Abstract:
A security system detects intrusive activities in and around a vehicle and transmits warnings specifically describing the intrusions through a wireless telephone network to the owner&#39;s designated contacts. In response to the intrusion warnings, the vehicle owner or designees can establish remote wireless communication with the security system and obtain further information on the intrusion or initiate counter-measures to thwart an incipient theft.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an interactive vehicle security system that uses a wireless communications module to notify the vehicle owner of detected intrusions and to receive and implement commands from the owner in response to these intrusions. 
         [0003]    2. Related Prior Art 
         [0004]    Conventional vehicle security systems respond to detected threats by sounding a loud alarm to attract attention to the theft activity. If the vehicle is parked in an isolated area, however, the sound of the alarm may not be heard. Even if there are people in the vicinity when the alarm sounds, they may not pay attention because of the frequency of false alarms. As for the owner, he or she will usually not be close enough to the vehicle to hear the alarm sound. 
         [0005]    It is desirable, therefore, to have a vehicle security system that notifies the owner when his/her vehicle is being tampered with or has been stolen. It is also desirable that the security system notify the owner directly, rather than through a paid security service, as this enables the owner to respond more quickly and to avoid recurring charges of a vehicle security service. 
         [0006]    The prior art in the field of vehicle security systems has recognized these needs and has responded to them in a variety of ways. In Reid, U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,104, a mobile radio transmitter is used to broadcast on an assigned frequency a warning to the owner that an intrusion has been detected. A second transmitter is used to transmit video signals at a second assigned frequency to a remote receiver so that the intrusion can be observed from a remote location. But the Reid security device has two major disadvantages. First, the owner must always carry with him a special radio unit to receive the warning messages. Second, there is no means provided for the owner to respond to the intrusion through a two-way communication with the vehicle security device. 
         [0007]    A step in the direction of addressing the disadvantages of the Reid device is taught by Driori et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,667. In order to avoid the inconvenience and expense of a dedicated transmitter-receiver system to send intrusion warnings, the Driori patent discloses a hardware and software interface to integrate a variety of cellular communication systems with vehicle security systems. In this way, the owner&#39;s car phone can be set up to call a designated contact number in the event the vehicle security system detects an intrusion. The Driori invention also has limited interactive capabilities, enabling the owner to initiate several actions telephonically, such as cutting off the engine or having voice communication with the thief. 
         [0008]    Technological advances in wireless telephones since the Driori patent have rendered its complex and cumbersome universal interface system unnecessary to provide a vehicle security system with a wireless communication capability. The world&#39;s most widely used mobile telephony technology is now the digital system known as GSM (Global System for Mobile communication). A GSM module can be part of the vehicle security device itself, thus obviating the need for interfacing with a separate mobile telephone. 
         [0009]    A GSM vehicle security system has other advantages as well. GSM telephony accommodates SIM cards (Subscriber Identity Module) holding network access configurations. This feature enables the vehicle owner to purchase a GSM security system independent of any local wireless service provider and to simply purchase a local access SIM card to insert into the GSM module. 
         [0010]    GSM also has superior compatibility with emerging packet-based wireless services such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) and other advanced second generation (2.5G) and third generation (3G) wireless technologies, such as Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS). Such 3G technology offers broadband, packet-based transmission of text, digitalized voice, video and multimedia at data rates up to 2 Mbps. Consequently, a GSM vehicle security system can incorporate capabilities for transmission to the owner, and/or the owner&#39;s computer, of digital photographs, streaming video, and/or GPS location coordinates of the stolen vehicle. 
         [0011]    The evolution toward an interactive GSM vehicle security system appears in Yang, U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,072. The Yang invention provides interactive bi-directional communication between the owner and the security system. When the GSM system detects an intrusion, it sends a telephonic warning signal to the owner. Using a remote telephone, the owner can then contact the security system and, after entering a password, can cause the system to initiate various responsive actions, such as locking the doors or disabling the engine. 
         [0012]    But the Yang system still has several major shortcomings. It has no ability to determine the specific type of intrusion in progress and report specific information to the vehicle owner so that he/she can determine the most appropriate response to make under the circumstances. For example, the situation in which a vehicle vibration sensor has been activated would call for an entirely different level of response than one involving an unauthorized door opening or ignition activation. 
