SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CUSTOMIZABLE VEHICLE SECURITY SETTINGS

Embodiments herein are directed to a system that includes a user interface and a vehicle. The vehicle includes an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the user interface. The electronic control unit includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules that cause the electronic control unit to perform at least the following: transmit a plurality of vehicle security options to the user interface, the plurality of vehicle security options selectable by a user to actuate one or more of the security components of the vehicle security system, receive an input from the user interface indicative of at least one selected option of the plurality of vehicle security options to be actuated, and enable the security system with the at least one selected option to be actuated when the vehicle security system is activated.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to vehicle security systems and, more specifically, to vehicle systems that provide an ability to customize vehicle security settings.

BACKGROUND

Currently, vehicles include a security system whereby all of a vehicle's doors are locked and an alarm is set. However, the security system is not customizable by a user such that the user can specify particular security measures to be taken when a security system is actuated.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a system that includes a user interface and a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the user interface. The electronic control unit is configured to operate a plurality of independently actuable security components of a vehicle security system. The electronic control unit includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. The machine readable instructions cause the electronic control unit to perform at least the following when executed by the one or more processors: transmit a plurality of vehicle security options to the user interface, the plurality of vehicle security options selectable by a user to actuate one or more of the security components of the vehicle security system, receive an input from the user interface indicative of at least one selected option of the plurality of vehicle security options to be actuated when a security system is activated, and enable the security system with the at least one selected option to be actuated when the vehicle security system is activated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments disclosed herein include vehicle security systems that are customizable by a user via a user interface to select a plurality of vehicle security options for when a vehicle is placed into a vehicle security mode. The vehicle security system includes an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the user interface and configured to operate a plurality of independently actuable security components based on the plurality of vehicle security options. The plurality of vehicle security options may be determined based on a plurality of vehicle options and the user may choose which of the plurality of security options may occur during a vehicle security mode when a security system is activated. For example, the plurality of vehicle security options may include a door lock option, a window lock option, a trunk lock option, a window tint option, an alarm option, and an image activate option.

As used herein, the term “communicatively coupled” means that coupled components are capable of exchanging data signals and/or electric signals with one another such as, for example, electrical signals via conductive medium, electromagnetic signals via air, optical signals via optical waveguides electrical energy via conductive medium or a non-conductive medium, and the like.

Referring initially toFIG. 1, a perspective view of a vehicle security system100is depicted. The vehicle security system100includes a vehicle101, which includes a vehicle body102onto which a vehicle drivetrain is coupled. The vehicle101also includes a cabin104that is integral with the vehicle body102. The cabin104generally defines a passenger cabin of the vehicle101, which is enclosed by a plurality of doors105. The vehicle101includes a front end assembly106and a rear end assembly108. The front end assembly106includes front grille assembly110and a hood112located between a pair of front fenders114and116and spaces apart the front fenders114and116so to form an engine compartment118. The rear end assembly108includes a trunk lid120or hatch located between a pair of rear quarter panels122and spaced apart from the pair of rear quarter panels122so to form a trunk area126.

In addition, the front fenders114and116and/or the front grille assembly110may further include a front image capturing device128for capturing a plurality of images including live or streaming feeds in real time and/or a plurality of sensors130for sensing live vehicle environments such as whether a vehicle intrusion has occurred, as discussed in greater detail herein. Further, the rear quarter panels122and/or the trunk lid120may further include a rear image capturing device132for capturing a plurality of images including live or streaming feeds in real time and/or at least one of the plurality of sensors130for sensing live vehicle environments such as whether the vehicle intrusion has occurred, as discussed in greater detail herein.

In embodiments, each of the plurality of doors105may further include a window136that is moveable via a window actuator138, between a plurality of positions. For example, between a closed position, as best shown inFIG. 1, and a fully open position. Further, in some embodiments, each window136of the plurality of doors105may further include a window tint mechanism140configured to change a shade of a tint of each window136of the plurality of doors105. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of doors105may further include a door lock actuator124that is configured to lock and/or unlock each door of the plurality of doors105to the cabin104when the door is in a closed position, as best seen inFIG. 1. Further, in some embodiments, the trunk lid120or hatch may be movable via a trunk actuator142between an open position where the trunk lid120or hatch is spaced apart from the trunk area126and a closed position where the trunk lid120or hatch is encloses the trunk area126, as best shown inFIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the vehicle101may further include an alarm device144configured to sound a horn or other alert of the vehicle when an intrusion is detected, as discussed in greater detail herein. Further, in some embodiments, the vehicle101further includes an antenna146configured to transmit and receive data, such as receiving commands from the user interface and transmitting the plurality of images to a network outside of the vehicle101, as discussed in greater detail herein.

