Vehicle security system

• US 5,905,431 A
• Filed: 02/18/1998
• Issued: 05/18/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Code Systems Incorporated (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: David Rupert, Graham Fishman, Hilton W. Girard, Jay N. Cullimore, John Gillespie, Joseph Santavicca, Mark Cohrs, Peter J. Stouffer, Rand W. Mueller, Robert J. Pizzuti, Thomas Lemense, Todd Scott
• Inventors: Santavicca, Joseph, Gillespie, John, Girard, Hilton W., Stouffer, Peter J., Cullimore, Jay N., Rupert, David, Cohrs, Mark, Fishman, Graham, Mueller, Rand W., Scott, Todd, Pizzuti, Robert J., Lemense, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US09/025,418
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/428, 340/430, 340/540, 340/539, 340/541, 340/542, 340/545.1, 307/10.2, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/426.17
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• 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 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics

Abstract

A vehicle security system 10 having a sensor 28 which selectively produces output signals based upon a threshold signal comparison, which automatically deactivates upon the presence of transmitter 20, and which may be used in combination with an existing vehicle security system 106.

Claims

1. A vehicle security system adapted to interface with a keyless entry system of the type having a remote control transmitter for remotely activating said keyless entry system and being of the type adapted to selectively control the vehicle door locking motors, effective to selectively lock and unlock said vehicle doors, said vehicle security system comprising:

an alarm;

a sensor adapted to detect when access to the vehicle is attempted and to provide an input signal in response thereto; and

a controller adapted to become selectively armed and disarmed by use of said remote control transmitter of said keyless entry system and to receive said input signal and to activate said alarm in response to said receipt of said input signal when said controller is armed, wherein said controller is adapted to sense an unlock door state, and to be disarmed upon the combination of an activation of said keyless entry system and an unlock door state.

2. A vehicle security system adapted to interface with a keyless entry system of the type having a remote control transmitter for remotely activating said keyless entry system and being of the type adapted to selectively control the vehicle door locking motors, effective to selectively lock and unlock said vehicle doors, said vehicle security system comprising:

an alarm;

a sensor adapted to detect when access to the vehicle is attempted and to provide an input signal in response to said access detection;

a controller adapted to become selectively armed and disarmed by use of said remote control transmitter and to receive said input signal and to activate said alarm in response to said receipt of said input signal when said controller is armed; and

a communications interface terminal connected to said controller and to said vehicle door locks and adapted to allow said controller to become disarmed upon receipt of a signal from said remote control keyless entry transmitter and when at least one of said vehicle doors is unlocked.

3. The vehicle security system of claim 2 further comprising a disarm switch adapted to selectively disarm said controller.