         [0013]    The Yang invention also lacks features to integrate it with a vehicle&#39;s existing or factory-installed vehicle security system and thus utilize existing security sensors (e.g. for hood, door, trunk openings, etc.). This drawback adds unnecessary expense to the system and is apt to cause problems of compatibility with the existing vehicle security system. 
         [0014]    Also lacking in the Yang system are features to enable voice communications between the owner and the thief and/or monitoring (audio, photographic or video) of intrusive activities in and around the vehicle. These types of communications and monitoring functions are important to provide the owner with enough information to make informed decisions regarding anti-theft responsive actions. 
         [0015]    After the Yang patent, subsequent refinements in the art have produced greater information content in wireless messaging to the owner. Two patents issued to Chen, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,151,440 and 7,151,141 teach security systems that can notify the owner of a change in the vehicle&#39;s location based on monitoring of CGI or GPS coordinates. A patent to Otsuki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,151,440, describes a system that distinguishes different levels of vehicle intrusion in order to determine appropriate responsive measures. The published application of Chang, Pub. No. US 2006/0087411, discloses a system that transmits photographs and GPS coordinates to a remote web server accessible to the owner. And the published application of Fazio, Pub. No. US 2006/0192659, discloses a system that sends photographs and short video clips of intrusive activity to the owner&#39;s cell phone or e-mail. But none of these five patent documents teaches an interactive system that enables the owner to initiate anti-theft actions in the vehicle based on the information he/she receives. 
         [0016]    The patent to Becker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,064,657, describes an interactive vehicle security system. The system sends a wireless intrusion warning message to the owner, who may then call the system and activate cameras to send him/her photographic or video images of the vehicle interior and exterior. After remotely viewing these images, the owner can activate responses such as disabling the engine. But the Becker invention also has a major disadvantage. The information it provides to the owner regarding theft activity in and around the vehicle is limited to photo/video images. Even with multiple hidden cameras, many of the thief&#39;s actions will not be fully visible. Specific information as to why the vehicle alarm was activated—e.g., a mere vibration or broken window—would better and more quickly inform the owner of the urgency of the situation and the need for a rapid response. 
         [0017]    Consequently, the prior art in the field of wireless vehicle security systems fails to provide a system that: (a) promptly informs the owner of the specific conditions that have triggered the system, (b) enables the owner to initiate a variety of anti-theft measures, including voice communication with the thief, in response to the specific conditions reported, (c) integrates with the existing or factory-installed vehicle alarm system and utilizes its sensor apparatus, and (d) uses a GSM module to enable enhanced reporting features, such as digital photography/video and GPS coordinates data, based on 2.5G and/or 3G technology. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle security system that incorporates a GSM wireless communication module, by means of which the system notifies the owner, and/or other designated contact numbers (hereafter broadly referred to as the “owner”), of intrusive activity detected in and around the vehicle. 
         [0019]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle security system which wirelessly transmits to the owner voice and/or text messages that specify the type of intrusive activity that has been detected. 
         [0020]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle security system which enables the owner, upon receiving notification of the specific ongoing intrusive activity, to initiate remotely by telephone one or more responsive actions to counteract the intrusion, such as locking the doors, sounding alarms, calling the police, disabling the ignition, locking the steering wheel, or cutting off fuel to the engine. 
         [0021]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle security system with real-time interactive capabilities, such that the owner can remotely monitor, by wireless communication device or computer, real-time audio and/or photo/video of the intrusive activity, obtain real-time GPS coordinates of the vehicle, and/or initiate real-time verbal communication with the intruder. 
         [0022]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wireless vehicle security system that readily integrates with the existing or factory-installed security system and utilizes existing sensors already installed in the vehicle to monitor indicators of intrusive activity. 
         [0023]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to utilize the advanced capabilities of GSM digital mobile telephony, including such features&#39; ability to obtain access to a variety of local wireless providers through use of SIM cards, and ability to upgrade to advanced second generation (2.5G) and third generation (3G) wireless functions, including broadband transmission of text, digital audio, video and multimedia. 
         [0024]    It is still a further object of the present invention to enable the vehicle owner to enjoy the benefits of a comprehensive interactive vehicle security system without the need for hiring a security service to monitor the vehicle and report its status to him/her, thereby allowing responsive anti-theft action to be more timely and avoiding monthly security service fees. 
