WO2014056004A1

WO2014056004A1 - Anti-jamming vehicle central locking system

Info

Publication number: WO2014056004A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2013/000074
Authority: WO
Inventors: Selvanathan Narainsamy
Original assignee: Narainsamy, Adele Katrine
Priority date: 2012-10-04
Filing date: 2013-10-04
Publication date: 2014-04-10

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle central locking system that is adapted to curb vehicle theft in which the perpetrator uses a jamming device to override the locking signal emitted by the hand-held remote locking actuator. The lock actuation system (10) is integrated with the vehicle central locking system which is actuated by a hand-held remote (14). When operated by a motorist (16), the remote (14) transmits a RF locking signal (18) that, in normal circumstances, will be received by the vehicle transceiver (12) of the vehicle central locking system. If the locking signal is received (20), the vehicle transceiver (12) transmits an acknowledgement signal (22) to the remote (14).

Description

ANTI-JAMMING VEHICLE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM

Field of the invention

[001 ] This invention relates to a system and a method of actuating a remotely lockable automatic lock or locking mechanism, such as the central locking system of a motor vehicle.

[002] In particular the invention relates to an anti-jamming automatic lock actuation mechanism.

Background to the invention

[003] Automatic locks or locking mechanisms (also known as power locks and including central locking systems) are typically constituted by electromechanical locks.

[004] In central locking systems, the locks are configured as a central locking system that permits simultaneous locking or unlocking of a number of doors or hatches by pressing a button or flipping a switch. [005] Such central locking systems are typically deployed on motor vehicles. Many vehicles today feature systems which can unlock such things as the luggage compartment or the fuel filler cap. The locking system is typically actuated by means of a re o e actuator, normally constituted by a radio frequency transmitter paired with a radio frequency receiver in the vehicle, the remote actuator being adapted, in use, to transmit a radio frequency signal that is received by the vehicle receiver and used as a signal to lock or unlock the vehicle locks. The remote locking system normally confirms successful locking and unlocking by flashing the vehicle lights or having the vehicle emit a sound or both, the sound typically being either a horn signal or a short signal from the vehicle alarm.

[006] The almost ubiquitous use of such central locking systems on vehicles has given rise to a novel method of theft, particularly vehicle theft or theft from vehicles in which the perpetrator uses a "jamming" device.

[007] The terms "jam" and "jamming" describe the deliberate or intentional use of a signal that is similar in nature to the signal being jammed (the target signal). It is of no concern if the jamming signal is unintelligible to the locking mechanism, since the jamming signal typically consists entirely of signal noise, with a signal strength that is often substantially greater than the target signal, so that the jamming signal disrupts the target signal by saturating the transmission channel on which the target signal is being transmitted, thereby preventing communication between the target signal transmitter and receiver.

[008] In most jamming theft situations, the perpetrator uses a jamming device that disrupts communications between the remote actuator and the locking mechanism when the remote actuator is actuated by the user. In the process, the locking mechanism is not locked or actuated, but the user nevertheless believes the locking mechanism is locked, thereby allowing the perpetrator to either steal the locked item or steal from the locked item. In vehicle theft situations, the jamming device jams or disrupts communications between the remote actuator and the vehicle during the locking process. As a result, the locking process is interrupted and the vehicle is not locked, but the motorist nevertheless believes the vehicle is locked, thereby allowing the perpetrator to either steal the vehicle or steal the contents of the vehicle.

[009] With jamming theft, there is no need for forced entry or exit and this form of theft therefore does not fall within the conventional definition of burglary, thereby hampering criminal prosecution and frustrating insurance claims. As a result the insurance authorities in a number of countries have ruled that claims arising from remote jamming theft should be rejected because the onus is on the motorist to check whether the vehicle is locked before walking away from the vehicle.

[0010] To date, neither the automotive industry nor the insurance industry have been able to overcome these problems other than to warn motorists to be more alert when locking their vehicles.

[001 1 ] It is an object of this invention to address this problem.

Summary of the invention

[0012] According to this invention, an actuation system is provided for a remotely lockable automatic locking mechanism that includes a signal receiver, programmable logic means and a normally remote locking mechanism actuator, characterised in that: the remote actuator is configured to transmit a predetermined signal; the locking mechanism is configured to receive the predetermined remote actuator signal as an actuation signal; and the programmable logic means is programmed to raise an alarm if, in use, the locking mechanism receives a signal similar to the predetermined actuation signal for more than a predetermined time.

