Failsafe disable in a vehicle security system

• US 7,327,231 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2004
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magnadyne Corporation
• Original Assignee: Magnadyne Corporation
• Inventors: Moore, Marshall, Jones, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope; Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US11/020,911
• Publication Number:
  US 20060138863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.13, 340/425.5, 340/426.1, 340/426.14
• US Class Current: 340/426.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• 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 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

The disclosed device is an additional, normally-closed relay positioned in line with the ignition switch and the functionality controlled by the OEM, normally-open relay. When the aftermarket system is in the disarmed state, the normally-closed relay is dormant in its closed position, thereby allowing the circuit to complete its intended loop. When the aftermarket security system is enabled, the normally-closed relay will open the current flow and prevent the current from reaching its target, thereby disrupting or disabling the operation of the vehicle function. If the normally-closed relay fails, it fails in its closed position, thereby not affecting the OEM system.

Claims

1. A vehicle security system comprising:

a) a controller comprising at least an armed state and a disarmed state, wherein said controller changes said states in response to at least one input;

b) a first relay capable of switching from a normally open position to a closed position;

c) a second relay connected to said first relay and said controller, and configured to gate said current to said first relay, said second relay configured to switch from its normally closed position, wherein said current is passed to said first relay, to an open position, wherein said current is not passed to said first relay;

d) said second relay changing from said normally closed position to said open position responsive to at least one of said current and a control input if said controller is in said armed state, thereby preventing said current from flowing through said first relay to execute its at least one vehicle function;

e) said second relay remaining in its normally closed position when said controller is in said disarmed state thereby passing said current to said first relay to execute its at least one vehicle function; and

f) wherein said normally closed position of said second relay passes said current to said first relay if said second relay fails.

2. The vehicle security system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises a receiver coupled to said controller, said receiver configured to receive a signal from a transmitter and said controller changing from said disarmed state to said armed state and from said armed state to said disarmed state in response to said signal.

3. The vehicle security system of claim 2 wherein said controller is responsive to an authorized signal, said controller further comprising a memory capable of storing said at least one authorized code, said authorized code distinguishing said authorized transmitter.

4. The vehicle security system of claim 2, wherein said transmitter is capable of sending said signal to said receiver wirelessly.

5. The vehicle security system of claim 1 wherein said vehicle function is chosen from the group consisting of:

starting a vehicle by passing current from said first relay configured to close a starter solenoid and to activate a vehicle starter;

enabling fuel supply;

enabling fuel injection;

enabling functionality of a brake system;

enabling functionality of a vehicle electrical system.

6. The vehicle security system of claim 1 wherein the controller further comprises an alarm state, said controller in said alarm state communicating its alarm state from the group consisting of:

an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a wireless signal communicating that said controller is in said alarm state;

a wireless signal communicating the location of the vehicle;

a wireless signal communicating the status of at least one sensor coupled to said controller.

7. The second relay of claim 1 wherein said second relay is biased in said normally closed position so that said second relay fails in said closed position.

8. The vehicle security system of claim 1 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a signal from a transmitter.

9. The vehicle security system of claim 1 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to an input from at least one sensor.

10. The vehicle security system of claim 1 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a timing condition.

11. A vehicle security system comprising:

a) a controller comprising at least an armed state and a disarmed state, wherein said controller changes said states in response to at least one input;

b) a first relay capable of switching from a normally open position to a closed position;

c) a second relay connected to said first relay and said controller, and configured to gate said current from said first relay to at least one vehicle function, said second relay configured to switch from its normally closed position, wherein said current is passed to said at least one vehicle function, to an open position, wherein said current is not passed to said at least one vehicle function;

d) said second relay changing from said normally closed position to said open position responsive to at least one of said current and a control input if said controller is in said armed state, thereby preventing said current from flowing from said first relay to execute said at least one vehicle function;

e) said second relay remaining in its normally closed position when said controller is in said disarmed state thereby passing said current from said first relay to execute said at least one vehicle function; and

f) wherein said normally closed position of said second relay passes said current from said first relay if said second relay fails.

12. The vehicle security system of claim 11 wherein said system further comprises a receiver coupled to said controller, said receiver configured to receive a signal from a transmitter and said controller changing from said disarmed state to said armed state and from said armed state to said disarmed state in response to said signal.

13. The vehicle security system of claim 12 wherein said controller is responsive to an authorized signal, said controller further comprising a memory capable of storing said at least one authorized code, said authorized code distinguishing said authorized transmitter.

14. The vehicle security system of claim 12, wherein said transmitter is capable of sending said signal to said receiver wirelessly.

15. The vehicle security system of claim 11 wherein said vehicle function is chosen from the group consisting of:

starting a vehicle by passing said current to close a starter solenoid and to activate a vehicle starter;

enabling fuel supply;

enabling fuel injection;

enabling functionality of a brake system;

enabling functionality of a vehicle electrical system.

16. The vehicle security system of claim 11 wherein the controller further comprises an alarm state, said controller in said alarm state communicating its alarm state from the group consisting of an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a wireless signal communicating that said controller is in said alarm state;

a wireless signal communicating the location of the vehicle;

a wireless signal communicating the status of at least one sensor coupled to said controller.

