WO2011104569A1

WO2011104569A1 - Security system

Info

Publication number: WO2011104569A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/050387
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Stevens
Original assignee: Dsmb Smartstop Limited
Priority date: 2010-02-26
Filing date: 2011-02-25
Publication date: 2011-09-01

Abstract

The security system is for use on a powered vehicle, such as a ship, and comprises at least one security device (19) adapted to override an onboard control of the powered vehicle and a communications unit (14, 16) including a receiver (15) for receiving one or more command signals from a remote transmitter. The security system also includes one or more cameras (21) for capturing images onboard the vehicle and a local communication / command station is provided in an area,such as a citadel, which is protected using one or more non-lethal defensive systems. The security system offers the opportunity to monitor activity on board the vehicle in the event of theft or hijacking, and to assume control of the vehicle remotely, whilst maintaining the security of any authorised personnel onboard the vehicle.

Description

SECURITY SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates to a security system for use in protecting powered vehicles. In particular, the present invention is adapted to restrict the ability of individuals to remove and drive away a powered vehicle without permission. Reference herein to powered vehicles is intended to encompass, but not exclusively, cars, lorries, trucks, and sea-borne vessels including boats and ships.

[0002] The cost to insurance companies arising from the unauthorised removal of vehicles continues to increase. Moreover, many commercial transport businesses are limited in the level of insurance available and so have to bear the financial cost of their lost vehicles along with the value of any cargo being transported at the time the vehicle is stolen. Added to this, in various parts of the world pirates continue to accost boats and ships which are then held to ransom for considerable sums of money and in recent years a new risk has arisen in the form of powered vehicles being hijacked for the purposes of terrorist atrocities.

[0003] Many different security systems have been developed to restrict or prevent the unauthorised taking of vehicles and to track the movement of such vehicles after they have been stolen. However, traditionally such security systems provide little functionality in terms of assisting in the recovery of hijacked or stolen vehicles. Also, such security systems do not provide for the safety of personnel who could be taken prisoner.

[0004] Also, security systems are available that monitor the movements of people in a restricted area and / or of cargo during transportation.

[0005] An example of a control system for waterborne vessels is described in US 6658332. The control system described in this document involves the position of a ship being continuously monitored so that if the path of the ship significantly deviates from a predetermined path, a satellite automatically takes over control of the ship's propulsion or steering. Automatic scuttling of the ship in highly dangerous situations is envisaged. [0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a security system that assists in the recovery of hijacked or stolen powered vehicles.

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a security system that assists in tracking the location of hijacked or stolen powered vehicles.

[0008] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a security system which enables the actions and movements of a person who has hijacked or stolen a powered vehicle to be monitored.

[0009] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a security system which includes protection for authorised personnel in the powered vehicle in the event the powered vehicle is hijacked or stolen when the authorised personnel are present.

[0010] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a security system particularly suited, but not exclusively, for use with boats and ships.

The present invention therefore provides a security system for use on a powered vehicle, the security system comprising at least one security device adapted to override an onboard control of the powered vehicle and a communications unit including a receiver for receiving one or more command signals from a remote transmitter.

[001 1] Preferably, the security system includes one or more cameras for capturing images within the vehicle. The one or more cameras may include an infra-red sensor and / or may be adapted to perform infra-red imaging and / or may be adapted to capture images in low light conditions and / or may include a source of illumination.

[0012] The security system may further comprise a location beacon preferably in communication with a global positioning system (GPS) network.

[0013] The at least one security device may be selected from a group comprising: a fuel shut-off, a power shut-off and a steering control. In the case of the powered vehicle being a boat or ship preferably the security device is one or both of a power shut-off and a steering control.

[0014] Where the security system does not involve one or more cameras, the communications unit may be adapted for radio communication of audio signals, data and commands signals only. However, in a preferred embodiment of the security system the communications unit is adapted for connection with a telecommunications network enabling the transmission of sound and images. Ideally, each security device is adapted to be activated by a predetermined alpha numeric coding that may be communicated using SMS messaging or any equivalent communications protocol suitable for the communication of alpha numeric code.

[0015] Each security device may have a respective communications unit and / or the security system may further comprise a central communications interface adapted for two-way communication with a remote transceiver and adapted for activating the one or more security devices.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferred that at least some of the elements of the security system are covert.

[0017] The security system may be particularly adapted for use on board a manned boat or ship.

[0018] In a preferred aspect the present invention provides a ship having the security system described above, the one or more defensive devices being adapted to cause temporary disorientation to individuals in one or more defined areas, the one or more designated areas being in the vicinity of or on the approach to a designated space in the ship, such as a citadel, where authorised personnel are to go in the event of the ship being hijacked.

