GB2328053A

GB2328053A - Vehicle security system

Info

Publication number: GB2328053A
Application number: GB9715906A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Geoffrey Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-28
Filing date: 1997-07-28
Publication date: 1999-02-10
Also published as: GB9715906D0

Abstract

A vehicle security system comprising a sensor 3 positioned in the vehicle 1 and arranged to provide a signal to transmitter 5 when it is sensed that the vehicle is being disturbed. Aerial 7 facilitates wireless transmission of the signal from the vehicle 1 to the electromagnetic receiver 11 carried by user 9. The receiver comprises means for alerting the user upon reception of the signal from transmitter 5. The receiver may be housed in a key fob and may alert the user by visual means (LED, 21 of fig. 2) or by sound producing means (loud speaker, 23 of fig. 2).

Description

VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM The present invention relates to a vehicle security system, and more particularly to an arrangement whereby the owner of a vehicle is alerted to their vehicle being tampered with when the vehicle is not in visual range.

Various forms of vehicle alarm are well known. Such vehicle alarms include a sensor which detects, by various means, movement within the vehicle, or movement of the vehicle. In addition, or alternatively, sensors are provided to detect when a vehicle door is opened, for example, by responding to a voltage drop caused by the automatic activation of the interior lighting system on opening of a vehicle door.

However, such systems, although often highly technologically complex, are of limited effectiveness in preventing theft of the vehicle, or from the vehicle, because such systems trigger an audible alarm in the vehicle and/or activate the vehicle's exterior lights. However, if the vehicle owner is too far away to hear the alarm sound or see the vehicle's exterior lights, the owner will be completely unaware that his vehicle is being tampered with. It has also been found that persons who are close enough to the vehicle to hear the alarm or see the exterior lights ignore them due to a high prevalence of false alarms and/or for fear of being attacked by the thief.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the disadvantages of known alarm systems.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electromagnetic radiation receiver for being carried by a user and for receiving a signal transmitted in response to a vehicle sensor, the receiver comprising means for alerting the user when said signal is received from the transmitter.

Thus, if the user is, for example, in a building such that he/she cannot see the vehicle and cannot hear an audible alarm, the user would be alerted by the receiver he/she was carrying that the vehicle sensor had been activated, for example, indicating that the vehicle was being tampered with.

Preferably, the alerting means produces an audio and visual output. Therefore, the user is readily informed that a signal from the vehicle sensor has been received.

For convenience, the receiver may be contained in a housing associated with a mechanical key for the vehicle. The housing could, for example, be a key fob or replace the rubber grip which is normally provided with a vehicle key.

Alternatively, a transmitter may be provided with the receiver, which transmitter transmits a signal for operating the vehicle locking system. Either of these arrangements is convenient for the user as it prevents them from having to carry a separate receiver.

The receiver may be a dedicated receiver which is responsive only to the signal from the vehicle sensor. This may allow the receiver to be miniaturised and convenient to handle by the user.

The receiver may be provided in combination with the signal transmitter. For convenience, the transmitter may have a range of substantially three kilometres.

The vehicle sensor may also be provided in combination with the receiver and the transmitter, and, preferably the vehicle sensor provides an indication that the vehicle is being tampered with.

For a better understanding of the present invention, an embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the vehicle security system; Fig. 2 shows a signal receiver; Fig. 3 shows a section of a vehicle including a sensor unit and aerial; and Fig. 4 shows an end view of the vehicle including a sensor unit and aerial.

Referring initially to Fig.1, a vehicle 1 is shown in which a sensor unit 3 is provided. Although in this embodiment the vehicle is a passenger motor car, the vehicle could be a van, a lorry or motorcycle, for example. The sensor 3 is based on a conventional sensor readily available for vehicle security application.

In this example the sensor is capable of detecting movement within the cabin of the vehicle 1, movement of the vehicle 1, and a voltage drop in the vehicle electrical system caused by the activation of the interior lighting system due to the opening of a vehicle door.

