Vehicle security system and method

• US 9,315,152 B1
• Filed: 07/27/2015
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samantha Rhae Maestas, Tom Maestas
• Original Assignee: Samantha Rhae Maestas, Tom Maestas
• Inventors: Maestas, Tom, Maestas, Samantha Rhae
• Primary Examiner(s): Dager, Jonathan M
• Application Number:
  US14/809,450
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers

Abstract

A security system and method for monitoring the inside a vehicle includes a cabin module positioned inside the vehicle having a camera to record video and a microphone to record audio therein. A GPS is in data communication with the cabin processor and configured to generate real time global position data. A cabin transmitter is configured to transmit collected video, audio, and GPS data. A remote monitoring module is displaced from the cabin module and includes a remote receiver and display so that authorities can review the data transmitted from the cabin module. The remote monitoring module can transmit security action instructions back to the cabin module that can control aspects of the vehicle, sound alarms, and emit sound. A trunk module is configured to collect video, audio, and carbon dioxide data from the vehicle trunk so as to monitor if a person has been placed in the trunk.

Claims

1. A real time vehicle security system for monitoring the security inside and proximate a vehicle having a vehicle cabin, a vehicle computer, a trunk, and a trunk lid, comprising:

a cabin monitoring assembly, comprising;

a cabin memory configured to store data and programming;

a cabin processor in data communication with said cabin memory;

a cabin module positioned inside the vehicle cabin and in data communication with said cabin processor, said cabin module including a cabin camera configured to selectively record video in the cabin of the vehicle and a cabin microphone configured to selectively record audio in the cabin of the vehicle;

a global positioning system (“

GPS”

) in data communication with said cabin processor and configured to generate real time global position data;

a cabin transmitter in data communication with said cabin processor;

programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said cabin processor to collect real time GPS data, real time video data recorded by said cabin camera, and real time audio data collected from said cabin microphone;

programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said cabin processor to transmit said collected GPS, video, and audio data via said cabin transmitter;

a remote monitoring module having a remote processor, a remote receiver, a remote transmitter, and a remote display;

wherein said remote receiver is in data communication with said remote processor and configured to receive said collected data transmitted by said cabin transmitter;

wherein said remote processor is configured to display said received data on said display;

wherein;

said remote processor is configured to transmit security action instructions via said remote transmitter;

said cabin receiver is configured to receive said transmitted security action instructions;

said cabin processor is configured to execute said security action instructions when received by said cabin receiver;

a trunk module displaced from said cabin module and positioned in the vehicle trunk in data communication with said cabin processor, said trunk module having a trunk camera and configured to collect and deliver trunk video data to said cabin processor such that said trunk video data is transmitted to said remote receiver of said remote monitoring module;

wherein;

said trunk module includes a trunk microphone configured to collect trunk audio data and includes a trunk carbon dioxide sensor configured to collect trunk carbon dioxide data;

said trunk module is configured to deliver said collected trunk audio data and said trunk carbon dioxide data to said cabin processor for transmission to said remote receiver via said cabin transmitter.

2. The real time vehicle security system as in claim 1, wherein:

said cabin module includes a cabin carbon monoxide sensor in data communication with said cabin processor configured to collect a real time carbon monoxide level; and

programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said cabin processor to transmit said collected cabin carbon monoxide data via said cabin transmitter.

3. The real time vehicle security system as in claim 1, wherein said cabin module includes and a cabin speaker in data communication with said cabin processor configured to selectively emit sound data received in said security action instruction from said remote monitoring module.

4. The real time vehicle security system as in claim 1, wherein:

said cabin processor is in data communication with the vehicle computer;

said cabin module includes a circuit that, in conjunction with the vehicle computer, causes a vehicle motor to be deactivated;

said security action instructions include an instruction that, when communicated to the cabin module, deactivates the vehicle engine.

5. The real time vehicle security system as in claim 1, wherein said cabin module includes an alarm in data communication with said cabin processor configured to emit audio or visual alerts when actuated by a respective security action instruction received by said cabin receiver.

6. The real time vehicle security system as in claim 1, wherein said cabin module includes:

a proximity sensor positioned outside the vehicle and in data communication with said cabin processor, said proximity sensor configured to collect motion data;

an exterior speaker positioned outside the vehicle and configured to emit audio data when actuated by a respective security action instruction received by said cabin receiver.

