WO1998031574A2

WO1998031574A2 - An electronic vehicle immobilisation system

Info

Publication number: WO1998031574A2
Application number: PCT/GB1998/000079
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sultan Ali Mirzai
Original assignee: Sultan Ali Mirzai
Priority date: 1997-01-20
Filing date: 1998-01-20
Publication date: 1998-07-23
Also published as: WO1998031574A3; AU5670298A

Abstract

An electronic vehicle immobilisation system comprises memory means (2) for storing data relating to a time and/or date dependent attribute of the vehicle, and means (1) for selectively immobilising the vehicle depending upon the condition of the attribute.

Description

AN ELECTRONIC VEHICLE IMMOBILISATION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to an electronic vehicle immobilisation system.

Electronic vehicle immobilisation systems which prevent use of a vehicle by unauthorised personnel, for instance by disabling the vehicle ignition system, are known. Typically such systems require the input of a personnel code, or interface with an electronic key (which may for instance be a radio transmitter transmitting a coded radio signal which is decoded by the immobiliser system) to enable the vehicle to be used.

In addition, immobilisation system are known which prevent use of a vehicle by a person not possessing a valid driving licence. Such a system is described in US patent number 4, 982, 072. With this system the driving licence includes an electronic memory for storing details of the driver, including for instance restrictions and licence penalty points. These details are read by a suitable reader located in a vehicle which operates to immobilise the vehicle unless presented with a driving licence, and furthermore to immobilise the vehicle Upon determination of the existence of any prohibiting condition, such as an excess of penalty points accrued on the licence or other indication that the licence is invalid. In addition, details of a limited number of authorised possible drivers may be stored in the system and the vehicle only mobilised when presented with a driving licence corresponding to one of said authorised persons.

Although there are many such known systems to prevent use of a vehicle by unauthorised personnel, no system exists for preventing use of a vehicle which itself does not meet certain conditions. For instance, in the UK a vehicle may only legally be used on public roads provided that vehicle has current motor vehicle tax, insurance, and an MOT (i.e. the Ministry of transport road worthiness test certificate). There therefore exists a need to prevent such unauthorised vehicle use, particularly since contravention of such legal requirements is difficult to police. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above problems.

According to the present invention there is provided an electronic vehicle immobilisation system, comprising: memory means for storing data relating to a time and/or date dependent attribute of the vehicle, and means for selectively immobilising the vehicle depending upon the condition of the attribute.

Thus, the system according to the present invention may immobilise the vehicle unless the condition of an attribute of the vehicle, such as the status of vehicle tax, insurance and/or MOT, satisfies a predetermined criteria (e.g. is current and valid).

Said data may typically include either a date/time at which the condition becomes valid and a predetermined time period at the expiry of which the condition will become invalid, or an expiry time/date at which said condition will become invalid.

The memory means is preferably programmable to enable updating of the stored data to reset said time period and/or expiry time/date. Alternatively the memory means could be physically replaced to reset the time period or expiry date.

Preferably the system includes audible or visible warning means which provides warning in advance of an impending change in the condition of said attribute.

The memory means is preferably adapted for storing data relating to a plurality of said time/date dependant attributes (the number of which may be variable), the system being adapted to immobilise the vehicle if any one of said attributes fails to satisfy a predetermined condition.

In preferred embodiments of the invention the system is adapted so that the memory can only be updated by an authorised person or persons to prevent fraudulent updating of the memory.

The memory means is preferably provided by a unit which is removable from the vehicle to provide for updating of the condition of said attribute at a location remote from said vehicle. Preferably the means for selectively immobilising the vehicle includes a control unit which is permanently and securely housed within said vehicle and which interfaces with said removable unit.

The immobilisation means preferably includes means for verifying the condition of the or each attribute which includes a clock/date counter located in either the removable unit or the control unit.

In preferred embodiments the system includes memory means for storing information relating to the identification of the vehicle, such as the vehicle registration number, the vehicle engine number and/or the vehicle chassis number. In embodiments comprising a fixed control unit and a removable memory unit, vehicle identification information may be stored in both units and the system adapted to mobilise the vehicle only when the identification information stored in the removable unit corresponds to the information stored in the fixed control unit.

The system is preferably adapted such that it may be overridden by an appropriate authority to allow a vehicle to be mobilised regardless of the condition of the or each attribute. For instance, the system could be adapted to be responsive to a secure code known only to said authorities. Alternatively, in embodiments comprising a removable memory unit and a fixed control unit, the system may incorporate the facility for the inclusion of universal removable units which would be possessed by appropriate authorities such as the police and could be interfaced with an in- vehicle system control unit to override the immobiliser of that vehicle.