The sensor unit is modified so as to provide a signal to a transmitter 5 when it is sensed that the vehicle 1 is being tampered with. An aerial 7 is provided to facilitate transmission of the signal. The aerial 7 could be a dedicated aerial or an aerial already fitted to the vehicle, such as a radio or mobile telephone aerial could be used, for convenience.

In this embodiment, the transmitter 5 transmits a low range signal that is below the requirements of the licensing laws. The range of the signal is approximately 3 kilometres (2 miles).

The user 9 of the security system carries with him a receiver 11 which is capable of receiving signals from the transmitter 5 within a 3 kilometre range.

In use, when a potential thief or vandal 13 tampers with the vehicle 1 this will cause activation of the sensor 3 in the conventional manner. The sensor 3 will then activate the transmitter 5 which will transmit, via the aerial 7 an "alert" signal to the receiver 11 carried by the user 9. The receiver 11 comprises means for alerting the user 9 to the reception of an "alert" signal. Thus, even if the user 9 is, for example, in a building 15 such that he/she cannot see the vehicle and would not be capable of hearing a conventional vehicle alarm siren, the user can still be alerted to the tampering of the vehicle 1.

In addition to transmitting an "alert" signal, the transmitter 5 may also activate a siren (not shown) and operate the vehicle's exterior lights 17 in order to deter the potential thief 13 and to alert passers by. In some applications it may be preferred not to include a siren and a visual indication that tampering has been sense, for example, so as not to disturb others or to facilitate capturing of the potential thief 13.

Fig. 2 shows the receiver 11 in more detail. The receiver 11 forms the grip of mechanical key 17, which operates the vehicle's 1 locks. The receiver 11 housing 19 includes a warning lamp 21 such as a light emitting diode (LED) and a sound producing means 23, such as a small loud speaker. A battery 25 is located in the housing 19 in order to provide power for the receiver 11, the lamp 21 and the audible means 23.

The receiver 11, with its housing 19 also acting as the grip for mechanical key 17 is convenient for the user 9 because the user does not have to carry a separate receiver. As an alternative. the receiver 11 housing 19 could be in the form of a key fob to which a conventional mechanical key is connected. In another arrangement the receiver 11 could be provided in a housing along with a transmitter incorporating remotely the central locking system of the vehicle 1.

Such remote control locking systems are well known. When the present invention is combined with a remote control central locking system, the system can be configured to automatically activate the sensor 3, i.e. prime the alarm system, when the vehicle 1 is locked.

Figs. 3 and 4 show views of the vehicle 1 body on which the sensor unit 3, transmitter 5 and aerial 7 are mounted. In this embodiment the aerial is mounted to the rear of the vehicle.

The embodiment of the alarm system described may reduce vehicle crime by making the user 9 aware that their vehicle 1 is being tampered with while they are away from the vehicle, for example, in their home, at a restaurant, public house or a shop.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic radiation receiver for being carried by a user and for receiving a signal transmitted in response to a vehicle sensor. the receiver comprising means for alerting the user when said signal is received from the transmitter.

2. A receiver according to Claim 1, wherein said alerting means produces audio and visual outputs.

3. A receiver according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said receiver is contained in a housing associated with a mechanical key for the vehicle.

4. A receiver according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a transmitter is provided for transmitting a signal for operating the vehicle locking system.

5. A receiver according to Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the receiver is a dedicated receiver which is responsive only to said signal.

6. A receiver according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in combination with the signal transmitter.

7. The combination of Claim 7, wherein the transmitter transmits a signal over a range of 3 kilometres.

8. The combination of Claim 6 or 7, further including the vehicle sensor.

9. The combination of Claim 8, wherein the vehicle sensor provides an indication that the vehicle is being tampered with.

10. An electromagnetic radiation receiver substantially as hereinbefore described with reference and/or as illustrated in any one of or any combination of the accompanying drawings.

11. An electromagnetic radiation receiver in combination with a signal transmitter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference and/or as illustrated in any one of or any combination of the accompanying drawings.

12. An electromagnetic radiation receiver, signal transmitter and vehicle sensor, in combination, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in any one of or any combination of the accompanying drawings.