Quick start system for a vehicle
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202580019761.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-12
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-27
Smart Images
Figure CN122995978A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a quick-start system for a vehicle including an anti-theft device that uses authorization from multiple biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle to authorize the start of the engine propelling the vehicle in combination with a start key.
[0002] The present invention also relates to a quick start method for vehicle association.
[0003] As is known, in addition to other issues such as road safety, vehicle owners must also ensure that their vehicles are not stolen.
[0004] Vehicles typically prevent theft by requiring only an authorized driver to carry a traditional (mechanical) or electronic key that allows the vehicle to be started. This level of security often proves insufficient; in fact, if a malicious person obtains the vehicle key, the vehicle can be stolen very easily. Therefore, it is necessary to improve anti-theft security systems to provide enhanced security compared to systems that simply rely on vehicle keys.
[0005] Several advanced systems are known for protecting vehicles from theft. For example, Chinese patent CN106314368 describes a progressive method for identifying a driver authorized to start a vehicle, which includes three identification steps: facial recognition, voice recognition, and fingerprint recognition.
[0006] Many other anti-theft systems for vehicles are also known, which are based on simultaneously collecting several biometric data of the driver through methods such as fingerprint reading, iris reading, voice recognition, and facial recognition.
[0007] The downside of all these types of anti-theft systems is that they are complex to use, and most importantly, they require a lengthy driver identification process to allow the vehicle to be started.
[0008] For example, iris recognition requires users to adopt an unnatural posture inside a vehicle to position their irises in front of the camera, thus facilitating the iris recognition process. A similar situation occurs during facial recognition.
[0009] In certain situations, such as emergency situations, it may be necessary to start the engine very quickly. When a driver wants to chase a thief or needs to move the vehicle in an emergency (such as an earthquake or flood), a delay in starting the vehicle due to the need to provide several biometric data points can have disastrous consequences. Furthermore, some anti-theft systems based on current technology require the installation of expensive sensors on the vehicle.
[0010] The present invention aims to address these and other problems by providing a quick-start system for vehicles equipped with anti-theft devices whose security level depends on engine start authorization from multiple biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle. Specifically, the quick-start system must allow the vehicle to be started within a very short time once the driver enters the vehicle.
[0011] Therefore, the present invention relates to a quick-start system for a vehicle equipped with an anti-theft device that uses authorization from multiple biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle to authorize the start of the engine propelling the vehicle in combination with a start key.
[0012] In order to quickly start the vehicle, in addition to authorization from the start key, an unlock code is required, which requests authorization from only one of the biometric detectors included in the plurality of biometric detection devices.
[0013] For ease of use and speed, the single biometric detector used when a quick start is required is a fingerprint detector, which gives the final authorization to start the engine.
[0014] Like other biometric data associated with various other biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle, biometric data associated with the fingerprint detector and relating to the authorized person to quickly start the vehicle is advantageously stored in a specific memory segment dedicated to vehicle settings. To access such data and input new data, a security code provided by the manufacturer is required, which allows access to the memory of the biometric data regarding the authorized person to start the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle manufacturer possesses a further security and reset code, unique to each individual vehicle, to be used in the event of a theft attempt whereby a thief attempts to force open the security system based on the start key and biometric data reading, resulting in the vehicle being permanently locked. In this case, this further code would be necessary to restore the vehicle's normal functionality.
[0015] It must be noted that in the following description, any reference to "implementation" indicates that a particular configuration, structure, or feature is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Therefore, expressions such as "in one embodiment" appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, any particular configuration, structure, or feature that addresses the same technical problem upon which the invention is based can be combined in one or more embodiments in a manner deemed appropriate. Therefore, the following references are for simplification purposes only and should not limit the scope or extension of the various embodiments.
[0016] Further advantageous features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0017] These features and further advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided herein by way of non-limiting example only, wherein: - Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating a quick-start system for a vehicle according to the present invention is shown; - Figure 2 It shows including Figure 1 A top view of the vehicle system; - Figure 3 The image shown represents a portion of a vehicle's dashboard, which includes... Figure 1 The system's display and fingerprint reader.
