WO2001073711A2

WO2001073711A2 - Method and device for protecting an appliance against theft

Info

Publication number: WO2001073711A2
Application number: PCT/DE2001/001057
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Herrmann
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date: 2000-03-28
Filing date: 2001-03-20
Publication date: 2001-10-04
Also published as: DE10015307A1; DE10015307B4; WO2001073711A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for protecting appliances (20-24) against theft. Said appliances are networked to one another. Each appliance is provided with an individual identification key and has stored the individual identification keys of the remaining appliances in a protected memory. During operation of the system, an appliance (20) compares the individual identification keys transmitted by the remaining appliances (21-24) with the identification keys which are stored in the memory of said appliance (20). Detection of a divergence between the transmitted and the stored identification keys indicates that the appliance (20) has been removed from the original surroundings and has been placed into other surroundings. This is interpreted as a sign for theft and results in the appliance (20) changing into a theft protection state. The theft protection state can be abandoned and/or a legally changed configuration of the system can be stored by proofing access authorisation, by means of a chip card (25) for instance.

Description

Method and device for protecting a device against theft

Technical field

The invention relates to an anti-theft device for a first device, which is coupled to at least one second device, comprising a detection device which can detect a separation between the first and second devices and can then switch the first device to an anti-theft state. Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for protecting a first device, which is coupled to at least one second device, against theft, wherein a separation between the first and second device is recognized and then at least one of the devices is switched into an anti-theft protection state.

State of the art

It is known to provide valuable electrical or electronic devices such as car radios or radiophones with an anti-theft device in order to make it more difficult or unattractive to steal such devices from a motor vehicle. Such devices are based on the fact that the device to be protected is brought into an anti-theft protection state when a potential theft is detected by a detection device. In the theft protection state, the normal function of the device is blocked, so that it is actually unusable and therefore worthless. The anti-theft protection status can only be revoked if the authorization of the user is proven to the device. Such authorization can be carried out, for example, using a keycard or SIM card (Subscriber Identification Module) or by entering a code. Systems with a removable front part (release panel) are also known, in which this front part has the function of a key embodying the access authorization. The transition to the theft protection state can be initiated when a separation of the device to be protected from its other surroundings is recognized. However, this requires appropriate devices for the detection of such a separation. It is easier if each time the device is switched on or the device itself is operated, proof of access authorization is required, which can be done, for example, by entering a code when switching on or by inserting a keycard. Such proof of access authorization, which is required for any operation of the device, is relatively complex and therefore uncomfortable. For example, key cards or removable front parts must be removed from the device each time you leave the motor vehicle, taken with you and used again when you restart the device.

A further disadvantage of the known methods for protecting a device from theft is that its effect is always limited to a specific device, although the devices to be protected are generally used in a networked system of several components. In a music system, for example, components such as a CD changer, an IR remote control or other external drives (DVD) can be connected. The protection of the anti-theft device does not extend to these components, although as a rule they also represent a considerable value.

Presentation of the invention, task, solution, advantages

Against this background, it was an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method for protecting a device against theft, which are more convenient for the user to use and which preferably enable the protection of several device components in a simple manner in a networked system.

This object is achieved by an anti-theft device with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of the Proverb 6 solved. Advantageous refinements are specified in the respective subclaims.

The anti-theft device is therefore effective or integrated in a first device which is coupled to at least one second device. It contains a detection device which can recognize the separation between the first and second device and can then switch the first device into an anti-theft protection state. The anti-theft device is characterized in that said detection device contains a configuration memory in which an individual identifier of the second device can be stored. Furthermore, the detection device is set up in such a way that it can make a comparison of the stored identifier mentioned with an identifier transmitted by the second device and that it can activate the anti-theft protection state upon detection of a discrepancy between the stored and the transmitted identifier.

The theft protection device accordingly recognizes a potential theft by the fact that the first device to be protected is separated from a second device. For example, the first device can be a car radio and the second device can be the car itself. The separation of the first device from the second device is recognized by the fact that the individual identifier transmitted by the second device no longer corresponds to the identifier that is stored in the configuration memory of the theft protection device. This means that the first device to be protected only works if it is coupled to an individually determined second device. If, on the other hand, it is separated from the second device and, for example, coupled to another device - which is otherwise completely identical - it detects the change of device based on the different individual identifiers and then changes to the theft protection state. It is therefore not possible to remove (steal) the first device from a type X vehicle and to insert it into another type X vehicle of identical construction, since the two Vehicles (second devices) can be distinguished from the first device based on their individual identification.

The anti-theft device according to the invention manages without constant confirmation of the access authorization by the user. This means that the user does not have to enter a code or insert a key element for each start of operation by the device. Rather, the device recognizes its use in an authorized environment by the fact that it is coupled to a second device that it knows and for which it has been configured.

