Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for starting an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, wherein the internal combustion engine has an associated electrical machine (1) which is operated as a starter/generator. During starting, the electrical machine (1) is supplied with a voltage which is obtained from addition or from subtraction of the voltages which are produced on a first energy store (3) and the voltages which are produced on a second energy store (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for starting an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, wherein the internal combustion engine has an associated electrical machine (1) which is operated as a starter/generator. During starting, the electrical machine (1) is supplied with a voltage which is obtained from addition or from subtraction of the voltages which are produced on a first energy store (3) and the voltages which are produced on a second energy store (4).

Abstract: A method for determining the buffering effect of the battery (2) for providing a voltage (U) for a power supply system (4), in particular for a vehicle, is provided in order to identify serviceability of a battery as easily and reliably as possible, in which method any voltage change and any current change are detected cyclically, the dynamic internal resistance of the battery is determined on the basis of the quotient of the voltage change and the current change, the specific dynamic internal resistance is monitored for exceeding an extreme value which can be predetermined, and a statement of the buffering effect of the battery is made and is output. In this case, the buffering effect of the battery is better, the smaller the quotient of the voltage change and current change.

Abstract: A method for determining the buffering effect of the battery (2) for providing a voltage (U) for a power supply system (4), in particular for a vehicle, is provided in order to identify serviceability of a battery as easily and reliably as possible, in which method any voltage change and any current change are detected cyclically, the dynamic internal resistance of the battery is determined on the basis of the quotient of the voltage change and the current change, the specific dynamic internal resistance is monitored for exceeding an extreme value which can be predetermined, and a statement of the buffering effect of the battery is made and is output. In this case, the buffering effect of the battery is better, the smaller the quotient of the voltage change and current change.

Abstract: An electronic vehicle key has a radio receiver for receiving radio call information which is transmitted by a control center, and a key communication device for communicating with a vehicle communication device in an associated vehicle, signals transmitted by the key communication device to the vehicle communication device serving to activate or deactivate an immobilizer on the vehicle. According to the invention, a key controller, which administers a mobility account, is provided in the electronic vehicle key; and radio call information is transmitted by a control center is registered as a “credit” in the mobility account. Relevant events are processed as “debits” in the mobility account, and deactivation or activation of the immobilizer on the vehicle is dependent on the account value of the mobility account.

Abstract: An electronic vehicle key has a radio receiver for receiving radio call information which is transmitted by a control center, and a key communication device for communicating with a vehicle communication device in an associated vehicle, signals transmitted by the key communication device to the vehicle communication device serving to activate or deactivate an immobilizer on the vehicle. According to the invention, a key controller, which administers a mobility account, is provided in the electronic vehicle key; and radio call information is transmitted by a control center is registered as a “credit” in the mobility account. Relevant events are processed as “debits” in the mobility account, and deactivation or activation of the immobilizer on the vehicle is dependent on the account value of the mobility account.

Abstract: An electronic authentication device has an authentication key unit for user authentication with respect to the target unit, which key unit communicates electronically with the target unit during an authentication communication process. An electronic authentication communication process is activated automatically when the key unit approaches the target unit or when a triggering element provided on the target unit is actuated. For increased protection against unauthorized authentication attempts, indicating apparatus are provided on the key unit to display the fact that an electronic authentication communication process is taking place. Also switching apparatus can be provided for allowing or blocking an authentication communication process, and a communication duration monitor can also be provided on the target unit to monitor the duration of an authentication communication process and block authentication if this duration exceeds a predetermined maximum duration.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a remote control having a portable remote control unit which can control at least one function unit. The remote control unit and the function unit are connected with one another by way of a bidirectional data communication link, by which data can be transmitted by means of a symmetrical coding method. The remote control unit sends a learn mode reporting signal in a secret coding information learn mode to the controllable function unit which, in the learn mode, in turn, sends back an acknowledgment signal. Upon receipt of the acknowledgment signal, the remote control unit generates new secret coding information by means of the coding algorithm, as a function of basis secret coding information and of the previous secret coding information, and sends the new secret coding information to the function unit.

