Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VEHICLE INTRUSION ALARM SYSTEM
This invention is directed to a vehicle surveillance system,
s and more particularly to an alarm system for single or
multiple vehicle use, primarily to combat theft of, or from, a
vehicle.
1o BACKGROUND
Vehicle security is a major problem and one that to date has
not been completely solved. Highway transportation (i.e.
trucks) are continually being stolen, and automobiles and/or
is their contents are stolen or vandalized.
Alarm systems for static structures have been developed
extensively over the past half century, and numerous systems
have been patented, directed to security systems for both
2o industrial and residential use. Such systems, for example,
utilize: motion detectors and heat detectors to be applied in
security areas to detect intrusion; electronic alarm systems
utilized on doors and/or windows to detect unauthorized entry;
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and photographic systems such as video surveillance for use in
financial institutions, retail areas, parking areas, and
commercial office complexes.
Proximity sensors; heat sensors; electronic alarms; ultrasonic
sensors; optical devices; motion detectors and sound actuated
alarms, have individually or in combination, been utilized in
the aforementioned security systems. However with regard to
vehicle intrusion detection, very little advance has been
to made, other than the convention intruder activated audio alarm
systems.
SZTMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
a vehicle alarm system utilizing a combination of known
components in a unique manner heretofor not contemplated in
prior security systems.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an
intrusion detection system that may be applied and operated
within areas where multiple vehicles are stored, for example
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automobile dealerships, in addition to use independently in,
for example heavy transportation vehicles or private
automobiles.
s Accordingly, the invention in its basic form, provides an
intrusion alarm system comprising a vehicle sensor unit,
located within the vehicle, either integrally incorporated
within the electrical system of the vehicle, or removably
attached thereto. The vehicle sensor unit is adapted to
io separately detect any motion of the vehicle generated by
intrusion; any inclination of the vehicle; and electrical
voltage fluctuation occurring within the vehicle's electrical
system. The vehicle sensor unit also includes a radio
frequency transmitter and a power source, either remote from
is the vehicle or provided by a conventional vehicle battery.
Finally, a remote receiver is provided and adapted to receive
a signal from the transmitter to activate an alarm indicative
of vehicle intrusion.
2o In a further embodiment, for specific multiple vehicle use,
where a number of vehicles are stored within a controlled and
defined area, each vehicle is provided with a vehicle sensor
unit. Wireless repeater receivers could be used,
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strategically located about the controlled area, these being
adapted to receive the initial signals from one or more of the
vehicle sensor units. Also included is a remote control
computer that receives signals from the repeater receivers.
s Finally, the computer, upon receipt of such signals, activates
photographic surveillance equipment, such as a video camera,
to make permanent record of the event and provide indication
of the location of the vehicle or vehicles being investigated
by the system.
io
It will also be appreciated that the system, according to the
invention, may be further enhanced by combination with
conventional satellite technology, whereby a vehicle once
stolen can be traced.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The invention will now be described by way of example only,
2o reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a basic single
vehicle system, in block diagram format;
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Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a system
utilized in a multi-vehicle application, again in block
diagram format; and
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS:
Looking specifically to the drawings, Figure 1 is a
io representation of a single vehicle application which could be
supplied for individual vehicle owner use. The vehicle is
indicated at (10), the vehicle sensor unit(l0a) is located
conveniently within the vehicle (10), either permanently
incorporated in the vehicle's electrical system, or as a
is separate unit removable therefrom.
The sensor unit(l0a) includes an ultrasonic motion sensor
(11), which detects intrusion by using an ultrasonic
transducer where any change in the reflection pattern can be
2o detected. With such a detector, the opening of a door, or
breaking of a window can be detected while sounds and
movement outside the vehicle are ignored.
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An inclination detector is also provided. Its use, as will
be appreciated, for example, in detecting any elevation of
the vehicle as would occur in unauthorized removal of the
tires) which would require elevation of the axle(s). The
inclination sensor (12) could be self-adjusting to account
for initial positioning and the sensor integrating with the
microprocessor (14) to distinguish the difference between a
strong wind rocking the vehicle and an axle being jacked a
few inches to remove the wheel.
to
A voltage monitor (13), is also included with the system
which continually monitors the power supply (16), such that
any change in voltage caused by the opening of the door or
trunk lid transmits an appropriate signal.
As will be appreciated in connection with the power supply
(16), continually monitoring systems (sensors) will require
the alarm to be equipped with an external power supply.
Battery back-up may also be included to enable the circuit
zo to report the absence of external power. This source of
external power also provides for the use of the voltage
monitor (13) as a third alarm sensor.
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Finally, the sensor unit includes an RF transmitter (15)
which transmits an alarm signal to a receiver (17) which may
be located on the person owning the vehicle or in close
proximity thereto.
The RF transmitter (15) transmits a "heart beat" to indicate
that the unit is functional. Between heartbeats the RF
transmitter (15) and the micro controller (14) will be in a
power saving "sleep" mode. The sensor (10a) will, however,
io stay active during the sleep mode, but will have the ability
to wake the microprocessor (14). Once an alarm condition
exists, the unit will as previously indicated, transmit the
alarm condition, repeating every few seconds. Both the
alarm and "heart beat" transmissions induce an ESN
i5 (electronic serial number) to allow identification of the
unit and the RSSI from the transceiver.
Looking now to Figure 2, there is a multi-vehicle
application as would be contemplated for an automobile
2o dealership storage lot, the controlled area indicated at
(18). Strategically located about lot (18) are a number of
wireless repeater receivers (19).
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Each vehicle (10) (only three shown) includes a vehicle
sensor unit (10a) as previously outlined.
Should intrusion occur in any vehicle within the lot (18), a
s signal is initially transmitted to the wireless repeater
transceiver (19) closest to the location of the intruded
vehicle. Each transceiver (19) continually listens for
signals from the remote transmitters (15). A "heart beat"
or alarm condition received by the repeater transceiver (19)
io is buffered prior to being relayed to a main transceiver
(20) on a separate channel.
The main wireless transceiver (20) includes an RF receiver
(21), a micro controller (22), a PC interface (23), and a
is power supply (24). Finally, the PC interface is connected
directly to a central computer (25) equipped with a database
tracking system.
As an additional feature, the system can be inter-linked
2o with a conventional CCTV camera system (26), which will
allow for photographic verification of an alarm event. A
software package can also be configured to allow for the
future addition to a GPS vehicle locating system for "after
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event" tracking of a stolen vehicle. This final stage could
also include conventional satellite tracking technology.
The invention, however, is not to be restricted in scope on
s the basis of the foregoing description, but may be defined
by the breadth of the following claims.
