Method of indicating the threat level of an incoming shock to an electronically secured vehicle and apparatus therefore

• US 5,532,670 A
• Filed: 08/30/1993
• Issued: 07/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Directed, LLC (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: DEI Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Birchfield, Jerry W., Issa, Darrell E.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US08/112,940
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 340/429, 340/566
• US Class Current: 340/429
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1013 Alarm systems characterised by the type of warning signal, e.g. visual, audible
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• 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: B60R 25/1018 Alarm systems characterised by features related to the general power supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/00 Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement electric switches H01H; counting moving objects G06M7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0891 with indication of predetermined acceleration values G01P15/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00238 the transmittted data signal containing a code which is changed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/21 having a variable access code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/24 Self-calibration, e.g. compensating for environmental drift or ageing of components
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/26 by updating and storing reference thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 : Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/62 : Rolling code
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 13/0074 : Code shifting or hopping

Abstract

A method of indicating the threat level of an incoming shock to an electronically secured vehicle and eliminating spurious signals developed from the interaction of EMF and RF energy fields with the shock sensor including the steps of sensing a shock delivered to the vehicle indicative of an attempted intrusion, generating an electric signal the strength of which is proportional to the intensity of the shock, analyzing the signal to determine if it is of a low, generally non-threatening intensity or a higher, generally security-threatening intensity, ignoring the first 5 milliseconds of the signal produced by the shock sensor, ignoring all signals that do not disappear and later reappear, and producing either a first pulse representing a low intensity signal, or separate first and second pulses representing a signal containing both low intensity and higher intensity components.

Claims

1. A method of indicating a threat level of an incoming shock to an electronically secured vehicle comprising the steps of:

a) sensing a shock delivered to the vehicle;

b) generating a signal having strength proportional to the intensity of said shock;

c) analyzing said signal to determine if it has a low, generally non-threatening intensity or a higher, generally security-threatening intensity; and

d) producing either a first pulse, representing that said signal has only said low intensity, or separately producing said first pulse and a second pulse, representing that said signal has both said low intensity and said higher intensity.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating said signal includes the step of generating an alternating current signal having an amplitude proportional to said intensity of said shock.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of analyzing said signal includes the steps of:

a) amplifying said signal to produce an amplified signal;

b) impressing said amplified signal simultaneously to at least two separate integrators of different sensitivity to produce integrated signals; and

c) activating a pulse generator specific to each of said integrated signals, if the associated integrated signal reaches a predetermined level.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of analyzing said shock signal includes the steps of:

a) amplifying said signal to produce an amplified signal;

b) impressing said amplified signal simultaneously to at least two separate integrators of different sensitivity to produce integrated signals;

c) impressing said integrated signals simultaneously to at least two separate comparators of different sensitivity to produce a first comparator signal, if said integrated signals reach a first predetermined level, indicating said non-threatening intensity signal or a second comparator signal, if said integrated signals reach a second, higher predetermined level, indicating said higher threatening intensity signal; and

d) activating a pulse generator specific to said first and said second comparator signals.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of analyzing said shock signal includes the steps of:

a) amplifying said signal to produce an amplified signal;

b) impressing said amplified signal simultaneously to at least two separate integrators/comparators, each said integrator/comparator having different sensitivity; and

c) activating a pulse generator to produce said first and said second pulses specific to each signal integrated and compared if that signal reaches an associated predetermined level.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of analyzing said signal includes the steps of:

a) amplifying said signal to produce an amplified signal;

b) impressing said amplified signal simultaneously to at least two separate integrators of different sensitivity, to produce integrated amplified signals;

c) impressing said separate integrated, amplified signals to at least two signal comparators, one in series with each said integrator having different sensitivity to provide a first comparator signal indicating said non-threatening intensity signal or a second comparator signal indicating said higher threatening intensity signal; and

d) activating a pulse generator specific to each said comparator signal if said integrated, amplified signal reaches an associated predetermined level.

7. The method of claim 1 including the additional step of ignoring the first few milliseconds of said signal produced by a shock sensing device to eliminate spurious, nonphysical signals produced by random EMF energy fields interacting with said shock sensing device.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing either said first pulse or said second pulse includes sending said pulses over a single conductor to an alarm control.

9. The method of claim 1 including the additional step of ignoring any signal produced by nonphysical energy.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said nonphysical energy includes an EMF field.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of analyzing said signal includes the additional steps of amplifying and rectifying the full wave of said signal so that said output represents all values of said signal, is solely positive, and reduces the differential in the positive and negative aspects of said signal that are produced when a magnet swings away from an inductor coil before swinging toward said coil.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said second pulse has a pulse-width greater than a pulse-width of said first pulse.