[0018] The quick-start system for vehicles equipped with anti-theft devices (which typically use authorization from multiple biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle to allow starting the vehicle) operates as follows.
[0019] When quick vehicle start is not required, the sequence of steps for deactivating the anti-theft device is as follows. After assessing that the start key has been effectively activated (by verifying its presence inside the vehicle or because it has been inserted into the ignition switch), a series of biometric data tests are performed using multiple detection devices, such as fingerprint reader, facial recognition, and voice recognition. Optionally, the check sequence for verifying that the detected biometric data belongs to an authorized person starting the vehicle can be integrated with iris scanning or further biometric tests.
[0020] Conversely, if a vehicle needs to be started quickly due to a catastrophic event and / or emergency, the sequence of steps for disabling the anti-theft device is significantly shortened: after the start key has been effectively activated, the vehicle's engine can be started immediately after checking only one of the biometric data provided by the detection device (especially data obtained from a fingerprint verification test).
[0021] It must be pointed out that in situations where rapid vehicle startup is required, other steps of the biometric data verification sequence are not performed, and the vehicle can be started immediately.
[0022] Furthermore, it should be noted that if a vehicle can always be started immediately after passing only one biometric data verification test, the security level of the anti-theft device will be reduced. Therefore, the condition allowing engine start using only one biometric data verification test must be recognized by the system as an abnormal condition (state) associated with the need for rapid vehicle start. Thus, to switch to this abnormal condition, the person wishing to start the vehicle quickly will have to enter an unlock code via a user interface device (e.g., a keypad on a display appearing on the vehicle's dashboard). Only when a valid unlock key exists can all biometric data verification tests except for one (preferably, a fingerprint recognition test) be skipped.
[0023] The requirement to pass a verification test (preferably fingerprint recognition) after entering the unlock code before starting the vehicle engine stems from the fact that the start key can be stolen, while the unlock key can be recovered in some way. Therefore, the necessity of entering an unlock code and even verifying it solely through biometric data significantly enhances the security level of anti-theft devices.
[0024] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The invention illustrates a quick-start system for a vehicle V according to the invention, the quick-start system including an anti-theft device 1 that uses authorization from more than one biometric detection device belonging to a plurality of biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle V to authorize the starting of the engine propelling the vehicle V in combination with a start key K.
[0025] The system according to the present invention includes the following elements: - A start key detection device I, for example including a switch of a code reader that can be connected to an anti-theft lock or an RFID reader, is configured to detect the presence of the start key K inside the vehicle V; - A first biometric detection device 14, such as a fingerprint reader, is one of the plurality of biometric devices, wherein the first biometric detection device 14 is configured to detect biometric data of a person who has brought the start key K into the vehicle V. - User interface device 15, such as a touch screen, is configured to allow the person to input an unlock code, such as a four- or five-digit numeric code; - Anti-theft device 1.
[0026] More specifically, the anti-theft device 1 also includes the following components: - Communication device 13 (e.g., USB controller, one or more GPIO ports or the like) is connected to the start key detection device I, the user interface device 15 and the plurality of biometric detection devices 14; - Processing unit 11, such as a CPU, microcontroller or the like, is connected to the communication device 13 and configured to execute a set of instructions; - Input and / or output (I / O) devices 16, which can be used to connect an electronic computer to the anti-theft device 1, for example, to perform diagnostic operations, update the set of instructions stored in the memory device included in the processing unit 11, or similar operations. These input / output devices 14 may include, for example, a CAN bus interface, USB™, IEEE 1394, RS232, RS485, IEEE 1284 adapter, or the like; - Communication bus 18, which allows information to be exchanged between processing unit 11, communication device 13a and input and / or output (I / O) device 16.