17. The second relay of claim 11 wherein said second relay is biased in said normally closed position so that said second relay fails in said closed position.

18. The vehicle security system of claim 11 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a signal from a transmitter.

19. The vehicle security system of claim 11 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to an input from at least one sensor.

20. The vehicle security system of claim 11 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a timing condition.

21. A vehicle security system comprising:

a) a controller comprising at least an armed state and a disarmed state, wherein said controller changes said states in response to at least one input;

b) a first relay capable of switching from a normally open position to a closed position;

c) a second relay connected to said first relay and said controller, and configured to gate said current to said first relay, said second relay configured to switch from its normally closed position, wherein said current is passed to said first relay, to an open position, wherein said current is not passed to said first relay;

d) said second relay changing from said normally closed position to said open position responsive to at least one of said current and a control input if said controller is in said armed state, thereby preventing said current from flowing to said first relay to execute said at least one vehicle function;

e) said second relay remaining in its normally closed position when said controller is in said disarmed state thereby passing said current to said first relay to execute said at least one vehicle function; and

f) wherein said normally closed position of said second relay passes said current to said first relay if said second relay fails;

g) wherein said first relay, said second relay and said controller are housed in a relay compartment of said vehicle.

22. The vehicle security system of claim 21 wherein said system further comprises a receiver coupled to said controller, said receiver configured to receive a signal from a transmitter and said controller changing from said disarmed state to said armed state and from said armed state to said disarmed state in response to said signal.

23. The vehicle security system of claim 22 wherein said controller is responsive to an authorized signal, said controller further comprising a memory capable of storing said at least one authorized code, said authorized code distinguishing said authorized transmitter.

24. The vehicle security system of claim 22, wherein said transmitter is capable of sending said signal to said receiver wirelessly.

25. The vehicle security system of claim 21 wherein said vehicle function is chosen from the group consisting of:

starting a vehicle by passing current from said first relay configured to close a starter solenoid and to activate a vehicle starter;

enabling fuel supply;

enabling fuel injection;

enabling functionality of a brake system;

enabling functionality of a vehicle electrical system.

26. The vehicle security system of claim 21 wherein the controller further comprises an alarm state, said controller in said alarm state communicating its alarm state from the group consisting of:

an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a wireless signal communicating that said controller is in said alarm state;

a wireless signal communicating the location of the vehicle;

a wireless signal communicating the status of at least one sensor coupled to said controller.

27. The second relay of claim 21 wherein said second relay is biased in said normally closed position so that said second relay fails in said closed position.

28. The vehicle security system of claim 21 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a signal from a transmitter.

29. The vehicle security system of claim 21 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to an input from at least one sensor.

30. The vehicle security system of claim 21 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a timing condition.

31. A vehicle security system comprising:

a) a controller comprising at least an armed state and a disarmed state, wherein said controller changes said states in response to at least one input;

b) a first relay capable of switching from a normally open position to a closed position;

c) a second relay connected to said first relay and said controller, and configured to gate said current from said first relay to at least one vehicle function, said second relay configured to switch from its normally closed position, wherein said current is passed from said first relay to said at least one vehicle function, to an open position, wherein said current is not passed from said first relay and to said at least one vehicle function;

d) said second relay changing from said normally closed position to said open position responsive to at least one of said current and a control input if said controller is in said armed state, thereby preventing said current from flowing from said first relay to execute said at least one vehicle function;

e) said second relay remaining in its normally closed position when said controller is in said disarmed state thereby passing said current from said first relay to execute said at least one vehicle function, wherein said normally closed position of said second relay passes said current from said first relay if said second relay fails; and

f) wherein said first relay, said second relay and said controller are housed in a relay compartment of said vehicle.

32. The vehicle security system of claim 31 wherein said system further comprises a receiver coupled to said controller, said receiver configured to receive a signal from a transmitter, said signal controlling said input to said controller thereby changing said states of said controller from said disarmed state to said armed state and from said armed state to said disarmed state.

33. The vehicle security system of claim 32 wherein said controller is responsive to an authorized signal, said controller further comprising a memory with at least one authorized code, said authorized code communicated to said controller from said transmitter distinguishing said transmitter.

34. The vehicle security system of claim 32, wherein said transmitter is capable of sending said signal to said receiver wirelessly.

35. The vehicle security system of claim 31 wherein said vehicle function is chosen from the group consisting of:

starting a vehicle by passing current from said first relay configured to close a starter solenoid and to activate a vehicle starter;

enabling fuel supply;

enabling fuel injection;

enabling functionality of a brake system;

enabling functionality of the electrical system.

36. The vehicle security system of claim 31 wherein the controller further comprises an alarm state, said controller in said alarm state communicating its alarm state from the group consisting of:

an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a wireless signal communicating that said controller is in said alarm state;

a wireless signal communicating the location of the vehicle;

a wireless signal communicating the status of at least one sensor coupled to said controller.

