Vehicle security system

• US 10,471,933 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2017
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nzube John Etonye
• Original Assignee: Nzube John Etonye
• Inventors: Etonye, Nzube John
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie B
• Application Number:
  US15/682,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20180244240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1276 with radio receivers, loud-speakers or buzzers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/23 using manual input of alphanumerical codes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/31 of human presence inside or outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

This invention relates to security systems. Previously, vehicle vandals and thieves were difficult to stop. Embodiments of the present invention use a vehicle security system (100) includes at least two image capture devices (ICD), sensors, a global positioning system tracking module (GPSTM), a control module (CM), and a monitoring device. The ICD are positioned at predetermined locations of the vehicle for capturing and transmitting images of a target object. The CM receives the captured images and sensor data variables. The CM analyzes the received images and sensor data variables based on predefined criteria to trigger auxiliary units. The CM transmits the images and sensor data variables based on the predefined criteria to the monitoring device. A graphical user interface displays the images for monitoring the vehicle and notifies the user.

Claims

1. A vehicle security system for monitoring a vehicle and notifying a user based on an occurrence of an event, the vehicle security system comprising:

a portable rear view mirror, having a portable rear view mirror front side and a portable rear view mirror rear side and a microprocessor therebetween;

a control module, communicatively coupled to the microprocessor a first image capture device, attached to the portable rear view mirror front side and communicatively coupled to the microprocessor;

a second image capture device, attached to the portable rear view mirror rear side and communicatively coupled to the microprocessor;

a microphone, attached to the portable rear view mirror rear side and communicatively coupled to the microprocessor;

a speaker, attached to the portable rear view mirror rear side and communicatively coupled to the microprocessor;

a remote communication transmitter, attached to the portable rear view mirror rear side and communicatively coupled to the microprocessor;

at least one speed sensor, communicatively coupled to the microprocessor and configured to determine a detected speed of the vehicle;

at least two remote monitoring devices communicatively coupled to the remote communication transmitter;

at least two registered monitoring device communicatively coupled to the remote communication transmitter;

wherein the microprocessor to communicate to the control module with instructions to;

detect the event from an event set consisting of;

a vehicle theft attempt, a burglary attempt, an intruder attempt, a vehicle jacking attempt, a driver before driving insecurity, a driver while driving insecurity, and a driver after driving insecurity;

record an image of the event;

communicate the event to one member of a device set consisting of;

the at least one remote monitoring device and the at least one registered monitoring device;

wait for a response from the one member of the device set;

communicate the event to the one member of the device set;

activating simultaneously the first and second image capture devices from the detected speed of the vehicle; and

automatically sending a simultaneous live video alert from the first and second image capture device to a monitoring device of the user.

2. The vehicle security system of claim 1, further comprising:

a video display, arranged within the portable rear view mirror;

wherein the microprocessor is further programmed with additional instructions to display the image on the video display.

3. The vehicle security system of claim 1, wherein communicating the event to the one member of the device set further comprises producing an emergency tone.

4. The vehicle security system of claim 1, wherein the control module is located on the vehicle and programmed with more instructions to:

determine if a qualifying event occurs;

wherein the qualifying event is one member of a qualifying event set consisting of;

unlocking the vehicle, locking the vehicle, and starting the vehicle; and

communicating the qualifying event to both members of the device set.

5. The vehicle security system of claim 1,

a communication system, communicatively coupled to the microprocessor and further comprising the microphone, the speaker, the at least one remote monitoring device and the at least one registered monitoring device;

wherein the control module is further programmed with more instructions to enable audio communication between the microphone, the speaker, and at least one member of a remote set consisting of;

the at least one remote monitoring device, the at least one registered monitoring device, a central security monitoring station, a police station, and a local authority station.

6. The vehicle security system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to communicate to the control module with more instructions to:

receive a potential kill switch passcode from the one member of the device set;

verify that the potential kill switch passcode is an authentic kill switch passcode from the one member of the device set; and

disable the vehicle.

7. The vehicle security system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to communicate to the control module with more instructions to:

receive a potential vehicle theft passcode from the one member of the device set;

verify that the potential vehicle theft passcode is an authentic vehicle theft passcode from the one member of the device set; and

communicate the authentic vehicle theft passcode to a third party device;

wherein the third party device is programmed with further instructions to;

confirm a vehicle theft; and

notify police.

8. The vehicle security system of claim 7, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to communicate to an auxiliary unit through the control module with the instructions to:

stop a moving stolen vehicle through a central security monitoring station with police supervision.

9. The vehicle security system of claim 7, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to communicate to the control module with added instructions to:

receive a first timer expiration due to failure to receive a first manual response from the at least one remote monitoring device;

receive a second timer expiration due to failure to receive a second manual response from the at least one registered monitoring device;

communicate an authentic vehicle violation passcode to the at least one registered monitoring device and the at least one remote monitoring device.

10. The vehicle security system of claim 9, wherein the authentic vehicle violation passcode is one member of a passcode set consisting of:

a vehicle theft passcode, a vehicle burglary passcode, and a vehicle theft attempt pass code.

