EP1169201A2

EP1169201A2 - A system of securing motor vehicles against stealing and misuse incorporating a cellular and/or satellite network

Info

Publication number: EP1169201A2
Application number: EP00914023A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karel Ambroz; Karel Ml. Ambroz; Michal Kendereski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-14
Filing date: 2000-04-10
Publication date: 2002-01-09
Also published as: WO2000061408A2; CZ286922B6; SK287733B6; SK14212001A3; AU3549900A; WO2000061408A3; PL350787A1; CZ129799A3

Abstract

The system of securing motor vehicles against stealing and misuse featuring with that the signals are transmitted and received from at least one activated mobile communication device, connected to and registered in a cellular and/or satellite network and located in a compartment of a motor vehicle, to at least one activated compatible communication device located out of said vehicle and connected to and registered in a cellular and/or satellite network and/or permanent network. The connection used for the system of securing a motor vehicle against misuse containing locks, an evaluating unit and a power source located in the compartment of the vehicle motor where both the activated mobile communication device (1) fitted with its own power system and at least one element of the system preventing the unauthorized handling (7), and/or at least one element (8) intended for blocking of the motor run, and/or at least one element (6) intended for control of blocking the entry into the compartment (2) of the vehicle motor, and/or the element (10) that activates the emergency call are connected to the outputs of the control and evaluating unit (4).

Description

The System of Securing Motor Vehicles against Stealing and Misuse and the Connection for Performing thereof

Technical Field The invention relates to the system of securing motor vehicles against stealing and misuse and the connection for performing thereof that includes locks, an evaluating unit and a power source located in the motor compartment of the vehicle.

Background of the Invention

Currently there is known a wide range of safety devices used for blocking of motor vehicles that should eliminate their stealing or misuse. Said devices operate both on the mechanic and electronic concept. They are constructed so that they block various parts of the vehicle, particularly, its functional units. Blocking itself is performed either indirectly using electronic and electrical devices or directly, i.e. using various mechanic devices that avert turning the steering wheels or change a gear. The electronic safety devices can be divided into three groups. The first group includes devices using the method of triggering an acoustic alarm when somebody brakes into the vehicle. This device takes into consideration the consequent effect when a thief is intimidated with excessive noise and the active participation of persons who are present in the surroundings and hear a siren. The second group includes electronic devices that are additionally fitted with means for signal transmission that - in connection with a vehicle key appendage - inform the owner about the current condition of the vehicle. Disadvantage of said devices is that they act on a very short distance only. The third group of the safety devices includes the devices connected to a territorial central system intended for continuous monitoring of the vehicle position that enables monitoring of the vehicle position by communication through a satellite using certain transmission means. Another system using a radio transmitter for vehicle localization is also known. It is based on the fact that the mobile station, for example the vehicle, transmits the natural signal, in this case the radio telephone signal. Four receivers located on the previously known sites trace the transmission, compare it and compute the vehicle position. Disadvantage of said system is the low transmitting output of the transmitter that results in the fact that only small part of the territory is covered and the system mentioned has also lower resistance against interference. In addition, said system needs the network of the separate transmitters in which always four of them shall be available in order to localize a mobile object. Another disadvantage of the device mentioned is that such system does not secure the vehicle against stealing but enables only its consequent searching. Nevertheless, the latter can not be realized because the transmitter is probably immediately switched off.

