Device for protecting audio equipment in vehicle against theft

• US 4,683,462 A
• Filed: 11/07/1984
• Issued: 07/28/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Igarashi, Tsutomu, Takeda, Kazuma
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mullen, Jr., Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US06/669,103
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568, 340/571, 340/63, 340/64, 340/522, 340/540, 340/543, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.03, 340/825.04, 340/825.37, 361/171-172, 455/345, 455/154, 455/158, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector

Abstract

A device for protecting audio equipment adapted to be installed in an automobile against theft includes a code storage section for previously storing a specific code in a memory, a code entry section for entering a code when the audio equipment is to be operated, a comparator circuit for comparing the code entered from the code entry section with the code read from the memory, and a muting circuit that usually mutes the electrical signal which would otherwise be applied to the power amplifier of the audio equipment. Unless the specific code is entered from the code entry section, the audio equipment is made inoperative by the electronic lock.

Claims

1. In an audio equipment adapted to be installed in a vehicle and having an audio section for providing an audio sound output, the improvement of said audio equipment being provided integrally with its own anti-theft device comprising:

an entry section including a plurality of keys for entering a selected number;

a storage section for storing a code number;

a power section for connecting said audio equipment including said anti-theft device to a battery when said audio equipment is installed in a vehicle;

control means connected to said entry section, storage section, and power section, which becomes operative upon connecting said power section to the battery of a vehicle, for receiving a number entered on said entry section and comparing said entered number to said code number stored in said storage section, and for providing a signal indicating if said entered number and said stored code number match; and

a muting circuit for muting the audio section from providing an audio sound output or for releasing the audio section from a muted condition to an operative condition depending upon whether said signal is provided by said control means;

further including a second power section for receiving an operative voltage supplied to said anti-theft device when a power switch in the vehicle is switched on, said control means including a detector for detecting if said second power section is not provided with the operative voltage and if a key of said entry section is depressed, and a warning section connected to said control means which provides a warning signal if both said conditions are detected.

2. An audio equipment having an integral anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein once said signal is provided by said control means, said audio section remains operative for as long as said power section remains connected to the battery of the vehicle in which the audio equipment is installed, said control means including a second detector for detecting if said power section becomes disconnected from said battery.

3. An audio equipment having an integral anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein said control means provides a signal for muting said audio section for a selected time period after a predetermined number of incorrect number entries on said entry section.

4. An audio equipment having an integral anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein said audio equipment is a radio including means for receiving broadcast radio signals and a channel selector having a plurality of keys for tuning said audio equipment to corresponding broadcast channels, and wherein said channel selector is also connected to said control means and constitutes said entry section.

5. An audio equipment having an integral anti-theft device according to claim 4, further comprising a display section connected to said control means for providing a visual display of a prompt requesting entry of the code number or a matching number, and of a broadcast channel number selected on said channel selector.

6. An audio equipment having an integral anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein said warning signal activates a sound alarm.

7. An audio equipment having an integral anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein said warning signal activates a lamp which is flashed on and off.

8. An audio equipment having an integral anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein said control means is connected to said audio section and further includes means for causing said audio section to emit a confirmation sound when a predetermined number of digits corresponding to the number of digits of said stored code number have been entered on said entry section.

9. In an audio equipment adapted to be installed in a vehicle and having an audio section for providing an audio sound output, the improvement of said audio equipment being provided integrally with its own anti-theft device comprising:

an entry section including a plurality of keys for switching said audio section to selected channels;

a first power section for connecting said audio equipment including said anti-theft device to a battery when said audio equipment is installed in a vehicle;

a second power section for receiving an operative voltage supplied to said anti-theft device when a power switch in the vehicle is switched on;

control means connected to said entry section and said first and second power sections, which becomes operative upon connecting said first power section to the battery of a vehicle, for detecting if said second power section is not provided with the operative voltage and if a key of said entry section is depressed; and

a warning section connected to said control means which provides a warning signal if both said conditions are detected.

10. An audio equipment having an integral anti-theft device according to claim 9, wherein said warning signal activates a sound alarm.

11. An audio equipment having an integral anti-theft device according to claim 9, wherein said warning signal activates a lamp which is flashed on and off.