GB2119552A

GB2119552A - Anti-theft and retrieval for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2119552A
Application number: GB8212188A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carlos Tinoco Gutierrez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-04-27
Filing date: 1982-04-27
Publication date: 1983-11-16
Also published as: FR2529152B1; FR2529152A1; DE3225506A1; GB2119552B

Abstract

A radio transmitter T-1 located in a subject vehicle 10 is connected by circuit means to the battery of the vehicle so that upon the unauthorized use of the vehicle, the radio emits a signal. One or more surveillance radio receivers R-1 located remote from said vehicle 10 automatically receive said emitted signal, thereby locating said vehicle 10 which can then be retrieved. The surveillance receiver may also transmit a signal to the stolen vehicle to disable the ignition. The transmitter/receiver of the vehicle 10 can also be powered by a stand-by battery. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Anti-theft and retrieval system for vehicles This invention relates to an anti-theft and retrieval system for motor vehicles and in particular to a system which enables immediate identification, alarm and retrieval of motor vehicles which are used without authority of their owners.

The theft of motor vehicles is a very serious and pressing problem, not only for owners thereof but also for law enforcement agencies charged with their recovery. Anti-theft systems are therefore very important, particularly in urban areas where large numbers of similar vehicles are located.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an anti-theft system which has the following advantages: 1. Production of an alarm which permits recovery of a vehicle even before disappearance of the vehicle has been noticed or reported by its owner.

2. An alarm system which facilitates retrieval of the vehicle during the period that the vehicle is actually in unauthorized use, thus increasing the chances that the thieves might be apprehended while in action.

3. Rapid, indeed almost instantaneous, identification of the stolen vehicle at rest or when in use in traffic.

4. Production of an alarm even though the vehicle may be concealed.

5. Identification of the vehicle even though its most evident characteristics have been modified or camouflaged (e.g. the license plates are changed or falsified and/or the vehicle repainted).

6. A signal actuating a sound or visual alarm may be transmitted directly to the law enforcement authorities.

7. It discourages and inhibits a delinquent from taking the stolen vehicle to carry out other criminal acts, since the vehicle is immediately identifiable as being stolen.

8. It is possible to stop the motor of the stolen vehicle by remote control.

Pursuant hereto, the present invention provides an anti-theft and retrieval system for a vehicle comprising a radio transmitter located in said vehicle, a circuit which is capable of supplying power to said radio transmitter from a battery of said vehicle upon unauthorized use of said vehicle to activate said radio transmitter to emit a signal, and a surveillance radio received which is located at a point remote from said vehicle and is capable of receiving said emitted signal.

Preferably, but not compulsorily, the transmitted signal is tagged so that identification of that particular vehicle is facilitated.

The receiver is, of course, conveniently located at a local police station, or toll barrier etc. In addition, the vehicle is advantageously provided with a receiver, capable of picking up a remote signal, as from the police or law enforcement agent, and circuit means for interrupting the ignition system of the vehicle, thereby enabling the vehicle to be stopped. Concomitantly, the receiver at the police station, barrier or the like is preferably provided with a transmitter to accomplish the same.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the anti-theft and retrieval system of the present invention depicting a vehicle equipped with a transmitter/receiver which is activated, and a police patrol vehicle with a receiver/transmitter device; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a second embodiment of the invention which includes a stationary receiver/transmitter operating with an omnidirectional antenna; Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing the integration of the transmitter/receiver with the vehicle ignition system in the first or second or a third embodiment of the invention;; Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of a receiver/transmitter in a stationary location, operating with an omnidirectional antenna, as in the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of a receiver/transmitter operating with an omnidirectional antenna, as in the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a circuit diagram of a receiver/transmitter operating with an unidirectional antenna, as in a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is an exemplary circuit diagram of the receiver part of the transmitter/receiver in the first, second or third embodiments of the invention; Figure 8 is an exemplary circuit diagram of the transmitter part of the transmitter/receiver in the first, second or third embodiments of the invention.

Generally, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, the antitheft and retrieval system for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises, on the one hand, a radio transmitter/receiver T- 1, located in the subject vehicle 10 preferably in a place which prevents its easy location and its being tampered with. The transmitter/receiverT-1 is connected to operate on power from the vehicle battery and is itself provided with a small emergency battery so that it can be automatically and independently operated should it be disconnected, for any reason, from the vehicle's battery.The transmitter/receiverT-1 is provided with a switch means so that it will automatically transmit a silent signal on unauthorized operation of the motor vehicle 10 and once it begins its transmission will continue functioning autonomously whether or not the vehicle motor continues to run. The radio transmitter is preferably of the type requiring only a very low power supply so that the emergency battery can be extremely long lasting, and itself small.

The receiver portion of the transmitter, if activated, is connected so that on receipt of a signal from a remote surveillance station e.g.

operated by the vehicle owner or any one of the usual law enforcement agencies, it is capable of turning off the motor of the vehicle 10 thereby stopping the vehicle 10 and preventing its further use.

The second half of the system, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a radio receiver/transmitter which may be one of several types, located at one or more surveillance stations remote from the vehicle. For example, the receiver/transmitter R-1 (Figure 2) is a stationary device working off normal line current (such as 110 volts) or batteries of suitable size (such as 12 volts) and is preferably located at selected points along major roads, such as at toll barriers, police stations, or traffic lights, so as to provide coverage over a wide urban area, whereby the transmission from the vehicle 10 can be immediately received without interference from buildings, or other natural objects.The receiver/transmitter R-2 (Figure 1), on the other hand, is a portable or moving radio receiver/transmitter which can be carried in a police vehicle or the like, working off the vehicle battery. Both types of receivers/transmitters R-1 and R-2 are capable of converting the silent radio signal from the vehicle transmitter into a visual, sound or mixed alarm signal.

The transmitter part of the vehicle transmitter/receiverT-1 provides a signal which indicates the presence of a vehicle with an activated T-1. Thus, as the vehicle passes within the radius reception of one of the receivers, R1 or R2, the sound or the visual alarm will be instantaneously recognized by the law enforcement agents and will enable location of the vehicle even on crowded streets or highways.

The final identification of the vehicle with an activated T-1 can be achieved using a receiver/transmitter RP-1 which is portable and equipped with an unidirectional antenna. Thus, recovery of the vehicle and apprehension of the thief or unauthorized user is easily facilitated.

Furthermore, the receivers/transmitters R- 1 and R-2 are provided with suitable transmitters which can direct a signal to the stolen vehicle, so that the motor of the stolen vehicle can be stopped, or other provisions for effecting apprehension be made. Alternatively, the vehicle transmitter/receiverT-1 could provide a tagged signal, to permit identification of the particular vehicle.

Transmitter/receivers and receiver/transmitters, capable of functioning as described are conventional and well known in the radio and electronic art and may be coupled with computers and other automatic electronic equipment for use. Details of such devices, are believed to be unnecessary in the present disclosure, as those skilled in the art are fully aware of them.

Specifically, the present anti-theft and retrieval system is coupled to the ignition system of the vehicle so as to be automatically operable on the unauthorized starting of the vehicle motor.

The manner by which the vehicle transmitter/receiver is integrated into the ignition system of a subject vehicle is shown in Figure 3.

The vehicle includes a conventional ignition system comprising a coil or an electronic ignition device 20 connected via an ignition switch 8 to a main battery 5. The transmitter/receiverT-1 is connected to the battery 5 through a contact 12 controlled by a first relay 1, a coil of a second relay 2, an alarm control switch 1 9 and a contact 7 of the ignition switch 8 located on the ignition side. The coil of the first relay 1 is activated in a parallel connection from a battery side contact 6 of the ignition switch 8. A normally open contact 11 controlled by the second relay 2 bridges the ignition switch 8 and when closed, short circuits the same.