[0019] In a separate aspect the present invention provides a method of remotely securing a powered vehicle, the method comprising receiving at least one warning signal transmitted remotely from the powered vehicle; and in response to the received warning signal activating at least one security device located on the powered vehicle to override onboard control of the powered vehicle.

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates schematically a security system in accordance with the present invention adapted for use on a powered boat or ship; [0022] Figure 2 illustrates a fuel shut-off valve for use with the security system of Figure 1 ; and

[0023] Figure 3 illustrates schematically a protective citadel for personnel on a hijacked vessel.

[0024] The security system 10 shown in Figure 1 is particularly suited for use on ships and generally comprises a plurality of individual security features that may be implemented singly or as a kit comprising a combination of two or more of the security features described below. The individual security features of the security system 10 include a beacon 1 1 ; a communications transceiver 14; one or more security devices 19; a plurality of covert cameras 21 ; and citadel defensive devices 23.

[0025] The beacon 1 1 has a transmitter 12 which transmits at intervals or continuously an ID signal at RF frequencies to enable identification of the ship. The ID signal may also be referred to herein as the "heartbeat" and in addition to communicating an ID code unique to the ship may be used for the purposes of geo-location such as GPS. Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment the beacon 1 1 is adapted to communicate with a conventional satellite-based global positioning system (GPS) which permits the location of the ship on which the beacon is mounted to be tracked substantially anywhere in the world. Ideally, the beacon 1 1 is mounted on the exterior of the ship and may be disguised so as to prevent ready identification and destruction. For example, the beacon 1 1 may be implemented as part of the ship's existing fitments and may be embedded as part of an essential operational feature of the ship so that destruction of the beacon 1 1 would inevitably result in disablement of the ship. Alternatively, the beacon 1 1 in the form of a satellite dome / dish may be mounted amongst other

communication dishes but otherwise in plain sight. Also, the beacon 1 1 is preferably provided with an independent power supply 13, such as one or more batteries, so that any interruption of the ship's main power supply need not affect the beacon's transmissions. The beacon 1 1 preferably uses conventional communication systems. Examples of suitable current wireless communication systems include GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM

Evolution), 3G (3^rd Generation) networks such as but not limited to HSDPA (High- Speed Downlink Packet Access) and 4G (4^th Generation) networks.

[0026] The communications transceiver 14 includes an antenna 15 for RF (including microwave) communication. The transceiver 14 is adapted to receive remote control signals and includes an interface 16 for communicating the control signals received by the antenna 15 to one or more security devices 19 such as, but not limited to, engine control devices located about the ship, which are described in greater detail below. The antenna 15 may also function as the beacon's transmitter 12. Providing an antenna 15, separate from the beacon's transmitter 12, establishes redundancy in the security features of the security system 10. The antenna 15 may operate solely as a receiver of control and / or command signals for the one or more engine control devices 19 or additionally may be adapted to transmit information to a remote location, as will be described in greater detail below. The antenna 15 is mounted on the ship in a location that ensures clear signal reception and / or transmission. Here too, the antenna 15 and the interface 16 are preferably provided with an independent power supply 13 so that any interruption of the ship's main power supply does not affect operation of the antenna 15.

[0027] The interface 16 of the communications transceiver 14 preferably includes a signal encryption / decryption processor 17 and means for transmitting command and / or control signals received by the antenna 15 to the one or more engine control devices 19 located about the ship. The interface 16 may be hardwired to the one or more engine control devices 19 preferably using cabling that minimises interference. Alternatively, the interface 16 may communicate with the engine control devices 19 wirelessly either by means of the antenna 15 or by means of a separate antenna 18. To prevent the engine control devices 19 being triggered or operated by unauthorised individuals, in a particularly preferred embodiment the security system is adapted to only respond to command / control signals received by the antenna 15 with the correct

encryption. Thus, all signals received by the antenna 15 are first decrypted by the processor 17 and only then transmitted to the individual engine control devices 19. Similarly, signals transmitted by the antenna 15 may be encrypted so as to prevent access to the signals by means of unauthorised interception.

[0028] Signal and data encryption systems are available that are robust and are suitable for implementation in the security system described herein. An example of a suitable encryption system for use with the security system is the encryption used in existing commercial telecommunications networks.

