Security for vehicle starting

• US 7,768,377 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Brey, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III; Edwin C
• Application Number:
  US10/969,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20060082434A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,113 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.6, 340/5.61, 340/5.72, 340/5.33, 340/5.22, 340/426.19, 340/5.31, 340/5.23, 340/5.24, 340/825.49, 340/426.11, 340/426.12, 307/10.5, 180/287, 123/179.2, 455/404.1
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking

Abstract

A system and method of providing security for a vehicle starting system. The method including a first step of storing secure information identifying an authorized user of a vehicle. A next step includes detecting an attempt to start a vehicle without an authorized coded starting device. A next step includes placing a telephone call using a vehicle communication device to a service operator requesting service. A next step includes calling the vehicle by the service operator. A next step includes confirming the particular user of the vehicle using the stored information. A next step includes authorizing the starting of the vehicle. Unauthorized coded starting devices can include a non-programmable key, an unprogrammed programmable key, and a code scanning device.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a vehicle telematics unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a service operator; and

a vehicle starting system controller configured to;

detect an attempt by a vehicle user to use a non-programmable coded starting device to start the vehicle,

in response to detecting the attempt to use the non-programmable coded starting device to start the vehicle, direct the telematics control unit to request that the service operator confirm an identity of the vehicle user that is trying to start the vehicle, and

in response to the service operator confirming the identity of the vehicle user that is trying to start the vehicle, temporarily override a vehicle-starting-lockout system, thereby allowing the vehicle user to use the non-programmable coded starting device to start the vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-programmable coded starting device is a malfunctioning programmable coded starting device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-programmable coded starting device has mechanical keying that allows the vehicle user to turn an ignition switch of the vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the service operator confirms the identity of the vehicle user that is trying to start the vehicle by asking the vehicle user to provide one or more items of pre-stored secure information.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a Global Positioning System unit configured to provide location information to the service operator thereby enabling the service operator to limit movement of the vehicle.

6. Apparatus comprising:

a vehicle telematics unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a service operator; and

a vehicle starting system controller configured to;

detect an attempt by a vehicle user to use an unprogrammed programmable coded starting device to start the vehicle,

in response to detecting the attempt to use the unprogrammed programmable coded starting device to start the vehicle, direct the telematics control unit to request that the service operator confirm an identity of the vehicle user that is trying to start the vehicle, and

in response to the service operator confirming the identity of the vehicle user that is trying to start the vehicle, receive programming information from the service operator and use the received programming information to program the unprogrammed programmable coded starting device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the unprogrammed programmable coded starting device has mechanical keying that allows the vehicle user to turn an ignition switch of the vehicle.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the service operator confirms the identity of the vehicle user that is trying to start the vehicle by asking the vehicle user to provide one or more items of pre-stored secure information.

9. Apparatus comprising:

a vehicle telematics unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a service operator; and

a vehicle starting system controller configured to;

detect an attempt by a vehicle user to use either a multi-code key or a code reader to duplicate a vehicle starting code,

in response to detecting the attempt to duplicate the vehicle starting code, lockout a vehicle starting system and direct the telematics control unit to notify the service operator of the lockout and to request that the service operator confirm an identity of the vehicle user that is trying to duplicate the vehicle starting code, and

in response to the service operator confirming the identity of the vehicle user that is trying to duplicate the vehicle starting code, allow duplication of the starting code and release the lockout of the vehicle starting system.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the vehicle starting system controller is further configured to:

in response to detecting the attempt to duplicate the vehicle starting code, lockout any outside code scanning.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the service operator confirms the identity of the vehicle user that is trying to duplicate the vehicle starting code by asking the vehicle user to provide one or more items of pre-stored secure information.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more items of pre-stored secure information includes an authorized service center code.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a Global Positioning System unit configured to provide location information to the service operator thereby enabling the service operator to confirm that the vehicle is located at a location corresponding to the authorized service center code.