Vehicle anti-theft system including vehicle identification numbers programmed into on-board computers
First Claim
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1. A vehicle security system, comprising:
- a multiplex communication link;
a plurality of components, each having a computer coupled to said multiplex communication link, each said computer having a memory portion that includes a vehicle identifier that corresponds to a vehicle identification number of the vehicle, each said vehicle identifier being identical; and
a monitoring port, accessible from outside the vehicle and coupled to said multiplex communication link.
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Abstract
A vehicle anti-theft system includes programming vehicle identification numbers or a corresponding identifier value into a read-only memory portion of each computer on board the vehicle. The computers are all linked through a multiplex communication system that has a monitoring port. The monitoring port facilitates coupling an external device to the multiplex communication link. The external monitoring device is used to determine the contents of the read only memory portion on each component to determine whether any of the components were stolen from another vehicle, for example.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A vehicle security system, comprising:
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a multiplex communication link; a plurality of components, each having a computer coupled to said multiplex communication link, each said computer having a memory portion that includes a vehicle identifier that corresponds to a vehicle identification number of the vehicle, each said vehicle identifier being identical; and a monitoring port, accessible from outside the vehicle and coupled to said multiplex communication link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle security system, comprising:
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a multiplex communication link; a plurality of components, each having a computer coupled to said communication link, each said computer having a memory portion that includes a source identifier that corresponds to a source of each said component and indicates whether each said component source is an original equipment manufacturer; and a monitoring port, accessible from outside the vehicle and coupled to said communication link. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method of deterring theft of vehicle component parts wherein the component parts each include a computer, comprising the steps of:
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(A) assigning a vehicle identification number to the vehicle; (B) generating a vehicle identifier corresponding to the vehicle identification number; and (C) storing the vehicle identifier in a memory portion of the computer included with each component part. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A vehicle security system, comprising:
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a multiplex communication link; a plurality of components, each having a computer coupled to said multiplex communication link, each said computer having a memory portion that includes a vehicle identifier that corresponds to a vehicle identification number of the vehicle; each said computer memory portion comprising a one time programmable read only memory having a blocking element that blocks manipulation or destruction of said vehicle identifier once said identifier is programmed into said memory, said blocking element comprising a fuse that is adapted to be blown after said vehicle identifier is programmed into said memory portion; and a monitoring port, accessible from outside the vehicle and coupled to said multiplex communication link.
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21. A vehicle security system, comprising:
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a multiplex communication link; a plurality of components, each having a computer coupled to said multiplex communication link, each said computer having a memory portion that includes a vehicle identifier that corresponds to a vehicle identification number of the vehicle; each said memory portion including a first, second and third module, said first modules each including a plurality of bits that each have a first or second polarity, said first module containing said vehicle identifier wherein a number of bits having said first polarity corresponds to said identifier, said second module containing information corresponding to said number of bits having said first polarity, said third module including an installation identifier that identifies whether said component was installed by a vehicle manufacturer or by some other source; each said second module including a plurality of bits each having said first or second polarity, a number of said second module bits having said first polarity corresponding to said number of first module bits having said first polarity and wherein said first and second modules are interrelated such that an increase in said number of first module bits having said first polarity is consistent with a decrease in said number of second module bits having said polarity.
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Specification