U.S. patent application number 09/853678 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-01 for vehicle security system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Code Alarm, Inc.. Invention is credited to Lindsey, Michael, Stouffer, Peter.
Application Number | 20020101336 09/853678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22846866 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020101336 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stouffer, Peter ; et
al. |
August 1, 2002 |
Vehicle security system
Abstract
A vehicle security system 10 having a "panic" and/or "alarm
tripping" feature which is adapted to allow the activation of a
siren/horn/visual indicator in a pseudo-random or "human-like"0
manner. The system may comprise a portable system to protect an
individual or non-automotive object.
Inventors: |
Stouffer, Peter; (Davisburg,
MI) ; Lindsey, Michael; (Royal Oak, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Pepper Hamilton LLP
600 Fourteenth Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Code Alarm, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
22846866 |
Appl. No.: |
09/853678 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09853678 |
May 14, 2001 |
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09225931 |
Jan 5, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/426.24 ;
340/384.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 25/104
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/426 ;
340/384.1 |
International
Class: |
B60R 025/10 |
Claims
In the claims:
1. A vehicle security system of the type to be used in combination
with a vehicle having a horn, said vehicle security system having a
controller which is adapted to selectively and non-uniformly
activate said horn.
2. A vehicle security system of the type to be used in combination
with a vehicle having a horn, said vehicle security system
comprising a sensor which is adapted to detect attempted intrusion
into said vehicle and to provide a signal upon said detection of
said attempted intrusion; and a controller which is adapted to be
connected to said horn and to said sensor and being further
adapted, upon receipt of said signal, to activate said horn in a
pseudo-random manner.
3. A vehicle security system of the type to be used in combination
with a vehicle having a horn, said vehicle security system
comprising a controller which is connected to said horn and which
is adapted to selectively and pseudo- randomly activate said horn;
and a transmitter which is adapted to selectively generate a signal
effective to cause said controller to selectively and
pseudo-randomly activate said horn.
4. A method to produce a panic signal by use of a horn of a
vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: (a) non-uniformly
activating said horn.
5. A vehicle security system of the type which adapted to be used
in combination with a sound generating device, said system
comprising a controller, operating under stored program control and
adapted to selectively cause said sound generating device to
produce sound having a human-like feature.
6. The vehicle security system of claim 5 wherein said sound
generating device comprises a horn.
7. The vehicle security system of claim 5 wherein said sound
generating device comprises a siren.
8. A sound generation device having a sound generator; and a
controller coupled to said generator and adapted to cause said
sound generator to produce human- like sounds.
9. A sound generator assembly comprising: a sound generator adapted
to selectively produce sounds; and a controller, coupled to said
sound generator, and adapted to selectively activate and deactivate
said sound generator, and having two look-up tables defining the
manner in which said controller is to activate and deactivate said
sound generator and adapted to be alternatively accessed by said
controller.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a vehicle security system and more
particularly to a vehicle security system adapted to selectively
and pseudo-randomly and/or non-uniformly activate a horn or other
audible and/or visual alarm in a "human-like" manner in response to
a "panic" type signal selectively generated and/or transmitted by a
user and/or operator of the security system, or in response to an
alarm "trip" condition. This invention also relates to a portable
alarm system which may be selectively worn by a person or placed
upon an object to be protected.
[0003] (2) Background of the Invention
[0004] Vehicle security systems are normally deployed within
vehicles to prevent and/or to diminish the probability that the
vehicle will be tampered with, stolen, and/or destroyed or damaged.
