Remote control pass-key module for anti-theft system equipped vehicles and installation method

• US 6,700,220 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accessories Electroniques Bomar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Accessories Electroniques Bomar Incorporated
• Inventors: Bayeur, Richard, Coutu, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Rajnikant B.
• Application Number:
  US10/160,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20030222500A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.2, 307/10.5, 307/10.6, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.1, 307/10.16, 340/825.3, 340/425.5, 340/825.69, 340/825.73, 340/5.23, 340/5.28, 340/5.67, 123/179.1, 123/179.2, 123/179.3
• 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 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A pass-key electronic module is provided for enabling remote control of a function in a motor vehicle equipped with a key identity code verifying anti-theft system, under control of a vehicle control unit connected to a key identity code receiving sensor through a data communication link and an enable line. The module comprises (a) a communication circuit enabling communication with the vehicle control unit through the data communication link, (b) an input receiver circuit for receiving a command signal from a remote control system controller, (c) a switching circuit for disabling the sensor from communicating with the vehicle control unit upon sensing of the command signal through the input circuit, and (d) a memory circuit storing an operating program and an identity code subject to validation by the vehicle control unit.

Claims

1. A pass-key electronic module for enabling a remote control system to activate a function of a motor vehicle equipped with an anti-theft system including a key identity sensor to transmit an identity code for validation to a vehicle control unit through a data communication link, comprising:

(a) a receiver circuit for receiving a command to activate the function of the motor vehicle from the remote control system, and a request from the vehicle control unit to transmit an identity code;

(b) a key identity sensor disabling circuit responsive to the command to activate the function of the motor vehicle to prevent the key identity sensor from communicating with the vehicle control unit;

(c) a memory circuit for storing an identity code for validation by the vehicle control unit; and

(d) a communication circuit connected to the data communication link for transmitting the identity code stored in the memory circuit to the vehicle control unit in response to both the command from the remote control system and the request from the vehicle control unit, wherein validation of the identity code from the memory circuit by the vehicle control unit enables activation of the function of the motor vehicle.

2. A pass-key electronic module as defined in claim 1, further comprising a teaching means through which the identity code from the memory circuit is communicated to the vehicle control unit through the communication circuit and the data communication link, for storage and future recognition and validation by the vehicle control unit.

3. A pass-key electronic module as recited in claim 1, further comprising another memory circuit for storing and recalling a password communicated to the module by the vehicle control unit.

4. A pass-key electronic module as recited in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit and the key identity sensor are connected through a sensor enable line through which the request to transmit an identity code is supplied by the vehicle control unit, and wherein the key identity sensor disabling circuit comprises a switching unit connected to the sensor enable line and responsive to the command to activate the function of the motor vehicle to open the sensor enable line and thereby prevent the key identity sensor from communicating with the vehicle control unit.

5. A pass-key electronic module as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote control system comprises an output for emitting an ignition signal, and wherein the vehicle control unit supplies the request to transmit an identity code in response to the ignition signal.

6. A pass-key electronic module as recited in claim 2, wherein:

the motor vehicle comprises a key-insertion cylinder including the key identity sensor for detecting an identity code from a key inserted in the cylinder; and

the teaching means comprises the communication circuit for transmitting the identity code from the memory circuit to the vehicle control unit within a predetermined time delay after the key has been inserted in the key-insertion cylinder, for subsequent recognition and validation of the identity code from the memory circuit by said vehicle control unit.

7. A pass-key electronic module as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the identity code stored in the memory circuit comprises a password transmitted by the vehicle control unit in response to receiving a request to stop said function of the motor vehicle; and

the communication circuit retransmits the password to the vehicle control unit in response to both the command from the remote control system and the request from the vehicle control unit.

8. A pass-key electronic module as recited in claim 1, wherein each identity code comprises both a key identity code and a password transmitted by the vehicle control unit in response to receiving a request to stop said function of the motor vehicle.

9. A pass-key electronic module as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the identity code stored in the memory circuit comprises a train of pulses conforming to a predetermined protocol; and

the memory circuit comprises means for reproducing said train of pulses.

10. A pass-key electronic module as recited in claim 9, wherein the memory circuit comprises, as the means for reproducing the train of pulses, a timer comprising resistor and capacitor means and operating in an astable multivrator mode for reproducing said train of pulses having a frequency and duty cycle determined by the resistor and capacitor means.

11. A pass-key electronic module as recited in claim 1, wherein the receiver circuit comprises means for receiving from the remote control system data forming the command to activate the function of the motor vehicle.

12. A pass-key electronic module as recited in claim 11, wherein the data from the remote control system comprises a ground signal.

13. A method for enabling a remote control system to activate a function of a motor vehicle equipped with an anti-theft system including a key identity sensor to transmit an identity code for validation to a vehicle control unit through a data communication link, comprising:

receiving a command to activate the function of the motor vehicle from the remote control system, and a request from the vehicle control unit to transmit an identity code;

disabling the key identity sensor from communicating with the vehicle control unit in response to the command to activate the function of the motor vehicle;

storing an identity code for validation by the vehicle control unit; and

transmitting through the data communication link the stored identity code to the vehicle control unit in response to both the command from the remote control system and the request from the vehicle control unit, wherein validation of the transmitted identity code by the vehicle control unit enables activation of the function of the motor vehicle.

14. A method as defined in claim 13, further comprising teaching the stored identity code to the vehicle control unit through the data communication link, for storage and future recognition and validation by the vehicle control unit.

15. A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising storing and recalling a password communicated from the vehicle control unit.

16. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the vehicle control unit and the key identity sensor are connected through a sensor enable line through which the request to transmit an identity code is supplied by the vehicle control unit; and

disabling the key identity sensor from communicating with the vehicle control unit comprises opening the sensor enable line in response to the command to activate the function of the motor vehicle to thereby prevent the key identity sensor from communicating with the vehicle control unit.

17. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the remote control system comprises an output for emitting an ignition signal; and

the method further comprises supplying, through the vehicle control unit, the request to transmit an identity code in response to said ignition signal.

18. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein:

the motor vehicle comprises a key-insertion cylinder including the key identity sensor for detecting an identity code from a key inserted in the cylinder; and

teaching the stored identity code to the vehicle control unit comprises transmitting the stored identity code to the vehicle control unit within a predetermined time delay after the key has been inserted in the key-insertion cylinder, for subsequent recognition and validation of said identity code by said vehicle control unit.

19. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the stored identity code comprises a password transmitted by the vehicle control unit in response to receiving a request to stop said function of the motor vehicle; and

transmitting the stored identity code to the vehicle control unit comprises retransmitting the password to the vehicle control unit in response to both the command from the remote control system and the request from the vehicle control unit.

20. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein each identity code comprises both a key identity code and a password transmitted by the vehicle control unit in response to receiving a request to stop said function of the motor vehicle.

21. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the identity code stored in the memory circuit comprises a train of pulses conforming to a predetermined protocol; and

transmitting the stored identity code to the vehicle control unit comprises reproducing said train of pulses.