Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Vehicle mounted systems – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1995-08-07
2002-06-04
Paladini, Albert W. (Department: 2827)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Vehicle mounted systems
Automobile
C307S010200, C307S010300, C180S287000, C340S426110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06400042
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to the art of anti-theft devices for motor vehicles and more particularly to a device which will thwart attempts by criminal elements to forcibly commandeer a vehicle from an authorized operator.
The invention has particular application to preventing the escalating incidences of physical commandeering of motor vehicles occurring primarily in urban areas and it will be described with particular reference thereto; however, the invention has broader applications and is extremely effective in preventing theft of a vehicle after it has been parked by an authorized operator. Also the invention allows programmed operation of accessories associated with the vehicle upon approach and retreat of the authorized operator of the motor vehicle or when the vehicle is parked and unattended. Consequently, it is appreciated that the invention has these broader applications even though particular emphasis is applied to its primary goal of hampering or thwarting commandeering of motor vehicles.
There are a tremendous number of anti-theft devices for motor vehicles, many of which are now on the market. In addition, many motor vehicles are provided from the factory with integrated security or theft prevention systems. After a vehicle has been purchased, professional persons can be employed for applying sophisticated security systems or anti-theft devices on the motor vehicle. Such complicated systems are extremely expensive and can be installed only by the most talented persons and are not susceptive to “Do It Yourself” vehicle owners, a group of persons that substantially outnumber those who can afford professionally installed, or factory installed, security devices. Relatively inexpensive, easily installed security devices are generally simplistic in operation and merely prevent theft of a vehicle, while the vehicle is unattended. In these devices, when an authorized operator enters the vehicle, the security device is deactivated by some unspecified act. Indeed, this situation is normally true of factory installed and professional installed security systems. Consequently, security systems of both the inexpensive type and the professionally installed type do not, in any way, protect from or hamper a hijacking situation where a criminal element physically ejects an authorized operator and steals the motor vehicle. Thus, there is a substantial need for a device which will prevent or indeed in some way hamper, thwart or discourage hijacking of motor vehicles. Such a device would not only reduce loss of property but could also result in apprehension of criminal elements disposed to the criminal activity of physical violence directed toward theft of a motor vehicle. In addition, it would be a tremendous advantage if such device were also installed by a Do-It-Yourself person.
THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an anti-theft device which can be easily attached to a motor vehicle, which device will thwart or hamper hijacking, as well as prevent theft of an unattended vehicle. In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, the anti-theft device is a passive system which will be armed and disarmed without physical intervention of the operator owner. This type of system is considered beneficial and premium reducing to some insurance carriers.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device for a motor vehicle, which device comprises a personal identification unit (PID) to be carried by an authorized operator of the motor vehicle. This personal identification device (PID) has means for identifying its location in the vicinity of the motor vehicle. In other words, the PID is used to indicate when an authorized operator is in the vicinity of the vehicle. The present invention further includes a vehicle control unit mounted onto the motor vehicle so that the vehicle control unit can be shifted between a first condition and a second condition. The first condition will allow operation of the motor vehicle, whereas the second condition will inhibit operation of the motor vehicle. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the control unit on the vehicle is shifted into the second, or inhibiting, mode of operation at a time subsequent to removal of the PID from the vicinity of the motor vehicle. In this manner, as the PID is carried by the authorized operator of the vehicle, the vehicle mounted control unit shifts to a first condition as the operator approaches the vehicle. When the operator retreats from the vehicle, the control unit automatically shifts into its second condition. This shifting of the control unit occurs after a time delay which, in practice, is approximately two minutes. In this manner, when the operator walks away from the vehicle, the control unit automatically inhibits operation of the vehicle. Consequently, hijacking of the vehicle is prevented. If the person carrying the PID is physically ejected from the vehicle, the person commandeering the vehicle can not drive the vehicle a substantial distance. The control unit will be shifted into the second condition inhibiting operation of the vehicle. Since the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a time delay, in practice two minutes, as the vehicle is commandeered and the operator is removed, the vehicle operates for a short period of time. When the vehicle is parked and left unattended by the operator carrying the PID, the control unit shifts into the second condition and the vehicle can not be operated. This prevents theft of the vehicle while it is unattended. Indeed, a vehicle equipped with the invention could be unattended with the keys in the ignition switch and the doors open. Although this scenario would be unwise and could invite an attempt to steal the vehicle, such attempt would be unsuccessful.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the anti-theft device can be installed on a motor vehicle merely by cutting a lead to the ignition coil and installing the unit in series with the ignition coil. In this manner, the first condition of the anti-theft control unit connects the ignition coil in a normal fashion. This occurs when the personal identification device is in the vicinity of the vehicle. Vicinity means less than about 50 feet. The second condition of the anti-theft device opens the circuit to the ignition coil, thus preventing operation of the vehicle.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the personal identification device, or unit, is a small transmitter carried by an authorized operator of the motor vehicle. The transmitter has means for periodically transmitting an electromagnetic signal having a series of coded pulses, which arrangement of pulses is unique to the particular transmitter. The transmitter identifies an authorized operator of the vehicle. The control unit mounted onto the vehicle includes a receiver that has a decoding network for recognizing the unique coded pattern of the signal from the transmitter carried with the authorized operator of the vehicle. In this manner, as the operator approaches the vehicle, the coded signal is transmitted to the receiver on the vehicle. This signal shifts the control unit into the first condition. Consequently, the motor vehicle can be operated normally. As the operator retreats from the vehicle, or the vehicle drives away from the operator, the transmitted signal is no longer received by the decoder. After a preselected time, the control unit on the vehicle creates a signal indicating that the transmitter has been removed. This signal inhibits the operation of the motor vehicle by ultimately disabling the vehicle.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the vehicle is inhibited after a given time following removal of the PID from the vicinity of the vehicle. This given time is generally greater than one minute and is preferably in the range of two minutes. To prevent the vehicle from abruptly shutting down, another aspect of the invention includes a programmed stall sequence system wher
Rutkowski John
Winner, Jr. James E.
LandOfFree
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