         [0025]    These and other beneficial purposes are achieved by an interactive wireless security system that consists of a base unit, one or more remote keypads, and an array of intrusion sensors. The base unit comprises a central processing unit (the “CPU”), an internal clock, a GSM digital communications module (the “GSM Module”), a menu ROM, a message ROM, a memory RAM, a sensory interface, a communication interface, and a vehicle control interface. Optionally, the base unit can also include an A/V processor and/or a GPS module. The array of intrusion sensors can include sensors associated with pre-installed security systems that have come as original equipment with the vehicle or have previously been installed by the owner. The pre-installed sensors can be supplemented by dedicated sensors of the present invention. 
         [0026]    Intrusion sensors can include, without limitation, a door sensor, for sensing close-open status of doors and/or lighting of interior dome light in response to door opening; a trunk sensor, for sensing close-open status of trunk; a bonnet sensor, for sensing close-open status of engine bonnet; a battery voltage sensor, for sensing variation of battery voltage; an ignition sensor, for sensing key cylinder insertions and/or ignition activation; a vibration/tilt sensor, for sensing unusual vibration, impact, and/or tilting of the vehicle; a motion/acceleration sensor, for sensing whether the car is in motion and/or accelerating; a motion sensor, for sensing intrusive movement within or in the vicinity of the vehicle; an acoustic sensor, for sensing sounds of breaking glass and/or door openings; a brake/gas pedal sensor, for sensing pressure applied to brake and/or gas pedals; a steering sensor, for sensing turning of steering wheel; a seat sensor, for sensing the weight of an intruder on the driver&#39;s seat; one or more AN (audio/visual) sensors, to obtain audio, photographic and/or video data of the car interior and/or exterior; and a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, to obtain GPS coordinates of the vehicles location. 
         [0027]    Information from the intrusion sensors is supplied to the CPU through the sensory interface, which for certain types of sensors may need to convert analog readings into digital format. If a GPS or an A/V sensor is installed, information from this sensor will be supplied to the CPU through a GPS interface or an A/V processor, respectively. When the security system is on, the CPU is continually monitoring the readings of each intrusion sensor. Upon finding an abnormal status of an intrusion sensor, the CPU will first initiate a verification routine to confirm the reading and check to see that the sensor is not malfunctioning. 
         [0028]    Once verification of abnormal status of an intrusion sensor is completed, the CPU will initiate responsive action in accordance with its programming. In all instances, the CPU will correlate the type of intrusion detected with one of a number of digital voice and/or text messages stored in the message ROM. The CPU then stores the message, including the date and time obtained from the internal clock, in the memory RAM, and transmits the message to the GSM module through the communication interface. The GSM module then sends the message to the pre-programmed contact telephone numbers and/or e-mail addresses. 
         [0029]    The CPU can also be programmed to take other actions automatically, through the GSM module and/or the vehicle control interface, in response to specific intrusion indicators. For example, in response to intrusion sensors indicating vehicle vibration or movement in the vehicle&#39;s vicinity, the CPU can send a command through the vehicle control interface to lock the doors and sound the vehicle&#39;s horn or alarm siren. If one of the intrusion sensors indicates that the vehicle has been tilted, on the other hand, the CPU can be programmed to select from the message ROM the message that the vehicle is being towed away by a thief and to transmit that message through the communication interface to the GSM module, with direction that it be sent to police and emergency telephone numbers. And in response to a pressure reading from the gas pedal sensor, the CPU can be programmed to send a command through the vehicle control interface to disable the fuel pump so that fuel will stop flowing to the engine. 
         [0030]    When the owner receives a message from the base unit specifying the type of intrusion and time of occurrence, he or she can initiate a number of responsive actions from the keypad, from a remote telephone, or, if supported by the local GSM service provider, from a computer or PDA. When the owner contacts the base unit through the GSM module, he or she can access the CPU by entering a pre-programmed password. Password authentication causes the CPU to access the menu ROM containing a series of digital voice instructions and menu prompts eliciting alternate choices. The menu prompts begin with the most general main menu level and progress to more specific sub-menus based on the owner&#39;s responses. The menu prompts are transmitted through the communication interface to the GSM module and from there to the owner. 
