Mobile detection and alert system

• US 6,166,627 A
• Filed: 11/09/1999
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald B. Reeley
• Original Assignee: Ronald B. Reeley
• Inventors: Reeley, Ronald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent A.
• Application Number:
  US09/437,170
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/990, 340/426, 340/539, 342/457, 342/357, 307/10, 307/2, 455/422, 701/213, 701/300
• US Class Current: 340/426.25
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• 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: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data

Abstract

A mobile detection and alert vehicle tracking and security system for an individual vehicle as well as a plurality of individual vehicles in a given security area. The mobile detection and alert system provides round-the-clock vehicle security, allowing immediate response in case of vehicle theft, an accident, vehicle breakdown, or other emergency. Guardian and tracking functions are provided through keyboard control units which are installed in vehicles to be monitored. The keyboard control units communicate with a central monitoring facility in at least one-way, and preferably two-way, communication. Preferably, the keyboard control unit provides vehicle theft and intrusion protection using an in-vehicle alarm and security system linked to the central monitoring facility by a transceiver in the keyboard control unit.

Claims

1. A mobile detection and alert system comprising:

a keyboard control unit input unit responsive to an event or condition associated with a vehicle and for providing information describing the event or condition;

a plurality of sensor means operatively connected with said keyboard control unit input unit for detecting an event or condition associated with the vehicle;

a satellite receiver responsive to navigation signals transmitted by a satellite navigation system and for providing information inherently describing the vehicle'"'"'s location based on the navigation signals;

a keyboard control unit controller operatively connected with and responsive to said keyboard control unit input unit and said satellite receiver, said keyboard control unit controller including a wireless transmitter and a phone voice module, wherein said wireless transmitter is for transmitting information onto a communications link, the information transmitted on the communications link including both the information describing the event or condition and information inherently describing the vehicle'"'"'s location, and wherein said phone voice module provides user interface via any touch tone standard voice grade phone line, for the purpose of system interrogation, remote arming/disarming, remote control of generator and temperature controls, and uploading and downloading of program information; and

,

a central monitoring facility for providing round-the-clock vehicle monitoring.

2. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 1, wherein said communications link is an analog cellular telephone link.

3. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 1, wherein said communications link is a digital cellular telephone link.

4. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means comprise mechanical, electrical or magnetic means.

5. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means detects events or conditions selected from the group consisting of unauthorized entry, glass breakage, fire, smoke, unauthorized movement, temperature conditions, carbon monoxide conditions, interior temperature conditions, battery temperature conditions, transmission temperature conditions, levelling jack conditions, satellite antenna conditions, and cargo door conditions.

6. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means activate at least one distress message internally and externally of the vehicle upon detection of an event or condition associated with the vehicle.

7. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of visual indicating means to alert an occupant of the vehicle of sensor activation.

8. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 7, wherein said visual indicating means include a "Shore-Line A/C Power Connected" yellow light emitting diode, a "Cargo Doors Open" yellow light emitting diode, a "Tow Vehicle/Cargo Trailer Alarm" red light emitting diode, a "Refrigerator Temperature Alarm" red light emitting diode, a "Transmission Temperature Alarm" red light emitting diode, a "Generator Alert" red light emitting diode, an "Antenna-Satellite Dish Raised" yellow light emitting diode, a "Leveling Jacks Down" yellow light emitting diode, a "Back-Up Alarm" red light emitting diode, and an "Alternator Low Charge" red light emitting diode.

9. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 1, further comprising means that enables an occupant of the vehicle to immediately establish two-way communication with said central monitoring facility.

10. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 1, further comprising means that enables an occupant of the vehicle to immediately page a vehicle occupant carrying a paging device associated with the mobile detection and alert system.

11. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 1, further comprising paging means associated with said mobile detection and alert system for alerting a vehicle occupant of sensor activation.

12. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 1, further comprising means that enables a driver of said vehicle to immediately page a vehicle occupant carrying a paging means associated with said mobile detection and alert system.

13. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 1, further comprising a remote control transmitter that enables a user to remotely activate or deactivate said mobile detection and alert system.

14. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 13, wherein said remote control transmitter includes at least one command button.

15. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 13, wherein said remote control transmitter is battery powered.

16. A mobile detection and alert system according to claim 13, wherein said remote control transmitter is capable of emitting a signal selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, and an ultrasonic signal.