The system may operate to immobilise the vehicle in a variety of ways. For instance, the system may interface with the vehicle ignition or fuel supply systems and selectively prevent operation of those systems. In cars fitted with an electronic control unit, the system according to the present invention preferably interfaces with the electronic control unit and operates to immobilise the vehicle by a suitable signal applied to the electronic control unit.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompany drawing which is a schematic illustration of a vehicle immobilisation system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a fixed control unit 1, a removable control panel 2, and a remote electronic key 3.

In use, the fixed control unit 2 is securely mounted within the vehicle dashboard and interfaced with the vehicles own electronic control unit 4 (e.c.u.). Such e.c.u.'s are conventional features of all modern cars featuring electronic ignition and so details of a typical e.c.u. will not be described hear.

Similarly, whilst various features of the electronic system according to the present invention are described below, details of associated circuitry and ancillary components are not given. However, possible alternatives for the design of such circuitry and components will be readily apparent to the skilled person from the following description of the function of the system.

The fixed control unit 1 includes a microprocessor and associated memory, which is preferably non-volatile, in which is stored details of the vehicle identification, such as the vehicle registration number, engine number and chassis number. The control unit 1 operates to enable or disable the vehicle ignition, via the vehicle e.c.u., depending upon the status of certain information stored in the removable control panel 2 in the manner described below.

The removable control panel 2 is configured as a removable panel similar in format to the removable control panels of conventional in-car radio systems. The removable control panel 2 includes a microprocessor, associated memory (which is preferably programmable ROM) and a clock/date timer. On the front of the removable control panel 2 are three pairs of warning lights, which may be simple LEDs, 5a 5b, 6a 6b, and 7a 7b, the function of which will be described below.

The removable control panel 2 is adapted for periodic updating with information relating to status and expiry of the vehicle MOT, road tax, and insurance. For instance, each time the vehicle road tax is paid, the control panel 2 is presented to an appropriate authority which programs the status and expiry details into the memory. The data programmed into the control panel may either be the renewal date of the tax and a time period after which it will expire, which period is timed by the clock/date counter, or simply an expiry date in which case the clock/timer may be an absolute clock/calendar. Similarly, details of the status and expiry of the vehicle MOT and insurance may be updated by appropriate authorities each time the MOT and insurance are themselves renewed.

To enable the ignition of the vehicle the removable control panel 2 must first be interfaced with the fixed control unit 1. The control unit 1 and removable control panel 2 will then "handshake" with one another, to prevent operation of the vehicle using a control panel from the immobiliser system of a different vehicle. Depending upon the configuration of the system, the fixed control unit 1 may either interrogate the removable control panel 2 to determine the status of the information stored in the control panel, or alternatively the removable control panel 2 may automatically signal the fixed control unit 1. In either case, the vehicle ignition system will only be enabled provided each of the vehicle MOT, tax and insurance are currently valid. Should any one of these have expired, the system will operate to immobilise the vehicle ignition via the vehicle e.c.u. 4. It will not then be possible to mobilise the vehicle until the expired tax, insurance or MOT has been renewed and the control panel 2 updated accordingly.

The pairs of warning lights function to provide advance warning of impending expiry of tax, insurance or MOT respectively. For instance, each warning light 4a, 5a, and 6a may be a yellow coloured light which illuminates a predetermined period, e.g. two weeks, prior to expiry of a respective one of the vehicle MOT, tax or insurance, and which remains illuminated every time the vehicle is operated to give continued warning of the impending expiry. Once the respective feature expires, the second light, i.e. respective light 4a, 5a, or 5b, which may for instance be a red light, may illuminate to show which one of the vehicle tax, MOT or insurance has expired and requires updating.

The system should preferably be adapted so that the removable control panel 2 can not readily be updated by unauthorised personnel. Thus, the control panel may be programmed only to accept data coded in a certain way, which coded data may only be supplied by authorised authorities. In addition, or alternatively, the control panel 2 may be adapted so that the memory must be updated specific hardware of a configuration which is not generally available to the public.

The above described system is preferably combined with a vehicle immobilisation system, so that even with the control panel in place the vehicle may not be used by anybody other than an authorised person. For instance, the control panel may be fitted with a key pad and require a PIN number to be input to enable the vehicle ignition. Thus, even with the panel in place the vehicle could only be mobilised by an authorised person. In the illustrated embodiment, this system includes a remote electronic key 3, based on conventional smart card technology. The control panel 2 includes electronic circuitry designed to detect the presence of the electronic key 3, within, say, a 30m range and to enable the system when the key is detected. The design of the necessary detecting circuit and associated electronics may use conventional technology known to the skilled person. Other alternatives will be readily apparent to the skilled person.

