Vehicle security and monitoring system

• US 6,525,653 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2001
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Annie Rigmaiden
• Original Assignee: Annie Rigmaiden
• Inventors: Rigmaiden, Annie
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/928,089
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/937, 348/113, 348/143, 348/148, 348/151, 348/152, 348/153, 348/154, 348/155, 180/287, 307/10.2
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• 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 25/305 using a camera

Abstract

A vehicle security and monitoring system for protecting vehicles from theft and providing visual evidence of activity. The vehicle security and monitoring system includes an alarm assembly positioned within a vehicle including an audible alarm and a video assembly.

Claims

1. A vehicle security and monitoring system comprising:

an alarm assembly coupled to a battery of a vehicle, said alarm assembly being positioned substantially within said vehicle, said alarm assembly providing an audible signal when an unauthorized entry is sensed;

a video camera operationally coupled to said alarm assembly such that when said alarm assembly is triggered said video camera captures visual images of an interior of the vehicle;

an aperture being formed in said instrument panel;

a camera being positioned adjacent to said aperture and being directed toward an operator of the vehicle for viewing the operator of the vehicle;

said camera being positioned behind said instrument panel to hide said camera from view of the operator of the vehicle;

a transmitter assembly operationally coupled to said alarm assembly such that when said alarm assembly is triggered said transmitter assembly transmits an activation radio signal;

a receiver assembly adapted for being carried by a person, said receiver assembly being for remotely receiving said radio signal from said transmitter assembly whereby a user is alerted to said alarm assembly being triggered when the user is out of audible range but within range of the transmitter assembly;

a video signal transmitter being operationally coupled to said video camera such that said captured visual images are transmitted in addition to said activation radio signal;

a video signal receiver for remotely receiving said transmitted captured visual images;

wherein said video signal receiver is positioned within said receiver assembly such that said video signal receiver is portable;

a remote activation receiver being operationally coupled to said transmitter assembly and said video camera said remote activation receiver being for receiving a signal commanding transmission of a captured video image without activation of said alarm assembly whereby a user may remotely monitor an interior of the vehicle;

a remote activation transmitter positioned within said receiver assembly, said remote activation transmitter being for transmitting a signal to said transmitter assembly and said video camera via said remote activation receiver commanding both said transmitter assembly and said video camera to an active or inactive state;

an audible tone generator for providing an aural indication of activation of said alarm assembly;

a vibrator for providing a tactile indication of activation of said alarm assembly;

a reset switch for deactivating said alarm assembly and said video camera, said reset switch being positioned within the interior of the vehicle;

an activation switch for discretely activating said video camera without activating said alarm assembly, said activation switch being positioned within the interior of the vehicle;

an emergency activation switch for activating both said video camera and said alarm assembly, said emergency activation switch being positioned within the interior of the vehicle; and

said alarm assembly being operationally coupled to a lock of the vehicle such that activating the lock on the vehicle arms said alarm assembly for use and deactivating the lock on the vehicle disarms said alarm assembly.

2. A vehicle security and monitoring system comprising:

an alarm assembly coupled to a battery of a vehicle, said alarm assembly being positioned substantially within said vehicle, said alarm assembly providing an audible signal when an unauthorized entry is sensed by an intruder, wherein an activation radio signal is activated in conjunction with said audible signal;

a video camera being operationally coupled to said alarm assembly such that when said alarm assembly is triggered said video camera captures visual images of an interior of the vehicle;

an aperture being formed in an instrument panel of the vehicle, said aperture being positioned generally in front of a driver'"'"'s seat of the vehicle;

said video camera being positioned adjacent to said aperture and being directed rearwardly for viewing the intruder of the vehicle when the intruder is positioned in the driver'"'"'s seat of the vehicle;

said video camera being positioned behind said instrument panel to hide said video camera from view of the operator of the vehicle;

a remote unit being adapted for being carried by a person, said remote unit including a remote receiver assembly for remotely receiving said activation radio signal from said alarm assembly such that a user is alerted to said alarm assembly being triggered;

said remote unit including a remote activation transmitter for transmitting a signal to said transmitter assembly and said video camera of said alarm assembly via said remote activation receiver of said alarm assembly commanding both said transmitter assembly and said video camera to an active or inactive state; and

wherein said remote activation receiver of said alarm assembly receives said signal from said remote unit commanding transmission of a captured video image to said remote unit without activation of said alarm assembly such that a user is permitted to discretely monitor the interior of the vehicle remotely as desired.

3. The vehicle security and monitoring system of claim 2, wherein said transmitter assembly further comprises:

a video signal transmitter being operationally coupled to said video camera such that said captured visual images are transmitted to said receiver assembly in addition to said activation radio signal.

4. The vehicle security and monitoring system of claim 2, wherein said receiver assembly further comprises:

a video signal receiver for remotely receiving said transmitted captured visual images, and

wherein said video signal receiver is positioned within said receiver assembly such that said video signal receiver is portable.

5. The vehicle security and monitoring system of claim 2, wherein said receiver assembly further comprises:

a audible tone generator for providing an aural indication of activation of said alarm assembly.

6. The vehicle security and monitoring system of claims 2, wherein said receiver assembly further comprises:

a vibrator for providing a tactile indication of activation of said alarm assembly.

7. The vehicle security and monitoring system of claim 2, further comprising:

a reset switch for deactivating said alarm assembly and said video camera, said reset switch being positioned within the interior of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle security and monitoring system of claim 2, further comprising:

an activation switch for discretely activating said video camera without activating said alarm assembly, said activation switch being positioned within the interior of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle security and monitored system of claim 2, further comprising:

an emergency activation switch for activating both said video camera and said alarm assembly, said emergency activation switch being positioned within he interior of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle security and monitoring system of claim 2, further comprising:

said alarm assembly being operationally coupled to a lock of the vehicle such that activating the lock on the vehicle arms said alarm assembly for use and deactivating the lock on the vehicle disarms said alarm assembly.