U.S. patent application number 15/805130 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-15 for system and method for anti-theft and tracking of an automobile and automobile wheels.
The applicant listed for this patent is Terrence Gaskin. Invention is credited to Terrence Gaskin.
Application Number | 20180072264 15/805130 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58103766 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180072264 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gaskin; Terrence |
March 15, 2018 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANTI-THEFT AND TRACKING OF AN AUTOMOBILE AND
AUTOMOBILE WHEELS
Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for
anti-theft and tracking of automobile and automobile wheels. The
system comprises of an alert and tracking device (105) installed on
the inside of an air stem of each wheel along with Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). The alert and tracking device (105) detects
and alerts the theft, when there is an unauthorized movement such
as lifting, tampering, removal of the wheel and also tracks and
monitors the position of the stolen wheel. The system further
comprises a remote tracking application (111) to control and track
the stolen wheel from the remote location.
Inventors: |
Gaskin; Terrence; (Indian
Head, MD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gaskin; Terrence |
Indian Head |
MD |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58103766 |
Appl. No.: |
15/805130 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14835737 |
Aug 26, 2015 |
9821766 |
|
|
15805130 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 25/1001 20130101;
B60C 23/20 20130101; G01S 19/16 20130101; G08B 21/0269 20130101;
B60R 25/102 20130101; B60R 16/02 20130101; B60C 23/0408 20130101;
G08B 23/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 25/10 20060101
B60R025/10; B60C 23/20 20060101 B60C023/20; G01S 19/16 20060101
G01S019/16; B60R 25/102 20060101 B60R025/102; G08B 23/00 20060101
G08B023/00; B60C 23/04 20060101 B60C023/04 |
Claims
1) A system for anti-theft and tracking of an automobile and
automobile wheels, the system comprising: a) an alert and tracking
device (105) installed inside the air stem of one or more wheels
along with Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), wherein the alert
and tracking device (105) comprises: receiver/transmitter (106); a
mobile modem or subscriber identification module (SIM) card (107);
a global positioning system (GPS) tracker (108); plurality of
batteries (109) to power ON the alert and tracking device (105);
and an antenna (110), wherein the alert and tracking device (105)
has a unique identifying code for registering the owner of the
automobile with the alert and tracking device (105); b) an
automobile unit (101) placed inside an automobile, wherein the
automobile unit (101) receives a signal from the alert and tracking
device (105); c) the remote tracking application (111) installed
onto a computing device, wherein the position of stolen wheel is
sent continuously to the remote tracking application (111) from the
GPS tracker (108), wherein the alert and tracking device (105) is
tethered to the remote tracking application (111) using a unique
identifying code, wherein the unique identifying code is given to
the owner of the automobile to access the mobile tracking
application (111); d) a centralized server (114) to register a
vehicle identification number through the remote tracking
application (111); and e) a programming unit to configure the alert
and tracking device (105) and the automobile unit (101).
2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said automobile unit
(101) produces a high audible alarm using audio alarming system
(103).
3) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said computing device
is a desktop, a laptop, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant
(PDA), a tablet running plurality of operating systems such as
windows, android, iPhone operating system (iOS).
4) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said GPS data is
transferred through a short message service (SMS) to predefined
numbers such as local police station number, by using a SIM card
(107) inserted inside the alert and tracking device (105).
5) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
transmitter/receiver (106) is any type of transmitter/receiver unit
used for transmitting/receiving signal such as a low-energy
Bluetooth, a Near Filed Communication (NFC), a Radio Frequency (RF)
transmitter/receiver or a wireless.
6) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alert and
tracking device (105) sends the SMS alerts to the registered mobile
numbers for every predefined time through a SMS gateway (115).
7) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system also sends
the TPMS data such as tyre pressure, temperature from TPMS Unit of
all wheels of the automobile to the automobile unit (101).
8) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said the position of
stolen wheel and TPMS data is sent continuously to the remote
tracking application (111) from the GPS tracker (108) over the
internet.
9) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the size of the alert
and tracking device (105) integrated with the TPMS varies depending
on the type of tires used for the different vehicles.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/835,737 filed on Oct. 16, 2014,
now Granted.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a security and theft alarm
systems for automobiles. More particularly, the invention relates
to a system and method for automobile and automobile wheels
anti-theft and tracking.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In existing systems, stolen vehicles are tracked and
recovered by placing a tracking device inside the vehicle, but
these conventional systems do not provide any such system for
tracking and recovery of stolen parts of the vehicle. Almost all
parts of an automobile are quite expensive and have no security
measures/features against theft. Also, the customized automobile
parts are not insured against theft. One such customized part is
vehicle's wheel, which is very expensive. Normally, many SUV
(Sports Utility Vehicle), truck or any automobile buyers replace
factory wheels with custom wheels. Custom wheel is one of the
fastest growing segments in automobile industry. Since these custom
wheels are quite expensive ($2000-$20,000 per set), they are easy
targets for theft. Custom wheels are not covered under general
insurance and also the expense of replacing factory wheels is
high.
[0004] The existing prior arts comprise a system which tracks the
stolen wheels and sends the signal to the owner of the vehicle. The
authentication process and data transmission process involved in
the prior art is not secured. Also in the conventional systems, the
devices used to transmit and receive the signal are not effective,
which leads to reduced efficiency of the whole system.
[0005] Hence, looking at the problems in the prior art, there is a
need for an anti-theft and tracking device for automobile wheels,
which is configured to track and send alerts to the owner of the
automobile during the theft. Moreover, the system must also provide
secured authentication and data transmission process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks in the prior
art and provides a system and method for anti-theft and tracking of
an automobile and automobile wheels. The system comprises of an
alert and tracking device installed inside the air stem of an
automobile wheel along with Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The alert and tracking device detects theft and alerts of theft
when there is an unauthorized movement such as lifting, tampering
or removal of the wheel using proximity sensors and, tracks and
monitors the position of the stolen wheel. The system further
comprises of a means to control and track the stolen wheel from
remote places.
[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, the size of the alert
and tracking device integrated with the TPMS varies depending on
the type of tires used for different vehicles.
[0008] According to another embodiment of the invention, the system
is further configured such that the alert and tracking device sends
the location of the stolen wheel continuously to the remote
tracking application using GPS (Global Positioning System) and also
sends an SMS (Short Message Service) to a predefined number such as
local police station number and an alarm notification to the remote
tracking application.
[0009] Hence, the present invention provides a system, which is
cost effective and easy to install. In the present invention,
removing the device takes at least 10-15 minutes, including the
time required to completely deflate the wheel and take the device
out of the wheel and physically destroy it, which gives sufficient
time to the system to activate the alarm and alert the owner about
the theft. The present invention also provides a secured
authentication and data transmission, which in return increases the
safety and efficiency of the entire system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become
more apparent from the following detailed description of
embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like
elements.
[0011] FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b illustrate a block diagram of the
motorcycle wheel having anti-theft and tracking system, according
to one embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b illustrate a block diagram of the
bicycle wheel having anti-theft and tracking system, according to
one embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b illustrate a block diagram of the
overwatch 18-wheeler having anti-theft and tracking system,
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b illustrate a block diagram of the
tandem--All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) having anti-theft and tracking
system, according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b illustrate a block diagram of the yard
dog-construction equipment having anti-theft and tracking system,
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b illustrate a block diagram of the
farming tractor for wolf having anti-theft and tracking system,
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates process flow involved in the automobile
wheel anti-theft tracking, according to one embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of
the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown
in figures. Each embodiment is provided to explain the subject
matter and not a limitation. These embodiments are described in
sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to practice
the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments
may be utilized and that logical, physical, and other changes may
be made within the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed
description is, therefore, not be taken as limiting the scope of
the invention, but instead the invention is to be defined by the
appended claims.