All currently available devices are, nevertheless, insufficiently reliable against the organized vehicles stealing. Disadvantage of said currently available devices is their high purchase price and also high mechanic demands for their assembling in some cases. Their dismantling and reassembling onto the vehicle that can be secured is also unpleasant. Disadvantages of the electric and electronic devices may consist particularly in their possible decoding, namely, in these cases when said devices operate and are controlled on the frequency concept. They exist, of course, also methods that enable putting the whole security system out of operation, for example, by decoding the security code or putting a power source out of operation, or by using a duplicate of their switching element. The important parameter that should be taken into account when resistance of said devices against their putting out of operation is evaluated, is the time necessary for putting the device out of operation. Said time shall be as long as possible. This parameter has not already complied in many known devices; this is documented convincingly by jumping of numbers of the vehicles stolen. The basic disadvantage of said devices is the fact that they are based on the presumption that the third person will avert stealing the vehicle or its misuse which presumption is completely erroneous. Disclosure and Object of the Invention

The disadvantages mentioned above eliminate to a certain extent the system of securing the vehicle against stealing or misuse that consists in the fact that signals are transmitted and received from at least one mobile communication device connected to and registered in a cellular and/or satellite network, and located in the motor compartment of the vehicle, to at least one activated compatible communication device located out of said vehicle and connected to and registered in a cellular and/or satellite network, and/or a permanent network.

Said method of securing the vehicle ensures both the permanent connection and instantaneous contact of the owner with his/her car, preferably through his/her mobile communication device. The main advantage of the system proposed according to this invention is that - in case of an attempt to steal or misuse the vehicle - the owner is informed immediately about it and therefore he/she can take adequate counter- measures using the same communication mean whit minimum delay, for example, he/she can block the vehicle using an immobilizing device and ask police for help. The advantage consists in the continuous registration of the communication device located in the motor vehicle. This helps to find out the actual vehicle position through an operator located in a central office of a cellular network when the vehicle is stolen. The advantage is also that it ensures permanently the necessary control of the system function and therefore also securing the motor vehicle and connection with it regardless of the owner's distance from the vehicle. The advantage is also easy operation of the mobile communication device.

The advantage of the system of securing the motor vehicle consists in the fact that the signals received by the device located out of the vehicle can be redirected to other compatible communication device as desired. This ensures the permanent connection with the vehicle also in these locations where no signal from cellular networks is available. Said measure ensures permanent connection with the vehicle also in locations where no cellular network signals are available. The redirecting is advantageous also when other person or the authorized security service is in charge of control of the vehicle, namely, when its owner is not present.

In order to ensure control of the actual position of the motor vehicle by the above-mentioned system, it is natural when the actual position of the vehicle is registered continuously using the signals transmitted to the permanent control site of the cellular and/or satellite network by the device located in the motor vehicle.

In order to ensure security of the vehicle crew, it is advantageous if SOS signals are transmitted to the emergency call site by at least one device located in the motor vehicle.

The connection enabling securing the vehicle against its misuse containing locks, an evaluating unit and a power source, located in the motor compartment of a vehicle featuring with both the activated mobile communication device fitted with its own power source, display and control elements, and at least one element of the system preventing misuse, and/or at least one element for blocking the motor run, and/or at least one element for control of blocking of entry into the motor compartment of the vehicle, and/or at least one element intended for emergency call activation.

Advantage of said connection for the system is that it enables easy blocking of the vehicle while the functional parts thereof are simultaneously secured by other known methods. The connection using a device intended for blocking the entry into a lockable motor compartment ensures that said device could not be damaged unless parts of the vehicle are damaged.

In order to secure independently immobility of the protected motor vehicle, it is advantageous when an immobilizing device forms the element intended for blocking the motor operation. The advantage is that the vehicle owner activates the immobilizing device by the communication device that is connected with the vehicle. In order to enable said function, the ringing- current circuit shall be fitted with the means that initiates opening of the immobilizing device and therefore putting the motor out of operation and simultaneously enters the information or message that a memo-box is called i.e. approximately 30 seconds later. In order to prevent the connection better against damage, it is advantageous if the mobile communication device forms the integral part of the control and evaluating unit. Said measure enables location of the control and evaluating unit with the mobile communication device located in a box in any protected part of the vehicle. In order to control the decreased level of the signal transmitted from the mobile communication device below the specified value, it is advantageous when the mobile communication device is fitted with the circuit that evaluates the signal level and when the latter is fitted with means enabling activation of the emergency signalling system. This ensures that any handling with the vehicle is immediately indicated even if it is located in the place where the signal is shielded, for example, in a trailer-towing vehicle.

