Apparatus and method for preventing un-authorized starting of a vehicle

• US 6,720,862 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2001
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hazelton, Lawrence Dean, Hollis, Kenneth Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANGACHON, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US09/758,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20020089411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.64, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/426.17, 340/12, 340/429, 340/428, 340/539.1, 307/10.3, 307/10.2, 307/10.6, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A theft prevention device, having a first switch capable of movement between a first position and a second position, the first position electrically connecting an electrical system to a power supply of a vehicle and the device includes a switch bypass circuit being electrically connected to said power supply when the switch is in the second position, the switch bypass circuit allows a current from the power supply to reach the electrical system, this current is less than the current traveling through the switch when the switch is in the first position, the current is sufficiently large enough to maintain volatile memories of electrical components in a vehicle.

Claims

1. A theft prevention device for a vehicle having an electrical system and a power supply, the theft prevention device comprising:

an “

armed status”

to prevent theft of the vehicle;

a remotely activated latching relay configured for movement between a first position and a second position, said remotely activated latching relay connects the electrical system to the power supply when said relay is in said first position and said relay disconnecting the power supply from the electrical system when said relay is in said second position, said second position corresponding to said “

armed status”

of the theft protection device;

a bypass circuit being configured to connect the electrical system to the power supply, said bypass circuit allowing a current from the power supply to reach the electrical system when said remotely activated latching relay is in said second position, said current being less than the current traveling through said remotely activated latching relay when said relay is in said first position, said current being in a range sufficient to maintain volatile memories of electrical components in the vehicle; and

a hand-held transmitter being configured to remotely activate said latching relay.

2. The theft prevention device as in claim 1, further comprising:

a resistive element being positioned in said bypass circuit, said resistive element being configured to prevent a current value large enough to start an engine of the vehicle from passing through said bypass circuit.

3. The theft prevention device as in claim 2, further comprising:

an electrical switch being configured to couple said resistive element to the power supply, said electrical switch being opened when an excessive current is sensed in said bypass circuit.

4. The theft prevention device as in claim 3, further comprising:

a driver circuit, said driver circuit being configured to monitor the current in said bypass circuit.

5. An engine start inhibitor for preventing the starting of an engine of a vehicle by disconnecting a battery from electrical loads required to start the engine, the engine start inhibitor comprising:

an “

armed status”

to prevent theft of the vehicle;

a microprocessor being configured to receive a plurality of inputs, said plurality of inputs corresponding to signals indicative of the vehicle'"'"'s operational status;

a switching mechanism being configured for movement between an open position and a closed position, said switching mechanism connecting a first electrical load to the battery when said switching mechanism is in said closed position and said switching mechanism disconnecting said first electrical load from the battery when said switching mechanism is in said closed position, said open position corresponding to said “

armed status”

of the engine start inhibitor;

a switch bypass circuit being configured to connect a second electrical load to the battery, said second electrical load being connected to the battery by another switch, said second electrical load being less than said first electrical load and is insufficient to start the engine;

a controller for manipulating said switching mechanism between said open position and said closed position, said controller manipulating said switching mechanism in response to a signal received from a remote transmitter.

6. An engine start inhibitor for a vehicle having an engine and a battery, the engine start inhibitor comprising:

an “

armed status”

to prevent theft of the vehicle;

a microprocessor being configured to receive a plurality of inputs, said plurality of inputs corresponding to signals from the vehicle;

a switch being configured for movement between an open position and a closed position, said switch connecting a first electrical load to the battery when said switch is in said closed position and said switch disconnecting said first electrical load from the battery when said switch is in said closed position, said open position corresponding to said “

armed status”

of the engine start inhibitor;

a switch bypass circuit being configured to connect a second electrical load to the battery, said second electrical load being connected to the battery by another switch, said second electrical load being less than said first electrical load and said second electrical being insufficient to start the engine;

a controller being configured to manipulate said switch between said open position and said closed position, said controller being configured to manipulate said switch in response to a signal received from a remote transmitter, said controller also being configured to manipulate said another switch of said switch bypass circuit into a closed circuit position when said switch is in said open position, wherein said another switch in said switch bypass circuit is a MOSFET.

7. An antitheft mechanism for disconnecting a battery of a starting system of a vehicle, the antitheft mechanism comprising:

an “

armed status”

to prevent theft of the vehicle;

a remotely activated switch for connecting and disconnecting the battery to the starting system through a first conductive path, said first conductive path being disconnected when said antitheft mechanism is in said “

armed status”

;

an electronic switch for connecting and disconnecting the battery to an electrical load through a second conductive path comprising a resistor;

a driver circuit for sampling a voltage drop through said resistor, said driver circuit opening said electronic switch in response to a predetermined voltage drop sensed across said resistor, wherein unauthorized starting of the vehicle is prevented by the opening of said remotely activated switch prior to the engine being started and, said resistor is protected from excessive voltage loads by said electronic switch.

8. The antitheft mechanism as in claim 7 wherein said electronic switch is a MOSFET.