Method and security apparatus for validating an authorization for locking and unlocking and/or using an object

• US 20050024181A1
• Filed: 07/29/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Piesch, Wolfgang, Stippler, Michael, Hofbeck, Klaus, Rosel, Birgit
• Application Number:
  US10/902,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20050024181A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.700
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02 operating on the steering mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00373 whereby the wake-up circuit is situated in the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A known PASE system is significantly improved by the addition of a LF field, which is restricted to the interior of the motor vehicle, for the purpose of achieving highly reliable differentiation between the inside and outside of the motor vehicle. A LF signal in this field, in the form of a LF ping, is used as a control signal with the function of differentiating between the area inside and outside the motor vehicle and for awakening or activating a semi-active identification transmitter CID. In preferred embodiments, the LF ping itself is preferably not used for data transmission, which continues to be handled in the GHz band, so that the system as a whole also operates very rapidly.

Claims

1. A method for validating an authorization for locking and unlocking and/or using an object, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a request signal by at least one transmitter and receiver unit, and, if a movable and, in particular, a portable identification transmitter receives this request signal, sending back a response signal by said identification transmitter,

evaluating the response signal after being received in the transmitter and receiver unit, and

if authorization for the identification transmitter is present and detected, issuing at least one control command in the object by the control unit, wherein an additional signal is emitted, said additional signal being restricted to the interior of the object.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the object is a motor vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a LF signal is emitted as an additional signal, preferably only inside the motor vehicle and particularly in a frequency band of approximately 125 kHz.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the additional signal is emitted in the form of a LF ping which—

in particular—

has a simple structure.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the LF ping is emitted with a length of at least 2 bits.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification transmitter is switched to an active status for the purpose of localization and/or communication before it reaches the interior of the motor vehicle, preferably at all times.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification transmitter is switched to an active status by a localization signal, which is only received inside the motor vehicle by the identification transmitter, whereby a rapid exchange of communication data is carried out between the identification transmitter and the transmitter and receiver unit, preferably in the GHz band.

8. The method according to claim 11, wherein the LF ping is emitted as the localization signal.

9. The method according to claim 11, wherein a LF transmitter is activated in order to transmit the localization signal when the identification transmitter is located near the motor vehicle in an outer zone and/or is actively triggered by the user, in particular by actuating a door handle or by transmitting a locking signal.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the localization signal is emitted when a start/stop button or a door contact is actuated or a locking signal is emitted.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein a localization signal is not emitted if the motor vehicle is locked.

12. A security apparatus for validating an authorization for locking and unlocking and/or using an object, comprising:

means for transmitting a request signal by at least one transmitter and receiver unit, and, means for sending back a response signal by said identification transmitter,

means for evaluating the response signal after being received in the transmitter and receiver unit, and

means for issuing at least one control command in the object by the control unit if authorization for the identification transmitter is present and detected, wherein an additional signal is emitted, said additional signal being restricted to the interior of the object.

13. The security apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the object is a motor vehicle.

14. The security apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a control unit is disposed in the object, said control unit being connected to at least one transmitter and receiver unit, such that the transmitter and receiver unit is designed to emit a request signal when triggered by the control unit, and, if an authorization is present and detected, depending on the distance of the identification transmitter from the object and its localization in a particular detection zone around the object, the control unit is designed to emit at least one control command in the object.

15. The security apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus is a semi-active backscattering device.

16. The security apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the identification transmitter can be switched from a passive status to an active or semi-active status, in particular by a localization signal from the control unit.

17. The security apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, compared to known systems, the additional hardware required consists essentially of the control unit and at least one LF antenna connected to it.

18. The security apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the object is a motor vehicle and the at least one LF antenna is arranged in a central area of the motor vehicle, e.g. in the central console between the front seats or in the center of the back seat and preferably at floor level.