[0029] The communications transceiver 14 may be in communication with one or more conventional alarm switches 20 provided on the ship. The alarm switches 20 are preferably in the form of panic buttons that may be activated by someone on board the ship at a time when the ship is being hijacked. Preferred locations on the ship include the bridge and / or in a secure room provided on the ship which has reinforced doors and walls and has a permanent store of food and water to be used by the ship's complement in the event of pirates boarding the ship. Such secure rooms are generally referred to as a 'panic room' or a 'citadel'. Traditionally, such alarm switches 20 are connected to an onboard automated alarm system for generating an audible alarm, via a public address system, to warn the ship's crew of danger. Where the communications transceiver 14 is capable of transmitting as well as receiving signals, the communications transceiver 14 is adapted to issue automatically a notification to be transmitted from the ship when an alarm switch 20 is triggered. In a preferred embodiment the notification is transmitted to a remote control centre and in a further preferred embodiment the notification is in the form of a conventional SMS (text) message or equivalent.

[0030] The communications transceiver 14 is also in communication with one or more covert cameras or other imaging devices 21. The cameras 21 are located about the ship and enable the actions and movement of people on board the ship to be monitored. Preferably the cameras 21 are adapted to be able to image in low light conditions and / or include infra-red imaging functionality so that movement can be monitored even when light levels are low or absent. The cameras 21 may also be provided will means for illuminating the immediate vicinity. The cameras 21 may be in wireless or wired communication with the communications transceiver 14. Where wireless communication is employed, each camera 21 is provided with a transmitter 22 for transmitting images to the communications transceiver 14. Each camera 21 may also be provided with its own independent power supply 13 so that any interruption of the ship's main power supply does not affect operation of the cameras. As mentioned earlier the cameras 21 are preferably disguised or sufficiently small to reduce the risk of being detected by people hijacking the vessel.

[0031] To reduce power consumption, each camera 21 may be fitted with an infra-red sensor which triggers image capture for a predetermined period of time only when infra-red emissions or movement are detected by the sensor.

[0032] As mentioned above, the images captured by the cameras 21 are communicated to the communications transceiver 14 which, in turn, may transmit the images to a remote control centre. In a particularly preferred embodiment, where the ship includes a citadel a camera is installed within the citadel to enable the welfare of the ship's crew to be monitored remotely.

[0033] As mentioned earlier, the communications transceiver 14 is in communication with one or more security devices 19. The security devices 19 provide a means for interrupting or restricting the normal operation and movement of the ship. The security devices 19 may be disguised or sufficiently small to evade or minimize the risk of detection. Alternatively, this is not necessary where the security devices 19 are provided in an area of the ship to which access may be restricted (see below). One example of a security device is a power shut-off device 19a which, when activated, disables the supply of power to one or more areas and / or to powered machinery on the ship. A yet further example of a security device is a rudder control 19b which isolates commands from the normal rudder control and enables the rudder to be controlled remotely. For example, with the rudder control security device 19b activated steering commands may be issued remotely, for example the remote control may set the rudder to port or starboard steering to cause the ship to steer a circular path. In each case, the security device 19 is either in wired or wireless communication with the communications transceiver 14. In one implementation of the

communication between each security device and the communications transceiver 14 a conventional wireless LAN or cellular telecommunications network is used with the security devices 19 being triggered using a conventional SMS (text) message or equivalent. To prevent unauthorised activation of the one or more security devices 19, the triggering text message ideally consists of a unique command code (preferably encrypted). Where the communications transceiver 14 is wired to security devices 19, activation of the security devices 19 may be achieved using hard-wired relays.

[0034] A suitable alternative security device, particularly for other forms of powered vehicles such as a road haulage vehicles, is a fuel shut-off which, when activated, stops the flow of fuel to the vehicle's engine. An example of a fuel shut-off is shown in Fig. 2. The fuel shut-off comprises a shut-off valve 31 mounted in the fuel supply line between the fuel pump and the vehicle's engine. The shut-off valve 31 is operated by a solenoid 32 which is controlled by an override command processing unit 33. In normal use, the shut-off valve 31 , which may be a butterfly valve, remains dormant in its open position. When activated by the override command processing unit 33, the shut-off valve 31 is driven to its closed position by the solenoid 32 thereby closing the fuel supply line. This has the effect of isolating the fuel supply from the engine so that only the fuel already in the supply line between the valve 31 and the engine remains available to the engine.

[0035] One of the engine control devices 19 may be the ship's existing control system for powering down one or more of the ship's engines. In this case the security device 19 provides an independent and alternative route for remotely activating and assuming control of the ship's existing control system.

[0036] Like the other elements of the security system 10, each security device 19 is preferably provided with an independent power supply 13, such as a battery.