It should be appreciated that the plurality of independently actuable security components of the vehicle security system100may include the front image capturing device128, plurality of sensors130, the rear image capturing device132the window actuator138, the window tint mechanism140, the door lock actuator124, the trunk actuator142, and/or the alarm device144.

The vehicle101may generally be any vehicle with one or more onboard computing devices, particularly computing devices that contain hardware for processing data, storing data, and capturing images in or around the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle101and/or components thereof may perform one or more computing functions, such as receiving data (e.g. from the antenna146), capturing data (e.g., from the plurality of sensors130, from the front image capturing device128, and/or from the rear image capturing device132), processing the received and/or captured data, storing the data, and providing processed data for vehicle security operations and/or detections of intrusions, as described in greater detail herein. It should be appreciated that the plurality of sensors130, the front image capturing device128, the rear image capturing device132and/or the antenna146are in communication with an electronic control unit200. The electronic control unit200may be on board the vehicle101. Further, it should be appreciated that the vehicle101may be an automobile or any other passenger or non-passenger vehicle such as, for example, a terrestrial, aquatic, and/or airborne vehicle.

The vehicle security system100may further include a user interface148that is communicatively coupled to the antenna146. In some embodiments, the user interface148may be a smart mobile device149such as a smart phone, a laptop, a tablet, or a like portable handheld smart device. In other embodiments, the user interface148may be a wearable device such as a watch, smart glasses, and the like. Further, in other embodiments, the user interface148may be a vehicle's infotainment screen152. That is, the user interface148may be embodied within the smart mobile device149, the wearable device, or the vehicle's infotainment system152. In other embodiments, the user interface148may be both the vehicle's infotainment screen152and the smart mobile device149or the wearable device (e.g., same interface is mirrored on both infotainment screen152and the smart mobile device149or the wearable device so that a user may select options remotely or from within the vehicle101, as discussed in greater detail herein.

As discussed in greater detail below. The user interface148may include a display150, a processor220(FIG. 2A), a memory component224(FIG. 2A) communicatively coupled to the processor220(FIG. 2A), and at least one logic module226(FIG. 2A) stored in the memory component224(FIG. 2A) that includes machine readable instructions. The machine readable instructions may cause the display150to, when executed by the processor220(FIG. 2A), launch and operate a plurality of vehicle security options and/or display an alert and/or a notification pushed from the electronic control unit200to the user interface148, as discussed in greater detail herein.

As such, the electronic control unit200may be in communication with the antenna146and the user interface148, as described in greater detail herein. That is, the user interface148may be configured to interact with the electronic control unit200. In some embodiments, the user interface148is paired with the electronic control unit200of the vehicle101via a wired connection and/or a wireless connection. For the wireless connection, the antenna146is communicatively coupled to the user interface148and the electronic control unit200such that the user interface148is paired with the electronic control unit200.

The plurality of sensors130may transmit a plurality of outputs, either wired or wirelessly, to the electronic control unit200, as explained in greater detail herein. The plurality of sensors130may include laser scanners, capacitive displacement sensors, Doppler effect sensors, eddy-current sensors, ultrasonic sensors, magnetic sensors, optical sensors, radar sensors, sonar sensors, LIDAR sensors, any combination thereof, and/or any other type of sensor that one skilled in the art may appreciate that may be configured to detect an intrusion into the vehicle101. It should be appreciated that the intrusion may mean any unwanted or undesirable attempt to or entry into the vehicle101. As such, for example, an intrusion may be a detected vibration to the vehicle body102, an attempt to or opening of one of the plurality of doors105, an attempt to or opening of the trunk lid120or hatch, and/or the like.

FIG. 2Adepicts various illustrative internal components of the electronic control unit200and internal components of the user interface148. More specifically, the electronic control unit200may be communicatively coupled to the user interface148via a network228. The network228may include a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a mobile communications network, a public service telephone network (PSTN), a personal area network (PAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a virtual private network (VPN), and/or another network that can electronically connected the electronic control unit200and the user interface148together.

