Device and method for authorization interrogation in a motor vehicle

• US 6,710,471 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2001
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Schmitz, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/762,343
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/10.5, 307/10.4, 307/10.2, 340/5.61, 340/5.62, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/5.8, 340/5.7, 340/5.71, 340/5.72, 340/5.73, 455/41
• US Class Current: 307/10.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00523 opening of different locks separately
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A device and a method for an authorization interrogation in a motor vehicle uses a transponder exchanges data with an antenna array within the framework of an authorization interrogation. During an external space interrogation, the antenna array is controlled using a current for the external space interrogation and, during an interior space interrogation, using a current for the interior space interrogation.

Claims

1. A device for providing an authorization interrogation in a motor vehicle having a right side and a left side, the device comprising:

a transponder for use on a left external space side of the motor vehicle and for exchanging of data with at least one of a left antenna array arranged on the left side of the motor vehicle and a right antenna array arranged on the right side of the motor vehicle;

wherein the left antenna array receives a current for an external space interrogation on the left side during an external space interrogation on the left, and the right antenna array receives the current for the external space interrogation on the left side during an external space interrogation on the left for generating an interference field on a right external space side, the interference field preventing the exchanging of the data with the transponder on the right external space side.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein, during the external space interrogation on the left, the left antenna array and the right antenna array are controlled so that one current of the left antenna array is inverted relative to another current of the right antenna array.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one antenna of the at least one of the left antenna array and the right antenna array is used for an interior space interrogation and the external space interrogation.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the locking system of the motor vehicle is controllable as a function of at least one of the external space interrogation and an interior space interrogation, and an engine starting system of the motor vehicle is releasable as a function of the interior space interrogation.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the right antenna array and the left antenna array is mounted in a body pillar adjacent to a side door of the motor vehicle.

6. A method for providing an authorization interrogation in a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

using a transponder to exchange data with at least one antenna array arranged on at least one of a left side and a right side of the motor vehicle;

querying an operating signal;

selecting a current value as a left side current value and a right side current value for controlling the antenna array as a function of the operating signal so that the left side current value is different than the right side current value for external space interrogation on the left side of the motor vehicle and on the right side of the motor vehicle; and

controlling the at least one antenna array using the at least one current value to perform the authorization interrogation for one of the external space interrogation on the left side and on the right side of the motor vehicle.