Anti-theft alarm system for motor vehicles

• US 4,800,361 A
• Filed: 07/13/1987
• Issued: 01/24/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jonathan D. Greif
• Original Assignee: Jonathan D. Greif
• Inventors: Greif, Jonathan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruehl, Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US07/073,064
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 340/555, 340/63, 340/541, 340/573, 250/221
• US Class Current: 340/426.34
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1016 Remote signals alerting owner or authorities, e.g. radio signals
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1895 using light change detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence

Abstract

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an alarm system which is capable of being set off prior to any damage being done to the motor vehicle by an intruder. Thus, an intruder who merely shines a flashlight into the dashboard area of the vehicle to determine whether or not there is a radio, stereo, or other valuable item to be taken, will set off the present invention alarm system prior to actually breaking into the vehicle. Thus, the present invention is directed to a motor vehicle alarm system which is designed to respond to the intrusion of light and which incldues a physical enclosure for placement in the inside area of a motor vehicle which has a faceplate with at least one aperture through which intruding light may enter, as well as an intruding light detecting means within the enclosure which is located at the aperture. A signal generating means is connected to the intruding light detecting means so as to generate a signal in respose to a preset level of intruding light. A signal transmitting means which is connected to the signal generating means transmits a signal to set off an alarm. The signal may be transmitted through a wire to an alarm located in the vehicle or it may be transmitted by radio to a radio receiver which is either in the vehicle or at a remote location and which triggers the alarm. Preferably, the intruding light detecting means is a photosensor which is responsive to normal flashlight levels of visible light radiation.

Claims

1. In a motor vehicle alarm system which includes an alarm and which is adapted to signal the alarm in response to attempted intrusion, an improvement which is adapted to respond to intrusion of light into said motor vehicle, which comprises:

(a) an enclosure for placement in the inside area of a motor vehicle having at least a frame and a faceplate, said faceplate having at least one aperture through which intruding light may enter, said enclosure being portably located on a dashboard and having the appearance and size of a tape cassette so as to conceal it from an intruder;

(b) intruding light detecting means within said enclosure and located at said aperture;

(c) a signal generating means connected to said intruding light detecting means adapted to generate a signal in response to a preset level of intruding light; and

,

(d) a signal transmitting means connected to said signal generating means for transmission of a generated signal to set off an alarm.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said intruding light detecting means is a photosensor.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said light detecting means includes a combination of a photosensor, a peak detector and a high pass filter.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal generating means is an amplitude comparator which only generates a signal after a preset light detection amplitude comparison level is recognized.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the signal generating means is an amplitude comparator which only generates a signal after a preset light detection amplitude comparison level is recognized.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein said amplitude comparator is preset at permanent setting.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein said amplitude comparator is adjustable so as to be manually preset at a setting of choice.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said alarm is directly wired to said signal transmitting means.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said alarm is radio connected to said signal transmitting means and includes a radio receiver and wherein said signal transmitting means is a radio transmitter.

10. The system of claim 9 which further includes an alarm which is located within said motor vehicle.

11. The system of claim 9 which further includes an alarm which is remotely located outside of said motor vehicle.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said tape cassette and contains said intruding light detecting means, signal generating means and signal transmitting means.