         [0031]    By way of example, (see  FIG. 3 ), the main menu can consist of four prompts: number one accessing CPU programming options, number two accessing GSM communications options, number three accessing intrusion sensor monitoring options, and number four accessing vehicle control options. If the owner presses number three on the keypad or on his/her telephone, for instance, he/she will access the sensor submenu consisting of prompts for the various sensors. If number seven corresponds to the GPS sensor, pushing seven on the keypad or telephone would retrieve current and previous GPS coordinates. 
         [0032]    Each sub-menu (see  FIG. 3 ) will contain prompts to go back to the next higher menu level and/or the main menu level. Thus, for example, when the owner has learned that the GPS coordinates of the vehicle are changing, he/she may go back to the main menu level and select the GSM communication submenu to send the vehicle&#39;s current GPS coordinates to the police. The owner may then return again to the main menu level and, selecting the vehicle control options, respond to the prompt to disable the fuel pump. 
         [0033]    A fuller understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be gained from the ensuing detailed description of the preferred embodiments read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is an overview functional block diagram of an interactive wireless vehicle security system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a detailed functional block diagram of the preferred embodiment, showing the components of the base unit and their interrelationship. 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary menu scheme of the preferred embodiment, showing interactive options with respect to programming, communication, sensor monitoring and vehicle control, and submenus corresponding to each option. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , we see an overview of the functional elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention  10  depicted in block format. The primary functional elements comprise a vehicle  11  in which is installed a base unit  12 . The base unit  12  is telephonically connected through a wireless network  13  to the owner&#39;s communication device  14  (which may be a cell phone, conventional phone, computer or PDA). One or more remote keypads  15  wirelessly communicates various commands (e.g. turn system on/off, lock/unlock doors, sound alarm, etc.) to the base unit  12 . A wireless antenna  16  used for communicating with the wireless network  13  is installed in the vehicle  11 , optimally in a location not readily observable. 
         [0038]    The vehicle  11  is equipped with a factory-installed horn  17  and/or an alarm siren  17  that is part of an existing security system, either factory-installed or installed by the owner. In the event the vehicle&#39;s existing horn/siren is not suitable, a dedicated alarm siren  17  can be provided with the present security system  10 . The vehicle  11  is also equipped with a plurality of pre-installed sensors  18 , which may be factory-installed or part of a security system previously installed by the owner. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the functional “heart” of the base unit  12  is a CPU  19 . The CPU  19  continually receives digital data from certain components of the base unit  12 , including an internal clock  20 , a communication interface  21 , and a sensory interface  22 . Optionally, the CPU  19  continually receives digital data also from an A/V processor  37  and/or a GPS module  36 , both of which are optional components of the base unit  12 . The CPU  19  also can retrieve digital data from certain components of the base unit  12 , including a message ROM  23 , a menu ROM  24  and a memory RAM  25 . The CPU  19  can also store data in the memory RAM  25  and can set/reset the internal clock  20 . 
         [0040]    The CPU  19  is also capable of controlling the operation of certain components of the base unit  12 , including a GSM module  26 , a vehicle control interface  27 , the vehicle&#39;s pre-installed sensors  18 , a plurality of dedicated sensors  28 , as well as, optionally, a GPS sensor  34 , and an A/V sensor  35 . 
         [0041]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the owner programs the base unit  12  using the remote keypad  15  and/or the owner&#39;s communication device  14 . Using the owner&#39;s communications device  14 , the owner initially sets up the base unit  12  by dialing the telephone number assigned to the GSM module  26  (or the SIM card inserted therein). If the present security system  10  is turned on, the GSM module  26  will send an incoming call signal through the communication interface  21  to the CPU  19 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , when the CPU  19  receives the incoming call signal, it will retrieve the main menu  29  and send it, in digital voice and/or text format, back through the communication interface  21  to the GSM module  26 , which will then wirelessly transmit the voice and/or text of the main menu  24  through the wireless network  13  to the owner&#39;s communication device  14 . 
