Anti-theft device for motor vehicle

• US 5,604,384 A
• Filed: 02/08/1993
• Issued: 02/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Winner International Royalty LLC
• Original Assignee: Winner International Royalty LLC
• Inventors: Carlo, Louis D., Wise, Larry A., Rutkowski, John, Voiculescu, Danut
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GANJIAN, PETER
• Application Number:
  US08/014,560
• Time in Patent Office: 1,471 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.5, 307/10.6, 307/10.4, 180/287, 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.34, 340/825.54, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/539, 70/256, 70/257
• US Class Current: 307/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/10 actuating a signalling device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

An anti-theft device for a motor vehicle wherein a personal identification unit is carried by an authorized operator of said motor vehicle and includes means for identifying its location in the vicinity of the motor vehicle. A vehicle control unit mounted onto the motor vehicle, has a first and second condition with means for allowing operation of the motor vehicle when the control unit is in the first condition and means for inhibiting operation of the motor vehicle when said control unit is in the second condition and means for shifting the control unit into the second condition at a time subsequent to removal of the identification device from the vicinity of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An anti-theft device for a motor vehicle, said anti-theft device comprising:

a personal identification unit to be carried by an authorized operator of said motor vehicle, said personal identification unit having means for identifying its location in the vicinity of said motor vehicle, a vehicle control unit mounted onto said motor vehicle, said vehicle control unit having a first and second condition, means for allowing operation of said motor vehicle when said control unit is in said first condition and means for inhibiting operation of said motor vehicle when said control unit is in said second condition, means for shifting said control unit into said second condition at a time subsequent to removal of said identification unit from the vicinity of said motor vehicle, said vicinity locating means including a transmitter located in said personal identification unit, said transmitter having means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal periodically at given intervals of time in a coded pattern unique to said transmitter of a given authorized operator, and a receiver mounted in said vehicle control unit, said receiver having means for recognizing said unique coded pattern, and said means for inhibiting including program means for applying a stall sequence when said control unit is shifted to said second condition.

2. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 1 wherein said motor vehicle includes an ignition system and means for deactivating said ignition system and means for activating said ignition system and said program means includes means for alternately deactivating said system for a first time and activating said system for a second time.

3. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 2 wherein said first time progressively increases over time.

4. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 2 wherein said second time is progressively decreased.

5. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 4 wherein said first time progressively increases over time.

6. A personal identification device for remotely controlling an automotive vehicle anti-theft device having means including receiver means for controlling a function in said anti-theft device, said personal identification device comprising a transmitter having means for transmitting a control signal to said receiver in a coded pattern unique to said transmitter, and means for periodically transmitting said control signal at predetermined time intervals, said transmitter including means to create a continuous first signal, timer means for receiving said continuous signal and creating a second signal at said predetermined time intervals, encoder means to convert said second signal to a binary coded signal providing said control signal, and antenna means for transmitting said control signal to said receiver means, and manually operated override means for bypassing said timer means and applying said continuous first signal to said encoder means, whereby said control signal is transmitted during override operation for a period of time determined by manual operation of said override means.

7. The identification device according to claim 6, wherein said control signal is an electromagnetic signal.

8. The identification device according to claim 6, wherein said intervals exceed about 10.0 seconds.

9. An anti-theft device for thwarting hijacking of a motor vehicle, said anti-theft device comprising:

a personal identification unit to be carried by an authorized operator of said motor vehicle, said personal identification unit having means for identifying its location in the vicinity of said motor vehicle, a vehicle control unit mounted onto said motor vehicle, said vehicle control unit having a first and second condition, means for allowing operation of said motor vehicle when said control unit is in said first condition and means for inhibiting operation of said motor vehicle when said control unit is in said second condition, means for shifting said control unit into said second condition at a predetermined time of about one minute subsequent to removal of said identification unit from the vicinity of said motor vehicle, said vicinity locating means including a transmitter located in said personal identification unit, said transmitter having means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal periodically at given intervals of time in a coded pattern unique to said transmitter of a given authorized operator, a receiver mounted in said vehicle control unit, said receiver having means for recognizing said unique coded pattern, said motor vehicle including an ignition system connected to a battery by an electrical lead and said inhibit means including a switching means inserted in said lead for connecting said lead while said control unit is in said first condition and for ultimately interrupting said lead when said control unit is in said second condition, said means for inhibiting including program means for applying a stall sequence when said control unit is shifted to said second condition.

