| 6404073 | Device for preventing theft of motor vehicle by jacking up motor vehicle at the time of theft under way | Chiang | 340/426 | |
| 6166656 | Emergency assistance system for automobile accidents | Okada et al. | 340/901 | |
| 5515043 | Cellular/GPS system for vehicle tracking | Berard et al. | 340/988 | |
| 5513244 | Remote-controlled anti-theft, theft reporting, or vehicle recovery system and method for motor vehicles | Joao et al. | 340/425.5 | |
| 5497149 | Global security system | Fast | 340/988 | |
| 5457438 | Antitheft alarm system for motor vehicles | Ziegler | 340/426 | |
| 5424711 | Ultrasonic monitoring system for the interior of a motor vehicle | Muller et al. | 340/426 | |
| 5418537 | Location of missing vehicles | Bird | 342/357 | |
| 5416464 | Vehicle anti-theft alarm system | Rimback et al. | 340/426 | |
| 5155467 | Inclination angle detection apparatus and automobile theft alarm apparatus using the same | Matsubara | 340/429 | |
| 4929925 | Alarm system | Bodine et al. | 340/426 | |
| 4684928 | Motion sensor unit | Takahashi et al. | 340/521 | |
| 4651128 | Method of monitoring the inclination of a motor vehicle | Kolb | 340/440 |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a real-time (instantaneous) vehicle anti-theft warning, notification and tracking system that eliminates false alarms by comparing a calculated displacement profile representative of the characteristics of a measured displacement (or apparent displacement) of a vehicle with predetermined displacement profiles. The present invention employs a displacement sensor with a unique monitoring program that measures the rate-of-change, direction, and/or duration of displacement of a vehicle (e.g., an automobile or aircraft) over time, and accurately characterizes real and virtual displacements based on the comparison of the calculated displacement profile with the predetermined displacement profiles.
2. State of the Art
Private/commercial vehicles and items in vehicles continue to be stolen despite the prevalence of factory equipped or after-market warning systems. Current security systems fail to protect vehicles from being stolen and/or violated by thieves because the systems have certain limitations. Most alarm systems are fundamentally passive, i.e., they generate an alarm signal (e.g., a siren) in the vicinity of the vehicle only. As such, an owner or law enforcement agency cannot respond in a timely manner to an imminent theft or a theft in progress. Quick response is vital to preventing such thefts, particularly in view of the use of tow trucks and lift trucks in vehicle thefts.
Vehicles equipped with motion sensors are prone to generating false alarms because they cannot with certainty differentiate between the movement of a vehicle caused by a non-theft event (e.g., a seismic event, movement due to melting ice or snow, someone sitting on the vehicle) and an actual theft in progress (e.g., the lifting of the vehicle to tow it away or an unauthorized entry of the vehicle). These false alarms have diminished the significance of any vehicle alarm sounding or communicating with an owner or law enforcement agency; bona fide vehicle alarm activations are often ignored by the police, and the public. Quoting an authority in security systems, Mr. David Bell, from the November 1996 issue of Security Products, a monthly trade publication: “Alarms have a difficult reputation. They've been fitted in the after-market for a while, and the poor security and poor reliability of many products have given them a bad name. Obviously, false alarms are the worst problem—people have gotten so used to them that they pay no attention when a car alarm is sounding.” These simple and costly facts are clearly indicative that current alarm systems need to be improved. Security systems that can track vehicles by remote means and/or immobilize them by shutting off critical subsystems, e.g., ignition systems, are largely ineffective because of their passive (delayed) operating characteristic. Responding in seconds to a bona fide theft is vital in successfully thwarting the efforts of a thief. But, more often than not, hours pass before the owner of a vehicle becomes cognizant that his/her vehicle has been stolen or violated, and only then are the police notified to institute various countermeasures. These delayed countermeasures are futile in saving the vehicle or vehicle contents from theft, since too much time elapses between the theft and the notification of the police. The vehicle, for example, may already have been dismantled, or placed in the hold of a ship for shipping to a location for resale. Time, which is absolutely critical in this situation, is lost before the police are notified of the stolen vehicle, either by the owner or by a private servicing security entity. The vehicle is simply lifted up by a two truck in a matter of seconds and transported away; then, while en route or at a remote location, the vehicle's power supply is disconnected, including the back-up (hidden) power supply used for the security system. A thief requires very little time to secure the vehicle, transport it away, and inactivate the receiving and transmitting electronic systems that either track or immobilize the vehicle.
