DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a vehicle with an emergency access system and operating method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional automotive access given by inserting a key into the lock or system has proven to be easily defeated by sophisticated thieves. Thus, a number of vehicle security systems have been developed to deter vehicle theft, prevent theft of valuables from a vehicle, deter vandalism, and protect vehicle owners and occupants. Key less entry systems with enhanced security features have been designed, marketed and extensively used for the vehicle security systems.
[0003] Typically, a remote keyless entry systems type are known for controlling the locking and unlocking functions of a motor vehicle door. These systems provide safety and convenience for a user entering or exiting a vehicle. Some of the typical features offered by these systems allow the user to lock/unlock doors and arm/disarm auto theft systems in a remote manner. The remote keyless system (RKE) typically include at least one remote control device, which commonly takes the form of a key fob. The key fob includes a wireless transmitter for use by the vehicle owner or user to transmit wireless, usually radio frequency (RF), vehicle device function signals and may include a number of vehicle function buttons for use in transmitting such signals. A receiver and a controller are typically provided in the vehicle for receiving the device function signals and controlling one or more vehicle devices in order to effect the desired vehicle function.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle emergency access system as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an emergency start unit in an operative communication with at least one electronic control unit (ECU) through a communication interface, as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates the emergency start unit integrated to at least one data processing module as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] Fig. 4 shows the schematic diagram of said at least data processing module consisting of a switch logic unit, a decryption engine and an encryption engine as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] Fig. 5 shows a method of retrieving an emergency code by the user of the vehicle from an OEM customer care through Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS), One Time Password (OTP) or Short Message Service (SMS), as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[00010] Fig. 6 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of operating the emergency access system of the vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] In recent years, primarily due to the increase of theft, vandalism and burglaries, many vehicle owners have installed remote key less entry security systems. The vast majority of these security systems, when triggered, will generate an audible or visible alarm signal to alert of an improper entry or intrusion into the vehicle. Many of these commercially available security systems include a receiver capable of being operated from a remotely located transmitter for purposes of arming and disarming the security system. The remotely located transmitter is referred to as a key fob.
[00012] In a known vehicle security system, the remote keyless entry systems include a key fob with several push buttons that lock and unlock doors, or activate a horn and/or lights of the vehicle. This type of keyless entry is generally considered to be convenient and to promote safety. Usually, the key fob is configured to hold a plurality of keys, such as keys on a key ring. The key fob may be separate from a key or may even be incorporated with a key as a single unit. In any event, the key fob typically includes one or more buttons that may be activated. Depression of said one of the buttons on the key fob causes the wireless transmitter to transmit an instruction signal associated with the button to the receiver within the vehicle. For example, depression of a door lock button on the key fob will result in transmission of a door lock instruction signal.
[00013] One disadvantage of this type of system is that the user must manually actuate the key fob to achieve the desired result. In an attempt to eliminate this disadvantage, a passive entry systems, which operate in a hands-free manner, are being introduced. In a known passive entry system, the key fob includes a transmitter that periodically transmits a coded signal which is received by the vehicle receiver to cause a performance of a vehicle function, such as opening a vehicle door. The function takes place once the transmitter is within the operating range of the vehicle receiver. Also, in such a passive system, the vehicle doors and steering system may be automatically locked as the operator leaves the operating range of the vehicle receiver.
[00014] Conventional security systems exhibit a number of advanced key less entry system with enhanced security features. The key fob in the remote keyless entry system is capable of controlling various parts of the vehicle. Their primary function is to manage the remote-entry system installed in the vehicle. Hence, the key fob forms an integral component of a keyless entry system and if lost or unavailable can make the access to the vehicle difficult. Thus, the major problem with the passive keyless entry system is that in some cases, the key fob is unavailable, or does not work. For example, the driver can lose their key fob, or inadvertently lock it in their vehicle. Moreover, any repeated access to the vehicle without key fob might trigger an alarm mode in the vehicle resulting in high volume siren for long time to alert vehicle theft condition.
[00015] Hence, it would be desirable to provide a backup system and method of unlocking and starting the vehicle which can provide an emergency assistance and thus enable the user of the vehicle to atleast take the vehicle to his home or the nearest service centre.