7. The real time vehicle security system as in claim 1, wherein:

said cabin camera is rotatably mounted to a base of said cabin monitoring module and configured to move rotationally either manually or automatically;

a pendant displaced from said base of said cabin monitoring module and having a pendant transmitter configured to transmit pendant signals indicative of its position relative to said base;

wherein said receiver of said cabin module is configured to receive said pendant position signals;

programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said cabin processor to actuate said cabin camera to rotate relative to said base to direct said cabin camera toward said pendant.

8. The real time vehicle security system as in claim 1, wherein:

said trunk module includes a trunk speaker;

said speaker configured to emit audio data upon receipt of corresponding security action instructions.

9. The real time vehicle security system as in claim 1, wherein said trunk module includes a trunk lid blocking assembly positioned in the vehicle trunk and configured to selectively block the trunk lid from closing, said trunk lid blocking assembly includes a solenoid is mounted adjacent a vehicle trunk lid latch and is selectively moved between a retracted configuration that allows the trunk lid to engage the trunk lid latch and a deployed configuration that prevents the trunk lid from engaging the trunk lid latch.

10. The real time vehicle security system as in claim 1, wherein said security action instructions are taken from a group that includes disable engine, lower windows, open trunk, activate alarms, and send audio or text message.

11. A method for real time monitoring the security inside and proximate a vehicle having a vehicle computer, a trunk, and a trunk lid, comprising:

recording video via a cabin module having a cabin camera positioned in the cabin of the vehicle;

recording audio via a microphone of said cabin module positioned in the cabin of the vehicle;

collecting GPS data via a GPS device of said cabin module positioned in the cabin of the vehicle, said collected GPS data corresponding in real time to said collected video data and said audio data;

transmitting via a cabin transmitter of said cabin module said collected video, audio, and GPS data in real time;

receiving said transmitted video, audio, and GPS data by a remote monitoring module having a remote processor, a remote receiver, a remote transmitter, and a remote display;

publishing said collected video, audio, and GPS data on a display in data communication with said remote processor;

transmitting via said remote transmitter a plurality of security action instructions;

receiving via said cabin receiver said plurality of security action instructions;

said cabin processor executing said plurality of security action instructions when received by said cabin receiver;

collecting and delivering trunk data via a trunk module displaced from said cabin module and positioned in the vehicle trunk in data communication with said cabin processor, said trunk module having a trunk camera configured to collect and deliver trunk video data to said cabin processor; and

transmitting said collected trunk video data to said remote receiver of said remote monitoring module;

collecting trunk audio data with a trunk microphone of said trunk module;

collecting trunk carbon dioxide data with a trunk carbon dioxide sensor of said trunk module; and

delivering said collected trunk audio data and said trunk carbon dioxide data to said cabin processor for transmission to said remote receiver via said cabin transmitter.

12. The method as in claim 11, further comprising emitting sound data through a cabin speaker of said cabin module includes a cabin speaker according to respective security action instructions received from said remote monitoring module.

13. The method as in claim 11, wherein:

said cabin processor is in data communication with the vehicle computer;

said cabin module includes a circuit that, in conjunction with the vehicle computer, causes a vehicle motor to be deactivated; and

said real time vehicle security system further comprising deactivating the vehicle engine upon said cabin processor receiving a respective security action instruction.

14. The method as in claim 11, wherein said cabin module includes an alarm in data communication with said cabin processor configured to emit audio or visual alerts when actuated by a respective security action instruction received by said cabin receiver.

15. The method as in claim 11, wherein said cabin module includes:

a proximity sensor positioned outside the vehicle and in data communication with said cabin processor, said proximity sensor configured to collect motion data;

an exterior speaker positioned outside the vehicle and configured to emit audio data when actuated by a respective security action instruction received by said cabin receiver.

16. The method as in claim 11, wherein:

said cabin camera is rotatably mounted to a base of said cabin monitoring module and configured to move rotationally either manually or automatically;

a pendant displaced from said base of said cabin monitoring module and having a pendant transmitter configured to transmit pendant signals indicative of its position relative to said base;

said real time vehicle security system further comprising;

receiving via said receiver of said cabin module said pendant position signals; and

actuating said cabin camera to rotate relative to said base to direct said cabin camera toward said pendant.

17. The method as in claim 11, further comprising emitting audio data through a trunk speaker of said trunk module according to respective security action instructions received by said cabin processor.

18. A method for real time monitoring the security inside and proximate a vehicle having a vehicle computer, a trunk, and a trunk lid, comprising:

recording video via a cabin module having a cabin camera positioned in the cabin of the vehicle;

recording audio via a microphone of said cabin module positioned in the cabin of the vehicle;

collecting GPS data via a GPS device of said cabin module positioned in the cabin of the vehicle, said collected GPS data corresponding in real time to said collected video data and said audio data;

transmitting via a cabin transmitter of said cabin module said collected video, audio, and GPS data in real time;

receiving said transmitted video, audio, and GPS data by a remote monitoring module having a remote processor, a remote receiver, a remote transmitter, and a remote display;

publishing said collected video, audio, and GPS data on a display in data communication with said remote processor;

transmitting via said remote transmitter a plurality of security action instructions;

receiving via said cabin receiver said plurality of security action instructions;

said cabin processor executing said plurality of security action instructions when received by said cabin receiver;

collecting and delivering trunk data via a trunk module displaced from said cabin module and positioned in the vehicle trunk in data communication with said cabin processor, said trunk module having a trunk camera configured to collect and deliver trunk video data to said cabin processor; and

transmitting said collected trunk video data to said remote receiver of said remote monitoring module;

emitting audio data through a trunk speaker of said trunk module according to respective security action instructions received by said cabin processor; and

blocking the trunk lid from closing with a trunk lid blocking assembly positioned in the vehicle trunk, said trunk lid blocking assembly including a solenoid mounted adjacent a vehicle trunk lid latch and that is selectively moved between a retracted configuration that allows the trunk lid to engage the trunk lid latch and a deployed configuration that prevents the trunk lid from engaging the trunk lid latch.

19. A real time vehicle security system for monitoring the security inside and proximate a vehicle having a vehicle computer, a trunk, and a trunk lid, comprising:

a cabin monitoring assembly, comprising;

a cabin memory configured to store data and programming;

a cabin processor in data communication with said cabin memory;

a cabin module positioned inside a cabin of a vehicle and in data communication with said cabin processor, said cabin module including a cabin camera configured to selectively record video in the cabin of the vehicle and a cabin microphone configured to selectively record audio in the cabin of the vehicle;

a global positioning system (“

GPS”

) in data communication with said cabin processor and configured to generate real time global position data;

a cabin transmitter in data communication with said cabin processor;

programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said cabin processor to collect real time GPS data, real time video data recorded by said cabin camera, and real time audio data collected from said cabin microphone;

programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said cabin processor to transmit said collected GPS, video, and audio data via said cabin transmitter;

a remote monitoring module having a remote processor, a remote receiver, a remote transmitter, and a remote display;

wherein;

said remote receiver is in data communication with said remote processor and configured to receive said collected data transmitted by said cabin transmitter;

said remote processor is configured to display said received data on said display;

remote processor is configured to transmit security action instructions via said remote transmitter;

said cabin receiver is configured to receive said transmitted security action instructions;

said cabin processor is configured to execute said security action instructions when received by said cabin receiver;

wherein said cabin module includes a cabin speaker in data communication with said cabin processor and configured to selectively emit a voice message received in said security action instruction from said remote monitoring module;

wherein said cabin module includes;

a proximity sensor positioned outside the vehicle and in data communication with said cabin processor, said proximity sensor configured to collect motion data;

an exterior speaker positioned outside the vehicle and in data communication with said cabin processor, said cabin processor being configured, upon receiving data indicative of motion detected by said proximity sensor, to automatically actuate said exterior speaker to emit a voice message indicative of security monitoring.

20. The real time vehicle security system as in claim 19, wherein:

said cabin camera is rotatably mounted to a base of said cabin monitoring module and configured to move rotationally either manually or automatically;

a pendant separated from said base of said cabin monitoring module and having a pendant transmitter configured to transmit pendant signals indicative of its position relative to said base;

wherein said receiver of said cabin module is configured to receive said pendant position signals;

programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said cabin processor to actuate said cabin camera to rotate relative to said base to direct said cabin camera toward said pendant.