[0027] Processing unit 11 is configured to perform or implement the following steps: - The ignition key K inside the vehicle V is detected by the ignition key detection device I to determine whether it is valid; - When the start key K inside the vehicle V is considered valid, the user interface device 15 detects whether the function for entering the unlock code has been selected. - Verify that the unlock code has been entered and is valid; - The biometric data of the person who has entered a valid unlock code is acquired via the first biometric detection device 14, and the biometric data is verified to be that the person is authorized to use vehicle V. - If the biometric data obtained from the first biometric detection device 14 belongs to a person authorized to use the vehicle, then the operation of the engine of the vehicle V is enabled (e.g., by sending an unlock signal to the engine control unit C, such as...). Figure 2 (as shown), without requesting any further authorization from other biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle V for starting the engine.
[0028] The steps described above according to the invention allow for simpler and faster activation of a vehicle V comprising multiple biometric authentication devices in emergency situations. In this way, despite the presence of an anti-theft device 1 with more than one biometric authentication level on the vehicle V, the probability of the driver successfully leaving the location of the emergency is increased.
[0029] In conjunction with the above, the processing unit 11 is preferably also configured to detect whether the unlock code input function has been selected, and if the function has not been selected, to request further authorization from the other biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle V before authorizing the start of the engine.
[0030] This allows for simpler and faster activation of vehicles with multiple biometric authentication devices in emergency situations, without limiting the operation of anti-theft systems with multiple biometric authentication levels under normal conditions. In this way, even if a vehicle V in use is equipped with an anti-theft device 1 with more than one biometric authentication level, the probability of the driver successfully and quickly leaving the scene of an emergency is increased.
[0031] In combination with or as an alternative to the above, the processing unit 11 is preferably also configured to prevent the possibility of authorizing the input of any further unlock codes when it detects that a first number of unsuccessful attempts to input an unlock code has been made beyond a given threshold.
[0032] This prevents the quick-start system according to the invention from limiting the anti-theft protection function of the vehicle V provided by the anti-theft device 1. In this way, even if the vehicle V is equipped with the anti-theft device 1 having more than one biometric authentication level, the probability of the driver successfully leaving the location of the emergency is increased.
[0033] In combination with or as an alternative to the foregoing, the processing unit 11 is preferably also configured to block the input of any further biometric data via the first biometric detection device 14 after a second number of permissible attempts if any further biometric data input via the first biometric detection device 14 belongs to a person who is not authorized to use vehicle V.
[0034] This prevents the quick-start system according to the invention from compromising the security of the anti-theft protection function of the vehicle V provided by the anti-theft device 1, for example, if a thief knows the unlock code. In this way, even if the vehicle V is equipped with an anti-theft device 1 with more than one biometric authentication level, the probability of the driver successfully leaving the location of the emergency is increased.
[0035] In conjunction with the aforementioned blocking function, the processing unit 11 is preferably configured to allow input of a total unlock reset code (preferably held by the manufacturer and only communicated to the legal owner of the vehicle V) via the user interface device 15 when the anti-theft device 1 is in a fully locked state (e.g., due to a theft attempt) making it impossible to input any valid unlock code or valid biometric data via the first biometric detection device 14.
[0036] In emergency situations, this allows for easier activation of vehicle V (even if the latter includes multiple biometric authentication devices) without compromising the robustness of the anti-theft protection provided by anti-theft device 1 under normal circumstances. In this way, the probability of the driver successfully leaving the scene of an emergency is increased.
[0037] In combination with or as an alternative to the above, the biometric data read by the first biometric detection device 14 is preferably a fingerprint, and the first biometric detection device 14 is a fingerprint reader (as mentioned above) for the purpose of verifying whether the fingerprint belongs to a person authorized to use the vehicle V.
[0038] In an emergency, this allows for faster activation of vehicle 1, even if it includes multiple biometric authentication devices, because the first biometric detection device 14, consisting of a fingerprint reader, allows the driver to prepare vehicle V with one hand for departure (i.e., inserting or presenting the ignition key K, moving the gear lever, releasing the parking brake, fastening the seatbelt, etc.), and place a finger of the available hand on the first biometric detection device 14 while preparing to leave, for example, placing a finger of the left (or right) hand on the fingerprint reader while fastening the seatbelt with the right (or left) hand. In this way, even if vehicle V is equipped with an anti-theft device 1 with more than one biometric authentication level, the probability of the driver successfully leaving the location of the emergency is increased.
