Anti-theft system for automotive vehicles

• US 4,901,053 A
• Filed: 06/15/1989
• Issued: 02/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company), Honda Lock Manufacturing Company Limited (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company), Honda Lock Manufacturing Company Limited (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Akira, Nakamura, Kazuo, Fukamachi, Masaaki, Onitsuka, Mobuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Woodiel, Donald O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tumm, Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US07/368,066
• Time in Patent Office: 243 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/550, 340/652, 109/21, 109/10, 109/38, 109/42, 200/61.08, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/426.35
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1018 Alarm systems characterised by features related to the general power supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00785 by light
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A signal is received from a key having predetermined information. A discriminator determines whether the received signal from the receiver represents the predetermined information. An actuator performs a predetermined anti-theft operation in response to output signals from first and second detectors indicating that at least one predetermined one of the covering members is closed and locked. The operation of the actuator is disabled in response to an output signal from the discriminator indicating that the received signal represents the predetermined information. The key includes a magnetic element forming first predetermined information, and light emitting elements for emitting infrared ray carrying second predetermined information. The actuator performs the predetermined anti-theft operation in response to an output signal from a third detector indicating that the key has been removed from a predetermined key hole, in addition to the output signals from the first and second detectors.

Claims

1. Apparatus for detecting forceful entry into an automotive vehicle by breakage of at least one windowpane of said automotive vehicle, comprising:

said at least one windowpane being formed of toughened glass which is pulverized when broken;

at least one electrically conductive strip provided coupled to said at least one windowpane at a location along substantially the entire length of a side thereof where it is invisible from outside of said automotive vehicle and adapted to be cut or broken when a corresponding one of said at least one windowpane pulverizes upon being broken; and

detecting means coupled to said at least one electrically conductive strip for electrically detecting cutting or breaking of said at least one electrically conductive strip.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises:

cutting detecting circuit means for generating different output voltages when any of said at least one electrically conductive strip is cut or broken and when none of said at least one electrically conductive strip is cut or broken; and

alarming signal output circuit means responsive to one of said different output voltages from said cutting detecting circuit means which is indicative of cutting or breaking of any of said at least one electrically conductive strip for generating an alarming signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said cutting detecting circuit means generates an output voltage falling outside a predetermined reference range when any of said at least one electrically conductive strip is cut or broken.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrically conductive strip is adhered to a surface of a respective windowpane.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrically conductive strip comprises a metal foil having a given electrical resistance.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said automotive vehicle has a plurality of windows each having said windowpane, and lift means arranged therein,

said at least one electrically conductive strip being disposed along a lower side of said at least one windowpane,

said at least one windowpane being vertically movable for closing and opening by said lift means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one electrically conductive strip has lead wires connected to both ends thereof,

said lead wires extending at opposite sides of said lift means in spaced relation thereto.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one windowpane comprises a plurality of windowpanes, and said at least one electrically conductive strip comprises a plurality of electrically conductive strips, said strips being disposed respectively on said windowpanes,

said electrically conductive strips being connected in series.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the whole of said at least one windowpane is pulverized even when said windowpane receives a localized shock on one part thereof.