         [0043]    To perform the initial unit programming, the owner will respond to the prompts of the main menu  29  by selecting the programming option. For exemplary purposes, this option is designated as number one in the main menu shown in  FIG. 3 . Accordingly, the owner keys in the number one on the owner&#39;s communication device  14 , which transmits it through the wireless network  13  to the GSM module  26 , which in turn sends it through the communication interface  21  to the CPU  19 . 
         [0044]    Upon receiving the numerical response to the main menu prompts, the CPU  19  retrieves from the menu ROM  24  the corresponding submenu  30 - 33 . For exemplary purposes, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the number one response to the main menu  29  causes the CPU  19  to retrieve submenu one  30  from the menu ROM  24  and to send it through the communication interface  21  to the GSM module  26  for transmission to the owner&#39;s communication device  14  through the wireless network  13 . 
         [0045]    In the initial setup of the base unit  12 , the owner will hear or read a series of prompts such as those shown, for exemplary purposes, in submenu one  30  of  FIG. 3 . Keying in the number one in response to the prompts of submenu one  30 , for example, will cause the CPU  19  to retrieve from the menu ROM  24  and transmit through the GSM module  26  a digital voice and/or text prompt to input numbers of the current date and time in a specified format using the owner&#39;s communication device  14 . Similarly, if the owner keys in number two in response to the prompts of submenu one  30 , the CPU  19  will cause to be retrieved and transmitted a prompt for the owner to input a sequence of numbers and/or characters as a password. 
         [0046]    Using a programming submenu  30  of the exemplary type shown in  FIG. 3 , the owner can proceed during the initial setup process to set the date and time, set the password, and/or input contact telephone numbers and/or e-mail addresses to be contacted in the event of a detected intrusion. Certain of the submenu  30 - 33  prompts may access a sub-submenu. For example, option number five in submenu one  30  may access a sub-submenu (not shown) giving various anti-theft response actions for the CPU  19  to automatically initiate in response to certain circumstances. A sudden drop in battery voltage, for example, could cause the CPU  19  to automatically disable the ignition. 
         [0047]    Once the initial setup of the base unit  12  is accomplished, the security system  10  is ready to function. When the owner parks the vehicle  11  and locks the doors, the system  10  will automatically be turned on or “armed.” If the owner forgets to lock the doors, he/she may remotely arm the system  10  using the remote keypad  15  or the owner&#39;s communication device  14 . In the latter case, the owner could, for example, respond to prompt number four in submenu one  30 . 
         [0048]    With the system  10  in the “armed” mode, the CPU  19  will continually receive digital data through the sensory interface  22  on the status of the pre-installed sensors  18  and the dedicated sensors  28 . Optionally, the CPU  19  continually receives digital data also through the A/V processor  37  from the A/V sensors  35  and/or through the GPS module  36  from the GPS sensor  34 . By calling the base unit  12  and selecting monitoring options from the main menu  29 , the owner can access a monitoring submenu  32 , shown for exemplary purposes as submenu three in  FIG. 3 . In response to the voice and/or text prompts of the monitoring submenu  32 , the owner can activate or deactivate certain sensors and can obtain a brief report of the status of active sensors. 
         [0049]    If, for example, the owner wished to learn the door sensor status, he/she would key in on his/her communication device  14  the number two in response to the prompts of submenu three  32 . This digital numerical datum would then be transmitted through the wireless network  13  to the GSM module  26 , which would then send the datum through the communications interface  21  to the CPU. Upon receiving the number two in response to submenu three, the CPU  19  would, in this exemplary situation, retrieve data on the “locked/unlocked” and “open/closed” status of the doors from the door sensor  18  through the sensory interface  22 . If sensor status data indicates that the doors are locked and closed, for instance, the CPU will retrieve the digital voice/text message “doors locked and closed” from the message ROM  23 . The latter message will then be sent through the communications interface  21  to the GSM module  26  for transmission through the wireless network  13  to the owner&#39;s communication device  14 . 
         [0050]    When one of the sensors  18 / 28  detects an abnormal condition potentially associated with intrusive activity in or around the vehicle  11 , the corresponding digital data will be sent through the sensory interface  22  to the CPU  19 . The CPU  19  will then initiate a routine to confirm that the affected sensor is functioning properly and the sensor status has been accurately reported. After confirmation of an incident involving abnormal sensor status, the CPU  19  will retrieve from the internal clock the date and time of the incident and will store the incident data with its date and time in the memory RAM  25 . In this way, even if an intruder subsequently finds and disables the base unit  10 , evidence of the incident can be later recovered. The CPU  19  can be programmed to delete data stored in the memory RAM  25  after a certain retention period. 
