CAR

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional patent application No. 61/574,054 filed on July 27, 2011, and US Provisional patent application No. 61/536,696 filed on September 20, 2011, which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to security breach of a car. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

[0003] There are many solutions in the market for theft prevention of a car. One of the solutions is utilizing a car immobilizer. The immobilizer prevents a car from running unless a correct key is presented by sending signals to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) or any other system in the car involved in the operation of the immobilizer system.

[0004] Some parts of the anti-theft system may be the electrical immobilizer and the physical steering wheel lock, which thieves break or tamper in order to bypass the anti-theft system.

[0005] The present invention attempts to solve this problem by adding an additional layer of protection to car anti-theft solutions.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for handling a breach of a car anti-theft system. Additionally, the present invention provides methods and systems to report about the breach to a third party. Further, the present invention prevents the car from starting.

[0007] Additionally, the system is comprised of an anti-theft sensor and an identifying module. The identifying module may be associated to the anti-theft sensor and arranged to: (i) receive information regarding a breach of a car anti- theft system from the anti-theft sensor; (ii) upon the car anti-theft system breach, send an instruction to stop the car from starting; and (iii) upon the car anti-theft system breach report thereof to a third party.

[0008] Further, the anti-theft sensor upon a car anti-theft system breach sends an instruction to prevent the car from starting, by at least one of: (i) sending lock signal to Engine Control Unit (ECU) or any other system that may prevent the starting of the engine; and (ii) sending lock signal to starter. The anti -theft sensor may be at least one of: (i) a sensor that measures cut-off in communication; (ii) a sensor that measures parameters, which indicates break of the car anti-theft system; and (iii) thermal sensor.

[0009] Further, communication between the anti-theft sensor and the identifying module may be at least one of: (i) wired; and (ii) wireless.

[0010] These, additional, and/or other aspects and/or advantages of the present invention are: set forth in the detailed description which follows; possibly inferable from the detailed description; and/or learnable by practice of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will be more readily understood from the detailed description of embodiments thereof made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system that identifies a car anti-theft system breach and sends an instruction to stop the car from starting, according to some embodiments of the invention; Figure 2A is a flowchart illustrating activity of sensors that measure cut off communication, upon a car anti-theft system breach, according to some embodiments of the invention;

Figure 2B is a flowchart illustrating activity of sensors that measures parameters, which indicate break of a car anti-theft system, according to some embodiments of the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of a system utilizing sensors that measures parameters during a breach of a car anti-theft system, according to some embodiments of the invention;

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating anti-theft sensor measurement, according to some embodiments of the invention.

Figure 5 is an illustration of breasakge sensor imlementation for suspending initiation of an immobilizing device by identifying mechanical impacts, according to some embodiments of the invention;

Figure 6 is an illustration of breakage sensor imlementation for suspending initiation of an immobilizing device, according to some embodiments of the invention;

Figure 7 is an illustration of breasakge sensor imlementation for suspending initiation of an immobilizing device with electronic circuit, according to some embodiments of the invention; and

Figure 8 is illustrating suspension of initiation of an immobilizing device during an attempt to remove a connector, according to some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0013] For a better understanding of the invention, the usages of the following terms in the present disclosure are defined in a non-limiting manner:

[0014] The term "Engine Control Unit (ECU)" as used herein in this application, is defined as a system that controls all necessary parameters to keep an engine of a car running or any other component that is involved in car anti-theft system operation.

[0015] The term "casing of ECU" as used herein in this application, is defined as a case that is covering the ECU and prevents access to the ECU. The case may be made of Aluminum or any other material. Casing of ECU may be referred as case as well.

[0016] The term "car immobilizer" as used herein in this application, is defined as a device that prevents a car from running unless a correct key is presented.

[0017] The term "car anti-theft system" as used herein in this application, is defined as a car immobilizer, steering wheel lock mechanism or any other car anti- theft system.

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for identifying a car immobilizer breach and notifying thereof and rejecting start of the car. Figure 1 is a high level schematic block diagram of a system that identifies a car anti-theft system breach and upon identification sends an instruction to prevent a car from starting, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0019] In a non limiting example, a thief may try to breach a car anti-theft system of a car and steal the car. A car anti-theft system may be a car immobilizer.

[0020] According to an aspect of the present invention, an anti-theft sensor 110 located in an ignition cylinder 135 may identify a breach of the car anti-theft system such as a car immobilizer. Upon identification of a car anti-theft system breach, an identifying module 150 located beside at least one of: (i) an ECU 115; (ii) any component that is involved in an operation of the immobilizer system; and (iii) any component that prevents a start of an engine of the car, receives signals from the anti- theft sensor 110 and prevents the car from starting by at least one of: (i) cutting off communication between the fuel pump 120 and the ECU 115; (ii) cutting off communication between a starter 125 and the ECU 115; (iii) cutting off communication between the ignition system 145 and the ECU 115; and (iv) cutting off communication 140 between the key code identifier and the ECU Signals transmitted to the identifying module 150 from the anti-theft sensor 110 may be encrypted.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, the anti-theft sensor 110 may be a thermal sensor. The thermal sensor 110 may identify a breach of the car anti-theft system such as a car immobilizer. A signal may be generated when a case 315 in Figure 3 made of Aluminum is heated to 100°C-150°C. This temperature may be achieved when one attempts to use thermal cutters such as gas or plasma cutter or alternatively if one tries to drill connectors made from hardened steel. Temperature sensor may be installed in any place in the case 315 in Figure 3 because aluminum is highly thermo-conductive.

[0022] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the anti-theft sensor 110 may be a mechanical pressure sensor.

[0023] Figure 2A is a high level flowchart illustrating activity of sensors that measure cut off communication upon a car anti-theft system breach, according to some embodiments of the invention. [0024] According to an aspect of the present invention, an anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may identify an optic cable breach (stage 210A). The anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may check the optic cable (stage 215A). Upon breach of the car anti-theft system such as the car immobilizer, the anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may identify a change of form in the optic cable (stage 220A). Then, upon change of form identification, the anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may identify a breach in security of a car (stage 225A).

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, an anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may identify electric circuit breach or tampering (stage 210B). The anti- theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may check an electric circuit (stage 215B). Upon breach of the car anti-theft system the anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may identify at least one of: (i) a cut-off in electric circuit; (ii) change in conductivity (iii) change in capacity; and (iv) change in resistance (stage 220B). Then, upon short circuit or tampering identification, the anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may identify a breach in security of a car (stage 225B).

[0026] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may identify a communication breach (stage 210C). The anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may check communication between two communication chips (stage 215C). Upon breach of the car anti-theft system such as car immobilizer, the anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may identify disconnection of communication between the two communication chips (stage 220C). Then, upon identification of disconnection of communication, the anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may identify a breach in security of a car (stage 225C).

[0027] Figure 2B is a high level flowchart illustrating activity of sensors that measures parameters, which indicate break of car anti-theft system, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0028] According to an aspect of the present invention, an anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may identify a change in the car anti-theft system such as accelerating shift of the car immobilizer or steering wheel locking mechanism or a manual pull of the car immobilizer or key cylinder. The anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may be an acceleration/shock sensor, tension sensor or tilt sensor or a voltage sensor (stage 250A). The acceleration sensor or voltage sensor may monitor measurements of parameters of the sensor (stage 255 A). Then, the acceleration sensor may analyze the measurements of parameters or the voltage sensor may identify a manual pull of the car immobilizer or steering wheel lock mechanism (stage 260A). In case values of parameters that were measured exceed predefined values (stage 265A) the acceleration sensor identifies a security breach of a car (stage 270A).

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, an anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 may identify a manual pull of the car immobilizer or steering wheel lock mechanism. The anti-theft 110 in Figure 1 may be a short circuit sensor (stage 250B). The short circuit sensor may monitor measurements of parameters of the sensor such as current or voltage (stage 255B). Based on the measurements of parameters of the sensor the short circuit sensor may identify an ECU bypass (stage 260B). In case short circuit sensor identifies the bypass of the ECU i.e. ignition by hotwiring (stage 265B) the short circuit sensor identifies a security breach (stage 270B).

[0030] Figure 3 is a high level schematic block diagram of a system utilizing a sensor that measures parameters during a breach of an anti-theft system, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0031] According to an aspect of the present invention, sensors that measure parameters may be at least one of acceleration sensor and tension sensor 330. The sensors may be located inside an ignition cylinder 305. Upon accelerated shift of a car immobilizer or a case break 315 a security breach may be identified.

