Security for vehicle starting

• US 20060082434A1
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Brey, Thomas A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,768,377 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.600
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking

Abstract

A system and method of providing security for a vehicle starting system. The method including a first step of storing secure information identifying an authorized user of a vehicle. A next step includes detecting an attempt to start a vehicle without an authorized coded starting device. A next step includes placing a telephone call using a vehicle communication device to a service operator requesting service. A next step includes calling the vehicle by the service operator. A next step includes confirming the particular user of the vehicle using the stored information. A next step includes authorizing the starting of the vehicle. Unauthorized coded starting devices can include a non-programmable key, an unprogrammed programmable key, and a code scanning device.

Claims

12. A method of providing security for a vehicle starting system, the method comprising the steps of:

storing secure information identifying an authorized user of a vehicle;

detecting an attempt to start a vehicle without an authorized key;

placing a telephone call using a vehicle communication device to a service operator requesting service and sending identification information of the vehicle;

calling the vehicle by the service operator;

confirming the particular user of the vehicle using the stored information; and

authorizing the starting of the vehicle.

1. A method of providing security for a vehicle starting system, the method comprising the steps of:

storing secure information identifying an authorized user of a vehicle;

detecting an attempt to start a vehicle without an authorized coded starting device;

placing a telephone call using a vehicle communication device to a service operator requesting service;

calling the vehicle by the service operator;

confirming the particular user of the vehicle using the stored information; and

authorizing the starting of the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step includes detecting that a user is using a programmable coded starting device that has not yet been programmed to start the vehicle, and wherein the placing step includes requesting new programming for the programmable coded starting device, and wherein the confirming step includes asking the user for secure information identifying the particular user and comparing this to the stored information, and wherein the authorizing step includes sending programming information to the vehicle for programming the programmable coded starting device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the coded starting device is a programmable key.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the coded starting device is an RF identification device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step includes detecting that a user is using a non-programmable coded starting device to start the vehicle, and wherein the placing step includes a request to start the vehicle using the non-programmable coded starting device, and wherein the confirming step includes asking the user for secure information identifying the particular user and comparing this to the stored information, and wherein the authorizing step includes the service operator starting vehicle for the user.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the non-programmable coded starting device is a non-programmable key that is mechanically keyed to turn the ignition switch of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step includes detecting that a user is using a non-programmable coded starting device to start the vehicle, and wherein the placing step includes a request to start the vehicle using the non-programmable coded starting device, and wherein the confirming step includes asking the user for secure information identifying the particular user and comparing this to the stored information, and wherein the authorizing step includes the service operator sending information to temporarily override a vehicle starting lockout system.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the non-programmable coded starting device is a non-programmable key that is mechanically keyed to turn the ignition switch of the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step includes detecting an unauthorized attempt to duplicate the starting code of the vehicle, and further comprising the step of locking out the vehicle starting system, wherein the placing step includes information about the lockout to the service operator, and wherein the confirming step includes identifying the user and comparing this to the stored information, and wherein the authorizing step includes the service operator approving the duplication of the starting code and a releasing of the lockout of the vehicle starting system.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the confirming step includes the substeps of:

determining a location of the vehicle; and

comparing the location of the vehicle with a list of known high theft locations, wherein the number of requirement elements of the confirming step are increased.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the placing step includes sending identification information of the specific vehicle to the service operator.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the detecting step includes detecting that a user is using a programmable key that has not yet been programmed for starting the vehicle, and wherein the placing step includes requesting new programming for the programmable key, and wherein the confirming step includes asking the user for secure information identifying the particular user and comparing this to the stored information, and wherein the authorizing step includes sending programming information to the vehicle for programming the programmable key.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the detecting step includes detecting an unauthorized attempt to duplicate the starting code of the vehicle, and further comprising the step of locking out the vehicle starting system, wherein the calling step includes information about the lockout to the service operator, and wherein the confirming step includes asking the user for secure information identifying the particular user and comparing this to the stored information, and wherein the authorizing step includes the service operator approving the duplication of the starting code and a releasing of the lockout of the vehicle starting system.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

determining a location of the vehicle; and

comparing the location of the vehicle with a list of known high theft locations, wherein the number of requirement elements of the confirming step are increased.

13-1. The method of claim 12, wherein the detecting step includes detecting that a user is using a non-programmable key that is mechanically keyed to turn the ignition switch of the vehicle for starting the vehicle, and wherein the placing step includes a request to start the vehicle using the non-programmable key, and wherein the confirming step includes asking the user for secure information identifying the particular user and comparing this to the stored information, and wherein the authorizing step includes the service operator sending information to temporarily override a vehicle starting lockout system.

16. A vehicle starting system with improved security for a vehicle, comprising:

a radio communication device incorporated in the vehicle;

a service operator operable to provide service for the radio communication device, the service operator having stored secure information identifying an authorized user of a vehicle;

a controller included in the vehicle starting system and coupled to the radio communication system; and

an unauthorized coded starting device for operating the starting system,

wherein when the controller detects an unauthorized attempt to start the vehicle, the controller directs the radio communication device to contact the service operator to send an identification of the vehicle and to report the attempt,

wherein the service operator calls the vehicle communication device and confirms the particular user of the vehicle using the stored information, wherein the service operator authorizes the starting of the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein when the controller detects that a user is using a programmable coded starting device that has not yet been programmed to start the vehicle, the controller directs the communication device to request new programming for the programmable coded starting device from the service operator, and wherein the service operator asks the user for secure information identifying the particular user and compares this to the stored information such that if the response correlates with the stored information the service operator can then send programming information to the controller for programming the programmable coded starting device.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein when the controller detects that a user is using a non-programmable coded starting device to start the vehicle, the controller directs the communication device to request the service operator to start the vehicle using the non-programmable coded starting device, and wherein the service operator asks the user for secure information identifying the particular user and compares this to the stored information such that if the response correlates with the stored information the service operator can then send information to the controller to temporarily override a vehicle starting lockout system.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein when the controller detects an unauthorized attempt to duplicate the starting code of the vehicle, locks out the vehicle starting system, and directs the communication device to inform the service operator about the lockout, and wherein the service operator identifies the particular user by comparison to the stored information in order to authorize the particular user, wherein the service operator can send information to the controller to approve the duplication of the starting code and release the lockout of the vehicle starting system.

20. The system of claim 16, further comprising a location determining device coupled to the radio communication device, wherein when the controller detects the use of an unauthorized coded starting device the controller directs the radio communication device to send a location of the vehicle to the service operator, wherein the service operator compares the location of the vehicle with a list of known high theft locations and adjusts the number of required elements for confirming an identity of an authorized user accordingly.