Field of the invention:
The present disclosure relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to an anti-theft system and method for an automobile.
Background:
Current vehicle anti-theft systems, do not provide a tamper-proof mechanism to prevent the theft of vehicles. Further, these anti-theft system does not allow remote monitoring of the vehicle and/or detect and notify accidents or crashes. Accordingly, there is a need for engine immobilizers which are tamper-proof and at the same time allow remote monitoring of the vehicle and notify accidents and/or crashes.
Summary:
The disclosure provides a system which enhances the vehicle safety by controlling the vehicle ignition function through wireless communication using a mobile communication device. Also, the system transmits information related to the vehicle using the mobile communication device to a remote server.
The system comprises a telematics device installed on the vehicle of a user. The telematics device is in communication with a mobile communication device of the user using wireless communication. The initial communication between the telematics device and the mobile communication device is established and encrypted based on a telematics device identifier. The mobile communication device is also in communication with a server via mobile communication network. The server stores information received from the mobile communication device and the telematics device. The server also performs certain actions based on the receipt of information.
The server authenticates a user using the mobile communication device and provides a secret key to the mobile communication device upon authorization. The mobile communication device transmits the secret key to the telematics device. The telematics device re-establishes communication with the mobile communication device based on the secret key to successfully pair the telematics device with the mobile communication device. The secret key is stored on the mobile communication device and the telematics device for re-establishing communication. Upon pairing, the telematics device receives commands from the mobile device to enable or disable the ignition
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of the engine of the vehicle based on an input received from a user on the mobile communication device. The telematics device sends a modulated signal or vehicle communication instructions to the Capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) or Electronic fuel injection (EFI) system of the vehicle which enables or disables the ignition of the engine of the vehicle.
Brief Description of the Drawings:
FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates the system for a tamper-proof anti-theft system of a vehicle.
FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates the telematics device in communication with a mobile communication device of a user.
FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates the telematics device of the vehicle coupled to a user interface.
FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a method of pairing a mobile communication device with the telematics device of the vehicle.
FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a method for enabling or disabling the ignition of the engine of the vehicle using the paired mobile communication device.
FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates a method for sending an alert to one or more emergency contacts on detection of a crash of the vehicle.
FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates the method of tracking the location and other parameters of the vehicle using the paired mobile device.
FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates the method of disabling the ignition of the vehicle remotely.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of the aspects of the present invention.
Detailed Description:
Various embodiments and aspects of the invention will now be described here in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The terminology and phraseology used herein is solely for
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descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as “including”, “comprising”, “having”, “containing” or “involving”, and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited. Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to accompanying figures.
FIG. 1 exemplarily shows the tamper-proof anti-theft system (100) which comprises a telematics device (102) on the vehicle (104) of a user. The telematics device (102) is in communication with a mobile communication device (101) of the user using wireless communications. The mobile communication device (101) is also in communication with a server (103) via mobile communication networks (105, 106). A user terminal having a user interface (107) is in communication with the server via a network.
FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates the telematics device on the vehicle in communication with the portable mobile device of the user. The telematics device comprises a microcontroller, a communication component, an ignition connector, a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) sensor, a power supply, Light Emitting Diode (LED) driver, a USB socket, and a user interface (108). The microcontroller is operatively coupled to CDI or EFI system of the vehicle via the ignition connector. The microcontroller generates an ignition control signal and provides it to the CDI or EFI system for enabling or disabling the ignition of the vehicle.
The communication component comprising an antenna is coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is coupled to the mobile communication device via the communication component via wireless communications. In an embodiment the communication component comprises short range wireless communication protocols e.g. Bluetooth™, WiFi™, Near Field Communications, etc.
The microcontroller on receipt of commands from the mobile communication device generates the ignition control signal for the CDI or EFI system to enable or disable ignition of engine of the vehicle.
The MEMS sensor, popularly known as accelerometers and/or gyroscope is coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller receives the tilt of the vehicle, acceleration, deceleration
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and/or sharp turns or abnormal cornering of the vehicle from the MEMS sensor and relays it to the mobile communication device.