11. The vehicle security system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to communicate to the control module with more instructions to:

receive a first timer expiration due to no first manual response from the at least one remote monitoring device;

receive a second timer expiration due to no second manual response from the at least one registered monitoring device;

communicate an authentic vehicle violation passcode to the at least one registered monitoring device and the at least one registered monitoring device.

12. The vehicle security system of claim 11, wherein the authentic vehicle violation passcode is one member of a passcode set consisting of:

a vehicle theft passcode, a vehicle burglary passcode, and a vehicle theft attempt pass code.

13. The vehicle security system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to communicate to the control module with more instructions to:

transmit a potential driver distress alert from an electronic device;

responding to the potential driver distress alert with an alarm.

14. The vehicle security system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to communicate to the control module with more instructions to:

transmit a potential driver distress alert from images from the portable rear view mirror through the at least one registered monitoring device;

respond to the potential driver distress alert with an alarm.

15. The vehicle security system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to communicate to the control module with more instructions to:

receive a potential driver distress alert from the portable rear view mirror; and

verify that the potential driver distress alert is an authentic driver distress alert from the at least one remote monitoring device.

16. The vehicle security system of claim 15, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to communicate to the control module with added instructions to:

communicate an authentic driver distress passcode to the at least one registered monitoring device.

17. The vehicle security system of claim 15, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to communicate to the control module with added instructions to:

communicate an authentic driver distress passcode to a central monitoring station.

18. The vehicle security system of claim 17, wherein the central monitoring station receives a communication of the authentic driver distress passcode from the portable rear view mirror and notifies police.

19. The vehicle security system of claim 18, wherein the central monitoring station receives at least one image from the portable rear view mirror and notifies the police.

20. The vehicle security system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to communicate to the control module with more instructions to:

detect a log-in instruction; and

communicate the log-in instruction to the one member of the device set.

21. A process for monitoring a vehicle;

the process comprises;

detecting an event from an event set consisting of;

a vehicle theft attempt, a burglary attempt, an intruder attempt, a vehicle jacking attempt, a driver before driving insecurity, a driver while driving insecurity, and a driver after driving insecurity;

recording an image of the event;

displaying the image on a video display

communicating the event to a device set comprising;

at least two remote monitoring devices and at least two registered monitoring devices;

waiting for a response from the device set;

communicating the event to the device set;

wherein communicating the event to the one member of the device set further comprises producing an emergency tone;

determining if a qualifying event occurs;

wherein the qualifying event is one member of a qualifying event set consisting of;

unlocking the vehicle, locking the vehicle, and starting the vehicle;

communicating the qualifying event to the device set;

forming a communication system, communicatively coupled to a microprocessor and further comprising a microphone, a speaker, and the device set;

enabling audio communication between the microphone, the speaker, the at least one remote monitoring device and the at least one registered monitoring device

activating simultaneously the first and second image capture devices from the detected speed of the vehicle; and

automatically sending a simultaneous live video alert from the first and second image capture device to a monitoring device of the user.

22. The process of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving a potential kill switch passcode from the device set;

verifying that the potential kill switch passcode is an authentic kill switch passcode from the one member of the device set; and

disabling the vehicle.

23. The process of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving a potential vehicle theft passcode from the device set;

verifying that the potential vehicle theft passcode is an authentic vehicle theft passcode from the one member of the device set; and

communicating the authentic vehicle theft passcode to a third party device;

wherein the third party device is programmed with instructions to;

confirm a vehicle theft; and

notify police.

24. The process of claim 23, further comprising:

communicating to an auxiliary unit through a control module with the instructions to;

stop a moving stolen vehicle through a central security monitoring station with police supervision.

25. The process of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving a first timer expiration due to no first manual response from the at least two remote monitoring devices;

receiving a second timer expiration due to no second manual response from the at least two remote monitoring devices;

communicating an authentic vehicle violation passcode to the device set.

26. The process of claim 23, further comprising:

transmitting a potential driver distress alert from an electronic device;

responding to the potential driver distress alert with an alarm.

27. The process of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving a potential driver distress alert from a portable rear view mirror in the vehicle; and

verifying that the potential driver distress alert is an authentic driver distress alert from the at least one remote monitoring device.

28. The process of claim 23, further comprising:

communicating an authentic driver distress passcode to the at least two registered monitoring devices.

29. The process of claim 23, further comprising:

communicating an authentic driver distress passcode to a central monitoring station.

30. The process of claim 29, further comprising:

receiving, at the central monitoring station, a communication of authentic driver distress from a portable rear view mirror in the vehicle and notifying the police.

31. The process of claim 30, further comprising:

detecting a log-in instruction; and

communicate the log-in instruction to the one member of the device set.

32. The process of claim 21, wherein a vehicle user is one member of a vehicle user set consisting of:

a vehicle owner, a vehicle owner'"'"'s associate or an authorized vehicle user.

33. The process of claim 21, wherein a device set user is one member of a device user set consisting of:

a vehicle owner, a vehicle owner'"'"'s associate, a vehicle owner'"'"'s relation, and an authorized vehicle user.

34. The process of claim 21, wherein a third party is one of a third party set security monitoring personnel, a police and a local authority.