[00016] With the above objectives in view, the present invention discloses an improved vehicle security system capable of providing emergency assistance and access to the user of the vehicle when the key fob is lost. As per one embodiment, the present invention discloses a vehicle emergency access system and a method thereof for enhancing the accessibility to the vehicle in the condition of lost or unavailability of the key fob.
[00017] As per one embodiment of the present invention, the emergency access system for the vehicle comprises of a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) performing at least one activity and monitoring at least one function of said vehicle and an emergency start unit operatively connected to at least one electronic control unit (ECU) of said plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) through a communication interface for receiving at least one character corresponding to an emergency code. The communication interface can be achieved by a number of standard communication protocol like Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART), Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN), K-LINE, and FlexRay protocols which facilitates a data transfer in the form of said at least one character corresponding to said emergency code between at least one electronic control unit (ECU) and the emergency start unit at the desired data transfer rate with the desired number of bits to be transferred. Further, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the emergency start unit comprises of at least one switching module including a rotary sensing switch and a push button switch. As per one embodiment, said rotary sensing switch is provided with a manually operated knob for selecting said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code. In one embodiment, the push button switch mounted to said rotary sensing switch is adapted to actuate said emergency start unit by entering said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code.
[00018] As per one embodiment of the present invention, said vehicle emergency access system further comprises at least one data processing module responsively connected to said at least one switching module for executing said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the rotary sensing switch and the push button switch of said at least one switching module is integrated to said at least one data processing module which estimates the current position of the rotary sensing switch based on a predetermined calibration of the switch rotation angle corresponding to said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code to be entered by the user of the vehicle. Referring to one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one character represents a letter of the alphabet ranging from A to Z and a single number ranging from zero (0) to nine (9). As per one embodiment, said emergency code is an alphanumeric combination defined as a combination of any number of numbers of 0 to 9 and any number of alphabets from ‘A’ to ‘Z’.
[00019] In one embodiment, said at least one data processing module includes a switch logic unit configured to detect actuation of said at least one switching module through the user entry of said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code, a decryption engine configured for decrypting said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code and an encryption engine configured for communicating an information pertaining to the correct matching of said at least one character corresponding to said emergency code with a pre-stored code in said at least one data processing module to said at least one ECU. Particularly, in one embodiment, said switch logic unit of said at least one data processing module is adapted for providing control and logic functions for said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code being entered by the user by actuating said push button switch.
[00020] As per one embodiment of the present invention, at least one ECU interface installed on the vehicle is adapted for connecting said emergency start unit to said at least one electronic control unit (ECU). As per one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one ECU interface includes at least one input ECU interface and at least one output ECU interface. As per one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one input interface comprises a start-stop ignition switch that acts as an actuation unit to initiate the vehicle emergency access system, an antenna responsible for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals for outside environment. Further, said at least one output ECU interface includes one or more visual interfaces, one or more audio interfaces and a controlled area network (CAN) interface. The one or more visual interfaces and said one or more audio interfaces indicates the status of vehicle to the person accessing it. As per one embodiment of the invention, said one or more visual interfaces of said at least one ECU interface includes a display module to display said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code as entered by the user of the vehicle and said one or more audio interfaces of said at least one ECU interface includes an alarm, siren, and LED indications. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the display module is an existing digital speedometer. In another embodiment, said display module is a simple display unit for the purpose of displaying said emergency code. In one embodiment of the present invention, said controlled area network (CAN) interface in connection with a controlled area network (CAN) transceiver communicates the information of the correct matching of said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code to said at least one electronic control unit (ECU) of said plurality of ECUs, controlling and monitoring emergency start functions for the vehicle.
