Safety device for a vehicle antitheft system

Claim 2

1) A safety device for a vehicle antitheft system, particularly for vehicles featuring an electronic engine control system (2); characterized in that it comprises means for detecting abnormal turn-off of the engine; and means permitting startup of the engine a limited number of times in the event of abnormal turn-off of the engine.

Claim 3

2) A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for displaying, on a display (7) , the number of times startup of the- engine is permitted in the event of abnormal turn-off of the engine.

Claim 4

3) A vehicle antitheft system, particularly for vehicles featuring an electronic engine control system (2), comprising: a first block (23) in which a first code (A) is stored; a first transmitter (4) for the vehicle owner, for generating a signal representing said first code (A); a receiver (3) connected to and for supplying incoming signals to said control system (2); means for comparing the signal received by said receiver (3) with said first code (A); means for enabling startup of the engine when the signal received by said receiver (3) matches said first code (A); and means for disabling startup of the engine when the signal received by said receiver (3) fails to match said first code (A); characterized in that it comprises a number of sensors (44) for detecting a series of events effected by the user on internal parts of the vehicle; means for converting said series of events into an operating code; means for comparing said operating code with said first code (A); means for enabling startup of the engine when said operating code matches said first code (A); means for disabling startup of the engine when said operating code fails to match said first code (A); and means for limiting the number of times startup of the engine may be enabled by said operating code matching said first code (A).

Claim 5

3) A vehicle antitheft system, particularly for vehicles featuring an electronic engine control system (2), comprising: a first block (23) in which a first code (A) is stored; a first transmitter (4) for the vehicle owner, for generating a signal representing said first code (A); a receiver (3) connected to and for supplying incoming signals to said control system (2); means for comparing the signal received by said receiver (3) with said first code (A); means for enabling startup of the engine when the signal received by said receiver (3) matches said first code (A); and means for disabling startup of the engine when the signal received by said receiver (3) fails to match said first code (A); characterized in that it comprises a number of sensors (44) for detecting a series of events effected by the user on internal parts of the vehicle; means for converting said series of events into an operating code; means for comparing said operating code with said first code (A); means for enabling startup of the engine when said operating code matches said first code (A); means for disabling startup of the engine when said operating code fails to match said first code (A); and means for limiting the number of times startup of the engine may be enabled by said operating code matching said first code (A).

Claim 6

4) A system as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that it comprises means for displaying, on a display (7), the number of times startup of the engine may be enabled by said operating code matching said first code (A).

Claim 7

5) A system as claimed in Claim 3 and/or 4, characterized in that it comprises: a second block (46) in which part (A1) of said first code (A) is stored; means for comparing said operating code with said part (A1) of said first code (A); means for enabling startup of the engine when said operating code matches said part (A1) of said first code (A); means for disabling startup of the engine when said operating code fails to match said part (A1) of said first code (A); and means for limiting the number of times startup of the engine may be enabled by said operating code matching said part (A1) of said first code (A).

Claim 8

6) A system as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that it comprises means for displaying, on a display (7), the number of times startup of the engine may be enabled by said operating code matching said part (A1) of said first code (A).

Claim 9

7) A system as claimed in at least one of the foregoing Claims from 3 to 6, characterized in that it comprises: a third block (31) in which a second code (B) is stored; a second transmitter (5) for the fitter of said system to the vehicle, for generating a signal representing said second code (B); means for comparing the signal received by said receiver (3) with said second code (B); means for enabling startup of the engine a limited number of times when the signal received by said receiver (3) matches said second code (B), and providing said first code (A) has not yet been memorized in said first block (23); and means for disabling startup of the engine when the signal received by said receiver (3) fails to match said second code (B).

Claim 10

8) A system as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that it comprises means for low-power control of the engine, when the signal received by said receiver (3) matches said second code (B), and providing said first code (A) has not yet been memorized in said first block (23).

Claim 11

9) A system as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that it comprises means for comparing said operating code with said second code (B); means for enabling startup of the engine when said operating- code matches said second code (B) and said first code (A) has not yet been memorized; means for disabling startup of the engine when said operating code fails to match said second code (B); and means for limiting the number of times startup of the engine may be enabled by said operating code matching said second code (B).

Claim 12

10) A system as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that it comprises means for low-power control of the engine when said operating code matches said second code (B).

Claim 13

11) A system as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that it comprises means for displaying, on a display (7), the number of times startup of the engine may be enabled by said operating code matching said second code (B).

Claim 14

12) A system as claimed in at least one of the foregoing Claims from 3 to 11, characterized in that it comprises: a fourth block (26) in which a third code (C) is stored; a device (6) for the maker of said control system (2), for generating a signal representing said third code (C); means for comparing the signal supplied by said device (6) with said third code (C); means for enabling startup of the engine a limited number of times when the signal supplied by said device (6) matches said third code (C); and means for disabling startup of the engine when the signal supplied by said device (6) fails to match said third code (C).

Claim 15

13) A system as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that it comprises means for comparing said operating code with said third code (C); means for enabling startup of the engine when said operating code matches said third code (C); means for disabling startup of the engine when said operating code fails to match said third code (C); and means for limiting the number of times startup of the engine may be enabled by said operating code matching said third code (C).

Claim 16

14) A system as claimed in Claim 13, characterized in that it comprises means for displaying, on a display (7), the number of times startup of the engine may be enabled by said operating code matching said third code (C).

Claim 17

15) A system as claimed in the foregoing Claims, characterized in that it comprises means for indicating information relative to engine startup enabling and disabling conditions; and means for storing all the displayed information.