AU747631B2

AU747631B2 - A vehicle alarm system

Info

Publication number: AU747631B2
Application number: AU50515/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Timothy Peter Morrison
Original assignee: PACIFIC TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA
Current assignee: PACIFIC TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY Ltd
Priority date: 1994-04-11
Filing date: 2000-08-03
Publication date: 2002-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2015-04-11
Also published as: AU5051500A

Description

Regulad~ou 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

Name of Applicant: PACIFIC TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD., A. C. N.

065 199 439 of Unit 3, 11 Inverlochy Street, Anglesea. Vic 3230 Australia.

Actual Inventor: Tirnotlii, Peter MORRISON Address for Service: PefeTeeeiq(Atfai)4y-+ Thctck S flsccdz-eS 0654199 439 6f. Unit.. 3 11 Lnx'zrlochy Stf AeeVe 230 tala.

eetPG. c2 0 0,1 C~q9LTOFN VI/C 306-- Invention Title: "A.-VEHICLE ALARM SYSTEM" The following statement is a frill description of this invention, including the best method of performning it known to us: 1- '4 1 P:\OEIDBW\16379.95 -2313MS -2- A VtHCLE ALARM SYSTEM The present invention relates to a vehicle alarm system and, in particular, to a system far alerting people outside of a vehicle that an occupant of the vehicle is in danger or needs assistance.

A number of vehicle alarm systems have been developed in the past to issue an alarm signal to third parties when an occupant of a vehicle is being attacked or needs assistance. In situations where the occupant is being attacked, the alarm signal should be such that the 10 assailant is not aware it has been generated, to prevent the occupant being placed in greater danger. A silent, visible alarm signal, such as the display of a light, can be used, provided the signal is not seen by the assailant.

:2:*In accordance with the present invention there is provided a vehicle alarm system including: a display unit mounted inside a vehicle against a rear window of said vehicle for displaying a message which can only be viewed from outside of said vehicle; and switch means for activating said display unit so as to display said message.

Preferably the display unit has parts which sit flush with said rear window to prevent light from said message being reflected from said rear window back into said vehicle.

Preferably said switch means is concealed from the normal view of passengers of said vehicle.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a block diagrain of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle alarm system; Figure 2 is a front view of a display unit of the alarm system; Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the display unit;

I.J

P:\OPRTfllWU79.95 2313198 -3- Figure 4 is a side view of the display unit mounted in a vehicle; Figure 5 is a plan view of the display unit mounted in a vehicle; and Figure 6 is a more detailed side cross-sectional view of part of the display unit.

A vehicle alarm system 2, as shown in Figure 1, includes a display unit 4, a main activation switch 6, a reset switch 8, a boot activation switch 10 and an LED 14 which emits light when the display unit 4 is activated. The display unit 4 is configured to be mounted against the rear window of a vehicle and in the case of automobiles can be mounted on the rear parcel shelf of a sedan. The activation switch 6 is a switch which can be silently closed and is mounted in a vehicle so it can be activated by a driver, but remains concealed from the view of passengers when normally seated in a vehicle. The activation switch 6 may be mounted on a steering column so as to be activated by hand or on the floor of a vehicle so as to be activated by a driver's foot. The display unit 4 is connected to a power supply line 22 powered by a battery 16 of the vehicle via a fuise 18 and is activated when the activation switch 6 is closed.

The display unit 4 includes a high resolution dot matrix display 20 formned by an array directional LEDs. The display unit 4 is programmed so that once the activation switch 6 22'is closed, the display 20 generates an alarm message, such as "Help Help Driver in Danger Call Police Phone 000". The message is selected so as to alert anyone behind the vehicle that the driver requires assistance. Once the activation switch 6 has been closed, the message is continually displayed by the display unit 4. A reset switch 8 is provided to deactivate the display unit 4 so as to stop displaying the message and is mounted in the boot of the vehicle. Mounting the reset switch 8 in the boot of a vehicle ensures that if an assailant somehow becomes aware of actuation of the display unit, a driver must exit the vehicle to reset the display unit 4. This may provide the driver with an opportunity to disable or escape the assailant. A boot activation switch 10 mounted in the boot of the vehicle is also provided to enable the driver to activate the display unit 4 if the driver is locked in the boot by an assailant.

