GB2264536A - Preventing unauthorised vehicle use. - Google Patents

Preventing unauthorised vehicle use. Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2264536A
GB2264536A GB9204262A GB9204262A GB2264536A GB 2264536 A GB2264536 A GB 2264536A GB 9204262 A GB9204262 A GB 9204262A GB 9204262 A GB9204262 A GB 9204262A GB 2264536 A GB2264536 A GB 2264536A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
immobilisation
relay
pulse
activated
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9204262A
Other versions
GB9204262D0 (en
Inventor
Adrian John Hunter
Martin Stanley Hall
Robert Campbell Bailey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9204262A priority Critical patent/GB2264536A/en
Publication of GB9204262D0 publication Critical patent/GB9204262D0/en
Publication of GB2264536A publication Critical patent/GB2264536A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/20—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/01—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
    • B60R25/04—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/10—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles actuating a signalling device
    • B60R25/1003—Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A vehicle immobilising relay 16 operating on the engine ignition or fuel system is activated after a time delay each time the starter motor 16 is operated unless a microchip coded key is used after starting. The relay may also actuate a recorded voice warning, a siren and flashing of the vehicle direction indicators. <IMAGE>

Description

Method of and Means for Preventing Unauthorised Use of a Vehicle.
This invention relates to a method of and means for preventing unauthorised use of a vehicle.
The theft of motor vehicles has reached epidemic proportions and in an attempt to avoid such thefts it has becane catmonnlace to install security systems which inrnobilise the vehicles and usually also operate audible and visible alarms. However, the systems employed hitherto have to be set by an authorised driver before he leaves the vehicle and disabled by him before he can restart the vehicle. This has the disadvantage that the authorised driver can forqet or neglect to set the system.
There is also the dangerous possibility that the system can inadvertently be activated when the vehicle is in zotion.
The objects of the present invention are to provide full security without any action by the authorised driver when he leaves the vehicle, to immobilize the vehicle even if an unauthorised driver uses the conventional starting procedure, and to obviate any risk of activating the security system when the vehicle is in motion.
According to one aspect of the invention, a method of preventing unauthorised use of a vehicle comprises utilising every start-up of the vehicle to activate means for causing immobilisation of the vehicle, de-activation of said means by an authorised driver being possible at any time after a start-up operation.
Preferably, de-activation of said means by an authorised driver is possible both during a short delay between a start-up operation and immobilisation of the vehicle, and after i-rmobilisation thereof.
Preferably, also, said means also cause an alarm to operate at the same time as immobilisation occurs According to another aspect of the invention, means for carrying out the method are connected to a start-up mechanism so as to derive a pulse therefrom whenever said mechanism is operated, include a relay incorporated in control circuitry for a system essential to the running of the vehicle so as to render said system inoperative when activated by said Pulse, and also include a device which maintains said system inoperative until said device is caused to de-activate said means by a re-set key.
Preferably, the device which maintains said system inoperative, and the re-set key, both include identically coded micro-chips which co-act to cause de-activation of said means.
The system essential to the running of the vehicle mav be the fuel supply system.
Alternatively, the system essential to the running of the vehicle may be the ignition system.
Preferably, a timer which causes a short delay before immobilisation occurs is interposed between the start-up mechanism and said relay.
Said relay preferably also operates a recorded voice warning within the vehicle when activated by said pulse.
Further relay means are preferably provided which operate alarm means when activated by said pulse.
Preferably, the alarm means comprise a siren and/or alternate flashing of the direction indicators at opposite sides of the vehicle.
Preferably. also, a timer cuts off the alarm means after a limited period.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, hy way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a block diagram of means for preventing unauthorised use of a vehicle.
Referring now to the drawing, means 10 for preventing unauthorised use of a vehicle are connected to the solenoid of its starter motor 12 so as to derive a pulse therefrom whenever said starter is operated. The pulse activates a timer 14 which after a few seconds'delay activates a relay 16 incorporated in control circuitry for the fuel supply system of the vehicle so as to render said system inoperative and thus immobilise the vehicle. As the same time as irnrrbilisation occurs, the relay 16 transmits to a loudspeaker 18 within the vehicle a digitally-recorded repeated voice warning that the vehicle has been immobilised. Also at the same time as imnobilisation occurs, relay means 20 operate alarm means.The relay means 20 comprise a relay which operates a siren to attract the attention of passers-by and a flipflop relay which causes alternate flashing of the direction indicators at opposite sides of the vehicle in hazard warning mode. A timer 22 is provided to cut off the alarm means after a period not exceeding ten minutes, to ccmply with legal requirements concerning public nuisance.
The means 10 include a device 24 which locks said means in immobilising condition until a special re-set key is inserted in a socket 26 associated with said device. The device 24 and the re-set key both include identically coded micro-chips with a very large number of possible combinations, which microchips co-act when said key is inserted to cause said device to de-activate the means 10, whereupon the fuel supply system of the vehicle becomes operative and the vehicle is therefore no longer immobilised.
An emergency battery power source (not shown) is included in the means 10. This source comes into operation if the vehicle's own power supply is disconnected, maintaining power to the means 10 when needed to keep the vehicle immobilised.
In operation, no action whatsoever is required on the part of the authorised driver to provide full security when he leaves the vehicle. When he returns and restarts the vehicle, using the normal ianition key, he preferably inserts the coded re-set key into its socket during the short delay immediately after starting and before immobilisation occurs.
If he fails to do .so, whereupon immobilisation does occur and the recorded voice warning and the alarms are operated, he promptly then inserts the coded re-set key in its socket to de-activate the means 10. However, if an unauthorised person starts the vehicle, either by using the normal ignition key or by so-called "hot-wiring" the vehicle to by-pass the ignition switch, immobilisation will occur and the recorded voice warning and the alarms are operated. Not having the coded re-set keys, the unauthorised person is unable to de-activate the means 10 and the vehicle will remain immobilised indefinitely, whilst the alarms will operate for some minutes to place the unauthorised person at risk and thereby frighten him away.The means 10 can be de-activated later by the authorised driver using the coded re-set key.
Various modifications are possible. The pulse can be derived fran some part of the starter motor 12 other than the solenoid, or from a different start-up mechanism such as a combustion initiation arrangement, irrespective of how the vehicle is powered. The pulse can be derived by direct connection, opticall y coupled connection, magnetic detection, current sensing, voltage sensing, motion sensing, thermal discharge, or gaseous discharge. The timers 14 and 22 can be electronic, electro-mechanical or mechanical. The system essential to the runnina of the vehicle can be a system other than the fuel supply system, for example the ignition system. The recorded voice warning can be omitted, and one or both of the alarm means can be omitted.
The invention is fundamentally superior to Prior security systems because no action is required by the authorised driver to provide full security when he leaves the vehicle.

