Immobilizing device for a motor vehicle

• US 6,445,084 B1
• Filed: 08/30/1999
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Geber, Michael, Daiss, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): POLK, SHARON A
• Application Number:
  US09/385,366
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10-- 1, 180/287, 340/426, 200/5.R, 200/5.E, 200/18, 200/50.36
• US Class Current: 307/10.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/063 Locking of foot actuated control actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

An immobilizing device for a motor vehicle includes an immobilizer control unit on the vehicle, one or more authentication elements which can be carried by the user, and an actuation communication channel for immobilizer actuation communications which require authentication, between the authentication element and the immobilizer control unit. The immobilizer control unit allows driving operation and/or engine starting only if the driving authorization check is positive. According to the invention, an immobilizer operating element arranged on the vehicle can be operated without any manipulation of an authentication element, for user-requested initiation of the immobilizer actuation communication processes which require authentication. Alternatively or additionally, the brake pedal can be used as an operating element for activating engine starting, once it has been enabled by the immobilizer control unit.

Claims

1. Immobilizing device for a motor vehicle having a brake pedal, comprising:

an immobilizer control unit, which is mountable on a vehicle, and which allows driving operation of a vehicle only if an access authorization check is positive;

at least one authentication element which can be carried by a vehicle user; and

an actuation communication channel for immobilizer actuation communications which require authentication, between the at least one authentication element and the immobilizer control unit;

wherein the immobilizer control unit enables and activates engine starting in response to operation of the brake pedal when an authentication signal communicated from the authentication element is present; and

further comprising an immobilizer operating element including a button element arranged on a transmission selection lever of the vehicle.

2. Immobilizing device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an immobilizer control unit, which is mountable on a vehicle, and which allows driving operation of a vehicle only if an access authorization check is positive;

at least one authentication element which is transportable by a vehicle user;

an actuation communication channel for immobilizer actuation communications which require authentication, between the at least one authentication element and the immobilizer control unit; and

an immobilizer operating element, which is adapted to be arranged on the vehicle and is operable without any manipulation of the authentication element by the vehicle user, for user-requested initiation of an immobilizer actuation communication which requires authentication;

wherein the immobilizer operating element comprises a multistage button element, having at least first and second button stages;

wherein the first button stage initiates an ignition switching-on process which requires authentication, and the second button stage initiates an ignition switching-off process.

3. Immobilizing device for a motor vehicle having a brake pedal, comprising:

an immobilizer control unit, which is mountable on a vehicle, and which allows driving operation of a vehicle only if an access authorization check is positive;

at least one authentication element which can be carried by a vehicle user; and

an actuation communication channel for immobilizer actuation communications which require authentication, between the at least one authentication element and the immobilizer control unit;

wherein the immobilizer control unit enables and activates engine starting in response to operation of the brake pedal when an authentication signal communicated from the authentication element is present; and

wherein the immobilizer operating element comprises a multistage button element, having at least first and second button stages;

wherein the first button stage initiates an ignition switching-on process which requires authentication, and the second button stage initiates an ignition switching-off process.

4. Immobilizing device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an immobilizer control unit, which is mountable on a vehicle, and which allows driving operation of a vehicle only if an access authorization check is positive;

at least one authentication element which is transportable by a vehicle user;

an actuation communication channel for immobilizer actuation communications which require authentication, between the at least one authentication element and the immobilizer control unit; and

an immobilizer operating element, which is adapted to be arranged on the vehicle and is operable without any manipulation of the authentication element by the vehicle user, for user-requested initiation of an immobilizer actuation communication which requires authentication;

wherein the immobilizer operating element comprises a multistage button element having at least first and second button stages;

wherein the first button stage is used to initiate an ignition switching-on process which requires authentication, and the second button stage is used to initiate engine starting.

5. Immobilizing device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an immobilizer control unit, which is mountable on a vehicle, and which allows driving operation of a vehicle only if an access authorization check is positive;

at least one authentication element which is transportable by a vehicle user;

an actuation communication channel for immobilizer actuation communications which require authentication, between the at least one authentication element and the immobilizer control unit; and

an immobilizer operating element, which is adapted to be arranged on the vehicle and is operable without any manipulation of the authentication element by the vehicle user, for user-requested initiation of an immobilizer actuation communication which requires authentication;

wherein the immobilizer operating element comprises a button element arranged on a transmission selection lever of the vehicle.

6. The immobilizing device according to claim 5, wherein the immobilizer control unit enables and activates engine starting in response to operation of the brake pedal.

7. Immobilizing device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an immobilizer control unit, which is mountable on a vehicle, and which allows driving operation of a vehicle only if an access authorization check is positive;

at least one authentication element which is transportable by a vehicle user;

an actuation communication channel for immobilizer actuation communications which require authentication, between the at least one authentication element and the immobilizer control unit; and

an immobilizer operating element, which is adapted to be arranged on the vehicle and is operable without any manipulation of the authentication element by the vehicle user, for user-requested initiation of an immobilizer actuation communication which requires authentication;

wherein the immobilizer operating element comprises a brake pedal of the vehicle.

8. The immobilizing device according to claim 7, wherein the immobilizer control unit enables and activates engine starting in response to operation of the brake pedal.