[00021] The present invention discloses the emergency access system for the vehicle and provides the method of operating the same in which the user of vehicle retrieves the emergency code from the OEM customer care. In the case of unavailability of the key fob for the vehicle, the user of the vehicle needs to authenticate himself to the OEM customer care that he is authorized for use, permitting him to start the vehicle. The interaction of owner with a customer care executive is directly, with IVRS, OTP or SMS. During the interaction, the owner needs to share the verification details and on successful completion of which the user of the vehicle receives the alphanumeric combination defined as a combination of any number of numbers of 0 to 9 and any number of alphabets from ‘A’ to ‘Z’ number ranging from 0’ to ‘9’ and ‘A’ to ‘Z’, which is the emergency code that needs to be entered or communicated to the vehicle emergency access system using the emergency start unit and the display module installed on the vehicle to authenticate the same.
[00022] As per one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one switching module of the emergency start unit comprises of said rotary sensing switch and the push button switch. In one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one switching module provides the actuation of said emergency access system in the condition of unavailability of the vehicle key fob, thereby enabling the user of the vehicle to start the vehicle. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the user of the vehicle must request an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) customer care through a registered mobile number for receiving said emergency code. The emergency code is sent by the OEM customer support through Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS), One Time Password (OTP) or Short Message Service (SMS) and thus the entry of said emergency code in said emergency access system through actuating the rotary sensing switch and the push button switch activates the emergency start unit of the emergency access system for the vehicle.
[00023] Advantageously, the present invention discloses an improved vehicle security system which comprises a novel emergency access system for enabling the user of the vehicle to access the vehicle, unlock the vehicle, start the vehicle and drive the vehicle to home or nearest service station without much difficulty, when the key fob is lost. In one embodiment, said emergency access system includes the emergency start unit integrated to said at least one data processing module, thereby providing a compact and easy mechanism to operate the emergency access system for the vehicle. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the implementation of the emergency access system on said vehicle is a new and useful improvement in the vehicle security system.
[00024] Various other features and advantages of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. With reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views. It should be noted that the drawings should be viewed in the direction of orientation of the reference numerals. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[00025] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of the vehicle emergency access system and the method thereof, in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder. Application of the present invention will be extended to two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles and four -wheeled vehicles.
[00026] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle emergency access system (100), as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the vehicle emergency access system (100) comprises of said plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) performing said at least one activity and monitoring said at least one function of said vehicle. As per one embodiment, said vehicle emergency access system (100) further comprises of said emergency start unit (400) being operatively connected to said at least one ECU (200) of said plurality of ECUs for receiving said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code through operation of said at least one switching module (401), (402) (shown in Fig.2 and Fig.3). As per one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one electronic control unit (ECU) (200) of said plurality of ECUs comprises of at least one first microcontroller (201), a voltage regulator (202) and at least one transceiver (203), (204) including a radio frequency transceiver (203), a digital data transceiver and a Controller Area Network transceiver (CAN) (204). In one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one electronic control unit (ECU) (200) of said plurality of ECUs comprises of said at least one ECU interface including said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307), said one or more audio interfaces (303), the communication interface (306), Controller Area Network transceiver (CAN) interface (305), the start-stop ignition switch (301), and the antenna unit (302). As per one embodiment of the present invention, said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) includes the display module (307) installed on the vehicle and the turn signal lamps as LED indications (304) and said one or more audio interface includes the siren (303).
[00027] Further in Fig.1, as per one embodiment, said vehicle emergency access system (100) is powered by a power supply device (308) basically a vehicle battery. As per one embodiment, the power supply device (308) including the vehicle battery is powered by an alternator being installed on the vehicle and supplies power to said at least one ECU interface. Referring to one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one electronic control unit (ECU) (200) of said plurality of ECUs is integrated to said at least one ECU interface including the start-stop ignition switch (301) that acts as an actuation to initiate the emergency access system (100) or the vehicle start, the antenna (302) responsible for transmitting and receiving the radio frequency signals for outside environment; said one or more audio interfaces (303) and said one or more visual interfaces (304),(307) responsible to indicate the status of vehicle to the person accessing it, the communication interface (306) and said controlled area network (CAN) transceiver interface (305). As per one embodiment of the invention, said at least one second transceiver (203), (204) including the radio frequency transceiver (203) acts as a modulator and demodulator and communicate with said emergency start unit (400) during condition of lost of the key fob.
