Remotely controllable and configurable vehicle security system

• US 20040257208A1
• Filed: 06/18/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Runghuang Tsai, Szuchao Huang
• Original Assignee: Runghuang Tsai, Szuchao Huang
• Inventors: Huang, Szuchao, Tsai, Runghuang
• Application Number:
  US10/463,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20040257208A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• 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 25/305 using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates

Abstract

A security control system for responding to security events detected by in-vehicle security systems utilizing vehicle-mounted video cameras. The system includes an in-vehicle control apparatus located within each vehicle that has a security system communications interface connected to the in-vehicle security system, memory, a controller configured to control operation of the video cameras in response to security events detected by the vehicle security system based upon configuration data and situation data, a wireless transceiver configured for bi-directional communication on a wireless link, and a communication link to the video cameras configured to transmit command data to the video cameras from the controller and receive captured images from the video cameras. Additionally, the system has a remote server in communication with the in-vehicle control apparatus of the plurality of vehicles via the wireless link, and a remote programming device in communication with the remote server via a communications network.

Claims

1. A security control system for responding to security events detected by in-vehicle security systems located within a plurality of vehicles having vehicle-mounted video cameras comprising:

an in-vehicle control apparatus located within each of the vehicles comprising;

a security system communications interface connected to the in-vehicle security system;

a data store configured to store configuration data;

a controller connected to the security system communications interface and the memory and configured to control operation of the video cameras in response to security events detected by the vehicle security system based upon configuration data and situation data;

a wireless transceiver configured for bi-directional communication on a wireless link;

a communication link to the video cameras configured to transmit command data to the video cameras from the controller and receive captured images from the video cameras;

a remote server in communication with the in-vehicle control apparatus of the plurality of vehicles via the wireless link; and

a remote programming device in communication with the remote server via a communications network, the remote programming device being configured for the input of the configuration data;

wherein the configuration data input at the remote programming device is transmitted via the communications network to the remote server and from the remote server via the wireless link to the in-vehicle control apparatus for storage in the data store.

2. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the captured images are transmitted to remote server via the wireless communications link.

3. The system recited in claim 1, further comprising a data entry device located within the vehicle and coupled to the in-vehicle control apparatus and configured for the input of the configuration data.

4. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the remote server is configured to authenticate the remote programming device through a secure login procedure.

5. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the situation data includes vehicle location data, local geography data and time of day data.

6. The system recited in claim 5, wherein the vehicle location data is provided by a global positioning system.

7. The system recited in claim 1, wherein in response to detection of a security event by the in-vehicle security system, the in-vehicle control apparatus transmits event data comprising data indicative of the security event, a time stamp, and the captured images to the remote server.

8. The system recited in claim 1, wherein in response to detection of a security event by the in-vehicle security system, the in-vehicle control apparatus is configured to transmit data indicative of the security event to the remote server, and wherein the remote server is configured to compare the security event data to a set of pre-defined response criteria and based upon the comparison to provide a notification of the security event to the remote programming device.

9. A remotely configurable in-vehicle control apparatus for responding to security events detected by an in-vehicle security system located within a vehicle having vehicle-mounted video cameras and for communicating with a remote server via a wireless link and a remote programming device configured for input of configuration data and coupled to the remote server via a communications network comprising:

a security system communications interface connected to the in-vehicle security system;

a data store configured to store configuration data;

a controller connected to the security system communications interface and the data store and configured to control operation of the video cameras in response to security events detected by the vehicle security system based upon configuration data;

a wireless transceiver configured for bi-directional communication on the wireless link;

a communication link to the video cameras configured to transmit command data to the video cameras from the controller and receive captured images from the video cameras;

wherein the configuration data input at the remote programming device is transmitted via the communications network to the remote server and from the remote server via the wireless link to the in-vehicle control apparatus for storage in the data store.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 9, wherein the captured images are transmitted to remote server via the wireless communications link.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 9, wherein the situation data includes vehicle location data, local geography data and time of day data.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein the vehicle location data is provided by a global positioning system.

13. The apparatus recited in claim 9, wherein in response to detection of a security event by the in-vehicle security system, the in-vehicle control apparatus transmits event data comprising data indicative of the security event, a time stamp, and the captured images to the remote server.

14. The apparatus recited in claim 9, wherein in response to detection of a security event by the in-vehicle security system, the in-vehicle control apparatus is configured to transmit data indicative of the security event to the remote server, and wherein the remote server is configured to compare the security event data to a set of pre-defined response criteria and based upon the comparison to provide a notification of the security event to the remote programming device.