CN118119532A - Vehicle safety device with main alarm and display alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

A system having a theft event sensor; a main alarm actuator; displaying an alarm actuator; and a vehicle security device for receiving the theft event signal from the theft event sensor, transmitting a primary alarm signal to the primary alarm actuator, and transmitting a display alarm signal to the display alarm actuator.

Description

Vehicle safety device with main alarm and display alarm

Related patent application

The present application claims priority from commonly owned U.S. provisional patent application 63/323,702, filed on 3.25.2022, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automotive theft prevention (vehicle theft alarm), including distributed visual alarm alerting to the surrounding environment of a vehicle, and in particular to a vehicle security device having a primary alarm and a display alarm.

Background

Early conventional vehicle anti-theft systems were installed on vehicles by vehicle owners. Later, anti-theft systems became the standard equipment for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of vehicles. These systems can sound an alarm when a sensor is triggered to detect theft. However, some thieves familiar with vehicle anti-theft systems may quickly deactivate the alarm in order to successfully steal the vehicle. Typical vehicle warning systems emit high volume sounds and flashes of light through a single actuator that can be readily deactivated; in addition, acoustic and optical warnings have become so widespread that their effectiveness has been reduced as a deterrent to theft.

There is a need for a vehicle anti-theft system having a primary alarm system and a secondary alarm system that automatically notifies personnel in close proximity to a stolen vehicle that the vehicle is being stolen without the perpetrator being aware of the notification.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect, there is provided a system having: a theft event sensor; a main alarm actuator; displaying an alarm actuator; and a vehicle safety device for: the method includes receiving a theft event signal from a theft event sensor, transmitting a primary alarm signal to a primary alarm actuator, and transmitting a display alarm signal to a display alarm actuator.

In another aspect, a system is provided having: a theft event sensor; a vehicle audible alert actuator; a vehicle display actuator; a vehicle safety device in direct or indirect signal communication with the vehicle event sensor, the vehicle audible alert actuator, and the vehicle display actuator; and a non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions, wherein the instructions, when loaded and executed by the vehicle security device, configure the vehicle security device to: detecting a theft event signal from a theft event sensor; transmitting a primary alarm signal to a primary audible alarm actuator; and instructs the central computer to transmit a display alert signal to the display alert actuator.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method comprising: sensing a vehicle theft event; detecting a theft event signal from a theft event sensor; transmitting a primary alarm signal to a primary alarm actuator; actuating a primary alert actuator; the central computer is instructed to display a visual alert signal to a display actuator of the vehicle.

Drawings

The figures illustrate example methods and systems for detecting an ongoing vehicle theft, activating a primary alarm for a vehicle horn and lights, and activating a display alarm for a "stolen vehicle" message to the vehicle surroundings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle theft prevention system in which a central computer is in communication with a regional computer, and the regional computer is in communication with an alarm actuator and a theft sensor.

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of a theft detection algorithm.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a theft detection and alarm display algorithm.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the rear end of a vehicle with the alarm display on the vehicle itself or projected onto a surface immediately adjacent the vehicle.

Fig. 5A shows a front view of a vehicle with an alarm display in the grille of the vehicle.

FIG. 5B illustrates a front view of the vehicle of FIG. 5A, wherein the text shown in the display is reverse spelled.

Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram showing a vehicle safety device having a control circuit, a detection circuit, an alarm release circuit, a timing circuit, a display alarm circuit, and a main alarm circuit.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the rear end of the vehicle with the alarm display in a head-up display in the rear window of the vehicle.

Fig. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a method of theft-preventing a vehicle.

The reference numerals for any illustrated element appearing in a plurality of different figures have the same meaning in the plurality of figures, and the references or discussion herein to any illustrated element in the context of any particular figure also apply to every other figure (if any) in which the same illustrated element is shown.

Detailed Description

The vehicle anti-theft system may include any display implementation that displays written messages in any human language generated by the vehicle LED/OLED matrix, projector, or heads-up display, and informs the surrounding environment of an ongoing vehicle theft without alerting the theft perpetrator.

