Alarm system for use in a vehicle and method

• US 4,262,279 A
• Filed: 10/05/1978
• Issued: 04/14/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James S. Dublirer
• Original Assignee: James S. Dublirer
• Inventors: Dublirer, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nowicki, Joseph E.
• Application Number:
  US05/948,703
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 340/63, 340/64, 340/528, 307/10 AT, 180/114, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/430
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1013 Alarm systems characterised by the type of warning signal, e.g. visual, audible
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001

Abstract

An alarm system for use with a vehicle is disclosed herein and operates between two primary states, an alarm ready state and an owner-identification state, depending upon certain sequential events relating to the positions of the vehicle'"'"'s normal entry ways and key actuated ignition. In order to activate the system, a vehicle entry signal is produced in response to the opening of any entry way into the vehicle, however, only during the period when this system is in its alarm ready state. The entry signal in turn initiates an alarm signal for activating an alarm but only after a delay sufficient to allow the owner to identify himself by placing the system in its owner-identification mode, thereby cancelling initiation of the alarm signal.

Claims

1. An alarm system for use in a vehicle having a battery, a number of entry ways including at least two doors, a trunk and a hood and a key actuated ignition switch movable between an inoperative position and at least one operative position, said system comprising:

(a) an audio alarm mounted within said vehicle;

(b) means for connecting said alarm to the battery of said vehicle in response to an alarm signal for activating said alarm;

(c) means for continuously sensing the position of each of said entry ways and said ignition switch during operation of said system;

(d) a control circuit connected with said sensing means and operating between two states depending solely upon predetermined positioning sequences of said entry ways and ignition switch, said states including

(i) an alarm ready state during a period after the opening of one or more of said entry ways and subsequent closing of all entry ways following the movement of said ignition switch from an operative position to its inoperative position but prior to the subsequent movement of said ignition back to an operative position, and

(ii) an owner-identification state at all times prior to the start of said alarm ready state period and after said period when said ignition switch is moved back to its operative position;

(e) said control circuit including

(i) delay means for starting said period during which said control circuit is in said alarm ready state at a time when all of said entry ways have continuously remained closed for a fixed duration after said subsequent closing of all of said entry ways;

(ii) means for producing a vehicle entry signal in response to the opening of said entry way but only during said period when said control circuit is in its alarm ready state,

(iii) means for locking said entry signal producing means in a signal producing mode for continuously producing said entry signal throughout said period once said entry signal is initiated, whereby the subsequent closing of said entry way during said period does not inhibit the production of said entry signal,

(iv) means for producing an alarm signal for a fixed duration starting a predetermined period of time after and in response to the initiation of said entry signal and so long as said control circuit remains in its alarm ready state, said alarm signal producing means being connected with said battery connecting means for applying said alarm signal thereto, said alarm signal producing means including means for automatically discontinuing production of said alarm signal for deactivating said alarm at the end of said fixed duration;

(f) means adapted for connection with said alarm signal producing means for automatically activating said alarm regardless of the state of said circuit means or the presence or absence of said entry signal; and

(g) means including a switch movable between a first position for disabling operation of said alarm system when said control circuit is in said owner-identification state and a second non-disabling position, said disabling means being connected with said entry signal producing means for producing an entry signal when said disabling means is moved to said first disabling position while said control circuit is in its alarm ready state.

2. An alarm system according to claim 1 wherein said means including said switch is connected with said control circuit and functions as an open entry way when in its disabling position, said switch being connected into said system such that severing of said switch therefrom automatically places said disabling means in a non-disabling position regardless of its position prior to severing of said switch, whereby said switch can be place in plain view within said vehicle.

