JP2003226228A - Stolen vehicle tracing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To trace a stolen vehicle without being recognized of the existence of a stolen vehicle tracing device. <P>SOLUTION: The stolen vehicle tracing device comprises a tracing device chip 2 consisting of a GPS receiver, a radio communicator and a control circuit in one chip form, an antenna 3 and a battery 4 built in a room rear-view mirror 1 of the vehicle in a camouflaged manner. It is normally in a resting condition and becomes a standby condition only for a short time, several times per hour. An owner or others informs a center of the stealing of the vehicle, if recognized. Then, the center calls the radio communicator in the vehicle and issues a command to inform of positional information data. The stolen vehicle tracing device after receiving the command actuates the GPS receiver to collect the positional information data for the vehicle. The data is sent to the center using the radio communicator. With this repetition, the center can trace the position of the stolen vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stolen vehicle tracking device, and more particularly to a stolen vehicle tracking device for notifying a center of the current position of a stolen vehicle using a GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various devices such as a mechanical antitheft device and an electronic alarm system have been used as a vehicle antitheft measure. The first antitheft device is a device that issues an alarm sound to the neighborhood. The second antitheft device is a device for immobilizing the vehicle. The third antitheft device is a device for tracking a stolen vehicle.

A first example of an anti-theft device that issues an alarm is a device that detects that a door or the like has been opened and issues an alarm by sound or the like. When a door or the like is opened, the horn sounds and the lights flash to let people know that the vehicle has been stolen. In some cases, a wireless device alerts owners and others in a short distance that the vehicle has been stolen.

A second example of an anti-theft device that keeps the vehicle stationary is a steering lock that blocks the rotation of the steering wheel so that the vehicle cannot be driven. As an electronic vehicle theft prevention device, there is a device in which the engine cannot be started depending on the key unless the ID code stored in the key and the ID code of the vehicle match.

As a third antitheft device for tracking a stolen vehicle, there is a device using a GPS receiver and a terrestrial radio device. The GPS receiver receives signals from GPS satellites in an orbit around the earth, and for a predetermined number of GPS satellites,
The position and speed of the vehicle are measured by obtaining the position and distance. When the engine is started by improper means,
Using the terrestrial radio, notify the center of an emergency call indicating theft and the location of the vehicle. Upon receiving an emergency call, the center tracks the location of the stolen vehicle.

Some conventional examples of stolen vehicle tracking devices using GPS are given below. The "Vehicle Accident Theft Notification Device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-170346 easily and reliably performs automatic notification when a theft or accident occurs, and informs the location of the accident or the current location (location) at the time of the theft. By making sure that the information can be known, it is possible to promptly deal with theft and accidents. If the vehicle equipped with the device is stolen after moving after the prohibition of movement, or if an accident occurred after the start of driving, the accident and the accident information and G
Along with the two-dimensional position information measured by the PS receiver, a facsimile signal generation unit or a synthetic voice signal generation unit of the notification signal generation unit generates a synthetic voice or a facsimile electronic message, and the mobile phone notifies the destination through the cell base station and the public line network. Call to the phone of.

The "theft vehicle tracking method" disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-136639 tracks the position and behavior of a vehicle that has been stolen despite being equipped with an anti-theft device. It makes it possible. G mounted on each vehicle
The PS receiver measures the position of the vehicle. A predetermined management area is set in advance for each vehicle. When the position of the vehicle measured by the GPS receiver leaves the management area, the wireless device mounted on the vehicle wirelessly transmits an emergency notification indicating the position of the vehicle. The vehicle management station receives the emergency call and tracks the movement track of the vehicle. When the vehicle leaves the management area, it can be considered that the vehicle has been stolen, and the behavior of the stolen vehicle can be tracked by the vehicle management station.

The "theft vehicle tracking system" disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-301073 makes it possible for a tow truck to deal with vehicle theft using a trailer and the like, as well as a situation in which a signal from a GPS satellite cannot be received, Even if the GPS antenna is removed, the position of the stolen vehicle can be wirelessly alarmed. In addition to the GPS receiver, each vehicle-mounted device is equipped with a speed sensor and a rate gyro, and an arithmetic processing unit realizes a self-contained navigation function using them. When the movement of the vehicle is detected by the speed sensor or rate gyro with the ignition key turned off, the arithmetic processing unit considers that the vehicle has been stolen, and issues an alarm indicating that fact together with the vehicle position information and the like. The wireless unit wirelessly transmits to the vehicle management station. The vehicle management station that has received this warning visually displays information such as the position of the vehicle, the direction of travel, and the locus, and appropriately notifies the police and the like.

The "vehicle theft determination device and the vehicle antitheft device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-240432 is intended to prevent vehicle theft by a tow truck. This vehicle theft prevention device regularly monitors the height position or inclination angle of the own vehicle by a GPS or an inclination sensor. The height position monitored by the GPS or tilt sensor or the tilt angle is greater than a predetermined value, and the immobilizer unit displays the key I.
If the D number is not checked, the theft determination means determines that the theft has occurred. Automatically report the occurrence of theft and the location of your vehicle to your police or owner using your mobile phone. It reliably prevents vehicle theft that involves moving a vehicle on a tow truck or trailer.

The "vehicle safety system" disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-194976, even if the vehicle itself is stolen,
It is a system that allows you to search the whereabouts instantly and take corrective measures. Each vehicle is equipped with an abnormality detection sensor that detects an abnormality of the vehicle, a GPS that acquires position information of the vehicle, and an ID card reader that reads the unique identification code of each vehicle. The output signal from the abnormality detection sensor is taken in to operate the mobile phone, the output signal from GPS and the unique identification code from the ID card reader are taken in, and the position of the vehicle and the unique identification code are transmitted via the mobile phone. It also has a control device to operate. The transmission signal from the mobile phone is received by the information collection station. The search station acquires the position information and unique identification code of the vehicle transmitted from the mobile phone to the information collection station via the communication network.

The "vehicle theft prediction and search system" disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-272475 detects an abnormal situation occurring in a vehicle due to the theft of the vehicle, vandalism on the vehicle, or a traffic accident, and outputs the abnormal signal. By notifying the security company and the owner of the vehicle, the fact that the vehicle has been stolen can be promptly recognized, and the stolen vehicle can be easily searched. The vehicle-side device section detects an abnormal situation occurring in the vehicle as a signal. The equipment side of the security company receives the abnormal signal. The vehicle side equipment section has a
It has a GPS satellite receiver that detects latitude position information, a vehicle / device signal control unit that mainly controls vehicle signals for opening / closing doors / trunks, and a transmission / reception means with the headquarter side device unit, and transmits an abnormal signal. . By receiving the abnormality signal in the device section on the headquarters side, the abnormality state of the vehicle is recognized, and the owner of the vehicle or the like is notified that the abnormal state has occurred.

[0012] The "method and device for detecting, notifying and positioning a vehicle theft" disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-302014 is between the time when the vehicle is stolen and the time when the theft is reported to an appropriate agency. It eliminates the delay time. An automotive security system including a positioning device cooperates with GPS to provide location information regarding the location of the vehicle. The security system further includes a passive operator identification device having a first security code and a theft control unit including a memory storing a second security code.
The passive operator identification device and the theft control unit cooperate to ensure that the vehicle operator is authenticated and operates the vehicle. The event detector communicates with the theft control unit to generate an event signal associated with the vehicle, such as vehicle movement. If the event signal is received by the theft control unit and the first and second security codes are not the same, the theft control unit communicates the vehicle position determined by the position detector to the monitoring station. The monitoring station is, for example, a police station in the area, a security company, or a residence of a vehicle owner.

[0013]

However, the conventional stolen vehicle tracking device has a problem that the stolen vehicle cannot be tracked if the stolen vehicle tracking device is destroyed or removed.

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and enable the tracking of a stolen vehicle by keeping the existence of a stolen vehicle tracking device unknown.