13. An electronic vehicle security system for indicating a threat level of an incoming shock to an electronically secured vehicle comprising:

a) means for sensing a shock delivered to the vehicle;

b) means for generating a signal having strength proportional to the intensity of said shock;

c) means for analyzing said signal to determine if it has a low, generally non-threatening intensity or a higher, generally security-threatening intensity; and

d) means for providing either a first pulse representing that said signal has only said low intensity or separately providing said first and a second pulse, representing that said signal has both said low intensity and said higher intensity signal.

14. The electronic vehicle security system of claim 13 further including means for ignoring the first few milliseconds of said signal produced by said shock sensor to eliminate spurious, nonphysical signals produced by random EMF energy fields interacting with a shock sensing device.

15. The electronic vehicle security system of claim 13 further including means for sending said first and second pulses over a single conductor to an alarm control.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein said means for sensing a shock delivered to said vehicle includes a permanent magnet, having a magnetic field thereabout, suspended in an elastic mount on said vehicle for vibrating in said mount in response to said shock.

17. The system of claim 16 further including an induction coil fixedly mounted near said magnet for receiving a vibrating magnetic field therein to produce an induced alternating current and voltage therein.

18. The system of claim 17 further including a capacitor through which said induced alternating current and said voltage are passed to remove direct current and voltage therefrom.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said means for analyzing said signal includes:

a) a signal amplifier, having an output therein, for receiving said induced alternating current and voltage from said induction coil and providing an amplified signal thereof; and

b) first and second voltage integrators connected to said amplifier output, said first integrator having a high sensitivity for responding to said non-threatening intensity signal and said second integrator having a lower sensitivity for responding to said higher intensity signal, said integrators simultaneously receiving said amplified signal from said amplifier.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said means for providing either said first pulse or said separate first and second pulses include a pair of voltage comparators/output-pulse-generators, one connected to each said voltage integrator for comparing integrated voltages produced from each said integrator and providing said first pulse representing said low intensity signal from said high sensitivity integrator and providing both said first and said separate second pulse representing said low intensity signal from said high sensitivity integrator and said high intensity signal from said low sensitivity integrator.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein said means for analyzing said signal includes:

a) a signal amplifier, having an output therein, for receiving said induced alternating current and voltage from said induction coil and providing an amplified signal thereof; and

b) first and second voltage comparators connected to said amplifier output, said first comparator having a high sensitivity for responding to said non-threatening intensity signal and said second comparator having a lower sensitivity for responding to said higher intensity signal, said integrators simultaneously receiving said amplified signal.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein said means for analyzing said signal includes:

a) a signal amplifier, having an output therein, for receiving said induced alternating current and voltage from said induction coil and providing an amplified signal thereof; and

b) first and second voltage integrators and comparators connected to said amplifier output, said first integrator and comparator having a high sensitivity for responding to said non-threatening intensity signal and said second integrator and comparator having a lower sensitivity for responding to said higher intensity signal, said integrators and comparators simultaneously receiving said amplified signal from said amplifier.

23. The electronic vehicle security system of claim 13 further including means for ignoring any signal produced by nonphysical energy.

24. The electronic vehicle security system for indicating the threat level of an incoming shock to an electronically secured vehicle of claim 23 wherein said nonphysical energy includes an E F field.

25. The electronic vehicle security system of claim 13 wherein said second pulse has a pulse-width greater than a pulse-width of said first pulse.

26. A method of blocking spurious signals produced by a shock sensor in a motor vehicle anti-theft system from interaction between extraneous bursts of RF energy and a sensor induction coil, comprising the steps of:

a) amplifying a signal produced by a shock sensor to produce an amplified signal;

b) inputting said amplified signal to a comparator and comparing an output signal of said invertor/comparator against a known reference; and

c) outputting said amplified signal to an analog bilateral switch through a capacitor so that the charging of said capacitor will open said switch a few milliseconds to delete the front end of said amplified signal and remove it from further consideration.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of amplifying said signal includes the additional steps of amplifying and rectifying a full wave of said signal so that said amplified signal represents all values of said signal, is solely positive, and reduces the differential of the positive and negative aspects of said signal that are produced when a magnet swings away from an inductor coil before swinging toward said coil.