It will be appreciated that many modifications could be made to the above described system, including the various alternatives discussed above, preceding the description of the drawing.

For instance, in a more sophisticated system the simple coloured warning LEDs could be replaced by a digital display which counts down to the date of expiry. For instance, there may be a single display panel which indicates when any particular attribute of the vehicle is about to expire. This might be particularly useful in a system adapted for storing data relating to attributes other than, or in addition to, the MOT, tax and insurance. For instance, the legal requirements may vary from country to country and the system may be adapted so that it may be used in any country.

In addition, the system should preferably include facility for operation using a universal control panel, which would for instance be possessed by a police force or other authority, so that the immobiliser may be overridden by such authorised personnel. This would be useful where a vehicle has to be moved and the owner possessing the removable control panel cannot be located. Similarly, it would enable a vehicle to be moved even if the tax, MOT, insurance (or any other relevant attribute of the vehicle) has expired.

With the above described system incorporating the remote electronic key 7, there is no real need to remove the control panel from the vehicle when the vehicle is left unattended, since the vehicle will be secure. With such an embodiment, it is not strictly necessary to configure the control panel 2 as a removable control panel, but this is advantageous as it allows the memory of the control panel to be updated at a location remote from the vehicle.

In another possible modification, the control panel incorporating such features as warning lights or the like, can be permanently secured to the car and the tax, MOT and insurance data could be stored on a removable smart card or the like, the control unit being provided with an appropriate reader.

Other possible modifications will be readily apparent to the appropriately skilled person.

Claims

1. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system, comprising: memory means for storing data relating to a time and/or date dependent attribute of the vehicle, and means for selectively immobilising the vehicle depending upon the condition of the attribute.

2. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according to claim 1, wherein said attribute is an attribute which has a valid condition for a predetermined time period at the expiry of which the condition of the attribute will become invalid, and wherein the means for immobilising the vehicle operates to immobilise the vehicle when the condition of the attribute is invalid.

3. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according to claim 2, wherein said data includes either a date/time at which the condition becomes valid and a predetermined time period at the expiry of which the condition will become invalid, or an expiry time/date at which said condition will become invalid.

4. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the memory means is programmable to enable updating of the stored data to reset said time period and/or expiry time/date.

5. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system includes audible or visible warning means which provides warning in advance of an impending change in the condition of said attribute.

6. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according to any preceding claim, wherein the memory means is adapted for storing data relating to a plurality of said time/date dependant attributes, the system being adapted to immobilise the vehicle if any one of said attributes fails to satisfy a predetermined condition.

7. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according any preceding claim, wherein the or each attribute comprises at least one of the following: whether or not the vehicle tax is current; whether or not the vehicle MOT or the like is current; whether or not the vehicle is insured;

8. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for selectively immobilising the vehicle includes means for verifying the condition of the attribute.

9. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according to claim 8, wherein said means for verifying the condition of the attribute includes counter/clock means.

10. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system is adapted so that the memory can only be updated by an authorised person or persons.

11. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according any preceding claim, wherein said memory means is provided by a unit which is removable from the vehicle to provide for updating of the condition of said attribute at a location remote from said vehicle.

12. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according claim 11, wherein the means for selectively immobilising the vehicle comprises a control unit which is permanently and securely housed within said vehicle and which interfaces with said removable unit.

13. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according claim 11 or claim 12, wherein said immobilisation means operates to immobilise the vehicle unless said removable unit is interfaced with said control unit.

14. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according to claim 13, wherein said removable unit and said control unit are adapted to electronically handshake one another, so that the vehicle will be immobilised unless the control unit is interfaced with the corresponding removable unit specific to that vehicle.

15. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according to claim 14, wherein the system includes the facility for the provision of a universal removable unit which may be used to mobilise any vehicle fitted with an appropriate interface regardless of the condition of said attribute to thereby override the immobilisation system.

16. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according to any preceding claim, further including memory means for storing information relating to the identification of the vehicle, such as the vehicle registration number, the vehicle engine number and/or the vehicle chassis number.

17. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system according claim any preceding claim, wherein the system interfaces with the vehicle electronic control unit to enable/disable the ignition system of the vehicle.

18. An electronic vehicle immobilisation system, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawing.