WO1994026565A1 - Security system - Google Patents

Abstract

A safety system increases theft protection of objects, in particular motor vehicles. The system should be as easy to handle as possible and offer maximum security. For that purpose, an electronic assembly in the form of a transponder is associated with a mechanical key. The transponder transmits a code signal to a transceiver located on the object, once it is activated by said transceiver. The code signal is checked by a decoder located on the object to ascertain whether it matches a recorded code signal. The object to be protected is released or blocked depending on the results of said checking operation.

Description

 SECURITY SYSTEM

The invention relates to a system for securing objects, for the operation or entry of which a corresponding key is required. In particular, the invention relates to an anti-theft security system for motor vehicles.

To start motor vehicles, it is generally necessary to unlock a security system, usually a mechanical lock. In the case of motor vehicles with internal combustion engines, actuation of the so-called ignition lock with the aid of the ignition coil provides an ignition voltage which then generates the ignition spark required to ignite the air / fuel mixture. The key required to actuate the ignition lock has a key bit designed in a certain way, which can engage in the corresponding lock. Due to the large number of existing locks, the associated key mustaches differ only slightly from one another with regard to their mechanical characteristics. It is therefore possible to operate a lock by means of a slightly modified key bit, the associated key of which one does not have. Furthermore, the practiced key counterfeiter is able to manufacture certain key beards from blanks. In addition, with mechanical locks there is always the risk that the lock can be opened with the help of a counterfeit lockpick that only actuates the mechanical elements of the lock that require the lock. If a car thief gets into the interior of a vehicle unnoticed, it is no problem for him to start the engine of the vehicle and to steal the latter.

In order to make unauthorized starting of a motor vehicle more difficult, electronic security devices were developed in addition to the mechanical locks. there These are the magnetic stripe cards known in many areas, such as those issued by credit institutions to their customers for access to personal cash deposits. These magnetic stripe cards contain a card-specific unique code which is read by a reader located in the vehicle, through which the magnetic stripe card must be drawn. If the code read corresponds to the code stored on the vehicle side, the mechanical lock is released and the vehicle can then be started with the associated mechanical key. This combination of a magnetic stripe card and a mechanical key has the disadvantage that the driver of the vehicle must always carry these two elements with him when he leaves the vehicle.

The object of the invention is to create a security system which, due to its tamper-proof actuating devices, ensures a high level of security against theft, which is as easy as possible for the user to use, and which requires only minimal effort when retrofitting conventional lock / key security systems on the lock and on the key itself.

This object is achieved by the characterizing features of patent claim 1 or 2 in connection with the respective preamble. Further embodiments of the invention are characterized by the subclaims.

The advantage resulting from the invention is that a mechanical and electronic fuse is housed compactly in the only element required to actuate the security system. The user therefore does not need an additional magnetic stripe card or something similar. Since the key-side electronic component is supplied with energy by the object to be secured, there is no separate supply circuit on the key side, for example in Form of a battery, necessary. This makes handling easier by eliminating the need to replace empty batteries and eliminating the risk of self-locking due to empty batteries.

The ease of retrofitting is particularly advantageous in the security system according to the invention. Since the key in the lock cylinder can be rotated regardless of whether the coincidence between the key-side code and the object-side code is present or not, and both the signal transmission and the energy supply of the key-side electronic assembly can be wireless, for example, existing motor vehicle locks can be retrofitted with minimal effort. No measures are required directly on the lock or lock cylinder in the form of electrical contacts for signal and / or energy transmission between the key and the lock. The activation of the object-side energy supply circuit can also be carried out according to the invention without additional switches or the like on the lock or in the lock cylinder. The key-side electronic assembly does not necessarily have to be accommodated in the key itself, but can also be designed as a simple key fob if necessary.

The activation of the identification or reading process of the code stored on the key side is effected by turning the key in the lock. This activation can take place by means of a corresponding control signal to the object-side transceiver which is constantly supplied with energy or is live. Such embodiments are of particular interest if the required supply current for the transceiver is below the natural discharge current of the object-side energy store, for example a motor vehicle battery. The key-side electronic assembly can also be continuously supplied with energy wirelessly. In this state, it then only waits for the corresponding control signal, which causes it to send the key-side code to the object-side transceiver.

However, since a constantly activated energy supply can also have disadvantages, it is also provided according to the invention that the object-side energy supply is only switched on by turning the key in the lock, e.g. in conventional automotive ignition lock systems.

If the object to be secured is a motor vehicle, if there is no ascertained coincidence between the vehicle-side and key-side code, all operational or driving-relevant functions of engine management, in particular the ignition circuit, the fuel supply circuit and the energy supply circuit of the motor vehicle, be blocked.

An embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example with reference to the figures. Show it

Figure 1 is a side view of the key in the lock with integrated transponder.

