GB2322956A - Vehicle anti-theft systems - Google Patents

Vehicle anti-theft systems Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2322956A
GB2322956A GB9704496A GB9704496A GB2322956A GB 2322956 A GB2322956 A GB 2322956A GB 9704496 A GB9704496 A GB 9704496A GB 9704496 A GB9704496 A GB 9704496A GB 2322956 A GB2322956 A GB 2322956A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
value
vehicle
values
seat
weight
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9704496A
Other versions
GB9704496D0 (en
Inventor
Mumtaz Shah
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9704496A priority Critical patent/GB2322956A/en
Publication of GB9704496D0 publication Critical patent/GB9704496D0/en
Publication of GB2322956A publication Critical patent/GB2322956A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/20—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B60R21/015—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats, and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
    • B60R21/01512—Passenger detection systems
    • B60R21/0153—Passenger detection systems using field detection presence sensors
    • B60R21/01532—Passenger detection systems using field detection presence sensors using electric or capacitive field sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/01—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
    • B60R25/04—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/20—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
    • B60R25/25—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off using biometry

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

An anti-theft system for a vehicle, comprises detecting means (18) for detecting a value which is dependent upon the weight of a user of the vehicle when seated in the vehicle; storing means (34) for storing a reference weight value; comparing means (30) for comparing the detected value with the stored value; and control means (30) for providing an output signal in dependence upon the comparison for controlling an immobiliser and/or an alarm.