An emergency battery 9 is placed in series with the transmitter/receiverT-1 and a normally closed contact 13 controlled by the first relay 1. A third relay 3 which is activated by a receiver part 21 of the transmitter/receiverT-1 controls a normally closed contact 4 between the ignition switch 8 and the coil or electronic ignition device 20. The latter relay 3 and contact 4 are not activated if the remote controlled stopping of the vehicle is not desired by the user of the receiver/transmitter R-1 or R-2 or RP-1.

Through its parallel connection from the battery side of the ignition switch 8, the first relay 1 is normally energized to keep open the selffeeding circuit from the main battery 5 to the transmitter/receiver T-1. Upon such normal actuation the relay 1 closes the contact 12 between the second relay 2 and the transmitter/receiver T-1 thereby maintaining the circuit in a position to be activated via the ignition switch 8 and the control switch 19. At the same time, relay 1 opens the normally closed contact 13 thereby disconnecting the emergency battery 9.On the other hand, in the absence of power to the first relay 1 , the normally closed contact 13 in the emergency battery circuit remains closed thereby allowing the emergency battery 9 to power the transmitter/receiver T-1. When both the ignition switch 8 and the control switch 1 9 are open, the second relay 2 is without power.

This maintains contact 11 in its normal open condition. However, on closing of the control switch 19, the second relay 2 is put into a condition to be activated immediately, should the ignition switch 8 be closed. This is the safety condition in which the owner or authorized operator of the vehicle leaves the system when he parks the vehicle or otherwise leaves the vehicle unattended.

Thus, the subsequent simple closing of the ignition switch 8 to activate the ignition device 20 automatically actuates the second relay 2 to provide power directly to the transmitter/receiver T-1. Simultaneously, the normally open contact 11 is closed thereby short circuiting the switch 8 whereby power from the main battery 5 is maintained through the control switch 19, and providing power to the relay 2 and to the transmitter/receiver T-1 . Thus, power from the main battery 5 will continue to the transmitter/receiverT-1 even though the ignition switch 8 may be later opened, the ignition device 20 and/or the motor stopped.

The electronic ignition device 20 is further controlled by the normally closed contact 4 which is controlled by the third relay 3. Should the third relay 3 be actuated by the receiver 21 of the transmitter/receiverT-1 receiving a signal from a law enforcement agent, the contact 4 opens, thereby interrupting the ignition circuit of the vehicle, disconnecting the ignition device 20 and effectively stopping the vehicle.

Once the transmitter/receiverT-1 is actuated by closing of the ignition switch 8 and the control switch 19, it will remain in operating mode even though the vehicle motor stops, since the contact 11 remains closed to effectively short circuit the switch 8.

Similarly, the transmitter/receiver T-1 will remain activated notwithstanding interruption of the power supply from the main battery 5, e.g. by exhaustion of or disconnection of the battery 5 itself. In this case, power to the first relay 1 ceases thereby releasing the contact 13 which falls into its normally closed position. On closing of the contact 1 3, the emergency battery 9 is brought into operation in the circuit containing the transmitter/receiverT-1, thus maintaining the transmission of the silent signal from the transmitter part 22.

The only way to stop the signal emission from the transmitter/receiverT-1 is to provide power through the main battery 5 and, simultaneously opening the switch 19, whereby relay 1 is reactivated to cut out the battery circuit.

The detailed arrangement of the second half of the system, that is to say the patrol or surveillance receivers/transmitters, is illustrated for three different embodiments of the system of the invention in Figures 4, 5 and 6 respectively.

Figure 4 illustrates a compound system wherein a receiver/transmitter R-1 is fed by a 110 volt source 23, reduced to 12 volts by means of a transformer 14, via a switch 1 5 but may also be supplied from an auxiliary power source consisting of a 12-volt battery 16, via a switch 17.

