GB2279478A

GB2279478A - Vehicle security

Info

Publication number: GB2279478A
Application number: GB9313236A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Paul Downing Hunter; Christopher Frank Will Coombes; Henry Bennett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-06-26
Filing date: 1993-06-26
Publication date: 1995-01-04
Also published as: GB9313236D0

Abstract

Security apparatus fitted to a car 1 comprises: a GPS detector external aerial 3, internal back-up aerial 3' and receiver circuit 4 for detecting the position of the car, interference detectors 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 for detecting interference with the car and a mobile telephone type external aerial 5, internal back-up aerial 5' and transceiver 6 for transmitting information relating to the position and interference status of the car. <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE SECURITY The present invention relates to security apparatus for a vehicle or other movable equipment, in particular an automobiles.

Theft of cars is a particular problem, because it is relatively easy to steal a high value car. Various apparatus for setting off an alarm and/or hindering entry to and/or immobilising of a car exist. However it is difficult to exclude a determined thief and prevent him from starting the car. For particularly valuable cars, thieves will bodily remove them.

Once a car has been stolen, recovery of it can be very difficult since cars can be moved so easily and their identity readily disguised.

Satellite navigation systems are known. They receive information from satellites which enable their position to be computed.

It is also known to transmit goods vehicle tachograph readings to a central station for monitoring. Transmitting apparatus for such use has been developed to the stage of incorporating a satellite navigation system, whereby a vehicle's position can be continuously monitored.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved security apparatus with which the position of a car can be tracked.

Security apparatus of the invention comprises: a position detector for detecting the position of an equipment, an interference detector for detecting interference with the equipment and a transmitter for transmitting information relating to the position and interference status of the equipment.

Whilst the apparatus can be used to secure knowledge of the whereabouts of a wide range of movable equipment, it will be described below in the context of a car.

The preferred position detector for use in the invention is a satellite detector of the global positioning system type, hereinafter called a "GPS detector".

The interference detector may be one or more of a range of known detectors.

The transmitter is preferably adapted to communicate with a conventional mobile communications network.

Preferably, the transmitter is incorporated in a communications unit able to receive information from a remote control station as well as to transmit to it.

In another aspect of the invention, a security network comprises a plurality of security apparatuses installed in mobile equipment and a control station adapted to receive communication from the apparatuses.

Preferably the control station is able to transmit information to the security apparatuses, individually and preferably also collectively.

Each apparatus is preferably adapted to transmit respectively differing interference status information corresponding to detection of interference by a plurality of different detectors.

Similarly the control station is preferably adapted to transmit different signals to the individual apparatuses in accordance with interference with the different detectors.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with referrence to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram of security appartus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a flow chart showing overall operational characteristics of the apparatus in combination with a control station; and Figures 3 to 8 are similar flow charts showing various characteristics in more detail.

Turning first to Figure 1, a car 1 is fitted with a security apparatus shown in block diagram form 2. The apparatus includes: a GPS detector external aerial 3, internal back-up aerial 3' and receiver circuit 4, a mobile telephone type external aerial 5, interanl back-up aerial 5' and transceiver 6, a processor unit 7 connected to the GPS receiver circuit 4 and the transceiver 6 via a modem 8, a programmable interface 9 connected to the processor and the following peripheral devices: an internal buzzer 10, a so called "bubble" microwave intrusion detector 11 for detecting window or door breaking/opening, a boot opening detection switch 12, a door opening detection switch 13, a glove box opening detection switch 14, a bonnet opening detection switch 15, a remote locking sensor 16 for setting the apparatus into a "secure" mode, a dash board warning light 17 for warning the driver of the vehicle of certain conditions of the apparatus, the car's engine management system 18, a "panic" switch 19 to enable the driver to transmit an alarm signal to the control station when the apparatus is not in its secure mode, a siren or horn 20, a secondary immobilising device 21 for remotely, that is from the control station, immobilising the car more thoroughly than when in the normal secure mode, a pager 22 for paging the driver of the car.

A memory in the processor 7 allows the last few of the periodic position fixes, typically five, made by the GPS receiver 4 to be memorised for detection of movement by comparison with subsequent fixes.

For ordinary communication via the mobile telephone transceiver 6, an interface (not shown) is provided.

Preferably the apparatus is adapted to use the British Telecom X-25 network.