According to a further development of the invention, the anti-theft device can contain an input device, which is set up in such a way that it can check an access authorization and, if there is an existing access authorization, enable the configuration memory to be changed. Such an input device enables the authorized user to use the first device to be protected with other second devices or in another networked configuration. For example, if he wants to take over a car radio in a new motor vehicle, he can do so by installing the car radio in the new motor vehicle, verifying his access authorization via the input device and then occupying the configuration memory of the anti-theft device of the car radio with the individual identifier of the new motor vehicle , The latter can be done, for example, by entering a command, whereupon the data transmitted by the new motor vehicle are transferred to the configuration memory. After completing this procedure, the car radio is "stamped" on the new motor vehicle, so that from then on it will only perform its service if a coupling to this new motor vehicle is determined on the basis of the matching identifiers. The advantage here is that the proof of access authorization by the user is only necessary in the rare cases of changing the configuration of the environment of the device to be protected. The input device mentioned is preferably also set up in such a way that it enables the configuration memory of another theft protection device of the type mentioned above, which is arranged in a second device, to be changed. This means that the proof of access authorization only has to be made once on a (first) device and that the configuration memory of all theft protection devices of devices in the networked environment can then be changed from this first device so that they correspond to the new configuration.

The input device preferably contains a reading device for a chip card, since such a chip card enables a convenient and reliable check of the access authorization of a user.

According to another development of the anti-theft device, it has a memory for its own individual identifier and is set up in such a way that it can transmit this own identifier to another connected device. Such an anti-theft device can thus cooperate with similar anti-theft devices on other devices in the networked environment. This means that the devices coupled to one another protect one another or have an individual configuration pattern, the fault or change of which is recognized by all components and allows all components to activate a theft protection state. The provision of an individual identifier in the anti-theft device itself also has the advantage that such an identifier does not have to be provided in the respective device. The manufacturer of such a device can therefore use an anti-theft device as a finished assembly in his device without knowing its mode of operation or having to provide the device with an individual identifier for the device. In this case, the control of a clear assignment of individual identifiers can be carried out centrally from a single source at the manufacturer of the theft protection devices. The invention also includes a method for protecting a first device against theft, the first device being coupled to at least one second device. The method detects a separation between the first and the second device and switches at least one of the devices into an anti-theft state after detection of such a separation. The method is characterized in that an individual identifier of the second device is stored in the first device, that this stored identifier is compared with an identifier transmitted by the second device, and that if a discrepancy is found between the stored and the transmitted identifier, the theft protection state of the first device is activated. The two devices connected to one another are thus protected against theft by converting them to an anti-theft state when a separation between the devices occurs. The comparison between a stored individual identifier of the second device and a transmitted identifier of this device serves to determine the separation between the devices. If the two identifiers do not match, this indicates that the first device has been disconnected from the second device and connected to another device. This is interpreted as an indication of a potential theft, for example by removing the device from a first motor vehicle and installing it in a second motor vehicle.

According to a further development of the method, the second device can also store an individual identifier of the first device in a mirror-image manner, compare this stored identifier with an identifier transmitted by the first device and activate the theft protection state of the second device if a discrepancy between the identifiers is found. In this case, the method works completely symmetrically with regard to the first and second devices, that is to say when the disconnection and connection of another device with a different individual identifier occurs, the anti-theft protection state is activated in each of the original devices. It is therefore easy and inexpensive It is possible to protect all components of a networked system against theft.

According to another development of the method, changing the identifier of the second device stored in the first device and / or (if present) the identifier of the first device stored in the second device is only possible with an access authorization which is checked by the first device. It must be possible to change stored identifiers so that a device protected against theft can also be used with other devices and in other configurations at the request of the authorized owner. So that such an authorized configuration change can be distinguished from an unauthorized configuration change in the event of theft, the first device checks the user's access authorization for the storage of the identifiers. If the second device coupled to the first device is also protected by a method according to the invention and accordingly has a memory for the identification of the first device, access to this memory is preferably possible from the first device. This means that only one of the devices in a networked system requires devices for changing identifiers and for checking access authorization and that all other devices in the system can then be reconfigured from this device.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following the invention is explained by way of example with the aid of the figures. Show it:

1 schematically shows a networked system of devices protected against theft;

Fig. 2 shows schematically the more detailed structure of a device protected against theft. Best way to carry out the invention

In FIG. 1, five devices 20-24, which are coupled to one another in a ring, are shown as examples. Instead of the ring structure, for example, star-shaped or meshed configurations could also be present. The networked system can be, for example, a music system and / or a driver information system (FIS). A head unit 20, a tuner 21, a CDC 22, a telephone 23 and an amplifier 24 are shown as examples as devices. Because of the networking, the devices 20 - 24 can exchange any information with one another.

