ELECTRONIC ANTI-THEFT APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES
First Claim
1. An electronic anti-theft system comprising:
- an input device adapted to communicate with an engine control module of a motor vehicle, wherein the engine control module is capable of controlling an engine of the motor vehicle;
a microcontroller located within the input device, wherein the microcontroller is adapted to communicate with the engine control module;
the microcontroller adapted to communicate with a door sensor of the vehicle, wherein the microcontroller is capable of detecting when a door is opened;
the microcontroller includes a door open circuit capable of sending a signal to the engine control module to disable the engine after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed in response to detecting that the door was opened; and
wherein the microcontroller is operative to disable the engine provided that a predetermined input is not received at the input device within the predetermined amount of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic anti-theft system and method is described herein. The system may inhibit the completion of vehicle theft, carjacking, as well as deter any unauthorized use of the vehicle. The system may include an input device and a microcontroller. The input device may communicate with an engine control module of a motor vehicle, wherein the engine control module controls an engine of the motor vehicle. The microcontroller may communicate with a door sensor of the vehicle and be able to detect when a door is opened. The microcontroller may include a door open circuit that can send a signal to the engine control module to disable the engine after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed in response to detecting that the door was opened. The microcontroller may disable the engine provided that a PIN is not received at the input device within the predetermined amount of time.
11 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An electronic anti-theft system comprising:
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an input device adapted to communicate with an engine control module of a motor vehicle, wherein the engine control module is capable of controlling an engine of the motor vehicle; a microcontroller located within the input device, wherein the microcontroller is adapted to communicate with the engine control module; the microcontroller adapted to communicate with a door sensor of the vehicle, wherein the microcontroller is capable of detecting when a door is opened; the microcontroller includes a door open circuit capable of sending a signal to the engine control module to disable the engine after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed in response to detecting that the door was opened; and wherein the microcontroller is operative to disable the engine provided that a predetermined input is not received at the input device within the predetermined amount of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)
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7. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one visual indicator is a light emitting diode.
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10. A method of operating an electronic anti-theft system comprising the steps of:
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engaging an input device with an engine control module of a motor vehicle, wherein the input device includes a microcontroller capable of detecting when an engine of the motor vehicle has been started; receiving a predetermined input into the input device within a predetermined amount of time, thereby activating an engine run circuit; detecting the opening of a driver'"'"'s side door after receiving the predetermined input, thereby activating a door open circuit; failing to receive the re-entry of the predetermined input within the predetermined amount of time, thereby activating an engine disrupt circuit; and disabling the engine for a specified amount of time by way of the engine disrupt circuit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification