GB2579094A

GB2579094A - Integrated car alarm system and method therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2579094A
Application number: GB1818915.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maftei Alexandru
Original assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH; Continental Automotive Romania SRL
Current assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH; Continental Automotive Romania SRL
Priority date: 2018-11-21
Filing date: 2018-11-21
Publication date: 2020-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-21
Also published as: GB2579094B; GB201818915D0

Abstract

The invention describes an integrated alarm system for a vehicle, said system comprising: a combined pressure-yaw-acceleration sensor 7 configured to monitor patterns of vibration associated with a vehicle being broken into; and an electronic control unit 2 arranged to monitor a signal from said sensor, wherein the control unit is configured to generate an alarm event if the signal from said sensor informs that the vehicle is subject to an attempted theft. The sensor and control unit may form part of a vehicle anti-lock braking system (ABS) or electronic stability control system (ESC), thus allowing existing components on the vehicle to serve as part of the alarm system. The control unit may be configured to ignore both vibration patterns associated with normal operation of the vehicle, and those associated with exceptional circumstances such as thunderstorms etc. A method of detecting a theft attempt upon a vehicle, performed by means of said integrated alarm system is also claimed.

Description

Integrated Car Alarm System and Method therefor The present invention generally relates to an integrated car alarm system and method for alerting in case a motor vehicle is subject to a theft attempt.

According to global statistics, the rate of stolen cars is almost 2 cars per minute. No wonder that vehicle owners have invested in expensive aftermarket alarm systems comprising sophisticated electronic sensors, blaring sirens and remote-activation systems. Such aftermarket car alarm system would comprise an array of sensors (including, for example, door switches, pressure sensors and motion detectors), a siren able to create a distinct sound, a radio receiver to allow wireless control from a key fob, an auxiliary battery to ensure that the car alarm operates even when the main battery is disconnected, and an electronic control unit that monitors and controls everything.

Such a car alarm system has been described by FR 2597421 Al. An electronic unit is provided with at least one compact electronic detection module with controlled inertia, preferably made with a mercury switch, responding to at least three mechanical excitations: 1. Non-linear movements (manipulations of the door handles); 2. Vibrations (characterised shock wave), namely related to a blow of medium intensity not causing the glazed surface to be broken (attempting to break windows) etc.; 3. Accelerations caused by an abrupt change in altitude (e.g.: removing a wheel or towing).

There is another example of combined sensors controlled by a main,brain", as it is disclosed by US 6956467 Bl. In this case, amain controller receives signals from a vibration sensor and a glass 35 breakage sensor, computes the alarm signal and then activates the alarm through a speaker. Also, an automatic warning message is sent to the vehicle's owner, via an wireless telephone interface module.

As one may observe, though, such aftermarket alarm systems need sensors which sometimes are difficult to mount in a protected location and dedicated electronic control units which will add weight and energy consumption to the respective vehicle. Also, in case that such aftermarket alarm systems are not correctly installed, they may present a high fire hazard.

The technical problem to be solved, in this context, is to avoid redundancy in terms of hardware or physical components.

Therefore, the object of the invention is to solve the deficiencies of the mentioned prior art and to provide an integrated alarm system for a vehicle, whereby sensors and electronics already mounted on the vehicle are trained to recognize an attempt of stealing the vehicle.

This objective is achieved according to the invention by means of the technical characteristics mentioned in the independent claims, namely an integrated alarm system and a method therefor.

Further advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

A first subject-matter of the present invention is an integrated alarm system for a vehicle, said system comprising: -a combined pressure-yaw-acceleration sensor configured to monitor patterns of vibration associated with a vehicle being broken; -an electronic control unit arranged to monitor a signal from said combined sensor, wherein said electronic control unit is configured to generate an alarm event if said signal from said combined sensor informs that subject vehicle is being broken.

The main advantage of said integrated alarm system is that does not require additional external hardware or physical components to detect a theft attempt.

A second subject-matter of the invention is a method of detecting 10 a theft attempt of a vehicle by means of said integrated alarm system.

According to invention, a method of detecting a theft attempt upon a vehicle comprises: -memorizing a normal pattern of vibrations associated with normal operation of subject vehicle, -memorizing exceptional patterns of vibrations associated with exceptional conditions; -memorizing alarm-triggering patterns of vibrations associated with a theft attempt of the subject vehicle; -monitoring the signal from the said combined sensor in order to detect the said alarm-triggering patterns of vibrations while excluding both said normal and exceptional patterns of vibrations; -generating an alarm event if at least one of said alarm-triggering pattern of vibration is detected.

The advantage of using such a method is that said electronic control unit does not need but an adaptation of a current computer 30 program.

Further special features and advantages of the present invention can be taken from the following description of advantageous embodiments by way of the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an integrated alarm system, according to the invention.

Anti-locking Brake System (ABS) has become a standard equipment for vehicles; the initial ABS concept had been enhanced by adding functions such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , that senses the level of loss of control of steering/turning by means of essentially two sensors: yaw rate sensor (gyroscope) and lateral acceleration sensor (accelerometer). Continental Automotive Systems has succeeded in making the yaw rate and acceleration sensors considerably smaller and more robust, at the same time, so they can be integrated in a PIA (Pressure, Yaw, Acceleration) control unit. Such a device is known as a combo PYA sensor, can be integrated on a printed circuit board and provides inertial inputs to the ABS/ESC control unit. Such combo PYA sensors can have, for example, a sensing range of +12g in dual or tri-axis vibration, while the brake applications with ABS/ESC need up to 4g measuring.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a schematic view of a control module 1 is shown, in particular belonging to an Anti-locking Brake System or Electronic Stability Control(ABS/ESC) of a subject vehicle (not figured). Control module 1 is illustrated as having as main block-components an electronic control unit (ECU) 2, an electric motor 3 and a valve block 4. A plurality of valves 5 is placed within valve block 4. Electronic control unit 2 comprises a corresponding number of valve coils 6 and a combo PYA sensor 7 mounted together on a printed-circuit board 8, to which electronic components 9 are also soldered.

In order to be able to operate even mostly when the subject vehicle is stopped or parked (offline mode), the control module is connected to a power module 10, which maybe the main battery of the subject vehicle or an auxiliary battery or any appropriate source of power.

Also, in order to have a more comprehensive understanding of a possible attempt of breaking the subject vehicle, data from sensors (e.g. wheel speed sensors) usually providing information to the Anti-locking Brake System, named in this description ABS sensors 11, as well as from speed sensors 12 are supplied to the electronic control unit 2. Also, a link to the subject vehicle lights 13, by lights meaning also blinkers as particular means of visual warning. Since the control module 1 operates as ABS component, connexions to brake calipers 14 is also ensured, so that in case the breaking attempt occurs, the subject vehicle to be immobilized. Finally, the control module 1 has an additional link to a horn 15, as particular audio means for warning.

Due to the high sensitivity of said combo PYA sensor 7, it can sense vibrations as those generated during an attempt to break a vehicle.

In order to be able to do that, said electronic control unit 2 is set to memorize predefined normal vibration patterns corresponding to normal working condition of the subject vehicle. Besides that, said electronic control unit 2 is configured to memorize any vibration patterns associated with exceptional conditions, in particular strong winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, or heavy vehicle(s) passing nearby. The purpose of memorizing such normal and exceptional vibration patterns is to keep them as exceptions and to be ignored by the electronic control unit 2. That is, corresponding code lines are inserted into the software program of electronic control unit 2, as to be able to ignore such predefined vibration patterns.

However, in the context of the invention, it is most important to detect vibration patterns indicating that the subject vehicle is broken. That is, characteristic vibration patterns occurring when such a theft attempt should be identified and learned as such. Or, it is known from statistics that the most usual ways to break in/steal a vehicle is either by breaking one of its windows (preferably the one on the driver's side) or by towing. Either ways will produce a specific pattern of vibration, which may be sensed by means of a combo PYA sensor (shock waves or accelerations produced by the sudden change in altitude). This specific vibration pattern may be experimentally learned and classified as such, being different for different vehicle models (depending on weight, windows arrangements, etc.). The level of sensitivity of said sensor maybe set as high or as low as desired, although maintaining a threshold would be recommendable (as not to trigger a false alarm). Anyway, by combining signals from said combo PYA sensor 7 with signals from said ABS sensors 11 and said wheel speed sensors 12, it is possible to confirm that it is a real theft/break in attempt, performed while the subject vehicle is stopped or parked (wheel speed zero, acceleration zero).

Once such an alarm event is triggered, said electronic control unit 2 may initiate the immobilization of subject vehicle, by sending a command signal to the brake control module (linked with brake calipers 14). Also, an alarm by audio/visual warning means maybe triggered; optionally, said electronic control unit 2 may be configured to send an alarm event signal to the infotainment units (not figured) within subject vehicle, as to be able to announce the vehicle owner that an undesirable event is about to occur.

However, while certain embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.

List of reference signs 1 Control Module 2 Electronic Control Unit 3 Electric Motor 4 Valve Block Valves 6 Valve Coils 7 Combo PYA sensor 8 Printed Circuit Board 9 Electronic Components Power Module 11 ABS Sensors 12 Speed Sensors 13 Signaling Lights 14 Brake Calipers Horn

Claims

Patent claims 1. An integrated alarm system for a vehicle, characterized by that the said system comprises: a combined pressure-yaw-acceleration sensor configured to monitor patterns of vibration associated with a vehicle being broken; an electronic control unit arranged to monitor a signal from said combined sensor, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to generate an alarm event if the signal from the said combined sensor informs that the vehicle is subject to an attempt of theft.
2. Integrated alarm system according to claim 1, wherein said 15 electronic control unit controls an anti-locking brake function or an electronic stability control function of subject vehicle.
3. Integrated alarm system according to claim 1, wherein said integrated alarm system is supplied with power even when subject 20 vehicle is stopped or parked.
4. Integrated alarm system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic control unit is configured to ignore any vibration pattern associated with normal operation of subject vehicle. 25 5. Integrated alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to ignore any vibration patterns associated with exceptional conditions, in particular strong winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, or heavy vehicle(s) passing nearby.6. Integrated alarm system according to claim 1, wherein said vibration pattern indicates that a window of the vehicle is broken.7. Integrated alarm system according to claim 1, wherein said vibration pattern indicates which window of the vehicle is broken.B. Integrated alarm system according to claim 1, wherein said vibration pattern indicates non-linear movements outside a normal operation of subject vehicle.9. Integratedalarmaccordingtoclaim1,whereinsaidvibration pattern indicate accelerations caused by an abrupt change in altitude.10. Integrated alarm system according to claim 1, wherein said 15 integrated alarm system has a vibration sensitivity which is tunable from inside of subject vehicle.11. A method of detecting a theft attempt upon a vehicle, performed by means of an integrated alarm system according to 20 claim 1, characterized by that the method comprises: -Memorizing a normal pattern of vibrations associated with normal operation of subject vehicle, -Memorizing exceptional patterns of vibrations associated with exceptional conditions; -Memorizing alarm-triggering patterns of vibrations associated with a theft attempt of the subject vehicle; -Monitoring the signal from the said combined sensor in order to detect the said alarm-triggering patterns of vibrations while excluding both said normal and exceptional patterns of vibrations; -Generating an alarm event if at least one of said alarm-triggering pattern of vibration is detected.12. Method of detecting an attempt to break a vehicle according to claim 11, whereby a memorized alarm-triggering vibration pattern indicates that at least one window of the subject vehicle is being broken.13. Method according to claim 11, wherein a memorized vibration pattern further indicates which window of the vehicle is being broken.14. Method according to claim 11, whereby a memorized vibration pattern indicates non-linear movements.15. Method according to claim 11, whereby memorized vibration pattern indicates accelerations caused by an abrupt change in 15 altitude.16. Method according to claim 11, whereby exceptional conditions means strong winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, or heavy vehicle(s) passing nearby.Amendments to the claims have been made as allows: Amended patent claims 1. An alarm system for a vehicle, comprising: a combined pressure-yaw-acceleration sensor configured to 5 monitor patterns of vibration associated with a vehicle being broken into; an electronic control unit arranged to monitor a signal from said combined sensor, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to generate an alarm event if the signal from the said combined sensor informs that the vehicle is subject to an attempt of theft, wherein said vibration pattern indicates that a window of the vehicle is broken, and which window.2. Alarm system according to claim 1, wherein said alarm system has a vibration sensitivity which is tunable from inside -- of subject vehicle.CD3. A method of detecting a theft attempt upon a vehicle, 20 performed by means of an alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises: -Memorizing a normal pattern of vibrations associated with normal operation of subject vehicle, -Memorizing exceptional patterns of vibrations associated with exceptional conditions, whereby exceptional conditions means strong winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, or heavy vehicle(s) passing nearby; -Memorizing alarm-triggering patterns of vibrations associated with a theft attempt of the subject vehicle, namely vibration patterns indicating that at least one window of the subject vehicle is being broken, and which window; -Monitoring the signal from the said combined sensor in order to detect the said alarm-triggering patterns of vibrations while excluding both said normal and exceptional patterns of vibrations; -Generating an alarm event if at least one of said alarm-triggering pattern of vibration is detected.