Vehicle security system

• US 4,665,379 A
• Filed: 05/10/1984
• Issued: 05/12/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ANES Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ANES Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Howell, Jack D., Glomski, Arthur F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowland, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US06/608,960
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 340/63, 340/64, 340/65, 340/566, 180/287, 307/10 AT
• US Class Current: 340/426.21
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1013 Alarm systems characterised by the type of warning signal, e.g. visual, audible
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018
• 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

Abstract

A security system for a vehicle such as an automobile, which provides an audible alarm and radio transmission to a pager when an attempt is made to enter the vehicle. A passive system which automatically sets itself when the ignition is turned off, with an exit time delay permitting the operator to leave the vehicle after turning the ignition off and with an entrance time delay permitting the operator to enter the vehicle and turn the alarm off. A sound detection system which provides an alarm when vehicle intrusion is attempted as by breaking glass or use of a pry bar, while discriminating against ordinary street noises such as operation of other vehicles, sirens and the like. An alarm operated by battery voltage changes such as are produced by opening of a door and energizing a courtesy light, while inhibiting alarm when there are other battery voltage changes such as those produced by operation of a cooling fan.

Claims

1. In a vehicle security system, the combination of:

a microphone;

frequency discriminator means having the microphone output connected as an input, and providing an output when the input thereto is in a predetermined band in the audio frequency range;

a first timing circuit having the output of said frequency discriminator means as an input, and providing an output on receiving a first input and providing another output only when another and separate input is received more than a predetermined time after initiation of said first input;

a second timing circuit having the output of said first timing circuit as an input, and providing an output on receiving a second input from said first timing circuit in less than a predetermined time after receiving a first input;

alarm means for providing an alarm on receipt of an output from said second timing circuit;

said alarm means including an entrance delay circuit having;

an input latch circuit;

an alarm drive circuit having the output of said input latch circuit as input;

a time delay circuit connected intermediate said input latch circuit and said alarm drive circuit for delaying actuation of said alarm drive circuit a predetermined time after said input latch circuit is actuated; and

a reset timer circuit connected between said alarm drive circuit and said input latch circuit for resetting said latch circuit a predetermined time after said alarm drive circuit is actuated;

with the output of said second timing circuit connected to said time delay circuit for circumventing the predetermined time thereof; and

alarm inhibit means for inhibiting actuation of said alarm drive circuit, said alarm inhibit means including means for preventing setting of said input latch circuit and a switching circuit actuated by the cooling fan motor of the vehicle.

2. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 1 wherein said frequency discriminator means provides an output when the input thereto is in the range of about five to about eight kilohertz.

3. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 2 wherein said predetermined time for said first timing circuit is in the range of about one to about two seconds, and said predetermined time for said second timing circuit is in the range of about 10 to about 20 seconds.

4. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 1 wherein said frequency discriminator means provides an output when the input thereto is the result of the sounds of breaking glass.

5. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first timing circuit includes first and second amplifiers connected in series in a latch circuit with a first resistance-capacitance circuit for controlling the latching period corresponding to said first timing circuit predetermined time, with the output of said first amplifier connected as input to said second timing circuit.

6. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 5 wherein said second timing circuit includes:

a second resistance-capacitance circuit; and

means for charging the capacitor of said second resistance-capacitance circuit when there is an output from said first timing circuit, with the discharge period of said second resistance-capacitance circuit corresponding to said second timing circuit predetermined time.

7. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 1 wherein said time delay circuit includes

a first resistance-capacitance circuit with the charge level of the capacitor of said first resistance-capacitance circuit controlling said alarm drive circuit, and

means for connecting the output of said second timing circuit to said first resistance-capacitance circuit capacitor for varying the charge thereon.

8. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 7 including switching means for setting said input latch circuit and thereby changing the charge on said first resistance-capacitance circuit capacitor.

9. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 8 wherein said switching means is a mechanically actuated switch.

10. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 8 wherein said switching means is a current actuated switch.

11. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 1 wherein said alarm inhibit means includes a switch actuated by the vehicle ignition switch.

12. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing setting includes

a second resistance-capacitance circuit with the charge level of the capacitor of said second resistance-capacitance circuit controlling said input latch circuit, and

switch means for connecting said second resistance-capacitance circuit capacitor to a voltage source.

13. In a vehicle security system, the combination of:

a microphone for converting sound to electrical signals;

alarm means;

noise discriminator means connected between said microphone and said alarm means for producing an output for triggering said alarm means in response to non-continuous electrical signals from said microphone when a signal occurs after a preceding signal within a predetermined time span;

said alarm means including entrance delay means for delaying triggering of said alarm means for a predetermined time, with the output of said noise discriminator means connected to said entrance delay means for initiating the predetermined time thereof;

a first switching means actuated by movement of a vehicle closure for initiating the predetermined time of said entrance delay means; and

a second switching means for inhibiting triggering of said alarm means, said second switching means includes a switching circuit actuated by the cooling fan motor of the vehicle.

14. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 13 wherein said second switching means includes a switch actuated by the vehicle ignition switch.

15. In a vehicle security system, the combination of:

an alarm;

an alarm control circuit for turning said alarm on and off; and

a first current sensing circuit responsive to a change in vehicle battery voltage and providing an output when there is a voltage change of first predetermined magnitude and first time duration corresponding to the waveform resulting from energizing an incandescent lamp filament, with the output of said first current sensing circuit connected as an input to said alarm control circuit;

said alarm control circuit including

first time delay means for delaying alarm turn-on a predetermined time after said alarm control circuit receives an input from said first current sensing circuit, and

a second current sensing circuit responsive to a change in vehicle battery voltage and providing an output when there is a voltage change of second predetermined magnitude and second time duration, with said second time duration substantially greater than said first time duration, with the output of said second sensing circuit connected as an input to said alarm control circuit for inhibiting alarm turn-on.

16. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 15 including a vehicle closure switch connected as an input to said alarm control circuit.

17. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 15 wherein said voltage change duration is of at least about five milliseconds.

18. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 15 including alarm inhibit means for preventing alarm turn-on.

19. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 18 wherein said alarm inhibit means includes a switch actuated by the vehicle ignition switch.

20. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 15 wherein said alarm control circuit includes second time delay means connected between said alarm control circuit output and input for turning said alarm off a predetermined time after it is turned on.

21. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 15 including:

alarm inhibit means for preventing alarm turn-on;

a panic switch; and

circuit means controlled by said panic switch for blocking operation of said alarm inhibit means and said first time delay means and for actuating said alarm control circuit to turn on said alarm.

22. A vehicle security system as defined in claim 21 including a second current sensing circuit responsive to a change in vehicle battery voltage and providing an output when there is a voltage change of predetermined magnitude and second duration, with said second time duration substantially greater than said first time duration and less than said first time delay means predetermined time, with the output of said second sensing circuit connected as an input to said alarm control circuit for inhibiting alarm turn-on.

23. In a security system for a vehicle having an electrical power supply, the combination of:

alarm means;

first sensing means for sensing a change in the output of said power supply corresponding to the turn-on current waveform resulting from energizing an incandescent filament lamp and producing a first output signal when such a change is sensed;

delay means providing a time delay between the input and output thereof;

means for connecting said first sensing means output signal to said first delay means input;

means for connecting said first delay means output to said alarm means for triggering an alarm;

inhibit means for preventing energizing of said alarm means;

switch means for actuating said inhibit means;

second sensing means for sensing a change in the output of said power supply corresponding to continued running of an electric motor over a predetermined time period and producing a second output signal when such a change is sensed; and

means for connecting said second sensing means output signal to said inhibit means in controlling relation.