GB2387875A

GB2387875A - Vehicle immobiliser system

Info

Publication number: GB2387875A
Application number: GB0209458A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Martin Keene
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-25
Filing date: 2002-04-25
Publication date: 2003-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-25
Also published as: GB0209458D0; GB2387875B

Abstract

A remotely controlled vehicle immobiliser and tracking ECU 1 used to protect vehicles from theft or after theft. An electronic / electrical ECU 1 which provides different immobilisation modes on a vehicle activated remotely using text messages or transmissions from a phone 2. The ECU 1 controls the performance of the vehicle in the case of theft and will also provide a greater level of security when the vehicle is parked or unattended via a 'Sleep' mode which prevents the engine starting. A text message or transmission from a phone 2 to the vehicle activates the ECU I which depending on information received from the vehicle sensors e.g. the road speed sensor 10, would initiate the different immobilisation modes. The vehicle ECU 1 responds back with a text message or transmission confirming the instructions and indicating its state of operation to the phone 2. The system also carries a battery backup 14.

Description

VEHICLE IMMOBILISER SYSTEM

This invention relates to vehicle immobiliser and tracking systems used to protect vehicles from theft.

Immobilisers are used widely in the automotive industry on cars / motorcycles etc. to prevent the engine from starting when left in a locked condition etc. Tracking systems are also widely used to locate the position of a car / motorcycle etc. if it is stolen. These systems have become increasingly more complex and as a result criminals have become more sophisticated at stealing them. This added complexity has resulted in criminals becoming gradually unable to steal vehicles easily and the only real way is to actually have the owner's keys or access card. This has resulted in a sharp increase of violent attacks on owner's and on owner's homes to obtain the keys. Attacks on owners in their car's have become known as 'car jacking' incidents. In these cases the immobilization systems and tracking systems may not actually be active and hence the criminals are able with some ease to get away with the theft. The owner / driver in a 'car jacking' or house break-in is left helpless to stop the criminals without risking personal injury. The owner / driver has no real options other than to report the incident and wait for the outcome.

Accordingly in this invention there are provided means by way of an electronic / electrical system to activate different immobilization modes on a vehicle using text messages from a phone. An object of this invention is to be able to immediately effect the performance of the vehicle in the case of theft / 'car jacking' and to provide a greater level of security when the vehicle is parked or unattended. A text message transmission from a phone to the vehicle would activate the system which depending on information received from the vehicle sensors would initiate the different immobilization modes. The vehicle would respond with a text message back confirming the instructions and indicating its state of operation. The owner / driver would therefore have immediate means to stop the theft once the criminals had left and no personal danger was apparent.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a typical schematic overview for the vehicle immobiliser system.

Referring to the drawing the vehicle would be fitted with an electronic control unit ECU (1) which would be directly wired to the vehicle's systems using a dedicated wiring harness for each vehicle type or model. Typical connection details are shown in figure 1. A connection means would be provided for interface to multiplexed vehicles (18). The ECU (1) would monitor the status of the connection inputs and take action depending upon the activation code transmitted to it. Activation of the ECU (1) would be by the simple means of dialling a telephone number from a phone (2) and sending a text message. Alternatively, if the driver is concerned that an attack is about to take place when in motion then a panic button (12) inside the vehicle could be operated and this would activate the transmission of an alert message to a phone (2).

To activate the system a text message code or instruction would be sent to the car, interpreted by the ECU (1) and then the ECU (1) would partially or fully immobilise the vehicle.

The ECU (1) would be powered by means of the vehicles electrical system (7), (15) and (16). The ECU (1) would also have it's own internal battery backup (14).

The activation codes would be structured around simple types of commands as in the examples below: User command code: To be used primarily by the driver in an attack or theft situation, would instruct the ECU (1) to initiate progressive immobilization followed at some point later when the correct circumstances were met, by the ECU (1) automatically performing total immobilization.

Master command code: To be used and known only to authorities such as the police, would instruct the ECU ( 1) to immobilise the vehicle immediately. This mode would use a unique total shut down code assigned to each vehicle equipped with the ECU (1).

Protect command code: To be used by the driver, would instruct the ECU (1) to go into protect mode to prevent theft when unattended.

Other command codes would control a range of other features.

Some example types of immobilization functionality will now be described with reference to Figure 1.