37. The second relay of claim 31 wherein said second relay is biased in said normally closed position so that said second relay fails in said closed position.

38. The vehicle security system of claim 31 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a signal from a transmitter.

39. The vehicle security system of claim 31 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to an input from at least one sensor.

40. The vehicle security system of claim 31 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a timing condition.

41. A vehicle security system comprising:

a) a controller comprising at least an armed state and a disarmed state, wherein said controller changes said states in response to at least one input;

b) a first means for relaying a current, said first means capable of switching from a normally open position to a closed position;

c) a second means connected to said first means and said controller, for gating said current from said first means to at least one vehicle function, said second means configured for switching from a normally closed position, wherein said current is passed to said at least one vehicle function, to an open position, wherein said current is not passed to said at least one vehicle function;

d) said second means changing from said normally closed position to said open position responsive to at least one of said current and a control input if said controller is in said armed state, thereby preventing said current from flowing from said first means to execute said at least one vehicle function;

e) said second means remaining in its normally closed position when said controller is in said disarmed state thereby passing said current from said first means to execute its at least one vehicle function; and

;

f) wherein said normally closed position of said second means passes said current from said first means if said second means fails.

42. The vehicle security system of claim 41 wherein said system further comprises a receiver means for receiving a signal from a transmitter, said receiver means coupled to said controller and said signal controlling said input to said controller thereby changing said states of said controller from said disarmed state to said armed state and from said armed state to said disarmed state.

43. The vehicle security system of claim 42 wherein said controller is responsive to an authorized signal, said controller further comprising a memory means for storing at least one authorized code, said authorized code communicated to said controller from said transmitter distinguishing said transmitter.

44. The vehicle security system of claim 42, wherein said transmitter is capable of sending said signal to said receiver wirelessly.

45. The vehicle security system of claim 41 wherein said vehicle function is chosen from the group consisting of:

starting a vehicle by passing current from said first means configured to close a starter solenoid and to activate a vehicle starter;

enabling fuel supply;

enabling fuel injection;

enabling functionality of a brake system;

enabling functionality of the electrical system.

46. The vehicle security system of claim 41 wherein the controller further comprises an alarm state, said controller in said alarm state communicating its alarm state from the group consisting of:

an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a wireless signal communicating that said controller is in said alarm state;

a wireless signal communicating the location of the vehicle;

a wireless signal communicating the status of at least one sensor coupled to said controller.

47. The second relay of claim 41 wherein said second relay is biased in said normally closed position so that said second relay fails in said closed position.

48. The security system of claim 41 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a signal from a transmitter.

49. The security system of claim 41 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to an input from at least one sensor.

50. The security system of claim 41 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a timing condition.

51. A vehicle security system comprising:

a) a controller comprising at least an armed state and a disarmed state, wherein said controller changes said states in response to at least one input;

b) a first means for relaying a current, said first means capable of switching from a normally open position to a closed position;

c) a second means connected to said first means and said controller, for gating said current to said first means and to at least one vehicle function coupled to said first means, said second means configured for switching from a normally closed position, wherein said current is passed to said first means, to an open position, wherein said current is not passed to said first means;

d) said second means changing from said normally closed position to said open position responsive to at least one of said current and a control input if said controller is in said armed state, thereby preventing said current from flowing to said first means to execute said at least one vehicle function;

e) said second means remaining in its normally closed position when said controller is in said disarmed state thereby passing said current to said first means to execute its at least one vehicle function; and

f) wherein said normally closed position of said second means passes said current to said first means if said second means fails.

52. The vehicle security system of claim 51 wherein said system further comprises a receiver means for receiving a signal from a transmitter, said receiver means coupled to said controller and said signal controlling said input to said controller thereby changing said states of said controller from said disarmed state to said armed state and from said armed state to said disarmed state.

53. The vehicle security system of claim 51 wherein said controller is responsive to an authorized signal, said controller further comprising a memory means for storing at least one authorized code, said authorized code communicated to said controller from said transmitter distinguishing said transmitter.

54. The vehicle security system of claim 51, wherein said transmitter is capable of sending said signal to said receiver wirelessly.

55. The vehicle security system of claim 51 wherein said vehicle function is chosen from the group consisting of:

starting a vehicle by passing current from said first means configured to close a starter solenoid and to activate a vehicle starter;

enabling fuel supply;

enabling fuel injection;

enabling functionality of a brake system;

enabling functionality of the electrical system.

56. The vehicle security system of claim 51 wherein the controller further comprises an alarm state, said controller in said alarm state communicating its alarm state from the group consisting of:

an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a wireless signal communicating that said controller is in said alarm state;

a wireless signal communicating the location of the vehicle;

a wireless signal communicating the status of at least one sensor coupled to said controller.

57. The second relay of claim 51 wherein said second relay is biased in said normally closed position so that said second relay fails in said closed position.

58. The security system of claim 51 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a signal from a transmitter.

59. The security system of claim 51 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to an input from at least one sensor.

60. The security system of claim 51 wherein said controller further comprises an alarm state activated in response to a timing condition.