One aspect adds an additional distributed visual alert to the vehicle anti-theft system. The system has a primary alarm and a visual alarm, where the primary alarm may include an audible horn with flashing headlights and running lights. The additional visual alert may include the display of a clear message. Additional visual alarms may be difficult to disable (as it may be part of the light system of a standard vehicle) and notify the surrounding environment that theft is being attempted while the stolen vehicle is moving, which may help create more awareness of the crime being conducted and may prompt the witness to act to inform the police or take other action to deter theft. Informing the surrounding environment of an ongoing theft only when the vehicle is moving prevents a thief within the vehicle from recognizing that the vehicle is sharing a silent visual alert signal to the external environment that can react accordingly.

One aspect uses a vehicle infrastructure that has been planned for use in future vehicles (2025+) and adds new vehicle-to-person (vehicle 2 x) communication features (where in this context x represents a person in the surrounding environment of the vehicle). It develops the ability of vehicles to act as a human-machine interface, where each vehicle transported on a busy road interacts with other drivers and pedestrians through sound and visual effects. Thus, the vehicle itself may also be considered a human-machine interface to enhance the safety and security of the vehicle, thereby showing silent visual alert messages during attempted vehicle theft without increasing the cost of the vehicle bill of materials.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a vehicle zone architecture 100 consisting of a central computer 110 (which may have redundancy) connected to different zone computers 112 through a backbone network. The zone computer 112 oversees different specific functions in the vehicle and is in turn connected to a special control unit 114, which oversees specific functions, such as controlling lights, or ensuring the safety of the vehicle, or performing other specific tasks. Specifically, for this application, if the vehicle user activates the vehicle alert system, the vehicle security device 116 oversees the security of the vehicle with different event sensors 118 that monitor the vehicle integrity and detect all attempts to theft monitoring, such as illegal opening of doors, destruction of windows, illegal introduction of the vehicle interior, or illegal attempts to start the engine, or illegal attempts to move the vehicle (theft detection). In the event of successful theft detection, the vehicle security device 116 activates the host vehicle alarm system (audible alarm actuator 120 and display actuator 122). The activation of the audible alarm is performed by a direct wired connection, as the audible alarm actuator 120 is directly wired to the vehicle safety device 116, and the activation of the display actuator 122 is triggered by a network event on the central computer 110 that controls all of the vehicle lights. In addition, the vehicle security device 116 also informs the central computer 110 of the theft attempt (see algorithm in fig. 2) using the network event. All logical connections in fig. 1 may be bi-directional, as communication within different regional computers 112 may be guaranteed between all regional computers 112. Additionally, the illustrated sensors and actuators may provide diagnostic features that require two-way communication.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle anti-theft system in which a central computer communicates with a regional computer and the regional computer communicates with a mission-specific Electronic Control Unit (ECU). In an example of the vehicle safety device, the headlight control unit and the rear light control unit may be connected to different zone computers. As a design choice, the ECU listed above may be connected to a single zone computer, or may show a different connection topology than that shown in fig. 1 than the available zone computers in the vehicle.

Referring to fig. 2, one aspect consists of a system and software algorithm 200 that is capable of controlling an existing vehicle light system based on a digital LED (light emitting diode) or OLED (organic LED) matrix that displays a distributed visual alert warning to the surrounding environment of the vehicle in the event of a vehicle theft being detected. The algorithm may be integrated in the central computer 110 or in the regional computer 112 that oversees the vehicle safety equipment 116. The algorithm may also be integrated in a new production vehicle whose E/E architecture (electrical/electronic architecture) is based on a regional architecture. The headlight control unit 114 and the backlight control unit 114 may be connected to two separate zone computers 112. Alternatively, the headlight control unit 114 and the backlight control unit 114 may be connected to the same zone computer 112, and may be physically implemented in the same control unit 114. The vehicle security device 116 may share the zone computer 112 with other control units 114.