[0019] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks in the prior
art and provides a system and method for anti-theft and tracking of
an automobile and automobile wheels. The system comprises of an
alert and tracking device installed inside the air stem of each
wheel along with TPMS. The alert and tracking device detects and
generated alerts about the theft whenever there is an unauthorized
movement such as, lifting, tampering or removal of the wheel using
proximity sensors and, tracks and monitors the position of the
stolen wheel. The system further comprises a means to control and
track the stolen wheel from remote places.
[0020] FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b illustrate a block diagram of the
motorcycle wheel having anti-theft and tracking system, according
to one embodiment of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the
alert and tracking device (105) comprises a receiver/transmitter
(106), a mobile modem or SIM (Subscriber Identification Module)
card (107), a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker (108), a
plurality of batteries (109) to power ON the alert and tracking
device (105), a plurality of sensors (110) such as pressure sensor,
acceleration sensor, temperature sensor and proximity sensor. The
system (100) comprising the alert and tracking device (105) is
installed inside the air stem of each wheel along with a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). The alert and tracking device (105)
along with TPMS reports the tire pressure of the front wheel and
the rear wheel to the owner. The alert and tracking device (105)
alerts the tire pressure of the wheels to the owner on real time
basis. The alert and tracking device (105) detects the unauthorized
movements such as lifting, tampering, removal of the wheel and
sends the lifting/tampering alarm to the motorcycle unit (101),
until the link with motorcycle unit (101) is active. When the alert
and tracking device (105) is moved away from motorcycle unit (101),
the alert and tracking device (105) detects it using proximity
sensors and sends the proximity alarm to the remote tracking
application (111). In such case, the alert and tracking device
(105) sends the SMS alarm to the registered mobile numbers. The
motorcycle unit (101) is mounted on the handle bar (102) of the
motorcycle. The motorcycle unit (101) produces high audible alarm
using the audio alarming system (103). The motorcycle unit (101)
may be operated by a battery (104). The battery used in the
motorcycle unit (101) is a rechargeable battery. The GPS tracker
(108) in the alert and tracking device (105) locates the position
of stolen wheel continuously and transmits the location to the
remote tracking application (111) as a push notification. In a
preferred embodiment, the remote tracking application (111) may be
installed in a computing device. The computing device may be any
device such as a desktop, a laptop, cell phone, PDA, tablet running
plurality of operating systems such as android, iOS, etc.
[0021] In the preferred embodiment, the remote tracking application
(111) receives the GPS data of the stolen wheel from the alert and
tracking device (105) in the form of push notification and notifies
the owner of the motorcycle with the location of the alert and
tracking device (105) during theft through the GPS map (112). Every
alert and tracking device (105) has its own unique identifying code
for registering the owner of the motorcycle with the device (105).
The device (105) is tethered to the remote tracking application
(111) using the unique identifying code. The unique identifying
code is given to the owner of the motorcycle to access the remote
tracking application (111). The GPS data may also be sent as a
short message service (SMS) by using a SIM card (107) inserted
inside the alert and tracking device (105) to predefined numbers
such as local police station number, which are defined in the
setting (113) provided in the remote tracking application (111).
The transmitter/receiver (106) is of any type of
transmitter/receiver unit, which is used for transmitting/receiving
the signal. As an example, transmitter/receiver may be a low-energy
Bluetooth, a Near Filed Communication (NFC), a Radio Frequency (RF)
transmitter/receiver or a wireless.
[0022] FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b illustrate a block diagram of the
bicycle wheel having anti-theft and tracking system, according to
one embodiment of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the
system comprises the alert and tracking device (105) installed
inside the air stem of each wheel along with the TPMS. The alert
and tracking device (105) along with TPMS reports the tire pressure
of the front wheel and the rear wheel to the owner. The alert and
tracking device (105) alerts the tire pressure of the wheels to the
owner on real time basis. The alert and tracking device (105)
detects the unauthorized movements such as lifting, tampering,
removal of the wheel and sends the lifting/tampering alarm to the
bicycle unit (101), until the link with bicycle unit (101) is
active. When the alert and tracking device (105) is moved away from
bicycle unit (101), the alert and tracking device (105) detects
using the proximity sensors and sends the proximity alarm to the
remote tracking application (111). In such case, alert and tracking
device (105) sends the SMS alarm to the registered mobile numbers.