In various embodiments, the user interface148may include, but is not limited to, the memory component224, the data storage device222, and the processor220. The processor220, such as a computer processing unit (CPU), may be the central processing unit of the user interface148, performing calculations and logic operations to execute a program. The processor220, alone or in conjunction with the other components, is an illustrative processing device, computing device, processor, or combination thereof. The processor220may include any processing component configured to receive and execute instructions (such as from the memory component224).

Still referring toFIG. 2Ain some embodiments, the memory component224may be configured as a volatile and/or a nonvolatile computer-readable medium and, as such, may include random access memory (including SRAM, DRAM, and/or other types of random access memory), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, registers, compact discs (CD), digital versatile discs (DVD), and/or other types of storage components. Further, the memory component224may be a non-transitory, processor-readable memory. The memory component224may include one or more programming instructions thereon that, when executed by the processor220, cause the processor220to complete various processes, such as one or more of the processes described herein with respect toFIG. 3.

The programming instructions stored on the memory component224may be embodied as the one or more software logic modules226, where each logic module226provides programming instructions for completing one or more tasks, as described in greater detail below with respect toFIG. 3. The logic module226includes a plurality of different pieces of logic, each of which may be embodied as a computer program, firmware, and/or software/hardware, which may be executable by the processor220.

Still referring toFIG. 2A, the electronic control unit200is a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores computer-readable programming instructions for completing the various processes described herein, embodied as hardware, software, and/or firmware, according to embodiments shown and described herein. While in some embodiments the electronic control unit200may be configured as a general purpose computer with the requisite hardware, software, and/or firmware, in other embodiments, the electronic control unit200may also be configured as a special purpose computer designed specifically for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the electronic control unit200may be a device that is particularly adapted to obtain a plurality of vehicle security options and transmit the plurality of vehicle security options to the user interface such that the user may customizable the plurality of security options such that the vehicle security system is actuated to the user's customized standards. In another example, the vehicle is monitored during the vehicle security mode and the alerts and/or notifies at least the user when the intrusion is detected. In embodiments where the electronic control unit200is a general purpose computer, the systems and methods described herein provide a mechanism for improving vehicle security modes by permitting the user to customize the plurality of vehicle security options based on the plurality of vehicle options provided in the specific vehicle from the user interface148and then monitoring the vehicle101for the intrusion and notifying at least the user when the intrusion is detected.

Still referring toFIG. 2A, the electronic control unit200may generally be an onboard vehicle computing system. In some embodiments, the electronic control unit200may be a plurality of vehicle computing systems. As also illustrated inFIG. 2A, the electronic control unit200may include a processor204, an I/O hardware208, a network interface hardware210, a non-transitory memory component212, a system interface214, a data storage device216, the plurality of sensors130, the front image capturing device128and the rear image capturing device132. A local interface202, such as a bus or the like, may interconnect the various components.

It should be understood that the local interface202may be formed from any medium that is capable of transmitting a signal such as, for example, conductive wires, conductive traces, optical waveguides, or the like. In some embodiments, the local interface202may facilitate the transmission of wireless signals, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC) and the like. Further, it should be appreciated that the local interface202may communicatively couple the user interface148to the electronic control unit200. Moreover, the local interface202may be formed from a combination of mediums capable of transmitting signals. In one embodiment, the local interface202comprises a combination of conductive traces, conductive wires, connectors, and buses that cooperate to permit the transmission of electrical data signals to components such as processors, memories, sensors, input devices, output devices, and user interfaces. Accordingly, the local interface202may comprise a vehicle bus, such as for example a LIN bus, a CAN bus, a VAN bus, and the like. Additionally, it is noted that the term “signal” means a waveform (e.g., electrical, optical, magnetic, mechanical or electromagnetic), such as DC, AC, sinusoidal-wave, triangular-wave, square-wave, vibration, and the like, capable of traveling through a medium.

The processor204, such as a computer processing unit (CPU), may be the central processing unit of the electronic control unit200, performing calculations and logic operations to execute a program. The processor204, alone or in conjunction with the other components, is an illustrative processing device, computing device, processor, or combination thereof. The processor204may include any processing component configured to receive and execute instructions (such as from the data storage device216and/or the memory component212).

