Vehicle security system

• US 20050270144A1
• Filed: 06/07/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PFK Electronics (Pty) Ltd.
• Original Assignee: PFK Electronics (Pty) Ltd.
• Inventors: Parnaby, Michael Boyden
• Granted Patent: US 7,327,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.130
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

This invention relates to a vehicle security system. The invention provides a vehicle security system which can be armed and disarmed via a remote control device, e.g. an RF device. The system includes also sensing means which can sense a predetermined event indicative of the presence of a person at the vehicle, such as knocking on the vehicle. For disarming the system, it requires a disarm signal from a compatible remote control device as well as the predetermined event to occur within a predetermined short time period. Where a number of such systems are installed on a number of vehicles on the same lot, e.g. a dealership showroom, and are armed, one of them may be selectively disarmed via a remote control device common to all of the systems. Only the system which senses the predetermined event in addition to a disarm signal will be disarmed.

Claims

1. A vehicle security system including an electronic circuit including, in an operative configuration thereof onboard a motor vehicle,

a receiver for receiving a predetermined disarm signal from a compatible transmitter, for switching the circuit to a disarmed state when in an armed state;

sensing means for detecting a predetermined event indicative of the presence of a person at the vehicle; and

alarm means for warning, when the circuit is in its armed state, of a breach of security of the vehicle in response to a predetermined trigger event,

the circuit being configured to, when in its armed state, require for switching into its disarmed state both reception of the predetermined disarm signal and the detection of the predetermined event occurring within a predetermined time period.

2. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 1, in which the predetermined time period is in the range of 0.5 to 10s.

3. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 1, in which the receiver is an RF receiver.

4. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 1, which is configured to, upon detecting an event indicative of the presence of a person at the vehicle, emit a warning of the presence of the system.

5. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 1, in which the predetermined event is the mere presentation of a person at the vehicle, the sensing means including a sensor for detecting such presentation.

6. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 5, in which the sensor is one of a microwave sensor and an infra-red sensor.

7. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 5, in which the predetermined event is the presentation of a person at a predetermined location alongside the vehicle.

8. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 5, in which the sensor serves also as an intruder sensor for detecting a trigger event for the alarm means in the form of intrusion of the vehicle.

9. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 1, in which the predetermined event is a shock on the vehicle, the sensing means including a shock sensor for detecting such a shock.

10. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 9, in which the shock sensor is of a type which operatively provides the circuit with feedback as to the severity of a shock sensed thereby.

11. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 10, in which the predetermined event is a shock within a predetermined severity range, excluding severe shocks, as detected by the shock sensor.

12. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 9, which is configured to, upon the shock sensor sensing a shock within a predetermined range, excluding severe shocks, emit a warning of the presence of the system.

13. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 9, in which a shock, within a predetermined severity range constituting severe shocks, is a trigger event for the alarm means.

14. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 1, in which the circuit is configured to, upon its receiver receiving a predetermined other disarm signal when the circuit is in its armed state, switch to its disarmed state without the requirement of detection of an event indicative of the presence of a person at the vehicle.

15. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 14, in which switching of the circuit from its armed state to its disarmed state upon receipt of the said predetermined other signal is enabled upon this operation in response to the said predetermined disarm signal being received being disabled.

16. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 1, which is configured to induce locking and unlocking of the vehicle in response to arming and disarming, respectively, of the circuit.

17. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 1, which is configured to induce immobilizing and mobilizing of the vehicle in response to arming and disarming, respectively, of the circuit.

18. A vehicle security system as claimed in claim 1, which includes at least one remotely operable transmitter unit for transmitting to the receiver signals for arming and disarming the circuit thereof.