The bicycle unit (101) is mounted on the handle bar (102) of the
bicycle. The bicycle unit (101) produces high audible alarm using
the audio alarming system (103). The bicycle unit (101) may be
operated by a battery (104). The battery used in the bicycle unit
(101) is a rechargeable battery. The GPS tracker (108) in the alert
and tracking device (105) locates the position of the stolen wheel
continuously and transmits the location to the remote tracking
application (111) as a push notification. In a preferred
embodiment, the remote tracking application (111) may be installed
in a computing device. The computing device may be any device such
as a desktop, a laptop, cell phone, PDA, tablet running plurality
of operating systems such as android, iOS, etc.
[0023] In the preferred embodiment, the remote tracking application
(111) receives the GPS data of the stolen wheel from the alert and
tracking device (105) in the form of push notification and notifies
the owner of the bicycle with the location of the alert and
tracking device (105), during the theft through the GPS map (112).
Every alert and tracking device (105) has its own unique
identifying code for registering the owner of the bicycle with the
device (105). The device (105) is tethered to the remote tracking
application (111) using the unique identifying code. The unique
identifying code is given to the owner of the bicycle to access the
remote tracking application (111), so that no one shall tamper with
the remote tracking application (111). The GPS data may also be
sent as a short message service (SMS) by using a SIM card (107)
inserted inside the alert and tracking device (105) to predefined
numbers such as local police station number, which are defined in
the setting (113) provided in the remote tracking application
(111). The transmitter/receiver (106) is of any type of
transmitter/receiver unit, which is used for transmitting/receiving
the signal. As an example, transmitter/receiver may be a low-energy
Bluetooth, a Near Filed Communication (NFC), a Radio Frequency (RF)
transmitter/receiver or a wireless.
[0024] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b illustrate a block diagram of the
overwatch 18-wheeler having anti-theft and tracking system,
according to one embodiment of the invention. In a preferred
embodiment, the system comprises the alert and tracking device
(105) installed inside the air stem of each wheel along with TPMS.
The alert and tracking device (105) along with TPMS reports the
tire pressure of the front wheel and the rear wheel to the owner.
The alert and tracking device (105) alerts the tire pressure of
each wheel to the owner, on real time basis. The alert and tracking
device (105) detects the unauthorized movements such as lifting,
tampering, removal of the wheel and sends the lifting/tampering
alarm to the bicycle unit (101) until the link with overwatch
18-wheeler unit (101) is active. When the alert and tracking device
(105) is moved away from overwatch 18-wheeler unit (101), the alert
and tracking device (105) detects it using proximity sensors and
sends the proximity alarm to the remote tracking application (111).
In such case, alert and tracking device (105) sends the SMS alarm
to the registered mobile numbers. The overwatch 18-wheeler unit
(101) is mounted inside the overwatch 18-wheeler. The overwatch
18-wheeler unit (101) produces high audible alarm using audio
alarming system (103), when the signal from alert and tracking
device (105) is received. The overwatch 18-wheeler unit (101) may
be operated by a battery (104). The battery used in the overwatch
18-wheeler unit (101) is a rechargeable battery. The GPS tracker
(108) in the alert and tracking device (105) locates the position
of stolen wheel continuously and transmits the location to the
remote tracking application (111) as a push notification. In a
preferred embodiment, the remote tracking application (111) may be
installed in a computing device. The computing device may be any
device such as a desktop, a laptop, cell phone, PDA, tablet running
plurality of operating systems such as android, iOS, etc.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the remote tracking application
(111) receives the GPS data of the stolen wheel from the alert and
tracking device (105) in the form of push notification and notifies
the owner of the overwatch 18-wheeler with the location of the
alert and tracking device (105), during the theft through the GPS
map (112). Every alert and tracking device (105) has its own unique
identifying code for registering the owner of the overwatch
18-wheeler with the device. The device is tethered to the remote
tracking application (111) using unique identifying code, wherein
the unique identifying code is given to the owner of the overwatch
18-wheeler to access the remote tracking application (111), so that
no one can tamper with the remote tracking application (111). The
GPS data may also be sent as a short message service (SMS) by using
a SIM card (107) inserted inside the alert and tracking device
(105) to predefined numbers such as local police station number,
which are defined in the setting (113) provided in the remote
tracking application (111). The transmitter/receiver (106) is of
any type of transmitter/receiver unit, which is used for
transmitting/receiving the signal. As an example,
transmitter/receiver may be a low-energy Bluetooth, a Near Filed
Communication (NFC), a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver or
a wireless.
