WO1997032761A1

WO1997032761A1 - Security system for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO1997032761A1
Application number: PCT/EP1997/001118
Authority: WO
Inventors: G. Uwe Hahn; Manfred Büttner; Stefan Brockmann
Original assignee: Hahn G Uwe; Buettner Manfred; Stefan Brockmann
Priority date: 1996-03-06
Filing date: 1997-03-06
Publication date: 1997-09-12
Also published as: CA2248349A1; KR19990087578A; JP2000503615A; DE19608694C1; PL328704A1; DE29607877U1; CN1212660A; BR9707849A; TR199801745T2; AU2153697A

Abstract

The invention concerns a security system for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, the system rendering the vehicles secure against unauthorized use. The system consists of a radio receiver (2), which is disposed in the vehicle, for receiving a radio signal emitted with blanket coverage and for generating a switching signal when a radio signal coded for the radio receiver is received. The radio receiver is operatively connected to a transmitter module (6) and forms a first subassembly (1) having a current supply which is independent of the vehicle electrical system. The switching signal generated by the radio receiver passes to a transmitter module for the emission of wirelessly transmitted pulses which are received by at least one second subassembly (10), but advantageously by a plurality thereof. The second subassemblies, remote from the first subassembly, comprise a receiver module (12) for receiving the pulses from the transmitter module, the receiver module generating output signals which cause a control device to trigger an alarm (17) and/or interrupt at least one operating function (20) of the vehicle. The first module is disposed at an inaccessible point in the vehicle. The second subassemblies are located in the region of control devices which are essential for the operation of the motor vehicle and cooperate therewith.

Description

Security system for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles

The invention relates to a security system for vehicles, in particular for motor vehicles, against unauthorized use with a radio receiver arranged in the vehicle for receiving an area-wide radiated radio signal and for generating a switching signal when a radio signal coded to the radio receiver is received and with a control device device for triggering an alarm and / or for interrupting at least one of the operating functions of the vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for securing vehicles.

A security system for vehicles against unauthorized use is known from DE 43 35 641 A1, the use of a large radio ripple control system in the long-wave frequency range being assumed there. A radio reception system acting on the drive mechanism is arranged on the vehicle side, the reception system being controllable by radio addresses that can be individually assigned to each vehicle. The radio reception system

CONFIRMATION COPY stem in turn consists of a radio receiving part, a generator and a coder. The coder has an electronic key that is initiated by the generator.

The known security system blocks

Functions of the drive mechanism or its electrical or electronic control components by means of a radio signal. The constructive unit consisting of radio receiver, generator and coder is designed in such a way that an intervention leads to destruction and thus to inoperability.

In the event of unauthorized use of the vehicle and after an authorized request, a company operating the radio ripple control system sends a radio telegram addressed to the special vehicle. This radio telegram then interrupts the initiation of the electronic key, with the drive control still being put out of operation after a predetermined time. A re-initiation of the electronic key and thus the release of the drive control can only be carried out by a further radio telegram to the vehicle, in which case a corresponding reset is initiated.

Because the actual radio reception system is connected to the drive control via an interface, the code information can be read and placed on the decoder independently of an external initiation, so that the drive control is also active when the vehicle is used without authorization . Since the radio reception system assumes not inconsiderable dimensions due to the various components, its installation in places that are as inaccessible as possible in the motor vehicle is made more difficult, whereby the desired security function is further reduced.

DE 43 18 596 AI shows an anti-theft device for motor vehicles with a radio receiver which, in the event of theft, by receiving an identification code of the corresponding motor vehicle with the engine control electronics cooperates that this can be put out of operation. According to the solution shown there, recommissioning is only possible with a new module that stores a current identification code.

In order to protect the security system proposed there against manipulation, the programmed identification code must also be stored in other electronic components of the vehicle and be cyclically queried by a microcomputer or a similar device of the system so that an illegitimate exchange of a non-functional one Engine control electronics or the radio receiver itself becomes impossible. However, this means a comprehensive intervention in the existing vehicle electronics of the respective vehicle, so that retrofitting of vehicles is not possible at all or only with difficulty and is possible with high expenditure.

