Code signal generator, in particular for an anti-theft protection system of a motor vehicle

• US 6,329,909 B1
• Filed: 08/09/1999
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Siedentop, Michael, Schrey, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/370,250
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/425.5, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.34, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.5, 307/10.4
• US Class Current: 340/5.62
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/406 Power supply in the remote key
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00404 starting with prompting the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00412 the transmitted data signal being encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/005 whereby the code is a random code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00507 keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00555 comprising means to detect or avoid relay attacks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00777 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A code signal generator has a transponder unit, which proves its authorization for releasing an immobilizer by means of a question-response dialog. The code signal generator has a remote control unit which transmits control signals for unlocking doors upon the actuation of a pushbutton. Both the transponder unit and the remote control unit have a single encryption unit, which is accessed by both units in order to encrypt the signals to be transmitted.

Claims

1. A code signal generator for triggering a security unit, comprising:

a transponder unit adapted to receive a question code signal from a stationary transmitting and receiving unit, to generate, in response, a response code signal based on the question code signal, and to transmit the response code signal to the transmitting and receiving unit for authentication, whereby a security unit is enabled upon a successful authentication;

a transmitting unit independent of said transponder unit, said transmitting unit having a switching element, and being adapted to wirelessly transmit a control signal to the stationary transmitting and receiving unit upon actuation by said switching element; and

a single signal generating unit connected to said transmitting unit and to said transponder unit for generating the control signal and the response code signal.

2. The code signal generator according to claim 1, which further comprises a control unit controlling said transponder unit and said transmitting unit in dependence on a received question code signal and the actuation of said switching element, respectively.

3. The code signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said transponder unit, said transmitting unit and said signal generating unit are circuits commonly integrated on a semiconductor chip.

4. The code signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said transponder unit includes a resonant circuit with a coil and a capacitor for inductively transmitting the response code signal and inductively receiving the question code signal.

5. The code signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting unit includes a modulator and a radio antenna for transmitting the control signal coming from said modulator and an RF oscillator.

6. The code signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting unit has an optical transmitter for optically transmitting the control signal.

7. The code signal generator according to claim 1, wherein the code signal generator includes a memory unit connected to said transponder unit, said memory unit being enabled for data to be written but disabled for data to be read from externally of the code signal generator.

8. The code signal generator according to claim 7, wherein synchronization data are stored in said memory unit, and the synchronization data are fed to said signal generating unit for generating one of the response code signal and the control signal, the synchronization data in the question code signal being transmitted to said code signal generator, and overwriting previously stored synchronization data.

9. The code signal generator according to claim 1, which further comprises a clock recovery unit for recovering a clock signal for said control unit from the received question code signal.

10. The code signal generator according to claim 1, wherein the stationary transmitting and receiving unit is integrated in a motor vehicle anti-theft protection system, and the security unit is an immobilizer of the motor vehicle.

11. The code signal generator according to claim 1, including a controller controlled in a remotely controlled manner upon transmission of said control signal.

12. In an anti-theft protection system of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a transmitting and receiving unit stationary in a motor vehicle;

a code signal generator for triggering a security unit of the anti-theft protection system, said code signal generator including a transponder unit adapted to receive a question code signal from said stationary transmitting and receiving unit, to generate, in response, a response code signal based on the question code signal according to a given algorithm, and to transmit the response code signal to the transmitting and receiving unit for authentication;

a transmitting unit independent of said transponder unit, said transmitting unit having a switching element, and being adapted to wirelessly transmit a control signal to said transmitting and receiving unit upon actuation by said switching element; and

said transmitting and receiving unit having a signal generating unit generating a desired code signal according to the given algorithm, wherein one of the received response code signal and the received control signal are compared with the desired code signal and wherein, if the response code signal or the control signal corresponds with the desired code signal at least to a large extent, an enable signal is generated for controlling a security unit in the motor vehicle.