Antitheft system integrated with functions of security, information and navigation, based on electronic cartography, vocal synthesis and radio telecommunication

• US 5,805,055 A
• Filed: 02/13/1995
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elementare Watson S.R.L.
• Original Assignee: Elementare Watson S.R.L.
• Inventors: Colizza, Michele
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US08/362,541
• Time in Patent Office: 1,303 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/428, 340/430, 340/425.5, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 307/10.6, 180/287, 379/44-59, 342/357, 342/457
• US Class Current: 340/426.25
• 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 1/127 to a central station ; Indicators in a central station

Abstract

An antitheft system installed on a motor vehicle has an electronic control unit connected to a localization information detector and to a telephone apparatus, so that the control unit can produce a voice message and then transmit it directly to the police and/or to a security organization by means of the telephone apparatus, when a plurality of sensors detect certain conditions such as the theft of the vehicle. The message may also be sent by the system to a person authorized to use the motor vehicle by means of a transmitter-receiver radio and a portable transceiver radio. Voice messages are contained in a first mass memory unit, localization information derived from a second mass memory unit, the message selected on the basis of satellite signals received and decoded by the system.

Claims

1. An antitheft system integrated with functions of security, information and navigation based on electronic cartography, vocal synthesis and radio telecommunication, with said system (1) partially placed in a box-shaped casing (12) and fastened to a motor vehicle (2) characterized in that it comprises the following:

a localization information detector (3) provided with at least a first antenna (3a) and including a device adapted to receive information from a satellite system (31) and to process the information concerning physical terrestrial magnitudes related to a global position of said localization information detector (3), said information related to longitude, latitude, temperature, pressure, date, time, speed and route;

a telephone apparatus (8) provided with at least a second antenna (8a);

a plurality of sensor equipped devices (5), subdivided in a first group (5a,) of sensors external to said box-shaped casing (12), and in a second group of sensors internal to said box-shaped casing (12), with said sensor equipped devices (5) destined to detect determined conditions;

a series of mass memory units (6,

     7) in which a data base for electronic cartography and a data base of synthesized voiced words are stored;

an electronic unit (4), connected functionally to said localization information detector, telephone apparatus, plurality of sensor equipped devices and series of mass memory units, for controlling the localization information detector, telephone apparatus, plurality of sensor equipped devices and series of mass memory units as well as signals respectively received and sent by them, said electronic unit capable of retrieving information from said mass memory units (6,

     7) and forming a word message which is sent via said telephone apparatus;

an independent feeding section (13) for feeding the electronic unit (4) and said localization information detector, telephone apparatus, plurality of sensor equipped devices and series of mass memory units.

2. The antitheft system, according to claim 1, characterized in that said electronic control unit (4) comprises:

an amplifier/regenerator (16) for amplifying or regenerating information received from said localization information detector(3);

a memory (18) for recording the information received from said localization information detector (3);

a comparator (19) for the comparison of two consecutive pieces of information received from said localization information detector (3) through said memory (19);

a central processor (20) that, by performing a series of preestablished commands, is able to interpret and process the information received from said comparator (19), the states detected by said external and internal sensors (5a, 5b), data recorded in said series of mass memory units (6,7) as well as the calls received through interposition of an input modem (22) and a first decoder (23), from said telephone apparatus (8), with said central processor (20) capable also, on the basis of interpreted data and by means of a first call timer (28), of deciding and activating either indirectly, by a second decoder (25) and an output modem (24), or directly, a calls control circuit (21), connected to said telephone apparatus (8);

a proper operation check circuit (26) for said central processor (20);

a switching circuit (27) placed between said comparator (19) and said output modem (24) and connected to said check circuit (26);

a second timer (17) connected to said calls control circuit (21).

3. The antitheft system, according to claim 2, characterized in that said electronic control unit (4) further comprises:

a first socket (29) for the input and output of the series of preestablished commands and of data addressed to the said central processor (20) and to said memory units (6,7);

a second socket (30) for the input of information related to the activation of the said central processor (20) and for the output of information related to the state of said system (1).

4. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by at least a touch sensor (51) sensitive to touching said motor vehicle (2).

5. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by a weight sensor (52) adapted to detect the weight change of a driver on a seat (34) of said motor vehicle (2).

6. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by an antenna sensor (53) adapted to detect possible voluntary breakdown of the said first, and second, antennas, (3a, 8a,) respectively.

7. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with the said electronic unit (4), is formed by at least one load monitoring circuit (55), adapted to detect the changes of the weight of a load into a container body (33) of said motor vehicle (2).

8. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by at least one door opening-closing sensor (56) adapted to recognize when a related door (32) of said motor vehicle (2) is opened or closed.

9. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by a volume monitoring circuit (57) fit to detect the changes of volume of a load inside to a container body (33).

10. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by a circuit (58) checking the authorized presence and adapted to recognize, by a code, the presence of a person authorized to use said motor vehicle (2).

11. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by:

at least one touch sensor (51) sensitive to said motor vehicle (2) being touched;

a weight sensor (52) adapted to detect the weight changes of a driver on a seat (34) of said motor vehicle (2);

a moving detecting circuit (59) capable of detecting the abnormal movement of said motor vehicle (2) by comparing the signals detected by said touch sensor (51), said weight sensor (52) and said localization information detector (3).

12. The antitheft system according to claim 1, characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4) includes:

at least one touch sensor (51) sensitive to said motor vehicle (2) being touched;

a weight sensor (52) adapted to detect the weight changes of a driver on a seat (34) of said motor vehicle (2);

an antenna sensor (53) adapted to detect possible voluntary breakdown of said first, and second antennas, (3a, 8a,) respectively;

at least one load monitoring circuit (55), adapted to detect the changes of weight of a load inside a container body (33) of said motor vehicle (2);

at least one door opening-closing sensor (56) adapted to recognize when a related door (32) of said motor vehicle (2) is opened or closed;

a volume monitoring circuit (57) fit to detect the changes of volume of the load inside the container body (33);

a check circuit (58) for checking an authorized presence and adapted to recognize, by a code, the presence of a person authorized to use said motor vehicle (2);

a moving detecting circuit (59) capable of detecting the abnormal movement of said motor vehicle (2) by comparing the signals detected by said touch sensor (51), said weight sensor (52) and said localization information detector (3).

13. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said second group of internal sensors (5b), connected to said electronic unit (4), comprises a temperature sensor (61).

14. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said second group of internal sensors (5b), connected to said electronic unit (4), comprises a turn over sensor (62) sensitive to said box-shaped casing (12) and said motor vehicle (2) being overturned.

15. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said second group of internal sensors (5b), connected to said electronic unit (4), comprises a push sensor sensitive to said box-shaped casing (12) and said motor vehicle (2) being pushed.

16. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said second group of internal sensors (5b), connected to said electronic unit (4), comprises:

a temperature sensor (61);

a turn over sensor (62) for said box-shaped casing (12) and said motor vehicle (2).

a push sensor for said box-shaped casing (12) and for said motor vehicle (2).

17. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said mass memory units (6,7) comprises a first memory unit (6) in which the data base for electronic cartography is stored.

18. The antitheft system, according to claim 17 characterized in that said mass memory units (6,7) comprises a second memory unit (7) in which the data base of synthetized voices is stored.

19. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that said telephone apparatus (8) includes a portable cellular telephone.

20. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises also:

a fourth antenna (3b) connected to the said localization information detector (3);

a fifth antenna (8b) connected with the said telephone apparatus (8);

a switching antenna circuit (54) adapted to switch continuously from said first antenna (3a) to the said fourth antenna (3b), from said second antenna (8a) to said fifth antenna (8b).

21. The antitheft system, according to claim 20, characterized in that it comprises also an antenna sensor (53) adapted to detect possible voluntary breakdown of said first, second, fourth, and fifth antennas (3a, 8a, 3b, 8b,) respectively.

22. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 further comprising an antenna sensor (53) adapted to detect possible voluntary breakdown of said antennas first (3a), and second (8a), antennas.

23. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 further comprising a display means (80), placed in a driving cab (35) of said motor vehicle (2), provided with an acoustic device and adapted to display the information of the electronic unit (4) to which it is connected.

24. The antitheft system, according to claim 1 characterized in that a strengthening and protection structure (14), having an opening (15) in correspondence with said localization information detector (3), is fixed to the internal walls of said box-shaped casing (12).