Progressive immobilization: The ECU (1) would receive an authorization transmission code from a phone (2) and would immediately put the vehicle into progressive immobilization. This would have the effect of degrading the vehicle performance and hence the ability to drive the vehicle. This would be achieved by means such as regulation of the fuel pump (3), rev limiter activation (4), engine ECU (5) regulation, activation ofthe braking / traction system (13) or by other means. At the same time the fuel gauge (6) would be driven to the low or empty position. The ECU (1) would automatically transmit to a tracking company (if appropriate) a 'stolen vehicle message' so that the vehicle could be tracked. If the vehicle stopped moving (10) for 5 minutes but the ignition (7) left on the ECU (1) would shut down the vehicle and immobilise it completely. If the fuel flap (8) was activated at any time then the vehicle would shut down immediately. The external indicators (9) would begin to flash in hazard mode. If the vehicle stopped moving (10) and the ignition (7) was turned off within the 5 minutes then the ECU (1) would immobilise immediately and flash the hazards (9). The ECU (1) would at all times send confirmation messages back giving details of it's current state and the next state it was moving to i.e. 'vehicle stopped' or 'vehicle immobilized' or vehicle partially immobilized' or 'vehicle about to immobilize' etc. Immediate immobilization: The ECU (1) would receive an authorization transmission code from a phone (2) and would immediately immobilise the vehicle and flash the hazards (9). The ECU (1) would transmit to the tracking company a 'stolen vehicle message' so that the vehicle could be tracked.

Police stolen vehicle chase condition: In the situation where a vehicle has been stolen or used for a crime or is involved in a car chase then once identified as a vehicle with this invention fitted it could be controlled by the chasing police vehicle. The police could activate via their phones (2) control codes to enable the ECU (1) to bring the vehicle to a safe and controlled stop depending upon the circumstances and location of the chase. A connection to the vehicles locking system (17) would activate locking of the doors etc. to prevent escape.

Carjacking: In a carjacking condition the driver would allow the criminals to take the vehicle and would not in any way prevent this from happening. Once the criminals have driven off then the driver, police or tracking company could use a phone (2) to activate the ECU (1). This could also be done via a friends or relatives phone (2) which has a copy of the numbers and codes. Vehicle not in use: The ECU (1) would provide protection for vehicles not in use. Using a mobile phone (2) and a simple code i.e. 'Parked', the ECU (1) would immobilise the vehicle. The mobile phone (2) becomes an optional 'second key' providing an additional level of security. This feature would be used when the driver has parked the vehicle and left it unattended e.g. At work in the car park, in a pub car park, airport car park at home on the drive etc. The ECU (1) does not know the driver's location so that it is possible for it to work and send / receive messages to the driver even if he / she was not in the country. Additionally the original equipment vehicle security system or tracker system (11) could be linked to the ECU (1) so that any alarm detection at any time would result in a warning message sent from the ECU (1) to a phone (2).

Vehicle crash: The ECU (1) would provide means to interface to the vehicle safety and crash detection systems (19) so that upon crash detection an alert message would be transmitted to a phone; (2).

Claims

r' CLAIMS

1. A vehicle immobiliser system fitted to a vehicle and activated remotely providing various immobilization modes which prevent engine starting or to stop or to control the engine performance or the speed ofthe vehicle either when it is stationary or whilst in motion using text messages or transmissions from a phone, to provide reporting transmission back from the vehicle of the vehicle status and physical location together with other vehicle service information and emergency reporting.

2. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim 1 with an immobilization mode 'sleep'

whereby once activated by means of a phone transmission it is not possible to start the vehicle engine.

3. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim 1 with an immobilization mode 'stop' whereby it is possible to remotely stop the vehicle engine whilst it is running using a transmission from a phone.

4. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim 1 with an immobilization mode progressive' whereby it is possible to remotely control the engine performance and or the speed of the vehicle depending on the vehicle status and the vehicle position relative to the road network using a phone.

5. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a switch is used to indicate when pressed an emergency situation that is then transmitted to a phone.

6. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim 1 whereby if the main power supply is lost a battery backup system is engaged and the battery status is transmitted to a phone.

7. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim 1 whereby the vehicle location can be derived from information received and can be transmitted to a phone.

8. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim 1 whereby a sensor detects movement of the vehicle which can be transmitted to a phone.

9. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim I whereby a sensor detects a vehicle crash condition and the location ofthe vehicle can be transmitted to a phone.

10. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim 1 whereby the vehicle scheduled service, warranty or maintenance required information can be transmitted to a phone.

11. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim 1 whereby the speed ofthe vehicle can be controlled remotely using the braking system.

12. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim 1 whereby the vehicle maybe secured before or alter theft by remotely locking the doors.

13. A vehicle immobiliser system as claimed in Claim 1 whereby the vehicle warning flasher lights are activated after a or during a theft or following a crash.

14. A vehicle immobiliser system substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-

19 ofthe accompanying drawing.