In summary, it is known to subsequently secure a vehicle that has already been stolen, essentially regardless of its location, in that essential operating components of the motor vehicle can be taken out of operation by means of a radio signal via a radio receiver. The existing radio or mobile telephone networks are suitable as the communication medium.

Difficulties exist, however, when retrofitting vehicles to increase the theft protection is to be carried out without interfering with the electronic components of the vehicle in an impermissible manner. In addition, known security systems can be easily recognized and completely removed due to their complexity, which means that the intended effect is not achieved.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a security system for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, against unauthorized use, which on the one hand allows existing vehicles to be retrofitted in a simple manner without interfering in particularly sensitive areas of vehicle electronics and that secondly, a higher level of security against detection and rendering the system components arranged in the vehicle impossible.

The object of the invention is achieved with an object according to the features of claims 1 and 7, the subclaims comprising at least expedient refinements and developments.

The basic idea of the invention is to provide a decentralized structure based on a known security system that uses a radio signal that is emitted throughout the area. For this purpose, a radio receiver with a transmitter module, forming a first assembly, is arranged at a particularly inaccessible point in the vehicle. This radio receiver, which is arranged in an inaccessible place, responds to the radio signal emitted across the surface and activates the transmitter module for transmitting wirelessly transmissible pulses.

At least one, but expediently several, locations away from the radio receiver with transmitter module each have a second assembly which has a receiver module for receiving the pulses of the transmitter module. The respective receiver module then generates an output signal, which is forwarded to the control device arranged in the respective second component groups to trigger an alarm and / or to interrupt at least one operating function of the vehicle.

The fact that several second modules with receiver module and

Control device for interrupting at least one operating function of the vehicle is ensured to a high degree that the vehicle can no longer be put into operation without authorization when a blocking function is triggered with the aid of the radio receiver in order to receive a radio signal which is emitted throughout the area . Even if one of the second assemblies is discovered, the vehicle cannot be put into operation and / or the journey can be continued.

According to a further basic idea of the invention, the radio receiver with transmitter module, which forms the first assembly, is provided with an autonomous power supply. This self-sufficient power supply has an energy store in the form of an accumulator, which is buffered by the vehicle electrical system during regular operation of the motor vehicle. As an alternative or in addition, there is the possibility of using existing solar cells on the vehicle to buffer the accumulator for the second assembly. Even in the event that the on-board battery is temporarily disconnected, the radio receiver of the first module is in standby and can receive a radio signal that is emitted across the entire area, a switching signal advantageously being stored by means of a bistable relay.

If, at a later point in time, the unauthorized user has allegedly moved the vehicle out of the transmission or reception area, the transmitter module of the first module becomes active when the on-board battery is reconnected due to the bistable state of the relay. The receiver modules in the respective second assemblies then receive the pulses from the transmitter module and result in the desired blocking of the operating functions, so that the vehicle cannot be used without authorization.

In one embodiment of the invention, the second assembly is designed such that the control device first triggers an acoustic and / or visual alarm which, on the one hand, informs the environment that the vehicle has been put into operation by an unauthorized person and, on the other hand, the unauthorized person makes it clear to the user that the vehicle will be unable to drive within a specified period of time. After an appropriate

The delay time then interrupts at least one of the operating functions, as described above. This measure ensures that when authorized use of the driver has the possibility, for example, to steer the vehicle to the edge of the road without the risk of accidental situations resulting from sudden, surprising decommissioning of the vehicle.

It is within the meaning of the invention that the respective second assemblies also remain in the alarm state after receiving the pulses from the transmitter module of the first assembly via a bistable relay or the like, so that a possible disconnection of the on-board battery when reconnecting Triggering the desired alarm or interrupting the operating functions. Resetting the bistable relay or the second module is only possible by an authorized person either with a conventional code key or by entering a number code.