The power supply is operably coupled to the microcontroller, LED driver and the USB socket. The power supply provides voltage to the LED driver, microcontroller the USB socket, where the mobile communication device is capable of being charged using said USB socket. The power supply component draws power from the vehicle power supply or battery and conditions the power within the operable voltage limits of the various components of the telematics device. Further the power supply component filters all electrical noises present in the power drawn from the vehicle.
The LED Load Driver Circuit coupled to the microcontroller illuminates the Indicator LEDs & function symbols in the vehicle user interface.
The vehicle user interface is coupled to the microcontroller, the microcontroller receives inputs from the vehicle user interface and relays it to the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device uses the relayed input to perform one or more functions relating to but not limited to navigation application and the music application on the mobile communication device.
In an embodiment the microcontroller receives inputs from one or more sensors of the vehicle via an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle and relay it to the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device further relays the inputs from one or more sensors of the vehicle to the server.
In an embodiment, the telematics device is embedded in the CDI or EFI system of the vehicle.
The mobile communication device comprises a processor, Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors, mobile communication component, a communication component, user interface and a USB port. The mobile communication component operatively coupled to the processor enables the mobile communication device to connect to the server via a mobile communications network. The communication component operatively coupled to the processor enables communication with the telematics device of the vehicle. The USB port enables receiving power from the USB port of the telematics device for charging the mobile communication device. In one embodiment, the mobile communication device communicates with the microcontroller via the USB interface (ports).
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Initially the mobile communication device establishes encrypted communication with the telematics device using a telematics device identifier. The mobile communication device receives inputs from a user and authenticates the user on the server. In response to successful authentication the server provides a secret key to the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device relays the secret key to the telematics device of the vehicle. The telematics device and the mobile device re-establishes encrypted communication based on the received secret key. The received secret key is stored on the mobile device and the telematics device for re-establishing communication. Once a connection is established between the mobile device and the telematics device, the mobile device may now send commands to the telematics device to enable or disable the ignition of the engine of the vehicle based on an input of the user on the mobile device. The mobile communication device receives the MEMS sensor information and vehicle sensor information from the telematics device and relays it to the server.
In an embodiment the server transmits a disable signal to the telematics device via the mobile communication device. The telematics device on receipt of said disable signals turns off the ignition of the vehicle.
The telematics device in response to an abnormal tilt data or deceleration data or acceleration data or data relating to sharp turns or abnormal cornering of the vehicle from the MEMS sensor sends a collision alert signal or a vehicle accident alert signal to the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device sends an alert and the location received from the GPS sensor, to one or more emergency contacts based on the received alert signal(s).
In another embodiment the mobile communication device based on the abnormal tilt information or abnormal deceleration information or acceleration information or information relating to sharp turns or abnormal cornering of the vehicle received from the telematics device, sends an alert and the location from the GPS sensors to the one or more emergency contacts based on the received alert signal(s).
In yet another embodiment the location from the GPS sensors, abnormal tilt information or abnormal deceleration information or acceleration information or information relating to sharp turns or abnormal cornering of the vehicle is relayed by the mobile communication device to the server.
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The server based on the relayed abnormal tilt information or abnormal deceleration information or acceleration information or information relating to sharp turns or abnormal cornering of the vehicle alerts one or more emergency contacts with the relayed GPS location.
In yet another embodiment the user enables/disables the ignition using the paired mobile communication device and all such actions are transmitted to the server for maintaining a log of said action(s).
The server enables a second authorized user to monitor the location of the vehicle and sensor information received from the mobile communication device. Further, the second authorized user may monitor the ignition enable/disable ignition actions made by the user using the paired mobile communication device. The second authorized user may also define a bounded geographical area, where the second authorized user is alerted if the vehicle leaves the bounded geographical area based on the GPS location received from the mobile communication device.
FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates the vehicle user interface removable coupled to the telematics device of the vehicle via a vehicle user interface connector.
FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a method of pairing a mobile communication device with the telematics device of the vehicle. The user receives the telematics device and installs it on the vehicle. In another embodiment the user receives the vehicle with the telematics device preinstalled in the vehicle. The user receives a telematics device identifier in a communication from the telematics device manufacturer, where the telematics device identifier is unique to the telematics device.
