Proactive anti-theft system and method

• US 7,327,229 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2006
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerald H. Nichols, Sanford G. Fitzgerald
• Original Assignee: Gerald H. Nichols, Sanford G. Fitzgerald
• Inventors: Nichols, Gerald H., Fitzgerald, Sanford G.
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/542,099
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.1, 340/426.16, 340/426.18, 340/426.2, 379/45, 455/404.1
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• 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 25/102 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

Abstract

A proactive anti-theft system and method for a vehicle that contacts a call center and a 911 center. The call center communicates with the local police dispatch center and contacts the vehicle'"'"'s owner to confirm theft or other incident involving the vehicle. The anti-theft system continues communication between the alarm system and the 911 center until the vehicle is located or the alarm system is deactivated. The call center provides the local police dispatch center with information on the vehicle. The location of the vehicle can be determined by the mobile phone transmissions sent by the alarm system. The system can also provide audio surveillance of the interior of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A process of notifying the authorities of a crime comprising:

providing a vehicle with an alarm system having one or more sensors and a mobile phone;

activating the alarm system;

when the sensor is triggered the alarm system establishes a contact with a call center via the mobile phone;

the alarm system terminates the contact with the call center and establishes a contact with a 911 center;

the call center establishes contact with a local police dispatch center and provides relevant information;

the call center attempts to contact an owner of the vehicle and confirm whether the vehicle has been stolen;

if the vehicle is not stolen the call center notifies the local police dispatch center it is a false alarm and the alarm system is deactivated;

if the vehicle is stolen or the call center fails to contact the owner, the call center confirms with local police dispatch center that a vehicle theft is in progress;

the alarm system continues contact with the 911 center via the mobile phone until the alarm system is deactivated or the vehicle is recovered; and

the 911 center determines a location for the vehicle based on the mobile phone contact.

2. The process of claim 1, said sensor comprising a motion sensor.

3. The process of claim 1, said sensor comprising a vibration sensor.

4. The process of claim 1, said sensor comprising a shock sensor.

5. The process of claim 1, said sensor comprising a proximity sensor.

6. The process of claim 1, said sensor comprising a voice activated coil programmed to respond to predetermined words.

7. The process of claim 1, further comprising the alarm system transmitting sound from the vehicle to the 911 center.

8. The process of claim 1, further comprising executing the routine of establishing contacts via the phone without any indication to an occupant of the vehicle.

9. The process of claim 1, further comprising deactivating the alarm system upon recovery of the vehicle.

10. The process of claim 9, further comprising the call center deactivating the alarm system via the mobile phone.

11. The process of claim 1, further comprising providing the alarm system and mobile phone with a concealed auxiliary battery.

12. The process of claim 1, further comprising activating the alarm system via a wireless remote control.

13. The process of claim 1, further comprising activating the alarm system automatically when the vehicle is operated.

14. A process of notifying the authorities of a crime comprising:

providing a vehicle with an alarm system having one or more sensors and a mobile phone;

activating the alarm system;

when the sensor is triggered the alarm system establishes a contact with a call center via the mobile phone;

the alarm system terminates the contact with the call center and establishes a contact with a 911 center;

the call center establishes contact with a local police dispatch center and provides relevant information;

the call center attempts to contact an owner of the vehicle and confirm whether the vehicle has been stolen;

if the vehicle is not stolen the call center notifies the local police dispatch center it is a false alarm and the alarm system is deactivated;

if the vehicle is stolen or the call center fails to contact the owner, the call center confirms with local police dispatch center that a vehicle theft is in progress;

the alarm system continues contact with the 911 center via the mobile phone until the alarm system is deactivated or the vehicle is recovered;

the 911 center determines a location for the vehicle based on the mobile phone contact; and

the alarm system providing audio surveillance of an interior of the vehicle.

15. A process of notifying the authorities of a crime comprising:

providing a vehicle with an alarm system having one or more sensors and a mobile phone, wherein one of the sensors is a voice activated coil;

when the voice activated coil is triggered the alarm system establishes a contact with a call center via the mobile phone;

the alarm system terminates the contact with the call center and establishes a contact with a 911 center;

the call center establishes a contact with a local police dispatch center;

the call center provides the local police dispatch center with information on the vehicle;

the alarm system continues contact with the 911 center via the mobile phone until the alarm system is deactivated or the vehicle is recovered; and

the 911 center determines a location for the vehicle based on the mobile phone contact.