A so-called scall receiver can expediently be used as a radio receiver for the first module in order to reduce the outlay on circuitry. The information is then transmitted to generate a switching signal via the public scall services.

In order, as mentioned, to prevent traffic-jeopardizing situations when the motor vehicle is taken out of operation, an assembly can also be provided with which the speed of the motor vehicle is detected, the operating functions only being interrupted when a predetermined one low speed is reached or when the vehicle, e.g. at a traffic light system.

In addition to or as an alternative to the self-sufficient power supply of the first assembly, the second assemblies can also be operated in a buffered manner via accumulator, so that the possibilities of manipulation are reduced by disconnecting and reconnecting the on-board battery.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the receiving antenna for the radio receiver of the first assembly is used and / or as a transmission antenna for the transmitter module of the first assembly, at least a section of the heating conductors is used for the electrical heating of the exterior mirrors and / or the rear window. In this way, additional complex and easily discoverable antennas can be avoided, which further improves the overall security of the system.

In terms of the method, a vehicle equipped with the system according to the invention is secured in that when a theft is ascertained, a radio code signal is emitted via an area-wide communication system known per se. This radio code signal is received by a radio receiver arranged in an inaccessible place in the vehicle, and a switching signal is triggered which is used to activate one inaccessible in the vehicle

Position arranged transmitter module is used. This transmitter module generates wirelessly transmissible pulses.

These pulses are picked up by at least one receiver module arranged in the vehicle away from the transmitter module, the receiver module (s) triggering an optical and / or acoustic alarm via self-holding switching means and then putting the vehicle out of operation with a time delay.

The invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of an exemplary embodiment and with the aid of a figure.

The figure shows on the one hand the first assembly consisting of a radio receiver with transmitter module and on the other hand the example construction of a second assembly consisting of receiver module and control device for decommissioning the vehicle.

The security system for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, but also for boats or the like, according to the embodiment, consists in a first assembly 1 of a scal receiver 2, which is capable of using a specific detection signal via an evaluation unit 3 produce. The detection signal provided by the evaluation unit 3 reaches an input of a first bistable relay 4. This first bistable relay 4 triggers a first timer 5, which activates the transmitter module 6 for a predetermined time, 15 seconds in the exemplary embodiment shown. The Scall receiver 2 and the transmitter module 6 have a battery-buffered power supply 7 and are therefore independent of the vehicle electrical system.

The receiving antenna 8 of the scall receiver 2 is, for example, a heating conductor section of a heatable rear window of the motor vehicle. The transmitter module 6 has a transmitter antenna 9 which, as a rod-shaped radiator, e.g. is in the form of a conductor path of the wiring carrier on which the aforementioned modules are located.

The entire first assembly 1 is arranged in an inaccessible area of the vehicle, for example under the inner roof lining, the so-called headlining of the motor vehicle.

The buffered power supply 7 of the first module 1 is designed in such a way that removal of the entire module immediately triggers an alarm state of the second modules 10 described below.

The at least one, but expediently several, second assemblies 10 have a receiving antenna 11, which may also consist of a conductor track of a wiring carrier on which the respective second assembly 10 is arranged. The receiving antenna 11 arrives at a corresponding input of a receiver module 12 for receiving the pulses of the transmitter module 6 of the first module 1. The respective second module 10 has a second bi-stable relay 13, which is connected on the input side to the receiver module 12 stands. In addition, the second bistable relay 13 is connected to a reset circuit 14 in order to end an alarm condition by authorized users. The reset circuit 14 consists, for example, of a code key or a code lock known per se, by means of which a specific switching state can be brought about by entering a numerical code.

An interval switch 15 is arranged on the output side of the second bistable relay 13, which actuates the horn and / or the hazard warning system 17 of the motor vehicle in interval mode via a corresponding fuse module 16. This indicates that the vehicle is obviously being used or put into operation by an unauthorized person.