[0015]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a stolen vehicle tracking device communicates with a first antenna for receiving radio waves of GPS satellites and a base station of a radio telephone system. To control the second antenna, the GPS receiver connected to the first antenna, the wireless communication device connected to the second antenna, and the GPS receiver and the wireless communication device. A control means for collecting position information data based on the signal and the signals from the two base stations and transmitting it to the center; and a battery for supplying power to the GPS receiver, the wireless communication device and the control means. GPS
The receiver, the wireless communication device, and the control means are integrated into a monolithic module, and the first antenna, the second antenna, and the battery are camouflaged and built into a part of the vehicle so that they cannot be seen from the outside. . With this configuration, the presence of the stolen vehicle tracking device can be hidden, and the stolen vehicle can be tracked.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment) In the embodiment of the present invention, the entire apparatus is camouflaged so as not to be seen from the outside, and is installed in a vehicle interior rearview mirror or side mirror, and according to an instruction from the center. , A stolen vehicle tracking device that collects position information data by a GPS receiver and notifies the center of the position information data by a wireless communication device.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a stolen vehicle tracking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an interior rearview mirror 1 is a rearview mirror provided inside a vehicle. The tracking device chip 2 is the main part of the stolen vehicle tracking device.
It is a chip. The antenna 3 is a GPS antenna and a mobile phone antenna. The battery 4 is a power source for driving the stolen vehicle tracking device. The stay 5 is a pillar that attaches the interior rearview mirror 1 to the ceiling of the vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the stolen vehicle tracking device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, G
The PS receiver 8 is a device that receives GPS satellite signals and obtains position information. The wireless communication device 9 is a device having only a part necessary for communication and position detection in a normal mobile phone. The control circuit 10 is means for controlling the GPS receiver 8 and the wireless communication device 9 to notify the position information. G
The PS receiver 8, wireless communication device 9 and control circuit 10 are integrated in a monolithic tracking device chip.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a GPS position detecting method used in the stolen vehicle tracking device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a GPS satellite 6 is an artificial satellite that transmits a geodesic signal. The base station 7 is a mobile phone base station. The GPS mobile phone 11 is a mobile phone with a built-in GPS.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a tracking method by the stolen vehicle tracking device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the center 12 is an organization that manages a stolen vehicle tracking device and tracks a stolen vehicle. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the tracking method by the stolen vehicle tracking device. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram in which the stolen vehicle tracking device is built in the side mirror 13.

The operation of the stolen vehicle tracking device according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. At first,
An outline of the function of the stolen vehicle tracking device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. GPS receiver 8, wireless communication device 9, and control circuit
The tracking device chip 2 in which 10 is made into one chip is camouflaged and built in the interior rearview mirror 1 of the vehicle so as not to be seen from the outside. Similarly, the antenna 3 and the battery 4 are camouflaged and built in the interior rearview mirror 1. The wireless communication device 9 has the same function as a normal mobile phone device. It will be in the standby state for a short time, once every several minutes to several tens of minutes. The interval in the standby state may be determined according to the purpose. For example, when it is desired to reduce the consumption of the battery 4 to a negligible level, the battery 4 may be normally put into a sleep state and set to a standby state for a short time, such as once an hour or once a day.

A method for determining the position of the vehicle will be described with reference to FIG. The position is detected based on the signal from one GPS satellite 6 and the signal from two base stations 7. Since it is not always possible to receive signals from a plurality of GPS satellites 6, it is possible to perform position detection by only receiving signals from one GPS satellite 6. The signal received from the GPS satellite 6 is transmitted to the center 12 via the base station 7.
Send to. The center 12 detects the position of the vehicle based on a signal from one GPS satellite 6 and a signal from two base stations 7. Since this method is a well-known method, detailed description is omitted. Since the calculation load on the stolen vehicle tracking device on the vehicle side is small, the circuit and the calculation time can be reduced. If necessary, the position may be obtained using signals from two or more GPS satellites 6.

With reference to FIG. 4, the outline from the vehicle theft to the tracking of the stolen vehicle will be described. If the owner or the like notices that the vehicle has been stolen, the center 12 is contacted. The center 12 calls the wireless communication device of the vehicle. Communication will be possible after tens of minutes at the longest. The center 12 issues a command to notify the stolen vehicle tracking device of the position information data. Upon receiving this command, the stolen vehicle tracking device operates the GPS receiver and collects vehicle position information data. This data is notified to the center 12 using a wireless communication device. After pausing for a certain period of time, position information data is collected and notified. By repeating this, the center 12 can track the position of the stolen vehicle. In order to save the battery and prevent the stolen vehicle tracking device from being detected by the transmission of the electric wave, the electric wave is transmitted intermittently.

The operation of the stolen vehicle tracking device will be described with reference to FIG. In the normal state, it is in a dormant state, and in step 1, it is put in the standby state for a short time, such as once for several minutes to tens of minutes. When a command from the center is received during standby, the process proceeds from step 2 to step 3. In step 3, the GPS receiver is operated to collect the data necessary for obtaining the position information of the vehicle. In step 4, the center is notified of this data using a wireless communication device. In step 5, after pausing for a certain period of time, the process returns to step 3 and the collection of position information data and the notification are repeated.

In this example, the position information is transmitted in response to a command from the center, but it may be actively transmitted from the stolen vehicle tracking device. In that case, the self-position information is automatically transmitted to the center at a preset fixed time interval. For example, the position information is notified to the center every 10 minutes, always or from the time when a predetermined event is detected.

