Method for operating a vehicle, and a device for carrying out said method

• US 6,867,684 B1
• Filed: 01/11/1999
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Koblbauer, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): YANG, CLARA I
• Application Number:
  US09/600,335
• Time in Patent Office: 2,255 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.22, 340/5.6, 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/5.2, 340/5.21, 340/5.22, 340/5.23, 340/5.24, 340/5.25, 340/5.26, 340/5.27, 340/5.28, 340/5.72, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 307/10.6, 307/10.7, 307/10.8
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2063 Ignition switch geometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

According to the inventive method for operating a vehicle, the authorization to access the vehicle is given in a dialogue between a control device which is fixed in the vehicle and an authorization verification device which is carried by the user. Said authorization verification device is also used to enable the vehicle drive unit to start. According to the invention, the authorization verification device is interrogated for the purpose of starting the vehicle drive unit independently of the process for establishing access authorization. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the inventive method. The memory of said device is part of an activating unit for the vehicle drive unit.

Claims

1. A method for operating a vehicle in which access authorization is determined via a dialogue between a control device fixed in the vehicle and an authorization verification device carried by a user, said authorization verification device also enabling a starting of the vehicle drive unit, wherein the control device interrogates said authorization verification device for the purpose of starting the vehicle drive unit separately and independently of the dialogue for establishing access authorization;

wherein said interrogation occurs during and/or after concluding the operation of the vehicle drive unit; and

wherein if an interrogation is unsuccessful after the start of the operation of the vehicle drive unit, the method mechanically unlocks a memory fixed in the control unit of the vehicle to provide an access authorization code.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the act conspicuously informing the user of the mechanical unlocking of the vehicle-fixed memory.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the act of conspicuously informing provides a visual and/or acoustical signal.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the act of ejecting said vehicle-fixed memory from a storage location when the vehicle drive unit is switched-off.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the act of ejecting said vehicle-fixed memory from a storage location when the vehicle drive unit is switched-off.

6. A method for operating a vehicle in which access authorization is determined via a dialogue between a control device fixed in the vehicle and an authorization verification device carried by a user, said authorization verification device also enabling a starting of the vehicle drive unit, wherein the control device interrogates said authorization verification device for the purpose of starting the vehicle drive unit separately and independently of the dialogue for establishing access authorization;

wherein said interrogation occurs during a start of the operation of the vehicle drive unit;

wherein the interrogation also occurs during and/or after concluding the operation of the vehicle drive unit; and

wherein if an interrogation is unsuccessful after the start of the operation of the vehicle drive unit, the method mechanically unlocks a memory fixed in the control unit of the vehicle to provide an access authorization code.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the act conspicuously informing the user of the mechanical unlocking of the vehicle-fixed memory.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the act of conspicuously informing provides a visual and/or acoustical signal.

9. A system for carrying out a method of operating a vehicle, in which access authorization is determined in a dialogue between a control device, fixed in the vehicle, and an authorization verification device carried by a user, said authorization verification device also being used for starting a vehicle drive unit, wherein said authorization verification device is interrogated for the purpose of starting the vehicle drive unit independently of said dialogue for establishing access authorization, said system comprising:

an activating unit for the vehicle drive unit, said activating unit starting the vehicle drive unit; and

a vehicle-fixed memory forming a part of said activating unit for the vehicle drive unit, said vehicle-fixed memory being mechanically unlocked from the activating unit if an interrogation of said authorization verification device is unsuccessful after starting the vehicle drive unit.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said vehicle-fixed memory fits into the activating unit.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said vehicle-fixed memory fits into said authorization verification device.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein said vehicle-fixed memory fits into said authorization verification device.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein an access verification authorization code is extracted from said vehicle-fixed memory.

14. The system according to claim 9, wherein said vehicle-fixed memory and a mechanical key form a constructional unit that is fit into said activating unit for the vehicle drive unit.