[0013] The term "similar signal" is intended to include an identical signal.

[0014] The invention includes an actuation system for a remotely lockable automatic locking mechanism that includes a signal receiver, programmable logic means and a normally remote locking mechanism actuator, characterised in that: the locking mechanism and the remote actuator are configured for two-way communications with one another; the locking mechanism includes programmable logic means programmed to transmit an acknowledgement signal when, in use, the locking mechanism receives an actuation signal transmitted by the remote actuator; and the remote actuator includes an alarm and programmable logic means programmed to actuate the remote actuator alarm if, in use, the remote actuator fails to receive an acknowledgement signal from the locking mechanism wiihin a predetermined time of the remote actuator transmitting an automatic locking mechanism actuation signal.

[0015] In this embodiment of the invention, the programmable logic means of either or both the locking mechanism or the remote actuator system may conveniently be programmed to monitor received signals for duration and the presence of a code carried by the signal and to raise the alarm if a received signal exceeds the predetermined time and it is not digitally encoded or does not carry a code

[0016] The locking mechanism two-way communications means, programmable logic means and alarm means may be integral with or separate from the locking mechanism and remote actuator respectively.

[001 7] The locking mechanism may be any locking mechanism, but the invention finds particular application as a vehicle locking system and in the preferred form of the invention, the locking mechanism is a vehicle central locking system and the remote actuator is a remote vehicle central locking system actuator.

[0018] The invention includes a method of actuating a remotely lockable automatic locking mechanism that includes a signal receiver, programmable logic means and a normally remote locking mechanism actuator configured to transmit an actuation signal to actuate the locking mechanism, the method comprising the steps of raising an alarm if, in use, the locking mechanism receives a signal similar to the predetermined actuation signal for more than a predetermined time.

[0019] As an alternative or in addition, the method may comprise the steps of transmitting an actuation signal from the remote actuator to actuate the locking mechanism and transmitting an acknowledgement signal from the locking mechanism on receipt of the actuation signal by the locking mechanism, the remote actuator being programmed to actuate an alarm if the remote actuator does not receive an acknowledgement signal within a predetermined time of transmitting an alarm signal.

Brief Description of the drawings

[0020] The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating the implementation of the locking system of the invention as a factory fitted vehicle locking system; and

Figure 2 is a similar flow chart illustrating a similar system suitable for retro-fitting to vehicles as an aftermarket accessory.

Description of embodiments of the invention

[0021] The invention will be described with reference to motor vehicle locking systems, as illustrated in the drawings.

[0022] The actuation system 10 of the invention illustrated in Figure 1 is intended to be factory fitted to new vehicles in which it will be possible to integrate the lock actuation system 10 of the invention with the vehicle central locking system 12. [0023] The vehicle central locking system 12 is actuated by means of a remote actuator in the form of a hand held remote 14. Unlike conventional central locking systems which make use of a transmitter in the remote and a receiver in the vehicle, the remote 14 includes a radio frequency transceiver and the central locking system 12 also contains a radio frequency transceiver, the two transceivers 12, 14 being configured for two-way communications.

[0024] In operation, the motorist alights from the vehicle and, in a process labelled 16, the motorist operates the remote 14 to transmit a radio frequency locking signal 18 that, in normal circumstances, will be received by the vehicle transceiver 12 in a process labelled 20 to actuate the vehicle central locking system, thereby locking the vehicle.

[0025] If a third party, typically a criminal intent on perpetrating theft uses a radio frequency jamming device sufficiently close to the remote 14 when it transmits the vehicle locking signal 18, the vehicle locking signal 18 will be jammed or flooded by the radio noise of the signal jammer. As a result, the vehicle is not locked. This is because the process 20, in which the vehicle central locking system is normally actuated, is not implemented leaving the vehicle unlocked. However, the motorist, having actuated the remote 14, believes that the vehicle is locked and it is safe to leave the vehicle. The jamming device operator is now free to exploit the fact that the vehicle is open and unlocked and the motorist has departed the scene, allowing the jamming device operator either to steal the vehicle or to steal the contents of the vehicle.

