Vehicle security system

• US 6,140,914 A
• Filed: 02/19/1998
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Code Systems Incorporated (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Code-Alarm Incorporated
• 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): Swarthout, Brent A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US09/026,333
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/429, 340/555, 340/566, 340/556, 340/557, 340/552, 340/469, 340/550, 340/425.5, 340/428, 340/937, 340/384.4, 340/387.1, 348/148, 348/152
• US Class Current: 340/426.13
• 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 comprising:

a shock sensor, adapted to generate an output signal having said amplitude proportional to the amount of shock imparted upon said vehicle;

a primary alarm element;

a secondary alarm element;

a first comparator for receiving said signal and for comparing said amplitude to a first value stored in said first comparator, and adapted to generate a first output only if said amplitude is greater than said first value;

a second comparator for receiving said signal and comparing said amplitude to a second value stored in said second comparator, and adapted to generate a second output only if said amplitude is greater than said second value; and

a controller adapted to receive said first and second output and to activate said primary alarm in response to said first output and to generate said secondary alarm in response to said second output.

2. A motion sensor adapted for use in a vehicle security system and adapted to detect motion imparted upon said vehicle, said motion sensor comprising:

a motion sensitive current source adapted to generate a signal having an amplitude proportional to the amount of motion imparted upon said vehicle; and

a plurality of comparators, each of said plurality of comparators being adapted to receive said signal, compare the amplitude of said signal with a predetermined value and generate an output only if the value of said amplitude is greater than said predetermined value.