Turning next to Figure 3, if the driver of the car is going to leave it in an exposed position for a long period of time, he may request from the control station that the car be placed in an "immobilised" mode as opposed to merely the secure mode, to which the driver can set the car by remote control of the locking sensor 16. The locking sensor normally locks all the doors and the boot lid of the car and immobilizes its ignition system. Should the driver request immobilisation 31, he is asked his personal identification number 32 by personnel at the control station. If this is accurately given, an immobilisation signal is sent 33 to the car. The transceiver 6 receives this and the processor 7 activates the secondary immobilising device 21. Typically this can be a starter motor isolating switch.

Turning now to Figure 2, this shows various operational characteristics, which will be described in combination with the other relevant Figures. With the security apparaus in its normal - "unset" - mode 41, either of a low battery state 42 or damage 43 to an aerial are detected by the processor 7, which causes the transceiver to transmit an appropriate signal. The control station receives this and sets a "yellow status" 44 for the particular apparatus. A self test 45 of the operational ability of the apparatus is made, and the owner is alerted to the problem by means of the buzzer 10 and the pager 22.

Additionally, if the owner activates the panic switch 19, the flashing "red status" 46 is set at the control station by an appropriate transmission. There is however a short delay before the transmission is sent, to allow the owner to cancel the signal if he has activated the switch unintentionally. During the delay the buzzer 10 is sounded and the dash board warning light 17 is flashed. As shown in Figure 8, the flashing red status results in the control station contacting the police 47 because of the emergency.

If the vehicle is moving, as in a hijack, its position is transmitted to the control station, where it is tracked 48 to assist the police.

Returning to Figure 2, when the apparatus is set to the secure mode 50, either of a movement without power from the cars own engine 51 leading to a "green status" alert 52, or an intrusion detection 61 leading to an "amber status" alert 62, may be transmitted to the control station. Turning to Figure 5, a movement without power may be with the authority of the owner 53, after an accident for instance.

Alternatively the owner may indicate that the movement is without his authority 54. Such movement may be as a result of impounding by the police 55 or theft of the car 56. To determine which the control station personnel contact the police 57 to determine the situation. In the case of theft, the car is tracked 58; in the case of impounding 59, the equally unhappy driver is contacted.

In the former case, the status of the alert is changed to "purple" 71, see Figure 6. The car continues to be tracked 72 and the police and the owner are kept informed 73,74.

Returning to Figure 2, in the case of intrusion detection 61, an "amber status" signal 62 is transmitted to the control station. The buzzer 10 in the car is sounded and the dash board warning light 17 is illuminated. If nothing further is detected, the owner and the police are alerted in due course after appropriate delays. Engine running is detected 63, a "red status" signal 64 is transmitted. Movement may be detected 65, in which case the car is tracked 66 and the police informed 67. In appropriate circumstances, in particular where the car is being followed by the police, a signal 68 is sent to the car for its engine management system 18 to be controlled to allow only a limited speed. After the car has been stopped and recovered, the apparatus is reset 69.

Writing of the software for executing the routines necessary for the above operations will be within the skills of the man skilled in the art and will not be described here. It is preferable for the apparatus to be so programmed as to be able to receive updates of the operating software by transmission from the control station. The software is memorised in the programmable interface 9.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment. For instance the telephone-type transceiver 6 can be a telecommunications network adapted to transmit data only as opposed to voice.

The non-shown interface can be adapted for data communication, as by facsimile machine for instance.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Security apparatus for an equipment comprising: a position detector for detecting the position of the equipment, an interference detector for detecting interference with the equipment and a transmitter for transmitting information relating to the position and interference status of the equipment.

2. Security apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position detector is a satellite position detector of the global positioning system type.

3. Security apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, including a memory adapted to memorise a plurality of previous position fixes made by the position detector to allow detection of movement of the equipment together with the security apparatus by comparison with subsequent fixes.

4. Security apparatus as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the transmitter is adapted to communicate with a conventional mobile communications network.

5. Security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transmitter is incorporated in a communications unit able to receive information from a remote control station as well as to transmit to it.

6. A security network comprising a plurality of security apparatuses as claimed in any preceding claim, each installed in mobile equipment, in combination with a control station adapted to receive communication from the apparatuses.

7. A security network as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control station is adapted to transmit information to the security apparatuses, individually and preferably also collectively.

8. A security network as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein each security apparatus includes a plurality of interference detectors and is adapted to transmit respectively differing interference status information corresponding to detection of interference by its respective different detectors.

9. A security network as claimed in claim 6, claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the control station is adapted to transmit different signals to the individual security apparatuses in accordance with interference with the different detectors.

10. A security network as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control station and the security apparatuses are adapted for transmission of an immobilisation signal from the control station for immobilisation of an individual mobile equipment by its security apparatus.

11. Security apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A security network substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.