While many of these vehicle security systems provide these theft
prevention and/or deterrence features, such as disabling the
starter of the vehicle when the system is placed into an "armed"
mode or condition, they also provide an additional "panic type"
feature which allow a user of these systems to selectively activate
a siren or other audible device (e.g. the horn of the vehicle) in
response to a threatening situation and for the purpose of
attracting attention to the vehicle or to the owner/user of the
vehicle or security system. For example, a housewife, parked in a
supermarket parking lot and "loading" her automobile with
groceries, may be accosted by a thief or criminal. By pressing a
switch on her vehicle security transmitter, the housewife may cause
the siren and/or horn to become activated. Such activation may be
sufficient to scare the thief away and leave the housewife safe
since a thief or assailant does not normally want to have attention
drawn to him. These "panic" features and associated vehicle
security systems are described, for example and without limitation,
within U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,867 ("the '867 patent") entitled
"Vehicle Security Apparatus", which issued on Sep. 17, 1991, which
is assigned to Applicants' assignee, and which is fully and
completely incorporated herein by reference, word for word and
paragraph for paragraph. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,056
("the '056 patent") entitled "Vehicle Security System", which
issued on Sep. 8, 1998 and which is assigned to Applicants'
assignee is also fully and completely incorporated herein by
reference, word for word and paragraph for paragraph.
[0005] While these "panic" features have allowed for the selective
generation of substantially uniform "noise" they have generally
failed to provide the level or amount of desired deterrence that
they have sought. That is, these prior vehicle security systems
have, in a "panic" or "alarm trip" situation, provided regularly
and/or substantially regularly and/or uniformly timed noise or
sound/siren/horn activation. In fact, it is this regularly timed
"noise" which is generated and/or transmitted during "false
alarms". The noise simply "sounds artificial" and not generated by
a human being. In fact, these "false alarms" and the generation of
this "artificial" noise have become so commonplace that this
uniform and regularly timed "noise" is often ignored, even when
truly generated in a threatening "panic" or "alarm trip" type
situation. In essence, the "panic" or "alarm trip" generated noise
simply doesn't sound like noise generated by a human being in a
real life-threatening situation. It sounds "phony".
[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a vehicle
security system having a "panic" feature which provides for "real
life" and non-uniform sounds which are adapted to attract attention
to the vehicle and/or to the person causing the sounds to be
generated. There also exists a need to provide such a "panic"
feature on or as part of systems that do not comprise vehicle
security systems but which may be employed upon a vehicle, a
person, and/or upon another object. There is also a need for a
vehicle security system or portable security system to provide this
improved sound upon the occurrence of an alarm "trip" condition
which arises when the security system senses the occurrence of
undesired vehicle, individual, and/or object tampering or
displacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention a vehicle
security system is provided.
[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention a
vehicle security system is provided which overcomes the drawbacks
of the prior art as delineated, for example and without limitation,
in this Application for Patent.
[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention a
vehicle security system is provided and is adapted to allow a user
of the system to selectively cause an improved "panic" signal
and/or noise signal to be generated. The system is also adapted to
cause this improved signal to be generated in response to an alarm
or "trip" condition.
[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention a
vehicle security system is provided which allows a user of the
vehicle security system to selectively generate a "panic" signal
which is pseudo-random and non-uniform in nature.
[0011] These and other features, objects, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from a reading of the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention and by reference to the claims when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle security system made
in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the
invention; and
[0013] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the sequence of
operational steps associated with the generation of the improved
noise/visual indication features of the vehicle security system
shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
[0014] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a vehicle security
system 10 made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred
embodiment of the invention. As shown, vehicle security system 10
includes a controller 12 operating under stored program control and
adapted to be in selective communication with hand-held transmitter
14. Controller 12 is further electrically and communicatively
coupled to a sensor 16, such as and without limitation a shock
sensor, a motion sensor, and/or a pin or door switch, and which is
adapted to sense attempted tampering with and/or attempted entry
into a vehicle and to generate an alarm condition sensing signal
(e.g. a "trip" signal 101) to the controller 12.
[0015] As is further shown in FIG. 1, system 10 includes a starter
inhibition device 18 which is physically, electrically, and
communicatively coupled to the controller 12 and to the starter 13
of the vehicle, and which is adapted to selectively prevent and/or
diminish the probability of starting the vehicle when the
controller 12 is in an "armed" state and an ignition key is turned
to the "start" position.
