Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Vehicle mounted systems – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1996-10-10
2001-11-27
Paladini, Albert W. (Department: 2836)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Vehicle mounted systems
Automobile
C180S287000, C340S539230, C340S870030, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323566
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of compact, radio frequency (RF) transponders of the type known to be useful in systems for security and information storage, access control, entry validation and identification, and in other comparable systems. Such a system requires an interrogator circuit built into a road vehicle or building, for example, and a remote transponder which incorporates transmitting and receiving circuits in a compact case that may be carried by a person in a key, a key fob, a badge, a tag or in any similar miniaturized housing. More particularly this invention relates to a transponder in a road vehicle or automotive remote keyless entry and immobilization system which is functional over an increased range in active and passive modes of operation. This invention further relates to a transponder which utilizes a secure challenge-response encryption technique to provide greater security for the user.
Compact passive low frequency transponders, using a frequency of 134.2 kilohertz (134.2 kHz), for example, for passive entry and immobilizer functions and radio frequency remote control transmitters, using a frequency of 433 megahertz (433 MHz), for example, for use in remote keyless entry and security systems for automobiles are generally known. These systems allow access to the automobile without the use of battery power, if the transponder is used in close proximity to the interrogator, and allow the operator to transmit commands such as locking and unlocking doors, hood and trunk, controlling vehicle lighting and ignition, and arming and disarming the anti-theft security system to the vehicle over greater distances. The transponders used may employ an interrogator-responder arrangement with an EEPROM data storage device and a small capacitor that serves as an energy accumulator, charged by the energy provided by the radio frequency interrogation, to provide power for the transponder. The transponder is, thus, sufficiently small to supplement or replace a conventional vehicle door and ignition key. Such a transponder is disclosed in Schuermann et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,774, which is incorporated herein by reference.
However, the transponder systems in current use generally have a limited operating range. Current remote control transponder systems require battery power for proper operation and are not functional, in a passive mode, that is, when operated without a battery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a road vehicle remote keyless entry system which is functional over an increased range in the active and passive modes of operation while increasing security by the use of a secure challenge-response encryption technique. A road vehicle keyless entry system having an in-vehicle communication processor and a remote, miniaturized transponder is provided. The communication processor has a radio frequency receiver, a low frequency transmitter/receiver and a controller capable of sending and receiving signals via the low frequency transmitter/receiver and receiving signals via the radio frequency receiver. The transponder has a radio frequency transmitter that transmits a signal to the communication processor upon receipt of a manual stimulus and a low frequency transmitter/receiver capable of reading the signals received from the communication processor and preparing an encrypted response for transmission to the communication processor. When the transponder provides an encrypted response containing the correct vehicle code to the communication processor, the communication processor authorizes the desired operation such as, for example, locking or unlocking the car, arming or disarming the anti-theft alarm system or the performance of vehicle related initialization functions such as seat, seat belt and vehicle mirror adjustments and lighting the vehicle interior lights.
The present invention further provides a secure road vehicle keyless entry system comprising an in-vehicle communication processor and a remote transponder. The communication processor and transponder communicate in parallel paths, a first path being a radio frequency transmission from the transponder to the communication processor and a second path being a low frequency, encrypted two way transmission between the transponder and the communication processor. The radio frequency transmission and the low frequency, encrypted transmission can be compared by the communication processor for authentication of the transmitted data or command before the communication processor authorizes the desired operation and, if one communication channel is affected by interference, the second communication channel may be used as a backup.
It is further contemplated that the radio frequency receiver in the communication processor and the radio frequency transmitter in the transponder may be transmitter/receivers, each capable of performing both the receiving and transmitting functions. When radio frequency transmitter/receivers are used, both the radio frequency communication and the low frequency communication between the communication processor and the transponder will be two way transmissions used to transmit data between the two devices.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5523746 (1996-06-01), Gallagher
patent: 5583486 (1996-12-01), Kersten
patent: 5744874 (1998-04-01), Yoshida et al.
patent: 5757086 (1998-05-01), Nagashima
patent: 44 09 559 (1995-06-01), None
patent: 43 29 697 A (1996-01-01), None
patent: 0 659 963 A (1995-06-01), None
patent: 0 690 190 A (1996-01-01), None
patent: 767 286 A (1997-04-01), None
Brady III Wade James
Paladini Albert W.
Telecky , Jr. Frederick J.
Texas Instruments Incorported
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