Vehicle Anti-Theft Locking Control Against Remote Jamming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Remote jamming techniques allow thieves to block legitimate signals from vehicle locking devices, rendering the vehicle unlocked despite the owner's belief that it is locked.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle anti-theft device featuring an electronic control unit, an anti-theft member configurable between active and inactive states, and a user input device that ensures the anti-theft member remains locked once activated, preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a remote control signal is used to lock the vehicle, then the vehicle can be locked conveniently from a distance, but the locking mechanism becomes vulnerable to remote jamming attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wired user input device (switch) as an intermediary between the user and the locking mechanism. This switch is connected via wired communication to the electronic control unit, creating a secure alternative pathway that bypasses the vulnerable wireless remote control system. The switch serves as a mediator that enables reliable locking without exposing the system to remote jamming attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the locking control system into two independent channels: a wireless remote control channel and a wired switch channel. The wired switch and its associated electronic control unit form a separate, secure segment that is not susceptible to remote jamming. This segmentation allows the system to maintain convenience through wireless control while ensuring reliability through the isolated wired pathway.
2Reliability
If a wired user input device is added to the system, then security against remote jamming is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both the wireless remote control system and the wired switch system. By integrating the control logic for both input methods into a single universal controller, the patent avoids duplicating entire control systems, thereby limiting the increase in complexity while still providing enhanced security through the wired switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The wired switch system is designed to be self-contained and self-activating. When the switch is activated, it directly triggers the locking sequence through the electronic control unit without requiring additional intermediate components or complex processing. This self-service approach minimizes the added complexity while achieving the security objective.
3Reliability
If the anti-theft member is made permanently lockable from the user input device, then security is enhanced, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the typical control logic by making the wired switch exclusively trigger the locking function while the unlocking function is reserved for the wireless remote control system. This inversion ensures that the wired switch cannot be used to unlock the vehicle, providing enhanced security assurance that the vehicle will remain locked once activated through the secure wired pathway, while the wireless system retains full operational flexibility for both locking and unlocking.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a vehicle anti-theft device and to methods of controlling such a device. The device includes an electronic control unit, an actuator, and a locking member which is movable between open and locked positions. The device further includes a dash or instrument panel mounted switch which is hard-wired to the ECU. In-cabin depression of the switch can overcome remote jamming and lock the device to prevent vehicle theft. The vehicle anti-theft device is further characterized in that operation of the switch cannot result in the unlocking of the locking member. Therefore, if unauthorised access to the vehicle cabin is gained, the switch cannot be used to unlock the device. The device also includes an auto-lock feature, upon vehicle turn off, and the switch can operate as a panic button if depressed for example 5 seconds.