Method and apparatus for vehicle hardware theft prevention

• US 8,849,519 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2011
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Westra, Michael Raymond, Esselink, Chad Evert, Zank, Uwe, Hurr, Simon John William
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, Jason
• Application Number:
  US13/206,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20130041558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 701/45, 701/29.6, 701/32.6, 340/426.1, 340/426.11, 340/428, 340/426.17, 340/426.34, 340/426.35, 340/426.36
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/202 Personal digital assistant [PDA]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/01 operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/84 Vehicles

Abstract

A computer-implemented method includes determining that an infotainment system has been activated. The method further includes accessing a vehicle network containing at least a unique vehicle identifier. The method additionally includes comparing the unique vehicle identifier to a stored vehicle identifier. The method further includes permitting access to the infotainment system only if the unique vehicle identifier matches the stored vehicle identifier.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining, via a vehicle computing system, that an infotainment system has been activated;

retrieving a unique vehicle identifier, from a vehicle network, associated with the vehicle in which the infotainment system is installed;

comparing the unique vehicle identifier to a stored vehicle identifier previously associated with the infotainment system;

permitting access to the infotainment system only if the unique vehicle identifier matches the stored vehicle identifier; and

locking out the infotainment system from use if the unique vehicle identifier does not match the stored vehicle identifier, wherein the infotainment system has limited functionality during the locking out, including the operability to provide contact and/or address information of at least one party authorized to unlock the infotainment system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique vehicle identifier is a vehicle identification number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking out persists until an unlock procedure is performed by an authorized party.

4. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed, cause a processor of a vehicle computing system to perform the method comprising:

determining that an infotainment system has been activated;

retrieving a unique vehicle identifier, from a vehicle network, associated with the vehicle in which the infotainment system is installed;

comparing the unique vehicle identifier to a stored vehicle identifier previously associated with the infotainment system;

permitting access to the infotainment system only if the unique vehicle identifier matches the stored vehicle identifier; and

locking out the infotainment system from use if the unique vehicle identifier does not match the stored vehicle identifier, wherein the infotainment system has limited functionality during the locking out, including the operability to provide contact and/or address information of at least one party authorized to unlock the infotainment system.

5. The computer readable storage medium of claim 4, wherein the unique vehicle identifier is a vehicle identification number.

6. The computer readable storage medium of claim 4, wherein the locking out persists until an unlock procedure is performed by an authorized party.

7. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

access a vehicle network to obtain a unique vehicle identifier,

compare the unique vehicle identifier to a stored vehicle identifier associated with a vehicle-installed infotainment system, and

permit access to the infotainment system only if the unique vehicle identifier matches the stored vehicle identifier; and

lock out the vehicle computing system from use if the unique vehicle identifier does not match the stored vehicle identifier, wherein the vehicle computing system has limited functionality during the locking out, including the operability to provide contact and/or address information of at least one party authorized to unlock the vehicle computing system.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the unique vehicle identifier is a vehicle identification number.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the locking out persists until an unlock procedure is performed by an authorized party.