The user installs a telematics application on the mobile communication device of the user. The user registers on the server by entering at least one user credentials such as username, a mobile telephone number associated with the mobile communication device, a password, at least one emergency contact numbers, IMEI number of the mobile communication device, user finger print, user iris scan details or similar details and its combination thereof on the user interface provided by the telematics device application. The mobile communication device transmits the entered username, a mobile telephone number associated with the mobile communication device, a password and emergency contact numbers, IMEI number of the mobile communication device, user finger print, user iris scan details or similar details to the server for registration of the user.
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Upon registration the user logs in to the telematics application using the username and password. The user then enters the telematics device identifier on the user interface provided by the telematics application. The mobile communication device establishes an encrypted communication with the telematics device based on the device identifier, wherein the telematics device identifier entered by the user matches the telematics device identifier of the telematics device. Upon successful verification and establishing encrypted communication between the telematics device and the mobile communication device, the mobile communication device sends the telematics device identifier to the server. The server checks whether the received telematics device identifier is valid and that the same telematics device identifier has not been mapped to any other user. Upon successful verification the server sends a secret key to the mobile communication device, wherein the secret key is not visible to the user. The mobile device stores the secret key and further transmits the secret key to the telematics device. The telematics device stores the secret key. Thereafter, an encrypted communication between the telematics device and the mobile communication device is re-established based on the stored secret key. Thus, the mobile communication device gets paired with the telematics device and thereby establishes secure communication session between the mobile communication device and the telematics device. In an embodiment, the secret key may be dynamically varied during each communication session.
FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a method for enabling or disabling the ignition of the engine of the vehicle using the paired mobile communication device. The paired mobile communication device now sends commands to the telematics device to disable or enable the ignition of the engine of the vehicle. The microcontroller of the telematics device receives the commands and in response to the received commands sends a modulated signal or vehicle communication instructions to the Capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) or Electronic fuel injection (EFI) ignition system of the vehicle which enables or disables the ignition of the engine. In an embodiment, the modulated signal may be sent to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle through the ignition connector so that the ECU controls the ignition operation of the said one of the ignition system of the engine.
FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates a method for sending an alert to one or more emergency contacts on detection of a crash of the vehicle. The accelerometer and/or gyroscope coupled to the microcontroller detects an abnormal tilt of the vehicle or an abnormal acceleration or deceleration or sharp turns or abnormal cornering of the vehicle, and sends a signal corresponding to the detect
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to the micro controller. The microcontroller detects a crash based on one or more such signal. Once a crash has been detected the microcontroller notifies the paired mobile communication device of the detected crash. The mobile communication device in response to the notification of the crash alerts the emergency contact numbers by sending the crash notification and the current location of the mobile communication device to the mobile communication device.
In an another embodiment, the mobile device transmits the received crash notification and the location of the mobile device to the server. The server on receipt of the crash notification transmits a crash alert comprising the received location to the emergency contact numbers.
FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates the method of tracking the location and other parameters of the vehicle using the paired mobile device. The vehicle may have one or more sensors to measure various parameters of vehicle for e.g. engine RPM, engine temperature, engine oil level, tire pressure, current speed etc. The sensors operatively coupled to the telematics device measure the various parameters of the vehicle. The telematics device transmits the measured sensor values to the paired mobile communication device. The paired mobile communication device transmits the received sensor values and the current location of the mobile communication device to the server. The server transmits the received sensor values and the received current location of the mobile communication device to a terminal of an authenticated administrative user over a network. The terminal of the authenticated administrative user displays the received sensor values and the received location on a map.
FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates the method of disabling the ignition of the vehicle remotely. The administrative user provides an input to the terminal to disable the ignition of the vehicle. The terminal transmits the administrative user’s command to the server. The server transmits the received command to the paired mobile communication device and the paired mobile communication device transmits the command to the telematics device. In response to the received command the telematics device disables the ignition of the engine of the vehicle by providing a modulated signal or vehicle communication instructions to the CDI or EFI of the vehicle.