10. An anti-theft device for a motor vehicle, said device including a personal identification unit to be carried by an authorized operator of said vehicle, means for sensing the presence of said unit in the vicinity of said vehicle, and means for inhibiting operation of said vehicle when said sensing means indicates that said unit is removed from the vicinity of said motor vehicle, said means for inhibiting including program means for Applying a stall sequence to said motor vehicle when said unit is removed from the vicinity of said motor vehicle, said motor vehicle including an ignition system and means for deactivating said system and means for activating said system, and said program means including means for alternately deactivating said system for a first time and activating said system for a second time.

11. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 10 wherein said first time progressively increases over time.

12. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 10 wherein said second time is progressively decreased.

13. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 12 wherein said first time progressively increases over time.

14. An anti-theft device for a motor vehicle, said device including a personal identification unit to be carried by an authorized operator of said vehicle, means for sensing the presence of said unit in the vicinity of said vehicle, and means for inhibiting operation of said vehicle when said sensing means indicates that said unit is removed from the vicinity of said motor vehicle, said means for inhibiting including program means for applying plying a stall sequence to said motor vehicle when said unit is removed from the vicinity of said motor vehicle.

15. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 14 including timing means in said sensing means for indicating removal of said unit a given time after said unit is actually removed from the vicinity of said vehicle.

16. A device for thwarting hijacking of motor vehicles, said device comprising passive means for sensing when an authorized operator of said vehicle is no longer in the vicinity of said vehicle and means responsive to said sensing means for inhibiting operation of said vehicle, said means for inhibiting including program means for applying a stall sequence to said motor vehicle when said passive means is removed from the vicinity of said motor vehicle.

17. An anti-theft device for thwarting hijacking of a motor vehicle, said anti-theft device comprising:

a personal identification unit to be carried by an authorized operator of said motor vehicle, said personal identification unit having means for identifying its location in the vicinity of said motor vehicle, a vehicle control unit mounted onto said motor vehicle, said vehicle control unit having a first and second condition, means for allowing operation of said motor vehicle when said control unit is in said first condition and means for inhibiting operation of said motor vehicle when said control unit is in said second condition, means for shifting said control unit into said second condition at a predetermined time of about one minute subsequent to removal of said identification unit from the vicinity of said motor vehicle, said vicinity locating means including a transmitter located in said personal identification unit, said transmitter having means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal periodically at given intervals of time in a coded pattern unique to said transmitter of a given authorized operator, a receiver mounted in said vehicle control unit, said receiver having means for recognizing said unique coded pattern, said motor vehicle including an ignition system connected to a battery by an electrical lead and said inhibit means including a switching means inserted in said lead for connecting said lead while said control unit is in said first condition and for ultimately interrupting said lead when said control unit is in said second condition, said shifting means including means for creating an inhibit signal upon removal of the personal identification unit of a given authorized operator from the vicinity of said motor vehicle for said predetermined time, and means for actuating said vehicle inhibiting means upon creation of said inhibit signal, said means for inhibiting including program means for applying a stall sequence when said control unit is shifted to said second condition.

18. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 17 wherein said motor vehicle includes means for deactivating said system and means for activating said system and said program means includes means for alternately deactivating said system for a first time and activating said system for a second time.

19. A method of hampering the theft of a motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps of providing:

(a) a personal identification unit to be carried by an authorized operator of said motor vehicle, said personal identification unit having means for identifying its location in the vicinity of said motor vehicle;

(b) mounting a vehicle control unit onto said motor vehicle, said vehicle control unit having a first and second condition, means for allowing operation of said motor vehicle when said control unit is in said first condition and means for inhibiting operation of said motor vehicle when said control unit is in said second condition;

(c) shifting said control unit into said second condition at a time subsequent to removal of said identification device from the vicinity of said motor vehicle; and

,

d) applying a programmed stall sequence to said inhibit means when said control unit is shifted to said second condition.

