Secure method for managing the operating conditions of a apparatus by a user and equipment therefor

• US 7,126,240 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sevic System AG
• Original Assignee: Sevic System AG
• Inventors: Albert, Pascal
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deschere, Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US10/312,737
• Publication Number:
  US 20040012261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,943 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.5, 307/10.3, 307/10.6, 340/5.31, 340/426.17, 340/5.61, 180/287
• US Class Current: 307/10.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00373 whereby the wake-up circuit is situated in the lock
• 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 method for enabling an apparatus (15) to operate only after detecting with receiver elements (11) located proximate to the apparatus, a signal transmitted by portable transmitted elements (1), which consists in no longer taking into account detection by the receiver means (11) of the signal transmitted by the transmitting elements (1), after activating presence sensing elements (22) provided proximate to the apparatus, or integrated in the apparatus. Once activated, the presence sensing elements (22) neutralize the transmitter/receiver device (1, 11) and the apparatus can operate normally without being perturbed by possible statics or accidental losses of signal. The inventive method and device are applicable to an antitheft safety device for a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An anti-theft method for an engine-driven vehicle that manages operation of an apparatus of the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

rendering operation of the apparatus possible after detection by a receiver situated close to the apparatus of a cyclic signal transmitted by portable transmitter;

managing the operation of the apparatus with a controller, the controller being connected to a control circuit of the apparatus by means of a switching system after detection by the receiver of the cyclic signal;

activating a presence detector situated close to or integrated with the apparatus; and

activating the switching system to close the control circuit after detection of the cyclic signal,

wherein activation of the presence detector locks the closure of the control circuit in order to not take into account any longer the cyclic signal to enable operation of the apparatus even when the cyclic signal is no longer received by the receiver.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, once the apparatus is in operation, a validation step of triggering by each further activation of the presence detector a further detection of the cyclic signal for a pre-set time period, and once the pre-set time period has expired, locking the closure of the control circuit when the cyclic signal has been validated and opening of the control circuit when the cyclic signal has not been validated.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising, after deactivation of the presence detector, a further validation step of triggering a further detection of the cyclic signal for a preset time period, and once the preset time period has expired, locking the closure of the control circuit when the cyclic signal has been validated and opening of the control circuit when the cyclic signal has not been validated.

4. An anti-theft device for an engine-driven vehicle that manages operation of an apparatus of the vehicle, the device comprising:

a portable transmitter that transmits a cyclic signal;

a receiver that receives the cyclic signal and is situated close to the apparatus of the vehicle;

a presence detector that is close to or integrated with the apparatus; and

a controller that is connected to a control circuit of the apparatus by a switching system after detection by the receiver of the cyclic signal,

wherein the device is arranged to activate the switching system to close the control circuit after detection of the cyclic signal, and

wherein the device is arranged so that activation of the presence detector locks the closure of the control circuit in order to not take into account any longer the cyclic signal to enable operation of the apparatus even when the cyclic signal is no longer received by the receiver.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said controller is a microprocessor that cuts and restores power to the control circuit in response to the cyclic signal.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein said controller is arranged to trigger, once the apparatus in operation, by each activation of said presence detector, a further detection of the cyclic signal for a pre-set time period, and once said time-period has expired to lock the closure of the control circuit when the cyclic signal has been validated and to open the control circuit when the cyclic signal has not been validated.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said receiver is on board the vehicle, said presence detector is integrated into the vehicle, the apparatus is a motor of the vehicle, and said switching system is in a circuit necessary for operation of at least one of an ignition, a starter circuit, and a fuel circuit of the motor.

8. The device according to claim 4, wherein said presence detector comprises a sensor in or on a seat of the vehicle and adapted to be activated when a user sits on the seat.

9. The device according to claim 4, wherein said presence detector comprises a system that detects when a gear has been selected.

10. The device according to claim 4, wherein said presence detector comprises a system that detects a preset engine speed.

11. The device according to claim 4, wherein said presence detector comprises a close/open sensor of a door of the vehicle.

12. The device according to claim 4, wherein said presence detector comprises a safety belt fastening sensor.

13. The device according to claim 4, wherein said presence detector comprises an infrared sensor implanted in the vehicle.

14. The device according to claim 4, further comprising means for detecting a presence or absence of a voltage at an ON/OFF contact of a starter for the apparatus and for transmitting corresponding information to said controller in order to activate said receiver only in case of presence of the voltage.

15. The device according to claim 4, wherein said presence sensor is close to a door of the vehicle and sends information to said controller to activate said receiver.