[0026] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b illustrate a block diagram of the
tandem--All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) having anti-theft and tracking
system, according to one embodiment of the invention. In a
preferred embodiment, the system comprises the alert and tracking
device (105) installed inside the air stem of each wheel along with
TPMS. The alert and tracking device (105) along with TPMS reports
the tire pressure of the front wheel and the rear wheel to the
owner. The alert and tracking device (105) alerts the tire pressure
of each wheel to the owner, on real time basis. The alert and
tracking device (105) detects the unauthorized movements such as
lifting, tampering, removal of the wheel and sends the
lifting/tampering alarm to the tandem ATV unit (101), until the
link with tandem-ATV unit (101) is active. When the alert and
tracking device (105) is moved away from the tandem ATV unit (101),
the alert and tracking device (105) detects it using proximity
sensors and sends the proximity alarm to the remote tracking
application (111). In such case, alert and tracking device (105)
sends the SMS alarm to the registered mobile numbers. The tandem
ATV unit (101) is mounted on the handle bar (102) of the tandem
ATV. The tandem ATV unit (101) produces high audible alarm using
audio alarming system (103), when the signal from alert and
tracking device (105) is received. The tandem ATV unit (101) may be
operated by a battery (104). The battery used in the tandem ATV
unit (101) is a rechargeable battery. The GPS tracker (108) in the
alert and tracking device (105) locates the position of stolen
wheel continuously and transmits the location to the remote
tracking application (111) as a push notification. In a preferred
embodiment, the remote tracking application (111) may be installed
in a computing device. The computing device may be any device such
as a desktop, a laptop, cell phone, PDA, tablet running plurality
of operating systems such as android, iOS, etc.
[0027] In the preferred embodiment, the remote tracking application
(111) receives the GPS data of the stolen wheel from the alert and
tracking device (105) in the form of push notification and notifies
the owner of the tandem ATV with the location of the alert and
tracking device (105), during the theft through the GPS map (112).
Every alert and tracking device (105) has its own unique
identifying code for registering the owner of the tandem ATV with
the device (105). The device (105) is tethered to the remote
tracking application (111) using unique identifying code, wherein
the unique identifying code is given to the owner of the tandem ATV
to access the remote tracking application (111), so that no one can
tamper with the remote tracking application (111). The GPS data may
also be sent as a short message service (SMS) by using a SIM card
(107) inserted inside the alert and tracking device (105) to
predefined numbers such as local police station number which are
defined in the setting (113) provided in the remote tracking
application (111). The transmitter/receiver (106) is of any type of
transmitter/receiver unit, which is used for transmitting/receiving
the signal. As an example, transmitter/receiver may be a low-energy
Bluetooth, a Near Filed Communication (NFC), a Radio Frequency (RF)
transmitter/receiver or a wireless.
[0028] FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b illustrate a block diagram of the yard
dog-construction equipment having anti-theft and tracking system,
according to one embodiment of the invention. In a preferred
embodiment, the system comprises the alert and tracking device
(105) installed inside the air stem of each wheel along with TPMS.
The alert and tracking device (105) along with TPMS reports the
tire pressure of the front wheel and the rear wheel to the owner.
