Theft protection system for an automobile and method for initializing the theft protection system

• US 6,870,459 B1
• Filed: 02/16/1999
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Edsperger, Markus, Fest, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/250,878
• Time in Patent Office: 2,226 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.3, 340/825.3, 340/825.32, 340/426, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/428, 340/5.21, 340/5.61, 340/5.72, 340/5.26
• US Class Current: 340/5.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Abstract

A theft protection system for an automobile and a method for initializing the theft protection system transmit a challenge signal from a central control unit over a data line during the initialization of the theft protection system, after a starting signal has been received. Control units that are connected to the data line send back an identification which is stored in the central control unit. The extent of the control units tied into the theft protection system is thus fixed. During subsequent authentication operations, all of those control units must answer with their identification, before the automobile can be used. An electronically coded dongle is advantageously used as a control unit.

Claims

1. A method for initializing a theft protection system of an automobile, which comprises:

sending a starting signal to a central control unit, for initiating an initialization;

transmitting a challenge signal from the central control unit over a data line;

sending identification code signals to the central control unit from control units connected to the data line and answering the challenge signal;

providing at least one of the control units as an electronically coded plug part containing small electronics, and pluggably and releasably connecting the coded plug part to the data line in a location in the automobile being difficult to find; and

storing all of the identification code signals or information regarding all of the answering control units in the central control unit as belonging to the theft protection system, for requesting identification code signals from all of the control units and checking them as to authorization, during future authentication operations.

2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises sending the starting signal from a diagnostic unit located outside the automobile, through a diagnostic interface, to the central control unit.

3. A theft protection system for an automobile initialized by the method according to claim 1, comprising:

a central control unit having an antenna;

a data line connected to said central control unit;

a plurality of control units connected to said data line, at least one of said control units being an electronically coded plug part containing small electronics and being connected pluggably and releasably to said data line in a location in the automobile being difficult to find;

an input unit sending a starting signal to said central control unit for starting an initialization; and

a portable code generator sending a code signal to said antenna on request, causing authentication to take place between said central control unit and said control units, and permitting the automobile to be used after authentication has occurred successfully.

4. A theft protection system for an automobile, comprising:

a central control unit having an antenna;

a data line connected to said central control unit;

a plurality of control units connected to said data line, at least one of said control units being an electronically coded plug part containing small electronics and being connected pluggably and releasably to said data line in a location in the automobile being difficult to find;

an input unit sending a starting signal to said central control unit for starting an initialization; and

a portable code generator sending a code signal to said antenna on request, causing authentication to take place between said central control unit and said control units, and permitting an automobile to be used after authentication has occurred successfully.

5. The theft protection system according to claim 4, wherein said input unit is a diagnostic unit located outside the automobile, said diagnostic unit sending a starting signal to said central control unit through a diagnostic interface for initiating initialization.

6. The theft protection system according to claim 4, wherein said input unit is an input unit located inside the automobile, said input unit generating the starting signal in the event of predetermined actuation and sending it to said central control unit for initiating initialization.