[00028] Fig 2 shows a schematic diagram of the emergency start unit (400) in an operative communication with said at least one electronic control unit (ECU) (200) through the communication interface. (306). Particularly, in one embodiment, said at least one electronic control unit (ECU) (200) is communicatively coupled to said emergency start unit (400) through said communication interface (306). In one embodiment, the communication interface (306) includes said Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART), Local Interconnect Network (LIN), K-LINE or FlexRay protocols. As per one embodiment, the emergency start unit (400) is operatively connected to said at least one electronic control unit (ECU) (200) of said plurality of electronic control unit ECUs for receiving said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code. In one embodiment, the emergency start unit (400) includes the rotary sensing switch (401) and said push button switch (402) mounted to said rotary sensing switch (401) to actuate said vehicle emergency access system (100) through user entry of said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code. In one embodiment, said at least one data processing module (403) is responsively connected to said rotary sensing switch (401) and said push button switch (402) for processing said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code. As per one embodiment, the vehicle emergency access system (100) (shown in Fig.1) comprises of said at least one ECU interface including said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) including said display module (307) adapted for displaying the message with “enter key”, thereby enabling the user of the vehicle to enter at least one character corresponding to said emergency code through the operation of said at least one switching module (401), (402).
[00029] Fig. 3 illustrates the emergency start unit (400) comprising the rotary sensing switch (401) and push button switch (402). In one embodiment, said emergency start unit (400) is integrated to said at least one data processing module (403). The rotary sensing switch (401) is provided with the manually operated knob (401a) for selecting said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code and the push button switch (402) mounted to said rotary sensing switch (401) is adapted to actuate said emergency access system (100) by entering said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code. Referring to one embodiment, said at least one data processing module (403) is responsively connected to said at least one switching module (401), (402) including said rotary sensing switch (401) and the push button switch (402) for processing said at least one character corresponding to said emergency code.
[00030] Fig. 4 shows the schematic diagram of said at least one data processing module (403) consisting of said switch logic unit (501), said decryption engine (502) and the encryption engine (503). As per one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one data processing module (403) is a microcontroller based processor and includes at least one second microcontroller (500). Referring to one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one second microcontroller (500) includes the switch logic unit (501) configured for sensing the actuation of the rotary sensing switch (401) and the push button switch (402) through an entry of said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code. In one embodiment, the decryption engine (502) is configured for decrypting said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code. The encryption engine (503) located within said at least one data processing module (403) communicates the information pertaining to the correct matching of said at least one character corresponding to said emergency code with said pre-stored code to said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) and said one or more audio interfaces (303) (shown in Fig.1) of said at least one ECU interface.
[00031] Fig. 5 shows the method of retrieving the emergency code (600a) by the user of the vehicle from the OEM customer care (601), as per one embodiment. In one embodiment, said Fig.5 illustrates an exemplary emergency code (600a). As per one embodiment, under the unavailability condition of the keyfob of the vehicle, the user of the vehicle can access the vehicle and start it by actuating the emergency start unit (400) of the emergency access system (100). In order to actuate the emergency start unit (400), the user has to retrieve the emergency code from the OEM customer care (601) through the registered mobile (600). In one embodiment, said emergency code is retrieved through the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS), One Time Password (OTP) or Short Message Service (SMS). Further, as per one embodiment, in order to activate the emergency start unit (400) of the emergency access system (100), the start- stop ignition switch (301) needs to be kept pressed for said predetermined time. The activation of the emergency start unit (400) actuates said one or more visual interfaces (303), (304) and said one or more audio interfaces (307) of said at least one ECU interface. In one embodiment, the predetermined time for activating the emergency start unit (400) is in the range of 15 to 20 seconds. Thus, with the activation of said emergency start unit (400), said at least one ECU interface including said one or more visual interfaces (303), (304) and said one or more audio interfaces (307) gets actuated. Particularly, said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) including the turn signal lamps as LED indications (304) gets actuated, said display module (307) installed on the vehicle displays the message with “enter key” and said one or more audio ECU interfaces (303) including the siren gets actuated for said predetermined period of time with the predetermined frequency, thereby indicating the user of the vehicle to start entering said at least one character corresponding to said emergency code by utilizing the rotary sensing switch (401) to select said first character of at least one character corresponding to said emergency code and using said push button switch (402) to set the value of said first character of said at least one character corresponding to said emergency code and then moving to the second character of said at least one character corresponding to said emergency and thereafter repeating the method of entering said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code by utilizing the switch mechanism of said at least one switching module (401), (402) including the rotary sensing switch (401) and the push button switch (402) until all characters corresponding to the emergency code are entered.
