Vehicle location system using a kinetic network

• US 7,091,835 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2003
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Calamp Wireless Networks Inc. (CalAmp Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boomerang Tracking, Inc. (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nelson, Robert, Boulay, André Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie Bichngoc
• Application Number:
  US10/626,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20040130440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.1, 340/426.12, 340/426.16, 340/426.22, 340/428, 340/902, 340/905, 340/426.18, 701/36, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 340/426.19
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• 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 25/1025 preventing jamming or interference of said signal
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates

Abstract

An on-board unit for a vehicle is disclosed. The unit includes a primary communication system, the primary communication system being adapted to communicate with a remote location, and being further adapted to detect a stolen condition or receive an indication of a stolen condition. The unit also includes a process for determining whether communication with a central location can be effected. A secondary communication system is provided, the secondary communication system transmitting a signal including an identification of the on-board unit when communication with the central location cannot be effected. This signal is received by a receiver, which is in direct or indirect communication with the central location, so that the central location can take the appropriate steps to recover the vehicle which includes the on-board unit that is emitting the signal.

Claims

1. An on-board unit for a vehicle comprising:

a primary communication system, said primary communication system being adapted to communicate with a remote location, said primary communication system being further adapted to detect a stolen condition or receive an indication of a stolen condition;

means for determining whether communication with a central location can be effected; and

a secondary communication system, said secondary communication system transmitting a signal including an identification of said on-board unit when communication with said central location cannot be effected.

2. An on-board unit according to claim 1, wherein said primary communication system and said secondary communication system are integrated into a single unit.

3. An on-board unit according to claim 1, wherein said primary communication system and said secondary communication system are separate from each other and in wireless communication with each other.

4. An on-board unit according to claim 1, wherein said on-board unit further includes a receiver for receiving a signal emitted by a second on-board unit, said on-board unit further including means for determining a position of said second on-board unit and for preparing a message including an identification of said second on-board unit, a time and location of receiving said identification of said second on-board unit and an identification of said second on-board unit, said message being transmitted to said central location when communication with said central location can be effected.

5. An on-board unit according to claim 4, wherein said message is stored in a memory until communication with said central location can be effected.

6. A system for locating a stolen vehicle comprising:

at least one vehicle being equipped with an on-board unit according to claim 1; and

a plurality of receivers adapted to receive said signal, at least one of said receivers being located on another vehicle.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said system further includes a plurality of vehicles, at least one of said vehicles being equipped with an on-board unit according to claim 4.

8. An on-board unit according to claim 1, wherein said unit further includes a beacon, said beacon being activated when communication with said central location cannot be effected.

9. An on-board unit according to claim 4 in which said receiver includes a receiver chosen from the group consisting of:

a wireless telephone, a personal digital assistant with wireless communication means, a dedicated device, a vehicle location unit, and an on-board unit.

10. The system of claim 7 in which said plurality of vehicles define a kinetic network.

11. A vehicle location system comprising:

an on-board unit comprising;

a primary communication system, said primary communication system being adapted to communicate with a remote location, said primary communication system being further adapted to detect a stolen condition or receive an indication of a stolen condition;

means for determining whether communication with a central location can be effected, and

a secondary communication system, said secondary communication system transmitting a signal including an identification of said on-board unit when communication with said central location cannot be effected; and

one or more receivers for receiving a signal emitted by said on-board unit including means for determining a position of said on-board unit and for preparing a message including an identification of said on-board unit, a time and location of receiving said identification of said on-board unit and an identification of said on-board unit, said message being transmitted to said central location when communication with said central location can be effected.

12. The system of claim 11 in which said one or more receivers is a receiver chosen from the group consisting of:

a wireless telephone, a personal digital assistant with wireless communication means, a dedicated device, a vehicle location unit and an on-board unit.

13. The system of claim 12 further including one or more vehicles equipped with said one or more receivers.

14. The system of claim 11 further including one or more vehicles equipped with said on-board unit.

15. A method for detecting the location of a vehicle comprising:

detecting a stolen condition of a vehicle equipped with an on-board unit;

attempting to communicate the stolen condition to a central location;

determining communication with the central location cannot be effected; and

sending a signal including an identification of the on-board unit when communication with the central location cannot be effected.

16. The method of claim 15 further including the step of employing a receiver that receives the signal including an identification of the on-board unit in a vehicle when communication with the central location cannot be effected with a receiver.

17. The method of claim 16 further including the step of sending the received signal to the central station when communication with the central station is effected.