FIG. 2 shows a view according to FIG. 1 from the right onto the key;

3 shows a schematic representation of the essential object-side components of the security system;

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart according to which a program stored in the microcontroller according to FIG. 3 operates;

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart according to which a program stored in the microcontroller according to FIG. 3 operates, for the case "transponder detected"; FIG. 6 shows a flow chart according to which a program stored in the microcontroller according to FIG. 3 operates in the case of "unknown transponder";

FIG. 7 is a flowchart according to which a program stored in the microcontroller according to FIG. 3 works for the "alarm" case.

The security system includes the key 11 with an integrated electronic assembly in the form of a

Transponders 12 as well as the object-side components

Microcontroller 3, the control module 4, the antenna 5, the

Buzzer 6, the horn 7, the starter lock 8 in the form of a

Relay, the data memory 9 for the key code and the power supply unit 10. With one to be secured

Object in the form of a motor vehicle, the ignition key positions "0", "1" and "2" shown in FIG. 2 are possible. The removal of the key 11 from the lock 13 is only possible if the key 11 is in the "0" position.

In the "0" position, the security system is not supplied with energy by the energy supply unit 10 and is therefore switched off. If the key 11 is turned from position "0" to position "1", the entire security system is supplied with energy. The program according to FIG. 4 then starts and the microcontroller 3 initiates a check of the data memories in accordance with step 100. If errors occur during this check, the program is ended in accordance with step 101. If no errors have occurred, the port lines are defined and a continuous power supply is switched on via a relay, which ensures that the security system continues to be supplied with power regardless of the position of the key 11. Furthermore, the starter lock 8 switches to "lock", whereby the ignition process is blocked, and the microcontroller 3 accesses the data memory 9 in order to read the key code. In the event that lock 13 has already been released, it is checked in step 110 before the latter two steps whether a restart period of e.g. B. expired 13 seconds. In the event of the engine stalling, this makes it possible to repeat the starting process shortly after the engine has been started for the first time, without having to go through the entire electronic identification process of the transponder 12 again. If the restart period has not yet expired, the starter lock 8 does not switch to "lock" while after the end of the restart period the starter lock 8 locks the starter again. If the occurrence of errors is registered in step 120, the program is ended in accordance with step 101. Otherwise the counter for the transponder reading attempts is set to 32, for example.

In order to read the transponder 12, the microcontroller 3, via the control module 4 and the antenna 5, causes the transponder 12 to send out a response signal which contains the key-side code. The transponder 12 from the vehicle-side power supply unit 10 z. B. charged for 50 milliseconds. 4, step 130, it is checked whether the line to the antenna is interrupted. If this is the case, the alarm according to FIG. 7 is triggered. If the connection to the antenna is intact, the code signal transmitted by the transponder 12 is checked in step 140 for coincidence with the code read from the data memory 9. If there is no coincidence of the code signals, a decision is made in step 150 whether or not the interrogation process identified by steps 129, 130, 131, 140, 141 and 150 is repeated. The decision about this can depend on the maximum permitted number of query operations, e.g. B. 32, are made dependent. If the code associated with the code stored in the data memory 9 is still not transmitted by the transponder 12 after this maximum number of query attempts, the microcontroller 3 assumes an unknown transponder 12 and proceeds in accordance with FIG. 6. If the transponder 12 was recognized in step 140, then, according to FIG. 5, step 160, a further query is made as to whether the transponder 12 has been identified. If this is not the case and it is determined in step 170 that the key 11 is in the "2" position, the buzzer 6 is activated e.g. B. activated for 80 milliseconds and thus indicates to the driver that there will be no release for starting the vehicle. If it is subsequently noticed in step 180 that the line to the antenna 5 has been interrupted, the horn 7 according to FIG. 7 triggers an alarm. If the connection to the antenna 5 has not been interrupted, the program branches again before the safety query in step 160. B. 30 milliseconds in step 190 switching the starter lock 8 to "release" and with a further time delay of z. B. 10 milliseconds, the engine is finally started in step 200.

In order to prevent theft by "short-circuiting" the ignition, after step 200 it is queried again whether the transponder 12 has been recognized. Since there is no suitable key 11 with a corresponding transponder 12 in the lock 13 during "short-circuiting", it can thus be determined whether the starting in accordance with step 200 was an authorized starting.

