Method and system for securing a vehicle against theft

Abstract

Method and system for securing a vehicle against theft where at least one essential operational element of the vehicle can be switched between three operating states, and the essential operational elements are switched into a substantially unrestricted operation-ready operating state A by an external usage authorization device independent of the vehicle over means for transmitting the authorization data, at least one essential operational element is switched into an operation-ready operating state B by an event-dependent circuit through at least one event for a period of time, the period of time depending on predefined operating parameters and either at least one essential operational element of the vehicle is switched after the passage of time for putting out of operation the vehicle into a non-operation-ready or restrictively operation-ready operating state C, or the essential operational elements are switched before the passage of the time period into operation-ready operating state A according to first step by means of the usage authorization device via transmitting the authorization data. The vehicle and the usage authorization device, before it is initially operated for the first time, are individualized once through an authorization code or the operating parameters are set at the usage authorization device or the events, which trigger the switching of the operating state of the essential operational element of the vehicle, are selected on the usage authorization device.

1 . A method for securing a vehicle against theft, wherein at least one essential operational element of the vehicle can be switched between three operating states A, B and C, the method comprising switching between the operating states according to the following steps:
 a. the essential operational elements are switched into a substantially unrestricted operation-ready operating state A by an external usage authorization device independent of the vehicle over means for transmitting the authorization data;   b. at least one essential operational element is switched into an operation-ready operating state B by an event-dependent circuit through at least one event for a period of time, the period of time depending on predefined operating parameters;   c. either at least one essential operational element of the vehicle is switched after the passage of time for putting out of operation the vehicle into a non-operation-ready or restrictively operation-ready operating state C or the essential operational elements are switched before the passage of the time period into operation-ready operating state A according to method step a) by means of the usage authorization device via means for transmitting the authorization data; and   wherein, the vehicle as well as also the usage authorization device, before it is initially operated for the first time, are individualized once through an authorization code or the operating parameters are set at the usage authorization device or the events, which trigger the switching of the operating state of the essential operational element of the vehicle, are selected on the usage authorization device.   
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , the means for transmitting the authorization data from the usage authorization device a vehicle key is employed, through which the authorization data is encrypted and are transmitted to a switching device, which, in the case of authorization, switches the essential operational element of the vehicle into operating state A and subsequently the authorization data is deleted from the vehicle key. 
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in case of an erroneous authorization data, at least one essential operational element is switched into operating state C or the essential operational element after passage of the time period is automatically switched into operating state C or the time period is restricted to a maximum so that a counter for the time period has a maximal number of digits. 
   
   
       4 . A system for securing a vehicle ( 1 ) against theft by means for switching ( 3 ,  4 ,  5 ) at least one essential operational element ( 2   i ) of the vehicle ( 1 ), the means for switching ( 3 ,  4 ,  5 ) comprising at least one usage authorization device ( 3 ), at least one switching device ( 4 ) between specific operating states of the essential operational element(s) ( 2   i ) and means for transmitting the authorization data ( 5 ) between the usage authorization device ( 3 ) and the switching device ( 4 ), the system comprising:
 means for the at least one essential operational element ( 2   i ) to be switchable between three operating states A, B and C, operating state A permitting the essentially unrestricted operation of the essential operational element(s) ( 2   i ), operating state B permitting the operation, restricted by operating parameter P to a time period Z, of the essential operational element ( 2   i ) and operating state C causing the blockage of the essential operational element ( 2   i ), with the switching device ( 4 ) being connected over at least one operational connection ( 6 ) with at least one means each for detecting a switching event ( 20   i ).   
   
   
       5 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the essential operational element ( 2   i ) is switchable between at least two operating states B and C, operating state B permitting the operation, restricted by operating parameter P to a time period Z, of the essential operational element(s) ( 2   i ), and operating state C effecting the blockage of the essential operational element(s) ( 2   i ), with the switching device ( 4 ) being connected through at least one operational connection ( 6 ) with at least one means each for detecting a switching event ( 20   i ). 
   
   
       6 . The system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the usage authorization device ( 3 ) is an external usage authorization device ( 3 ) independent of the vehicle ( 1 ). 
   
   
       7 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the means for detecting a switching event ( 20   i ) is an actuation switch located in the vehicle. 
   
