Vehicle antitheft device

• US 20040075540A1
• Filed: 03/27/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Yasui, Katsuaki
• Granted Patent: US 6,989,737 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1025 preventing jamming or interference of said signal
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera

Abstract

Disclosed is a vehicle antitheft device not requiring a contract with a security company, etc., and increasing a vehicle antitheft effect. In the vehicle there are provided a camera 4 or a microphone, and a control device 2 for distinguishing a face or voice of a fuman by means of an image or sound captured by the camera 4 or microphone, and based on distinction results, executing vehicle theft prevention control operations. The camera 4 is provided at a position capable of capturing a normally seated driver and the outside through a window next to a driver'"'"'s seat. Further, in the vehicle there is provided a radio communications unit. The control device 2 records the captured image from the camera, judges whether the it is the face image of the person, and if it is, performs control so that the image is sent to a given reporting destination via the radio communications unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle antitheft device comprising, inside a vehicle, a camera and a control device for distinguishing whether or not an image captured by the camera is a face of a fuman, and based on a distinction result, for executing a control operation for vehicle theft prevention.

2. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 1, wherein the camera is provided at a position from which the camera can capture a driver in a normal seated position and an external area through a window beside a driver'"'"'s seat.

3. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 2, further comprising a radio communications unit inside the vehicle,

wherein the control device performs control such that the image captured by the camera is recorded, a judgment is made as to whether or not the recorded captured image is a face image of a person, and in a case where it is the face image, the image is transmitted to a predetermined reporting destination by means of the radio communications unit.

4. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 3, further comprising a warning device inside the vehicle,

wherein, in a case where the recorded image is the face image of a person, the control device performs control such that the warning device performs a warning that the face image was obtained.

5. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 4,

wherein the control device performs control such that an image captured by the camera after a starting operation of the vehicle is distinguished as to whether or not it is the face of a person, and in a case where the captured image is the face image of a person, the image is transmitted to a predetermined reporting destination by means of the radio communications unit, and the warning device performs a warning that the face image was obtained.

6. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 5,

wherein the control device transmits the image by means of the radio communications unit, and permits the starting of the vehicle after performing the warning by means of the warning device.

7. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 4,

wherein the control device performs control such that an image captured by the camera after the vehicle starting operation is distinguished as to whether or not it is the face of the person, and in a case where the captured image is not the face image of the person, performs control to urge the driver to have his/her face captured by the camera, by means of the warning device.

8. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 7,

wherein the control device distinguishes whether or not an image captured by the camera after the warning by the warning device is the face of the person, and in a case where the captured image is the face image of the person, transmits the image by means of the radio communications unit, and after warning by means of the warning device, permits the starting of the vehicle.

9. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 1,

wherein, when vehicle speed reaches a predetermined level after the vehicle is started, the control device performs control such that an image captured by the camera is recorded, and in a case where the captured image is the face of the fuman, the image is transmitted by means of the radio communications unit, and after a warning is performed by means of the warning device, an arousal level of a driver is detected, and in a case where the arousal level is low, the driver is warned by means of the warning device.

10. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 1, further comprising a microphone instead of the camera,

wherein the control device distinguishes whether or not a sound captured by the microphone is a voice of a fuman, and based on a distinction result, executes a control operation for vehicle theft prevention.

11. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 1,

wherein the control device distinguishes whether or not it is a face or a voice of a person based on particular movement or a predetermined code word.

12. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 1,

wherein the control device executes an antitheft operation by emitting an alarm sound, a warning, or a light to intimidate in a case where it judges that a person is not recognized.

13. A vehicle antitheft device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting an abnormality of vibration, impact, sound or heat,

wherein the control means starts control operations for preventing theft of an automobile based on an abnormality detection signal by the sensor.