Automatic occupant sensing anti-carjacking system

• US 5,745,030 A
• Filed: 05/14/1996
• Issued: 04/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Albert Aaron
• Original Assignee: Albert Aaron
• Inventors: Aaron, Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/618,832
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/428, 340/429, 307/10.2-10.7, 180/271, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/426.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Abstract

A vehicular automatic occupant sensing anti-carjacking system primarily designed to automatically and continuously protect a vehicle from carjacking and to provide preventive protection to the authorized occupant of the vehicle from being taken hostage in their own vehicle and to facilitate the recovery of a vehicle during a carjacking regardless, whether the vehicle is occupied or unoccupied, regardless, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended, regardless, whether the ignition is on or off and regardless, whether the engine is running or not running. The system includes an electronic Command Control Unit which communicates with a plurality of sensors to provide the necessary input signals to the command control unit. The system has a means for automatically monitoring and determining the occupancy status of the vehicle via pre-programed occupancy status instructions. If the occupancy status of the vehicle deviates materially from the pre-programed occupancy status, at any time, vehicle disabling means and alarm means are automatically actuated. Also included in the system are means for automatically disabling the vehicle, as well as, automatically enabling the system to facilitate use of the vehicle by the authorized occupant. Once programed, the system operates automatically requiring no manually operable activation of any hidden switches, remote signalling devices, buttons or other manually operated actuators.

Claims

1. A method for preventing carjacking and protecting the authorized occupant of the vehicle from being taken hostage in their own vehicle and facilitating the recovery of a vehicle from an unauthorized occupant who attempts or has obtained possession of the vehicle by carjacking the vehicle from the authorized occupant by force in any of various carjacking scenarios, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting that the authorized operator occupant is in the vehicle monitoring the status of wired communication signals transmitted by array of sensors;

(b) detecting that the authorized operator occupant is not in the vehicle by monitoring the status of wired communication signals transmitted by array of sensors;

(c) detecting that other authorized occupants are in the vehicle by monitoring the status of wired communication signals transmitted by array of sensors;

(d) detecting that other unauthorized occupants are in the vehicle by monitoring the status of wired communication signals transmitted by array of sensors;

(e) detecting a carjacking condition indicating that the authorized occupant is no longer in the vehicle by monitoring the status of wired communication signals transmitted by array of sensors;

(f) detecting a carjacking condition indicating a hostage condition where the unauthorized occupant is in the vehicle with the authorized operator occupant by monitoring the status of wired communication signals transmitted by array of sensors;

(g) disabling the vehicle.

2. A method for preventing carjacking and to provide preventive protection to the authorized occupant of the vehicle from being taken hostage in their own vehicle and facilitating the recovery of a vehicle from an unauthorized occupant who attempts or has obtained possession of the vehicle by carjacking the vehicle from the authorized occupant by force in any of various carjacking scenarios, in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

(h) Compelling the unauthorized occupant to exit the vehicle by using audible indication means, interior of the vehicle, responsive to the determination means for providing an audible indication that a carjacking condition has occurred;

(i) Draw attention to the disabled vehicle and the unauthorized occupant by using audible indication means, exterior of the vehicle, responsive to the determination means for providing an audible indication that a carjacking condition has occurred;

(j) continuously monitor the status of the array of sensors by monitoring the status of wired communication signals transmitted by the array of sensors.