[0016] System 10 further includes a siren, horn, and/or visual
indicator 20 which is physically, communicatively, and electrically
coupled to the controller 12 and which is adapted to selectively
receive electrical power from electrical power source 22 (e.g. the
battery of the vehicle) through controller 12, effective to cause
the siren, horn, and/or visual indicator 20 (e.g. a light emitting
diode) to become activated if either a "trip" signal 101 is
generated from sensor 16 when the controller is an "armed" state or
if a "panic" type command signal 24 is generated by the transmitter
14. It should also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that transmitter 14 is also adapted to selectively place the
controller 12 in an "armed" or "disarmed" mode or state. Moreover,
it is also specifically contemplated by the Applicants, as stated
above, that component 20 may also represent or comprise a visual
indicator such as and without limitation, a conventional and
commercially available light and/or light bulb.
[0017] It should also be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in
the art that this "panic" and/or noise making and/or visual
generation alarm indication feature may be used in combination with
or as part of many different types of vehicle security systems
and/or keyless entry systems such as those without sensor 16 and/or
starter inhibition device 18. Moreover, it should equally be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the "panic"
and/or noise making and/or visual generation alarm indication
feature of this invention may be utilized as part of a
"stand-alone" and/or portable system comprising only controller 12
which, in this alternate embodiment, is adapted to only selectively
activate the vehicle's horn 20 or some other sound or light
generation device in a "panic" manner upon the generation of
command signal 24. This controller 12 and device 20 may form, in an
alternate embodiment, a portable system for use upon a person or
other object, which is desired to be protected and which is adapted
to provide this improved noise when the object is moved or tampered
with, or when the person moves or activates the controller.
[0018] To understand the "panic" and/or "noisemaking" alarm "trip"
feature of this invention it is first necessary to discuss the
experiment that provided the requisite non-uniform "human-like"
noise generation or activation sequence. Specifically, on or about
Nov. 1, 1998 several individuals were assembled at the corporate
headquarters of Code-Alarm, Inc., which are located at 950 East
Whitcomb Drive, Madison Heights, Mich. Specifically, one of these
individuals was responsible for timing a sequence of horn
activations by the use of a conventional and commercially available
oscilloscope which was electrically and physically coupled to the
vehicle's horn in a manner effective to electronically capture the
horn activation noise and the electrical horn activation signal.
Three other individuals were sequentially placed within the same
vehicle (a late model Sunbird vehicle manufactured by the General
Motors Corporation) and instructed to manually "honk" or activate
the vehicle's horn in the best manner they thought would be likely
to attract attention to the vehicle and to themselves. The
individual responsible for timing these actions, using the
oscilloscope, recorded the number of times and the associated time
durations that the horn was activated and deactivated, and the
total activation and deactivation time for the experiment. It is
this "human generated" sound data that is used by Applicants to
create their "panic" and alarm triggering sounds and/or visual
indications. Pertinent data associated with this experiment is
reproduced within Table 1 below and represents the "sounds" that
humans "really make" with a horn when desiring to obtain the
attention of people in their general vicinity. Applicant believes
that this "human generated" sound is quite valuable in attracting
the desired attention.
1TABLE 1 1001- 1-100 101-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 800-1000 1400
1400 + milli- milli- milli- milli- milli- milli- milli- milli- On
time seconds seconds seconds seconds seconds seconds seconds
seconds Intervals INT. 1 INT. 2 INT. 3 INT. 4 INT. 5 INT. 6 INT. 7
INT. 8 Driver 1 9 40 5 3 4 5 5 0 Driver 2 22 68 31 3 4 0 0 0 Driver
3 8 40 8 2 5 3 4 0 Total 39 148 44 8 13 8 9 0 Percent 14.5% 55.0%
16.4% 3.0% 4.8% 3.0% 3.3% 0% Chance of Occurring
[0019] As shown above within Table 1, eight discrete or separate
intervals of time were employed. Each of these time intervals is
designated by the symbol "INT." Moreover, each interval of time is
designated, defined, and/or measured in terms of milli-seconds. The
actual measured activation time is shown in Table 1 for each of the
three drivers. Moreover, for each interval of "on" or activation
time, Applicants calculated the percentage or probability of
occurrence, defined as "percent chance of occurring", by adding the
total occurrences of activation over each time interval and
utilizing this total number as a denominator (e.g. 269). The number
of occurrences in each interval represented a unique numerator
(e.g. 39 for interval one, 148 for interval two, 44 for interval
three, 8 for interval four, 13 for interval five, 8 for interval
six, 9 for interval seven, and 0 for interval eight). The "percent
chance of occurring" was calculated for each interval by creating a
fraction for each interval using the unique numerator for each
interval and the denominator which have been earlier specified.