28. A method of indicating the threat level of an incoming shock to an electronically secured vehicle including a magnet and an induction coil arranged as part of a shock sensor comprising the steps of:

a) sensing a shock delivered to the vehicle including the step of generating an alternating current signal having amplitude proportional to the intensity of said shock;

b) analyzing said signal to determine if it is of a low, generally non-threatening intensity or a higher, generally security-threatening intensity, including the steps of;

i) rectifying and amplifying said signal;

ii) impressing said rectified, amplified signal simultaneously to at least two separate integrators of different sensitivity;

iii) impressing said separate integrated, amplified signals to at least two signal comparators of different sensitivity, one in series with each said integrator; and

iv) activating a pulse generator responsive to an output of each signal comparator; and

c) providing either a first pulse representing a low intensity signal, or separate first and second pulses representing said signal containing both low intensity and higher intensity components.

29. The method of claim 28 including the additional step of ignoring the first few milliseconds of said signal to eliminate spurious signals produced by random EMF energy fields interacting with said shock sensor.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of providing either said first pulse or said second pulse includes sending said pulses over a single conductor to an alarm control.

31. The method of claim 28 including the additional step of ignoring nonphysical signals interacting with the shock sensing device.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said nonphysical signals include EMF energy fields.

33. The method of claim 28 wherein said second pulse has a pulse-width greater than a pulse-width of said first pulse.

34. An electronic vehicle sensor for indicating the threat level of an incoming shock to an electronically secured vehicle comprising:

a) means for sensing a shock delivered to a vehicle including a permanent magnet, having a magnetic field thereabout, suspended in an elastic mount on said vehicle for vibrating in said mount in response to said shock;

b) means for generating a signal the strength of which is proportional to the intensity of said shock including an induction coil fixedly mounted near said magnet for receiving a vibrating magnetic field therein to produce an induced alternating current and voltage therein;

c) a capacitor through which said induced alternating current and voltage are passed to remove direct current and voltage therefrom;

d) means for analyzing said signal to determine if it is a low, generally non-threatening intensity or a higher, generally security-threatening intensity including;

i) a signal amplifier for receiving said induced alternating current and voltage from said induction coil; and

ii) a pair of voltage integrators connected to an output of said amplifier which produces an amplified signal, one said integrator having a high sensitivity for responding to said amplified signal containing only low intensity components and the other said integrator having a lower sensitivity for responding to said amplified signal containing higher intensity components, said integrators simultaneously receiving said amplified signal from said amplifier; and

e) means for producing either separate first and second pulses representing said signal containing both said low intensity and said higher intensity component, or said first pulse representing said low intensity signal, including a pair of voltage comparators/output pulse generators, one connected to each said voltage integrator for comparing outputs produced from each said integrator and producing said first pulse representing said low intensity signal from said high sensitivity integrator and providing both said first and said separate second pulse from both said generators representing said low intensity signal from said high sensitivity integrator and a high intensity signal from said low sensitivity integrator.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein said second pulse has a pulse-width greater than a pulse-width of said first pulse.

36. A method of blocking spurious signals produced in a motor vehicle anti-theft system from interaction between extraneous bursts of EMF or RF energy and a sensor induction coil, comprising the steps of:

a) amplifying signals produced by a shock sensor including amplifying a full wave of said signal providing an amplified signal and rectifying said amplified signal so that said amplified signal represents all values of said signal, is solely positive, and reduces the differential in the positive and negative aspects of said signal that are produced when a magnet swings away from an inductor coil before swinging toward said coil;

b) outputting said amplified signal to an analog bilateral switch through a capacitor so that charging said capacitor will open said switch for a predetermined period of time to delete a front end of said amplified signal as it passes therethrough and remove said front end from further consideration; and

c) inputting said amplified signal to a comparator and comparing it against a known value.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein said predetermined period of time is about 5 milliseconds.

38. A method of blocking spurious signals produced by a shock sensor in a motor vehicle anti-theft system from interaction between extraneous bursts of RF energy and a sensor induction coil, comprising the steps of:

a) amplifying signals produced by a shock sensor to produce an amplified signal;

b) inputting said amplified signal to a comparator and comparing it against a known reference;

(c) ignoring said signal produced by said shock sensor for a predetermined period of time to eliminate spurious, nonphysical signals produced by random energy interacting with a shock sensing device and removing it from further consideration

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the step of ignoring said signal includes outputting said signal to an analog bilateral switch through a capacitor so that the charging of said capacitor will open said switch a few milliseconds to delete the front end of said signal and remove it from further consideration.

40. The method of blocking spurious signals produced by a shock sensor in a motor vehicle anti-theft system of claim 38 wherein said nonphysical signal includes an EMF field.