Another aspect is an LED/OLED matrix based vehicle exterior light application for next generation motor vehicles, vehicles. These devices, originally intended for use as exterior lights, may also display silent alarms, as described above. The signaling from the central computer 110 and the area computers 112 to the external lights may be implemented, for example, using a 10BASE-T1S based control network, which may be used to connect the control units 114 with the corresponding display actuators 122 (LED/OLED matrix). Components such as LAN867X, LAN865X of microchip technology company (Microchip Technology Corporation) may be used to connect different nodes in the 10BESE-T1S network.

Referring to fig. 2, as a design choice, an algorithm 200 for controlling the silent/visual alert system may be implemented in the central computer 110, the zone computer 112, or the control unit 114. With this implementation, the silent/visual alert system is designed as a distributed alert system because the theft detection is supervised by the vehicle security device 116, but the activation of the silent/visual alert is performed by the central computer 110 or the regional computer 112. This would be made possible by the network event message that would inform the central computer 110 of the theft attempt. If the vehicle alarm system is active and Theft is detected, the central computer (with or without redundancy) or the regional computer may be awakened (eventually in part) and will be notified of the Theft event by a network message, which may include setting Theft on-going to 1. Fig. 2 depicts an algorithm 200 for managing the settings of a theft event in the central computer 110 shown in fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 3, as a matter of design choice, an algorithm 300 for controlling a silent/visual alert system may be implemented in the central computer 110, the zone computer 112, or the control unit 114. The flag "the on-going" set 310 to 1 may trigger the rear, front and optional locator lights to display the message "stolen car" and in one case, the message is only shown if the vehicle is moving and the legitimate user is not disabling the alert signal. The message "stolen car" may be integrated with the message "call police", where the two messages may blink alternately. The flashing message "stolen car/call police" may remain active all the time while the vehicle is in motion until the flag "the ft_ ongoing" is reset to 0. The flag "the on-going" may be reset to 0 using a password or any biometric identification entered on the vehicle human interface. The password (or hash for biometric identification) may be stored in one of the computers of the vehicle using password hardware, such as a microchip TrustAnchor (TA 100) or software technology. If the value of the flag "the ft_on-going" is equal to 1 and any vehicle door is opened in any legal vehicle unlocking method, the vehicle's human interface may signal to the user that a theft attempt has occurred and the distributed vehicle alarm system will show a "stolen car" message until entering a password/fingerprint on the vehicle's human interface deactivates it. The algorithm 300 may determine whether the door is legally opened 320. If "yes," the algorithm 300 displays 330 a request for entry of a security code, biometric authentication, on the alarm disabled human interface. If a code is entered, the algorithm 300 determines 340 if the user has entered a legitimate code. If "yes," the value of the flag "the on-going" is set 350 to equal 1, and if "no," the algorithm 300 determines 360 if the car is moving (the wheels are rotating or the GPS position is changing). At step 320, if it is determined that the door is not legally opened, the algorithm 300 proceeds directly to step 360. If step 360 determines that the car is moving, "yes," then algorithm 300 displays 370 the message "stolen car" or "call police" on the LED matrix.

Fig. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of the vehicle after an alarm is triggered. In the event of a theft being detected, the rear LED matrix panel may show information, i.e. "stolen car", when the vehicle is moving. Fig. 4 shows a stolen vehicle message only in the center, where the driver of the vehicle cannot observe the message. The message may flash alternately with the message "call police". In the event of theft, optional locator lights on the sides of the vehicle may project the information "stolen automobile" on the road surface. The message may flash alternately with the message "call police".

Fig. 5A shows a front view of a vehicle with an LED matrix display in the front grille and illustrates an example of the front view of the vehicle after an alarm is triggered. In the event of a theft being detected, the central LED matrix panel on the front of the vehicle will show the information "stolen car" when the vehicle is moving. The message may flash alternately with the message "call police".

FIG. 5B illustrates a front view of the vehicle of FIG. 5A, wherein the text shown in the display is reverse spelled. In this example, the text "stolen car" is displayed in reverse so that a driver in a car traveling in front of the displayed car can appropriately read the text while viewing the display via a rear view mirror. The message text may blink alternately between forward spelling (fig. 5A) and reverse spelling (fig. 5B).

Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram showing a vehicle safety device 600. The vehicle security apparatus 600 includes a control circuit 602, a detection circuit 618, an alarm release circuit 606, a timing circuit 608, a display alarm circuit 610, and a main alarm circuit 622. The control circuit 602 is coupled to the detection circuit 618, the alarm release circuit 606, the timing circuit 608, the display alarm circuit 610, and the master alarm circuit 622. The control circuit 602 may be coupled to an area computer 612 located in the vehicle backbone network. In one aspect, the control circuit 602, the detection circuit 618, the display alarm circuit 610, and the main alarm circuit 622 may be integrally configured in one housing to form the vehicle safety device 600. The control circuit 602 may be, for example, but is not limited to, a microcontroller or microprocessor. In this regard, the user may install the vehicle security device 600 at any suitable location inside or outside the vehicle. In another aspect, the control circuit 602, the detection circuit 618, the display alarm circuit 610, and the main alarm circuit 622 of the vehicle safety device 600 may be separate components. Alarm deactivation circuit 606 may be coupled to control circuit 602 to allow disabling or turning off the alarm. Alarm deactivation circuit 606 may be coupled to alarm deactivation actuator 620, which deactivates the alarm actuator. In this regard, a user may install the individual components at locations inside or outside the vehicle. Alternatively, components or circuits may be partially integrated and partially separated.

As shown in fig. 6, detection circuitry 618 communicates with theft event sensor 604. In response to the theft event sensor 604, the detection circuit 618 detects at least one theft indication event of the vehicle, such as an illegally opened door, a broken window, an illegitimate movement of the vehicle, an illegitimate attempt to start or control the engine. The event sensor may be, for example, but not limited to, a vibration sensor, a hall sensor, a pressure sensor, a gyroscope, or a collection of global positioning satellite devices, without limitation. The theft indication event detected may be, for example, but not limited to, vehicle displacement, vehicle movement, vehicle acceleration, door opening, vehicle seat occupancy, or illegal ignition, or illegal attempted operation of any kind of vehicle control, including, without limitation, a human-machine interface of the vehicle. For example, the theft event sensor 604 (vibration sensor, gyroscope, or GPS device) may be triggered to output a signal to the detection circuit 618 when the vehicle is moving, and in response, the detection circuit 618 may determine that a theft indication event is detected. Further, when the door is illegally opened, the theft event sensor 604 (vibration sensor and/or hall sensor) may be triggered to output a signal to the detection circuit 618, and in response, the detection circuit 618 may determine that a theft indication event is detected. Further, when a person sits in the vehicle seat, the theft event sensor 604 (vibration sensor and/or pressure sensor) may be triggered to output a signal to the detection circuit 618, and in response, the detection circuit 618 may determine that a theft indication event is detected. The detection circuit 618 may be integrated in the control circuit 602.

In response to determining that a theft indication event has been detected, the control circuit 602 may output an alarm activation signal to the master alarm circuit 622 and the display alarm circuit 610. The master alarm circuit 622 outputs a signal to the master alarm actuator 614 in response to the alarm activation signal. The primary alarm actuator 614 may actuate both an audible alarm and a visual alarm, without limitation, as is known in anti-theft systems. For example, the audible alert may include a recorded message projected by a horn or via a speaker, and the visual alert may include a flashing headlight, a running light, a reversing light, a turn signal light, or an interior light. The primary alarm may continue until it is deactivated by the remote control or key, or a timer expires, or a password/fingerprint is entered on the vehicle's human interface via alarm deactivation circuit 606. In addition, the intensity of the primary alarm output by the primary alarm actuator 614 is variable. For example, the warning alert may be an audible alert with different volume, a visual alert with different light colors or different brightness, or a seat vibration alert with different vibration intensity.

In addition, when the detection circuit 618 detects a theft indication event, the control circuit 602 transmits an alarm activation signal to a display alarm circuit 610, which may be integrated in the control circuit itself. In response to the alarm activation signal, the display alarm circuit 610 informs the central computer (fig. 1) of the theft attempt by an area computer connected to the control circuit of the vehicle security device 600 via the vehicle backbone network. The central computer will handle the notification by the algorithm shown in fig. 2, and the central computer will consider the theft indication event to remain active until it is deactivated by entering a password/fingerprint on the car's human interface.