[0020] Similarly, the horn/siren deactivation time data was
obtained from this experiment. This data is shown in Table 2 below
and is measured for each of the timing intervals previously shown
and explained with respect to Table 1.
2TABLE 2 1001- 1-100 101-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 800-1000 1400
1400 .degree. milli- milli- milli- milli- milli- milli- milli-
milli- Off-time seconds seconds seconds seconds seconds seconds
seconds seconds Intervals INT. 1 INT. 2 INT. 3 INT. 4 INT. 5 INT. 6
INT. 7 INT. 8 Driver 1 27 33 11 0 0 0 0 0 Driver 2 118 10 0 0 0 0 0
0 Driver 3 16 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 161 97 11 0 0 0 0 0 Percent
59.8% 36.1% 4.1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Chance of Occurring
[0021] Specifically, as shown, the total deactivation time was
measured (e.g. 269 milli-seconds) and/or calculated for the "off
time" intervals and used as a denominator. The numerator for each
interval represents the total "off time" occurring in that interval
(e.g. 161 milli-seconds in interval one, 97 milli-seconds in
interval two, 11 milli-seconds in interval three, and zero
milli-seconds in each of the remaining intervals). In this manner,
using the unique numerator of each of the intervals and the
denominator, each "off time" interval was assigned a unique
probability or "percent chance" of occurrence. Applicant discovered
that a improved "panic" or alarm "trip" generated noise signal
could be created by causing the noise or light emitter to be
activated during this same time intervals according to
substantially similar probabilities or the "Percent chance of
occuring" as delineated within the Tables 1 and 2. That is,
Applicants seek to have their vehicle security or portable
object/personal protection "noise" or "visual indication" systems
to emulate the experimental data.
[0022] Applicants determined that a "look up" table embodiment was
desirable. To achieve this embodiment controller 12 was selected to
contain two conventional and commercially available pseudo-random
number generators 26, 27 which are electrically and communicatively
coupled to a central processing unit 28
[0023] In the most preferred embodiment of the invention pseudo
random number generators 26, 27 are formed and/or constructed
within software according to the teachings of the text entitled
Algorithm which was written by Robert Sedgewick and which was
published in 1988 by the Addison Wellesley Publishing Company and
which was afforded Library of Congress Number ISBN-0-201-06673-4,
and which is fully and completely incorporated herein by reference,
word for word and paragraph for paragraph.
[0024] Controller 12, in this preferred embodiment of the
invention, also comprises and/or contain a memory unit 30 which is
communicatively and electrically coupled to controller 28 and which
contains the software program necessary to and/or defining the
operation of the controller 12 and the system 10. Memory 30 also,
in this preferred embodiment of the invention, contains the look-up
tables 33, 35 which are used to define the activation and
deactivation intervals of siren /horn/visual indicator 20 during a
"panic" or "alarm-trip" induced type of operation.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment of the invention and utilizing
the information obtained in the experiment delineated above,
Applicants have found that the following "on-time" or activation
intervals should be utilized (see Table 3 below) and that they
should have the noted probability of occurrence:
3TABLE 3 1001- 1-100 101-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-1000 1400
1400 + Off time INT. 1 INT. 2 INT. 3 INT. 4 INT. 5 INT. 6 INT. 7
INT. 8 Prob. 26.9% 39.5% 14.5% 2.0% 14.5% 2% 0.6% 0%
[0026] These probability of occurrences, denoted as "Prob." were
found to be "close enough" to the probability of occurrences found
in Tables 1 and 2 and yet relatively easily implementable in a
relatively cost-effective manner. It should be noted that other
probability of occurrences may be utilized and that these other
dissimilar probability of occurrences are specifically contemplated
to fall within and to be encompassed within the scope of the
invention.
