Vehicle anti-theft method
First Claim
1. A method of providing vehicle security in a vehicle having a computer and an odometer having a reset button and a trip button, comprising the steps of:
- a. entering a personal identification number (PIN) into the computer of the vehicle by at least one of the reset and trip buttons of the odometer;
b. comparing the entered PIN to a PIN stored in a memory of the vehicle'"'"'s computer;
c. enabling starting of the vehicle if the entered PIN matches the stored PIN; and
disabling starting of the vehicle if the entered PIN does not match the stored PIN.
21 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of providing vehicle security against theft involves entering a PIN by using one or more buttons of a preexisting electronic device of a vehicle (an electronic device conventionally found in a vehicle that has a function other than that of providing security against theft, such as a digital odometer, a radio, a compass/information unit, or the like). If the entered PIN does not match a stored PIN, starting of the engine is prevented. Illustratively, the PIN is input into a body controller of the vehicle that compares entered PIN against a stored PIN. If the entered PIN matches the stored PIN, the body controller sends a start enable signal to an engine controller of the vehicle. Upon receipt of the start enable signal from the body controller, the engine controller enables starting of the vehicle so that the vehicle will start when the ignition switch is turned. If the entered PIN does not match the stored PIN, the body controller sends a start disable signal to the engine controller and the engine controller then disables starting of the vehicle so that the vehicle is not allowed to start when the ignition switch is turned.
-
Citations
6 Claims
-
1. A method of providing vehicle security in a vehicle having a computer and an odometer having a reset button and a trip button, comprising the steps of:
-
a. entering a personal identification number (PIN) into the computer of the vehicle by at least one of the reset and trip buttons of the odometer; b. comparing the entered PIN to a PIN stored in a memory of the vehicle'"'"'s computer; c. enabling starting of the vehicle if the entered PIN matches the stored PIN; and
disabling starting of the vehicle if the entered PIN does not match the stored PIN. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
Specification