In order to amplify both the transmitted signal and the signal received by the mobile communication device, it is advantageous when an auxiliary internal protected aerial is connected to the control and evaluating unit through an element intended for over-voltage limiting.

In order to ensure better protection, it is advantageous when the mobile communication device is located either in the compartment of the vehicle motor in a separate box that is fixed permanently to the vehicle or out of the motor compartment of the vehicle.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be disclosed in details by means of the following drawings Fig. 1 illustrates the general scheme of communication of the activated mobile communication devices registered by a cellular network; Fig. 2 illustrates the general scheme of redirecting of the activated mobile device from the vehicle to the permanent communication network;

Fig 3 illustrates the example of the connection for the system of securing a vehicle against its misuse together with the activated mobile communication device connected to the evaluating control unit;

Fig. 4 illustrates the example of the connection where the activated mobile communication device forms the integral part of the evaluating control unit.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The system of securing the vehicle against stealing and misuse will be disclosed on one of the possible examples of performing thereof.

The general scheme of communication of the activated mobile communication devices in the registered cellular network illustrated in Fig. 1 is performed by receiving the signals transmitted from the activated mobile communication device KPi that is registered in the cellular network and located in a protected compartment of the motor vehicle. The signals transmitted from the activated mobile communication device KPi are received by the most suitably connectable basic transmission station ZTS? of the cellular network belonging to the system of other basic transmission stations ZTSi through ZTSn in the range of which the activated mobile communication device KPi is situated. The signals are transferred from the central station CS of the cellular network to the nearest basic transmission stations ZTS_n of the cellular network that is located in the range of the owner of the vehicle secured, or they are transferred directly from the central station CS to the activated compatible communication device KPg. The back communication is performed vice versa.

The general redirecting scheme of the activated mobile device from the vehicle to the permanent communication network illustrated in Fig. 2 is performed by receiving the signals transmitted from the activated mobile communication device KPi registered in the cellular network and located in a protected compartment of the motor vehicle. The signals transmitted from said device KPi are received by the most suitably connectable basic transmission station ZTS2 of the cellular network belonging to the system of other basic transmission stations ZTSi through ZTS_n in the range of which the activated mobile communication device KPi is situated. The signals received by the basic transmission station ZTS2 are then transferred to the central station CS of the cellular network. The signal is redirected from the central station CS of the cellular network to the demanded telephone subsciber's station TS through the relevant telephone area TO of the permanent telephone network.

One of the advantageous examples of the system according to the invention will be described below. The vehicle owner first installs the mobile communication device KPi fitted with the independent power source, the display and the control elements and located in the protected compartment of the vehicle. The installation itself is performed as follows: after SIM card is inserted and the device switched on, the latter performs the registration itself. The relevant telephone numbers together with codes or passwords necessary for the selected calling sequence in case of the vehicle control or its stealing should be entered into a computer memory using a keyboard in a normal way. The owner then enters the number of the activated mobile communication device KPi into the compatible communication device KP₂. Then the communication is tested by calling from the compatible communication device KP2 to the activated mobile communication device KPi. When the device rings everything is OK. Then the function of vehicle securing should be tested as follows. After any sensor signalling emergency is switched off, the activated compatible communication device KP2 shall indicate the emergency condition of the vehicle. When installed, the activated mobile communication device KPi is never switched off. Said device is permanently switched on in the regime of the signal receiving and it registers itself after the pre-selected time interval.

When the safety system is switched off in time while the owner enters the vehicle, the second compatible communication device KPg will not indicate the emergency condition. Should not the safety system be switched off, for example, due to a failure, erroneous handling, or delay, the activated compatible communication device KPg will indicate the emergency condition. The message can be deleted by pressing "OK" key and then "C" key on the activated compatible communication device KP2. Should not this operation be performed, the message and the receiving time will be stored in the box of the central station of the relevant network.