Claims (13)

1. A method of preventing unauthorised use of a vehicle, comprising using every start-up of the vehicle to activate means for causing immobilisation of the vehicle, de-activation of said means by an authorised driver being possible at any time after a start-up operation.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said de-activation by an authorised driver is possible both during a short delay between a start-up operation and immobilisation of the vehicle, and also after said immobilisation.
3. A method as claimed in either of the preceding claims, wherein said means for causing immobilisation of the vehicle also causes an alarm to operate at the same time as immobilisation occurs.
4. Vehicle immobilisation apparatus for carrying out the method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, said apparatus being connected to a start-up mechanism for the vehicle so as to derive a pulse from said mechanism whenever said mechanism is operated, including a relay incorporated in control circuitry for a system essential to the running of the vehicle so as to render said system inoperative when activated by a said pulse, and further including a device which maintains said system inoperative until said device is caused to de-activate said apparatus by a re-set key.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said device which maintains said system inoperative and said re-set key include identically coded micro-chips which co-act to cause deactivation of said apparatus.
6. Apparatus as claimed in either of claims 4 and 5, wherein said system essential to the running of the vehicle is the fuel supply system.
7. Apparatus as claimed in either of claims 4 and 5, wherein said system essential to the running of the vehicle is the ignition system.
8. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7, wherein a timer is interposed between the start-up mechanism and said relay.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 8, wherein said relay also operates a recorded voice warning when activated by a said pulse.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 9, including further relay means which operate alarm means when activated by a said pulse.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said alarm means comprises a siren and/or flashing of the vehicle's direction indicators.
12. Apparatus as claimed in either of claims 10 and 11, further including a timer to switch off the alarm means after a limited period.
13. Vehicle immobilisation apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.
GB9204262A 1992-02-28 1992-02-28 Preventing unauthorised vehicle use. Withdrawn GB2264536A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9204262A GB2264536A (en) 1992-02-28 1992-02-28 Preventing unauthorised vehicle use.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9204262A GB2264536A (en) 1992-02-28 1992-02-28 Preventing unauthorised vehicle use.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9204262D0 GB9204262D0 (en) 1992-04-08
GB2264536A true GB2264536A (en) 1993-09-01

Family

ID=10711188

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9204262A Withdrawn GB2264536A (en) 1992-02-28 1992-02-28 Preventing unauthorised vehicle use.

