Method of making secure a hands-free access and/or starting system for a motor vehicle

• US 6,707,373 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2001
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Electronique
• Original Assignee: Valeo Electronique
• Inventors: Moreau, Patricia
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalencourt, Yves
• Application Number:
  US09/945,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20020033751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.21, 340/426.1, 340/426.16, 340/426.24, 340/426.3, 340/426.36, 340/539.11, 340/539.23, 340/5.61, 340/5.72, 340/5.62, 340/5.26, 340/5.31, 340/10.5, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.6, 701/35
• US Class Current: 340/5.21
• 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

The method of making secure a hands-free access and/or starting system for a motor vehicle, the hands-free system a control unit (2) placed in the vehicle and a portable identifier (1) suitable for communicating remotely and cordlessly with the control unit in order to be authenticated, the method consists in recording (30) a first data item in the identifier by communicating with the control unit in response to detecting starting of the vehicle engine, and in recording (60) a second data item to replace the first data item in the identifier by communicating with the control unit in response to detecting normal stopping of the vehicle engine. In the case of lending of the vehicle, the borrower of the vehicle must return an identifier containing the second data item in order to prove that he left the vehicle in an authorized manner.

Claims

1. A method of making secure a hands-free access and/or starting system for a motor vehicle, the hands-free system comprising a control unit (2) placed in the vehicle and a portable identifier (1) suitable for communicating remotely and cordlessly with the control unit in order to be authenticated, the method being characterized in that it consists in recording (30) a first data item in the identifier by communicating with the control unit in response to detecting starting of the vehicle engine, and in recording (60) a second data item to replace the first data item in the identifier by communicating with the control unit in response to detecting normal stopping of the vehicle engine.

2. The method of claim 1, in which said first and second data items are recorded in the vehicle and in the identifier.

3. The method of claim 1, in which said second data item is recorded in the identifier and/or in the vehicle in response to detecting (31) the opening of the vehicle while the motor is stopped normally.

4. The method of claim 1, in which said second data item is recorded in the identifier and/or in the vehicle in response to detecting (32) the locking of the vehicle while the motor is stopped normally.

5. The method of claim 1, in which said second data item is recorded in the identifier and/or in the vehicle in response to detecting (33) the closing of a door while the motor is stopped normally.

6. The method of claim 1, in which said second data item is recorded in the identifier and/or in the vehicle in response to detecting (34) the locking of the fuel injection of the vehicle while the motor is stopped normally.

7. The method of claim 1, in which said second data item is recorded in the identifier and/or in the vehicle in response to detecting (35) the locking of steering column of the vehicle while the motor is stopped normally.

8. The method of claim 1, in which said second data item is recorded in the identifier and/or in the vehicle in response to detecting (35) the locking of the gear box of the vehicle while the motor is stopped normally.

9. The method of claim 1, in which said first and second data items are recorded in the identifier in recoverable manner for display on a display screen provided on the identifier or on a reader terminal to which the identifier is connected.