Proactive alarm systems have been developed that can, for example, communicate with the vehicle owner and/or law enforcement agencies via wireless notification methods (e.g., pagers, cellular telephones, etc.). These systems rely on conventional detection techniques to sense the occurrence of a possible theft event. In light of the serious technological shortcomings with conventional detection techniques outlined above, these security systems cannot be relied upon to communicate accurately, immediately and directly with the police; too many false alarms are generated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,925 to Bodine et al. (“Bodine”), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an alarm system that monitors several regions in and around a vehicle utilizing ultrasound. The system of Bodine is based on measuring the distance between a sensor and a fixed location, for example, the ground beneath the vehicle, and triggering an alarm if a subsequent measurement of the same distance indicates movement of the vehicle such that the distance between the sensor and the fixed point has changed beyond a threshold amount. Specifically, a hood transducer first measures the distance between the hood transducer and the ground when the vehicle is initially parked (the “initial value”) and the measurements are periodically taken to measure the same distance at a later time (the “current value”). If the current value is greater than the initial value, that is an indication that either the automobile or the hood of the automobile has been lifted, and an alarm is activated. Thus, the system of Bodine cannot discriminate between an actual theft event (the lifting of the car for towing) and a non-theft event (a seismic tremor or vibration caused by a truck passing near the vehicle). Further, since Bodine only detects an increase in distance between the sensor and the ground, downward movement of the vehicle (for example, when someone sits in the vehicle) is not detected by the hood transducer.
The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art systems by measuring the rate-of-change and the duration of the displacement of a vehicle over time, and comparing the duration of the displacement and the rate-of-change over time to predetermined displacement profiles or “signatures” that are correlated to both non-theft events that are likely to occur and to actual theft events. When the characteristics of the displacement of the vehicle matches the displacement profile of an actual theft event, alarms can be triggered and/or electronic notification of the vehicle owner and/or law enforcement officials can be instituted. The ability to discriminate between actual theft events and non-theft events utilizing a displacement profile rather than the size of the displacement results in a more accurate system that generates fewer, if any, false alarms.
According to one feature of the invention, the present invention employs a displacement sensor and a system that analyzes the rate-of-change, duration, and direction of a displacement over a predetermined time period.
According to another feature of the invention, the present invention combines a displacement sensor system that analyzes the rate-of-change, duration, and direction of a displacement over time, with other conventional environmental detectors and sensors (e.g., a mass sensor). The displacement sensor system and the other detector/sensors are electrically interlocked to eliminate the possibility of false alarms through the use of a sequential, programmed set of checks and balances.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system that follows a methodical procedure to eliminate false alarms by discriminating between casual or environmental disturbances (the loud noise or vibrations from a passing truck; displacements caused by an earthquake or an individual leaning on the car or striking a window with a fist or object; apparent displacement associated with the effects of melting of falling ice or snow) and the action of a thief.
Another object of the invention is to provide a real-time system that measures the rate-of-change, duration and direction of a vehicle's displacement by continuously bouncing sound waves from the underside of the vehicle to the ground and back, and analyzing the sound waves. When a genuine threatening situation is observed by comparing the analyzed sound waves to the displacement profile, notification and tracking systems can be activated immediately.
Another object of the invention is to provide a real-time vehicle anti-theft notification and tracking system that employs a displacement sensor and system that analyzes the rate-of-change and duration of a displacement over a predetermined time period and utilizes conventional environmental sensors, e.g. door switches, audio sensor, mass sensor, etc., as well as tele-communications and global positioning capability to immediately notify the owner, police, or authorized law enforcement agency through a pre-recorded message that conveys the nature of the emergency, the make, color, model and license number of the vehicle that is in the process of being stolen and its location, using a wireless record/playback telecommunications system. Verbal location notification and vehicle characterization is required only if automatic location systems (for example, WTCS or GPS) cannot obtain an accurate fix on the location of the vehicle when the alarm was activated.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that immediately apprises the vehicle operator that the automatic location system, (e.g., GPS or WTCS) is non-functional and therefore cannot obtain an accurate fix on the vehicle parked location. This allows the vehicle operator to take actions, such as the recording of a verbal message indicating the exact location of the vehicle, to ensure that other notification means can be instituted. This problem with the location system is automatically and clearly displayed in the cab of the vehicle. The present system has the operational latitude to selectively notify the owner and/or the police, separately or simultaneously, of an on-going theft.
The field zone sensor
Alarm module
Additional detection devices can be included, such as an audio sensor to detect the shattering of glass. One example of an acceptable audio sensor is DEI Corp. audio sensor model 506T. The audio sensor is not an essential feature of the present invention, however, it improves the characterization of a potential theft or violation of a vehicle.
In the present preferred embodiment the field zone sensor
A conventional alarm system (not shown) may also be affixed to the vehicle in accordance with conventional practice, and is not discussed in detail herein. If used, the conventional alarm system is electrically wired and operates as it does in conventional practice, with the exception of the treatment or use of the output signals, as will be discussed hereinafter. Generally speaking, conventional alarm systems comprise microprocessor control units, sirens, cut-off switches, pagers, etc., and the alarm receives input from a conventional sensor system which can include door switch sensors, trunk switch sensors, audio sensors, mass sensors, and shock sensors.