The alert and tracking device (105) alerts the tire pressure of
each wheel to the owner, on real time basis. The alert and tracking
device (105) detects the unauthorized movements such as lifting,
tampering, removal of the wheel and sends the lifting/tampering
alarm to the yard dog-construction equipment unit (101), until the
link with yard dog-construction equipment unit (101) is active.
When the alert and tracking device (105) is moved away from the
yard dog-construction equipment unit (101), the alert and tracking
device (105) detects it using proximity sensors and sends the
proximity alarm to the remote tracking application (111). In such
case, alert and tracking device (105) sends the SMS alarm to the
registered mobile numbers. The yard dog-construction equipment unit
(101) is mounted inside the yard dog-construction equipment. The
yard dog-construction equipment unit (101) produces high audible
alarm using audio alarming system (103), when the signal from alert
and tracking device (105) is received. The yard dog-construction
equipment unit (101) may be operated by a battery (104). The
battery used in the yard dog-construction equipment unit (101) is a
rechargeable battery. The GPS tracker (108) in the alert and
tracking device (105) locates the position of stolen wheel
continuously and transmits the location to the remote tracking
application (111) as a push notification. In a preferred
embodiment, the remote tracking application (111) may be installed
in a computing device. The computing device may be any device such
as a desktop, a laptop, cell phone, PDA, tablet running plurality
of operating systems such as android, iOS, etc. In the preferred
embodiment, the remote tracking application (111) receives the GPS
data of the stolen wheel from the alert and tracking device (105)
in the form of push notification and notifies the owner of the yard
dog-construction equipment with the location of the alert and
tracking device (105), during the theft through the GPS map (112).
Every alert and tracking device (105) has its own unique
identifying code for registering the owner of the yard
dog-construction equipment with the device. The device is tethered
to the remote tracking application (111) using the unique
identifying code, wherein the unique identifying code is given to
the owner of the yard dog-construction equipment to access the
remote tracking application (111), so that no one can tamper with
the remote tracking application (111). The GPS data may also be
sent as a short message service (SMS) by using a SIM card (107)
inserted inside the alert and tracking device (105) to predefined
numbers such as local police station number, which are defined in
the setting (113) provided in the remote tracking application
(111). The transmitter/receiver (106) is of any type of
transmitter/receiver unit, which is used for transmitting/receiving
the signal. As an example, transmitter/receiver may be a low-energy
Bluetooth, a Near Filed Communication (NFC), a Radio Frequency (RF)
transmitter/receiver or a wireless.
[0029] FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b illustrate a block diagram of the
farming tractor for wolf having anti-theft and tracking system,
according to one embodiment of the invention. In a preferred
embodiment, the system comprises the alert and tracking device
(105) installed inside the air stem of each wheel along with TPMS.
The alert and tracking device (105) detects the unauthorized
movements such as lifting, tampering, removal of the wheel and
sends the lifting/tampering alarm to the farming tractor unit
(101), until the link with farming tractor unit (101) is active.
When the alert and tracking device (105) is moved away from the
farming tractor unit (101), the alert and tracking device (105)
detects it using proximity sensors and sends the proximity alarm to
the remote tracking application (111). In such case, alert and
tracking device (105) sends the SMS alarm to the registered mobile
numbers. The farming tractor unit (101) is mounted inside the
farming tractor. The farming tractor unit (101) produces high
audible alarm using audio alarming system (103), when the signal
from alert and tracking device (105) is received. The farming
tractor unit (101) may be operated by a battery (104). The battery
used in the farming tractor unit (101) is a rechargeable battery.
The GPS tracker (108) in the alert and tracking device (105)
locates the position of stolen wheel continuously and transmits the
location to the remote tracking application (111) as a push
notification. In the preferred embodiment, the remote tracking
application (111) may be installed in a computing device. The
computing device may be any device such as a desktop, a laptop,
cell phone, PDA, tablet running plurality of operating systems such
as android, iOS, etc.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the remote tracking application
(111) receives the GPS data of the stolen wheel from the alert and
tracking device (105) in the form of push notification and notifies
the owner of the farming tractor with the location of the alert and
tracking device (105) during the theft through the GPS map (112).
