Vehicle security system and method
First Claim
1. A vehicle security method comprising:
- (a) operating a portable device in the vehicle to obtain the identity of the vehicle, and then to send a message by a wireless connection to a remote authentication server computer, the message including the identity of the vehicle and also the identity of the portable device;
(b) operating the authentication server computer to perform a check that the portable device is authorized in relation to the vehicle, and then to return a response by the wireless connection to the portable device, indicating the result of the check; and
(c) operating the portable device, when it receives the response from the authentication server computer, and if the response indicates that the result of the check is satisfactory, to enable the vehicle to be started.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle security system uses a portable device such as a pocket PC or PDA. When the device is inserted in a cradle in the vehicle, it communicates with the on-board computer to obtain the vehicle identity. The device then sends a request message, containing the vehicle identity and device identity, to a remote authentication server. The authentication server performs a number of checks, including checking that the device is authorized for use with this vehicle, and returns a response to the device. If the authentication is successful, the device allows the vehicle to be started. If the response from the authentication server is delayed, the vehicle may be started, but if the authentication check then fails, an on-line check will be compulsory the next time an attempt is made to start the vehicle.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A vehicle security method comprising:
-
(a) operating a portable device in the vehicle to obtain the identity of the vehicle, and then to send a message by a wireless connection to a remote authentication server computer, the message including the identity of the vehicle and also the identity of the portable device;
(b) operating the authentication server computer to perform a check that the portable device is authorized in relation to the vehicle, and then to return a response by the wireless connection to the portable device, indicating the result of the check; and
(c) operating the portable device, when it receives the response from the authentication server computer, and if the response indicates that the result of the check is satisfactory, to enable the vehicle to be started. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A portable device for use in a vehicle security system, the portable device comprising:
-
(a) means for obtaining the identity of a vehicle in which the portable device is currently located;
(b) means for sending a message by a wireless connection to a remote authentication server computer, the message including the identity of the vehicle and also the identity of the portable device;
(c) means for receiving a response from the authentication server computer, indicating whether the portable device is authorized in relation to the vehicle; and
(d) means enabling the vehicle to be started if the response indicates that the result of the check is satisfactory. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A vehicle security method comprising:
-
(a) operating a security device in the vehicle to send a message by a wireless connection to a remote authentication server computer, requesting permission to activate the vehicle;
(b) in the event that the security device receives a favorable response from the authentication server computer within a predetermined timeout period, activating the vehicle;
(c) in the event that the security device receives an unfavorable response from the authentication server computer within the predetermined timeout period, preventing activation of the vehicle; and
(d) in the event that the security device does not receive any response from the authentication server computer within the predetermined timeout period, activating the vehicle without having received a favorable response. - View Dependent Claims (12, 14)
-
-
13. A vehicle security device comprising:
-
(a) means for sending a message by a wireless connection to a remote authentication server computer, requesting permission to activate the vehicle;
(b) means for activating the vehicle upon receipt of a favorable response from the authentication server computer within a predetermined timeout period;
(c) means for preventing activation of the vehicle upon receipt of an unfavorable response from the authentication server computer within the predetermined timeout period; and
(d) means for activating the vehicle without having received a favorable response, in the event that no response is received from the authentication server computer within the predetermined timeout period.
-
Specification