25. An antitheft system integrated with functions of security, information and navigation based on electronic cartography, vocal synthesis and radio telecommunication, with said system (1) partially placed in a box-shaped casing (12) and fastened to a motor vehicle (2), characterized in that it comprises the following:

a localization information detector (3) provided with at least a first antenna (3a) and including a device adapted to receive information from a satellite system (31) and to process the information concerning physical terrestrial magnitudes related to a global position of said localization information detector (3), said information related to longitude, latitude, temperature, pressure, date, time, speed and route;

a telephone apparatus (8) provided with at least a second antenna (8a);

a transmitter-receiver radio (9) provided with at least a third antenna (9a);

a plurality of sensor equipped devices (5), subdivided in a first group (5a) of sensors external to said box-shaped casing (12), and in a second group of sensors internal to said box-shaped casing (12), with said sensor equipped devices (5) having a task of detecting determined conditions;

a series of mass memory units (6,

     7) in which a data base for electronic cartography and a data base of synthesized voiced words are stored;

an electronic unit (4), connected functionally to said localization information detector, telephone apparatus, transmitter-receiver radio, plurality of sensor equipped devices and series of mass memory units, for controlling the localization information detector, telephone apparatus, transmitter receiver radio, plurality of sensor equipped devices and series of mass memory units as well as signals respectively received and sent by them, said electronic unit capable of retrieving information from said mass memory units (6,

     7) and forming a word message which is sent via said telephone apparatus;

an independent feeding section (13) for feeding the electronic unit (4) and said localization information detector, telephone apparatus, transmitter-receiver radio, plurality of sensor equipped devices and series of mass memory units.

26. The antitheft system, according to claim 25 characterized in that said electronic control unit (4) comprises:

an amplifier/regenerator (16) for amplifying or regenerating information received from said localization information detector (3);

a memory (18) for recording the information received from said localization information detector (3);

a comparator (19) for the comparison of two consecutive pieces of information received from said localization information detector (3) through said memory (18);

a central processor (20) that, by performing a series of preestablished commands, is able to interpret and process the information received from said comparator (19), the states detected by said external and internal sensors (5a, 5b), data recorded in said series of mass memory units (6,7) as well as the calls received, through interposition of an input modem (22) and a first decoder (23), from said telephone apparatus (8) and from said transmitter-receiver radio (9), with said central processor (20) capable also, on the basis of interpreted data and by means of a first call timer (28), of deciding and activating either indirectly, by a second decoder (25) and an output modem (24), or directly, a calls control circuit (21), connected to both said telephone apparatus (8) and said transmitter-receiving radio (9);

a proper operation check circuit (26) for said central processor (20);

a switching circuit (27) placed between said comparator (19) and said output modem (24) and connected to said check circuit (26);

a second timer (17) connected to said calls control circuit (21).

27. The antitheft system, according to claim 26, characterized in that said electronic control unit (4) further comprises also:

a first socket (29) for the input and output of the series of preestablished commands and of data addressed to said central processor (20) and to said memory units (6,7);

a second socket (30) for the input of information related to the activation of said central processor (20) and for the output of the information related to the state of said system (1).

28. The antitheft system, according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises also a second transmitter-receiver radio (11), provided with at least one seventh antenna (11a), connected with said calls control circuit (21) and fit to exchange bidirectionally information with the central processor (20), by interposition of said input modem (22) and said first decoder (23), and of said output modem (24) and said second decoder (25).

29. The antitheft system, according to claim 28, characterized in that said second transmitter-receiver radio (11) is an U.H.F. transmitter-receiver radio.

30. The antitheft system, according to claim 28, characterized in that it comprises also:

an eighth antenna (11b) connected with said second transmitter-receiver radio (11);

an antenna switching circuit (54) adapted to switch continuously from said third antenna (11a) to said eighth antenna (11b).

31. The antitheft system, according to claim 30, characterized in that it comprises also an antenna sensor (53) adapted to detect possible voluntary breakdown of said first (3a), second (8a), third (9a), fourth (3b), fifth (8b), sixth (9b), seventh (11a), and eighth (11b) antennas.

32. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by at least one touch sensor (51) sensitive to touching said motor vehicle (2).

33. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by a weight sensor (52) adapted to detect the weight change of a driver on a seat (34) of said motor vehicle (2).

34. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by an antenna sensor (53) adapted to detect possible voluntary breakdown of said first, second, and third antennas, (3a, 8a,9a) respectively.

35. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with the said electronic unit (4), is formed by at least one load monitoring circuit (55), adapted to detect the changes of the weight of a load into a container body (33) of said motor vehicle (2).

36. The Antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by at least one door opening-closing sensor (56) adapted to recognize when a related door (32) of said motor vehicle (2) is opened or closed.

37. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with the said electronic unit (4), is formed by a volume monitoring circuit (57) fit to detect the changes of volume of a load inside of the container body (33).

38. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with the said electronic unit (4), is formed by a circuit (58) checking an authorized presence and adapted to recognize, by a code, the presence of a person authorized to use said motor vehicle (2).

39. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by:

at least one touch sensor (51) sensitive to said motor vehicle (2) being touched;

a weight sensor (52) adapted to detect the weight changes of a driver on a seat (34) said motor vehicle (2);

a moving detecting circuit (59) capable of detecting the abnormal movement of said motor vehicle (2) by comparing the signals detected by said touch sensor (51), said weight sensor (52) and said localization information detector (3).

40. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with the said electronic unit (4,) includes:

at least one touch sensor (51) sensitive to said motor vehicle (2) being touched;

a weight sensor (52) adapted to detect the weight changes of a driver on a seat (34) of said motor vehicle (2);

an antenna sensor (53) adapted to detect possible voluntary breakdown of said first, second and third antennas, (3a, 8a, 9a) respectively;

at least one load monitoring circuit (55), adapted to detect the changes of weight of a load inside the container body (33) of said motor vehicle (2);

at least one door opening-closing sensor (56) adapted to recognize when a related door (32) of said motor vehicle (2) is opened or closed;

by a volume monitoring circuit (57) fit to detect the changes of volume of the load inside the container body (33);

a check circuit (58) for checking an authorized presence and adapted to recognize, by a code, the presence of a person authorized to use said motor vehicle (2);

a moving detecting circuit (59) capable of detecting the abnormal movement of said motor vehicle (2) by comparing the signals detected by said touch sensor (51), said weight sensor (52) and said localization information detector (3).

41. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said second group of internal sensors (5b), connected to said electronic unit (4), comprises a temperature sensor (61).

42. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said second group of internal sensors (5b), connected to said electronic unit (4), comprises a turn over sensor (62) sensitive to said box-shaped casing (12) and said motor vehicle (2) being overturned.

43. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said second group of internal sensors (5b), connected to said electronic unit (4), comprises a push sensor sensitive to said box-shaped casing (12) and said motor vehicle (2) being pushed.

44. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said second group of internal sensors (5b), connected to said electronic unit (4), comprises:

a temperature sensor (61);

a turn over sensor (62) for said box-shaped casing (12) and said motor vehicle (2);

a push sensor for said box-shaped casing (12) and for said motor vehicle (2).

45. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said mass memory units (6,7) has a first memory unit (6) in which the data base for electronic cartography is stored.

46. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said mass memory units (6,7) has a second memory unit (7) in which the data base of synthesized voices is stored.

47. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said telephone apparatus (8) includes a portable cellular telephone.

48. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said transmitter-receiver radio (9) is a V.H.F. transmitter-receiver radio.

49. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that it comprises also a portable transceiver radio (10) capable of exchanging information with said transmitter-receiver radio (9).

50. The antitheft system, according to claim 49, characterized in that said portable transceiver radio (10) is provided with a digital unit (71) capable of exchanging bidirectionally information with said electronic unit (4), when said portable transceiver radio (10) is inserted in a special seat (70) in a driving cab (35) of said motor vehicle (2).

51. The antitheft system, according to claim 49, characterized in that said portable transceiver radio (10) is a V.H.F. transceiver radio.

52. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that it comprises also:

a fourth antenna (3b) connected to said localization information detector (3);

a fifth antenna (8b) connected with said telephone apparatus (8);

a sixth antenna (9b) connected to said transmitter-receiver radio (9);

a switching antenna circuit (54) adapted to switch continuously from said first antenna (3a) to said fourth antenna (3b), from said second antenna (8a) to said fifth antenna (8b) and from said third antenna (9a) to said sixth antenna (9b).

53. The antitheft system, according to claim 52, characterized in that it comprises also an antenna sensor (53) adapted to detect possible voluntary breakdown of said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth antennas (3a, 8a,9a,3b,8b,9b) respectively.

54. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that said first group of external sensors (5a), connected with said electronic unit (4), is formed by an antenna sensor (53) fit to detect possible voluntary breakdown of said antennas, first (3a), second (8a), third (9a), and seventh (11a).

55. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that it comprises also a display means (80), placed in a driving cab (35) of said motor vehicle (2), provided with an acoustic device and adapted to display the information of the electronic unit (4) to which it is connected.

56. The antitheft system, according to claim 25, characterized in that a strengthening and protection structure (14), having an opening (15) in correspondence with said localization information detector (3), is fixed to the internal walls of said box-shaped casing (12).