The alarm release circuit 606 may receive a release signal from an alarm release actuator 620 (e.g., a remote control unit or key) to release the alarm output by the master alarm circuit 622. Specifically, after the master alarm circuit 622 outputs a corresponding alarm signal, the owner of the vehicle or any authorized person may determine that the vehicle is not stolen and resolve the theft indication event by disabling the master alarm system via, for example, a remote control unit or key. In this regard, the user is able to enter the vehicle without the need for the primary alarm system to be turned off. After the user has occupied the driver's seat, the vehicle's HMI will require the user to authenticate himself by entering a password/fingerprint/facial recognition/voice recognition/retinal recognition or using any other available biometric authentication. If the user is able to positively identify himself, the central computer will deactivate the visual distributed alarm system by resetting the flag "the on-going" (FIG. 3). Such two-step authentication improves the security of the vehicle in case an illegal user is able to invalidate the 1 st authentication step and to enter the vehicle without letting the main alarm issue.

The vehicle security device 600 may also have a timing circuit 608 to time stamp the theft indication event and the alarm activation signal. The authorized person may retrieve the time stamp.

Each of the circuits shown in fig. 6 may be implemented by the following in a single device or distributed over several devices: instructions in a storage medium, functions, library calls, subroutines, shared libraries, software services, analog circuits, digital circuits, control logic, digital logic programmed by hardware description language, application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), or any suitable combination thereof, or any other suitable mechanism, executed by a processor.

Fig. 7 shows a heads-up display in a rear view window that displays a message to the surrounding environment outside the vehicle, but not to the occupant of the vehicle. The heads-up display in the rear window (or any other window) may include an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) screen positioned in contact with the window. The OLED screen may include a screen portion for displaying "stolen automobile" or "call police". The transparent screen may allow an occupant of the vehicle to view through the window without seeing the display of the message, while a person outside the vehicle may see the display of the message. Alternatively, a camera presentation of the view behind the motor vehicle may be presented on the inside of the display to prevent the vehicle occupants from seeing a display of "stolen car" or "call police" projected for viewing by people outside the vehicle. The rear window of the vehicle may be a substantially transparent window head-up display comprising luminescent particles or microstructures on the glass, allowing a luminescent display while allowing viewing through the window. The heads-up display message may be projected on the rear windshield.

The window may be in the form of an insulating glass unit having an electrochromic device, a transparent display, and a controller for controlling the optical states of the electrochromic device and the transparent display. The controller may adjust the transparent display between substantially transparent and substantially opaque optical states. The display may be pixelated to allow for the display of text or graphic messages. The transparent display may be an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display. The OLED display may display a message to the external environment.

The transparent display may be an electrowetting display having a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel has at least one cell that is oscillatable between a transparent state and an opaque state. The unit may oscillate at a frequency between about 30 hertz and about 60 hertz. The pixel may have a cell that may be substantially white (or substantially black) in its opaque state. When the pixels of the electrowetting display may become white (or other light color), the window may comprise a projector that projects an image onto the electrowetting display. Some of the pixels of an electrowetting display may comprise cells that in their opaque state provide different colors from each other.

The transparent display in the window may be a passive coating that is substantially transparent to the viewer but reflects the projected light to form an image. The window may comprise a projector that projects an image onto a transparent display. In some cases, the projector may be located on or within a frame configured to support the window, or the window may include a light guide that guides the image from the projector to the transparent display.

The head-up display of the rear windshield may be transparent to an occupant of the vehicle interior while displaying messages to the vehicle surroundings on the outside of the window. Alternatively, the head-up display of the rear windshield may be opaque to occupants of the vehicle interior while displaying messages to the vehicle surroundings on the outside of the window. In either case, the messages displayed to the vehicle surroundings on the outside of the window may or may not be read by occupants in the vehicle. The head-up display may be fully integrated in the rear windshield.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a method for providing an on-going visual notification of vehicle theft to an individual external to a vehicle. The method senses 801 if a theft event has occurred. When a theft event has been sensed, the method detects 802 a theft event signal from a theft event sensor. The method then transmits 803 a master alarm signal to the master alarm actuator. The primary alert actuator is then actuated 804. The method then transmits 805 a display alert signal to the display alert actuator. The alarm actuator is then actuated 806.

