DESC:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“Antitheft systems and methods for battery powered vehicles”

APPLICANTS:
Name Nationality Address
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited Indian Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.,MRV, Mahindra World City (MWC),
Plot No. 41/1, Anjur Post, Chengalpattu,Kanchipuram District – 603204 (TN) INDIA

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-
This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 1538/CHE/2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] This invention relates to vehicles powered with a battery and more particularly to security systems for vehicles powered with a battery.

BACKGROUND
[002] Vehicle theft has become common in today’s scenario. Vehicles get stolen because of loopholes available in the existing security systems in vehicles. In the conventional vehicle, internal combustion engine only acts as a drive source of wheel, so the security authentication occurs only between the Immobilizer control unit and the engine management system (EMS), and only after the authentication between the two, the EMS can start the fuel ignition and other starting control operations of engine.
[003] However, in vehicles powered with a battery (such as an electric vehicle, hybrid vehicles, and so on), due to the presence of an additional driving source, conventional antitheft systems may not be an effective and an efficient solution to prevent theft. Existing anti-theft systems disclose authentication methods using Motor control unit (MCU) along with Engine management system (EMS) to avoid vehicle propulsion, on detecting un-authorized vehicle entry or key usage. However, none of the solutions attempt to integrate authentication of Battery Management system (BMS) along with Engine management system (EMS) to avoid the hybrid vehicle theft.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of this invention is to provide antitheft methods and systems for vehicles, powered with a battery.
[005] Another object of the invention is to provide an antitheft method and system for vehicles, wherein a plurality of controllers which aid in propulsion of the vehicle performs handshakes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[006] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[007] FIG. 1 depicts systems for providing antitheft protection in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[008] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting the process of providing antitheft protection in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[009] FIG. 3 is a figure depicting the authentication sequence, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0011] The embodiments herein achieve antitheft methods and systems for vehicles, powered with a battery. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0012] The vehicle herein describes a vehicle that can run on one or more energy systems. For example, the vehicle can use both a battery and an internal combustion engine for propulsion, either simultaneously or sequentially.
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts systems for providing antitheft protection in a vehicle. The system 100, as depicted comprises of a security module 101, an Engine Control Unit (ECU) 102, and a Battery Management System (BMS) 103. The ECU 102 and the BMS 103 communicate with the security module using a suitable means such as a high-speed CAN (Controller Area Network) bus. The security module 101, the ECU 102 and the BMS 103 comprise of pre-configured encryption security codes. The security codes can vary from vehicle-to-vehicle. The security codes can be configured by an authorized person, at the factory premises, at an authorized service center, the driver, or any other authorized person/entity.
[0014] The ECU 102 acts as a master in the immobilizer functionality between the ECU 102 and the security module 101. Based on the results of the authentication process, the ECU 102 can control the engine of the vehicle.
[0015] The BMS 103 acts as a master in the immobilizer functionality between the BMS 103 and the security module 101. Based on the results of the authentication process, the BMS 103 can control the output of the battery of the vehicle.
[0016] The security module 101 can check for the ignition of the vehicle being turned on. The ignition can be turned using a suitable means such as a key, a key fob, a stop/start switch, or using any other authorized/unauthorized means. On detecting ignition, the security module 101 can perform a first stage of authentication of the ignition using a suitable means. For example, if the ignition uses a transponder-based key, the security module 101 can authenticate the transponder-based key. On successfully authenticating the ignition, the security module 101 can use both the ECU 102 and the BMS 103 to perform a second stage of authentication. The ECU 102 and the BMS 103 can perform authentication using the pre-configured security codes. If both the ECU 102 and the BMS 103 performs successful authentication, the security module 101 can enable the vehicle to be powered on using the ECU 102 and/or the BMS 103. If the first stage of authentication or at least one of the ECU 102 and/or the BMS 103 are unable to perform successful authentication, the security module 101 can prevent the vehicle from being powered on, by disabling both the engine and the battery present in the vehicle. Powered on can comprise of turning on one or more electrical systems/devices present in the vehicle, turning on the engine and/or the battery, powering the wheels of the vehicle, enabling the vehicle to move, and so on.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting the process of providing antitheft protection in a vehicle. The security module 101 checks (201) for the ignition of the vehicle being turned on. On detecting ignition, the security module 101 performs (202) the first stage of authentication of the ignition using a suitable means. On successfully authenticating the ignition, the security module 101 performs (204) the second stage of authentication using both the ECU 102 and the BMS 103 by sending a trigger to the ECU 102 and the BMS 103. The ECU 102 and the BMS 103 performs authentication using the pre-configured security codes. If both the ECU 102 and the BMS 103 are able to do the authentication successfully, the security module 101 enables (205) the vehicle to be powered on using the ECU 102 and/or the BMS 103. If the first stage of authentication or at least one of the ECU 102 and/or the BMS 103 is unable to be successfully authenticated, the security module 101 prevents (203) the vehicle from being powered on, by disabling both the engine and the battery present in the vehicle. The various actions in method 200 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 2 may be omitted.
[0018] In an embodiment herein, if the first stage of authentication or at least one of the ECU 102 and/or the BMS 103 is unable to be successfully authenticated, the security module 101 can provide an alert using at least one of an audio means (such as an alarm) and/or a visual means (such as lights of the vehicle flashing) and/or an alert to at least one pre-configured user (using a text message, an email and so on).
[0019] FIG. 3 is a figure depicting the authentication sequence. At (1), T15 (HCU wake-up) is asserted to the BMS 103 and BMS 103 starts operating (INIT_CHK state). At (2), when IGN Signal ON is detected, the BMS 103 starts waiting for IMMOTRG message. At (3), when IMMOTRG signal transition (OFF->ON) is detected with IMMO_IGN Signal ON, the BMS 103 starts immobilizer authentication process. At (4), when authentication process is completed with correct signature, the security module 101 updates the immobilizer status.
[0020] In an example, if authentication performed by the ECU 102 is a failure, the security module 101 can make the authentication performed by the BMS 103 to fail, in order to ensure at any condition vehicle won’t propelled either by using engine or the battery alone.
[0021] In an example, if authentication performed by the BMS 103 is a failure, then the BMS 103 will not close the HV relays of the battery, so it can prevent the HV DC (High Voltage Direct Current) source which was required to provide the AC (Alternate Current) input power to propel or start the engine or vehicle.
[0022] By directly controlling the DC power source availability, by preventing fuel injection and by inhibiting other engine cranking related sub function(s), embodiments herein inhibit vehicle propulsion or starting if there is a theft attempt.
[0023] Through carrying out anti-theft authentication on both the EMS 102 and the BMS 103 simultaneously, embodiments herein negate the possibility of starting the vehicle by any one power source (engine and/or battery), and the reliability of the anti theft system is greatly improved.
[0024] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the network elements. The network elements shown in Fig. 1 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0025] The embodiment disclosed herein describes an antitheft methods and systems for vehicles, powered with a battery. Therefore, it is understood that the scope of the protection is extended to such a program and in addition to a computer readable means having a message therein, such computer readable storage means contain program code means for implementation of one or more steps of the method, when the program runs on a server or mobile device or any suitable programmable device. The method is implemented in a preferred embodiment through or together with a software program written in e.g. Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) another programming language, or implemented by one or more VHDL or several software modules being executed on at least one hardware device. The hardware device can be any kind of portable device that can be programmed. The device may also include means which could be e.g. hardware means like e.g. an ASIC, or a combination of hardware and software means, e.g. an ASIC and an FPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory with software modules located therein. The method embodiments described herein could be implemented partly in hardware and partly in software. Alternatively, the invention may be implemented on different hardware devices, e.g. using a plurality of CPUs.
[0026] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A method for providing antitheft protection for a vehicle, the method comprising:
authenticating by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and a Battery Management System (BMS) simultaneously, on detecting ignition, wherein the ECU and the BMS are present in the vehicle; and
enabling the vehicle to be powered on by a security module, on both the ECU and the BMS performing the authentication successfully.
2. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises of performing a first stage of authentication by the security module.
3. A security module for providing antitheft protection for a vehicle, the security module configured for:
enabling an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and a Battery Management System (BMS) to perform authentication simultaneously, on detecting ignition, wherein the ECU and the BMS are present in the vehicle; and
enabling the vehicle to be powered on, on both the ECU and the BMS performing the authentication successfully.
4. The security module, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the security module is further configured for performing a first stage of authentication by the security module.
5. A vehicle comprising of a security module for providing antitheft protection, the security module configured for:
enabling an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and a Battery Management System (BMS) to perform authentication simultaneously, on detecting ignition, wherein the ECU and the BMS are present in the vehicle; and
enabling the vehicle to be powered on, on both the ECU and the BMS performing the authentication successfully.
6. The security module, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the security module is further configured for performing a first stage of authentication by the security module.

