Communications: electrical – Selective – Intelligence comparison for controlling
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-15
2003-09-09
Horabik, Michael (Department: 2635)
Communications: electrical
Selective
Intelligence comparison for controlling
C340S870030, C340S870030, C340S870030, C307S010100, C341S176000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06617961
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an entry and security system installed on a vehicle, and particularly, to a combination passive security and remote entry security system capable of changing the state of a latch mechanism mounted on a vehicle from a secured state to an unsecured state.
Various systems and methods for providing a signal to unlock a vehicle door have been presented in the prior art. One such system is a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system. The RKE system of the prior art includes a portable transmitter, or fob, that transmits a signal to an antenna mounted on a vehicle in response to a user request. The signal causes a vehicle controller to move a lock mechanism mounted on the vehicle frame from a secured (or locked) state to an unsecured (or unlocked) state or vice versa. The fob of the RKE system typically includes one or more buttons for initiating various actions (e.g., locking or unlocking doors to the vehicle or to the trunk of the vehicle or initiating a “panic” alarm) when a user depresses one of the buttons.
Another prior system for providing a signal for unlocking a vehicle door is a Passive Security (PS) system. The PS system of the prior art includes a fob that transmits a signal requesting a vehicle controller to change the state of the latch mechanism mounted on the vehicle frame from a secured state to an unsecured state. The initiation of the signal occurs when the fob is adjacent to the vehicle.
Yet another prior system for providing a signal for unlocking a vehicle door is a Modified Passive Security (MPS) system. The MPS System of the prior art is similar to the PS system except that the initiation of the signal requesting the lock mechanism to move from an unsecured state to a secured state occurs when a user actuates a door handle on the vehicle frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the invention provides a Vehicle Security (VS) System having generally at least one antenna, a controller and at least one fob. The VS system is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle having a frame. The frame has at least one enclosure (i.e., door) movable between open and closed positions. Each enclosure has a latch mechanism for securing the door in the closed position. The securing of the door prevents unauthorized or inadvertent movement of the door to the open position.
Each antenna of the VS system is mounted on the vehicle frame, and transmits and receives communication signals with the fobs. The controller is mounted on the frame and is electrically connected to each of the antennas and each of the latch mechanisms. The controller provides a signal to the latch mechanisms capable of moving the latch mechanism from the secured state to the unsecured state or vice-versa.
In one embodiment of the invention, each of the fobs transmit either an RKE signal or a PS signal to the controller through the vehicle antennas. The RKE signal is transmitted when the user depresses a button on one of the fobs requesting the latch mechanisms to be in the secured or unsecured state. The PS signal is transmitted when one of the fobs is within a radiation pattern emitted by one of the antennas. The radiation pattern can be continuously radiated by the antenna or be initiated when a user attempts entry to the vehicle. Thus, the VS system allows for the benefits of both RKE systems and PS systems.
In another embodiment of the invention, more than one antenna may be mounted on the vehicle allowing a user to unlock only a specific door while attempting to enter the vehicle. For example, if the vehicle has two doors, the driver side door could “unlock” while the user approaches or attempts to enter that door while carrying a fob. Similarly, the passenger side door could “unlock” while the user approaches or attempts to enter that door while carrying a fob. In the alternative, the VS system allows the user the flexibility of “unlocking” of all of the doors if the user approaches or attempts to enter any of the vehicle doors while carrying a fob.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the PS signal allowing communication between the vehicle and the fobs is generated only when one of the fobs is within the vicinity of one of the vehicle doors. That is, each of the radiation patterns emitted by the antennas is a unidirectional radiation pattern, and the fobs will provide PS signals for unlocking the vehicle door only if they are within one of the unidirectional radiation patterns. Preferably, the unidirectional radiation patterns are transmitted such that they are directly adjacent to the vehicle's enclosures.
Additionally, the VS system includes an improved encryption method for establishing secured communications between the antennas and the fobs. Specifically, the vehicle controller has a key or key code (which is stored in both the fob and the vehicle controller). The vehicle controller uses the key to form a challenge signal by “combining” a random number with a challenge data packet that includes challenge data. The vehicle controller then transmits the challenge signal. The vehicle controller generates an expected number from the random number. At about the same time, the fob receives the challenge signal from the vehicle antenna and “separates” the random number from the challenge data packet. The fob generates an answer using the key and the random number, and then the fob generates a response signal by using the key to “combine” the answer with a response data packet including response data. The fob then transmits the response signal to the vehicle.
The vehicle controller receives the response signal from the fob and “separates” the answer from the response data packet. If the two numbers (i.e., the answer and the stored or “expected” number) are the same, the vehicle controller provides a signal changing the state of the vehicle to an “unlocked” state. If more than one user with a fob is attempting to enter the vehicle at the same time, the vehicle entry system will give priority to one fob over another fob to prevent conflicting actions from being initiated by different fobs.
Furthermore, the invention provides a VS system that initiates three steps of validation when a fob is attempting to passively unlock a vehicle door. First, the fob verifies that a received challenge signal has the proper signal strength in order to ensure that the signal detected by the fob is not simply noise and that the fob is within the radiation pattern of the antenna. In other words, if the fob is not within a predetermined distance of the antenna, the strength of the signal radiating from the antenna will be too weak for the fob to continue. Throughout this period, the microprocessor in the fob is in a “sleep mode.” Next, the fob provides bit-check verification of the challenge signal to make sure that the signal received from the antenna is proper for the VS system incorporating the invention. That is, the fob calculates the time between segments of challenge data to determine if the timing is proper for the VS system. The fob will not transmit a response signal unless the interrupt time is correct. Lastly, the vehicle entry system proceeds through data packet validation. Data packet validation is the process whereby the system determines if the fob has the same vehicle code as the stored vehicle code. By going through a three-step process, the fob consumes less power since it does not attempt to signal a vehicle door based on a false input signal.
The invention also provides for a distributive VS system to be mounted in a vehicle having a frame. The system includes at least two antennas each having a respective radiation pattern. The first antenna is adapted to be mounted on the frame in a first position and the second antenna is adapted to be mounted on the frame in a second position spaced from the first position so as to prevent the first and second radiation patterns from interfering with one another. The radiation patterns can be unidirectional radiation patterns, and the system includes at least one fob configured to remotely communicate with each of th
Buczkiewicz Robert
Janssen David C.
Wagner Henry
Horabik Michael
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
Shimizu M.
Strattec Security Corporation
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