Code Locks

[Kai]

Well i've been doing some research into code locks for a few days now, as in for starting the car instead of a key (ala the Transporter). I built one years ago for my Electronics class at school, based on the UA3730 by UMC.

However, it seems like the UA3730 is no longer stocked by anyone, and UMC have stopped making it - meaning that microcontrollers are the way to go.

This place looks promising. Buy a preprogrammed microcontroller for about £6 and then the rest should be pretty easy. Mount the keypad in the little coin holder thingy

http://www.avr.4mg.com/custom3.html

Anyone fancy making one of these?

 

[whudafux]

Like this?

I had it installed in my daily driver. I really dont remember where i got it. Cool little device tho. I bought an extra one to put in the supra. I just haven't had the time to install it.

 

[Kai]

Kind of along those lines yeah - although more discrete

 

[JASONA70]

WOW very interesting. to bad thefts know how to hot wire a car from the engine bay now. this would be a fine tool to keep the dumb thefts away!

 

[PROJECT N00b]

^^^^i know how.

 

[DeSloth]

Why not use an RFID setup?

Could start your car with a simple push button so long as the person in the car has a programmed key-fob on their person. No need for a key, and all but the most clued-up theives would be left wondering what the hell is going on.

They are also dirt cheap and readily available.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFID

 

[Kai]

The keyword here, is simplicity. There less parts, and less to go wrong, and the end result is to START the car once you've input the correct code, not just disarm an alarm. It would be really annoying if everytime i walked to the car with the RFID thingy, it would start. Like a yappy dog that needs attention

 

[DeSloth]

Whaaaa..... ??

No no. I wasn't talking about alarms. The RFID tag holds the 'code', and only once that code has been read can the car be started.

Some possible scenarios:

1) Person gets into car with correct RFID tag in their pocket.
2) RFID reader unit thingy in car sends out 'wassup!' signal to the tag
3) Tag responds with correct 'code'
4) Ignition is enabled, and car may be started with a push button or similar.

or

1) Person gets into car WITHOUT AN RFID tag in their pocket.
2) RFID reader unit thingy in car sends out 'wassup!' signal to the tag
3) There is obivously no response
4) Ignition is never enabled. Car unable to be started.

or

1) Person gets into car with an RFID tag in their pocket - but it has incorrect code stored
2) RFID reader unit thingy in car sends out 'wassup!' signal to the tag
3) Tag responds with an INCORRECT 'code'
4) Ignition is never enabled. Car unable to be started.

I don't know exactly what technology manufacturers are using, but they are definately using similar systems.

Just food for thought. Sounds like a cool project in any case.

 

[Kai]

Okay, i've stumbled on the ideal design for one of these, however, has anyone here that's done EE ever programmed an Atmel AVR before?

Atmel's own site gives you a schematic, parts cost about £27 in total, but doesn't supply you with the software, just a flowchart of 'how the system works' and makes references to source code that i can't find

 

[annoyingrob]

So how does it get around the steering lock

 

[boosted1jz]

they can get under my hood and hotwire allllllllllllllllll they want, but unless you can find that 1 magical button in my car.... the car will just turn over and over but no fuel will ever enter the rail, bad kinda i know... but atleast hopfully my car will still be there when i come back

 

[626na]

Tow truck ownz any anti-theft device.

 

[boosted1jz]

thats why i said hopfully LOL

 

[Kai]

Nothing to do with the steering lock, and it's nothing to do with being a killswitch either.

 

[626na]

who would want to steal a toyota

 

[Poodles]

I swear he's trolling...

Anyway, only insurance against tow trucks is to airbag the car. Can't tow it if it's sitting on the frame...