The memory component212may be configured as a volatile and/or a nonvolatile computer-readable medium and, as such, may include random access memory (including SRAM, DRAM, and/or other types of random access memory), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, registers, compact discs (CD), digital versatile discs (DVD), and/or other types of storage components. The memory component212may include one or more programming instructions thereon that, when executed by the processor204, cause the processor204to complete various processes, such as the processes described herein with respect toFIG. 3. Still referring toFIG. 2A, the programming instructions stored on the memory component212may be embodied as a plurality of software logic modules, where each logic module provides programming instructions for completing one or more tasks, as described in greater detail below with respect toFIG. 2B.

The network interface hardware210may include any wired or wireless networking hardware, such as a modem, a LAN port, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) card, WiMax card, mobile communications hardware, the antenna146(FIG. 1), and/or other hardware for communicating with other networks and/or devices. For example, the network interface hardware210may provide a communications link between the vehicle101(FIG. 1) and the other components of a network such as a network228, satellites, user computing devices, server computing devices, and the like. That is, in embodiments, the network interface hardware210is configured to receive signals from the network228and includes one or more conductive elements that interact with electromagnetic signals transmitted by the network228. The received signal is transformed into a data signal indicative of the command from the user via the user interface148, such as the customized security options. Thus, the network interface hardware210allows the vehicle101to have customized security options from the user who is remotely located with respect to the vehicle101(FIG. 1).

Still referring toFIG. 2A, the data storage device216, which may generally be a storage medium, may contain one or more data repositories for storing data that is received and/or generated. The data storage device216may be any physical storage medium, including, but not limited to, a hard disk drive (HDD), memory, removable storage, and/or the like. While the data storage device216is depicted as a local device, it should be understood that the data storage device216may be a remote storage device, such as, for example, a server computing device or the like. Illustrative data that may be contained within the data storage device216is described below with respect toFIG. 2C.

Still referring toFIG. 2A, the I/O hardware208may communicate information between the local interface202and one or more other components of the vehicle101. For example, the I/O hardware208may act as an interface between the electronic control unit200and other components, such as the plurality of sensors130, the user interface148, a head end unit, navigation systems, meter units, infotainment systems, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the I/O hardware208may be utilized to transmit one or more commands to the other components of the vehicle101.

The system interface214may generally provide the electronic control unit200with an ability to interface with one or more external devices such as, for example, the user interface148, such that the electronic control unit200may receive information and/or data from the user interface148and push a notification or alert to the user interface148. As such, the system interface214permits bidirectional communication between the electronic control unit200and the user interface148.

Still referring toFIG. 2A, the plurality of sensors130may be communicatively coupled to the local interface202and communicatively coupled to the processor204via the local interface202. The plurality of sensors130may be any sensing device, sensor, or detector that is suitable for obtaining or collecting data. Any suitable commercially available sensors may be used for the plurality of sensors130without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors130may be coupled to one or more other components that provide additional functionality for sensing, such as, for example, an image capturing device that captures images, whether still or video (a sequence of dynamic photos).

The front image capturing device128may be communicatively coupled to the local interface202and coupled to the processor204via the local interface202. The front image capturing device128may be any imaging device, sensor, or detector that is suitable for obtaining images. As used herein, the term “images” or “image” refers to video images (i.e., a sequence of consecutive images), still images (including still images isolated from video images), and/or image data. Any suitable commercially available front image capturing device128may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the front image capturing device128may be coupled to one or more other components that provide additional functionality for imaging, such as, for example, one or more sensors.

The front image capturing device128may include or may be coupled to a lens (not shown). The lens is not limited by this disclosure and may generally be any optical component that is configured to focus the light entering the front image capturing device128such that an image can be properly obtained. In some embodiments, the lens may be a fixed lens that is not adjustable. In other embodiments, the lens may be adjustable, either manually or automatically by the processor204, to zoom in on an object, zoom out on an object, and/or adjust the focus of the light entering the front image capturing device128.

The rear image capturing device132may be communicatively coupled to the local interface202and coupled to the processor204via the local interface202. The rear image capturing device132may be any imaging device, sensor, or detector that is suitable for obtaining images. Any suitable commercially available rear image capturing device132may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the rear image capturing device132may be coupled to one or more other components that provide additional functionality for imaging, such as, for example, one or more sensors.

