Vehicle anti-theft system and method, and application of this system for managing a fleet of vehicles

• US 7,233,227 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2003
• Issued: 06/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hertz Corporation (Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Eileo Co.
• Inventors: Lemoult, Thierry
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAU, HOI CHING
• Application Number:
  US10/540,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20060125610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 340 561- 564, 340/10.1, 340/426.1, 340/425.5, 341/176, 342/42
• US Class Current: 340/5.62
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A vehicle anti-theft system, includes in a passive relay enabling an electronic label (2) usually identified when proximate to a transponder (1) to be offset. The electronic label (2) is integrated in a reinforced casing. Communication between the label and the transponder (1) is set up via an antenna (4) proximate the transponder (1), an electric cable and a second antenna (5) proximate the label. The cable includes an electromechanical switch enabling a control switch (8) to interrupt or set up the radio link. The invention therefore provides a novel anti-theft system for which the installation is entirely reversible and having no damaging effect on the vehicle since it does not require disconnecting a vehicle cable and entails no splicing.

Claims

1. Vehicle anti theft system, comprising:

an immobilizing transponder integrated in the vehicle,

an electronic label intended to communicate with the transponder, and

connection means which are able to establish or interrupt the communication between the transponder and the electronic label in response to orders coming from a control unit, characterized in that the connection means include;

a first antenna close to the transponder,

a second antenna close to the electronic label, and

an electrical connection equipped with a switch and connecting the two antennae, the switch being controlled by the control unit.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that in wireless mode, the communication is rendered inactive by the electronic label being integrated in the vehicle far enough away from the transponder to prevent any electromagnetic coupling.

3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that in wireless mode, the communication is rendered inactive by surrounding the electronic label with a radio-shielding.

4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch is of the electromechanical type.

5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical connection comprises a twisted pair.

6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that each antenna is constituted by a coil of turns with a diameter which is substantially identical between the two antennae.

7. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the second antenna and the electronic label are held in the radio-shielding by means of a cast resin.

8. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit comprises:

a microcontroller for controlling the connection means as a function of data entered by a user,

a contact interface allowing the user to enter a code, and

an interface without contact for reading a user'"'"'s badge.

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the control unit also comprises wireless communication means which are able to receive access authorization parameters which the microcontroller uses as a basis to compare the data entered by the user.

10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the access authorization parameters come from a remote Internet server communicating with the wireless communication means by means of a communications protocol of the wireless Internet type.

11. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit and the electronic label are arranged on an electronic card installed in the housing of the car radio.

12. Application of the system according to claim 9 for the management of a fleet of vehicles, in which the starting of a vehicle is authorized when, for a user,:

a valid reservation has been sent to the control unit preciously from a remote server via the wireless communication means, and

a valid badge is read by the interface without contact, and

the user enters a personal identification number identical to a number previously sent to the control unit from the remote server.

17. System according to claim 2, characterized in that in wireless mode, the communication is rendered inactive by surrounding the electronic label with a radio-shielding.

13. Method for immobilizing a vehicle having an immobilizing transponder, this transponder being intended to communicate with an electronic label integrated in the vehicle;

in which the communication between the transponder and the electronic label is established or interrupted in response to orders coming from a control unit, characterized in that the communication is established or interrupted by controlling a switch which electrically connects a first antenna close to the transponder to a second antenna close to the electronic label.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the electronic label comes from the ignition key of the vehicle.

15. Method according to claim 13, for the management of a fleet of vehicles, in which the starting of a vehicle is authorized when, for a user,:

a valid reservation has been sent to the control unit previously from a remote server via the wireless communication means, and

a valid badge is read by the interface without contact, and

the user enters a personal identification number identical to a number previously sent to the control unit from the remote server.

16. Method according to claim 14, for the management of a fleet of vehicles, in which the starting of a vehicle is authorized when, for a user,:

a valid reservation has been sent to the control unit previously from a remote server via the wireless communication means, and

a valid badge is read by the interface without contact, and

the user enters a personal identification number identical to a number previously sent to the control unit from the remote server.