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2264536A (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2274488A (en) * 1993-01-20 1994-07-27 John David Baxter Preventing unauthorised vehicle use
WO1994018037A1 (en) * 1993-02-12 1994-08-18 Robert Bosch Gmbh Safety device for vehicles
GB2284018A (en) * 1993-11-23 1995-05-24 Kai Leung Cheng Vehicle security system
BE1007650A5 (en) * 1993-10-22 1995-09-05 Piercot Marc Device authorising use or access by programmed support
EP0704353A1 (en) * 1994-08-29 1996-04-03 Ford Motor Company Method and apparatus for enhanced vehicle protection
WO1996009943A1 (en) * 1994-09-27 1996-04-04 Robert Bosch Gmbh Immobilization device with a short unlocking time
EP0785114A2 (en) * 1996-01-16 1997-07-23 Ford Motor Company Method and apparatus for enhanced vehicle protection
EP0719682B1 (en) * 1994-12-28 2000-02-23 Mazda Motor Corporation Anti-vehicle-theft apparatus

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2009310A (en) * 1977-11-22 1979-06-13 Mourgeon Ind Et Eng Sa Anti-theft device particularly for road vehicles
US4300495A (en) * 1979-09-21 1981-11-17 Trevino Carlos S Car theft preventer
US4302747A (en) * 1979-07-27 1981-11-24 Nationwide Ultraseal Inc. Anti-theft device for engine propelled vehicles
GB2121108A (en) * 1982-06-03 1983-12-14 Colin Rochard Moitie Preventing unauthorised use of i.c. engines
US4452197A (en) * 1982-08-11 1984-06-05 Weber Harold J Vehicle anti-theft ignition foiling device
US4485887A (en) * 1983-10-31 1984-12-04 Morano Michael W Vehicular anti-theft device
EP0244931A2 (en) * 1986-03-04 1987-11-11 Ian Dennis Cecil Smith Disabling system for a vehicle ignition circuit
US4992670A (en) * 1989-04-03 1991-02-12 Pastor David E Ignition disabling anti-theft device

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2009310A (en) * 1977-11-22 1979-06-13 Mourgeon Ind Et Eng Sa Anti-theft device particularly for road vehicles
US4302747A (en) * 1979-07-27 1981-11-24 Nationwide Ultraseal Inc. Anti-theft device for engine propelled vehicles
US4300495A (en) * 1979-09-21 1981-11-17 Trevino Carlos S Car theft preventer
GB2121108A (en) * 1982-06-03 1983-12-14 Colin Rochard Moitie Preventing unauthorised use of i.c. engines
US4452197A (en) * 1982-08-11 1984-06-05 Weber Harold J Vehicle anti-theft ignition foiling device
US4485887A (en) * 1983-10-31 1984-12-04 Morano Michael W Vehicular anti-theft device
EP0244931A2 (en) * 1986-03-04 1987-11-11 Ian Dennis Cecil Smith Disabling system for a vehicle ignition circuit
US4992670A (en) * 1989-04-03 1991-02-12 Pastor David E Ignition disabling anti-theft device

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2274488A (en) * 1993-01-20 1994-07-27 John David Baxter Preventing unauthorised vehicle use
WO1994018037A1 (en) * 1993-02-12 1994-08-18 Robert Bosch Gmbh Safety device for vehicles
BE1007650A5 (en) * 1993-10-22 1995-09-05 Piercot Marc Device authorising use or access by programmed support
GB2284018A (en) * 1993-11-23 1995-05-24 Kai Leung Cheng Vehicle security system
EP0704353A1 (en) * 1994-08-29 1996-04-03 Ford Motor Company Method and apparatus for enhanced vehicle protection
WO1996009943A1 (en) * 1994-09-27 1996-04-04 Robert Bosch Gmbh Immobilization device with a short unlocking time
EP0719682B1 (en) * 1994-12-28 2000-02-23 Mazda Motor Corporation Anti-vehicle-theft apparatus
EP0785114A2 (en) * 1996-01-16 1997-07-23 Ford Motor Company Method and apparatus for enhanced vehicle protection
EP0785114A3 (en) * 1996-01-16 1998-01-28 Ford Motor Company Method and apparatus for enhanced vehicle protection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9204262D0 (en) 1992-04-08

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)