[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, the ignition cylinder 305 may be connected to a disconnect unit 335. Upon security breach identification disconnect unit 335 is arranged to prevent communication with the ECU via element 370.

[0033] According to another aspect of the invention upon security breach identification, communication of ECU with starter is prevented via element 365.

[0034] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the disconnect unit 335 is arranged to identify code lock via element 340 and transmit it to the ECU via element 350. Further, the disconnect unit 335 is arranged to receive signals from the anti-theft sensor 110 in Figure 1 in the ignition cylinder 135 and transmit it to the ECU via element 360.

[0035] Figure 4 is a high level flowchart illustrating an anti-theft sensor measurement, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0036] In a non limiting example, the car anti-theft system may be a car immobilizer. According to an aspect of the present invention, measurements of the anti-theft sensor may be checked periodically (stage 410). In case of identifying a breach in security (step 415) an alarm status is set (stage 430) and the communication between the car immobilizer and the ECU (step 435) or between the ECU and the starter (step 440) is cut-off. The communication may be wired or wireless.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present invention, in case a breach of security was not identified and a car immobilizer authentication was identified (stage 425) the ECU secure input is switched on (stage 420). This may derive the following actions: switching on the fuel pump of the car (stage 445), switching on the Battery Management System (BMS) of the car (stage 450) and switching on the ignition system of the car (stage 455).

Upon identifying an alarm satate a warning alert signal or message can be conveyd to the user using different communication tecnolgies such as sound, Radio Frequency (RF), Very High Frequency (VHF) or Global Positioning System (GPS) . An an may be generated in the case of attempts of forced or unauthorized removal of casing, in particular:

• Detection of applied strong mechanical forces, generated vibrations, etc.

• Detecting Heat above 100°C - 120°C which may occur when thermal cutting methods or drilling are applied; and

• Detection of applied electric signals.

[0038] Figure 5 is an illustration of a breakage sensor implementation for suspending initiating of an immobilizing device by identifying mechanical impacts, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0039] An implementation of breakage sensor may identify breach of a car anti-theft system. A special wire 520 that may be connected with attachment 530 to the case 510 and the protected system 540 may provide a signal that may initiate the immobilizing device as shown in Figure 5. In case of a breach of the car anti-theft system when the attachment 530 is deformed or broken, or reacts in other way on the attachment breakage or deformation the special wire 520 may suspend the signal or distort it and thus prevent the car from starting. Element 510 is the casing 315 in Figure 3.

[0040] Figure 6 is an illustration of a breakage sensor implementation for suspending initiation of the immobilizing device, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0041] A case 610 may be connected to a protected system 640 with additional links such as cable, planks, etc. 620. Any attempt to cut or break this link 620 may suspend the initiation of the immobilizing device. One optional way is to use a mechanical pressure sensor 630 or deecting wire cutting of an electronic circuit.

[0042] A suspension of the initiation of the immobilizing device is also possible when identifying a vibration when someone tries to drill, cut, and other attempts to break into the casing or remove the casing. The source of the signal could be any vibration sensor, accelerometer, or other similar device.

[0043] In case the case 610 is supplied with a simple thermal sensor, it may generate a signal when the aluminum is heated to 100°C-150°C (this temperature can be achieved when one attempts to use thermal cutters like gas or plasma cutter or if one tries to drill connectors made from hardened steel). A temperature sensor 630 may be installed in any place in the case 610 because aluminum is highly thermo-conductive material.

[0044] Figure 7 is an illustration of a breakage sensor implementation for suspending an initiation of an immobilizing device with electronic circuit, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0045] An insulated electrical wire circuit 710 may be placed between part 730 and part 720 of the case 610 (as seen in Figure 6) and 740 in Figure 7 that may be cut by saws, drills, etc. The circuit breaking may generate a signal for suspending the initiation of the immobilizing device.

[0046] Figure 8 is an illustration of suspension of initiation of an immobilizing device during an attempt to remove a connector, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0047] A connector 810 may be connecting parts 830 and 820 of the case 610 (as seen in Figure 6) attached to contacts 840. A signal may be generated and may suspend the initiation of the immobilizing device under attempts to remove or pull out the connector 810 that is attached to contacts 840

[0048] In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the invention. The various appearances of "one embodiment", "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.

[0049] Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment. [0050] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above.

[0051] The invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

[0052] Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.