[0039] In combination with or as an alternative to the above, the unlock code value, the value of valid data from the first biometric detection device 14, and data from further or other biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle V are stored in a memory contained in the vehicle V for the purpose of verification control.
[0040] This allows vehicle V to be activated even when it is in an area where no connection to a telecommunications network is available. In this way, the probability of the driver successfully leaving the location of an emergency is increased.
[0041] In combination with or as an alternative to the foregoing, the communication device 13 may be connected to the start key detection device I and the user interface device 15, and may further be configured to acquire the unlock code and / or data from at least the first biometric detection device 14. Functions performed by the communication device 13 include sending data from peripherals (start key detection device I, user interface device 15, first biometric detection device 14) to the processing unit 11, and transmitting commands from the latter to the peripherals.
[0042] This allows for easier activation of vehicles that include multiple biometric authentication devices in emergency situations. In this way, the probability of a driver successfully and quickly leaving the scene of an emergency is increased.
[0043] In conjunction with the above, the processing unit 11 is preferably configured to authorize the input of at least one additional fingerprint into the memory when a second unlock code has been successfully entered and the fingerprint of a person authorized to enable operation of the engine of the vehicle V has been entered.
[0044] This allows for easier activation of vehicle V by a greater number of users without compromising the security features provided by the anti-theft device 1. In this way, the probability of the driver successfully leaving the location of an emergency is also increased, despite the presence of the anti-theft device 1 with more than one biometric authentication level on vehicle V.
[0045] In conjunction with the above, the user interface device 15 includes a screen (preferably a touch-sensitive screen) capable of displaying data and information, wherein the screen is shaped to include an area where a fingerprint reader is positioned.
[0046] This positioning allows for faster activation of the vehicle V, which includes multiple biometric authentication devices, in emergency situations. One of the fingers used to input the code on the screen can then be quickly moved and positioned on the fingerprint reader 14, which, due to its proximity to the screen, advantageously allows the user to complete the unlocking process of the vehicle V very quickly. In this way, despite the presence of anti-theft devices 1 with more than one biometric authentication level on the vehicle V, the probability of the driver successfully leaving the location of the emergency is also increased.
[0047] Of course, the examples described so far can have many variations.
[0048] Some possible variations of the invention have been described above, but those skilled in the art will understand that other embodiments can also be implemented in practice, wherein certain elements can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the illustrative examples described above, but can have various modifications, improvements, or substitutions of equivalent parts and elements without departing from the basic inventive concept specified in the following claims.
Claims
1. A quick-start system for a vehicle (V), wherein, The vehicle (V) is equipped with an anti-theft device (1) that uses authorization from more than one biometric detection device belonging to a plurality of biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle (V) to authorize the starting of the engine propelling the vehicle (V) in combination with a start key (K), wherein the system includes: - A start key detection device (I), configured to detect the presence of the start key (K) inside the vehicle (V). - A first biometric detection device (14), which is part of the plurality of biometric devices, wherein the first biometric detection device (14) is configured to detect biometric data of a person who has brought the start key (K) into the vehicle (V). - User interface device (15), the user interface device being configured to allow the person to input an unlock code. The anti-theft device (1) further includes: ● A communication device (13), which is connected to the start key detection device (I), the user interface device (15), and the first biometric detection device (14), and ● Processing unit (11), which is connected to the communication device (13). The system is characterized in that the processing unit (11) is configured to perform the following steps: - The ignition key (K) inside the vehicle (V) is checked for validity via the ignition key detection device (I). - When the start key (K) inside the vehicle (V) is deemed valid, the user interface device (15) detects whether the function for entering the unlock code has been selected. - Verify that the unlock code has been entered and is valid. - The biometric data of the person who has entered a valid unlock code is acquired via the first biometric detection device (14), and the biometric data is verified to determine whether the person is authorized to use the vehicle (V). - If the biometric data obtained from the first biometric detection device (14) belongs to a person authorized to use the vehicle (V), then the operation of the engine of the vehicle (V) is enabled without requesting any further authorization from other biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle (V) for starting the engine.