The vehicle security device is connected to the backbone network of the vehicle and has the possibility to communicate with other network nodes.

Although examples have been described above, other modifications and examples can be made in accordance with this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of these disclosed examples.

Claims (19)

1. A system, the system comprising:

a theft event sensor;

A main alarm actuator;

Displaying an alarm actuator; and

A vehicle safety device for:

receiving a theft event signal from the theft event sensor,

Transmitting a primary alarm signal to the primary alarm actuator, and

Transmitting a display alert signal to the display alert actuator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle security device comprises:

A detection circuit for receiving a theft event signal from the theft event sensor;

A primary alarm circuit for transmitting a primary alarm signal to a vehicle alarm actuator;

A display alarm circuit for transmitting a display alarm signal to a central computer; and

And a control circuit in communication with the detection circuit, the main alarm circuit, and the display alarm circuit.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the theft event sensor comprises a vibration sensor, a hall sensor, a pressure sensor, a gyroscope, or a GPS device.

4. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the theft event sensor comprises a vehicle displacement sensor, a vehicle motion sensor, a vehicle acceleration sensor, a door opening sensor, a vehicle seat occupancy sensor, and an illegal ignition sensor.

5. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the primary alert actuator comprises: an audible alarm or a visual alarm, wherein the audible alarm is selected from a horn or a speaker, and wherein the visual alarm is a headlight, a running light, a reversing light, a turn signal light, or an interior light.

6. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the display alert actuator comprises at least an LED or OLED matrix display on the exterior of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the display alert actuator comprises a projector of light from a vehicle to a surface that is not part of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the display alert actuator comprises a heads-up display in a window of a vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, comprising an alert release actuator, wherein the vehicle safety device communicates with the alert release actuator to receive an alert release signal from the alert release actuator.

10.A system, the system comprising:

a theft event sensor;

a vehicle alert actuator;

a vehicle display actuator;

a vehicle safety device in signal communication with a vehicle event sensor, the vehicle alert actuator, and the vehicle display actuator; and

A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions, wherein the instructions, when loaded and executed by the vehicle security device, configure the vehicle security device to:

Detecting a theft event signal from the theft event sensor;

Transmitting a primary alarm signal to the primary alarm actuator; and

Transmitting a display alert signal to the display alert actuator.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the vehicle security device comprises:

a detection circuit that receives a theft event signal from a vehicle theft event sensor;

A primary alert circuit that transmits a primary alert signal to the vehicle alert actuator;

A display alert circuit that transmits a display alert signal to the vehicle display actuator; and

And a control circuit in communication with the detection circuit, the main alarm circuit, and the display alarm circuit.

12. The system of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the vehicle theft event sensor comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of a vibration sensor, a hall sensor, a pressure sensor, a gyroscope, and a GPS device.

13. The system of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the primary alert actuator comprises an audible alert selected from a horn and speaker, and a light alert selected from a headlight, a running light, a reversing light, a turn signal light, and an interior light.

14. The system of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the display alert actuator comprises an LED or OLED matrix display on the exterior of the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the display alert actuator comprises a projector of light from a vehicle to a surface that is not part of the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the display alert actuator comprises a heads-up display in a window of a vehicle.

17. A method, the method comprising:

Sensing a vehicle theft event;

detecting a theft event signal from a theft event sensor;

transmitting a primary alarm signal to a primary alarm actuator;

actuating the primary alert actuator;

Transmitting a display alert signal to a display alert actuator; and

Actuating the display alert actuator.

18. The method of claim 18, comprising:

Processing the theft event signal with a vehicle security device;

generating the primary alert signal with the vehicle security device; and

The display alert signal is generated with the vehicle security device.

19. A method according to claim 17 or claim 18, comprising deactivating the primary alert actuator or the display alert actuator.