Every alert and tracking device (105) has its own unique
identifying code for registering the owner of the farming tractor
with the device. The device is tethered to the remote tracking
application (111) using unique identifying code, wherein the unique
identifying code is given to the owner of the farming tractor to
access the remote tracking application (111), so that no one can
tamper with the remote tracking application (111). The GPS data may
also be sent as a short message service (SMS) by using a SIM card
(107) inserted inside the alert and tracking device (105) to
predefined numbers such as local police station number which are
defined in the setting (113) provided in the remote tracking
application (111). The transmitter/receiver (106) is of any type of
transmitter/receiver unit, which is used for transmitting/receiving
the signal. As an example, transmitter/receiver may be a low-energy
Bluetooth, a Near Filed Communication (NFC), a Radio Frequency (RF)
transmitter/receiver or a wireless.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
monitoring of tire pressure comprises of two modes i.e., auto mode
and on-demand mode. In the auto mode the TPMS monitors the tire
pressure continuously and sends the signal to alert and tracking
devices (105), if the pressure is deflated below the threshold
value. The alert and tracking device (105) sends the pressure data
packet to the automobile unit (101) in ultra-high frequency. The
automobile unit (101) receives the pressure data and analyzes the
value. The automobile unit (101) displays the visual alarm on a
particular region of the screen to indicate the current pressure
status.
[0032] In the on-demand mode, the user selects the region on the
screen to check the current pressure of a particular alert and
tracking devices (105). The automobile unit (101) sends the signal
to the selected alert and tracking devices (105) in low frequency.
The alert and tracking device (105) receives the signal to measure
the current pressure. The measured data is sent back to the
automobile unit (101) in ultra-high frequency, wherein and the
automobile unit (101) receives the measured data and displays on
the screen.
[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, the size of the alert
and tracking device (105) integrated with the TPMS varies depending
on the type of tires used for different vehicles.
[0034] The alert and tracking device (105) is switched in active or
inactive mode through automobile unit (101), wherein these modes
are required to stop false alarms such as unauthorized removing or
tampering of the wheel, authorized tire, tube or rim replacement at
service centers, accident condition, or road conditions like hump,
sharp U-turns etc.
[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates process flow involved in the automobile
wheel anti-theft tracking, according to one embodiment of the
invention. At step (702), the device detects the unauthorized
movement such as lifting, tampering, removal of the wheel using
proximity sensors. At step (703), in case any unauthorized movement
is detected, the audio alarming system (103) placed in the
automobile unit (101) produces a high audible alarm. At step (705),
the GPS tracker starts tracking the location of the stolen wheel.
At step (706), an SMS is sent to the predefined numbers. At step
(707) and (708), a push notification and GPS data is sent to the
remote tracking application (111). At step (709), a particular time
is set in the tracking device using the remote tracking application
(111). The GPS data is continuously sent to the remote tracking
application (111) until the set time expires. The tracking device
starts up automatically after predefined time interval and starts
sending the GPS data to the remote tracking application (111). The
power is consumed by the tracking device only if the tracking
device is in use, which reduces the power consumption and allows
the device to be in use for a longer duration.
[0036] The system is cost effective and easy to install. The
removal of the device takes at least 10-15 minutes, including the
time required to completely deflate the wheel and take the device
out of the wheel and physically destroy it, which gives sufficient
time to the system to activate the alarm and alert the owner and
the local police station about the theft. The present invention
also provides the secured authentication and data transmission
process, which in return increases the efficiency of the entire
system.
[0037] The system in the present invention may also be used in
tracking automobile theft such as SUV's (Sports Utility Vehicle),
MUV's (Multi Utility Vehicle), ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicle), MPV
(Multi-Purpose Vehicles) boats, two-wheelers, commercial vehicles,
farm equipment, industrial construction equipment, motorcycles,
bicycles, 18-wheeler trucks and trailers and scooters etc.
[0038] It is to be understood, however, that even though several
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially
in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
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