Description

TITLE Vehicle Anti-Theft Systems DESCRIPTION This invention relates to anti-theft systems for vehicles, such as cars, vans, trucks and motorcycles.
Many such systems are already known. Some are designed to make access to the vehicle more difficult and/or to activate an alarm if unauthorised access is gained to the vehicle.
Others are designed to immobilise the vehicle, even if access is gained, so that the vehicle cannot be used by an unauthorised user. Examples of this latter type of system are: a device which is fitted with a key-lock to the steering wheel to prevent the steering wheel being turned completely; a device which links the steering wheel and the clutch or brake pedal and is fitted with a key-lock to prevent the steering wheel being turned or the pedals being depressed; and a hidden switch which disables part of the electrical system of the vehicle. Problems with these known systems are that they are inconvenient to use and relatively simple to overcome, for example by picking the lock or stealing the key for it, or by observing the authorised user of the vehicle to ascertain the location of the hidden switch.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an anti-theft system for a vehicle, comprising: detecting means for detecting the value of at least one parameter which is dependent upon the weight of a user of the vehicle when seated on the vehicle; storing means for storing at least one value; comparing means for comparing the detected value(s) with said one stored value; and control means for providing an output signal in dependence upon the comparison for controlling an immobiliser and/or an alarm.
By using the weight of the vehicle user, the level of security can be increased without providing additional burdens on the user of the vehicle (or at least a primary user of the vehicle).
In one embodiment, the detecting means is arranged to detect the weight applied to a particular area of the seating surface of the seat and to provide a value dependent thereon to the comparing means. In another embodiment, the detecting means is arranged to detect the weight applied to a plurality of areas of the seating surface of the seat and to provide a series of values dependent thereon to the comparing means. In a further embodiment, the detecting means is arranged to detect the force applied by the seat to a floor, chassis or frame of the vehicle.
The control means is preferably operable to provide the output signal in dependence upon whether the difference between the detected value and said one stored value is less than a predetermined amount, or whether the ratio of the detected value and the stored value is within a predetermined range. Thus, the system can take account of changes in weight, for example due to be clothing worn by the user, and changes in posture of the user.
Preferably, the storing means is arranged to store at least one such value which is a primary value or set of values, and at least one secondary value or set of values, and further comprising a further storing means for storing a user identification for the or each secondary value or set of values and means for inputting a user identification, the control means being operable, in the case where the detected value(s) does/do not match the primary value or set of values, to determine whether the detected value(s) match(es) the secondary value or set of values for which an input user identification matches the stored identification. Thus, the system can be arranged so that, when the vehicle is being used by the normal user, no user intervention is required, but the system still enables another authorised user to use the vehicle, provided that they input their user identification.
The system may be provided in combination with an immobiliser or alarm which is controlled by the control means, and/or a vehicle seat, or a cover for a vehicle seat, to which the detecting means is fitted.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle having a system according to the first aspect of the invention.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view of a car seat; Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view through the covering of the seat of figure one showing how the weight of the user can be detected; and Figure 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, a car seat 10 has a seat part 12, a squab 14 and a mechanism 16 for mounting the seat on the floor pan of the car and enabling it to be adjusted in position. In order to obtain an indication of the weight of the driver of the vehicle, various means may be employed. As a first example, in the case where the mechanism 16 is bolted to the floor pan by, say, four bolts, these may be replaced by four load cells, and the load cells may have their outputs arranged in series so that the combined output varies with the weight of the driver of the vehicle sitting on the seat. As a second example, and as shown in figure 2, a weight sensitive layer 18 may be provided between the outer cover 20 of the seat and the stuffing 22 inside the seat. The weight sensitive layer 18 can take various forms. For example, it may include two flexible electrically conducting membranes 24 which sandwich between them a layer of a material 26. The material 26 may have an electrical resistance which varies in dependence upon the compression of the material so that the resistance between the plates depends on the applied weight. Alternatively, the material may provide a piezo-electric effect in dependence upon the compression of the material so that a generated voltage is dependent on the applied weight. Also, the material 26 may be a compressible dielectric so that the capacitance between the membranes 24 varies with the applied weight. A single such layer 18 may be provided in the seat part 12, or two such layers may be provided in the seat part 12 and the squab 14 with their outputs being added. In a further arrangement, an array of smaller areas of the layers may be provided in the seat part 12 and the squab 14 with their outputs being multiplexed so that they can be read individually.
Whatever means 18 is provided for detecting the weight, as shown in figure 3, its output is supplied via an interface circuit 28 (which may provide any necessary signal scaling and shaping and any multiplexing function) to a microcontroller 30. The microcontroller 30 has a program ROM 32, an EEPROM 34 which can store weight values, user identifications and a system password, and an operating RAM 36. The microcontroller 30 also has an input from a keypad 38 and may provide an output to a display 40.
Furthermore, the microcontroller 30 controls an immobiliser device 42 such as a relay in the starter circuit of the vehicle.
In one simple manner of operation of the system, the driver enters the vehicle, sits on the seat 10 and turns on the ignition switch of the vehicle. In response to this, the microcontroller 30 reads the value supplied from the seat sensor 18 and compares it with a value stored in the EEPROM 34. The microcontroller 30 then determines whether or not the difference between the sensed value and the stored value is less than a predetermined amount (or if the ratio of the two values is within a predetermined range).
If so, the microcontroller 30 disables the immobiliser 42, so that the driver can operate the vehicle. The microcontroller 30 matches in this condition until the ignition is turned off, whereupon the immobiliser 42 is re-enabled. However, if the microcontroller 42 determines that the difference between the sensed value and the stored value is not less than the predetermined amount (or if the ratio of the two values is outside of the predetermined range), then the microcontroller leaves the immobiliser 42 enabled.
In a development of the above mentioned manner of operation, the EEPROM 34 contains not only the stored weight value for the primary driver of the vehicle, but also pairs of weight values and identification codes for other authorised drivers of the vehicle. When the ignition is turned on, if the sensed value does not match the stored value for the primary driver, but if it does match the stored value for one of the other drivers, then the microcontroller 30 awaits entry of an identification code (e.g. a three digit code) via the keypad 38. If the entered code matches the stored code for the other driver, then the microcontroller 30 disables the immobiliser 42, but if the entered code does not match, then the immobiliser 42 remains enabled.
In order to set up the system, it may originally be supplied with a system password (for example ten digits long), which can be input by the keypad 38 to enter system programming. In system programming, the system password may be changed to another password (again, for example, 10 digits long). To programme the weight of the primary driver, the driver sits on the seat 10, enters system programming and then presses a predetermined key on the key pad 38 to register the weight value as the primary driver's weight value. To programme the weight of another authorised driver, that driver sits on the seat 10, enters system programming and then presses a predetermined key on the key pad 38 to register the weight value, and then presses a series of, for example, three keys to register an identification code.
It will be appreciated that many modifications and developments may be made to the embodiment of the invention described above. For example, if a driver's weight value matches the stored value, but not exactly, then the stored value may be updated, for example as the average of the sensed weight value and the previously stored weight value. Thus, the system can cope automatically with progressive changes in a driver' s weight, for example as a result of a diet, or seasonal changes in the amount of clothing normally worn.

