Method and apparatus for an automotive security system which permits engine running prior to code comparison

• US 5,539,260 A
• Filed: 08/29/1994
• Issued: 07/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Khangura, Kanwaljit S., Moore, Ronald G., Treharne, William D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US08/270,979
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1-10.6, 180/287, 180/289, 70/237, 70/277, 70/228, 70/252, 70/370, 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/825.3-825.32, 340/825.34, 340/825.44, 340/825.54, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 123/198 DB, 123/198 DC
• US Class Current: 307/10.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Abstract

A security system for an automotive vehicle having an engine is operatively connected between engine running electrical components which are connected to an electrical power source and a lock switch having at least two operative positions. The security system has a lock switch operator having a memory device carried thereon with a first security code stored in the memory device. A theft control module having a memory storing a second security code is operatively connected between the switch and the engine running electrical devices. The theft control module operates to first permit the engine running electrical components to enable the starting of the engine and then to compare the first and second security codes. Upon finding the first security code not equal to the second security code, the engine running electrical components are disconnected from the electrical power source which disables the engine.

Claims

1. A security system for an automotive vehicle having an engine, the security system operatively connected between engine running electrical components which are connected to an electrical power source and a lock switch having at least two operative positions, the system comprising:

a lock switch operator;

a memory device carried on said lock operator having a first security code; and

a theft control module having a memory storing a second security code operatively connected between the switch and the engine running electrical components for comparing said first and second security codes, said theft control module operative to first permit the engine running electrical components to enable the starting of the engine and after comparing said first and second security codes and finding said first security code not equal to said second security code, disconnecting the engine running electrical components from the electrical power source thereby disabling the engine.

2. A security system as recited in claim 1 wherein said engine running electrical components comprise an engine control module connected to said theft control module, said theft control module selectively permitting said engine control module to control the operation of said engine by providing a control signal to said engine control module which enables and disables the engine.

3. A security system as recited in claim 2 wherein said control signal is a unique digitally encoded signal.

4. A security system as recited in claim 1 wherein said lock operator includes a transponder, said transponder retaining said first security code.

5. A security system as recited in claim 1 wherein said engine running electrical components comprise a fuel pump and fuel injectors, said engine being disabled upon deactivating said fuel pump and said fuel injectors.

6. A security system as recited in claim 1 wherein said lock switch is a rotatable ignition lock.

7. A method for operating a security system for an automotive vehicle having an engine with engine running electrical components, said security system having a theft control module, a lock switch having a selected position providing power to the engine running electrical components to run the engine, a lock operator with a first security code and a memory in said theft control module having a second security code, said method comprising the steps of:

placing said lock operator in said switch in said selected position;

starting the engine;

thereafter, comparing said first security code with said second security code; and

if said first security code does not equal said second security code, disconnecting power to said engine running electrical components thereby stopping said engine.

8. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 7 wherein the engine running electrical components include a fuel pump and fuel injectors, said step of disconnecting comprises the step of preventing supply of power to said fuel pump and fuel injectors.

9. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 7 wherein the engine running electrical components include an electronic engine controller operatively disposed between said engine and said security system controlling operation of the engine, and before the step of disconnecting, providing a control signal to initiate said disconnecting step.

10. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 7 further comprising verifying the starting of engine has started before the step of comparing.

11. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 10 wherein the step of verifying the engine has started comprises monitoring said engine speed and waiting until said engine speed reaches a predetermined speed.

12. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 11 wherein said predetermined speed is 400 revolutions per minute.

13. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 11 wherein after the step of monitoring and waiting until the engine speed reaches a predetermined speed, waiting a predetermined time period before the step of comparing.

14. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 7 further comprising the step of waiting a predetermined time period before the step of comparing.

15. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 14 wherein said automotive vehicle has an electrical system having a transient time period after energizing and wherein said predetermined time period corresponds to a time greater than said transient time period.

16. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 7 wherein said lock operator has a transponder including said memory storing said first security code, and wherein before the step of comparing, energizing said transponder.

17. A method for operating a security system for an automotive vehicle having an engine with engine running electrical components including an electronic engine controller and a lock switch having a selected position providing power to the engine running electrical components to run the engine, said security system having a theft control module operatively connected between the electronic engine controller and the lock switch, the theft control module having a memory storing a first security code and a lock operator having a second code, said method comprising the steps of:

placing said lock operator in said switch in said selected position;

starting the engine;

operating said engine controller to interrogate said theft control module for a theft status;

sending an engine enable signal or engine disable from said theft control module in response to interrogation by said engine control module;

operating said theft control module to interrogate said lock operator for said second security code;

receiving said second security code into said theft control module;

comparing said first security code with said second security code;

operating said theft control module to send an engine disable signal to said electronic engine controller if said first security code is not equal to said second security code; and

disabling said engine.

18. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 17 further comprising the step of operating said electronic engine controller to send a confirmation signal to said theft control module after said engine has been disabled.

19. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 17 wherein said engine enable signal is a unique digitally encoded signal.

20. A method for operating a security system as recited in claim 17 wherein the engine has a fuel pump and fuel injectors and wherein, before said step of disabling, disconnecting power to said fuel pump and fuel injectors.