[00032] Further in Fig.5, as per one embodiment, said at least one data processing unit (403) integrated with the emergency start unit (400) and adapted for storing and decrypting said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the decryption engine (502) located within said at least one second microcontroller (500) of said at least one data processing module (403) decrypts said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code. Thus, said at least one data processing module (403) determines whether said decrypted at least one character corresponding to the emergency code is identical to the pre-stored code therein or not. If said at least one data processing module (403) verifies that said decrypted at least one character corresponding to the emergency code is identical to said pre-stored code therein, then said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) of said at least one ECU interface including the display module (307) displays the message and said one or more audio interfaces (303) of said at least one ECU interfaces gets activated which then further actuates all other vehicle electronics needed for start of vehicle, thereby enabling the user to unlock vehicle, start the engine. However, if said at least one data processing module (403) determines that the emergency code entered by user is not known and is a wrong key with comparison to the pre-stored code, then said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) of said at least one ECU interface including the display module (307) displays the message ‘wrong key or re-enter key’ on the display module (307) and said one or more audio interfaces (303) of said at least one ECU interface including the siren gets actuated for the predetermined period of time with said predetermined frequency specific to ‘wrong authentication’, hence disabling the emergency start unit functionality to enter said at least one character corresponding to said emergency code. Thus, the user further requires to restart the process of activation of emergency start unit (400) by actuation of the start-stop ignition switch (301) for the predetermined time, recheck the number entered and repeat all the steps to retry starting the vehicle. As per one embodiment, said at least one character of said emergency code represents a letter of the alphabet ranging from A to Z and a single number ranging from zero (0) to nine (9). In one embodiment, said emergency code is an alphanumeric combination defined as a combination of any number of numbers of 0 to 9 and any number of alphabets from ‘A’ to ‘Z’.
[00033] Fig. 6 shows a flow chart (600) illustrating a method of operating the vehicle emergency access system (100), as per one embodiment. In one embodiment, the user of the vehicle through the registered mobile number requests the OEM customer support for the emergency code. In step 601, after retrieving said emergency code, the user of the vehicle utilizes said start- stop ignition (301) switch to activate said emergency start unit (400). In step 602, the user of the vehicle activates said emergency start unit (400), by pressing the start- stop ignition switch (301) for a predetermined time. In step 603, in order to enter said emergency code, the user of the vehicle select said at least one character corresponding to an emergency code by rotating the knob (401a) of said rotary sensing switch (401). In step 604, the user of the vehicle enters said at least one character corresponding to said emergency code by actuating the push button switch (402) of the emergency start unit (400). In step 605, said at least one data processing module (403) in integration with electronic control unit (ECU) (200) processes said at least input character corresponding to an emergency code. In step 606, the decryption engine (502) located within said at least one data processing module (403) decrypts said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code to generate a decrypted emergency code.
[00034] Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, in step 607, said at least one data processing module (403) determines whether said decrypted emergency code is identical to the pre-stored code therein. If said decrypted emergency code is identical to the pre-stored code in said at least one data processing module (403) then in step 608, the encryption engine (503) communicates the information of correct matching of said decrypted emergency code with said pre-stored code to said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) and said one or more audio interfaces (303) of said at least one ECU interface and further in step 609, the user can access and start the vehicle through the actuation of said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) and said one or more audio interfaces (303). In step 610, if said at least one microcontroller (500) of said at least one data processing module (403) determines whether said decrypted emergency code is not identical to the pre- stored code in said at least one microcontroller (500) and further said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) and said one or more audio interfaces (303) of said at least one of ECU interface indicates wrong said emergency code entry and thus the user of the vehicle has to repeat the steps retrieving a new and unique emergency code to start the vehicle.