Abstract: A method and a device with which data can be programmed into a vehicle component are provided. It is proposed to keep available at a central office the data which it encodes upon request with a code that is specific to the vehicle component and transmits it to the requesting location, and decoding is performed only in the vehicle component itself. In this way, a high level of protection against unauthorized attempts to acquire data during transmission of this data to be programmed into the component is ensured. Suitable devices for working the method include direct connectability of the individual vehicle component to a programming device at the requesting location for direct programming, or alternatively, intermediate connection of an intermediate storage component. In this way, for example, mobility-limiting key programming can be achieved that is highly protected against manipulation. The method and device are usable in vehicles with an anti-theft protection system and for vehicle rental systems.

Abstract: The invention provides an ignition key-vehicle communication device having at least one electronic key which can be inserted into a vehicle-end ignition lock. A wireless key-vehicle communication component arranged on the key actuates at least one vehicle-end functional unit by activating an activation element which is arranged at the key end. To protect against incorrect operation, means are provided for detecting when a key is inserted into the ignition lock and/or is inserted in a specific position in the ignition lock, and disabling communication between this key and the functional unit to be actuated in response thereto. The means for protecting against incorrect operation are arranged on the key.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle security device with an electronic use-authorization coding arrangement for preventing unauthorized access to the vehicle. The vehicle security device utilizes digital signature algorithm for encrypting and transmitting authorization and synchronization information, so that the storage of secret information is essential only at the key unit in order to transmit authorization and/or synchronizing information from the key unit to the vehicle unit in a way which is very effectively protected against falsification. Thus, reading out vehicle unit information does not permit unauthorized manufacture of a copied key.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle security device utilizing a rapid encryption method which operates on the basis of a "one-way function" and which requires storage in the vehicle of at most one item of secret coded information in a single piece of equipment, out of any desired number of pieces of equipment involved in vehicle security. In all such pieces of equipment only the one-way function values corresponding to inverse images stored in a key unit need to be present, the reading out of the said one-way function values making unauthorized manufacture of a copied key impossible. Security against interception and storage of information transmitted at the key end in order to produce copied keys is ensured by including an item of random information, transmitted at the vehicle end, in this authentication information.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle security device with an electronic use-authorization coding arrangement for identifying authorized access to the vehicle. The vehicle security device utilizes an encryption method which operates on the basis of a one-way function, so that it is only absolutely necessary to store secret code information at the key end, specifically in the form of different inverse images of a one-way function. Only the one-way function values corresponding to these inverse images need be present at the vehicle end, a reading-out of which does not permit unauthorized manufacture of a copied key because of the virtual irreversibility of the one-way function.

Abstract: In the new vehicle safety device according to the invention, random code information used to control the release of an electronic drive-away block arrangement consists of a combination of a plurality of partial information generated separately in operationally essential vehicle units which are separated from one another. The partial information is combined in a linking unit connected with these units for total random code information. Even after a code data exchange protocol has been intercepted by an unauthorized person, the latter, because of the structure of the safety device, can operate the vehicle only by replacing all of these units, which renders such unauthorized use by strangers unattractive because of the manipulations and expense required for this purpose.

Abstract: A motor vehicle electrical system has an electrical machine with an on-board power supply generator function. The electrical machine can be operated, in a first mode, as an on-board power supply generator, having a regulator for setting the excitation current for the electrical machine, and having an electrical load having a comparatively high power consumption, for example a heating device for an exhaust gas catalytic converter. A changeover switch, by means of which an output of the electrical machine can optionally be connected to an on-board power supply cable or to the load, as well as a control unit for controlling the regulator and changeover switch optionally in the first mode or a second mode, is provided so that the electrical machine is connected to the on-board power supply and the regulator regulates the operating voltage at an on-board power supply voltage. Alternatively, the electrical machine is connected to the load and the regulator regulates the operating voltage at a higher nominal value.

Abstract: A motor vehicle light controlling device includes an operating switch and electronics assigned to the operating switch for supplying current to a multiplicity of lamps of the operating light system. At least one controlled switching component provides a clock-controlled supply of current to the assigned lamp circuit. The device is divided into a light switch module and a rear lamp module. A clock control provided, distributed over both modules, in order to influence the lamp currents of the vehicle operating lights. That is, in order to lower the luminosity of certain lights when required, and to be able to increase the on-board system voltage temporarily without the luminosity or lamp power changing as a result. The latter is of interest, for example, for the brief driving of electrical heating elements or servomotors to achieve an advantageously high utilization of conductor material.