Theft Detection Apparatus

• US 20140022066A1
• Filed: 07/18/2013
• Published: 01/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Luminescent Alarms Limited
• Original Assignee: Luminescent Alarms Limited
• Inventors: Richardson, David
• Application Number:
  US13/945,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20140022066A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.17
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/01 operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
• 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 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/40 Features of the power supply for the anti-theft system, e.g. anti-theft batteries, back-up power supply or means to save battery power

Abstract

A license plate (401) is shown configured to be attached to a vehicle such that when so attached the license plate appears substantially similar to a conventional license plate. The license plate includes a concealed housing (403). Inside the housing, there is provided a position detection device (404) and a communication device (405). A battery 406 may also be provided within the housing 403 concealed battery 406 may be recharged from a battery present within the vehicle or it may receive electrical power from a photo-voltaic source 407.

Claims

1. A theft detection apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising a license plate configured to be attached to a vehicle such that when so attached said license plate appears substantially similar to conventional license plates, wherein:

said license plate includes a concealed housing;

a position detection device is contained within said concealed housing; and

a communication device is contained within said concealed housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said motor vehicle includes a first battery for supplying electrical energy to electrical components within the motor vehicle; and

electrical energy for said position detection device and said communication device is received from said first battery.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detection device includes a second battery concealed within said housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

said motor vehicle includes a first battery for supplying electrical energy to electrical components within the motor vehicle; and

said second battery is charged by receiving electrical energy from said first battery.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, including a photo-voltaic device for generating electrical energy upon exposure to sunlight, wherein said second battery is charged by receiving electrical energy generated by said photo-voltaic device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said position detection device comprises a global positioning satellite (GPS) system.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said communication device comprises a cellular mobile telephony system.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said cellular mobile telephony system also includes a data storage device and a programmable data processing device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said cellular mobile telephony device is configured to receive input commands to activate operation and to specify operational characteristics.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said operational characteristics includes a definition for a geo-fence.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said cellular mobile telephony device is configured to generate an output call if a detection has been made to the effect that the motor vehicle has been stolen.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said license plate comprises:

a reflective back plate covered in a retro-reflective material;

a plastics material front plate for receiving light in order to display an output message defined by a plurality of cavities in said front plate; and

an interface between said reflective back plate and said front plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said interface is an air-gap.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said license plate comprises:

a cover that appears substantially transparent to allow a back plate to be seen when not energised and configured to display a message when energised, comprising;

a front surface arranged to be in a viewing position and side edges;

a plurality of cavities arranged in the form of said message in said front surface; and

a light source for directing light into said material via at least one of said edges.

15. The apparatus of claims 11, wherein said cavities have a depth greater that fifty micrometre and smaller than two hundred micrometre and said cavities have a diameter greater than fifty micrometre and smaller than two hundred micrometre.

16. A theft detection apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an illumination device concealed within a visible component of said motor vehicle;

a geographical detection device concealed within said vehicle, including a programmable component;

an interface for programming said programmable component with details of a geo-fence so as to produce an alarm signal in response to detecting that said vehicle has moved outside said geo-fence; and

an energising device for activating said illumination device in response to receiving said alarm signal.

17. The theft detection apparatus of claim 16, wherein said visible component is a license plate.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said interface is presented as a graphical user interface via a mobile cellular telephone. 30

19. An illuminating apparatus for a motor vehicle license plate, comprising:

a base plate;

a plastics material cover having a front portion, a first side portion and a second side portion;

a first reflective edge plate attached to said first side portion;

a second reflective edge plate attached to said second side portion; and

a first illuminating device located behind said base plate so as to direct light into said first side portion.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a second illuminating device located behind said base plate so as to direct light into said second side portion.