[0026] In the system 10 of the invention, the vehicle transceiver forming part of the central locking system 12 includes programmable logic means that is programmed to transmit an acknowledgement signal 22 every time it receives a locking signal 18. The acknowledgement signal 22 will be received by the transceiver remote 14. The acknowledgement signal 22 could be triggered by a vehicle switch such as the door lock switch or the alarm signal switch, but it is not necessary, as long as the vehicle transceiver is programmed to send the acknowledgement signal 22 on receipt of the locking signal 18.

[0027] The remote 14 includes programmable logic means programmed to activate the radio receiver part of the transceiver remote 14 every time the remote 14 is actuated and sends a locking signal 18 - see the process labelled 24. In addition, the programmable logic means starts a timer forming part of the remote 14.

[0028] If, within a predetermined time (preferably five seconds or less), the transceiver remote 14 does not receive an acknowledgement signal 22 from the vehicle central locking system 12, the programmable logic means in the transceiver emote 14 is programmed to activate an alarm.

[0029] The remote alarm may be a beeper, a buzzer or a vibrating device that remains on for a period of time (preferably 30 seconds) sufficient to alert the motorist to the fact that the remote 14 was actuated but the vehicle central locking system 12 might not be locked possibly as a result of a jamming signal.

[0030] In operation, the jamming signal prevents the vehicle transceiver from receiving the locking signal 18 and, since no locking signal 18 is received, no acknowledgement signal 22 is sent; the remote 14 does not receive an acknowledgement signal 22 from the vehicle central locking system 12; and the programmable logic means in the remote 14 activates the alarm in the remote 14. [0031 ] Having been alerted to the fact, the motorist is in a position to return to the vehicle and to ensure that the vehicle is properly locked, normally by going through the locking sequence again. Quite naturally, however, the motorist will now be much doser to the vehicle and the locking signal 18 will be less susceptible to jamming. Plus, the motorist is in a position to inspect the vehicle to ensure that it is locked once the locking sequence has been re-done.

[0032] In addition to the jamming alarm, the transceiver remote 14 also includes a low battery alarm 28 that receives input from a battery monitoring process 34. This enables the remote 14 to alert the motorist that the battery in the remote 14 is running , low and requires replacement.

[0033] The programmable logic means in the remote 14 also includes a read and write memory in which an event log may be recorded (process 30) , supported by a real time clock 32. The logs to be recorded in the event log include a jamming event log in which the time and date of jamming events may be recorded; a low battery log; a battery replacement log; and possibly a service log.

[0034] The system 1 10 illustrated in Figure 2 is similar to the system 10 illustrated in Figure 1 and similar components are similarly numbered.

[0035] The actuation system 1 10 of the invention illustrated in Figure 2 is intended to be retrofitted as an after-market system to older vehicles that include a central locking system 1 12 which is normally actuated by means of a remote actuator in the form of a hand held remote 108.

[0036] Unlike the system 10 described above, the retrofit system 1 10 must be fitted to a vehicle that relies on a conventional rennote 108 fitted only with a radio frequency transmitter and a conventional central locking system 1 12 fitted only with a radio frequency receiver 104.

[0037] To remedy this and to enable two-way communications, the retrofit system 1 10 includes a separate remote in the form of key ring fob 106 that is fitted with a radio frequency receiver. In addition, a separate (aftermarket) transmitter 102 is fitted to the vehicle and wired into the central locking system 1 12.

[0038] In use, the motorist alights from the vehicle and, in a process labelled 1 16, the motorist operates the remote 108, as usual, to transmit a radio frequency locking signal 1 18 that, as usual, will be received by the vehicle receiver 104 to actuate the vehicle central locking system 1 12, thereby locking the vehicle.

[0039] To overcome a signal jamming attack, the aftermarket transmitter 102 fitted to the vehicle central locking system 1 12 includes programmable logic means programmed to transmit an acknowledgement signal 122 that is adapted to be received by the separate receiver fob 106. The programmable logic means may use any one of a number of signals to trigger the transmission of the acknowledgement signal 122, such as the door locking switch or the alarm or hooter switch.

[0040] The receiver fob 106 includes programmable logic means and is tuned to the transmission frequency of the remote 108. When the remote 108 transmits a locking signal 1 18, the fob 106 will receive the signal separately - see 1 18.1. For this reason, the fob 106 is designed for use in close proximity with the remote 108. [0041 ] The fob 106 is programmed (see fhe process labelled 124)†o siarf a timer forming part of the fob 106. If, within a predetermined time (preferably five seconds or less), the fob 106 does not receive an acknowledgement signal 122 from the vehicle central locking system 1 12, the programmable logic means in the fob 106 is programmed to activate an alarm.

[0042] The typical modus operandi in a jamming theft is for the perpetrator to cause the emission of the jamming signal from a time before the user actuates the remote actuator to a time after the user stops actuating the actuator. It will be appreciated that the jamming signal will therefore be actuated for a period of time far exceeding the duration of a remote actuator actuation signal, which is typically actuated for very short periods of time.

[0043] In a variation of the system of the invention, if a signal similar to the actuation signal is received by the locking mechanism 12, 1 12 for a duration exceeding the normal actuation signal duration, the chances are good that the long duration signal is a jamming signal and the system 10, 1 10 raises an alarm.

[0044] A "normal" actuation signal duration could be anything from a fraction of a second to much longer than that, particularly on vehicles where it is possible to hold down the remote actuator to close the vehicle windows. The vast majority of such window closing mechanisms require between 5 and 7 seconds to operate and if it becomes necessary to actuate a remote actuator for more than 7 seconds, this is normally an indication that there is something amiss and it is appropriate to raise an alarm to alert the user. [0045] To this end, the programmable logic means will be programmed to raise an alarm if, in use, the locking mechanism 12, 1 12 receives a signal similar to an actuation signal for more than a predetermined time.

[0046] The predetermined time is preferably set to be between 5 and 7 seconds.

[0047] The predetermined time must not be set too short since the receiving or monitoring time must not exceed the anticipated jamming signal duration.

[0048] The automatic locking mechanism 12, 1 12 may be any automatic lock, but the invention finds particular application as a vehicle locking system and in one form of the invention, the automatic locking mechanism is a radio frequency operated vehicle central locking system and the remote actuator is a radio frequency remote central locking system actuator.

[0049] In a vehicle situation, a criminal intent on perpetrating jamming theft will use a radio frequency jamming device when the vehicle user actuates her remote actuator 14, 1 14 to transmit the normal vehicle locking signal. As a result of the jamming signal, the vehicle locking signal is jammed or flooded by the radio noise of the signal jammer. To achieve this result, the criminal actuates the radio frequency jammer well before the user actuates the remote actuator 14, 1 14 and keeps the jammer actuated long enough to be sure that the user has stopped actuating the actuator. In the process the jamming signal is actuated for a period of time far exceeding the duration of a normal remote actuator actuation signal. [0050] As a result of the jamming signal, the vehicle is not locked. However, the motorist, having actuated the remote, believes that the vehicle is locked and that it is safe to leave the vicinity of the vehicle. The jamming device operator is now free to exploit the fact that the vehicle is unattended, open and unlocked and the motorist has departed the scene, allowing the operator either to steal the vehicle or to steal the contents of the vehicle.

[0051 ] In the system of the invention, the locking mechanism 12, 1 12 forming part of the vehicle central locking system includes programmable logic means that is programmed to monitor and time all incoming radio frequency signals. When an incoming radio frequency signal is received, the programmable logic means starts a timer forming part of the locking mechanism. If a received, incoming radio frequency signal exceeds the predetermined monitoring duration, it is likely that the incoming signal is a jamming signal.

[0052] The alarm may be a horn, hooter, beeper, a buzzer or in fact all the vehicle alarms, as long as the alarm is sufficient to alert the motorist to the fact that her attempt at locking the vehicle has been frustrated - her remote was actuated but the vehicle central locking system might not be locked. Having been alerted†o the fact, the motorist is in a position to seek safety or return to the vehicle and to ensure that the vehicle is properly locked, normally by going through the locking sequence again.

[0053] There are certain situations in which a radio frequency receiver could be inadvertently jammed or saturated, resulting in repeated false alarms. If this occurs when the vehicle is unattended, the repeated activation of the vehicle alarm or hooter will undoubtedly create a nuisance. Such a situation might arise, for instance, in the vicinity of a badly tuned radio transmitter. The transmitter will normally be configured to transmit on a frequency different from that of the locking mechanism signal receiver, but tuning errors might lead to the transmission of a stray signal on the same frequency as that of the locking mechanism signal receiver. The stray signal will be picked up as a jamming signal by the locking mechanism signal receiver and trigger a false alarm.