During the run, the activated mobile communication device KPi is in permanent operation. Said device registers itself to the central station CS of the cellular network always after certain pre-defined time interval. The emergency call function can be put into operation also during the run. Said emergency call function is important, for example, when the driver is attacked during the run or rest. The emergency call can be also sent to the special telephone number, for example, after a crush when the driver is injured.

When the vehicle is parked, the safety system of the vehicle is put into operation together with all functions of the activated mobile communication device KPi. Readiness of the transmitting device can be checked visually by inspection the signal intensity indicator and then by calling to the activated mobile communication device KPi located in the protected motor compartment 2 of the vehicle. The call shall be not longer than 20 seconds. If the communication is established, everything is OK. When the vehicle is left its securing can be checked at any time by establishing the communication with the activated mobile communication device KPi and its possible messages can be redirected at any time to any compatible communication device connected, for example, to the permanent telephone network. When the emergency impulse is received, the active mobile communication device KP informs the vehicle owner. If it does not receive the confirmation of the message of assault, the message will be stored in the memo-box with the time of its receiving. This documents that the owner was informed about the given situation. In case that the message about the assault is confirmed, the vehicle owner - on the basis of the information received - will call through the activated compatible device KP2 to the activated mobile communication device KPi for more than 30 seconds in order to initiate the immobilizing device, then he/she calls the police station and asks for the assistance. Based on said call, the police station will ask the central station CS for monitoring of the affected vehicle. The central station CS will take over monitoring of the signals transmitted from the activated mobile communication device KPi and localize movement of the motor vehicle according to the signals transmitted to the basic transmission stations ZTSi. ZTS2 ... ZTSn. On the basis of information about movement of the motor vehicle obtained in this way, the operator of the central station CS of the cellular network inform the police about the actual position of the vehicle.

One of the advantageous connections of the system intended for blocking the motor vehicles against its misuse is given in Fig. 1. When this connection is used, the lockable box 12 is located in the locked compartment 2 of the motor vehicle and is fixed permanently with the vehicle body. The activated and registered mobile communication device and an evaluating unit 4 to a bus-bar of which is connected the activated mobile communication device 1 are located in the lockable box 12. The mechanic lock 3 fitted, for example, with the electric switching is located in the compartment 2 of the motor and is connected to the control and evaluation unit 4 by a cable. The following elements are also connected to the inputs of the bus-bar of the control and evaluating unit 4: the element 7 of the unauthorized handling system, for example, the control computer unit of the vehicle or the indicator of the authorized use only; the control element 6 intended for blocking of entry to the protected compartment 2, for example, a switch; the element 8 intended for the motor blocking, for example, the immobilizing device; the element 10 intended for activation of the emergency call, for example, a sensor; and also the power source 5. The auxiliary internal protected aerial 9 intended for amplification of transmission and receiving of the signals is advantageously connected to the bus-bar of the control and evaluating unit 4 through the element intended for over-voltage limiting. The activated compatible communication device H interconnected in the cellular network and/or the satellite network and/or permanent network represents the independent and separated element of the connection intended for the system thereof. Other example of the invention intended for the system ensuring the blocking of the motor vehicles against their misuse according to Fig. 4 is represented by the activated mobile communication device 1 the integral part of which is the control and evaluating unit 4. The connection used is otherwise analogous with that one disclosed in Fig. 3. Handling with the device is apparent in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The motor vehicle is blocked off by the already known method, i.e. the vehicle may be opened either by a key or an electronic transmitting device. Unless the entry into the vehicle is abused by an unauthorized person, everything is OK.

