Anti-theft sysem for a removable accessory of an automotve vehicle

• US 5,815,087 A
• Filed: 04/02/1996
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Simmons, Paul, Kennedy, John F., Campbell, Scott O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): JEANGLAUDE, JEAN BRUNER
• Application Number:
  US08/626,585
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.5, 307/9.1, 340/825.54, 340/426, 340/505, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.32, 340/825.34, 340/825.44, 340/825.31, 701/29, 701/33, 180/287, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/167 comprising anti-theft devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Abstract

An anti-theft system for a removable accessory has a transponder with a transponder security code located in the removable accessory. A remote sensing coil is operatively coupled to the transponder. A memory stores a security code corresponding to the transponder. A control module coupled to the remote sensing coil and the memory generates an interrogate signal and receives a response signal through the remote sensing coil. The transponder generating a response signal in the form of a transponder security code in response to the interrogate signal. The control module compares the transponder security code to the stored security code. If the transponder security code is not equal to the stored security code, a predetermined function is disabled. An output means is coupled to the control module for providing an indication to a vehicle operator of the disabled predetermined function.

Claims

1. An anti-theft system for a removable accessory of an automobile comprising:

a transponder located in said removable accessory, said transponder having a transponder security code;

a remote sensing coil operatively coupled to said transponder, wherein said remote sensing coil is adjacent said transponder when said removable accessory is in an unremoved position;

a memory storing a stored security code corresponding to said transponder;

a control module coupled to said remote sensing coil and said memory, said control module generating an interrogate signal and receiving a response signal through said remote sensing coil, said transponder generating said response signal in the form of a transponder security code in response to said interrogate signal, said control module comparing said transponder security code to said stored security code, and then if said transponder security code is not equal to said stored security code, disabling a predetermined function; and

output means coupled to said control module for providing an indication to a vehicle operator of said disabled predetermined function.

2. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 1 further comprising triggering means connected to said control module for triggering said control module to generate said interrogate signal.

3. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 2 wherein said triggering means comprises an ignition sensor.

4. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 3 wherein said triggering means triggers said control module when an ignition switch is placed in an on position.

5. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 1 wherein said output means comprises an on-board diagnostics interface.

6. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a timing means for measuring time, said control means storing an installation time and serial number of said removable accessory in said memory.

7. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 1 wherein said output means comprises a powertrain control module and an internal combustion engine, said disabled function comprises degrading the performance of said internal combustion engine by altering a control strategy within said powertrain control module.

8. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 1 wherein said removable accessory comprises a radio.

9. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 1 wherein said removable accessory comprises an airbag.

10. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 1 wherein said airbag transmits a deployed signal to said control module when said airbag is deployed, said control module invalidating said transponder security code.

11. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 1 further comprising an illuminated indicator, said illuminated indicator illuminating if a function has been disabled.

12. An anti-theft system for a plurality of removable accessories of an automobile comprising:

a plurality of transponders, each of said transponders associated with one of said removable accessories, each transponder having a respective transponder security code;

a remote sensing coil means operatively coupled to said transponders, wherein said remote sensing coil means comprises a single remote sensing coil, each of said transponders having a respective address and said control module emitting an interrogation signal having an address to interrogate each respective transponder;

a memory storing a stored security code for each of said transponders;

a control module coupled to said remote sensing coil means and said memory, said control module generating an interrogate signal and receiving a response signal through said remote sensing coil, said transponder generating a response signal in the form of a transponder security code in response to said interrogate signal, said control module comparing said transponder security code to said stored security code, and then if said transponder security code is not equal to said stored security code, disabling a predetermined function; and

output means coupled to said control module for providing an indication to a vehicle operator of said disabled predetermined function.

13. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 12 wherein said disabled function comprises degrading said performance of said engine.

14. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 12 further comprising a multiplexer coupled to said control module, said control module communicating through said multiplexer to said remote sensing coil means.

15. An anti-theft system for an airbag of an automobile comprising:

a transponder located in said airbag, said transponder having a airbag transponder security code;

a remote sensing coil operatively coupled to said transponder;

a memory storing a stored security code associated with said transponder;

a control module coupled to said remote sensing coil and said memory, said control module generating an interrogate signal and receiving a response signal through said remote sensing coil, said transponder generating a response signal in the form of a transponder security code in response to said interrogate signal, said control module comparing said transponder security code to said stored security code, if said transponder security code is not equal to said stored security code, disabling a predetermined function;

triggering means coupled to said control module for triggering said control module to generate said interrogate signal; and

output means coupled to said control module for providing an indication to a vehicle operator of said disabled predetermined functions;

wherein said airbag transmits a deployed signal to said control module when said airbag is deployed, and wherein said control module invalidates said transponder security code in response to said deployed signal.

16. An airbag anti-theft system as recited in claim 15 wherein said triggering means comprises an anti-theft system monitoring the presence of said airbag.

17. An anti-theft system as recited in claim 15 further comprising a timing means for measuring time, said control means storing an installation time and serial number of said removable accessory in said memory.