Automatically armed vehicle anti-theft system
First Claim
1. An automatically armed motorized vehicle anti-theft system comprising:
- a first sensor means for providing an output signal in response to detection of either an attempt to start the vehicle motor or the opening of a vehicle door;
a timer means having a timer cycle, said timer means being responsive to detection of vehicle power activation and to said first sensor means output signal for automatically starting the timer cycle, wherein when the timer cycle is complete, said timer means outputs a trigger signal;
means for generating a first reset signal to reset said timer means;
an engine speed detection means coupled to the vehicle engine for providing a signal representative of contemporaneous engine operating speed;
a second sensor means for providing an output signal in response to actuation of a vehicle brake mechanism; and
a vehicle disabling means which is responsive to said trigger signal, said engine operating speed signal, and said second sensor means output signal, for only permitting the vehicle engine to operate properly near an engine idling speed in response to detection of a vehicle brake actuation after the receipt of said trigger signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A motorized vehicle anti-theft system which is passive by being automatically armed (i.e., does not require a vehicle occupant to set the system). Once power has been turned on to the vehicle, detection of an attempt to start the vehicle motor or the opening of a vehicle door starts a predetermined time cycle. If a first reset signal is not received before the end of the time cycle, a vehicle disabling circuit is set. After that, a detection of actuation of the vehicle brake will trigger the disabling circuit to only permit the vehicle engine to operate properly near the engine idling speed, and set off an alarm. More specifically, the engine'"'"'s operating speed is continually monitored, and after the disabling circuit is triggered, if the contemporaneous engine operating speed exceeds the normal idling speed, the vehicle fuel supply is intermittently interrupted to cause violent lunging of the vehicle. Only proper generation of the first and a second reset signal will allow the vehicle to be operated properly again.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An automatically armed motorized vehicle anti-theft system comprising:
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a first sensor means for providing an output signal in response to detection of either an attempt to start the vehicle motor or the opening of a vehicle door; a timer means having a timer cycle, said timer means being responsive to detection of vehicle power activation and to said first sensor means output signal for automatically starting the timer cycle, wherein when the timer cycle is complete, said timer means outputs a trigger signal; means for generating a first reset signal to reset said timer means; an engine speed detection means coupled to the vehicle engine for providing a signal representative of contemporaneous engine operating speed; a second sensor means for providing an output signal in response to actuation of a vehicle brake mechanism; and a vehicle disabling means which is responsive to said trigger signal, said engine operating speed signal, and said second sensor means output signal, for only permitting the vehicle engine to operate properly near an engine idling speed in response to detection of a vehicle brake actuation after the receipt of said trigger signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for passively preventing a theft of a motorized vehicle comprising:
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a) detecting power activation of the vehicle; b) detecting an attempt to start the vehicle motor or open a vehicle door; c) in response to both steps a) and b), automatically initiating a predetermined time cycle; d) detecting whether a first reset signal is generated; e) generating a trigger signal at the end of said time cycle if a first reset signal is not generated; f) detecting actuation of a vehicle brake mechanism; g) detecting a contemporaneous vehicle engine operating speed; and h) disabling the vehicle by intermittently disrupting operation of the vehicle engine whenever the contemporaneous operating speed exceeds an idling threshold value in response to the first detection of vehicle brake actuation after said trigger signal has been generated. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification