Programmable vehicle monitoring and security system having multiple access verification devices

• US 5,682,133 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 10/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iFLEET, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobile Security Communications, Inc.
• Inventors: Ashe, Cecil Wayne, Yates, Jesse Brent, Johnson, Sam
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/473,109
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/539, 340/990, 340/995, 340/988, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/425.5, 340/825.49, 342/357, 342/457, 342/388, 342/389, 342/450
• US Class Current: 340/426.19
• 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: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data

Abstract

A security system having two-way communication with a central monitoring station. The security system is equipped with a computerized control and communications unit. The control and communications unit is connected to a position determination device and to a calling unit. The control and communications unit is also connected to several intrusion detection devices. Upon direction of the control and communications unit, for example, in response to the detection of a violation of an intrusion detection device, the calling unit establishes a communications link with the central monitoring station and communicates thereto the status and location of the vehicle in which the security system is located. The control and communication device is operable to receive commands from a handset electrically connected thereto. The central monitoring station, by communicating with the control and communications unit, is operable to control functional units of the vehicle. The central monitoring station includes a display on which maps showing the location of vehicles in communication with the monitoring station and information about such vehicles. An operator at the monitoring station may direct equipment in the monitoring station to initiate calls to law enforcement organizations and emergency response vehicles. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Claims

1. A security system for protecting a vehicle from theft comprising:

a central monitoring station;

a position determination device on said vehicle for determining position data representing the geographical position of said vehicle in response to received radio frequency signals;

a calling unit on said vehicle operable to establish a communication link to said central monitoring station;

a computerized control and communications unit on said vehicle connected to said calling unit and said position determination device for storing said position data, for detecting motion of said vehicle in response to changes in said position data, and for storing selectively entered zone data defining an allowable zone of locations for said vehicle;

wherein said selectively entered zone data includes stored information defining a predetermined period of time for which said zone data is valid; and

wherein said computerized control and communications unit is responsive to said detection of motion of said vehicle to activate said calling unit to establish said communication link with said central monitoring station upon detection of movement of said vehicle outside of said allowable zone of locations during said predetermined period of time.

2. A security system as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

an occupant identification device on said vehicle connected to said computerized control and communications unit operable to determine the identity of an occupant of said vehicle.