Furthermore, the second bistable relay 13 is connected to a second timer 18 which, after a predetermined time, 90 seconds in the example shown, interrupts or interrupts functions of the motor vehicle which are important for the operation, via a further fuse module 19. decommissioning. For example, the power supply to the ignition and / or gasoline pump 20 can be interrupted.

By using the second timer 18, which only allows an operating function of the motor vehicle to be interrupted after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the risk of accidents is considerably reduced. The unauthorized user is virtually informed by triggering the acoustic and / or optical warning signal. In addition, a warning notice can be attached to the interior of the motor vehicle, so that the unauthorized user is pre-informed about the coming out of operation of the motor vehicle after the acoustic and / or optical warning signals appear. In addition, a speed-dependent interruption of the operating functions is possible, it being ensured that essential operating functions are only switched off when the vehicle is at a standstill or when a low speed is reached. All in all, the security system according to the invention for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, succeeds in deliberately putting the vehicle out of operation even after the vehicle has been stolen by means of a radio signal which is emitted across the entire area, so that the vehicle is almost worthless for the thief. In the event that the unauthorized user is with the vehicle in public road traffic, bystanders are also made aware, so that the preventive function is increased by installing the described security system.

Another advantage is that the security system can also be used when the unauthorized user is in possession of the appropriate ignition key or code key for the electronic immobilizer that may be installed. For example, rental cars or the like can be shut down in a targeted manner.

Claims

1t patent claims

1. Security system for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, against unauthorized use with a radio receiver arranged in the vehicle for receiving a radio signal radiated throughout and for generating a switching signal when a radio signal coded to the radio receiver is received and a control device for triggering one Alarm and / or to interrupt at least one of the operating functions of the vehicle, characterized in that the radio receiver (2) forms a first module (1) with a transmitter module (6), which has a power supply (7) that is at least temporarily independent of the vehicle electrical system, wherein the radio receiver (2) of the first assembly (1) generates the switching signal which causes the transmitter module (6) to transmit wirelessly transmitted pulses, at least one second module (10), comprising a receiver module (12) for receiving the pulses from the transmitter module (6), with the receiver module (12) sending an output signal to the control device (13,) arranged in the second module (10) ₁ 5, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) for triggering the alarm and / or for interrupting at least one of the operating functions of the vehicle and that the first assembly (1) is located in an inaccessible place in the vehicle and spatially of the at least one second assembly (10) is arranged.

2. Safety system according to claim 1, so that at least two second assemblies (10) are arranged in the vehicle, each of the second assemblies (10) being able to interrupt an operating function of the vehicle.

3. Security system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the radio receiver (2) is connected to a control circuit which has a first bistable relay (4) which, over a predetermined time by means of a first timer (5), the transmitter module (6) activated.

4. Security system according to claim 3, so that the components of the first assembly (1) are fed by an accumulator (7) arranged in the first assembly and buffered by the respective on-board electrical system.

5. Security system according to claim 3, so that the components of the first assembly (1) are fed by an accumulator arranged in the assembly (1) and buffered by a solar cell present in or on the vehicle.

6. Security system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second assembly (10) has a second bistable relay (13) which responds to the output signal of the receiver module (12) in such a way that an alarm and a time-delayed interruption of one of the operating functions of the vehicle takes place, with a reset of the second bistable relay (13) is only possible via a code-secured reset unit (14).

7. A method for securing vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, against unauthorized use with the following steps:

- Sending a radio code signal over a comprehensive communication system;

Receiving the radio code signal by a radio receiver arranged in an inaccessible place in the vehicle and triggering a switching signal for activating a transmitter module located in the vehicle and arranged in an inaccessible place, which generates wirelessly transmissible pulses;

- Receiving the impulses from the transmitter module by means of a at least one receiver module arranged spatially in the vehicle from the transmitter module, the receiver module (s) triggering an optical and / or acoustic alarm via self-holding switching means and putting the vehicle out of operation with a time delay.