[0037] The security of the personnel on board the ship is of particular importance. As mentioned earlier the ship preferably includes a citadel which is within an area of restricted access with the access restrictions being activated in the event of the ship being hijacked. The citadel is equipped to enable the crew to survive without leaving the citadel for a number of days. The provisions in the citadel are intended to be sufficient to last for a duration of time necessary for recovery of the ship to be attempted. Preferably the communications transceiver 14 is stored in the citadel with command access restricted to designated personnel such as the captain and one or more senior crew members. Ideally, the communications transceiver 14 includes telecommunications means for establishing a conventional telecommunications link to be established with the remote control centre so that the captain and crew may speak with those at the remote control centre.

[0038] Preferably, the communication transceiver 14 includes a local command interface to enable the captain and other authorized crew members to instruct activation of the security devices 19 locally. Examples of suitable command interfaces are a conventional keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse control.

[0039] To ensure the safety of the crew members the citadel includes one or more defenses against attack. As shown in Fig. 3 the entrance to the citadel is preferably positioned on a corridor in a location such that the citadel entrance faces the opposite wall across the width of the corridor. The citadel entrance is preferably distant from any corridor junctions so that there is no approach to the citadel entrance orthogonal to the length corridor. This limits targeting sight lines to the immediate vicinity of the citadel entrance. Preferably the citadel entrance may be in the vicinity of the entrance to the ship's engine room and / or the citadel may be connected to the entrance to the ship's engine room. This enables the entrance to the ship's engine room to be protected by the same defensive devices. Alternatively, the defensive devices described below in relation to the citadel may be provided separately to protect the entrance to the ship's engine room.

[0040] Sensors 40 are located in the corridor or in a connecting corridor a predetermined distance from the entrance to the citadel. The sensors 40 are preferably movement detectors, such as photo-detectors / infra-red detectors, and are used to detect the movement of unauthorized personnel such as pirates moving down the corridor. The sensors 40 are in communication with one or more defensive devices 23 also located in the corridor so that if the sensors 40 detect movement or an unauthorized person the one or more defensive devices 23 may be activated automatically by the sensors. It is envisaged that the defensive devices 23 are adapted to cause sensory disorientation and temporary disablement. To that end the defensive devices may include strobe lighting 23a and / or directional speakers 23b adapted to produce high levels of noise, e.g. 100 - 200 dB, more preferably approx. 150 dB. The citadel will be provided with sound proofing to ensure that the crew are not adversely affected in the event the defensive devices 23 are activated. These non-lethal defensive devices 23 act as a deterrent to the pirates or other unauthorized individuals from approaching close enough to the entrance to the citadel to be able to force entry.

[0041] In use, when a ship is boarded by pirates a member of the ship's crew would activate the ship's alarm 20 which, in turn, would cause an audible alert to be sounded throughout the ship. The crew, including the captain, would proceed immediately to the citadel when they hear the alert. Activation of the ship's alarm is also communicated to the communications transceiver 14 that immediately transmits a predetermined encrypted message. If the cameras 21 are inactive, the communications transceiver 14 also issues activation instructions to the covert cameras so that image signals captured by the cameras 21 can be recorded continuously, at predetermined time intervals, when triggered or on demand and communicated to the communications transceiver 14 which, in turn, transmits the images to the remote control centre. The images transmitted to the remote control centre may be routed through a secure gateway to enable others authorised by the ship's owner to access the images. An example of a suitable commercially available secure gateway is Secure Me™. An example of others who could be authorised to access the images is an on-site recovery team that travels out to the ship and can plan re-taking the ship with contemporaneous knowledge of the number and movements of the pirates on board.

[0042] The citadel defensive devices 23 are preferably activated manually once the crew is secure in the citadel, although the option for the defensive devices 23 to be activated automatically after a predetermined period of time is also envisaged.

[0043] The remote control centre is therefore informed of the boarding of the ship by pirates and is in a position to monitor the activities of the pirates on board the ship by means of the cameras 21. Moreover, the location of the ship can be identified by means of the GPS beacon 1 1. Ideally, no further security action is taken automatically. Instead, further action is not taken unless control and / or command signals are received via the antenna 15 or are entered using the manual interface in the citadel. Having assessed the situation and the location of the ship a decision may be made to activate the onboard security devices 19. Where the remote control centre is authorised to manage the situation one or more command signals may be transmitted to the communications transceiver 14. Preferably, the commands signals are encrypted messages. Once received, the messages are decrypted by the communications transceiver 14 and then either forwarded on to the security devices 19 or separate commands are generated and communicated to the security device 19 by the communications transceiver 14. There may be delay in the security devices 19 being activated, at least in order to provide the ship's crew time to reach the designated secure area or citadel. Alternatively, the captain may retain authority in which case the commands are entered by the captain using the manual interface in the citadel.

