Theft prevention device for automotive vehicle service centers

• US 20060267575A1
• Filed: 08/03/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Sampson, William G., Philbrook, John S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,777,612 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/110
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0213 System disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded disabling electrical appliances in case of unplugging G08B13/1409
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0255 System arrangements wherein the parent unit emits, i.e. the parent unit incorporates the emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0275 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tag technology used for parent or child unit, e.g. same transmission technology, magnetic tag, RF tag, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0277 Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]

Abstract

An apparatus and method for preventing theft in automotive vehicle service centers. The apparatus includes at least one portable tool and a controller. The portable tool includes circuitry configured to communicate with the controller. The portable tool further includes anti-theft circuitry, which is configured to disable the portable tool if no communication occurs between the portable tool and the controller for a predetermined time period.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preventing theft in automotive vehicle retail and service centers comprising:

a controller; and

at least one portable tool for use in the automotive vehicle service centers comprising;

circuitry configured to communicate with the controller; and

anti-theft circuitry configured to disable at least one function of the portable tool if no communication occurs between the portable tool and the controller for a predetermined time period.

2. The apparatus. of claim 1 and further comprising a docking device, wherein the at least one portable tool communicates with the controller when it is installed in the docking device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the docking device facilitates wired communication between the at least one portable tool and the controller.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the docking device facilitates wireless communication between the at least one portable tool and the controller.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the docking device comprises an alarm.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the alarm is further configured to output a continuous audible noise if the tool is removed from the docking device for the predetermined time period.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the predetermined function comprises carrying out a battery test.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 and further comprising a controller with which the portable tool is configured to communicate.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the predetermined function comprises carrying out a battery test and transmitting battery test results to the controller.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the controller is configured to generate a reactivation code, which is utilized for re-enabling the portable tool.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the portable tool comprises an input configured to receive the reactivation code and to provide it to a processor of the portable tool, which is configured to re-enable the portable tool upon receipt of the reactivation code.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 and further comprising a docking device in which the portable tool can be installed.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the portable tool is configured to communicate with the controller when installed in a cradle of the docking device.

7. An apparatus for preventing theft in automotive vehicle retail and service centers comprising:

a portable tool comprising;

anti-theft circuitry configured to disable the portable tool after it performs a predetermined function.

15. A method of preventing theft of a portable tool from an automotive vehicle service center, the method comprising:

effecting communication between the portable tool and a controller; and

disabling at least some functions of the portable tool if communication between the portable tool and the controller ceases for a predetermined time period.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein effecting communication between the portable tool and the controller comprises initiating communication between the portable tool and the controller when the portable tool is installed in a cradle of a docking station.

17. The method of claim 16 and further comprising terminating communication between the portable tool and the controller when the portable tool is removed from the cradle of the docking station.

18. The method of claim 17 and further comprising generating a reactivation code.

19. The method of claim 18 and further comprising re-enabling the portable tool by entering the reactivation code into an input of the portable tool.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the portable tool is one of a battery tester and a battery charger.