FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SECTION 10)
TITLE
“VEHICLE IMMOBILIZED” APPLICANT
We, Robert Bosch India limited, having Our Principal Place of Business At 123, Industrial Layout, Housur Road, Koramangala, Bangalore - 560 095, State of Karnataka, an Indian Company.
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

PRIOR ART:
Vehicle immobilizer is a theft detent system that when not deactivated by the user would automatically put one or more of major units out of action which are essential for vehicle operation. The following systems are currently used for deactivating the immobilizer:
1. Radio/Infrared Systems: By means of a handheld transmitter a coded signal is sent to the immobilizer.
2. Transponder Systems: The key is fitted with the transponder which from a short distance transmits a coded signal to the receiver coil that is wound around the ignition coil for instance.
3. Electronic Key: The immobilizer is deactivated when conductive coupling takes place between the electronic key and the immobilizer system.
4. Code Keypad: The secret code number to deactivate the system is entered using a Skeypad.
FIELD OF INVENTION:
The idea is to create a low cost immobilizer for automotive applications that can also be easily retrofitted to existing vehicles in the field with minimal Bill Of Material (BOM) cost.
The main improvement here is to use the widely used cellular phone for authenticating the deactivation of the immobilizer. Since already existing hardware (cellular phone) is used for an extended functionality like this, the Bill Of Material Cost burden on the end user is minimal.
Detailed description of structure and function of the invention together with alternative embodiments.
The widespread use of the cellular phones opens an opportunity for using the unique hardware identity (viz., Modem Serial Number, SIM number) as an authentication.
We propose a low cost immobilizer which consists of a cellular phone, a model specific adapter to Engine Control Unit (ECU) and a piece of software inside the ECU that authenticates the unique hardware identity.
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The only additional hardware required is an adapter that would enable the cellular phone to be plugged in to the existing ECU diagnostic connector. Since the diagnostic serial interface is not used under normal operations, this would not affect the basic functionality in any way. All the other changes would be pure software which do not increase the Bill Of Material (BOM) cost of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
Before starting the engine, the user would plug in his cellular phone into the model specific adapter provided. This is something that the user would either be doing for charging the cellular phone or using it in the hands free mode. This in no way increases the burden on the end user. The model specific adapter would convert the cellular phone specific communication protocol (USB or RS232) to an automotive standard KWP2000 (ISO14230) or CAN (J1939) protocol available on the diagnostic connector. At this point the piece of software inside the ECU would read the unique hardware identity, authenticate and enable the normal operation of the engine. In case of a mismatch the response of the engine controller would be identical to that of the present day immobilizer. For example, enter into a limp home mode with limited vehicle speed, kill the engine, limit the driving distance etc as desired by the user.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:
The object of the invention is to use IMEI of handset of the mobile telephones as a tool for making vehicle immobilization methods more cost efficient and easy.
The second object of the invention is to use IMEI as identification of the handset and also the user and thereby eliminate any further authentication of the actual user.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
The vehicle ECU is capable of storing therein plurality of vehicle operating parameters for plurality of users, who are identified by their mobile phone handset, which handset bears unique machine number, which is commonly known as International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) Number.
IMEI is a unique 15 digit code used to identify an individual GSM mobile telephone to a mobile network. It can be displayed on phones by dialing # 06 #. The code is also printed on the
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handset. IMEI numbers of cellular phones connected to GSM network are stored in a database EIR Equipment Identity Register contain all valued mobile phone equipments .
In case of CDMA, handset itself is connected to the network, unlike in GSM, where SIM is used for connecting the handset to network. So in case of CDMA, ESN is the individual identification number, which is eight digits having a combination of numbers and letters.
The issue of vehicle theft and misuse of vehicle by rash drivers have started to receive increased public attention and government attention. There are many vehicle immobilizations which are known and practiced in the past to secure the vehicle, including means to immobilize the vehicle after theft. However with increase of cars and the verity of new cars rolling out each day, it is necessary to find newer and simpler ways and means to solve this problem, using a readily available product in the hands of the user.
Flexibility
Since this functionality is provided essentially by software, it is possible to marry multiple cellular phones to the immobilizer giving the user flexibility in case of multi users of the vehicle. It is also foreseeable that this identification could be used for customizing vehicle functions for individual users (viz., adjustment of the rear mirrors, seat positioning, speed limits, driving distance limits).
Emergency
In case the cellular phone is lost/stolen, the same mechanisms used in present-days immobilizers can be used. For example, by manually resetting the immobilizer using a master cellular phone (or a diagnostic tool) present in the nearby service station.
Convenience
The variations in the cellular phone models can be taken care of using model-specific adapters. This would not actually be an additional cost to the end user because now the end user need not have to buy a separate charging connector. This connector could be multiplexed to take care of a hands free operation of the cellular phone.
State of the Art Security
As an improvement, the cellular phone manufacturers could provide an upgraded firmware, then a Seed & Key algorithm can also be implemented for state of the art security. Since this improvement will be achieved by pure software, the cost of the system would not increase in the long term.
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Other Applications
This concept of using a cellular phone as an authenticating device can also be used in other authenticating systems for a wide range of applications. Home appliances, Security Systems, Data Security, Access Control and Usage Monitoring Systems are a few to name.
As per the invention the driver uses this mobile phone i.e., more specifically the handset of the mobile phone, to authenticate i.e., the handset acts as an authentication tool for the driver. The ECU is adapted to control and monitor the vehicle operating parameters in response to a specific handset.
The ECU is arranged to have a plurality of variable vehicle operating parameters stored corresponding to plurality of mobile handsets.
The handset number is detected and identified by a piece of software inside the Engine Control Unit. Already existing diagnostic serial interface to the ECU works with KWP2000 (ISO14230) and/or CAN protocol. Since the data interface to the mobile equipment is currently with the protocols like USB or RS 232, an interface device (model specific adapter), is required to convert the voltage levels and the data transfer means between the above two different protocols. In the ECU the handset number so read is matched with stored set of handset numbers. When matching, it causes to select the predetermined set of parameters stored corresponding to the handset number. If not matching, it causes the vehicle to immobilize, as it is not authorised use of the vehicle.
The ECU is thus adapted primarily to determine the identity of the driver. In the ECU, for each handset, a set of vehicle operating parameters is stored, which is later recalled when the handset is identified by the ECU. So the ECU is also adapted to select the appropriate vehicle operating parameter for the selected handset owner.
Each handset corresponds to a user, which means plurality of handset is plurality of users. This means by merely programming the ECU for desire number of users, the authentication is done, and without using any other tool, excepting the mobile phone, which generally a person is expected to carry when moving.