Date: 16th March, 2016 Signature:
Dr.Kalyan Chakravarthy

ABSTRACT
Antitheft systems and methods for battery powered vehicles. This invention relates to vehicles powered with a battery and more particularly to security systems for vehicles powered with a battery. Embodiments herein disclose an antitheft method and system for vehicles, wherein a plurality of controllers which aid in propulsion of the vehicle perform handshakes.

FIG. 2
,CLAIMS: STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A method for providing antitheft protection for a vehicle, the method comprising:
authenticating by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and a Battery Management System (BMS) simultaneously, on detecting ignition, wherein the ECU and the BMS are present in the vehicle; and
enabling the vehicle to be powered on by a security module, on both the ECU and the BMS performing the authentication successfully.
2. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises of performing a first stage of authentication by the security module.
3. A security module for providing antitheft protection for a vehicle, the security module configured for:
enabling an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and a Battery Management System (BMS) to perform authentication simultaneously, on detecting ignition, wherein the ECU and the BMS are present in the vehicle; and
enabling the vehicle to be powered on, on both the ECU and the BMS performing the authentication successfully.
4. The security module, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the security module is further configured for performing a first stage of authentication by the security module.
5. A vehicle comprising of a security module for providing antitheft protection, the security module configured for:
enabling an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and a Battery Management System (BMS) to perform authentication simultaneously, on detecting ignition, wherein the ECU and the BMS are present in the vehicle; and
enabling the vehicle to be powered on, on both the ECU and the BMS performing the authentication successfully.
6. The security module, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the security module is further configured for performing a first stage of authentication by the security module.