Ultrasonic sensor system
The ultrasonic sensor system
Microprocessor
The ultrasonic sensor system
In operation, the ultrasonic sensor system
Referring to
At step
If the microprocessor
At step
If microprocessor
If the S
If at step
If at step
If microprocessor
Thus, in contrast to prior art systems which trigger an alarm simply when the distance between the sensor and the surface below changes by a minimum threshold amount, the present invention identifies the displacement profile of a displacement by, for example, measuring the rate-of-change of the displacement, i.e., the size of and the duration of the displacement, and then signals an alarm event only when there is an indication that the displacement profile conforms to a predetermined pattern or displacement profile indicating that it is a real theft event and not a naturally occurring or other non-theft event. For example, non-theft events such as a seismic tremor, snow melting under the sensor, or a person sitting on the car will produce a clearly definable displacement profile that is easily distinguishable from the displacement profile of a theft event (e.g., the lifting of the vehicle or the action of a person opening the door, sitting down in the seat, and driving the vehicle away).
By way of example, a seismic event would cause the vehicle to move up and down in a cylindrical manner, until the event ceased. The seismic event would easily displace a vehicle beyond the upper or lowering triggering set points of a conventional motion sensor, which would produce a false alarm. However, by monitoring and analyzing the rate-of-change of the displacement with respect to time (ds/dt) over time (t) the present invention detects a constantly changing slope that is cycling positive, then negative, then positive, etc., nevertheless having an average change over time of approximately zero. The displacement caused by such a cyclical rocking of the car, when compared with a predetermined “seismic event displacement profile”, indicates that the displacement is attributed to a seismic event, or someone rocking the vehicle up and down, and not the actions of a thief, obviously many other displacement profiles can be identified and the microprocessor
In an actual theft event during which, for example, the vehicle is lifted from a roadway or tarmac to a significant height and in a relatively short period of time, the rate-of-change of the displacement over time would significantly differ from that of the above-mentioned seismic event. In contrast to the previous example, this example of an actual theft event results in a displacement with a constantly varying slope, ds/dt, over time, t, resulting in a superimposed slope (trend line) that has an average value that remains positive, i.e., not equal to zero. Thus, in an alternative embodiment, steps
As noted above, the system, has the capability to automatically locate the vehicle, and provide other vehicle particulars, e.g. color, owner, nature of the exigency, etc. utilizing conventional wireless communication methods These vehicle particulars can be coded/recorded in advance so that they are communicated automatically when an event occurs, either as data or as a voice message.
The voice message can be recorded by the user or generated via voice synthesizer or other known voice processing means included in voice processor
Pinpointing the exact location of a vehicle when it is parked hinges on the GPS or other location system having an unobstructed line-of-sight with the appropriate orbital satellites. This line-of-site requirement cannot always be satisfied, e.g., when a light is parked in an enclosed garage, or, between very tall buildings. When such a line-of-sight problem occurs, this fact is automatically conveyed to the vehicle operator by the appearance of a light, or other form of indication in the cab of the vehicle. This can be accomplished by having microprocessor
For example, if the owner receives an indication that the GPS system is nonfunctional, the owner records a message via voice processor
Several exemplary scenarios under which alarm system of the present invention will or will not be triggered as set forth below.
Scenario 1—A thief enters the vehicle through a window that was left open (glass is not shattered and thus the audio sensor, if present, is not triggered), or enters a convertible with the top down without opening the door. The field zone sensor is triggered. The downward displacement of the vehicle is sensed by ultrasonic system
Scenario 2—A person sits on the vehicle, but not in the cab, then after a brief period of time leaves without further activity. The vehicle is displaced in the downward direction, as in Scenario 1, but this time, since there has been no entry into the vehicle, field zone sensor
Scenario 3—A thief does not attempt to enter the vehicle, but instead uses a state-of-the-art tow truck and, without getting out of the cab of the two truck, backs-up to the front or rear of the vehicle and then lifts it up, very gently to avoid a sudden jolt or shock. The displacement profile of this action, when compared with the displacement profile of an actual theft, indicates that the vehicle has moved upward at a velocity that is within V
Scenario 4—An earthquake occurs while the warning system is armed. In this scenario the vehicle is thrust violently downward and then upward or visa versa. Both S
While there has been described herein the principles of the invention, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention. For example, the minimum and maximum threshold levels set forth herein can be increased or decreased dependent on the desires of the user. The displacement duration can be made shorter if it is desired to have a faster acting alarm, or can be made longer if it is desired to have an alarm that requires more sampling before determining if a displacement profile has been met. Accordingly, it is intended by the appending claims, to cover all modifications of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.