[0044] Activation of the security devices 19, as described above, enables power to be cut to one or more areas of the ship; the drive of the ship to be interrupted; and for the steering of the ship to be remotely controlled. These actions prevent the pirates from moving the ship to a place that is secure for them, making it much easier for the ship to be recovered from the pirates.

Lighting may also be disabled to hamper movement around the ship. [0045] External cameras (not shown) may additionally be provided to enable those controlling the rudder of the ship remotely to see and respond to potential collision / grounding situations.

[0046] Ideally, the fact that the pirates are unable to control the movement of the ship and the fact that they do not have access to the crew will be sufficient for them to abandon the hijacking. If, however, the pirates remain on board the ship the security and defensive devices 19, 21 , 23 described above greatly improves the changes of the ship being re-taken by an authorised recovery team.

[0047] The ID signal issued by the beacon 1 1 may be used by port authorities to remotely identify ships approaching port. The absence of an expected ID signal and / or an altered beacon signal can be used as a warning to indicate that the ship has been hijacked. This information, in turn, will enable the port authorities to take appropriate defensive action long before the ship is close to the port.

[0048] Preferably the security system 10 described herein is installed when the crew is absent from the ship. Also the covert nature of the antennas, the cameras and the security devices are intended to evade discovery not only by the pirates but also the ship's crew. This, in turn, means that if a member of the crew is captured by the pirates, the crew member is unable to provide any information regarding the security system which might enable the pirates to circumvent the security features.

[0049] The beacon 1 1 also provides an ancillary function in that as the ship's position can be monitored, if the ship deviates significantly from an expected route this deviation can trigger automatically an alarm independently of the onboard alarm 20 being activated.

[0050] By means of the security system described herein a ship or other powered vehicle that is stolen or hijacked can be tracked and disabled to thereby assist in the recovery of the stolen vehicle.

[0051] It will, of course, be apparent that modifications to the security system described above may be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed in the accompanying claims. For example, each individual security device 19 may include its own decryption processor so that all communications received by and transmitted from the ship may be encrypted but also all communications within the ship may also be encrypted. Also, this enables the individual security devices 19 to be capable of receiving and responding to command signals directly from the remote control centre. In this way, even if the communications transceiver 14 is disabled, activation of the individual security devices 19 can still be achieved. Alternatively or in addition the individual security devices 19 may be locked so that they are only capable of responding to commands issued from one or more predetermined devices and then only with the correct command configuration. This acts as a barrier to hacking into the communication link to the security devices 19. Although reference is made herein to the communication of command signals by means of conventional telecommunications networks and preferably using text messaging, alternative and / or bespoke RF communication systems may, of course, be employed.

Claims

1. A security system for use on a powered vehicle, the security system comprising at least one security device adapted to override an onboard control of the powered vehicle and a communications unit including a receiver for receiving one or more command signals from a remote transmitter.

2. A security system according to claim 1 , further comprising one or more defensive devices for causing temporary disorientation to individuals in one or more defined areas.

3. A security system according to claim 2, wherein the defensive devices includes strobe lighting.

4. A security system according to either of claims 2 or 3, wherein the defensive devices include one or more high decibel directional speakers.

5. A security system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising at least one sensor for detecting the presence of an individual in the defined area.

6. A security system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising one or more cameras for capturing images within the vehicle.

7. A security system according to claim 6, wherein the one or more cameras each includes an infra-red sensor.

8. A security system according to claims 6 or 7, wherein the one or more cameras are adapted to perform infra-red imaging.

9. A security system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a location beacon.

10. A security system according to claim 9, wherein the location beacon is in communication with a global position system network.

1 1 . A security system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one security device is selected from the group comprising: a fuel shut-off, a power shut-off and a steering control.

12. A security system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communications unit is adapted for radio communication.

13. A security system according to claim 12, wherein the communications unit is adapted for connection with a satellite telecommunications network.

14. A security system according to claim 13, wherein each security device is adapted to be activated by a predetermined message.

15. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein each security device has a respective communications unit.

16. A security system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a central communications interface adapted for two-way

communication with a remote transceiver and adapted for activating the one or more security devices.

17. A security system according to claim 16, wherein the central

communications interface includes a manual interface for the manual entry of commands.

18. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the elements of the security system are covert.

19. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein the security system is adapted for use with a boat or ship.

20. A ship including a security system according to any one of claims 2 to 19 wherein the one or more defined areas are in the vicinity of or on the approach to a pre-designated enclosed space for authorized personnel.

21 . A method of remotely securing a powered vehicle, the method comprising receiving at least one warning signal transmitted remotely from the powered vehicle; and in response to the received warning signal activating at least one security device located on the powered vehicle to override onboard control of the powered vehicle.