Electronic anti-theft system

• US 7,202,772 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2004
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Emmerling, Ulrich, Muller, Axel
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber; Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANGACHON, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US10/887,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20050007243A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.7, 340/5.6, 340/61, 340/5.62, 340/64, 340/5.3, 340/31, 340/10.1, 340/10.5, 307/10.5, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 701/1, 701/2
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• 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

In a method for operating an electronic anti-theft system, data communication is effected between the control device and the key further to an access authorization request, whereby the control device unlocks the doors and deactivates an alarm system as a function of the data communication. The data communication for unlocking the doors and the data communication for disarming the alarm system are separate from each other. In this way, the mechanical unlocking of the doors can be initiated immediately after the data communication for unlocking the doors. The corresponding data communication for deactivating the alarm system is effected in parallel with this, whereby extensive cryptological data is exchanged between the control device and the key.

Claims

1. A method for operating an electronic anti-theft system, in particular for motor vehicles, in which the following steps are executed further to a keyless authorization request:

a) performing a first data communication between an electronic key and a control device of the anti-theft system, during which first coded data for authentication of the key is exchanged;

b) immediately after the positive evaluation of the first coded data

(b1) initiating the mechanical unlocking of a locking system of the anti-theft system;

(b2) effecting a second data communication between the key and the control device, during which second coded data for deactivation of an alarm system is exchanged;

(b2) delaying the triggering of the alarm system for a first time period;

c) after positive evaluation of the second coded data, deactivating the alarm system; and

wherein the anti-theft system comprises an access authorization system, whereby further to an access authorization request and mechanical unlocking of at least one door lock is first executed after positive evaluation of the first coded data and whereby the alarm system is only deactivated after positive evaluation of the second coded data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first time period corresponds to at least the duration of the second data communication and the evaluation of the second coded data.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the case of the first data communication a first request is first made by the control device to the key by transmitting first coded signals, whereupon the key sends back a coded identification signal.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the case of the second data communication a second request is first made by the control device to the key by transmitting second coded signals, whereupon these second coded signals are evaluated in an evaluation unit provided in the key and after positive evaluation third coded signals are sent back to the control device.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first and/or second request is transmitted via an LF channel.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first and/or second request is transmitted via an LF channel.

7. The method according to claim 3, wherein the response signal is sent further to the first and/or the second request via an RF channel.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the access authorization request is initiated by activating a door handle.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein mechanical unlocking is carried out solely for the door of the locking system, at which the access authorization request was initiated by activating the door handle.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anti-theft system comprises a driver authorization system, whereby mechanical unlocking of the ignition lock and/or steering wheel lock is first executed further to a driver authorization request and after positive evaluation of the first coded data and whereby the immobilizer is only deactivated after positive evaluation of the second coded data.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein both the first and the second data communication are effected without a key, using a transponder arranged in the key.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein mechanical unlocking of at least one door lock and also the steering wheel lock is effected further to an authorization request.

13. An electronic anti-theft system comprising:

a) means for performing a first data communication between an electronic key and a control device of the anti-theft system, during which first coded data for authentication of the key is exchanged;

(b) means for, immediately after the positive evaluation of the first coded data,

(b1) initiating the mechanical unlocking of a locking system of the anti-theft system;

(b2) effecting a second data communication between the key and the control device, during which second coded data for deactivation of an alarm system is exchanged; and

(b3) delaying the triggering of the alarm system for a first time period;

c) means for, after positive evaluation of the second coded data, deactivating the alarm system; and

wherein the anti-theft system comprises an access authorization system, whereby further to an access authorization request and mechanical unlocking of at least one door lock is first executed after positive evaluation of the first coded data and whereby the alarm system is only deactivated after positive evaluation of the second coded data.

14. The anti-theft system according to claim 13, comprising:

at least one locking system,

an alarm system, and/or an immobilizer,

a control device which controls the locking system as well as the immobilizer and/or the alarm system, and

an electronic key, by means of which a data communication can be carried out with the control device.

15. The anti-theft system according to claim 13, wherein a motor vehicle door locking system, in particular a central locking system, is provided as the locking system.

16. The anti-theft system according to claim 13, wherein the electronic key comprises a transponder, by means of which contactless data communication can be effected between the key and the control device.