P:OPflRDfW\6379.g5 23/35A -4- The LED 14 is connected between the supply line 22 from the battery 16 and the display unit 4 and emits lights when the display unit 4 is activated so as to provide an indication to the driver of successful activation of the display unit 4. The LED 14 is placed in a position in the vehicle, such as on the dashboard, so the driver is able to view the LED but it is normally concealed from the view of passengers.

The display unit 4 is connected to a rear park light 24 of the vehicle so that the display :unit 4 is able to determine when night lights of the vehic-le are activated. The display 20 has two brightness levels, one for operation during the day and one for operation during the night, level being used when the rear park light 24 has been switched on, *00 The vehicle alann system 2 is particularly suitable for use by the drivers of taxis.

Taxis may already have fitted a radio/dispatch or another alarm system 30 which includes a hand or floor mounted switch that can be activated in an alarm situation to issue alarm signals, such as to operators of a taxi's dispatch system in a remote location. The display unit .9 4 can be connected to the existing system 30 so that it can be activated by depressing the floor switch of that system 9 The display unit 4, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, has a casing 64 which is about 290 mm wide, 65 nun high and 30 num thick. The display unit 4 at each end 32 and 34 has light shielding plates 36 and 38 which extend from the front 40 of the casing 64 where the display is disposed. The plates 36 and 38 are for use when the display unit 4 is mounted against a sloping rear window 42 of a vehicle, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The display unit 4 can be mounted to the rear parcel shelf 46 of a vehicle chassis using heavy duty fixing screws 48, as shown in Figure 3, screwed through the rear parcel shelf 46 into the display unit 4, and stainless steel brackets 50 and 52, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, which extend from the bottom of the display unit 4 back along the rear parcel shelf 46. The brackets 50 and 52 are placed under the carpet 54 of the rear parcel shelf 46 and are affixed to the rear parcel shelf 46 by stainless steel fixing bolts or screws 56 near the ends of the brackets 50 and 52. The brackets 50 and 52 may be mounted on either side of a rear speaker 53 of a vehicle.

P:OPflftMfl6w3i9pg .23/3/98 The Parts of the display unit 4 which abut the rear window 42, being a top front edge 59 and tapering edges 60 and 62 of the plates 36 and 38, include rubber beading 63 and sit flush with the rear window 42. The beading 63 of the edges 59, 60 and 62, the plates 36 and 38, and the casing 64 of the display unit 4 are opaque and prevent light emitted from the display 20 being reflected by the rear window 42 back into the cabin 66 of the vehicle. This ensures that all light emitted from the display 20 is only allowed to pass through the rear window 42 to the outside of the vehicle. An occupant of the vehicle is therefore unable to determine from reflections in the cabin that a message is being displayed by the display unit 4. The brackets $0 and $2 are configured and attached to the display unit 4 so as to force the 10 display unit 4 and, in particular the top front edge 59 and the plates 36 and 38, against the rear window 42. The combination of the plates 36 and 38 and the brackets 50 and 52 prevents 00*any movement of the display unit 4, and in particular, prevents it being removed by an assailant.

000 is The casing 64 comprises a black aluminium extrusion, as shown in Figure 6. The 0* extrusion 64 includes internal slots 70 and 72 for receiving printed circuit boards 74 and 76 S which include the electrical circuit components of the display unit. The first printed circuit board 74 includes a programmable microcontroller which stores the message and in response to closing of one of the activation switches 6 or 10 causes signals to be provided to the second circuit board 72 to continuously display the message. The message is displayed by scrolling the letters or words of the message across the display 20. The second circuit board 72.has mounted thereon the LED array 78, together with drivers 80 for the array 78 mounted on the underside thereof. The extrusion 64 has a final inner slot 82 provided for a 3 mm red Perspex non-reflective panel 84 to cover, and form the display 20, with the az-ray 78. Fixing points 86 are provided in the extrusion 64 for the plates 36 and 38. An external slot 88 is provided at the bottom of the extrusion 64 to receive the brackets4 JO and 52.

The vehicle alarm system 2 can be installed in a vehicle within 45 minutes using the following procedure: 1 The display unit 4 is mounted against the rear window 42 and affixed -6to the car chassis 46 by the heavy duy xing screws 48 and The supply line 22 is threaded from the vehicle's main eectrica iring loom to the dashboard of the vehicle.

3. The LED 14 is fitted to the dashboard beside the steering column on the right hand side, and can be included in the switch assembly in the case of a dashboard mounted switch.

4. The activation switch 6 is installed on the far left hand side of the driver's floor addle area, approximately 15 cm above floor level or on the 10 dashboard in the case of a hand operated switch.