Claims (11)

1. An anti-theft system for a vehicle, comprising: detecting means for detecting the value of at least one parameter which is dependent upon the weight of a user of the vehicle when seated on the vehicle; storing means for storing at least one value; comparing means for comparing the detected value(s) with said one stored value; and control means for providing an output signal in dependence upon the comparison for controlling an immobiliser and/or an alarm.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting means is arranged to detect the weight applied to a particular area of the seating surface of the seat and to provide a value dependent thereon to the comparing means.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting means is arranged to detect the weight applied to a plurality of areas of the seating surface of the seat and to provide a series of values dependent thereon to the comparing means.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting means is arranged to detect the force applied by the seat to a floor, chassis or frame of the vehicle.
5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means is operable to provide the output signal in dependence upon whether the difference between the detected value and said one stored value is less than a predetermined amount, or whether the ratio of the detected value and the stored value is within a predetermined range.
6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the storing means is arranged to store at least one such value which is a primary value or set of values, and at least one secondary value or set of values, and further comprising a further storing means for storing a user identification for the or each secondary value or set of values and means for inputting a user identification, the control means being operable, in the case where the detected value(s) does/do not match the primary value or set of values, to determine whether the detected value(s) match(es) the secondary value or set of values for which an input user identification matches the stored identification.
7. An anti-theft system substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with an immobiliser or alarm which is controlled by the control means.
9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with a vehicle seat to which the detecting means is fitted.
10. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, in combination with a cover for a vehicle seat, to which the detecting means is fitted.
11. A vehicle having a system as claimed in any preceding claim.
GB9704496A 1997-03-05 1997-03-05 Vehicle anti-theft systems Withdrawn GB2322956A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9704496A GB2322956A (en) 1997-03-05 1997-03-05 Vehicle anti-theft systems

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9704496A GB2322956A (en) 1997-03-05 1997-03-05 Vehicle anti-theft systems

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9704496D0 GB9704496D0 (en) 1997-04-23
GB2322956A true GB2322956A (en) 1998-09-09

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Family Applications (1)

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GB9704496A Withdrawn GB2322956A (en) 1997-03-05 1997-03-05 Vehicle anti-theft systems

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GB (1) GB2322956A (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2827239A1 (en) * 2001-07-10 2003-01-17 Oiron Elisabeth Marie Jacque D Motor vehicle theft prevention mechanism having coded unit between front seats placed and seat driver weighing mechanism authorizing vehicle drive activation only when weight within margin.
EP1295791A3 (en) * 2001-09-19 2004-02-11 Adolf Weigl Aircraft safety system to prevent an unauthorized manual operation of the aircraft
US6882288B2 (en) 2001-09-19 2005-04-19 Adolf Weigl Aircraft security system to prevent manual flight operation by unauthorized individuals
WO2005120878A1 (en) * 2004-06-09 2005-12-22 H-Icheck Limited A security device
WO2014044554A1 (en) * 2012-09-24 2014-03-27 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Seat occupancy detection device
FR3006648A1 (en) * 2013-06-07 2014-12-12 Guerineau Maryse VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM
US11130470B1 (en) * 2019-02-05 2021-09-28 Ronald Corley Weight sensor vehicle security device

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5574424A (en) * 1994-05-09 1996-11-12 Nguyen; Duc M. Anti-car jacking/theft device

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5574424A (en) * 1994-05-09 1996-11-12 Nguyen; Duc M. Anti-car jacking/theft device

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2827239A1 (en) * 2001-07-10 2003-01-17 Oiron Elisabeth Marie Jacque D Motor vehicle theft prevention mechanism having coded unit between front seats placed and seat driver weighing mechanism authorizing vehicle drive activation only when weight within margin.
EP1295791A3 (en) * 2001-09-19 2004-02-11 Adolf Weigl Aircraft safety system to prevent an unauthorized manual operation of the aircraft
US6882288B2 (en) 2001-09-19 2005-04-19 Adolf Weigl Aircraft security system to prevent manual flight operation by unauthorized individuals
WO2005120878A1 (en) * 2004-06-09 2005-12-22 H-Icheck Limited A security device
US8127882B2 (en) 2004-06-09 2012-03-06 William Neville Heaton Johnson Security device
WO2014044554A1 (en) * 2012-09-24 2014-03-27 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Seat occupancy detection device
US9452689B2 (en) 2012-09-24 2016-09-27 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Seat occupancy detection device
FR3006648A1 (en) * 2013-06-07 2014-12-12 Guerineau Maryse VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM
US11130470B1 (en) * 2019-02-05 2021-09-28 Ronald Corley Weight sensor vehicle security device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9704496D0 (en) 1997-04-23

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)