the mobility account can be implemented, for example, by means of a counter which decrements in an event-controlled fashion, and which is incremented to a “maximum credit” by the key controller when the use-enabling radio call information is received. The relevant events, which are processed as “debits” and as a result of which the counter is decremented, or the “credit” is reduced, can be, for example, starting of the engine, opening of a door, refuelling or driving on a prescribed route. The vehicle communicates the relevant events to the key controller via the vehicle communication device and the key communication device, in order to update the “credit” in the mobility account.
Thus, for example the use-enabling radio call information may contain an authorization to start the engine 10 times. This value (10 engine starts) is registered as “maximum credit” in the mobility account. Each engine start is then processed as a relevant event or “debit” from the “credit” in the mobility account, and the “credit” in the mobility account is then decremented by one engine start at each engine start. In addition, any desired logical combinations of relevant events are conceivable. Thus, for example, the use can be limited by the number of engine starts and the coverage of a specific distance (for example 100 kilometres are registered as “maximum credit”). If the “credit” in the mobility account reaches the “zero” account value, an immobilizer on the vehicle can be activated and further operation of the vehicle prevented or renewed deactivation of the immobilizer on the vehicle can be blocked the next time the vehicle is started up.
When use is authorized, use-enabling radio call information, which always increments the “credit” in the mobility account back to the “maximum credit” is regularly received by the radio receiver. This prevents the “zero” account value from being reached. The “maximum credit” should be selected to be of such a magnitude that “areas of no radio coverage” can be travelled through without difficulty, but at the same time the area of activity of the vehicle is restricted to such a degree that in the case of unauthorized use, the vehicle cannot be taken too far away. In addition, there is the possibility of an authorized user requesting a larger “maximum credit” from the control centre or requesting an immediate transmission of use-enabling radio call information if, for example, he realizes that he must travel through a large area in which radio call information cannot be received.
A relevant event can also be distinguished by the expiration of a prescribed time interval. The mobility account then executes a stopclock function, in which, as already described, the use-enabling radio call information, for example enabling of use for 6 hours, can be registered as “maximum credit” in the mobility account, from which “debits” are then made at prescribed intervals (considered as relevant events, while a vehicle is being used). In such cases it is possible to integrate the necessary timer into the mobility account, so that the “debits” from the “credit” in the mobility account are carried out automatically in the mobility account. The key controller checks the account value of the “credit” in the mobility account only regularly, or the mobility account informs the key controller when specific account values are reached.
However, it is also possible to integrate the timer at another point in the vehicle key or in the vehicle, or to use a timer which is already present in the vehicle. The timer then communicates its time information to the key controller, and the “credit” in the mobility account is then decremented at regular intervals (for example every 10 minutes) by the key controller. When the credit in the mobility account has reached the “zero” account value, the vehicle is prevented from being operated further or from being started up again.
In a further embodiment, a specific time, for example a specific time of day, if appropriate in conjunction with a specific date, can be registered as “maximum credit” in the mobility account. The key controller then regularly compares time from a timer representing the current time of day with the time registered as “maximum credit” in the mobility account. If the time stored as “maximum credit” in the mobility account is exceeded, the vehicle is prevented from being operated f

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Electronic vehicle key does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Electronic vehicle key, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electronic vehicle key will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2588914