The display unit 4 is connected to the iring of te rear park light 24.

0 6ee of the rear park light 24. The reset and boot activation switches 8 and 10 are discreetly mounted Sin the boot of the vehicle and connected to the display unit 4.

The supply line 22 of the S7. The supply line 22 of the display unit 4 is connected to the vehicle battery 16.

S The vehicle alarm system 2 provides the following benefits: The system is simple and reliable and does not depend on the use of a complicated electronic system.

The system can be activated without the knowled may become agitated if they knew an alar had been triggered.ngers who Drivers will be confident that their activation of the alarm system will attract immediate attention and response from the general public, police and other drivers. e p Existing vehicle aesthetics are not compromised as the device is small and neatly mounted inside the vehicle.

When activated the message is bright, sharp and clear. The two brightnes levels ensures the message is sharp and clearly legible in bright sunshine and at night.

The display 20 illuminates towards the rear of the vehicle and is therefore unlikely to be noticed by an assailant in shop or building windows.

y Masailntm shop or building windows.

ACMRI627.9.95 23,3,M~ -7- The activation switch 6 1s desig ned to allow activation withjout the knowledge of passengers. The system can be connected to a taxi's existing floor mownted radio and dispatcuh system switch or another existing alarm system enabling all safety and emnergency devices to be activated by one switch.

The security system can be installed quickly without disturbing existing electrical systems (approximately 45 minutes) ensuring vehicle down time is minimal.

Tesystem can be installed at low cost.

Thesystem can be programmed to display a variety of messages *according to customer requirements (1)The system ieayto operate, even at times of duress.

()Activation of 'the system by foot allows the driver to have both bands S free to aid driving and self defence.

A small and unobtrusive red LED light 14 located beside the steering colun notifies the driver of the activation of the display unit 4 reassuring the dniver that the steisin oeainand reducing the chance of unintentional operation.

Use Of the system requires rninipmj training.

.20 The system can only be turned Off by activating the system reset s witch 8 located within the boot of the -vehicle. This requires the driver to get out of the car to deactivate the display unit 4 which may provide the driver with the Opportunity to escape the assailanit.

The presence of the system in taxis will act as a deterrent to those who see taxi drivers as a soft target for robbery and assault.

Claims

2. A vehicle alarm system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit has parts which sit flush with said rear window to prevent light from said message being reflected fronm said 10 rear window back into said vehicle. A vehicle alarm system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said display unit has a casing o including a display for displaying said message, and said casing and said parts are opaque. 15 4. A vehicle alarm system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the edges of said parts include opaque rubber beading. A vehicle alarm system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said parts include side parts which extend from said casing and abut said rear window.
6. A vehicle alarm system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the display unit has bracket means which extend from the casing and are used to affix the display unit to said vehicle.
7. A vehicle alarm system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said display is a scrolling dot matrix display.
8. A vehicle alarm system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said switch means is concealed from the normal view of passengers of said vehicle.
9. A vehicle alarm system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said switch means is positioned P" OPZ P=WV6379.95. 23/3 )S .9- on 'he t1oor Of said 'vehicle in an area for the feet of a driver Of said vehicle. A vehicle alarm system as claimed in claim 8,whrisidsjmesisPiiod a steering CO un of said vehicleweins dwtcmasispiiod
11. A veh-icle aWarm, system as claim~ed in claim 8,heenadSwthmnsiload .in the boot Of said vehicle, hrj.nsi wthmasi oae
12. A vehicle alarm System as claj med in claimn 8, inlcluding reset switch means for 110 deactivating said display unit,
13. A vehicle alarm system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said reset switch mean is located in the boot Of said vehicle. n l4 A vehicle alarm system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said display~ unit is connected to the existing lighting system Ot said vehicle and displays Said mnessageaalo brg~ level when said lighting system is activatedJ and display, Said message at a 'high brightness levl w en aidlighting system 's deactivated, C. 0 1. veicl alrmsystem as claimed in claim 8, including light emitting means located within the normal field Of view of a driver Of said vehicle, said jighteitn en en activated to emit light when said dis. a uni isatvtdmodslyS i t mesaein 1625e i l a a m s s e as claim ed in claim 8 w here n said sw itch m eans is part of existing alarm system in said vehicle which transmits an alarn, signal to a remote location, DATED this 23rd day of March, 1998 PACIFIC TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. BY its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAV-E