In-vehicle security system

• US 20020180274A1
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Suman, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/179,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20020180274A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A method for selectively securing a vehicle against theft. The vehicle includes a latch lock device, a controller and an anti-theft system. The latch lock device can be selectively operable in an unlocked condition and a locked condition. The locked condition prevents a closure member latch mechanism from being unlatched. The anti-theft system can be selectively operable in an unarmed condition and an armed condition. The method includes transmitting a lock signal to the controller and generating a latch control signal and an anti-theft control signal in response to the lock signal. The latch control signal causes the latch lock device to be positioned in a locked condition. The anti-theft system control signal causes the anti-theft system to be placed in an armed condition.

Claims

1. A method for selectively securing a vehicle against theft, the vehicle having a latch lock device, a controller and an anti-theft system, the latch lock device being selectively operable in an unlocked condition and a locked condition, the locked condition preventing a closure member latch mechanism from being unlatched, the anti-theft system being selectively operable in an unarmed condition and an armed condition, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a lock signal to the controller; and

generating a latch control signal and an anti-theft system control signal in response to the lock signal, the latch control signal causing the latch lock device to be positioned in a locked condition, the anti-theft system control signal causing the anti-theft system to be placed in the armed condition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is coupled to a programmable transmitter coupled to the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, further including training the programmable transmitter to actuate the anti-theft system prior to transmitting the lock signal to the controller.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the lock signal is generated by a remote keyless entry fob.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

generating an audio signal indicative that the anti-theft system is in the armed condition.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of generating the audio signal includes the step of generating a verbal message.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-theft system control signal is transmitted to the anti-theft system via a data bus.

8. A method for selectively unsecuring a vehicle that has been secured against theft, the vehicle having a latch lock device, a controller and an anti-theft system, the latch lock device being selectively operable in an unlocked condition and a locked condition, the locked condition preventing a closure member latch mechanism from being unlatched, the anti-theft system being selectively operable in an unarmed condition and an armed condition, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting an unlock signal to the controller; and

generating a latch control signal and an anti-theft system control signal in response to the unlock signal, the latch control signal causing the latch lock device to be positioned in an unlocked condition, the anti-theft system control signal causing the anti-theft system to be placed in the unarmed condition.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the controller is coupled to a programmable transmitter which is coupled to the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9, further including training the programmable transmitter to actuate the anti-theft system prior to transmitting the unlock signal to the controller.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the unlock signal is generated by a remote keyless entry fob.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

generating an audio signal indicative that the anti-theft system is in the unarmed condition.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of generating the audio signal includes the step of generating a verbal message.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the anti-theft system control signal is transmitted to the anti-theft system via a data bus.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a transmitter for causing the anti-theft system to be in the unarmed condition.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the transmitter is programmable.

18. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the lock signal and the unlock signals are radio frequency signals.

19. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising an audio device for generating an audio signal indicative of whether the anti-theft system is in the armed condition or the unarmed condition.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the audio signal includes a verbal message.

15. A vehicle comprising:

an anti-theft system being selectively operable in an unarmed condition and an armed condition;

a door assembly having a latch mechanism and a latch lock device, the latch mechanism operable in a latched condition for engaging a striker and an unlatched condition for releasing the striker, the latch lock device being selectively operable in an unlocked condition and a locked condition, the locked condition preventing the latch mechanism from being positioned in the unlatched condition;

a controller coupled to the latch lock device and the anti-theft system;

a remote keyless fob operable for selectively transmitting a lock signal to the controller and for selectively transmitting an unlock signal to the controller;

wherein transmission of the lock signal to the controller causes the controller to generate a first latch control signal and a first anti-theft system control signal, the first latch control signal causing the latch lock device to be positioned in the locked condition and the first anti-theft system control signal causing the anti-theft system to be in the armed condition;

wherein transmission of the unlock signal to the controller causes the controller to generate a second latch control signal and a second anti-theft system control signal, the second latch control signal causing the latch lock device to be positioned in the unlocked condition and the second anti-theft system control signal causing the anti-theft system to be in the unarmed condition.