[0027] To achieve these probable occurrences, Applicants utilized,
in one embodiment of the invention, an eight value pseudo-random
number generator 26. If the horn, siren, or visual indicator is
initially de-activated, a pseudo-random number generator value of
zero results in the horn being activated for 60 milli-seconds. A
value of one causes the siren/horn/light to be activated for about
180 milli-seconds. A value of two, three, or four, results in the
horn, siren, or light 20 being activated for respective time
periods of 260 milli-seconds, 100 milli-seconds and 120
milli-seconds. A value of five results in the horn, siren, or light
20 being activated for a period of 200 milli-seconds. A value of
six, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention causes
the siren/horn/light indicator 20 to become activated for 600
milli-seconds. A value of seven causes processor 28 to read the
value of system clock or timer 40 and to activate the
horn/light/siren 20 for the amount of time specified by the time
40, which may vary from one to 1400 milli-seconds. In this manner,
some probability of occurrence is allocated to all of the time
intervals. These values are contained within look-up table 33 which
is accessed by controller 12 of the receipt of a value from
generator 26.
[0028] If the horn or siren is initially activated, a pseudo-random
number between 0 and 3 is generated by generator 27 and read by
controller 12 and used to "read" the look-up table 35 for the
purpose of defining the time intervals over which the horn or siren
or light indicator 20 is to be deactivated. A value of zero causes
the controller 12 to deactivate the component 20 for 60
milli-seconds. A value of one causes the controller 12 to
deactivate the component 20 for 180 milli-seconds. A value of two
causes the controller 12 to deactivate the component 20 for 260
milli-seconds. A value of three causes the controller 12 to
deactivate the component 20 for 100 milli-seconds. These values are
contained in look-up table 35. In the foregoing manner, as should
be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in this art, the "panic"
and/or "alarm-tripping" feature of this vehicle security system 10
is pseudo-random or "human-like". Moreover, the activation of
component 20 is achieved, by controller 12 and is accomplished by
selectively allowing electrical power to reach component 20 from
source 22 (e.g. "activating component 20") or by preventing such
power from reaching the component 20 (e.g. "deactivating component
20"). To further understand the "panic" or "alarm tripping"
operation of system 10 reference should now be made to FIG. 2.
[0029] As shown in flow chart 100, the sequence of operation begins
with a receipt by controller 12 of a "panic" signal 24 from
controller 12 or the receipt of an "alarm trip" signal by sensor
16. This initialization sequence is shown in step 102. Step 102 is
followed by step 104 in which controller 12 receives a value from
pseudo-random number generator 26 and uses this value to access
look-up table 33. Step 106 follows Step 104. In step 106, the
horn/siren/visual indicator component 20 is activated for the time
specified within the look-up table 33. Step 108 follows step 106
and, in this step, controller 12 receives a value from
pseudo-random number generator 35 and uses this value to access
deactivation look-up table 27. Step 110 follows step 108 and, in
this step, controller 12 deactivates component 20 for the time
specified with look-up table 27. Step 112 follows step 110 and, in
this step, controller 12 determines whether 30 seconds has elapsed
since the beginning of step 106. Other time periods may be used. If
this time has not elapsed, step 112 is followed by step 104.
Alternatively step 112 is followed by step 114 which causes
controller 12 to end the sequence. It should be apparent that the
foregoing discussion assumes that component 20 is initially
deactivated in step 104 become interchanged as do in step 110 and
106. It should be equally apparent that within the time interval
specified by step 112 (e.g. 30 seconds), controller 12 "toggles"
between look-up tables 33 and 35 to provide activation and
deactivation values for component 20. It is this toggling which
allows these human-like sounds to be produced in this embodiment of
the invention.
[0030] In the foregoing manner, the horn or other audible or visual
indicator 20 devices produce human-like or non-uniform sounds or
visual indicators which are generated in response to "panic" or
"alarm trip" signals and which are human-like and pseudo-random in
nature.
[0031] It is to be understood that the inventions are not limited
to the exact construction or method illustrated but that various
changes and/or modifications may be made without departing from the
spirit or the scope of the inventions as more fully described in
this Application for Patent.
* * * * *