An example in which the stolen vehicle tracking device is built in the side mirror will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A shows a tracking device chip 2 in which the GPS receiver 8, the wireless communication device 9 and the control circuit 10 are integrated into one inside the rear side of the side mirror 13 of the vehicle so that they cannot be seen from the outside. , Camouflaged and built-in. Similarly, the antenna 3 and the battery 4 are camouflaged and built in the side mirror 13. As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the front side of the side mirror 13 is made to be visible only as a normal side mirror. The side mirror 13 may be a door mirror or a fender mirror. The stolen vehicle tracking device may be built in one side mirror, or the stolen vehicle tracking device may be built in a plurality of side mirrors. The stolen vehicle tracking device may be built in both the side mirror and the rearview mirror.

In the above description, an example using a primary battery has been described, but the battery 4 may be a secondary battery and charged from the vehicle battery. It is possible to detect that the vehicle battery has been removed and notify the center. A plurality of stolen vehicle tracking devices can be provided in the vehicle. For example, if the second stolen vehicle tracking device is installed in the console of the driver's seat and it is detected that the first stolen vehicle tracking device has been removed, the second stolen vehicle tracking device It is possible to notify the center. Although the example in which it is built into a rearview mirror or a door mirror has been described, it may be mounted anywhere such as a vehicle bumper or dashboard as long as it can receive GPS satellite signals and communicate with a mobile phone base station. In the case of a side mirror, since there is a motor for moving the mirror with a remote controller and a power supply line is wired, it is easy to charge the battery 4 from the battery of the vehicle as a secondary battery.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention,
The stolen vehicle tracking device is camouflaged so that it cannot be seen from the outside, and it is built into the vehicle's interior rearview mirror or side mirror. In response to instructions from the center, GPS receivers seek position information data and wireless communication devices. Since the location information data is notified to the center, the stolen vehicle can be reliably traced without knowing the existence of the stolen vehicle tracking device.

[0030]

As is apparent from the above description, in the present invention, the stolen vehicle tracking device has a first antenna for receiving radio waves of GPS satellites and a first antenna for communicating with a base station of a radio telephone system. The two antennas, the GPS receiver connected to the first antenna, the wireless communication device connected to the second antenna, and the GPS receiver and the wireless communication device are controlled to control signals from one GPS satellite and two signals. The GPS receiver includes a control unit that collects position information data based on a signal from the base station and transmits the position information data to the center, a GPS receiver, a wireless communication device, and a battery that supplies power to the control unit. The wireless communication device and the control means are integrated into a monolithic module, and the first antenna, the second antenna, and the battery are camouflaged and built into a part of the vehicle so that they cannot be seen from the outside. Since the configuration and the that, can prevent known the existence of a stolen vehicle tracking system, the effect is obtained that allows for stolen vehicle tracking.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a stolen vehicle tracking device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a stolen vehicle tracking device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a GPS position detection method used in the stolen vehicle tracking device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a tracking method by a stolen vehicle tracking device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a tracking method by the stolen vehicle tracking device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram in which a stolen vehicle tracking device according to an embodiment of the present invention is built in a side mirror.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Indoor rearview mirror 2 Tracker chip 3 antennas 4 batteries 5 stay 6 GPS satellites 7 base stations 8 GPS receiver 9 Wireless communication device 10 Control circuit 11 GPS mobile phone 12 Center 13 side mirror

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G08B 25/04 G08B 25/04 C 25/10 25/10 DF term (reference) 3D053 FF31 GG06 HH60 5C084 AA04 AA09 AA13 BB40 CC16 CC26 DD07 EE06 FF02 GG03 GG07 GG09 5C087 AA03 AA25 BB20 BB21 BB74 DD05 DD14 EE20 GG83 5J062 AA08 BB01 CC07 DD12 FF01 GG02

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first for receiving radio waves of a GPS satellite
An antenna, a second antenna for communicating with a base station of a wireless telephone system, and a GP connected to the first antenna
The S receiver, the wireless communication device connected to the second antenna, and the GPS receiver and the wireless communication device are controlled to be based on a signal from one GPS satellite and a signal from two base stations. And a battery that supplies power to the GPS receiver, the wireless communication device, and the control means.
The GPS receiver, the wireless communication device, and the control means are integrated into a monolithic module, and together with the first antenna, the second antenna, and the battery, a camouflage is provided on a part of the vehicle so as not to be seen from the outside. The stolen vehicle tracking device, which is characterized by being built in. 2. The stolen vehicle tracking device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the vehicle is an interior rearview mirror. 3. The stolen vehicle tracking device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the vehicle is a side mirror. 4. The stolen vehicle tracking device according to claim 1, wherein said control means is provided with means for wirelessly notifying position information data in response to an instruction from said center. 5. The stolen vehicle tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the control means is provided with means for wirelessly notifying the center of position information data at regular intervals.