The rear image capturing device132may include or may be coupled to a lens (not shown). The lens is not limited by this disclosure and may generally be any optical component that is configured to focus the light entering the rear image capturing device132such that an image can be properly obtained. In some embodiments, the lens may be a fixed lens that is not adjustable. In other embodiments, the lens may be adjustable, either manually or automatically by the processor204, to zoom in on an object, zoom out on an object, and/or adjust the focus of the light entering the rear image capturing device132.

With reference toFIG. 2B, in some embodiments, the program instructions contained on the memory component212may be embodied as a plurality of software modules, where each module provides programming instructions, machine readable and executable instructions, and/or the like, for completing one or more tasks. The programming instructions, machine readable and executable instructions, and the like may comprise logic or algorithm(s) written in any programming language of any generation (e.g., 1GL, 2GL, 3GL, 4GL, or 5GL) such as, for example, machine language that may be directly executed by the processor204, or assembly language, object-oriented programming (OOP), scripting languages, microcode, and the like, that may be compiled or assembled into machine readable and executable instructions and stored on the one or more memory component212. Alternatively, the programming instructions, machine readable and executable instructions may be written in a hardware description language (HDL), such as logic implemented via either a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) configuration or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or their equivalents. Accordingly, the methods described herein may be implemented in any conventional computer programming language, as pre-programmed hardware elements, or as a combination of hardware and software components.

For example,FIG. 2Bschematically depicts the memory component212containing illustrative logic components according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. As shown inFIG. 2B, the memory component212may be configured to store various processing logic, such as, for example, an operating logic230, a vehicle security logic232, an image capturing logic234and/or an alert/notification logic236(each of which may be embodied as a computer program, firmware, or hardware, as an example).

Still referring toFIG. 2B, the operating logic230may include an operating system and/or other software for managing components of the electronic control unit200(FIG. 2A). Further, the operating logic230may contain one or more software modules for monitoring data, transmitting data, and/or analyzing data. The vehicle security logic232may contain one or more software modules and/or other software for managing components of the electronic control unit200(FIG. 2A). Further, the vehicle security logic232may contain one or more software modules for monitoring data, transmitting data, analyzing data, collecting data and/or determining whether an intrusion has occurred. For example, the vehicle security logic232may determine the plurality of vehicle security options, assist in transmitting the options to the user interface148, receive the selected options of the plurality of vehicle security options and assist in facilitating the vehicle security mode according to the selected options of the plurality of security options. The vehicle security logic232may collect data from one or more sources (e.g. the plurality of sensors130, the front image capturing device128and the rear image capturing device132depicted inFIG. 1, and/or the like), as described in greater detail herein.

The image capturing logic234may contain one or more software modules for receiving data, monitoring data, transmitting data, and/or analyzing data to provide the user interface148and other components (e.g., the head unit, infotainment system, and the like) with the plurality of images. The image capturing logic234may be initiated as one of the selected vehicle security options and/or may be initiated when the intrusion is determined. As such, the image capturing logic234may assist in activating the front image capturing device128, the rear image capturing device132, the plurality of sensors130, and the like.

The alert/notification logic236may contain one or more software modules for receiving data, monitoring data, transmitting data, and/or analyzing data to provide the user interface148with the alert/notification of the intrusion. Further, the alert/notification logic236may provide third parties, such as insurance companies, law enforcement, and the like, with the alert/notification of the intrusion. The alert/notification may be a SMS message, a ring, a graphic and the like pushed to the user interface148and/or to the third party.

FIG. 2Cschematically depicts a block diagram of various data contained within a storage device (e.g., the data storage device216). As shown inFIG. 2C, the data storage device216may include, for example, a plurality of vehicle options data238that may be preprogrammed such as by the manufacturer, at the factory, and the like, and/or may be customizable for each vehicle type. The plurality of vehicle options data238may be identified from data received from a plurality of vehicle components, and the like. For example, the window tint mechanism140(FIG. 1), the trunk actuator142(FIG. 1), the front image capturing device128(FIG. 1), the rear image capturing device132(FIG. 1), and/or the like may be preprogrammed or may be identified from the data received from each of the vehicle components.

The data storage device216may further include, for example, a plurality of alarm data240, such as the data related to when the intrusion occurs. For example, when the vehicle101(FIG. 1) is in the security mode and an attempt is made to open one of the plurality of doors105(FIG. 1) (for instance via a door handle), the action may be compared with the plurality of alarm data240to determine whether the action is an intrusion. In another example, when the vehicle101(FIG. 1) is in the vehicle security mode, a vibration of the vehicle body102(FIG. 1) may be compared with the plurality of alarm data240to determine whether the vibration is an intrusion.

Further, the data storage device216may include, for example, a plurality of image data242. The data captured from the front image capturing device128(FIG. 1), the rear image capturing device132(FIG. 1) and/or the plurality of sensors130(FIG. 1) may be stored as the plurality of image data242. It should be appreciated that while the data captured from the front image capturing device128(FIG. 1), the rear image capturing device132(FIG. 1) and/or the plurality of sensors130may be recorded as the plurality of image data242, the data may be live streamed to the user interface148(FIG. 1), as discussed in greater detail herein. Further, the plurality of image data242may be recalled and extracted after being recorded for use by the user, law enforcement, insurance companies, and the like. As such, It should be appreciated that the plurality of image data242may not be stored permanently, but instead may be stored temporarily such that the data may be extracted therefrom. It should also be appreciated that any image processing technology may be used to process images from the front image capturing device128(FIG. 1), the rear image capturing device132(FIG. 1) and/or the plurality of sensors130(FIG. 1).

The data storage device216may further include, for example, a plurality of user options data244in which the user may customize the vehicle security mode by manipulating the plurality of vehicle security options for the vehicle101(FIG. 1) as identified from data received from a plurality of vehicle components or preprogrammed. That is, the user may be able to customize which vehicle security options are selected during the security mode. For example, the user may be able to select whether the window tint mechanism140(FIG. 1) is actuated, whether the window actuator138is actuated, whether the trunk actuator142(FIG. 1) is actuated to position the trunk into the closed position, whether the front image capturing device128(FIG. 1) is activated, the rear image capturing device132(FIG. 1) is activated, whether the door lock actuator124is actuated to lock and/or unlock each door of the plurality of doors105, whether the alarm device144is activated, and the like. As such, the selected user vehicle security options are stored and continuously customizable. That is, the user may edit or change the selected user vehicle security options either remotely via the user interface148(FIG. 1) and/or an onboard vehicle component such as the head unit or infotainment system.

The plurality of user options data244may further include, for example, data related to the type of user interface148(FIG. 1), the connectivity of the device, the type of the display (e.g., the display150of the user interface148(FIG. 1)) such as whether the display is an optical output such as, for example, a cathode ray tube, a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, and/or the like. Further, the plurality of user options data244may include information relating to the operating system of the user interface148(FIG. 1), the type of device, and the like, such that the plurality of vehicle security options and/or the alert/notification may be pushed to the user interface148(FIG. 1).

The data storage device216further includes a plurality of alert/notification data246, which may be received from the plurality of sensors130(FIG. 1), as discussed in greater detail herein. The plurality of sensors130(FIG. 1) are positioned either on or within the vehicle101(FIG. 1) and may capture data such whether an action or other event is an intrusion attempt into the vehicle during the vehicle lock down mode. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors130(FIG. 1) detect an undesirable condition of the vehicle101during the vehicle security mode such as an attempt to enter the vehicle through the plurality of doors105(FIG. 1), the trunk lid120(FIG. 1), and the like. The plurality of sensors130(FIG. 1) may be any device capable of outputting a signal indicative of a potential intrusion. Some embodiments may not include the plurality of sensors130(FIG. 1). Based on the identified potential intrusion, the electronic control unit200may determine whether an undesirable condition is present. Then, the electronic control unit200may determine whether or not to initiate an alert/notification to be pushed to the user via the user interface148(FIG. 1).

It should be understood that the components illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2Care merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. More specifically, while the components inFIGS. 2A-2Care illustrated as residing within the electronic control unit200of the vehicle101, this is a non-limiting example. In some embodiments, one or more of the components may reside external to the electronic control unit200and/or the vehicle101(FIG. 1).