The switches 1 5 and 17 must not be actuated simultaneously since they would then act in opposition to each other. Therefore, a 3-way switch (not shown) incorporating the switches 1 5 and 1 7 is preferably used. Such a 3-way switch preferably has one off and two actuating positions for each of the power source circuits so as to avoid their simultaneous actuation. In Figures 5 and 6, two simple arrangements are illustrated, each arrangement being derived from the basic system of Figure 4. The same reference numerals are therefore used for equivalent parts.

In Figure 5 the receiver/transmitter R-2 has an omnidirectional antenna for enhanced detection and location of the origin of the signal from the vehicle transmitter T-1. The receiver/transmitter RP-1, shown in Figure 6, has an unidirectional antenna. Moreover this system provides for transmission of a control signal from said transmitter/receiver R-P-1 in order to operate, by remote control, the relay 3 shown in Figure 3. In each of the embodiments of Figures 5 and 6, the receiver/transmitter is connected via a simple switch 1 7 to a battery 16 or line source 24 of current respectively.

Figures 7 and 8 are examples of circuit diagrams of the receiver part 21 and the transmitter part 22 respectively of the transmitter/receiverT-1 shown in Figure 3.

Details of the components are listed below: Receiver: Figure 7 Resistors all 1/4W R1,R3, 39K R2, 120 Ohm R4,R5,R6,R8 100K R7,R11, 1M R9, Potentiometer 50K R10, 10K Other components C1,C2, 0,1 if C3, 0,47 MF A1,A2,A3, 1/4 LM 324 Flip-flop 1/2 CMOS 4013 T1, NPN TCG293 Relay DIP relay 10 MA Speaker Buzzer 12 V P1 Switch (button) normally closed Transmitter: Figure 8 Resistors all 1/4W R12, 1M R13, Potentiometer 100 K Other components C4, 0, 1 MF G1,G2 1/4 CMOS 4001 From the foregoing, it will be seen that the advantages and objects enumerated earlier can be effectively obtained. Various modifications and changes are suggested herein, others will be obvious to those skilled in the present art.

Accordingly, the present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting thereof.

Claims

1. An anti-theft and retrieval system for a vehicle comprising a radio transmitter located in said vehicle, a circuit which is capable of supplying power to said radio transmitter from a battery of said vehicle upon unauthorized use of said vehicle to activate said radio transmitter to emit a signal, and a surveillance radio receiver which is located at a point remote from said vehicle and is capable of receiving said emitted signal.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the circuit includes an auxiliary battery and switch means operative to supply power to said radio transmitter from said auxiliary battery on loss of power from said vehicle battery.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said surveillance receiver includes means for producing an alarm.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said surveillance receiver includes means for transmitting a signal, said vehicle transmitter includes means for receiving a signal, and the circuit includes means for stopping operation of said vehicle on receipt of the said signal by said vehicle receiver.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4 including a plurality of surveillance receivers, each having transmitting means, spaced apart from each other over a wide area.

6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said surveillance receivers have unidirectional or omnidirectional antennas.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the circuit includes means for maintaining activation of said vehicle radio transmitter upon stopping of a motor of said vehicle.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the circuit includes a first relay normally activated by the battery of the vehicle, and said vehicle transmitter is connected to the battery of the vehicle via a first normally open contact, which is rendered closed on activation of said first relay, a coil of a second relay, a normally open control switch and a vehicle ignition switch.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the circuit includes an auxiliary battery connected to said vehicle transmitter via a first normally closed contact which is rendered open on activation of said first relay.

10. A system as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the circuit includes a second normally open contact bridging the vehicle ignition switch and rendered closed on activation of said second .relay.

11. A system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the circuit includes a third relay capable of activation by a remote signal, and a second normally closed contact interposed between an ignition device and the vehicle ignition switch, said second normally closed contact being opened on activation of said third relay.

12. An anti-theft and recuperator system for a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.