   
       8 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the means for detecting a switching event ( 20   i ) comprises a sensor for detecting an activation of an opening selected from the group consisting of a car door, engine compartment hood, tank cap, and trunk of the vehicle ( 1 ), and a locking sensor for detecting the locking state of the vehicle ( 1 ), or includes a passenger compartment monitoring sensor or comprises a sensor for detecting a hoisting of the vehicle or includes a circuit for detecting a voltage return of an essential operational element ( 2   i ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) or includes a sensor for detecting the connection of diagnostic means to plug connectors of the vehicle ( 1 ) provided for this purpose or includes a sensor for detecting a covering-over of a license plate of the vehicle ( 1 ) or includes a sensor for detecting a removal of a license plate of the vehicle ( 1 ) or comprises means for speech recognition or comprises means for position determination and a data base listing areas of increased theft hazard in order to trigger a switching when driving through such areas. 
   
   
       9 . A system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the means for detection comprises a plurality of said essential operational elements and only in combination of several events the switching to operating state B through the switching device ( 4 ) takes place. 
   
   
       10 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the usage authorization device ( 3 ) comprises means for querying authorization ( 8 ,  9 ,  10 ). 
   
   
       11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein, as means for the querying authorization, a chip card reader ( 8 ) is provided or an apparatus for detecting biometric functions is provided or at least one key ( 9 ,  10 ) with associated lock is provided. 
   
   
       12 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the essential element ( 2   i ) is the control apparatus of the vehicle. 
   
   
       13 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the means for transmitting the authorization data ( 5 ) includes a transmitter and a receiver for electromagnetic waves or comprises an Internet connection of the usage authorization device ( 3 ) and of the blocking device ( 4 ), which jointly access a data base which makes available to the blocking device ( 4 ) parameters stored there by the usage authorization device ( 3 ). 
   
   
       14 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the essential operational elements ( 2   i ) comprises a fluid line ( 31 ,  32 ) in which for blocking the fluid line ( 31 ,  32 ) is disposed a stop valve ( 33 ), which includes a coding or is connected via an operational connection ( 35 ), with a stop valve ( 33 ) located in a fluid line ( 31 ,  32 ) of an essential drive power train ( 34 ), with the stop valve ( 33 ) including a coding which is verifiable by the essential operational element ( 2   i ) over the operational connection ( 35 ), and/or the fluid line ( 31 ,  32 ) being a coolant circulation ( 31 ), an oil circulation ( 32 ) or a gasoline line. 
   
   
       15 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the system comprises means for transmitting the authorization data from the usage authorization device ( 3 ) to the switching device ( 4 ) from a relatively great distance or comprises at least one communication device, one input device and one output device, which, via an adapter, transmits the authorization data to the switching device ( 4 ), or the communication device establishes an Internet connection, or an e-mail connection or a telephone connection, or a mobile telephone connection, between the adapter and the usage authorization device ( 3 ) or the adapter is formed as a USB adapter, or an infrared adapter, or a Bluetooth adapter. 
   
   
       16 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the switching device ( 4 ) is integrated into an essential operational element ( 2   i ). 
   
   
       17 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , including a code key or code card for creating a reading-out of a code contained in the code key or code card that is only possible with a destruction of the code key or the code card, respectively. 
   
   
       18 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the code key or code card are provided with an optic securement comparable to the securement elements known from bank notes, wherein in the code key or the code card, respectively, of the same type of vehicle different combinations of securement elements are usable. 
   
   
       19 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the code key or the code card, respectively, includes at least two codes, a first code for communication with the usage authorization device and a second code for utilizing an enable function, or a key and original code card or code key, respectively, can only be used together for specific functions. 
   
   
       20 . A system for securing a vehicle ( 1 ) against theft by means for switching ( 3 ,  4 ,  5 ) at least one essential operational element ( 2   i ) of the vehicle ( 1 ), the means for switching ( 3 ,  4 ,  5 ) comprising at least one usage authorization device ( 3 ), at least one switching device ( 4 ) between specific operating states of the essential operational element(s) ( 2   i ) and means for transmitting the authorization data ( 5 ) between the usage authorization device ( 3 ) and the switching device ( 4 ), the system comprising:
 means for the at least one essential operational element ( 2   i ) to be switchable between three operating states A, B and C, operating state A permitting the essentially unrestricted operation of the essential operational element(s) ( 2   i ), operating state B permitting the operation, restricted by operating parameter P to a time period Z, of the essential operational element ( 2   i ) and operating state C causing the blockage of the essential operational element ( 2   i ), with the switching device ( 4 ) being connected over at least one operational connection ( 6 ) with at least one means each for detecting a switching event ( 20   i ); and   means for individualizing the usage authorization device ( 3 ) once before the system is initially operated against theft, through an authorization code or the operating parameters are set at the usage authorization device which trigger switching of the operating state of the essential operational element of the vehicle.