Anti-theft car protection system

• US 5,646,456 A
• Filed: 12/23/1994
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Funakosi, Hirosi, Udoh, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US08/363,036
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.2-10.6, 70/DIG. 46, 123/198 DB, 123/198 DC, 180/287, 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/825.44, 340/825.54, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.75, 361/172
• US Class Current: 307/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

An anti-theft car protection system has a first control unit for controlling the fuel injection to an engine. The first control unit is capable of starting the engine upon receiving an engine start instruction signal and capable of storing a first rolling code. A second control unit is provided which is capable of storing a second rolling code. The system provides an interactive communication between the first and second control units when actuated and issues "ON" signal when an ignition key cylinder of an associated motor vehicle is turned from "OFF" position to "ON" position. The system, upon receiving the "ON" signal, feeds the first control unit with the engine start instruction signal and sends the second rolling code to the first control unit. The system then compares the first and second rolling codes and issues an agreement signal upon agreement of the first and second rolling signals and issues a disagreement signal upon disagreement of these signals. The system, upon receiving the agreement signal, permits continuation of the feeding of the engine start instruction signal to the first control unit, and which, upon receiving the disagreement signal, cancels the feeding of the engine start instruction signal to the first control unit.

Claims

1. A method of operating an anti-theft car protection system for a motor vehicle powered by an engine, said system including a first control unit which controls the fuel injection to the engine and is capable of starting the engine responsive to an engine start instruction signal and of storing a first rolling code and a second control unit which is capable of storing a second rolling code, the method comprising the steps of:

storing said first and said second rolling codes for said first and said second control units respectively;

issuing an "ON" signal when an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned from an "OFF" position to an "ON" position and issuing an "OFF" signal when the ignition switch is turned from the "ON" position to the "OFF" position;

providing said first control unit with said second rolling code responsive to the "ON" signal; and

comparing said first and said second rolling codes, and issuing an agreement signal if the first and the second rolling codes are in agreement and issuing a disagreement signal if the first and the second rolling codes are in disagreement;

feeding the engine start instruction signal to said first control unit responsive to said agreement signal, and preventing the feeding of the engine start instruction signal to said first control unit responsive to said disagreement signal;

setting a fail-safe flag responsive to issuance of said agreement signal;

clearing out said fail-safe flag responsive to said "OFF" signal; and

preventing suppression of the engine starting when said fail-safe flag is set.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

changing said first and said second rolling codes upon receiving said "OFF" signal.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second unit is capable of storing a key code and, further comprising the steps of:

issuing a key code signal when the ignition switch is turned from the "OFF" position to the "ON" position;

comparing said key code and said key code signal and issuing a key agreement signal if the key code and the key code signal are in agreement;

issuing a condition establishing signal responsive to said key agreement signal; and

actuating an interactive communications line between the first and the second control units for transmitting said second rolling code to said first control unit responsive to said condition establishing signal.

4. A method of operating an anti-theft car protection system for a motor vehicle powered by an engine, said system including a first control unit which controls the fuel injection to the engine and is capable of starting the engine responsive to an engine start instruction signal and of storing a first rolling code and a second control unit which is capable of storing a second rolling code, the method comprising the steps of:

issuing an "ON" signal when an ignition key cylinder of the vehicle is turned from an "OFF" position to an "ON" position;

issuing, to said first control unit, said engine start instruction signal and a new unit representing signal when one of said first and said second control units is new; and

initializing said first and said second rolling codes responsive to said new unit representing signal.

5. A method for operating an anti-theft car protection system for a motor vehicle powered by an engine, the system including a first control unit capable of storing a first identification code and a second control unit capable of storing a second identification code, said second and said first control units being connected through an interactive communication line, the method comprising the steps of:

issuing an "ON" signal when an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned from an "OFF" position to an "ON" position for instructing starting of the engine and issuing an "OFF" signal when the ignition switch is turned from the "ON" position to the "OFF" position;

responsive to said "ON" signal, comparing said first and said second identification codes, and issuing a disagreement signal if said first and said second identification codes disagree and an agreement signal if said first and said second identification codes agree;

setting a fail-safe flag responsive to issuance of said agreement signal;

clearing out said fail-safe flag responsive to said "OFF" signal;

preventing suppression of the engine starting when said fail-safe flag is set;

suppressing starting of the engine responsive to issuance of said disagreement signal only if said fail-safe flag is cleared; and

changing said first and said second identification codes after starting of said engine.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

detecting an error in communication between said first and said second control units through said interactive communication line; and

suppressing starting of the engine responsive to detection of the communication error.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

issuing a time-over signal when a given time passes after issuance of said "ON" signal; and

suppressing the starting of the engine responsive to said time-over signal and only if said time-over signal issues prior to issuance of said agreement signal.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, in which said given time begins at the time at which said ignition switch is turned to the "ON" position from the "OFF" position.

9. A method as claimed in claim 7, in which said given time begins at the time at which the engine starts.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7, in which said given time begins at the time at which communications between said first and said second control units start.

11. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

issuing a non-neutral signal when the vehicle is not in a neutral condition and after issuance of said "ON" signal; and

suppressing the starting of the engine responsive to issuance of said non-neutral signal and only if the non-neutral signal issues prior to issuance of said agreement signal.

12. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second control unit is capable of storing a key code and, further comprising the steps of:

issuing a key code signal when said ignition switch is turned from the "OFF" position to the "ON" position;

issuing a condition establishing signal if said key code signal and said key code agree; and

allowing the comparison between the first and the second identification codes only after issuance of said condition establishing signal.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the step of:

suppressing the starting of the engine after issuance of said "ON" signal and until determining that said key code and said code signal agree.

14. A method as claimed in claims 12, further comprising the steps of:

issuing a time-over signal when a given time passes after issuance of said "ON" signal; and

suppressing the starting of the engine responsive to said time-over signal if said time-over signal issues prior to determining that said key code and said key code signal agree.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said given time begins at the time at which said ignition key cylinder is turned to "ON" position from "OFF" position.

16. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said given time begins at the time at which the engine starts.

17. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said given time begins at the time at which communications between said first and second control units start.

18. A method as claimed in claims 12, further comprising the steps of:

issuing a non-neutral signal when the vehicle is not in a neutral condition and after issuance of said "ON" signal; and

suppressing the starting of the engine responsive to issuance of said non-neutral signal only if the non-neutral signal issues prior to determining that said key code and said key code signal agree.

19. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

issuing a new unit representing signal upon issuance of said "ON" signal when one of said first and said second control units is new; and

initializing the first and the second identification codes responsive to said new unit representing signal.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said issuing of said new unit representing signal includes a flag operative with the first and the second control units, said flag being cleared out responsive to said new unit representing signal.

21. An anti-theft protection system for a motor vehicle powered by an engine comprising:

an ignition switch for issuing an "ON" signal responsive to being turned from an "OFF" to an "ON" position and for issuing an "OFF" signal responsive to being turned from the "ON" to the "OFF" position;

an engine start inhibiting unit having a first rolling code stored therein for transmitting said first rolling code responsive the issuance of said "ON" signal and operative to transmit an engine start instruction signal;

a central control unit, operative to control fuel injection to the vehicle engine and to set a fail-safe flag to prevent suppression of said fuel injection and to clear said fail-safe flag, having a second rolling code stored therein, for comparing said transmitted first rolling code with said second rolling code, and transmitting either a first comparison signal if said first rolling code agrees with said second rolling code or a second comparison signal if said first rolling code does not agree with said second rolling code; and

a communications link connecting said engine start inhibiting unit and said central control unit for communicating said transmitted first rolling code from said engine start inhibiting unit to said central control unit, said transmitted comparison signal from said central control unit to said engine start inhibiting unit and said transmitted engine start instruction signal from said engine start inhibiting unit to said central control unit;

wherein said engine start inhibiting unit is operated to transmit said engine start instruction signal only if the transmitted comparison signal is said first comparison signal and responsive thereto, and said central control unit is operated to allow fuel injection to the vehicle engine responsive to said transmitted engine start instruction signal and to set said fail-safe flag only if said transmitted comparison signal is the first comparison signal and to clear said fail-safe flag responsive only to issuance of said "OFF" signal.

22. An anti-theft protection system for a motor vehicle according to claim 21, further comprising an electrical control unit for transmitting an initializing signal to said engine start inhibiting unit to initialize said first rolling code and to said central control unit to initialize said second rolling code responsive to a new unit representing signal from and indicative of the replacement of either said engine start inhibiting unit or said central control unit.

23. An anti-theft protection system for a motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein said central control unit is operative to detect an error in signals communicated over said communications link between said engine start inhibiting unit and said central control unit and to suppress fuel injection to the vehicle engine responsive to said error detection.

24. An anti-theft protection system for a motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein:

said engine start inhibiting unit is operative to transmit a time-over signal after passage of a time period following issuance of said "ON" signal and responsive to the transmitted comparison signal if said transmitted comparison signal is the second comparison signal; and

said central control unit is operative to suppress fuel injection to the vehicle engine responsive to said transmitted time-over signal.

25. An anti-theft protection system for a motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein said central control unit is operative to suppress fuel injection to the vehicle engine after issuance of said "ON" signal and prior to the first comparison signal being transmitted, responsive to a signal indicative of a transmission of the vehicle being in a non-neutral operating condition.

26. An anti-theft protection system for a motor vehicle according to claim 21, further comprising an ignition key for turning said ignition switch and including a transponder for transmitting a key code signal when said ignition switch is turned from the "OFF" to the "ON" position wherein:

said engine start inhibiting unit has a key code stored therein and is operative to compare said transmitted key code signal with said key code, and to issue a condition establishing signal if said key code and said key code signal are in agreement; and

said communications link communicates said transmitted first rolling code from said engine start inhibiting unit to said central control unit only after issuance of said condition establishing signal.

27. A method of operating an anti-theft car protection system for a motor vehicle powered by an engine, comprising the steps of:

storing a first rolling code;

storing a second rolling code;

issuing an "ON" signal when an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned from an "OFF" position to an "ON" position and an "OFF" signal when the ignition switch is turned from the "ON" position to the "OFF" position;

comparing said first rolling code to said second rolling code responsive to the "ON" signal; and

issuing an agreement signal if the first and the second rolling codes are in agreement and issuing a disagreement signal if the first and the second rolling codes are in disagreement;

setting a fail-safe flag responsive to issuance of said agreement signal;

clearing out said fail-safe flag responsive to said "OFF" signal; and

issuing an engine start instruction signal responsive to said agreement signal and preventing the issuance of the engine start instruction signal responsive to said disagreement signal;

controlling the fuel injection to the engine such that fuel is injected to the engine responsive to the engine start instruction signal; and

preventing suppression of fuel injection to the engine when said fail-safe flag is set.

28. A method according to claim 27, further comprising the step of changing said first and said second rolling codes responsive to said "OFF" signal.

29. A method according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

storing a key code;

issuing a key code signal when the ignition switch is turned from the "OFF" position to the "ON" position;

comparing said key code and said key code signal;

issuing a condition establishing signal if the key code and the key code signal are in agreement;

comparing said first rolling code to said second rolling code only after issuance of said condition establishing signal.

30. A method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of issuing a time over signal when a given time passes after issuance of said "ON" signal and prior to determining the first and the second rolling codes to be in agreement, wherein said given time begins at the time at which the condition establishing signal issues.

31. A method of operating an anti-theft car protection system for a motor vehicle powered by an engine, comprising the steps of:

issuing an "ON" signal when an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned from an "OFF" position to an "ON" position;

issuing a new code representing signal when one of a first rolling code and a second rolling code requires initializing;

initializing said first and said second rolling codes responsive to said new code representing signal;

storing said first rolling code;

storing said second rolling code;

issuing an engine start instruction signal if said stored first rolling code and said stored second rolling code are in agreement; and

controlling the fuel injection to the engine to start the engine responsive to said engine start instruction signal.

32. A method of operating an anti-theft car protection system for a motor vehicle powered by an engine, comprising the steps of:

storing a first identification code;

storing a second identification code;

issuing an "ON" signal when an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned from an "OFF" position to an "ON" position for instructing starting of the engine and an "OFF" signal when the ignition switch is turned from the "ON" position to the "OFF" position;

comparing said first and said second identification codes responsive to said "ON" signal;

issuing a disagreement signal if said first and said second identification codes disagree and issuing an agreement signal if said first and said second identification codes agree;

setting a fail-safe flag responsive to issuance of said agreement signal;

clearing out said fail-safe flag responsive to said "OFF" signal;

suppressing starting of the engine responsive to issuance of said disagreement signal only if said fail-safe flag is cleared and starting the engine responsive to issuance of said agreement signal; and

changing said first and said second identification codes after starting of said engine.

33. A method according to claim 32, further comprising the steps of:

issuing a time-over signal when a given time passes after issuance of said "ON" signal and prior to issuance of said agreement signal; and

suppressing the starting of the engine responsive to said time-over signal.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein said given time begins at the time at which said ignition switch is turned to the "ON" position from the "OFF" position.

35. A method according to claim 33, wherein said given time begins at the time at which the engine starts.

36. A method according to claim 32, further comprising the steps of:

issuing a non-neutral signal when a transmission of the vehicle is in a non-neutral operating condition and responsive to issuance of said "ON" signal; and

suppressing the starting of the engine responsive to issuance of said non-neutral signal only if said non-neutral signal is issued prior to issuance of said agreement signal.

37. A method according to claim 32, further comprising the steps of:

storing a key code;

issuing a key code signal when said ignition switch is turned from the "OFF" position to the "ON" position;

comparing said key code and said key code signal;

issuing a key agreement signal if said key code and key code signal are in agreement; and

issuing a condition establishing signal responsive to said key agreement signal;

wherein said comparing of the first and the second identification codes is performed responsive to said condition establishing signal.

38. A method according to claim 32, further comprising the steps of:

issuing a new unit representing signal responsive to said "ON" signal when one of said first identification code and said second identification code require initializing; and

initializing the first and the second identification codes responsive to said new unit representing signal.