In an embodiment the server sends a command to the paired mobile communication device to disable the ignition of the vehicle based on the location received from the mobile communication device, wherein the location entered by the mobile communication device is not within the bounded geographical area provided by the administrative user. The disclosed invention is thus
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attained in an economical, practical, and facile manner. It is to be understood that various further modifications and additional configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the specific embodiments, configurations and calculations herein disclosed are illustrative and should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the invention.

We claim:
1. A tamper proof anti-theft system (100) for vehicles (104) comprising:
a mobile communication device (101);
a telematics device (102) coupled to the mobile communication device and coupled to an engine
of the vehicle; and
a server (103) coupled to the mobile communication device and the telematics device,
wherein the telematics device (102) is paired with the mobile device in operation with the server,
the telematic device configured to:
receive a command from the paired mobile communication device;
send a signal to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle to control the enable or
disable ignition operation of an ignition system of the engine based on received
command. wherein the paring between the mobile device and the telematics comprises:
receiving and storing at least one user credentials into the server from the mobile device,
registering the mobile device by the server based on the at least one user credentials;
receiving a unique telematic identifier at the server from the registered mobile communication device, wherein the telematic identifier corresponds to the telematic device to which the mobile communication device is to be paired with;
identifying by the server whether the received telematic identifier is mapped to any other mobile communication device;
sending a secret key to the mobile communication device upon verifying that the telematic identifier is not mapped to any other mobile communication device;
storing and transmitting the secret key by the mobile device to the telematics device; and
establishing a secure communication session between the mobile device and the telematics device based on the secret key, wherein the secret key is dynamically variable for each communication session.
2. The tamper proof anti-theft system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the telematic device
further configured to:
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detect one or more movements related to abnormal tilt, acceleration, deceleration, sharp turns and abnormal cornering of the vehicle and send a signal corresponding to the detect to the microcontroller; and
detect a crash based on the said signal and notifies an event of crash to the at least one emergency contact number.
3. The tamper proof anti-theft system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the telematic device
further configured to:
measure at least one vehicle parameters; and
transmit the at least one measured vehicle parameters to the paired mobile communication device.
4. The tamper proof anti-theft system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one vehicle parameters comprise engine RPM, engine temperature, engine oil level, tire pressure and speed of the vehicle.
5. The tamper proof anti-theft system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ignition system comprises at least one of capacitor discharge ignition system and electronic fuel injection ignition system.
6. The tamper proof anti-theft system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user credentials comprise: a user name, password, a mobile number of the mobile communication device, at least one emergency contact number, IMEI number of the mobile communication device, user finger print details, user iris scan details and its combination thereof.
7. A method of providing tamper proof anti-theft mechanism to a vehicle (104) via a mobile device (101) comprising:
pairing a telematics device (102) attached to the vehicle (104) with the mobile communication device (101), wherein the pairing is established in operation with a server (103); receiving a command from the paired mobile communication device (101); and
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controlling ignition operation of the engine based on the received command, wherein said step of pairing between the mobile device and the telematics device comprising:
receiving and storing at least one user credentials into the server from the mobile device;
registering the mobile device by the server based on at least one user credentials;
receiving a unique telematic identifier at the server from the registered mobile communication device, wherein the telematic identifier corresponds to the telematic device to which the mobile communication device is to be paired with;
checking by the server whether the received telematic identifier is mapped to any other mobile communication device;
sending a secret key to the mobile communication device upon verifying that the telematic identifier is not mapped to any other mobile communication device; storing and transmitting the secret key by the mobile device to the telematics device; and
establishing a secure communication session between the mobile device and the telematics device based on the secret key, wherein the secret key is dynamically variable for each communication session.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:
detecting one or more movements related to abnormal tilt, acceleration, deceleration, sharp turns and abnormal cornering of the vehicle and send a signal corresponding to the detection to the microcontroller; and
determining a crash based on the said signal; and
notifying an event of crash to the at least one emergency contact number.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:
measuring at least one vehicle parameters; and
transmitting the at least one measured vehicle parameters to the paired mobile communication device.
10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vehicle parameters comprise engine RPM,
engine temperature, engine oil level, tire pressure and speed of the vehicle.
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11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the user credentials comprise: a user name, password, a mobile number of the mobile communication device, at least one emergency contact number, IMEI number of the mobile communication device, user finger print details, user iris scan details and its combination thereof.