Countermeasure system and method for vehicle passive entry system

• US 20030222757A1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Nantz, John S., Ghabra, Riad, Tang, Qingfeng
• Granted Patent: US 6,819,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00404 starting with prompting the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

In a vehicle passive entry system, a countermeasure system and method include a remote unit for receiving a passive entry challenge signal, determining if the passive entry challenge signal is valid, and transmitting a vehicle access signal for use in actuating a door look mechanism to permit access to the vehicle if the passive entry challenge signal is determined valid. The remote unit includes an indicator for use in generating an alert if the passive entry challenge signal is determined valid, and a switch for use in manually disabling transmission of the vehicle access signal. The countermeasure system further includes a passive entry control module for mounting in the vehicle, the control module including a transceiver for transmitting the passive entry challenge signal and for receiving the vehicle access signal.

Claims

1. In a passive entry system for a vehicle having a door lock mechanism and an engine, a countermeasure system comprising:

a passive entry control module for mounting in the vehicle, the control module comprising a transceiver for transmitting a passive entry challenge signal and for receiving a vehicle access signal;

a remote unit for receiving the passive entry challenge signal, determining if the passive entry challenge signal is valid, and transmitting a vehicle access signal for use in actuating the door look mechanism to permit access to the vehicle if the passive entry challenge signal is determined valid, wherein the remote unit comprises an indicator for use in generating an alert if the passive entry II challenge signal is determined valid, and a switch for use in manually disabling transmission of the vehicle access signal.

2. The countermeasure system of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a buzzer and the alert is an audible signal.

3. The countermeasure system of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a light emitting diode and the alert is a visual signal.

4. The countermeasure system of claim 2 wherein the indicator is a light emitting diode and the alert is a visual signal.

5. The countermeasure system of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a motor and the alert is a vibration of the motor.

6. The countermeasure system of claim 2 wherein the indicator is a motor and the alert is a vibration of the motor.

7. The countermeasure system of claim 3 wherein the indicator is a motor and the alert is a vibration of the motor.

8. The countermeasure system of claim 2 wherein the remote unit further comprises a switch for use in manually disabling generation of the alert.

9. The countermeasure system of claim 2 wherein the switch is operative for disabling transmission of the vehicle access signal after generation of the alert.

10. The countermeasure system of claim 2 wherein the vehicle transceiver is further for transmitting a passive engine start challenge signal upon receipt of a vehicle access signal and for receiving an engine start signal, wherein the remote unit is further for receiving the passive engine start challenge signal, determining if the passive engine start challenge signal is valid, and transmitting an engine start signal for use in starting the vehicle engine if the passive engine start challenge signal is determined valid, and wherein the remote unit further comprises a switch for use in manually disabling transmission of the engine start signal.

11. The countermeasure system of claim 3 wherein the vehicle transceiver is further for transmitting a remote unit challenge signal after the vehicle reaches a predetermined threshold speed and for receiving a remote unit response signal, wherein the remote unit is further for receiving the remote unit challenge signal, determining if the remote unit challenge signal is valid, and transmitting a remote unit response signal if the remote unit challenge signal is determined valid, wherein the control module is for use in deactivation of the vehicle engine if the vehicle transceiver fails to receive the remote unit response signal, and wherein the remote unit further comprises a switch for use in manually disabling transmission of the remote unit response signal.

12. The countermeasure system of claim 11 wherein deactivating the vehicle engine comprises gradually reducing fuel supplied to the engine.

13. In a passive entry system for a vehicle having a door lock mechanism and an engine, a countermeasure method comprising:

providing a remote unit for receiving a passive entry challenge signal, determining if the passive entry challenge signal is valid, and transmitting a vehicle access signal for use in actuating the door look mechanism to permit access to the vehicle if the passive entry challenge signal is determined valid, wherein the remote unit comprises an indicator for use in generating an alert if the passive entry challenge signal is determined valid, and a switch for use in manually disabling transmission of the vehicle access signal.

14. The countermeasure method of claim 13 further comprising providing a passive entry control module for mounting in the vehicle, the control module comprising a transceiver for transmitting the passive entry challenge signal and for receiving the vehicle access signal.

15. The countermeasure method of claim 13 wherein the indicator is a buzzer and the alert is an audible signal.

16. The countermeasure method of claim 13 wherein the indicator is a light emitting diode and the alert is a visual signal.

17. The countermeasure method of claim 13 wherein the indicator is a motor and the alert is a vibration of the motor.

18. The countermeasure method of claim 15 wherein the remote unit further comprises a switch for use in manually disabling generation of the alert.

19. The countermeasure method of claim 13 wherein the remote unit is further for receiving a passive engine start challenge signal, determining if the passive engine start challenge signal is valid, and transmitting an engine start signal for use in starting the vehicle engine if the passive engine start challenge signal is determined valid, and wherein the remote unit further comprises a switch for use in manually disabling transmission of the engine start signal.

20. The countermeasure method of claim 14 wherein the vehicle transceiver is further for transmitting a remote unit challenge signal after the vehicle reaches a predetermined threshold speed and for receiving a remote unit response signal, wherein the remote unit is further for receiving the remote unit challenge signal, determining if the remote unit challenge signal is valid, and transmitting a remote unit response signal if the remote unit challenge signal is determined valid, wherein the control module is for use in deactivation of the vehicle engine if the vehicle transceiver fails to receive the remote unit response signal, and wherein the remote unit further comprises a switch for use in manually disabling transmission of the remote unit response signal.