Apparatus for suppressing automobile anti-theft arm/disarm system

• US 4,996,515 A
• Filed: 04/18/1990
• Issued: 02/26/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerald J. Teudt, Schaffer, Michael
• Original Assignee: Gerald J. Teudt, Schaffer, Michael
• Inventors: Schaffer, Michael, Teudt, Gerald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US07/510,603
• Time in Patent Office: 314 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/427, 340/428, 340/429, 340/527, 340/539, 340/502, 307/10.2, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/426.23
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/10 actuating a signalling device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically suppressing the audible arm and disarm signal associated with an automobile anti-theft system includes a control circuit connected between an anti-theft system and its sound emitter. A photoresistor cell is connected to the control circuit to indicate whether the light level is above or below a threshold level, e.g. to distinguish day from night. In the day, the control circuit is bypassed and the system functions normally. At night, the control circuit suppresses the system signal for a short interval, e.g. two seconds, to eliminate the audible arm and disarm signal. The short suppression interval does not significantly interfere with an intruder alarm signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for automatically suppressing the audible arm and disarm signal of an automobile anti-theft system, comprising:

circuit means having an input terminal for receiving an alarm signal from an alarm signal generating portion of said automobile anti-theft system, and having an output terminal for providing a modified alarm signal to a sound emitting device; and

light sensing means coupled to said circuit means for generating a light level signal for indicating whether ambient light intensity is above or below a predetermined threshold level;

said circuit means including bypass means responsive to said light level signal being above said threshold level for connecting said input terminal to said output terminal for allowing an alarm signal to energize said sound emitting device;

said circuit means further including suppression means responsive to said light level signal being below said threshold level for disconnecting said input terminal from said output terminal for a predetermined period of time.

2. An apparatus for automatically suppressing the audible arm and disarm signal of an automobile anti-theft system as recited in claim 1, wherein said audible arm and disarm signal has a specified duration, and wherein said period of suppression is slightly longer than said specified duration.

3. An apparatus for automatically suppressing the audible arm and disarm signal of an automobile anti-theft system as recited in claim 2, wherein said alarm signal comprises either said audible arm and disarm signal having a specified duration of two seconds.

4. An apparatus for automatically suppressing the audible arm and disarm signal of an automobile anti-theft system as recited in claim 3, wherein said alarm signal comprises an intruder alarm signal.

5. An apparatus for automatically suppressing the audible arm and disarm signal of an automobile anti-theft system as recited in claim 1, wherein said bypass means comprises a comparator connected to said input terminal and said output terminal.

6. An apparatus for automatically suppressing the audible arm and disarm signal of an automobile anti-theft system as recited in claim 2, wherein said light sensing means comprises a cadmium sulfide photoresistor cell.

7. An apparatus for automatically suppressing the audible arm and disarm signal of an automobile anti-theft system as recited in claim 3, wherein said apparatus is mounted between said automobile anti-theft system and said sound emitting device mounted on a vehicle.

8. An apparatus for automatically suppressing the audible arm and disarm signal of an automobile anti-theft system as recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is integral with said automobile anti-theft system and said sound emitting device.