3. An alarm system for use in a vehicle having a number of entry ways including at least one door and a key actuated ignition switch movable between an inoperative position and at least one operative position, said system comprising:

(a) an audio alarm and source of power mounted within said vehicle;

(b) means for connecting said alarm to said source of power in response to an alarm signal for activating said alarm;

(c) means for continuously sensing the position of each of said entry ways and said ignition switch during operation of said system;

(d) a control circuit connected with said sensing means and operating between two states depending upon predetermined positioning sequences of said entry ways and ignition switch, said states including

(i) an alarm ready state during a period after the opening of one or more of said entry ways and subsequent closing of all entry ways following the movement of said ignition switch from an operative position to its inoperative position but prior to the subsequent movement of said ignition back to an operative position, and

(ii) an owner-identification state at all times prior to the start of said alarm ready state period and after said period when said ignition switch is moved back to its operative position;

(e) said control circuit including

(i) delay means for starting said period during which said control circuit is in said alarm ready state at a time when all of said entry ways have continuously remained closed for a fixed duration after said subsequent closing of all of said entry ways;

(ii) means for producing a vehicle entry signal in response to the opening of said entry way but only during said period when said control circuit is in its alarm ready state,

(iii) means for locking said entry signal producing means in a signal producing mode for continuously producing said entry signal throughout the remainder of said period once said entry signal is initiated, whereby the subsequent closing of said entry way during said period does not inhibit the production of said entry signal,

(iv) means for producing an alarm signal at least for a fixed period of time starting a predetermined period of time after and in response to the initiation of said entry signal and so long as said control circuit remains in its alarm ready state, and;

(f) means operable between a first position for disabling operation of said alarm system when said control circuit is in said owner-identification state and a second non-disabling position, said disabling means being connected with said control circuit so as to act as an open entry way when in its first disabling position.

4. An alarm system according to claim 3 wherein said alarm signal producing means includes means for automatically discontinuing production of said alarm signal for deactivating said alarm at the end of said fixed period of time.

5. An alarm system according to claim 3 including means adapted for connection with said alarm signal producing means for volitionally activating said alarm regardless of the state of said circuit means or the presence or absence of said entry signal.

6. An alarm system according to claim 3 wherein said disabling means is connected with said entry signal producing means for producing an entry signal when said disabling means is moved to said first disabling position while said control circuit is in its alarm ready state.

7. An alarm system according to claim 6 wherein said disabling means includes a switch movable between a first disabling position and a second non-disabling position, said switch being connected into said system such that severing of said switch therefrom automatically places said disabling means in its non-disabling position regardless of its position prior to severing of said switch, whereby said switch can be placed in plain view within said vehicle.

8. A method of protecting a vehicle having a number of entry ways including at least two doors and a key actuated ignition switch movable between an inoperative position and at least one operative position, said method comprising:

(a) placing an audio alarm source of power and a control circuit within said vehicle;

(b) connecting said alarm to said source of power in response to an alarm signal for activating said alarm;

(c) continuously sensing the position of each of said entry ways and said ignition switch during operation of said system;

(d) operating said control circuit between two states depending upon predetermined positioning sequences of said entry ways and ignition switch, said states including

(i) an alarm ready state during a period after the opening of one or more of said entry ways and subsequent closing of all given entry ways following the movement of said ignition switch from an operative position to its inoperative position but prior to the subsequent movement of said ignition switch back to an operative position, and

(ii) an owner-identification state at all times prior to the start of said alarm ready state period and after said period when said ignition switch is moved back to its operative position;

(e) starting said period during which said control circuit is in said alarm ready state at a time when all of said entry ways have continuously remained closed for a fixed duration after said subsequent closing of all of said entry ways;

(f) producing a vehicle entry signal in response to the opening of said entry way but only during said period when said control circuit is in its alarm ready state;

(g) continuously producing said entry signal throughout the remainder of said period once said entry signal is initiated, whereby the subsequent closing of said entry way during said period does not inhibit the production of said entry signal;

(h) producing an alarm signal at least for a period of time starting a predetermined period of time after and in response to the initiation of said entry signal and so long as said control circuit remains in its alarm ready state; and

(i) providing a switching circuit including a switch in cooperation with said control circuit and disabling protection of said vehicle by placing said switch in a predetermined position when said control circuit is in said owner-identification state so as to cause said switch to act as an open entry way.