2. The fast startup system according to claim 1, wherein, The processing unit (11) is also configured to detect whether the unlock code input function has been selected, and if the function has not been selected, to request further authorization from the other biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle (V) before authorizing the start of the engine.
3. The quick-start system according to one or more of claims 1 and 2, wherein, The processing unit (11) is also configured to prevent the possibility of authorizing the input of any further unlock codes when the processing unit detects that a first number of unsuccessful attempts to input the unlock code has been made beyond a threshold.
4. The fast start system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The processing unit (11) is also configured to block the input of any further biometric data via the first biometric detection device (14) after a second number of permissible attempts if any further biometric data input via the first biometric detection device (14) belongs to a person who is not authorized to use the vehicle (V).
5. The fast-start system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The biometric data read by the first biometric detection device (14) is a fingerprint, and wherein the first biometric detection device (14) is a fingerprint reader for the purpose of verifying whether the fingerprint belongs to a person authorized to use the vehicle (V).
6. The fast-start system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The unlock code value, the valid data value from the first biometric detection device (14), and the data from the other biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle (V) are stored in a memory contained in the vehicle (V) for the purpose of verification control.
7. The fast startup system according to claim 1, wherein, The communication device (13) is connected to the start key detection device (I) and the user interface device (15), wherein the user interface device (15) is configured to acquire the unlock code and / or data from at least the first biometric detection device (14).
8. The rapid start-up system according to claims 5 and 6, wherein, The processing unit (11) is configured to authorize the input of at least one additional fingerprint into the memory when a second unlock code has been successfully entered and the fingerprint of a person authorized to enable operation of the engine of the vehicle (V) has been entered.
9. The fast start system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, When the anti-theft device (1) becomes unable to input any valid unlock code or valid biometric data via the first biometric detection device (14) because it has entered a locked state after the theft attempt, the processing unit requests the input of a total unlock code via the user interface device (15), which is held by the manufacturer and can only be communicated to the legal owner of the vehicle.
10. The fast start system according to claim 5, wherein, The user interface device (15) includes a screen configured to display data and information, wherein the screen is shaped to include an area where the fingerprint reader is positioned.
11. A method for quick starting a vehicle (V) equipped with an anti-theft device (1), the anti-theft device using authorization from more than one biometric detection device belonging to a plurality of biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle (V) to authorize the starting of an engine propelling the vehicle (V) in combination with a start key (K). in, The vehicle (V) includes: - A start key detection device (I), configured to detect the presence of the start key (K) inside the vehicle (V). - A first biometric detection device (14), which is part of the plurality of biometric devices, wherein the first biometric detection device (14) is configured to detect biometric data of a person who has brought the start key (K) into the vehicle (V). - A user interface device (15) configured to allow the person to input an unlock code, and wherein the anti-theft device (1) further includes: ● A communication device (13), which is connected to the start key detection device (I), the user interface device (15), and the first biometric detection device (14), and ● Processing unit (11), which is connected to the communication device (13). The method is characterized in that the processing unit (11) performs the following steps: - The ignition key (K) inside the vehicle (V) is checked for validity via the ignition key detection device (I). - When the start key (K) inside the vehicle (V) is deemed valid, the user interface device (15) detects whether the function for entering the unlock code has been selected. - Verify that the unlock code has been entered and is valid. - The biometric data of the person who has entered a valid unlock code is acquired via the first biometric detection device (14), and the biometric data is verified to determine whether the person is authorized to use the vehicle (V). - If the biometric data obtained from the first biometric detection device (14) belongs to a person authorized to use the vehicle (V), then the operation of the engine of the vehicle (V) is enabled without requesting any further authorization from other biometric detection devices contained in the vehicle (V) for starting the engine.