As mentioned above, the various components described with respect toFIGS. 2A-2Cmay be used to carry out one or more processes for a customizable vehicle security system where specific options may be selected from a plurality of vehicle security options. The plurality of vehicle security options may be determined based on a plurality of vehicle options and the user may choose which of the plurality of options may occur during a vehicle security mode.

FIG. 3depicts an illustrative method300for customizing the plurality of vehicle security options of independently actuable security components of the vehicle security system. At block305, the user pairs the user interface with the vehicle and in particular with the electronic control unit. It should be understood that this pairing may be performed through a plurality of methods, such as using applications, in vehicle wired or wireless conductivity, and the like, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. If the user interface is not paired with the vehicle, the process300may continue with the user locally using other vehicle components, such as the vehicle head unit, infotainment system and the like.

Once paired, the plurality of vehicle security options are transmitted to the user interface, at block307. The user selects at least one of the plurality of vehicle security options displayed on the user interface, at block310. It should be appreciated that the plurality of vehicle security options may be based on the options equipped within the vehicle. For example, the user may select that when a security mode occurs, the window of the windows are positioned or moved into the closed position, the plurality of doors are locked, and/or the trunk is placed in the closed position. In another example, the user may also select that when a security mode occurs, the windows are tinted, the front and rear imaging capturing devices are activated, and/or the alarm is activated.

Once the plurality of vehicle security options are selected, the electronic control unit receives the input from the user interface indicative of the at least one selected vehicle security option, at block311and the vehicle security mode is enabled based on the at least one selected vehicle security option, at block315. It should be appreciated that when the vehicle security mode is enabled, the selected vehicle security options of the plurality of vehicle security options are independently actuable by the various security components (i.e., the window actuator, the door lock actuator, the trunk actuator, and the like), at block317. At block320, the electronic control unit determines whether the selected plurality of vehicle security options includes the selection of the image capturing devices to activate. If the electronic control unit determines that the user selected the image capturing devices to activate, the electronic control unit activates at least one of the image capturing device, at block325, records the plurality of captured images, at block330transmits the plurality of captured images to the user interface, at block335and the electronic control unit monitors the vehicle during the security mode, at block340. If the electronic control unit determines that the selected plurality of vehicle security options does not include the selection of the image capturing devices to activate, at block320, then the electronic control unit monitors the vehicle during the security mode, at block340.

At block345, the electronic control unit determines whether an intrusion of the vehicle is detected. If the electronic control unit determines that there is not an intrusion at block345, then the electronic control unit continues to monitor the vehicle while the vehicle remains in the vehicle security mode, at block340. It should be appreciated that block340and block345may continuously loop until an intrusion is detected at block345or until the vehicle is no longer in the vehicle security mode. At block345, when an intrusion is detected, the electronic control unit sends the alert/notification to the user via the user interface, at block350, may send an alert/notification to the third party at block355, as a selected option, indicated by the dotted line. It should be appreciated that the third party may be law enforcement, insurance companies, and the like.

At block360, the electronic control unit may be instructed to recall the plurality of saved captured images by the user and/or by the third parties. When the recall command is received, the electronic control unit may access the data storage device, at block365, to obtain the plurality of images just prior and during the detected intrusions and transmits the obtained the plurality of images, at block370, to the user and/or third party via the user interface, the head end unit, the infotainment system, and the like. If the electronic control unit is not instructed to recall the plurality of saved captured images at block360, the process300ends at block375.

According to the present subject matter, a customizable vehicle security system that permits a user, either remotely by a user interface, or within the vehicle by an infotainment system of the vehicle, to select a plurality of vehicle security options for a vehicle security mode is provided. The plurality of vehicle security options may vary depending on the options of the vehicle. The vehicle security system includes an electronic control unit that operates a plurality of security components based on the plurality of vehicle security options. The user may select from the available plurality of vehicle security options, which occur during the vehicle security mode. For example, the plurality of vehicle security options may include a door lock option, a window move option, a trunk move option, a window tint option, an alarm option, and an image capture activate option.

The vehicle security system monitors the vehicle and determines whether an intrusion occurs and activates at least one image capturing device automatically such that at least one image capturing devices of the vehicle captures and records a plurality of real time images, which may be recalled for the user to view and/or for a plurality of third parties to review, such as insurance agencies, police departments, and the like. Further, upon the intrusion detection, the user may be notified of the intrusion as well predetermined third parties.