If, in step 150 according to FIG. 4, the transponder 12 was identified as not being suitable, the procedure according to FIG. 6 is followed. First, two counters on z. B. five or 232 seconds. If, despite the non-matching transponder 12, the key 11 is turned to the position "2" according to FIG. 2, step 210, then in step 220 it is checked whether z. B. has expired a second. If this is the case, the driver is informed with the help of the buzzer 6 that he has attempted to do this with a non-matching transponder 12 in his key 11 To start the vehicle. This indication is not given if the key 11 is turned in the lock 13 within a shorter period of time than specified in step 220. If you continue to try to start the vehicle - ie the key 11 is still in position "2" - the horn 7 according to FIG. 7 triggers the alarm 230 after steps 230, 240 and 250 have been processed, provided that the in Step 250 set period of e.g. B. expired five seconds. If it is determined in step 230 that the key 11 has been turned back from the position "2", the program branches again before the query of the step 210. If no attempt is then made to start the motor vehicle again - the key 11 is not in the position "2" - and if the line to antenna 5 is not interrupted, step 260, the entire program according to FIG. 4 is restarted after a delay time set in step 270, for example 232 seconds. After the period set in step 270 has expired, it is thus possible to try again to start the vehicle. Before this period expires, the security system blocks every restart attempt by repeatedly branching to step 210. If an attempt is made to manipulate the line to antenna 5, step 260 ensures that the alarm 7 according to FIG. 7 is triggered with the aid of the horn.

The horn 7 for triggering the alarm is activated according to FIG. 7. For this purpose, a counter on z. B. 29 stroke sequences and the horn 7 z. B. operated for 500 milliseconds. In step 280 it is checked whether the horn 7 has already sent out the preselected number of stroke signals. After the alarm has ended, the security system is still in the locked state, ie the starter lock 8 is switched to "lock". If the ignition is switched off, ie key 11 is turned to position "0", the system is de-energized and can be restarted by turning key 11 to position "1" again. In addition to securing the starting process, the security system described can also be used to secure the vehicle doors in a motor vehicle. Since the same key is generally used to actuate all door locks in motor vehicles as to actuate the ignition lock, it is therefore only necessary that the vehicle-side power supply unit 10 can also be activated from any door lock. It is important to ensure that the transmission range of the antenna 5 is sufficient to reach the transponder 12 in the key 11 at each door lock of the motor vehicle.

Furthermore, an embodiment is conceivable in which the energy supply circuit 10 of the object-side transceiver is activated by means of a code input, for example using a keyboard. Another alternative option for activating the object-side energy supply circuit 10 is a switch in the form of a motion detector which, for. B. can be used in automatic doors.

In addition, the security system described can be used to check the permanent existence of a transponder in a security area. For example, an employee authorized to access this area carries a transponder with him, which is constantly activated by the microcontroller 3 via the control module 4 and the antenna 5 to transmit his code signal. If the employee leaves the security area, this is reported immediately using the horn 7.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Locking system for at least one securable _'object, mechanically comparable means of a key which is inserted into a lock and comprising releasable securing means, characterized in that the object ß a transceiver has, with the aid of a means of the key (11) activatable read process can be carried out, in which. A first code can be read from an electronic module (12) assigned to the key (11), which is received by the object-side transceiver and checked for coincidence with a second code stored there. 2. Security system for at least one object to be secured, which has mechanically lockable and unlockable security devices by means of a key that is inserted into a lock, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that the object has a transceiver whose energy supply circuit ( 10) can be activated by means of the key (11), and that the key (11) is assigned an electronic assembly (12) which is supplied with energy by the object-side transceiver when the energy supply circuit (10) is activated by the key (11) and then emits a first code signal which is received by the object-side transceiver and checked there for coincidence by a decoding device with a second code stored there. 3. Security system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that ß the first code is transmitted wirelessly. 4. Security system according to one of the preceding claims, namely that the key (11) in the lock (13) can be rotated independently of whether there is coincidence or not. 5. Security system according to one of claims 2 to 4, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, d a ß the energy supply of the electronic assembly (12) takes place wirelessly. 6. Security system according to one of claims 2 to 4, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, d a ß an antenna (5) is provided both for signal transmission and for energy supply of the electronic assembly (12). 7. Security system according to one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d a ß the electronic assembly (12) is a transponder. 8. Security system according to one of the preceding claims, that a microcontroller (3) is present exclusively on the object side, in which the entire program for carrying out the electronic identification processes of the electronic assembly (12) runs. 9. Security system according to one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, that the key-side code is stored on a data carrier that can only be written once. 10. Siσherungssystem according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that ß the power supply circuit (10) of the transmitting / receiving device can be activated by means of a code input via a keyboard instead of by means of the key (11). 11. Security system according to one of claims 2 to 9, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, d a ß the energy supply circuit (10) of the transceiver instead of by means of the key (11) by means of a position indicator, e.g. in the form of a light barrier, can be activated. 12. Security system according to one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n e e i c h n e t, that in an object to be secured in the form of a motor vehicle, the ignition circuit of this motor vehicle is blocked at least until the code signals are coincident. 13. Security system according to one of claims 1 to 11 d a d u r c h g e k e n n e e c h n e t, d a ß at an object to be secured in the form of a motor vehicle, the fuel supply circuit of this motor vehicle is blocked at least until the code signals are coincident. 14. Security system according to one of claims 1 to 11 d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, d a ß is locked for an object to be secured in the form of a motor vehicle, the energy supply circuit of this motor vehicle at least until the code signals are coincident.