Otherwise, when the protected compartment 2 of the vehicle is abused or the vehicle jeopardized in other way, the signal is transmitted through the electronic safety device of the vehicle connected through the element 7 of the system of the unauthorized handling, for example, a switch, and through the bus-bar of the evaluating unit 4 to the activated mobile device Λ , that transmit said signal with the method described above according to this invention, to activated compatible communication device ΛΛ_, that then transmits the signal indicating that the vehicle was misused. The signal is transmitted analogously also when the vehicle is attacked through the mechanic lock 3 fitted with the electrical switching preventing the entry into compartment 2 of the vehicle motor so that the system indicating the unauthorized handling initiates the emergency signal using the element 6 of the control of blocking of entry into the protected compartment 2 of the vehicle motor. The activated mobile communication device 1 fitted with the circuit evaluating the signal level and means for transmitting of the emergency signal when the signal level is decreased under the specified limit, transmits the emergency signal to the activated compatible communication device ΛΛ_ in case that said signal level was decreased under the specified limit.

The element 8 intended for blocking of a motor run is opened by the signal used for calling of the activated compatible communication device H to the activated mobile communication device 1 for more than 30 seconds while said operation is simultaneously stored in the memo-box. The element 10 intended for activation of the emergency call, for example, the sensor for the contactless transfer, initiates the function of the permanent emergency call SOS on the activated mobile communication device _.

Industrial applications

The system of securing motor vehicles against stealing and misuse and the connection for performing thereof can be applied particularly for blocking of meter vehicles against misuse.

Claims

C LAI M S

1. The system of securing motor vehicles against stealing and misuse featuring with that the signals are transmitted and received from at least one activated mobile communication device, connected to and registered in a cellular and/or satellite network and located in a compartment of a motor vehicle, to at least one activated compatible communication device located out of said vehicle and connected to and registered in a cellular and/or satellite network and/or permanent network.

2. The system of securing a motor vehicle according to Claim 1 featuring with that the signals received by the device located out of the vehicle are transferred to other compatible communication device.

3. The system of securing a motor vehicle according to Claim 1 featuring with that the actual position of the vehicle is continuously registered by means of the signals that are transmitted from the device located in the motor vehicle to the permanent control station of the cellular and/or satellite network.

4. The system of securing a motor vehicle according to Claim 1 featuring with that the emergency call signals SOS are transmitted from at least one device located in the motor vehicle, to the emergency call station.

5. The connection used for the system of securing a motor vehicle against misuse containing locks, an evaluating unit and a power source located in the compartment of the vehicle motor featuring with that both the activated mobile communication device (1) fitted with its own power system, display and control elements, and at least on element of the system preventing the unauthorized handling (7), and/or at least one element (8) intended for blocking of the motor run, and/or at least one element (6) intended for control of blocking the entry into the compartment (2) of the vehicle motor, and/or the element (10) activating the emergency call are connected to the outputs of the control and evaluating unit (4) while the second compatible communication device (11) represents the independent and separated element of said connection.

6. The connection used for the system according to Claim 5 featuring with that the element of the system preventing the unauthorized handling (7) is formed by the indicator that indicates breaking of the system of securing the vehicle.

7. The connection according to Claim 5 featuring with that the element (8) intended for blocking of the motor run is formed by the immobilizing device.

8. The connection according to Claim 5 featuring with that the mobile communication device (1) forms the integral part of the control and evaluating unit (4).

9. The connection according to Claim 5 and Claim 8 featuring with that the mobile communication device (1) with the circuit evaluating the signal level is fitted with the means for transmitting the emergency signal.

10. The connection according to Claim 5 and Claim 8 featuring with that the auxiliary internal protected aerial (9) is connected to the control and evaluating unit (4).

11. The connection according to Claim 5 and Claim 8 featuring with that the mobile communication device (1) is located in the compartment (2) of the vehicle motor in a separate box (12) that is permanently fixed to the vehicle.

12. The connection according to Claim 5 and Claim 8 featuring with that the mobile communication device (1) is located out of the compartment (2) of the vehicle motor in the separate box (12) that is permanently fixed to the vehicle.