[00035] Advantageously, one embodiment of the present invention provides an improved vehicle security system which comprises of the emergency access system installed to prevent unauthorized access of the vehicle by any person other than the one having the emergency code. In accordance with the present invention, the emergency code is retrieved as Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS), One Time Password (OTP) or Short Message Service (SMS) IVRS, OTP or SMS when the user of the vehicle makes communication with the OEM customer care only through the registered mobile phone number, thereby preventing the vehicle from unauthorized access. Furthermore, it is advantageous to include said at least one switching module including said rotary sensing switch and said push button switch in said emergency start unit such that said vehicle emergency access system can be operated in much more compact and easy manner. Thus, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the emergency access system enables the user of the vehicle to unlock the vehicle, start the vehicle and drive the vehicle to home or nearest service station without much difficulty. Further, advantageously, with the provision of said decryption engine installed in said at least one data processing module, the deciphering of the vehicle security functions becomes more difficult and complex for the unauthorized person, thereby providing an enhanced security features to the vehicle.
[00036] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. An emergency access system (100) for a vehicle, said system (100) comprising:
at least one electronic control unit (ECU) (200) performing at least one activity and monitoring at least one function of said vehicle; and
an emergency start unit (400) operatively connected to said at least one electronic control unit (ECU) (200);
wherein said emergency start unit (400) includes at least one switching module (401), (402) adapted for user entry of at least one character corresponding to an emergency code into the system (100); and wherein at least one data processing module (403) is responsively connected to said at least one switching module (401), (402) for executing said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code, and wherein said at least one data processing module (403) includes a switch logic unit (501) configured to detect actuation of said at least one switching module (401), (402) through the user entry of said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code;
a decryption engine (502) configured for decrypting said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code; and
an encryption engine (503) communicating an information pertaining to the correct matching of said at least one character corresponding to said emergency code with a pre-stored code in said system (100) to said at least one ECU (200).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one switching module (401), (402) comprises of:
a rotary sensing switch (401) provided with a manually operated knob (401a) for selecting said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code; and
a push button switch (402) mounted to said rotary sensing switch (401) adapted to actuate said system (100) by entering said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one character represents a letter of the alphabet ranging from A to Z.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim1, wherein said at least one character represents a single number ranging from zero (0) to nine (9).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said emergency code is an alphanumeric combination defined as a combination of any number of numbers of 0 to 9 and any number of alphabets from ‘A’ to ‘Z’.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim1, wherein said at least one electronic control unit (ECU) (200) is communicatively coupled to said emergency start unit (400) through a communication interface (306).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one data processing module (403) is a microcontroller based processor.
8. A method of operating the emergency access system (100) for the vehicle, said method comprising steps of:
actuating an emergency start unit (400), by at least one switching module (401), (402) through user entry of at least one character corresponding to an emergency code;
decrypting said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code to generate a decrypted emergency code, by a decryption engine (502);
determining by at least one data processing module (403) whether said decrypted emergency code is identical to a pre-stored code therein;
if said decrypted emergency code is identical to the pre-stored code in said at least one data processing module (403);
communicating the information of correct matching of said decrypted emergency code with said pre-stored code, by an encryption engine (503) to one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) and one or more audio interfaces (303) of at least one ECU interface; and
enabling the vehicle start by the user of the vehicle through actuation of said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) and said one or more audio interfaces (303) of said at least one ECU interface;
9. The method as claimed in claim1, wherein said method of determining by said at least one data processing module (403) whether said decrypted emergency code is identical to the pre-stored code therein, comprising steps of:
if said decrypted emergency code is not identical to the pre- stored code in said at least one data processing module (403);
indicating wrong said emergency code entered by the user of the vehicle through actuation of said one or more visual interfaces (304), (307) and said one or more audio interfaces (303) of said at least one ECU interface.
10. The method as claimed in claim1, wherein said method of actuating the emergency start unit (400), by at least one switching module (401), (402) comprising steps of:
selecting said at least one character corresponding to the emergency code, by rotating the knob (401a) of a rotary sensing switch (401);
entering said at least one character corresponding to said emergency code, by actuating a push button switch (402).