Cellular/GPS system for vehicle tracking

• US 5,515,043 A
• Filed: 08/17/1994
• Issued: 05/07/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alfredo J. Berard, David C. Nixon, James L. Mentzer
• Original Assignee: Alfredo J. Berard, David C. Nixon, James L. Mentzer
• Inventors: Mentzer, James L., Nixon, David C., Berard, Alfredo J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US08/291,757
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/990, 340/995, 340/426, 455/38.3, 455/343, 342/357, 342/457, 364/449, 379/59
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A vehicle locating and alarm system that enables the user to remotely access the vehicle and, if need be, activate an alarm system therein. This system also automatically calls one or more pre-programmed telephone numbers upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a collision or other emergency. Upon remotely accessing the vehicle by telephone or computer, the user is, upon entering a valid Personal Identification Number ("PIN"), supplied with the vehicle'"'"'s location, speed and a command option menu for alarm and deterrent device control.

Claims

1. A method of locating a vehicle and activating an alarm therein comprising the steps of:

(a) installing a receiving/transmitting assembly in the vehicle, said receiving/transmitting assembly receiving and/or transmitting cellular phone signals over a phone network, whereby no central controlling facility is provided;

(b) installing a position receiver within the vehicle, said position receiver receiving one or more locating beacons from a positioning system;

(c) coupling a microcontroller to said receiving/transmitting assembly and said position receiver, said microcontroller controlling and continuously receiving data from both said receiving/transmitting assembly and said position receiver, said microcontroller being accessible and operable from a remote location via said receiving/transmitting assembly;

(d) coupling locating means to said microcontroller for ascertaining the location of the vehicle and reporting same when requested, said reporting further being selectively voice synthesized via a voice synthesizer;

(e) configuring said microcontroller with an automatic calling assembly for automatically calling one or more pre-programmed phone numbers via said receiving/transmitting assembly;

(f) monitoring an alarm system which, upon activation, engages said automatic calling assembly;

(g) accessing and operating said microcontroller from a remote location via said receiving/transmitting assembly;

(h) constructing and arranging said receiving/transmitting assembly to comprise a cellular phone handset and a modem;

(i) constructing and arranging said alarm system to include inputs from crash, alarm, battery, or remotely located panic sensors;

(j) constructing and arranging a microcontroller voice synthesizer (MCVS) card to selectively activate deterrent means for deterring vehicle theft or break-in, said deterrent means comprising ignition lock, horn switch, or engine kill controls;

(k) constructing and arranging said microcontroller voice synthesizer (MCVS) card with a high power mode and a low power mode and means for automatically switching from said low power to said high power mode, whereby when said microcontroller voice synthesizer (MCVS) card is in said high power mode, all functions are operable; and

, when said microcontroller voice synthesizer (MCVS) card is in said low power mode, said microcontroller and said alarm system are operable; and

,

(l) constructing and arranging said microcontroller voice synthesizer (MCVS) card so that when said microcontroller voice synthesizer (MCVS) card is in said low power mode, said microcontroller voice synthesizer (MCVS) card will, activate said switching means and thereby, for predetermined time intervals, automatically switch to said high power mode, thereby permitting said receiving/transmitting means to receive/transmit said cellular phone signals.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reporting via said transmitting means is selectively in digital format.