Television – Responsive to nonvisible energy – Sonic or ultrasonic
Reexamination Certificate
2003-02-14
2004-10-12
Leykin, Rita (Department: 2837)
Television
Responsive to nonvisible energy
Sonic or ultrasonic
C348S151000, C348S155000, C348S162000, C348S163000, C318S467000, C340S541000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06803944
ABSTRACT:
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application No.2002-39470 filed on Feb. 18, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an invader detector and a controller, and more particularly to an invader detector for detecting an illegal invader into a vehicle and a controller for controlling driving of the invader detector.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a tendency that cases of theft such as vehicle theft and robbery are increasing in the number of occurrences and the occurrence rate, leading to a social problem. In recent years, various types of vehicle theft preventing devices have been proposed to prevent vehicle thefts. For example, if an illegal invader into the vehicle is detected, an alarm such as a siren is sounded or an engine start is inhibited.
In this way, if an alarm is sounded or an engine start is inhibited, it is possible to inform that a vehicle theft is being conducted or to play for time, thereby suppressing the damage to the minimum.
A method for detecting an illegal invader into a vehicle involves detecting a motion of the invader into the vehicle with ultrasonic wave by a ultrasonic sensor mounted on the vehicle, for example.
By the way, an invader detector including an ultrasonic sensor is usually mounted in a central part (e.g., near a map lamp) of a ceiling within a vehicle forward in a running direction to precisely detect an illegal invader into the vehicle. Also, the invader detector is not singly mounted within the vehicle but mounted integrally with a map lamp in the ceiling of the vehicle.
However, there has been a problem with the devices including the ultrasonic sensor that a sensor opening portion is needed. Also, the design of the vehicle is impaired because the device has a large thickness (e.g., the map lamp equipped with the ultrasonic sensor is thicker by about 20 mm than the normal map lamp).
Also, detecting performance of the invader employing the ultrasonic sensor (i.e., precision of detecting an illegal invader) is varied depending on a situation within the vehicle. For example, if the seat position is changed or a bag is placed on the seat, there is a problem that the best detecting performance might not be secured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been achieved in the light of the above-mentioned problems. It is an object of the invention to provide an invader detector that provides the best detecting performance without impairing the design of the vehicle and a controller for controlling driving of the invader detector. It is also another object of the invention to provide an invader detector that provides the best detecting performance even if a situation is changed within the vehicle and a controller for controlling driving of the invader detector.
To accomplish the above object, there is provided an invader detector (
1
) according to the invention including a fixing portion, a detecting unit, a containing portion, and a containing portion driving unit. The fixing portion is attached and fixed to a vehicle. The detecting unit detects an invader into the vehicle. The containing portion contains the detecting unit. The containing portion driving unit drives the containing portion between a detection position where the detecting unit detects the invader into the vehicle and a storage position.
With the invader detector (
1
), the containing portion can be freely driven between the detection position and the storage position. For example, when the security system equipped in the vehicle is operating and it is necessary to detect an invader into the vehicle, the containing portion is driven to the detection position. On the other hand, when the security system is not operating and it is not necessary to detect an invader into the vehicle, the containing portion is driven to the storage position.
Accordingly, when the security system is operating (i.e., when the normal driver or crew is left away from the vehicle), it is possible to properly detect an invader into the vehicle. On the other hand, when the security system is not operating (i.e., when the normal driver or crew is aboard and it is unnecessary to detect an invader into the vehicle), the containing portion is stored so that the design of the vehicle is not impaired.
Also, in addition to the invader detector (
1
), in an invader detector (
2
), the fixing portion is attached to a ceiling of the vehicle. The storage position is at least one of a bore defined in the ceiling and a back in the ceiling.
With the invader detector (
2
), the containing portion is stored in the bore defined through the ceiling and/or the back in the ceiling, for example, as shown in
FIGS. 1
,
11
and
15
. Therefore, the containing portion is stored in a very simplified form.
Also, in addition to the invader detector (
1
) or the invader detector (
2
), an invader detector (
3
) further includes a detecting direction changing unit for changing a detecting direction of the detecting unit.
With the invader detector (
3
), the containing portion is not only driven but also the detecting direction of the detecting unit is changed. Therefore, the invader into the vehicle can be precisely detected.
Also, in addition to any one of the invader detectors (
1
) to (
3
), in an invader detector (
4
), the detecting unit includes a transmission unit and a reception unit, which are contained in the containing portion. The invader detector (
4
) further includes an interval changing unit for changing an interval between the transmission unit and the reception unit.
With the invader detector (
4
), the interval between the transmission unit and the reception unit (i.e., width over them) can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to finely adjust the detecting state where the invader into the vehicle is detected.
Also, in addition to any one of the invader detectors (
1
) to (
4
), in an invader detector (
5
), the containing portion driving unit includes a first mechanism for angularly displacing the containing portion around an angular displacement shaft. The first mechanism anguraly displaces the containing portion around the angular displacement shaft to drive the containing portion between the detection position and the storage position.
With the invader detector (
5
), the containing portion is angularly displaced around the angular displacement shaft, for example, as shown in
FIGS. 1
to
4
and
FIGS. 11
to
14
. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately adjust the position of the containing portion on the vertical plane.
Also, in addition to the invader detector (
5
), in an invader detector (
6
), the containing portion driving unit includes a second mechanism for rotating the containing portion by at least half-turn around a rotation shaft.
With the invader detector (
6
), the containing portion is rotated by at least half-turn around the rotation shaft, for example, as shown in
FIGS. 12 and 13
. Therefore, the detecting unit (e.g., ultrasonic sensor) contained in the containing portion is directed toward the vehicle without occupying large space.
Also, in addition to any one of the invader detectors (
1
) to (
4
), in an invader detector (
7
), the containing portion driving unit includes a third mechanism for moving the containing portion vertically, when the fixing portion is attached and fixed to a predetermined position in the vehicle. The third mechanism drives the containing portion between the detecting portion and the storage position when the third mechanism is moved vertically.
With the invader detector (
7
), the containing portion is moved vertically, for example, as shown in
FIGS. 15
to
17
. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately adjust the position of the containing portion on the vertical plane.
Also, in addition to any one of the invader detectors (
1
) to (
7
), an invader detector (
8
) further including a first control unit, which controls the containing portion driving unit to drive the contain
Akiyama Seiji
Oku Kouji
Yakura Shinji
Fujitsu Ten Limited
Leykin Rita
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