20. A method as defined in claim 19 wherein said motor vehicle includes an ignition system and means for deactivating said system and means for activating said system and said programmed sequence includes the step of alternately deactivating said system for a first time and activating said system for a second time.

21. A method as defined in claim 20 wherein said first time is progressively increased over time.

22. A method as defined in claim 20 wherein said second time is progressively decreased over time.

23. A portable personal identification device for remotely controlling an automotive vehicle anti-theft device separate from the entry system of said vehicle said anti-theft device having means including receiving means for controlling a function in said anti-theft device, said personal identification device comprising a continuously energized transmitter having means for transmitting a control signal to said receiving means from outside said vehicle in a coded pattern unique to said transmitter, and means for continuously intermittently transmitting said control signal to said receiver means at predetermined intervals of time, said transmitter including means to create a continuous first signal, timer means for receiving said continuous first signal and creating a second signal at said predetermined intervals of time, encoder means to convert said second signal to a binary coded signal providing said control signal, and antenna means for transmitting said control signal to said receiver means at said predetermined intervals of time.

24. The identification device according to claim 23, wherein said predetermined intervals of time exceed about 10.0 seconds.

25. The identification device according to claim 24, wherein said control signal is an electromagnetic signal.

26. An anti-theft device for a motor vehicle, said anti-theft device comprising:

a personal identification unit to be carried by an authorized operator of said motor vehicle, said personal identification unit having means for identifying its location in the vicinity of said motor vehicle, a vehicle control unit mounted onto said motor vehicle, said vehicle control unit having a first condition allowing operation of said vehicle and a second condition inhibiting operation of said vehicle, means for inhibiting said vehicle when said control unit is in said second condition after removal of said identification unit from the vicinity of said motor vehicle, said vicinity locating means including a transmitter located in said personal identification unit, said transmitter having means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal periodically at given intervals of time in a coded pattern unique to said transmitter of a given authorized operator, and a receiver mounted in said vehicle control unit, said receiver having means for recognizing said unique coded pattern, and said means for inhibiting including program means for applying a stall sequence when said control unit is shifted to said second condition.

27. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 26 wherein said motor vehicle includes an ignition system and means for deactivating said system and means for activating said system and said program means includes means for alternately deactivating said system for a first time and activating said system for a second time.

28. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 27 wherein said first time progressively increases over time.

29. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 27 wherein said second time is progressively decreased.

30. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 29 wherein said first time progressively increases over time.

31. A device for thwarting hijacking of motor vehicles, said device comprising passive means for sensing when an authorized operator of said vehicle is no longer in the vicinity of said vehicle and means responsive to said sensing means for inhibiting operation of said vehicle, said means for inhibiting including program means for applying a stall sequence to said motor vehicle when said passive means is removed from the vicinity of said motor vehicle, said motor vehicle including an ignition system and means for deactivating said system and means for activating said system, and said program means including means for alternately deactivating said system for a first time and activating said system for a second time.

32. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 31, wherein said first time progressively increases over time.

33. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 31 wherein said second time is progressively decreased.

34. An anti-theft device as defined in claim 33 wherein said first time progressively increases over time.

35. A personal identification device for remotely controlling an automotive vehicle anti-theft device having means including receiver means for controlling a function in said anti-theft device, said personal identification device comprising a transmitter having means for transmitting a electromagnetic control signal to said receiver in a coded pattern unique to said transmitter, and means for periodically transmitting said control signal at predetermined time intervals exceeding about 10.0 seconds, said transmitter including means to create a continuous first signal, timer means for receiving said continuous signal and creating a second signal at said predetermined time intervals, encoder means to convert said second signal to a binary coded signal providing said control signal, antenna means for transmitting said control signal to said receiver means, and manually operated override means for bypassing said timer means and applying said continuous first signal to said encoder means, whereby said control signal is transmitted during override operation for a period of time determined by manual operation of said override operation.