Figure 2 shows schematically the internal structure of the device 20 of the networked system of Figure 1 with an anti-theft device according to the invention. The other components 21-24 are constructed in a similar manner in principle, the respective device function being represented by a block 13. The core of the anti-theft device is a protected memory area 10, which has a memory 11 for its own individual identification of the device 20 and a memory 12 for an encrypted system configuration. In particular, the individual identifiers of the other devices 21-24 are stored in the last-mentioned memory 12.

When the system shown in FIG. 1 is started, each device 20-24 checks on the basis of the system configuration 12 present in its protected memory area 10 whether the individual identifiers of the other devices stored there are also present in the current environment. This means that the devices 20-24 exchange their respective identifiers with one another and each of the devices compares the identifiers transmitted by the other devices with the identifiers stored in the memory 12. If all the identifiers of the other devices 21-24 received by one device 20 match the corresponding identifiers stored in the configuration memory 12, the device 20 is in the environment into which it was legally introduced. There is therefore no evidence of theft and the device 20 can start operating. On the other hand, becomes a take up. If, on the other hand, a discrepancy is found between the transmitted and stored identifiers, this indicates a transfer of the device 20 to another environment, which is an indication of theft. The device 20 then changes to an anti-theft state in which the normal device functions are blocked. To restart the device 20, the (authorized) user must first prove his access authorization.

For the described detection of a potential theft and the transition to the anti-theft state, the method according to the invention does not require the cumbersome entry of a key in the form of a chip card or of an explicitly entered code each time it is used. At the same time, it is advantageous that all components 20 - 24 of a networked system can be protected in a relatively simple manner.

In order to set up a networked system according to FIG. 1 for the first time or to change a system configuration in an authorized manner, one of the devices 20 has an access option for an authorized user. The user proves his access authorization to the device 20, for example by means of a chip card 25. From device 20, he can then make the desired configuration changes in device 20 and in all other devices 21-24. The chip card 25 thus acts as a master key for the entire networked system. Proof of access authorization by the user, which is associated with expenditure, is only rarely necessary in this method, namely in the case of configuration changes or when setting up the system. In the subsequent operation, on the other hand, there is no longer any need to prove the access authorization, since the system uses the individual configuration with the other components to recognize whether it is in the correct environment or not.

In the method according to the invention, therefore, each individual component 20-24 of the networked system of FIG. 1 can only be activated when all components of the system know each other and are present. If a component was removed from the system without authorization (stolen), it cannot be reactivated in an external system environment, which can consist of similar components. The key is the system configuration itself and is therefore inherent in the system. A legal change in the system configuration, that is to say the legal addition or removal of a component 20-24, is only possible by means of a master key (for example chip card 25).

The described method has the advantage that key activation is only necessary once when the system is reconfigured, that all system components are protected, that only one key is required to protect all system components (cost reduction), and that there is no constant insertion or removal of Sharing (keys) is necessary.

Claims

claims

Anti-theft device for a first device (20), which is coupled to at least one second device (21-24), comprising a detection device which can recognize a separation between the first and second device and can then switch the first device into an anti-theft state, characterized in that that the detection device contains a configuration memory (12) for storing an individual identifier of the second device, and that the detection device is set up in such a way that it makes a comparison between the stored identifier and an identifier transmitted by the second device and, if a deviation is found, the theft protection state can activate.

Anti-theft device according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains an input device which is set up in such a way that it can check an access authorization and make a change in the configuration memory (12) possible.

Anti-theft device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the input device is set up in such a way that it enables the configuration memory (12) of another anti-theft device according to one of Claims 1 or 2 to be changed for the second device (21-24).

, Anti-theft device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the input device has a reading device for a chip card (25).

Anti-theft device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it contains a memory (11) for its own individual identifier and is set up in such a way that it can transmit this identifier to another connected device (21-24).

Method for protecting a first device (20), which is coupled to at least one second device (21-24), against theft, wherein a separation between the first and second device is recognized and at least one of the devices is then switched to an anti-theft state, characterized that an individual identifier of the second device is stored in the first device, that this stored identifier is compared with an identifier transmitted by the second device, and that the theft protection state of the first device is activated when a discrepancy between the identifiers is detected.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that in the second device an individual

Identifier of the first device is stored, that this stored identifier is compared with an identifier transmitted by the first device, and that if a discrepancy between the identifiers is found the theft protection status of the second device is activated.

8. The method according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the change in the identifier of the second device (21-24) stored in the first device (20) and / or the change in the identifier stored in the second device (21-24) the first device (20) is only possible with an access authorization which is checked by the first device (20).