Antitheft system for a motor vehicle

• US 6,194,997 B1
• Filed: 07/26/1999
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Roehrl, Thomas, Wagner, Dieter, Buchner, Reiner
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US09/360,943
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/539, 340/540, 340/457, 340/542, 340/545.3, 340/425, 307/10.2
• US Class Current: 340/426.26
• 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 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

An antitheft system for a motor vehicle includes an interior monitoring device and a transceiver unit which are intended to detect the presence of a person or of a key in the interior of the motor vehicle and which are activated as soon as a door is closed. If a person is not detected in the interior, the doors are automatically locked without the user having to undertake particular measures for that purpose.

Claims

1. In a motor vehicle having an interior and an exterior, locks and doors, an antitheft system, comprising:

a central control unit connected to the locks for locking and unlocking the locks;

a trigger switch connected to said control unit, said trigger switch sensing closing and opening of one of the doors;

at least one interior antenna connected to said control unit for transmitting a request signal into the interior;

an exterior antenna connected to said control unit for transmitting a request signal into the exterior;

a portable code transmitter for receiving the request signal and automatically transmitting back a response signal after previously receiving the request signal; and

an interior monitoring device connected to said control unit, said interior monitoring device establishing if anyone is in the interior;

said trigger switch activated by closing one of the doors to cause said control unit to activate said interior monitoring device and said at least one interior antenna and said exterior antenna to test for the presence of a person in the interior and to transmit the request signal into the interior and the exterior, and said control unit locking all of the door locks if no one is subsequently detected in the interior and exterior and no response signal is received.

2. The antitheft system according to claim 1, wherein said trigger switch is a door contact switch switched on and off by closing one of the doors associated with said door contact switch.

3. The antitheft system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one antenna also transmits the request signal into the exterior and said control unit monitors if a response signal is received from the exterior.

4. The antitheft system according to claim 1, including a warning device connected to said control unit for emitting a visual or audible warning signal if a person is present in the interior of the vehicle or if the response signal is received from the interior.

5. The antitheft system according to claim 1, including a prevention switch disposed at the motor vehicle for disabling functioning of said control unit when said prevention switch is activated manually to prevent the locks from being locked.

6. The antitheft system according to claim 1, wherein said interior monitoring device includes a seat occupation detection device having a capacitor with at least one electrode disposed in a seat.

7. The antitheft system according to claim 1, wherein said interior monitoring device has ultrasonic sensors and ultrasonic receivers for respectively transmitting and receiving signals and comparing the signals with stored patterns for detecting the presence of a person in the interior.

8. The antitheft system according to claim 1, wherein said interior monitoring device has infrared sensors and infrared receivers for respectively transmitting and receiving signals and comparing the signals with stored patterns for detecting the presence of a person in the interior.

9. The antitheft system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one antenna is disposed within the motor vehicle and transmits the request signal only into the interior.

10. The antitheft system according to claim 9, wherein said at least one antenna is a loop antenna having an air coil with a plurality of turns disposed between a door lining and a door panel of at least one of the doors.

11. The antitheft system according to claim 1, including electric motors connected to said control unit for at least partially opening or completely closing at least one window, a sliding roof or a top as a function of the locking and unlocking.