[0054] To overcome this problem, the programmable logic means of the actuation system of the invention may conveniently be programmed to monitor received signals for duration and the presence of a code carried by the signal and to raise a separate alarm if a received signal exceeds the predetermined time and it is not digitally encoded or does not carry a code.

[0055] The vast majority of vehicle alarm systems use remote actuators that transmit a digital code (either static or dynamic) and the locking mechanism will only unlock if the anticipated code is received. The typical modus operandi of jamming theft criminals is to use readily available remote actuators to create the jamming signal, being either a remote actuator for another vehicle, or more commonly a gate control or garage door remote actuator which also transmits a digitally coded signal. If the signal received by the vehicle is not a digitally coded signal or does not contain a code, there is a good chance therefore that the received signal is a stray radio frequency transmission and not a jamming attack, hence the need for a separate alarm or user alert.

[0056] The separate alarm may be one that alerts the user to contact a dealer to assist in identifying a stray signal that is causing a false alarm. The dealer can then program the locking mechanism to filter out the stray signal.

[0057] The anti-jamming system of the invention (as described above) is premised on the understanding that it is probably futile to try and overcome the disruption of a jamming signal. Instead, the system acknowledges the problem and uses the fact that jamming has occurred to alert the user that the locking mechanism is probably not locked notwithstanding that the user actuated remote locking.

[0058] The invention is described in this specification with reference to motor vehicle locking systems. It will be appreciated, however, that this is done purely by way of example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. An actuation system for a remotely lockable automatic locking mechanism that includes a signal receiver, programmable logic means and a normally remote locking mechanism actuator, characterised in that: the remote actuator is configured to transmit a predetermined signal; the locking mechanism is configured to receive the predetermined remote actuator signal as an actuation signal; and the programmable logic means is programmed to raise an alarm if, in use, the locking mechanism receives a signal similar to the predetermined actuation signal for more than a predetermined time.

2. An actuation system for a remotely lockable automatic locking mechanism that includes a signal receiver, programmable logic means and a normally remote locking mechanism actuator, characterised in that: the locking mechanism and the remote actuator are configured for two-way communications with one another; the locking mechanism includes programmable logic means programmed †o transmit an acknowledgement signal when, in use, the locking mechanism receives an actuation signal transmitted by the remote actuator; and the remote actuator includes an alarm and programmable logic means programmed to actuate the remote actuator alarm if, in use, the remote actuator fails to receive an acknowledgement signal from the locking mechanism within a predetermined time of the remote actuator transmitting an locking mechanism actuation signal.

3. The actuation system of claim 2 in which the programmable logic means of either or both the locking mechanism or the remote actuator system is programmed to monitor received signals for duration and the presence of a code carried by the signal and to raise the alarm if a received signal exceeds the predetermined time and it is not digitally encoded or does not carry a code

4. The actuation system of either of claims 2 or 3 in which the locking mechanism two-way communications means, programmable logic means and alarm means are integral with the locking mechanism and remote actuator respectively.

5. The actuation system of either of claims 2 or 3 in which the locking mechanism two-way communications means, programmable logic means and alarm means are separate from the locking mechanism and remote actuator respectively.

6. The actuation system of any one of the preceding claims implemented as a vehicle locking system.

7. The actuation system of claim 6 implemented as a vehicle central locking system.

8. A method of actuating a remotely lockable locking mechanism that includes a signal receiver, programmable logic means and a normally remote locking mechanism actuator configured to transmit an actuation signal to actuate the locking mechanism, the method comprising the steps of raising an alarm if, in use, the locking mechanism receives a signal similar to the predetermined actuation signal for more than a predetermined time.

9. A method of actuating a remotely lockable automatic locking mechanism by means of a remote actuator, the method comprising the steps of transmitting an actuation signal from the remote actuator to actuate the locking mechanism and transmitting an acknowledgement signal from the locking mechanism on receipt of the actuation signal by the locking mechanism, the remote actuator being programmed to actuate an alarm if the remote actuator does not receive an acknowledgement signal within a predetermined time of transmitting an alarm signal.