         [0051]    After storing the incident data, the CPU  19  will initiate any automatic responses to this incident type that the owner has selected from the programming submenu  30  during the setup of the base unit  12 . Next the CPU  19  will retrieve from the message ROM  23  a digital voice and/or text message corresponding to the specific intrusive incident detected. The appropriate digital message along with date and time of the incident are then sent by the CPU  19  through the communication interface  21  to the GSM module  26  for wireless transmission to the contact telephone numbers and/or e-mail addresses which were input by the owner during the setup process. 
         [0052]    Upon receiving a message specifying the time and nature of the intrusive incident, the owner will call the telephone number of the GSM module  26 , which will cause the base unit  12  to transmit back to the owner the main menu  29 , by the series of operations previously described above. In the exemplary format of the main menu  29  shown in  FIG. 3 , the owner might first select option number two to access communications submenu  31 . An exemplary format of the communications submenu  31  is shown in  FIG. 3 . From such a communications submenu  31 , the owner could choose to monitor sounds inside the vehicle, or to speak to the intruder, or to have the GSM module send emergency messages to the police, etc. From the communications submenu  31 , or a similar type of submenu, the owner could also obtain additional information on the ongoing intrusion, including GPS coordinates, photographs and/or video, to the extent wireless transmission of such data is supported by the GSM service provider. 
         [0053]    After obtaining as much information as possible from listening/speaking to the intruder and receiving GPS, photographic and/or video data, the owner could return to the main menu  29  from the communication menu  31  and next access the vehicle control submenu  33 . An exemplary format of the vehicle control submenu  33  is shown as submenu four in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0054]    By way of example, let us imagine that the owner has received a succession of messages indicating a door opened, battery voltage drop, vehicle in motion, and brake pedal depression. Using the communications submenu, the owner has heard an intruder&#39;s voice and has warned the thief that the police have been called, but to no avail. From the vehicle control submenu  33 , the owner could at this juncture choose to disable the fuel pump, which is option number six on exemplary submenu four  33 . The datum of the owner&#39;s selection of number six in response to the vehicle control submenu would then be received by the GSM module  26  and sent to the CPU  19  via the communication interface  21 . Upon receiving this datum, the CPU  19  is programmed to send a signal through the vehicle control interface  27  which cuts off power to the fuel pump. 
         [0055]    For safety reasons, the CPU  19  can be programmed to delay implementation of the fuel pump cut off command for a certain duration, during which periodic voice warning messages from the message ROM  23  of an impending engine stoppage can be addressed to the thief through the GSM module  26 . Alternatively, the CPU  19  can be programmed to delay the fuel cut-off command until the sensors  18 / 28  indicate vehicle speed below a set limit, such as 20 m.p.h. 
         [0056]    When A/V sensors  35  and/or a GPS sensor  34  are installed in the vehicle  11 , the base unit  12  can optionally transmit photo/video and/or GPS data to a website maintained by a web server and accessible to the owner, provided that the wireless network  13  supports such transmissions. This feature will enable the owner to view GPS vehicle location mapping and/or photo/video images even if the owner&#39;s communication device does not support viewing of such mapping and/or images. 
         [0057]    The present invention  10  can also optionally include a “panic button” feature for hijacking situations in which the owner is in the vehicle with the thief. By depressing a certain key on the remote keypad  15 , for example, a crisis signal would be sent to the CPU  19  through the communications interface  21 . In response to the crisis signal, the CPU  19  would retrieve a digital voice/text message, (such as “car hijacking in progress, black Mercedes, NY license #”) from the message ROM  23  and, if available, current vehicle location coordinates from the GPS sensor  34 , and would cause the GSM module  26  to periodically transmit the message with current location to police and emergency contact telephone numbers and/or e-mail addresses. 
         [0058]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention being thus described, it will be obvious that this invention may be modified in many ways with respect to specific features presented herein for exemplary purposes. Such modifications are not be regarded as departures from the scope of the present invention, but rather all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included in the following claims.